VirtualWayfarer - Latest Comments

Re: Reflecting on Ignite Phoenix

AlexBerger — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:31:23 -0000

Thanks Dan for watching/commenting. Really appreciate all of your support!

Re: Reflecting on Ignite Phoenix

AlexBerger — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:30:55 -0000

Thank you!

Re: Reflecting on Ignite Phoenix

AlexBerger — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:30:39 -0000

Thanks bud for watching!

Re: Scotland

AlexBerger — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:15:44 -0000

Thank you for your readership and sharing!

Re: Scotland

teachtw — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:23:54 -0000

Insightful read. I have stumbled and twittered this for my friends. Others no doubt will like it like I did.

Re: Reflecting on Ignite Phoenix

Dan — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:30:34 -0000

Alex you are an awesome speaker! It has been great to be your friend all these years and to see all that you have accomplished. It amazes me every time I talk to you or read your blogs. Keep it up man!

Re: Reflecting on Ignite Phoenix

Jo — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:34:23 -0000

Terrific post! Very informative tips. Its good to know everyone shares the same anxiety and fear...and can overcome it to knock people's socks off. You sure did!!

Re: Reflecting on Ignite Phoenix

twitter-12523052 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:18:40 -0000

Great presentation skills. I can only imagine the stress and anxiety presenting to so many people. Makes me want to sign up for toastmasters or something so that I can get as good. Good tips btw.

Re: Belize Bound – What Should I See?

AlexBerger — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:10:13 -0000

Brian, thanks for the post. Terribly sorry about the delay in getting back to you. This has been an incredibly swamped week.

I'm not currently certified, but have been wanting to get it for years. Considering it as one possible to-do for the trip. Either way i'm hoping to do some diving, even if it's accompanied/diving-light.

Lamani - awesome, will be looking that up for sure. Sounds like an amazing experience with the trip/hike/boat ride. Are there affordable options for getting to Turneffe Atoll and Lighthouse Caye? Boat? Plane? Bus?

Belikin and I sound like we'll be getting to know each other very, very well. Not sure about Rum...i'll have to see if I can be converted. I'm a huge one for dive food, so can't wait to get into all sorts of cultural hangouts.

Great comment and suggestions, really appreciate it! As well as the offer to lend a hand and help! Thanks a ton!

Re: From Ballroom to Boardroom – Ignite Phoenix 5

AlexBerger — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:03:16 -0000

Thanks Kristen! Definitely give it a go! It's a lot of fun!

Re: From Ballroom to Boardroom – Ignite Phoenix 5

Kristen Mozaffari — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:39:54 -0000

Great info here, thanks for posting it. I've always wanted to try dancing but I've never really had the opportunity. I might check out some of these resources. Great job on your presentation, btw. :)

Re: From Ballroom to Boardroom – Ignite Phoenix 5

AlexBerger — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:47:02 -0000

Thanks Kinchie! I hope they give it a go, it's a wonderful outlet and one that really has a plethora of added and often unexpected benefits!

Re: From Ballroom to Boardroom – Ignite Phoenix 5

Kinchie — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:38:32 -0000

What a great resource! It's a perfect follow-up to your talk, Alex. I expect that many people in the Ignite Phoenix community will be taking that first step into dance class based on your passion and your explanation of the many side benefits of ballroom dance. Thank you for an amazing presentation.

Re: 9-11-2008

swingtrading — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:08:52 -0000

Interesting post. I have made a twitter post about this. Others no doubt will like it like I did.

Re: Belize Bound – What Should I See?

Brian Drake — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:22:05 -0000

HI Alex-

I heard from Danielle that you are heading over to Belize. I've spent some time there and there are some incredible things to do and see. My trips were predominantly diving trips. If you have any experience or interest in diving, Belize is one of the top places in the world to go. The diving is absolutely incredible. I dove through Ramon's Village on Ambergris Caye, and I would HIGHLY recommend them.

As for topside, there are a few things I would definitely recommend. There are a lot of ruins to see, but I found the best ones to be the ruins at Lamanai. You can book a full day with an intense boat ride through the New River to Lamanai, have lunch, and hike around the ruins. It's really worth it. Also, ziplining can also be found on the mainland, and there are some awesome experiences to be had ziplining through trees filled with wild monkeys. On the surrounding islands, I would highly recommend trying to get to Turneffe Atoll, as well as Lighthouse Caye. They are both stunning.

While there, I would definitely check out some Belikin, their national beer. It's really tasty. And, if you're into rum, you can find a Belizian rum called 1 Barrel. It's one of my all time favorites. Also, similar to taco stands along the roadside in mexico, you can find little eateries around town that are definitely worth stopping at. I recommend that papusas. They're a Guatemalan food- somewhat similar to a quesadilla...but better.

If you have any other questions, feel free to drop me a line. My email address is drakephoto@juno.com. I'd be more than happy to help. I hope you have a great time. No matter what you do, it's going to be a blast.

Re: Granada Part II

Nini — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:10:29 -0000

Howdy Alex!

Emm, interesting story. It looks more like a stream than a river. It might look different 700yrs ago. I love reading your 'amazing adventure' in Granada. With a steaming cuppa coffee, some snacks, I was transported into a 'magical adventure' of my own.
And of course...Drop Dead Jealous!!...
Your narative style of writing is very good,(smile). I wish I could write an english blog just to share with friends fr all over the world but I m afraid my english is not 'that good'.

By the way, besides spanish, did u ever heard the people (still)speaking arabic especially in Albayzin? I tried to confirm this (for my research) but its not mentioned by any bloggers. I hv been trying to make contact w any local fr Granada. Still no luck.

