Mike Barish Writer. Funny guy. Knower of things.

Two disasters enter. One disaster wins. We all lose.
vs.

Here’s hoping that all of your dreams came true in 2009 and that you’ve created a whole new list of wishes for 2010 that will keep you striving to be better, see more and make the world a magical place.

People love to complain. Whether it’s because of flight delays, security procedures or bad food, travel inspires some of the loudest and energetic complainers out there. Lately, people have been piling on the TSA like it’s their job (sometimes it is). But this is just the latest chapter in a rich history of travel complaints. [...]

Things are not always as they appear and that’s never truer than when you’re traveling. Meager accommodations can be home to sensational features. Sketchy locals can turn out to be the most gracious hosts. And humble towns can provide the richest experiences.
Rather than judge things at face value or assume you understand everything that you [...]

While you may worry that emergency crews won’t be able to find your invisible plane, rest assured that it’s opaque from the outside. Duh.
Click here to see larger image.
Source: Virgin America A320 Safety Card.

People may warn you that the world is a scary place. And yes, some neighborhoods in any city will be rougher than others. But if you’ve made the choice to travel, you’ve already leaped over the biggest hurdle.
The world isn’t as bad as the naysayers tell you. And it’s not as Utopian as the hippies [...]

No one loves hot air ballooning more than the Amish.
Click here to see larger image.
Source: Outback Ballooning – Alice Springs, NT, Australia.

While some people don’t consider themselves to be citizens of the world, traveling will inevitably expose you to new people, many of whom are less fortunate than you. While I’d never suggest that you give handouts to every beggar and busker that you encounter, you should be a responsible and respectful human being when you [...]

Just because you fancy yourself the next Ansel Adams doesn’t mean you need to burden yourself with every single lens and tripod that you own. Sure, you want to document your travels and preserve your memories. But, by keeping some moments solely in your mind, you’ll actually treasure them more.
So, put your camera down, take [...]

You’d be surprised how much fun you can have with new friends at hostels. And there are some remarkably decent motels out there (with more charm in their vending machine selections than some hotels have in all of their amenities combined). So, rather than splurge on a room at a swanky hotel, find some place [...]