Tales of Seven

The Plastic Bag and National Security

It's really a question of logic.

I was stopped at the airport security and told I've have to throw away all liquids, gels and creams unless I could find a plastic bag to put them into (they were already in a clear plastic toiletry container about the same size as a small bag) and that nothing over 3 oz would be allowed. A bit dismayed, I trundled off to a bookstore to buy the 'regulation' clear plastic bag.

In the 15 minutes I was standing in line again, I began to think on these rules a bit. If someone truly had bad intentions, would they even work?

They could simply:

a) carry multiple bottles, all under 3 oz each
b) bring items over 3 oz in mislabeled bottles (bring a few 6 oz bottles, labeled as 3 oz)
c) bring illegal items over 3 oz in bottles of anything represented as medicine (like saline) as these are exempted
d) simply not put the things in the plastic bag (I accidentally left multiple items in my carry-on, and none were detected)

While  I appreciate that our country intends to keep us safe, the lack of logic in this particular effort is rather stunning. Beyond all of that, the web is buzzing with claims that a bomb can't even be made this way. (I'd love to see MythBusters  take this one on).

I wonder at how much money and effort has gone into this, versus things that might have a more substantial impact on safety.

Temptation - A Walk on the Other Side

I've always loved seeking out that out-of-the-way, rarely visited place in the world. I love roughing it, getting dirty, irrecoverably lost, and delayed. I know it doesn't sound like everyone's idea of a great vacation, but I like it -- and usually plan longer trips to allow time to savor these mishaps without the pressure of time. It's the toughest situations that bring the most memorable moments.

Isn't it more interesting to talk about the time when......

• "... the ship spent three days in 25 foot waves."  (Drake Passage)
• "...the elephant charged us on open ground." (Botswana)
• "...we stayed in a house, just reclaimed by the original owner, as the Soviets pulled out.(Prague, In what was Czechoslovakia)"

It's life experience. It's empathy. It's learning. It's adrenaline driving. It's simply memorable.

That being said, there's something else out there. It's quite beautiful, tempting, and luxurious.

I began putting small bits of luxury into my trips back in 2001. First it was 2 days at a camp in the Okavango Delta, Botswana then a day at an Elephant Camp in Zimbabwe. More recently, it was a stay at the Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec, Canada. These are full-service, don't-you-dare-carry-your-own-bags, silver-and-china, fluffy-down-bed, chocolate-on-your-pillow, 5-star retreats.

They create a complete world that aggregates hundreds of little perfections into one savory experience. For all those little perfections, rolled into a ball of 'wow', I've added them into my travel favorites list. They offer an amazing way to add a dash of spice and variety to a diet of rough-and-tumble.

Un 'us'

I was first stopped at the *exit of the plane* itself for a passport check. I was stopped a second time at immigration and questioned rather extensively.

What do you do for a living? Who do you work for? For how long have you done this work? Describe what Product Management is (detailed discussion on this). How long have you been doing this work again? Which company was your last employer? What does *that* company do?  How long did you work for them?

He asked the same questions multiple different ways, in the same style I've seen the police do questioning.

After immigration, I went through luggage control and was questioned again by another officer. She motioned me to yet another officer who also asked me a whole series of questions, typed all my answers into a computer, then checked all my bags by hand.

All tolled, I was questioned in detail by 3 people and had to show a passport to four people. Everywhere, there were people in uniforms with the 'Homeland Security' badges. Over the loudspeakers, we heard proclamation of an "Orange Alert". This was my recent re-entry into the US. The change in environment was palatable.

It felt un-*us*  -- 'us' being American.

With this being just a small sample of recent changes, I have to ask, "In our attempt to protect ourselves, are we compromising those things we find of greatest value - privacy and a sense of freedom?" 

And does this approach really make us any safer?

And then we drank out of ice...

The Ice Hotel

Having visited this incredible ice hotel, what would be the most memorable thing?

It's simple.

It's small.

And it's completely unmatched for its novelty.

It was a glass made out of ice.

(Pictured below is the ice bar. With chill lounge music, a full bar, and lighting that shifted every few minutes, it was the 'place to be seen'.)

