Archive for August, 2009
Halloween costume originality
Keep in mind that when you hit the streets, you are sure to run in plenty of vampires, ghosts, and recent movie persona. So if you are hoping to stand out at the bar or be the life of the party, you may want to try and discover a Halloween costume that is more unique. If you do choose to go with a cliché Halloween spook, consider doing something about it that will make you stand out from everyone else.
One way to do this is to create your own Halloween costume. However, for most people, this is more laborious than it sounds, and the finished costume may leave much to be desired. An easier choice is to go to online Halloween costume stores. These will offer a much wider variety than your local costume retailer, allowing you to find something that is unique from everyone else.
Restrooms and crowded locations
If you are headed out to the bar or to a celebration, not all costumes are going to work. For instance, if you are going to go out for some drinks, then there is a good chance you will want to use the restroom at some time in the evening. A costume that is tough to get in and out of can make this a problem. If there is going to be a large number of people in a small room, then bulky Halloween costumes can make it difficult to move around. Watch out for the sizes of objects like wings and other accessories to make moving about easier.
Watch your layers
While attractive Halloween costumes can be proper for an indoor party, wearing one out on a chilly Halloween night to take the kids trick-or-treating can leave you shivering. On the other hand, the thick gorilla suit can cause you to faint from heat exhaustion in the center of a crowded party. So ponder where you will be on Halloween night and choose your costume accordingly. If there is going to be a assortment of venues, consider a costume that has removable layers so you can adjust it for the weather.
Carrying your essentials on Halloween
Ever notice that Wonder Woman never carries a handbag? If you are going out on Halloween night, you will need to consider how you are going to carry your essentials like your wallet and car keys. Many costumes do not have pockets, so you might need to get creative with how you do this. Look for accessories that can double as a bag or handbag. Hidden wallets like are designed for travelers will also work well with some costumes as a hideaway for your money or ID.
If you plan ahead, your Halloween costume will prove to be less of a chore and more suited for partying.
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“I’m too young to be collecting dishes!” Yes, these famous last words came out of my mouth shortly after moving to Germany. I’d see the stuff everywhere ? decorating the walls at a friend’s house, overflowing with food at a potluck gathering, being sold by at a booth outside the post store. And don’t forget each and every shopping bazaar ? the table surrounded by a frenzy of ladies was sure to have a well-stocked selection from Poland or Italy.
I resisted its tempting allure for the first couple of years and believe it or not, my husband caved first. I was engrossed in a pile of carved wooden boxes as my husband explored the pottery table nearby. Then, he uttered those nine little words that he’s probably regretted ever since, “what do you think about buying some Polish Pottery?” It was all over. We went home with five different pieces that afternoon but it was just the beginning – countless patterns, every color imaginable, and plenty of shapes and sizes ? it turned out that not only was I not too young, I needed it all.
I took my first Polish Pottery shopping trip a few months later with the USO ? you know, the one that you spend an insane 30 hours in a state of pottery-induced, it-doesn’t-matter-how-much-I-spend euphoria. Everyone loads on a big touring bus at 9 pm on a Friday night and at around 4:30 am, the shopping madness begins. Shop owners know when the busses arrive and put themselves out of bed early to make that extra money. Each shop is a race ? not only against your new friends on your bus but against that next tour bus you HAVE to stay in front of. Dinner plates, dessert plates, coffee cups and saucers, serving dishes, baking dishes, tea sets, salt and pepper shakers ? anything you need for the kitchen or dining room. Recently, I’ve seen pottery items that you can use outside the kitchen such as wall decorations, planters, and some rude ones I won’t mention ? Some people have their one, beloved pattern while others, such as myself, mix and match for an eclectic look (they are also easier to replace if, heaven forbid, something breaks). Stop only for a short lunch of goulash to keep your energy level up and keep going.
The trip is also a learning experience, not just a chance to lose control. When looking at the pottery, try and purchase only ‘category 1′ items. The category indicates level of flaws so the higher the better. Category 1 pottery is oven safe for up to 425 degrees F and dishwasher safe (although I don’t trust it ? I don’t even trust my husband to hand wash it ? if you saw my collection of crystal glasses, you’d understand). Category 2 is oven safe for up to 325 degrees F and ‘probably’ dishwasher safe. Category 3 and higher should only be used for serving. Also, if you find the label ‘unikat’ on the bottom, the pattern is original to the store you purchased it from. The Golden Rule of Polish Pottery Shopping in Poland is: if you find a piece/pattern you like, purchase it there! You probably won’t be able to find the exact same piece anywhere else so if you can stand the idea of potentially losing a couple dollars vs. getting that special piece, do it!
