SprangleBlog

Do You Sprangle?

Sprangle – (definition: “going in all directions“) That’s what I’m doing. No, this is not about my uncontrolled waistline, nor does it refer to my expansive ego. It’s about travel – travel in many directions, local and far – and in many modes, formal and informal. BTW – speaking of “all directions” that’s not a rug in [...]

ants . . .

. . . in my pants. Sand in my shoes. Wander in my lust.

Manly Beach - 2006

It’s been an entire year (August 2005) since I lived out of my suitcase and I’m getting horny for it’s intimate embrace.

Of course, thanks to the war criminals in the White House, our economy – and more specifically – [...]

Defining the Itinerary

Defning an itinerary and buying the air tix are a test of the sincerity of one's belief that it's the journey, not the destination, that matters. Every step is an act of faith in someone else's integrity and competence. [...]

Who’s Got the Lowest Price?

The Emperor Franz Joseph famously complained that Mozart’s music has “too many notes.” My version of that, probably as lazy and ill-informed as his, says there are too many choices online for buying air tickets.

Some might think that’s a strange comment from the author of Travel The Net, the very first nationally syndicated newspaper column [...]

Sub-Letting My Apartment (part 1 – legalities)

In years past, when I’ve taken trips of similar length, I’ve either left my apartment vacant or participated in a home exchange through one of the online services that facilitate them. The home exchanges have been great and satisfying and have expanded the range of friends around the world – but this time I’ve decided to [...]

Sub-Letting My Apartment (part 2 – Craig’s list)

For those who may not know, Craig’s List is the Google of the online classified advertisement world. In just a few years, it has become such a powerful free tool that many newspapers around the world are losing serious revenue to its superior and cost-free service. I’ve never used it. I’m looking forward to discovering how [...]

Finding India

What a ridiculous conceit, to research India, armed with a Google search button, a Barnes and Noble discount membership and a Public Library card. I don’t want the pale lightbulb of vicarious information; I want the fire of experience.

I know that even a few weeks of that will be inadequate. After all, India is the source [...]

The Flight I Almost Missed

Oh, that was a close one. It’s now Sunday, Sep 10, 2006. For weeks I have been telling people my first outbound flight is Friday, September 14th.

Earlier today I was speaking on the phone with a friend. She asked, “Are you ready for Thursday?”

“What’s happening Thursday?”

“You’re leaving on the 14th, right?”

“Yes, but why are you asking [...]

A Brief Conversation on 9/11

Earlier today I visited a client of my web site business in Lower Manhattan. Their office is a few blocks walk north of the World Trade Center.

Few – and maybe none – New Yorkers, other than media types and those peddling goulish day tours, refer to “ground zero.” We stubbornly call it the World Trade Center, [...]

First Leg – Newark to Stockholm (Part 1)

It’s widely agreed that the most important foreign-language question for travelers is, “Where’s the nearest bathroom?” Having read of Delhi Belly and the Mumbai Trots, I want to be perfect in my annunciation of this need, and even more important, be able to understand the answer.

The intimate and explicit sign language gestures required in the [...]