The Big Apple is just around the corner. I need to order a taxi. But at the moment I can’t because calculating the pickup time is disturbing. Anything you need to set your alarm to before 6 AM is inhumane. So I stall.

I haven’t packed. I’m not at home until tomorrow evening. I’ve hardly prepped at all. I’m sure my passport is there somewhere.

Sometimes being out of time will eliminate fidgeting and travel nerves. All I can do from here is to make a detailed packing list so that tomorrow night I can check off each item and rest assured that I’ve probably relied too much on it anyway.

It will be awesome, it will be fun and I will make New York my hot, new model.

Stay tuned for live New York updates!

Current location: favorite part of country

I’m not going to twaddle about my special connection to this northern hemisphere - I think I’ve done enough of that before.

Still, passing the Arctic Circle and entering Gällivare as the sun sets cannot be described as anything but special. I somehow love passing the road signs telling you to get off here if heading for Jokkmokk, Karesuando, Arvidsjaur, Koskullskulle, or Nattavaara. Dogding reindeer families slowly crossing the highway.

The vastness is spectacular. So spectacular you really didn’t expect the police sitting in a remote corner, doing…nothing, apparently. Very Laponian though, taking it easy. And not that my extremely tired Volvo V50 would ever know what speeding meant anyway. Volvo safety.

Beauty of Schengen
Since Switzerland accepted the whole Schengen passport-free travel zone deal  things have undeniably become a bit easier. It’s a nice, but slightly odd feeling to leave your passport behind and just go with your drivers license. Less to worry about and no lines at the passport controls.

Thieves & Real Terrorists
However. Add check-in, bagage drop, security, overprized coffees and screaming infants. Sprinkle some jet-lag, delayed flights and bad neighbour BO and you’ll quickly learn that flying as far as transportation method goes is all but exclusive, fun or relaxing (unless in first class but that will only make the waiting and flying comfortable. The rest is still there.)

So who steals your precious time? On-line check-in WAS supposed to shorten time by eliminating lines. Instead we have long lines TO the machines with slow, computer illiterate passengers struggling, leaving a VERY frustrated you at the end of the line. Then there’s the bagage drop. Some seem to confuse with travel counseling. Let’s not even go to the security screening. It takes people ten minutes to take their jacket and belt off. It takes you 30 seconds to place your laptop, liquids, jacket AND walk through. So really. By eliminating passport controls you hardly just balance the loss of time TSA, on-line check-in, bagage drop and lets not forget bagage claim and your fellow passengers just stole from you.

Going light, easy and comfortable
There are really only two ways here.

• If possible, go with only carry-on. The pros: no bagage drop, no bagage claim. The cons: limited space, weight and things to bring. Appropriate for shorter trips then.
• If NOT possible with CO only, divide your stuff in a way that your CO is as light as possible since this is what you’ll be carrying around mostly. On long-haul flights bring at least a pair of undies, a set of daily contacts, your cell phone charger and some pain killers in your CO.

I admire most men when traveling. They never bring more than necessary and always keep it light, clean and simple. And often all in one little bag! How do you ever manage? (No, seriously, tell me: necesse@gmail.com)

Next on the topic: “Luggage that makes the difference”, coming soon.

Yes, Michelin starred restaurants are what they are. Just like McDonalds. Nah, what if you’re just in a mood for something quick, yet delicious and not too pricey?

If you happen to be in New York, London, Paris, Lyon, Hampshire, Madrid or Valencia and feeling peckish pin point these places on Google Maps.

World’s Top Fast-Food Restaurants.

At least according Real Holiday Reports. The Germans aren’t popular but came second in the race. A race you really don’t want to win. But still a 1000+ travelers uniformly elected the Russians the most rude and unsophisticated tourists.

My personal experiences with Russian on traveling foot are unfortunately similar. But like RHR say, it’s about experience in the game. Many of them are on holiday for the first time and maybe not updated on the latest travel manners. Or just manners for that sake. I get equally annoyed with newbie Swedes, Danes, Italians and Americans but more because of the loud, rowdy and self-righteous behavior keeping them company.

Ah well. We still need to share this planet of ours. So to the holidaying Russians (and everyone else for that matter) out there: Don’t call dibs on the sun chairs. It’s really annoying and you’ll get the entire hotel against you.

But remember to read a lot of survey results. A mere googling gives French, British and Germans equal…credit.

http://www.dagensps.se/artiklar/2009/08/31/70507467/index.xml

I am now accepting travel tips for New York in October. What is a must, what is YOUR must?

Will be staying here. Length of stay is seven days. Never been in N.Y before but I have the pleasure of company for a change. Any tips on areas, dining, ultimate photo spots, museums, shopping or just hang-out in general please post to necesse@gmail.com or in the comments section.

Thanks and cheers!

(Great) photo source: http://wirednewyork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5010

Formed in the last ice-age, the Rhine Falls.

Der Rheinfall, Schaffhausen.

