I'm not a beach person

But I need a beach now!!!! Heck I'll even take a sunny day that doesn't feel like Im walking around in an industrial strength freezer. Honestly, I think I HAVE walked around in an industrial strength freezer and not been this cold. This morning I patiently waited for my bus for 20 minutes in what had to be negative temperatures only to have it not show. By the time I gave up my fingers were searing with pain. SEARING WITH PAIN I TELL YOU!!!!! Ugh and to think just a month ago I was perusing the balmy weather of Tunisia. Someone get me a tissue, I think Im gonna cry.

Really...it's not that bad

Ugh I was reading a CNN article earlier today written by a woman who clearly has no interest in kids and went on to list all the reasons why. Now, I've got no issues with people who don't want kids. Heck, at one point I wasn't sure I wanted kids. It just bugs me though that, among her other reasons for not having them, traveling was her biggest one. Why? Why is it that so many people detest the thought of traveling with their children? I really want to know. Was it because of a bad experience? Are they afraid it will be a bad experience? It's true that it's not always pretty and I've had my fair share of moments when I just wanted to burst out in tears because I was so tired but really, it's not the end of the world. Your traveling life doesn't have to end just because you've added a little one or even little ones. You don't have to be trapped into a life of lame vacations! Get out! See the world! Don't let diapers stop you! Just buy some when you get there.

Don't give in to the thought that traveling with kids sucks!!!!

You think you've got it bad....

Check out these poor people! http://www.austriantimes.at/index.php?id=8857

After their Shandong Airlines plane broke down, they were asked to get out and PUSH the plane to the terminal. I will never complain about getting delayed again!

Photo: Europics

Superdawg: My new happy place

So, apparently, despite all these years of going to Chicago, I've never heard of the world famous Superdawg. I was trolling around the TV channels yesterday and saw that the Travel Channel had an hour long show on the world's best hot dog destinations. Clearly, someone at the Travel Channel is aware of my obsession with chili dogs and knew that I would be watching television yesterday.

Anyway, this place looks fascinating. There is, of course, the famous Superdawg itself. A special recipe dog on a bun with mustard, neon green relish, loads of onions, a fresh tomato and maybe even a few jalapeños. Now THAT'S a hot dog. Even better is that 1. it's a drive in (not to be confused with a drive through) and 2. there are giant hot dogs fashioned after the owners on top of the place. Really, who wouldn't want to eat at a place with a giant hot dog in a prehistoric leopard print caveman outfit on top.

I think this would be a great family summer trip. Just drive around to all the famous hot dog joints in the country seeing how quickly you could turn into your own personal salt lick from all the sodium. It's still tough for hot dog makers out there to beat my favorite dog, the Sonic Chili Cheese Footlong Coney dog. They try but really. There's just something about the Sonic dog that is so, so, so good. Maybe it's because I have to wait soooooo long in between meals. Absence makes the heart grow fonder I guess.

So, story short...I know where I'm eating the next time I'm in Chi-town!

Annnnnd we're back

Wow, internet is hard to come by in Tunisia! Tunisia was great all around. Sorry it's been a while since I posted. We pretty much had no internet the entire time we were there and then I was sick right after we got back. I guess I had too much fun!

Here's the low down on Tunisia!

The good

• Very child friendly - At least I think so. Maya loved it and had a great time roaming around all the ruins going on "adventures." The Tunisian people looooove children and Maya was always greeted with a smile or a pat on the head. Because of it being a former French colony there is a lot of familiarity in terms of food and drink which will help out. A lot of the cafes are accustomed to catering to tourists and usually offer a fairly western menu but there are still lots of opportunities for the kids to try new things.
  

• The history is absolutely amazing. From the third largest coliseum in the Roman world to the ancient cities of Carthage and Dougga, there are amazing sites around every turn. The vast quantity of incredible Roman mosaics alone are worth the trip.

• It's definitely pretty laid back there. There are tons of cafes and with so many cities sitting right on the Mediterranean it's easy to find yourself wastng away the hours looking at the beautiful coast soaking in the sun.

• It's cheap as all get out. Even the dollar did well there and that's saying something! Taxis are dirt cheap (though you have to watch the drivers like a hawk to make sure they dont touch up the meter). A stop off at a cafe for coffee for 3 people will set you back about...oh $2. I had a steak with Roquefort cheese sauce, fries, some spinach thing and bread for a whopping $9.

• It's olive central. If you love olives, Tunisia is the place to go as there are millions upon millions of olive trees. Ive never seen anything like it in all my life. Miles and miles of groves.

• The landscape is gorgeous. You wouldnt think so since it's a North African nation, but it really looks like southern Spain or Italy. They even have the tall skinny pine trees like the ones in Italy. Combine that with the beautiful, silvery green olive trees and you have yourself an idyllic place to be.

The bad

• It can be tough to find people who speak English so brush up on your French. Learn the basics of shopping, ordering food, and telling time. You'll need all of those things. Most of the people in the hotels speak English, but once outside the hotel you'll need to speak French.

• It's a little trashy. Not like gross but there's a lot of litter. Just something to keep in mind.

• With so many museums, historic sites, and beautiful beaches it's a tourist hot spot for sure. Visiting in the off season is a good bet and you avoid the oppressing heat of summer too!

• Outside of Sfax and a few other cities, there are a lot of roadside restaurants that butcher lamb right there on the porch. It's excellent lamb and you should make an effort to stop at one but be warned that it can be a little graphic to watch/look at.

• Watch out for people who want to help you. They just want to "help" you so they can then ask you for money. We found ignoring people who randomly approach us to be the best idea. All the more reason to brush up on your French.

• Logistics can be difficult mostly because of the language barrier. Some of the best ways to get around require some fortitude and aren't for amateur travelers. Things like the louagge. We did it, but it might freak some people out hopping into a van with 6 other people you don't know going to someplace you've never been before.

All in all I'd say Tunisia is an awesome family destination and well worth the trip if you can make it. I would recommend it for those families that are a little more seasoned unless you just plan on going to one of the beach resort areas. If you go to Carthage, definitely wander your way over to Cafe Neptune. It's incredible eating right on the coast for an excellent price. Order the clams. They're to die for!