Adieu, pour maintenant

You know what I'm going to have on my gravestone?
"She did it the hard way."
~Bette Davis

Well, lovelies, it has been a joyous year of sharing my adventures and jet set tips with you. Fortunately for me, business is booming and my travel calendar is expanding. If all goes well, I will be transitioning from jet-setter-in-training to Official Jet Set Diva in the coming months. (Cross your fingers!)

For now, I must bid you farewell so that I can focus all of my efforts on building my empire and globetrotting across this amazing planet. Thanks for reading, ranting and raving with me.

Au revoir,

Adieu, pour maintenant

Posted by Ava Pierce at 8:00 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Gift ideas for jet-setters-in-training

Today's Annoyance: Thoughtless re-gifting
Mantra of the Day: Any time is a good time for gift-giving.

No, the holidays aren't here just yet, and my birthday's in January. So, why do you ask, would I post a list of gifts now? Because I like to get a jump start on things, that's why. Plus, some of my fellow globetrotters will undoubtedly have birthdays or other special reasons to celebrate coming up soon. (Just for the record, I love surprises year-round so if you're in a gift-giving mood...)

Many of the things on the following list are things that I want. But, I'm kinda guessing that any jet-setter-in-training will likely treasure similar goodies. You're always welcome to add a comment with your preferred gift item(s).

Beyond the usual travel pillows, blankets, voltage converters and universal plug adapters, there's always:

1. A Zagat subscription - For less than $25, your jet set pal can have online access for a whole year to more than 40,000 reviews and ratings for restaurants, hotels and entertainment attractions around the world.

2. An e-book reader - This will definitely lighten the load from all those novels and magazines that we travelers tend to carry. Luckily, there are lots of options nowadays from Amazon, Sony, Barnes & Noble, Samsung and others.

3. An iTunes gift card - Remember, I like my sounds.

4. WiFi finder - These typically inexpensive little gadgets can help even the least tech-smart traveler find a wireless hot spot without booting up their computer.

5. Um, travel anyone? - If your loved one tends to fly often and uses one airline or hotel chain fairly regularly, why not buy them some mileage or an airline or hotel gift card?

Aside from these gifts, peruse the sites of any of my blog's giveaway sponsors and you're sure to find something great to make your friend's jet set life a bit easier.



[IMAGE: Courtesy of Getty Images]

Gift ideas for jet-setters-in-training

Posted by Ava Pierce at 8:00 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Travel stuff to avoid

Today's Annoyance: Inept management
Mantra of the Day: There are only two emotions in a plane: boredom and terror. - Orson Welles

OK, so you know how I'm always sharing my favorite things and travel tips? As one would expect, there are lots of things that you should avoid while you're traveling.

Air India, for one, couldn't be farther from my list of faves. A travel seat-mate a few trips ago mentioned how awful the airplanes and service can be (roaches, rats, awful smells, etc.). Then, wouldn't you know it, I read this article in the New York Times about how some Air India pilots flight attendants got into a fight during a flight. Wow! It's bad enough dealing with rude passengers, people snoring, crying babies, chatty seat-mates and cramped quarters. I can even handle surly flight attendants...but, fighting pilots and flight attendants!?! That's taking things in the wrong direction, people! Is anyone surprised that the airline is expected to lose more than $1 billion this year?

For more travel vendors, places and experiences to avoid, check out The Titanic Awards. Reading this blog makes me thank my lucky stars for my relatively flawless travel adventures.

Wishing you the most fabulous travels possible,

Travel stuff to avoid

Posted by Ava Pierce at 8:12 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Let "jetiquette" reign

Today's Annoyance: That rudeness sometimes seems contagious
Mantra of the Day: Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength. - Eric Hoffer

Gailen David, aka The Sky Steward, veteran flight attendant, self-proclaimed "Ambassador of Civilized Traveler", and author of "Jetiquette: The Customer Experience and You" is my new hero!

Commercial travel can be bad enough as a passenger; I can only imagine what he has gone through over the past few decades. If you haven't subscribed to his blog, you definitely should. If nothing else, please read, print and share his Jetiquette Seatback Briefing Card. It is an absolute necessity that should be distributed by EVERY airline! I plan to take a couple of copies on my next flights and pass them out, as needed.

