It’s been over two years since I’ve upgraded the site. So, this is the new look. I havn’t migrated everything over yet so expect some changes in the upcoming weeks!

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Originally uploaded by silverlantern

It’s not often that I take pictures of toilets. Truly. This is my first one in 4 years. The last one, and also possibly my first toilet shot was in Italy when I wanted to show how Italian toilets don’t get that plastic cover that most of us are used to seeing. It’s squatting all the way or a cold shock to the bottom.

Anyhow, I was in Chicago’s airport and couldn’t resist taking a shot of this beauty. Look ma. A no-hands, toilet seat cover that changes itself! Genius! I’m not sure if it’s better for the environment since it uses plastic, but it sure is cool. No more figuring out the tissue thin papers, no more losing your paper before you get to use it, no more seeing a wet spot appear right after placing the paper just right. Frankly, I’ve had a suspicion that that paper is the main culprit for the long lines to the women’s bathroom.

No more! At least in Chicago’s airport that is. With a press of the button, the used cover goes away and a new cover appears, in seconds!

7 new wonders of the world was announced yesterday on 7/7/07. As a child I was fascinated with the 7 wonders. After I laid eyes on my first wonder, the Great Wall, I knew that I wanted to see more. The creation of many wonders involved hundreds or thousands of people, not just their efforts, but many times their lives. It was the least I could do to see what they created and pay my respects.

So, my current list of wonders I’ve visited. Hopefully this list will be completely crossed off in the next 50 yrs.

7 Wonders of the Medieval Mind
Stonehenge
Colosseum
Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
Great Wall of China
Porcelain Tower of Nanjing
Hagia Sophia
Leaning Tower of Pisa

New 7 Wonders
Chichen Itza
Christ the Redeemer
Great Wall of China
Machu Picchu
Petra
Roman Colosseum
Taj Mahal

Finalists
Acropolis of Athens
Alhambra
Angkor Wat
Easter Island Moais
Eiffel Tower
Hagia Sophia
Kiyomizu Temple
Kremlin, Red Square, and Saint Basil’s Cathedral
Neuschwanstein Castle (somewhat, didn’t go in)
Statue of Liberty
Stonehenge
Sydney Opera House
Timbuktu

“Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3×3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.”

That’s it.  No math, just solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic.  It may not sound very exciting at first, but try one and you will be hooked!!  Sudoku comes in paper and pencil or as a hand held gaming device. It’s a great way to pass time on the plane or while waiting for the train.

Guided tours may not be the thing for everyone, but if you have an ipod or mp3 player you can get the best of both worlds.  Travel podcasts and audio tours are becoming more and more popular with travelers.  You go at your own pace and you don’t have to walk around with a dozen strangers.  Websites with Free audiotour downloads

http://www.podguides.net/   Locations include:

• Dune Forest, Belgium
• Historical mounments of Ghent, Belgium
• Brussels, Belgium
• Opal Coast, France
• Sibton Park, England

You can also make your own and submit them to share with travelers everywhere!

http://www.roughguides.com/podcasts/ 

• Glasgow: Sounds of a Music Capital
• Literary London
• Mozart in Prague
• Santa Monica Design
• Hemingway in Paris
• Paris Impressionists 

 Audio tours in Italian for Italy http://www.freeaudioguide.com/index.htm