The term “Hollywood of the South” has a little competition, but Louisiana certainly claims it (don’t tell Georgia). New Orleans has a long history in the pictures, but North Louisiana came about their “Hollywood” moniker in a uniquely opportunistic way. Back in 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and left film studios scrambling to find…
London’s Heathrow Airport Has The Amenities of an Upscale Mall
Much has been said about traveling to London. Whether it be the cool climate, or the various ways to save some money, almost everyone has seen and heard all the details about the United Kingdom’s busiest city and the biggest of it’s airports, Heathrow. Often, people are overwhelmed by the magnitude of Heathrow and lose…
I Didn’t Love Reykjavik. There, I Said It.
I know, I know, It is as painful and embarrassing for me to write as it is for you to read, but it’s the truth. I was ready to be wowed. Iceland is so hot right now, figuratively speaking of course. There are cities in which I arrive and immediately think, “Ah, these are my…
Iceland’s Penis Museum (The Icelandic Phallological Museum)
When in downtown Reykjavik, I couldn’t resist a visit to the The Icelandic Phallological Museum, or the “Penis Museum” as it is known colloquially because “Phallological” is kind of a mouthful (no pun intended). Much like the smart and funny folks mentioned in this very official document, there are few things in this world…
Iceland’s Bizarre Fascination with U.S. Pop Culture
One of the oddest things I noticed while in Reykjavik for the first time, was the amount of nods to American culture, or at least American culture as foreigners perceive it. While Iceland has been at the forefront of the tourist industry in the past few years, it is still very isolated geographically. This is…
The Truth About The Blue Lagoon in Iceland
The Blue Lagoon naysayers are not wrong. It’s crowded, it’s touristy, it’s expensive, but we all know you’re going anyway. From the moment you step off the plane in Reykjavik it’s unavoidable. You’re immediately greeted with pictures of statuesque bikini clad woman surrounded by swirling fog rising from the milky blue water. Your hands…
Why I Won’t Be Resolving in 2016
This time last year I was making my New Year’s Resolutions list for 2015. This was a list meant for publication, because then I could shame myself into sticking to it. I think we could all predict how that turned out. I kept some, but some I did not. My first resolution was to finish…
A Christmas Gift from Icelandic Yule Lads
I had a wonderful surprise when I returned from a Christmas visit to my family in Shreveport, LA. My life had come full circle in a way. Back in June, I visited Iceland for the first time. In Reykjavik, I found a curious red mailbox. As stated on the top, “this is not a regular…
Christmas Day the Aussie Way
The classic image of Christmas is one filled with white snow, a roaring fire, and bitter bitter cold. However, the scenario is entirely different in the land down under. Celebrating Christmas in Australia will likely involve a beach, sand, barbecue, sun, and all the things usually associated with summer. Christmas in summer? That’s the reality…
The Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh
Join me and my friend the Whisky Ghost on a fantastic journey as we discover the history and science behind every old mans favorite pastime. It’s touristy, it cheesy, and it’s maybe the best thing I’ve ever done with my life (of course, that could be the scotch talking 😉 ) See that look of…