Let "jetiquette" reign

Posted by Ava Pierce at 7:37 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Bravo to Brigitte!

Today's Annoyance: Photoshop abuse
Mantra of the Day: Curve: The loveliest distance between two points. Mae West

Major kudos go to popular German women's magazine, Brigitte, for replacing professional models with pictures of "real life" women. Beginning next year, the mag will feature images of students, executives, musicians and athletes. Hooray!!

While I do enjoy fashion magazines, it has become quite insufferable to see the overly-Photoshop'd images of surgically-enhanced, super-skinny 14-year-olds with way too much makeup.

Let's see how quickly other women's fashion mags get a clue...


[IMAGE: Unique Magazines]

Bravo to Brigitte!

Posted by Ava Pierce at 9:10 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Oh, to wake up as royalty

Today's Annoyance: Realizing that I'm not actually a royal, yet
Mantra of the Day: I think I can. No, I know I can!

There's an interesting article in the Washington Post about a Ghanaian secretary living in Maryland who recently became a king in her home country. Peggielene Bartels was awakened by a phone call several months ago letting her know that she had been named king of the town of Otuam. Now, she's a secretary by day and a king by night (and on vacations from her secretarial job). That's pretty amazing!

I'm not quite sure that I'd want the responsibility of being king but I can definitely handle being an entrepreneur by day and a jet-setting diva whenever I can squeeze in a trip or 2.

Here's to being regal, whether we have a title or not!

Oh, to wake up as royalty

Posted by Ava Pierce at 7:19 AM | Permalink 0 comments

5 Things I Totally Despise

Today's Annoyance: Empty promises
Mantra of the Day: I am learning to be more patient (slowly but surely).

1. People who wait in lines and don't prepare. Seriously, how many times do you have to wait in line at the market, in a store, or at a toll booth before you figure out that you'll need to give the cashier some form of payment? Be ready and move it along.

2. Snooty people. I could care less about your birthright, how much money you have, where you live, or who your friends are. It doesn't give you the right to be mean or disrespectful.

3. Disorder. Even if it's considered "organized chaos", it still frosts my cookies to spend time in spaces with massive piles of clothes, paperwork or other hoarded stuff in someone's home or office. Cover it or get a bulldozer.

4. Most packaging for electronic equipment. Have you ever chipped a nail or broken a pair of scissors trying to open the packaging for a flash key or a Bluetooth headset? I've purchased fine jewelry that required less difficult packaging. Who thought of this? I'm certain that there is a special reason for this type of criminal packaging but, stop it already. By the time I get to the product, I don't want it anymore.

5. People who complain but don't try to help themselves. The energy spent complaining could be used to solve the problem. Need I say more?

Tell me what really ticks you off.


[IMAGE: Courtesy of Getty Images]

5 Things I Totally Despise

Posted by Ava Pierce at 7:59 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Lover of travel, proud to be American

Today's Annoyance: People who forget why their country is great
Mantra of the Day: I am proud to represent the best of the U.S.

I read an Inc. Magazine article about great American inventors and it made me think about the many good things that we Americans still have to be grateful for. Considering the massive bashing that we've taken for the past 8 years, the reports of our certain demise amid a changing world order, and in honor of the 8th anniversary of 9/11, it's nice to think of some cool things about the U.S.

The article also made me think about how travel has helped me to appreciate my country. For some reason, a lot of people think that when you live abroad, you either hate your home country or you eventually learn to hate it. While some do, that's not my thing. I love the U.S. Don't get me wrong; I don't believe for a second that it's a perfect country but it is great.

How could a nation be so bad that contributes the inventors of rolling luggage (my personal fave on the list), the world wide web, the sports bra, the computer chip, and bubble wrap?



[IMAGE: Courtesy of eHow]

Lover of travel, proud to be American

Posted by Ava Pierce at 5:27 PM | Permalink 0 comments

Mid-life school days

Today's Annoyance: Being older than my professors
Mantra of the Day: I have plenty to teach and much to learn.