I'll make sure I read ur Ireland and Scotland but Belize? Wow, sounds exotic already!
Keep on writing Alex..

Thank you for sharing it with me.

Re: Belize Bound – What Should I See?

Char — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:31:14 -0000

I'll be in Belize that exact same time too!
Add me on trav buddy if you wanna meet up :)

http://www.travbuddy.com/_char_

Re: Granada Part II

AlexBerger — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:59:29 -0000

Howdy Nini,

Thanks for your continued readership! You got it! The river is the Rio de Darro: http://bit.ly/2TWkB.

I'm afraid the details of the story escape me right now, but in short - the nobility would entertain along the banks of the river and as part of the festivities, they would have servants fill large wooden bowls full of fruit, gifts, and various other delightful things and set them afloat up stream. Which then provided a moving buffet of sorts for party goers as they reclined next to it. Able to sample the fare as it floated by. Throw in some music, and a few comfortable pillows/blankets and it sounds like a delightful way to spend a day doesn't it?

I try and get one-two trips in each year. I was in Ireland and Scotland this past July (09), and the this trip in December (08) before that. I'm off to Mexico and Belize for 20 days this December. Travel is a wonderful thing, one I'm able to partake in more than most, but still far less than i'd like!

Re: Ignite Phoenix 5

AlexBerger — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:39:32 -0000

Heya Panda!

Yep for sure. Though, from the start I wanted to learn to dance as much because I felt it was something I needed to learn as part of my classical education/transition into manhood as for the girls. Though that was mostly limited to thinking it would be advantageous/necessary at formal events like balls and fundraisers. I had no idea it would help with my professional and social spheres in such a profound and extensive way.

Re: Ignite Phoenix 5

Panda — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:09:59 -0000

Damn buddy nice. It's funny how you got interested in dancing for one reason and it led to another. Or maybe it's all still for the same reason? ;)

Re: Granada Part II

Nini — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:58:13 -0000

Hi Alex,

Its me again. Just curious, the small river..is it River Darro (Rio de Darro) you r talking about? It flows at the foothill of AlHambra, right?
Could you pls share w me the 'story of that river' and of that 'wooden bowls full of fruits' thing? I would love to read those stories (even if its not true). This is what makes your blog a distinction!

As a backpacker, I believe you hv more wonderful (or not) stories to share. You travel a lot?..Well, take care and come back safely.

P.S : Pls don't check in at 'The Hostel' or 'Hotel California'..just kidding!

Re: Belize Bound – What Should I See?

AlexBerger — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:57:48 -0000

2nd response:
"Stupid question - but can you do assisted shallow water dives without previous dive experience?"

Yes. They will essentially certify you for the specific dive you want to do. Its a bit more expensive, of course, but if you've never dived (dove?) you're in for a treat. Only pay to dive in Cozumel, though, its by far the best spot in Mexico.

I've only been to Belize City, on a cruise, and it was very dirty and poor. Not even an endearing type of poor, more a 'watch out, that guy across the street is eyeing us'. ... Read More

Belize, however, has, I believe, one of the longest coral reefs in the Western Hemisphere. I can't speak to its beauty, because I've never dived there, but there is a renowned spot in Belize called the Blue Hole. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Blue_Hole I don't know how accessible it would be for a new diver, however. It would be cool just to boat out to see it.

Re: Belize Bound – What Should I See?

AlexBerger — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:41:38 -0000

From Ryan Mitchell:
I spent 3 months in the Yucatan, met my wife there. The best hostel (according to some websites) in the Caribbean is on Isla Mujeras. Its called Poc-Na, you should check it out. There were around 200 people there from most everywhere but the U.S every night. I stayed for 3 weeks, and had a blast.

You should definitely go see Chichen Itza, after all it's one of the new 7 wonders of the world.

A heads up on the night life: Most all Cancun night clubs are a $30-$50 cover charge with free drinks all night. The big partying goes on in Playa del Carmen, like your buddy above said. There, for the most part, the bars are more traditional. You can pay a small cover, (if any) and pay for your own drinks all night.

My favorite place I had to pay to visit was Xel-Ha. http://www.xelha.com/ Just show up and buy tickets at the door, plan to stay at least 4 or 5 hours, all drinks and food are included in the gate charge. I went there 8 or 9 years ago, and loved it so much I went again my next trip.

If you're a scuba diver, I highly recommend any of the cave dives. The Yucatan is famous for its underwater flooded cenotes (caves). The one I went to was a hole in the ground barely big enough to crawl through. There was a steel ladder drilled into the stone that you climbed down. I was thinking, "This is it?" but as I decended, it opened up into a huge cavern that was half filled with water. It was awesome. ... Read More

I spent 3 weeks on Cozumel, and I highly recommend renting a scooter and driving around the island. On the back side you can have miles of beach all to yourself.
BTW...Tulum is beautiful, not only because of the Mayan ruins, but the beaches are some of the best in the Yucatan.

Re: Belize Bound – What Should I See?

AlexBerger — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:20:12 -0000

These tips via facebook from Cody Paris: Chechen Itza, and Tulum are a must.... Day trip over to Cozumel is fun... Get out of cancun a soon as you land... Head from airport to playa del Carmen, Airport shuttle to Carmen 45 min...$13.... Much better. Try to do a day or three over to Tikal in Guatemala...it's possible to fly there and back same day if time is a crunch...but it is really really impressive if you like Mayan ruins.... And belize of course lots of beach and water time on the reef!

Re: Alhambra - The Palace

AlexBerger — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:16:15 -0000

I could not agree more! Incredible example of an amazing layout.