Ice Hotel

Quebec, Canada

The first view of the inside of the ice hotel is spectacular. The ceiling vaults up almost 20 feet and a carved ice columns stretch to meet it. There is a huge reception desk on one side, and next to it a carved fireplace and chairs -- all made of ice. A chandelier weighing hundreds of pounds reaches down from the ceiling and massive sculptures provide art for each room .

Long hallways reach out in different directions, down which people walk to view each of the different rooms. Each room has a unique bed, sculptures, and wall carvings in a chosen theme.

When it's fully constructed, the ice hotel will have 36 rooms, a chapel, nightclub, and entry hall. One of just two ice hotels in the world, it's truly a unique experience to see and spend a night in it.

(entry to the ice hotel, and a view down one corridor)

An Ice Hotel - How Does that Work Anyway?

15,000 tons of snow. 18 foot tall ceilings. 36 rooms. How exactly does an ice hotel work? I can't help but first share some of the logistical parts of my recent stay at the ice hotel, as I had no idea what to expect when I first arrived.

What does one do there? People only tour around, and then sleep in the hotel. Eating, bathing, changing, and most other activities are done in a nearby lodge.

Where are one's things kept? People wander from room to room looking at all of the room 'suite themes' in awe (awwwhhhhhhh). There are no doors on internal rooms (just curtains). For this reason, all personal 'stuff' is stashed in a locker in that same cozy, warm little building next door. 

And how does sleeping work? The bed frame is made out of ice. A board is suspended across it and covered with a thin mattress and deer skins. At night, the staff come by with big sleeping bags and a tiny little candle-for-ambience. The sleeping bags are truly warm enough, so long as no appendages, *like your head* work themselves out. (So....It's advisable to either wear a hat or burrow into that sleeping bag like a groundhog.)

What does one do for fun? Touring the hotel at different times of day is amazing. The ice hotel bar has swanky lounge music and crisp drinks and is well worth, mmmmm, let's say more than one visit. Nearby adventure companies also offer snowmobiling, dog sledding, skiing, and tours. Plenty to do!

6 Dog Power - Part Deux

Quebec, Canada

A few more pictures from the recent dog sledding adventure. Dog-scenery.

And one shot with the puppy brigade.

6 Dog Power

Quebec, Canada

We heard them before we were anywhere near them. The Hounds of the Baskervilles. Over a hundred communicating, territory defending, barking-in-eager-anticipation huskies.  The volume was absolutely daunting.

This was our foray into the world of dog sledding - an opportunity to learn the basics and try a hand at driving a team of dogs into the open snows.

We turned the corner to see a village of dogs, and after a brief visit with the puppies, started out with a lesson in the basics of sledding. "Step down on the rake-looking-thing to slow and lean into the curves."(It was a short lesson.)

Then it was time. At the start of the trek, our 6-Dog-Power sled *launched* (not trotted), with dogs leaping into their harnesses to start us on our way. After a mad dash onto the trail and into the woods, we settled into the 'wushing' sound of snow and the huff, huff, huff, huff, huff, huff, huff of the focused dog engine.

Braking to avert corner wrecks and inadvertent sled-gating of the-dogs-ahead was common, but we could often just stand back and enjoy the rush of passing snow scenery.

Our trek complete, we took a victory round around the kennels, parked our dogs, then headed in for some nice hot chocolate -- a wonderful new experience in hand.

(pictured below - my turn driving the dog engine, and a picture looking forward)

Quebec, Canada

Of huskies and snowmobiles

.... and chandeliers of ice.

I recently had opportunity to spend a magical 5 days in and around Quebec, Canada, and would like to share just a few of the sensations, images and entirely unique experiences from this white land of the North. A few of the tales to follow...

(a night shot of the historic district of Quebec)

I'll have my room 'on the rocks', please

"On the rocks" isn't just for drinks anymore...

In addition to seeking out geographies, it can be fantastic to seek out novel experiences. In that spirit, I'm excited for the chance to stay in a hotel made entirely out of ice this month. Important questions will be answered, such as....

"What's it like to sleep on a block of ice?"

"How does the whole door thing work?"

"What does one buy in an ice gift shop?"

More to follow....

(Picture by Xavier Dachez )