Depending on the person, the first day of school can elicit feelings of excitement, anger, fear or apathy. Getting over the first-day hurdle gives way to longer days filled with monotone instructors blathering on about seemingly (and often) useless information, cliques (The Jocks, The Nerds, The Pretty Girls, etc.), peer pressure and piles of homework. It's no wonder that education has such a bad rap.

Most people are more than pleased to leave all that behind after graduating college in their early 20s. Some of us obviously didn't suffer enough. I happen to be one of those people who chose to go back to school in my 30s. Talk about culture shock! Surprisingly, I wasn't the only student over the age of 30. In some ways, it wasn't as bad as I thought; in some ways, it was worse. Overall, do I think that it was the right choice? I'd have to say "yes" because, at the end of the day, I got what I wanted and more. Not only do I have a graduate degree (from a European university, no less!), I also learned a new way of life that I would have never imagined in my wildest dreams. Would you go or have you gone back to school in your 30s or later?



[IMAGE: Courtesy of Getty Images]

Mid-life school days

Posted by Ava Pierce at 8:53 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Climbing social ladders

Today's Annoyance: Snobs
Mantra of the Day: Nouveau riche is better than no riche. - Imelda Marcos

Let's face it. Social climbing has a pretty bad rap. One tends to think of rude, opportunistic people whose every move is strategically planned. We think of the kind of people who'll only talk to you based on the prominence of your family name, the size of your bank account (and related successes), and who you're wearing and/or dating. That pretty much covers a lot of places between Hollywood and the Hamptons.

Some of the bad rap comes from stories such as Will Smith's character in the movie "Six Degrees of Separation" or Baton Rouge-bred, New York socialite Genevieve Jones, who was exposed by a Wall Street Journal reporter in 2006 for lying about her age, upbringing and income sources.

However, social climbing doesn't have to be so...ugly. Professional networking is nothing if not social climbing, n'est-ce pas? I pretty much have the hang of professional networking but, to be honest, social networking sometimes makes me slightly nervous. It seems relatively simple, according to Liz Brewer, publicist to the rich and famous. She advises the upwardly mobile to have a purpose, be genuine and be subtle. Oh, and be sure to send "thank you" notes. (I can handle all of that!)

On a literary note, I've read mixed reviews on Beth Dunn's novel "Social Climbers". Have any of you read it? If so, let me know what you think.



[IMAGE: Courtesy of Beth Dunn]

Climbing social ladders

Posted by Ava Pierce at 8:36 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Jet set life on the D-list? Maybe, maybe not.

Today's Annoyance: That nothing comes without risk.
Mantra of the Day: The beauty about the D-list is that people who are on it probably don't know they are. - Kathy Griffin

A few weeks ago when I was still Stateside, I watched a portion of an episode of comedienne Kathy Griffin's reality show, "My Life on the D List". I reached the conclusion that I'm most likely a D-list jet setter (for now!). However, her life makes the D-list look pretty good. Have you seen her house in the Hollywood Hills? Not bad!

Anyhoo, here are some of the challenges that us D-list jet setters are likely to deal with on a regular
basis:

1. Wardrobe disasters. "That blouse is so two seasons ago." "Darling, surely you had time to change before tea, n'est-ce pas?" "So, who are you wearing? Is it a new designer?" A jet setter has to be fabulous at all times. All the more reason to opt for classic styles versus five-minute trends, and accessorize with loads of attitude. ;o)

2. $€£¥...Money, moolah, dinero, l'argent. You get the drift. Life can be interesting when you've got private jet dreams and a Southwest Airlines budget.

3. Running into walls of exclusivity. That's right, ladies and gents. A limited pedigree and a non-existent trust fund can be a bit of a problem. But, a la New York socialite Genevieve Jones, there is nothing to hold back a woman on a mission. No gatekeeper will stop me from reaching my goal.

4. Unending small talk. Party banter has never been one of my strong suits. Don't get me wrong; I'm a regular chatty Kathy when I'm hanging with my girls (and, of course, my fabulous gay boyfriends). But, in a mixed group, I have been known to become quite the tongue-tied wallflower. And don't let an attractive guy give me the eye; my sense of speech completely evaporates.

5. Commercial travel. 'Nuf said.

I would add time management to the list but A-listers have the same 24 hours in a day that we have. Alas, so many cities to visit, friends to catch up with, parties and events to attend. Look out world!



