June 2003 Travel Newsletter

The Latest On In-Flight Meals
One of the many changes taking place with air travel, as airlines cut their costs, has been the reduction and/or the elimination of in-flight meals by many of the carriers.  Some airlines have discontinued their complimentary meals, but have begun to sell meals on their flights, which may or may not be very popular with travelers who have been disappointed with airline food over the years.

No worries!  Entrepreneurs will always fill the void of a business opportunity.  Two start-up companies are beginning a new trend for in-flight meals: carry-on meal service.  You can now order a flavorful meal of your own choosing for your next flight!

Carry-On Cuisine, based in Maryland, and Sky Meals, based in Los Angeles, both allow you to order a personalized meal to carry onto your flight.  Carry-On Cuisine (www.carryoncuisine.com) features meals from restaurants in the airports it serves.  Air travelers must order at least a day in advance, pay by credit card and can then pick up their meals at the particular restaurant at the airport prior to boarding.  Carry-On Cuisine currently operates at several airports: Reagan National, Dulles International, Baltimore/Washington International and Philadelphia International.

Sky Meals (www.skymeals.com) works with a Los Angeles-based caterer to provide upscale and specialty meals, such as low fat and/or low salt.  The meals are specially prepared and packaged in a heat-retaining box to be eaten whenever you want during your flight.  Customers order a day in advance, pay with a credit card, and meals can be picked up on your way to LAX airport or delivered for an additional fee.

Although service is currently limited to a few airports, both companies plan on expanding service to airports all over the country over the next year or two.
Hotels Becoming More Female Friendly
The hotel industry is taking notice of the increase in female travelers, both business-related and pleasure-related, over the past few decades.  In response to this change, many hotels are adding such amenities as upgraded supplies in the bathrooms, improved personal security, and better room service to accommodate increased bookings by women.  Some hotels are even incorporating female friendly floors and room designs when they do refurbishments or renovations.  These new female friendly room designs include the improved security, floral furnishings, better hairdryers, well-lit mirrors and toiletries geared to women.

Next time you’re booking a hotel room, ask the hotel about any female friendly accommodations that you are interested in, that they might provide.
Product Spotlight
One of the truly essential travel accessories that every traveler should have is some kind of security pouch.  Security pouches help protect your passport, currency, traveler’s checks, credit cards, airline tickets and other valuables by allowing you to keep them safely and discretely with you at all times.  Hidden underneath your clothing, a security pouch prevents anyone from knowing that you are carrying these valuables with you.

The two most popular styles of security pouches are neck pouches and waist pouches.  Neck pouches hang around your neck and inside of your shirt.  Some people wear them hanging in front, while others wear them across their chest so that the pouch hangs under an arm.  Though with the pouch hanging under your arm, it is more difficult to get into it discretely.  Waist pouches are worn around your waist, tucked inside your pants and underneath your shirt.  Most people wear the pouch in front where it is easier to get into when needed.

Two other lesser know styles of security pouches are the Hidden Pocket, which is worn on a belt and hangs inside your pants, and the Leg Stash, worn around the leg, so it works best with long pants.

Part of the security of these various pouches comes from the fact that they are hidden and no one can tell you have them with you, so do not fill them so full that there is a telltale “bulge” in your clothing revealing their presence.  Only carry what you need with you.  Take advantage of the hotel safe and leave whatever you don’t need safely there.
June Travel Programs
Wednesday, June 4th (7:30pm) - Pack Right! Travel Smart! Packing Clinic
The latest in travel tips for easy packing.  Learn the secrets or traveling light and avoid the hassles of over-packing.  You'll discover the latest about how to be an organized traveler by packing efficiently.  Travel tips to help you handle virtually any packing challenge.  YOU can be the experienced traveler who zooms through airport security checks because you're organized!!  Join us to find out how.

This will be our last show for the season.  Now that we’ve learned to pack right, it’s time for everyone to head out on vacations and adventures of their own during the summer.  Thanks to all of our presenters over the last nine months for their wonderful programs.  We hope everyone learned some new information about a new part of the world and received some ideas and inspiration for future travels.  We’ll start up a new season of travel programs in the fall.  Watch our web site and this newsletter for the new schedule!

Take lots of pictures during your travels!  We’re always looking for presenters.  If you have slides and stories from a unique trip and want to share them with fellow travelers, let us know and we’ll schedule you for one of our Wednesday night slide shows.  The best shows have nice pictures, fun stories, a knowledgeable and entertaining presenter, and provide some interest to our well-traveled audience.
Suggested Reading
“The Road Within” edited by Sean O’Reilly et al, 2002, published by Travelers’ Tales Inc.  This is a very different kind of travel book.  It is a collection of true travel stories illustrating how travels in the exterior world can assist us with our own interior navigation, and how some journeys can alter our lives.  After reading these tales, you'll understand and appreciate what the great mystics and saints have always known--that you are closer to yourself and the world than you can possibly imagine, and that wonderous things await you in your travels.
Just For Fun
“Prayer Of The Lost Luggage”

O mighty Zapoletoltecoaxao, God of Flight and Lost Luggage, please return to me my handsome Eagle Creek bag that went to Guadalajara or Timbuktu.  I dare not make a pilgrimage to your Holy Rockpile without the brand new matching outfit from Royal Robbins contained in said Eagle Creek bag.  And if you can spare a moment from your busy schedule, O Winged Reptilian Unhappiness, please firmly smite all cruel and inept baggage handlers.  Amen.
Newsletter Subscriptions
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"Travel and change of place
  impart new vigor to the mind.
    - Lucius Annaeas Seneca
Happy Travels!
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