Good food should be simple, proper and enjoyed on a warm summer evening on a balcony in a nice European city. Period.

Above starring Weber-grilled Bratwurst, hotter-than-Wasabi Dijon mustard, oven fresh buns and..er…Mariestad Export beer. From IKEA. In Zürich.

The other night starring Swedish herring, Västerbotten cheese, sour dough crisp bread in the spirit of O.P Andersson. The latter purchased at IKEA. In Zürich.

Well, as an IKEA-allergist I’m quite content with the selection of wares in outlandish IKEAs. Reasonably priced sofas and tasty spirits. A combo as reliable as Swiss clockwork.

I. I’ve fallen in love again. Don’t worry, I still love the GTi with all my horsepower heart but this 35mm lens is just…amazing. It’s fast, powerful in light, small and quite perfect. Just like the GTi, I know. So it’ll be on my shopping list for my next US trip.

(this and all pix taken WITH the 35mm. Here’s another beauty, the D90)

II. In the mean time I miss my car so much that I kind of forced my friend to take a testdrive at VW here in Zürich. The sound of the engine still lingers like sweet 2.0 in my ears and I’m thinking about my Tiggy at home in the garage.

III. Cheese. Back in cheese country I will do what most Swiss don’t in summer. Have cheese fondue. To compensate for the violation of tradition I will gulp some mojitos down for dessert.

And last. Holiday. It’s tough but somebody’s gotta do it.

and the freedom from Internet, email, blogging and Twitter perfectly replaced by sturdy cows, playful dogs, sunsets and windy beaches. Works.

Red Heeler Riba at play.

Eriks Hale and its characteristic little beach houses.

Riba loves her worn tennis ball. But she doesn’t like to be teased, clearly demonstrated here.

How five Danes move a not-so-motivated cow. The attempt failed instantly and the cow was later moved by a tractor. I think. One should not underestimate the power of a highly reluctant cow.

Sunset at Store Bælt bridge connecting the Danish islands of Sjælland and Fyn.

Today was not a good camera day. I was not really up for it for starters and second it poured half the day. Maybe I’m a nightowl when it comes to photos? Somehow the day ended better than it started, photowise.

Since I met this really sweet, funny and cool Swiss flight crew at the hotel lobby I haven’t had one single boring moment. They invited me to tag along and from being solo I suddenly had a temporary family of 8.

So back to the clichés. Since yesterday I had some great dining experiences and of course they include things like duck, lamb, oysters, baguettes, creme brulé, rose wine and very French waiters. Even if I’m constantly hungry I get fed properly at least, with this crew being the guides to good food. I ended today with a not so French but sublime meal at an Italian place called Pépone Cafe just around the block and some few meters from my last photo object of this trip. Au revoir for now.

Exploring the French cliche’s, part deux.

• In a country lacking proper breakfast traditions you might as well sleep in. And sleep in good. So that you’re ready for lunch at say…14.30.

• Ever wondered why so many French cars have ugly bumps? The respect for traffic rules, other drivers and other cars are as developed as their breakfast habits. Still. There is a LOVE for cars. And I’m not complaining.
• Tourists. Not as rowdy as expected but everywhere, slow, in baseball caps, sweat, couples and groups.

• Paintings and statues at some museum. It think it was called The Louvre. At times impressive beyond comprehension, sometimes dissapointing. Because the aircondition wasn’t working properly and that was the reason I went in the first place. But an OK place to kill some time. Unless the museum guards try to pick you up. Is that even allowed?

• The Metro IS the easiest, fastest and most inexpensive way to get around. The stations are also gorgeous, both platforms, entrances and exits.

So what have we learned from our first day in Paris?

• Avoid morning flights on vacation. I fell asleep the moment I sat down in my seat and woke up by the aircraft landing in Paris. Then took a slightly too long powernap of four hours.
• Charles de Gaulle airport is a giant riddle game ground. It took me longer to get out than than to learn French. And I don’t speak French.
• The cliché is complete. Everywhere there are locals running around with baguettes, mostly on a scooter with their girlfriend in the back munching on the baguette.
• Avoid obvious tourist spots. I will at most pass it quickly, take a snapshot with the wideangle that allows me to stay out of the crowd.
• Don’t promise to keep this blog updated unless you know there’s really wifi in the rooms.

Yours truly, from Place Pigalle and Villa Royale’s wifi equipped lounge signing off and retiring to Jean-Paul Gaultier. (And it is a crazy hotel but it almost deserves its own post. We’ll see.)

Left to right: Some wall near Montmartre. My hotel. My lunch beverage.

Where am I?

Clue: Small, nordic country + approx. 3 hours by car from either Skagen and or Malmö.

I doubt you enjoy images from these exhibitions in general, they look pretty much the same. But the (we) Danes…they’re just..reluctant to plain ordinary. “Det er jo klart vi ska ha heste, bile, hunde og öl, det er jo messe!”