[IMAGE: Courtesy of Getty Images]

Jet set life on the D-list? Maybe, maybe not.

Posted by Ava Pierce at 11:35 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Swiss Fish

Today's Annoyance: That I have confused the meaning of the word efficiency for making life easier.
Mantra of the Day: Gold fish crackers are just as good as the real thing.

I am currently in Switzerland on what I like to call the "Ava Pierce World Tour". This tour is nothing official or anything. I'm just trying to make the world a better place by sharing my presence with as many people as possible. (hehehe - No, I could never take myself that seriously.)

Since I've been country-hopping as of late, I decided to have something familiar with me to add to my hotel room, which are all starting to look the same. Believe it or not, I'm searching for a gold fish. I was staying at a hotel in Chicago a few months back (Hotel Monaco) and they supplied every room with a goldfish for the length of your stay. The staff took care of it so it was no trouble to maintain, but it was such a nice touch that I started to get attached to the fish. He was my travel companion for the few days that I was there and I ended up being much sadder to leave than I care to admit.

Now that I'm in Zurich with some free time, I decided to buy a goldfish. Since I'll be traveling to my next few destinations by train, it would be cool to have a little pet that doesn't require the same upkeep as a dog. I searched the Internet for a local pet shop that sells them, but when I arrived, not only had it started to pour down with rain, they didn't have any goldfish, or fish of any kind for that matter. They referred me to another shop twenty minutes down the road and by this point, I was determined not to return back to the hotel with a fish in tow. When I got there, they did have fish, but no small fish bowls to put them in. When I asked about buying one, they said that they would only sell me a goldfish if I had a completely kitted out tank that was at least a meter long. Well, since this was apparently the only place in town that sells both fish and tanks, I could only buy the fish and not a home for him to sleep in. Fun.

Whatever happened to making the customer happy? When I was a kid, getting a goldfish just seemed so much simpler. I assumed that efficiency meant making your life easier, but I guess that is not always the case.

Swiss Fish

Posted by Ava Pierce at 10:02 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Greetings galore

Today's Annoyance: Inappropriate gestures
Mantra of the Day: Smiles are the best greetings of all.

Handshakes, hugs, fist bumps, the infamous Japanese bow, and France's le bisou (an air kiss on each cheek). There are so many ways for us to greet each other. So that I'm not disrespectful to other cultures, I always check a few protocol sources before arriving in a new country. It doesn't help to make a bad first impression by waving frantically when I should bow, or trying to fist bump somebody when touching may be deemed inappropriate.

To date, my biggest faux pas has been leaning in the wrong direction to start le bisou. In some parts of France, you start on the right while in others, you start on the left. On one occasion, I nearly kissed someone on the lips; needless to say, I've learned not to be presumptuous and now I just follow the other person's lead.

I also ask friends and I check the book Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands before I travel to a new place. So far, smiles and le bisou are my fave greetings, especially when I meet a hot guy. (wink, wink) On the other hand, it kinda sucks when the guy is not so hot but, what's a girl to do.

What's your fave cultural greetings?


[IMAGE: Courtesy of trendliest]

Greetings galore

Posted by Ava Pierce at 7:50 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Function vs. form

Today's Annoyance: Pandemonium
Mantra of the Day: I always take good care of myself and expect the best.

I once witnessed a woman explore the Acropolis in 3-inch-high strappy sandals. And no, they were not wedges. They were oh-my-god-she-could-have-worn-those-to-a-club-last-night heels. For those of you who have not visited this amazing point of interest in Athens, there's tons of steep, slippery, crumbling marble everywhere.

Somehow this daring woman managed to climb up hills and over stones, wander around, and peruse the area without falling. Not even once. No lie. The jet-setter-in-training part of me thought: "Wow, that takes talent. Here I am, having trouble simply putting one foot in front of the other in flat sandals and this woman is doing the seemingly impossible." The other part of me thought: "She's nuts."

Why on Earth would someone do this? Maybe it was on a dare. Maybe, she was still drunk from the prior evening's events. Or, just maybe, she did it because she was trying to prove to herself and everyone around that she could. She reminds me of those women who wear high heels to amusement parks, meanwhile their guy friend is wearing tennis shoes.