At about 5 pm, it’s time to head back. The bus is crammed, the luggage spaces underneath the bus are as full as they can be, and every bump in the road you hit produces a worried ‘gasp’ from the exhausted shoppers. The Stuttgart USO automatically gives everyone two seats and by this time, you are saying a silent prayer for that ingenious perk. You get back to post around the wee hours of 3 am and barely have the energy to conjure up that little white lie to your spouse on how much you *actually* spent. Your body is screaming with a mixture of exhaustion and cramps from the bus but it was worth it! Especially when you move back to the states – watch QVC and you’ll see what I mean. The other day, those silly, smiling ladies were selling one dessert plate for $42!
On a final note, I recommend going with a group to Poland as opposed to just you and the family. Bus trips, although tight and you have to concede to the groups schedule, it’s better than getting your car stolen (which happens quite a bit ? and how easy do you think it will be to track it in a former Eastern Block country??). I’ve heard so many of these car jacking stories ? one woman brought her husband along to watch the car ? he did ? watched it get driven right out of the parking lot. I had a friend tell me that she’ll only drive her car to Poland if her husband goes AND he drives the car in circles in the parking lot while she shops. I’ve also seen small groups, whether friends or organized by a resourceful military spouse, hire a chartered bus and driver. Each pitches in for a portion of the bill. Not only are they leaving the driving to someone else, they are buying themselves peace of mind. Better safe than sorry!
Ready to go?
USO dot com ? Those affiliated with the military have this resource. Check your local USO’s page for a schedule of tours.
Enjoy Tours dot com ? this company does plenty of trips to great destinations, but they don’t have that ‘2-seats-per-person’ policy that the USO does.
Four shops in the area of Boleslawiec, Poland and American-friendly:
* Pol Card
Karty Platnicze w Polsce
Pawie Oczko sklep Firmony
Ul. Masarska 1, 59-700
Boleslawiec
* Ceramika Art Wiklina
“Cerwik” K. Roznicki, A. Mazur
59-731 Zebrzydowa
Zebrzydowa 62
* Kufel Sklep II
Ul II Armii Wojska Polskiego
59-700
* Makaba
Boleslawiec
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After deciding to move to Siberia for a year to teach at the Chita State Technical University, I embarked on a travel odyssey unlike any other. In this entry, we pick up the trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway.
The Horror
As my new Russian friend walked down the hall, I reflected on the information he had provided me with a grimace. The train ride from Khabarovsk to my destination, Chita, was going to take three days. I had already been traveling for four days and the thought of 3 days on a train made me?unhappy.
While reflecting on this development, I had an opportunity to take a look at my new neighbors, err?fellow passengers. They were moving in. Literally. Pillows, sheets, bags full of food. The general impression was we were going to be on the train for a long, long time.
As we actually cleared the city, I told myself to look at it as an adventure. An adventure? Oh, yes.
Of Crackers and Grape Juice
Nutrition is an odd thing. Like many, I try to eat a healthy diet with vegetables and so on. Of course, a stressful day at work has led to more than a few fast food meals. On the Trans-Siberian Railway, I would’ve killed for fast food.
Contrary to what another passenger had told me, the food car on the train was open for business. The woman in charge of our car told me this in limited English and an exasperated look on her face. Well, she didn’t lie. The food car was open. Unfortunately, the only thing it was selling were boxes of crackers and grape juice.
I’m not a big cracker fan, but I’ll eat them. I happen to like grape juice?or I did. For the next 48 hours, Grae, a fellow traveler, and I munched crackers and drank juice. Then we drank juice and munched crackers. Then we crushed crackers and put them in the juice. Then we made feverish declarations to never eat crackers or drink juice again. Ever.
The Funny Part
After 48 hours of crackers and juice, I was more than willing to starve. I kept having nightmares about the horrible things happening in my stomach. Grae apparently had arrived at the same opinion. Cinching up his pants, he went to hit up our fellow travel companions for some real food.
Part of the fun of traveling is realizing how foolish you really are. When you are in a country where you don’t speak the language, you are going to eat a pretty hefty amount of humble pie. What the hey, we were hungry.
After five minutes, Grae returned to our compartment with one of those looks on his face. We had lived on crackers and grape juice for no reason. Yes, we could buy food at every stop the train made by just walking into the train station. And we stopped a lot.
As we pulled into a little town, Grae and I were hanging from the doors of the train. We ran into the station and?all they had were crackers and grape juice. Just kidding. I am not sure what we bought, but it was the best food I’ve ever had.
Next stop?Chita!
Read more of this Russian Travelogue at NomadJournalTrips.com
