Amazing Race

The show that inspired me to travel has returned!



Watching The Amazing Race is like saying hi to an old friend. The show is in its 13th(!) season, and it always manages to put a hop in my step. If it wasn't for TAR, I wouldn't have renewed my passport, I wouldn't have trekked through Europe, South America or Southeast Asia.

I owe a lot to this show. My only complaint is when the personalities of the contestants dominate the show, relegating the locales as secondary characters. Make no mistake, the world is the superstar in this show.

From the first episode of this season, there are two teams I'm pulling for (Ty/Aja, The Comic-Book Geeks), two teams I like for the eye candy (Divorcees, Starr and...the other guy), and one team that I can't stand (Terrence and...the other girl).

Here's hoping for a great season...

Traveling

I miss it.

That's all.

Oregon Bits

Haven't posted in a while. Lots of (non-travel) stuff going on, but I did get a chance to visit the great state of Oregon. Here are tidbits about the Beaver State:

- Oregon is incredibly green. It's mind-blowing. And I don't just mean green in the literal sense. Oregonians are very environmentally conscious. I inadvertently placed my empty water bottle in the trash instead of the recycling bin. I felt guilty.



- The world's best bookstore in located in Downtown Portland. Powell's City of Books spans an entire city block. There are (at least) three floors. Every genre is represented in spades. It took me three hours to browse the entire store. Time well spent.



- The Beaverton Farmers Market is every Saturday from 8 am to 1:30 pm. The produce is fresh. The air is filled with kettle corn, sunflowers and German Sausage. In the background a bluegrass band plays Johnny Cash cover songs. Is there ANYTHING like this in Southern California? I doubt it.


*Heaven*

Oregon is a wonderful getaway spot. Especially if you've been holed up a smoggy LA for a while. I didn't even mention the outdoor activities. I will soon...