Am I the only one who thinks that sometimes function should win over form?


[IMAGES: Courtesy of Getty Images]

Function vs. form

Posted by Ava Pierce at 7:19 AM | Permalink 0 comments

As long as you're watching TV...

Today's Annoyance: Bad news and reruns
Mantra of the Day: TV can be educational, if you're selective.

It always freaks me out when I read about how much more TV Americans watch than other people around the world. How exactly does someone watch 8+ hours of TV every day? That's at least one-third of the day! Granted, I have a few TV-related addictions which include a few dramas, an occasional sports-related program, and a couple of reality shows. (I'm hooked on The Apprentice and The Apprentice UK because of the business aspect.). Thankfully, I don't watch much (bad) news because it's too biased and it gets on my nerves.

I have to admit that the bulk of my TV viewing feeds my jet-setter-in-training lifestyle. I've long been a fan of the Travel Channel, Food Network, and Fine Living. I recently became addicted to Wealth TV, which features shows like Let's Shop, The Luxury Travel Show, The Best of Everything, and Etiquette 101. As far as I'm concerned, this is justified time. My goal, of course, is to spend more time doing than viewing. lol

Live large!


[IMAGE: Courtesy of Wealth TV]

As long as you're watching TV...

Posted by Ava Pierce at 8:58 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Jet-setting is a full-time job

Today's Annoyance: My ailing time management skills
Mantra of the Day: I can do anything I set my mind to.

Between socializing, trip-planning, keeping my wardrobe up-to-date without breaking the bank, staying fit, healthy and fabulous and, oh yeah, generating the funds to pay for my lifestyle, jet-setting is indeed a full-time job. See why I need a personal assistant?

My appreciation for Tim Ferriss' 4-Hour Workweek grows by the day.


[IMAGE: Courtesy of Getty Images]

Jet-setting is a full-time job

Posted by Ava Pierce at 8:31 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Ways to avoid travel cooties

Today's Annoyance: Poor hygiene
Mantra of the Day: I make every effort to be clean and neat.

While I hardly consider myself a germaphobe, I take great issue with people who bring their slovenly habits into shared spaces. When I think of having to spend hours on end, cooped up in an airplane or a train, with people coughing and sneezing (often without covering their mouths), unbathed (seemingly for days), infected with head lice and heavenly only knows what other cooties, it makes me nauseous.

I can just hear some of my European friends now: "You Americans are such germ freaks!" In response, I have yet to don a surgical mask while traveling. For those of you who want to avoid travel cooties, here are just a few quick tips:

1. Hand sanitizer is not intended to replace soap and water but it's cool to have in a pinch. A few brands: CleanWell, Germ-X, Jao and Purell.

2. I previously mentioned that it's a good idea to pack flip flops when you travel. I often use them to walk around in my hotel room. Another option is Zinetic Pocket Slippers. Much like flip flops, these can be used to walk to the lavatory during your flight or around the hotel pool.

3. One place where flip flops and pocket slippers won't work is airport security. If you cringe at the thought of walking through this area in your bare feet, try PlaneWrap Disposable Slippers (which you can buy at Target or Amazon.com) or My Travel Feet.

4. Even if you travel first-class and stay at a five-star hotel, while you're touring through a city, you just may find yourself in need of tissue or wipes. I always keep a pocket-sized pack of Kleenex in my purse and when I travel, I often take a purse-sized pack of Wet Ones or Kleenex Splash 'N Go Hand and Face wipes. They're great for a quick clean up or if you find a place lacking toilet paper.


If you are, in fact, a tried-and-true hygiene fanatic, there are lots of other travel products just for your needs, including airplane seat covers and disposable sheets and pillowcases. Whatever floats your boat! Travel well, my friends.


[IMAGE: Courtesy of Getty Images]

Ways to avoid travel cooties

Posted by Ava Pierce at 8:25 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Jet Set Gone Wrong

Today's Annoyance: Abusers of the system
Mantra of the Day: I'm earning my jet set lifestyle the right way.

Within the past year, the news has been especially rife with stories about CEOs and politicians abusing their expense accounts, corporate budgets and taxpayer money to live a posh life. Remember the story about Merrill Lynch's CEO who used $1.2 million of company funds to redecorate his office? As if that wasn't enough, he paid his driver $230,000 for one year's work. (Wow, that must be some driver!)

In the UK, businessman Douglas Brown saw fit to plunder £2.5 million from his company so that he and his family could live the good life. For 12 years, good ole Doug wrote false checks and handed in phony invoices that allowed him to honeymoon in Italy, buy a villa in Florida, BMWs for himself and his wife, stay at five-star hotels, ride around in a chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce, shop at the best stores, and dine at the swankiest restaurants. His annual salary was a meager £79,000. Did I mention that he recommended laying off ten people between 2001 and 2006? Thankfully, his greed landed him a seven-year jail sentence.

A few other Brits also joined the jet-set-gone-wrong club, including soon-to-be former Speaker of the House of Commons Michael Martin and Conservative Member of Parliament Douglas Hogg. Martin resigned after reports arose that he had expensed a massage chair, pornographic movies, a moat cleaning, a plasma TV, horse manure for gardens, and tennis court repairs. Hogg claimed several questionable expenses such as a full-time housekeeper, work done to his stables, piano tuning, and more than $3,000 for the cleaning of the moat around his 13th century country home. (Seems like no one wants to pay for their own moat cleaning.)

My conscience just wouldn't allow me to support my lifestyle this way. What would you be willing to do to live the jet set life?


[IMAGE: Courtesy of Getty Images]

Jet Set Gone Wrong

Posted by Ava Pierce at 8:32 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Bugs, monkeys and other wildlife

Today's Annoyance: Unidentified bugs and cheeky monkeys
Mantra of the Day: It's survival of the fittest!

Whether or not you choose to travel as a backpacker or as a diva jet setter, it's likely that at some point, you're going to have to deal with wildlife. I recall entering my room at a resort in Mykonos to find a couple of bugs the likes of which I had never seen before. Much to my dismay, the hotel staff had left the balcony doors open and a few multi-legged critters had hopped or flown into my room. Let's just say that a standoff ensued. Rather than play the helpless maiden card and call the hotel desk, I put on my Sheena, Queen of the Jungle hat. I make no apologies when I say that those bugs had to go. For all I know, they could have been completely harmless. But, I wasn't taking any chances.

I also recall an incident at a lion farm in Sun City, South Africa. I took the opportunity to play with one of the adorable lion cubs that was only a few weeks old. (Did I mention that its paws were bigger than my hands? Real cute, huh?) No one had warned me that, despite this cub's size, its roar rivaled that of his much bigger brothers. Yeah. It was an interesting experience and I am happy to report that my hearing returned a few hours later.

Then, there was Eddy's monkey incident in Sodere, Ethiopia. In short, avoid eating in places where monkeys congregate. For more on preventing monkey attacks, check out Jason Daley's article.

Have any of you had run-ins with wildlife during your travels? I'd love to hear your stories.



[IMAGE: Courtesy of Global Jet Set Media, Inc.]

Bugs, monkeys and other wildlife

Posted by Ava Pierce at 9:52 AM | Permalink 0 comments

A flying palace? I'll take two, please.

Today's Annoyance: There's always more to accomplish
Mantra of the Day: There's always more to accomplish!

The Saudis always know how to kick things up a notch (or three). It's not enough just to have your own private jet. Oh no! Private jets are for wannabes. If you really want to show what you're made of, you get a flying palace.

Reportedly, Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal has hired a firm to convert an Airbus 380 into a flying palace, with features including a "relaxation zone", a Turkish bath, a private quarter with five suites, a boardroom for meetings, a concert hall, a floating spiral staircase, an elevator and an onboard garage. Did I mention that the suites each have a king-sized bed, an entertainment system and a prayer room with computer-generated prayer mats facing Mecca? It even includes 20 first-class-style seats for extra guests. (Wouldn't that be the equivalent of flying coach on a regular airplane? Just wondering.)

The cost for this toy: a mere $482 million. Like I said, I'll take two.

Double-click the image to enlarge

[IMAGE: Courtesy of Luxury Launches]

A flying palace? I'll take two, please.

Posted by Ava Pierce at 9:15 AM | Permalink 0 comments