Greg Shenkman's Travel Blog

I, Greg Shenkman, recently paid a visit to the town of Williamsburg, Virginia. It was if I had stepped back in time more than 200 years. I went to Colonial Williamsburg, there was a whole lot to see and do. I enjoyed all those who worked there being in costume, playing there part as if we were really back in the 18th century. This great historic area stretches over 300 acres and has over 80 original 18th century structures, hundred of houses, shops and public outbuildings that have been reconstructed on their original foundations. A flag at the entrance of the building was an indication that we could go inside and take a tour. I enjoyed the museums, there are rare treasures in every corner. The re-enactments, the fifes and drums parading along, watching the historic tradesman at work using their tools and methods of the 18th century. I even took a ghost walk at night where there were candlelit rooms and tales being told of mystery and the unexplained. It was very enlightening to visit such a piece of our history. I suggest it to all.

Sixteen hours on a train in the dark with no idea what was going on. This is what 2,000 people went through aboard a train under the English Channel. Many people had no food or water, and alot of them suffered from claustrophobia or panic attacks. Some people walked part of the way in the dark tunnel of which 24 miles is under water. A man who was returning to London from Disneyland Paris with his family, said some people suffered from asthma attacks and fainted after the trains power went out, cutting off the lights and air vents. I don’t care what the reason that was behind this occurence I, Greg Shenkman, prefer to be on top of or in the English Channel, not under it!

One of my, Greg Shenkman’s favorite trips was my trip to the Grand Canyon on the Grand Canyon Railway. It is a throw back in time to ride on a steam powered vintage locomotive. My family and I booked a 3 night package where we stayed two nights in Williams, Arizona with one night in Grand Canyon National Park at the Maswik Lodge. We took a  Motor-coach tour around the southern rim of the canyon which included lunch and it was breath taking. The Grand Canyon is a place that one should definitely see in their lifetime. Make sure to bring your best camera and a large memory card for all of the pictures you will want to take. You should check out the great packages they offer at http://www.thetrain.com .

I, Greg Shenkman, have to New York for Christmas before and there really is no better place to be around the holidays. New York City becomes a fanciful holiday winter wonderland that is great for people of all ages. The department stores create elaborate Xmas window displays, giving a whole new meaning to window shopping, and it doesn’t stop there. Department stores dress up and decorate the inside just as much as they do in their window displays. Plus, if you are travelling there with a child, you have to go see Santa at Macy’s.

The Christams tree at Rockefeller Center and all 30,000 of its lights alone,  make the trip worth it. It is an amazing sight to see and you can’t help but feel the Christmas Spirit.

I’ve done the tropical island thing at Xmas too, but I think New York is so much more of an experience at Christmas, that I will probably be returning this year.

This morning as I, Greg Shenkman, drank my coffee looking at the sun slowly rise over the valley, when I realized that I forgot to take out the recycling, interestingly enough, that is what inspired this post. During my trips around the globe, I takes notes and make observations about the recycling habits of each country I visit.

Switzerland’s recycling efforts are noteworthy, with their bottle banks in almost every supermarket making it easier for everyone to recycle. Because of thier awesome recycling efforts, the Swiss are the world’s number one recyclers, recycling 52% of the country’s waste. Austria and Germany are second and third, respectively. Austria recycles 49.7% of the country’s waste and German 48%.

The United States only recycles 31% while being the world’s largest producer of waste.The world’s worst recycling countries are perhaps the India and Greece.

If each citizen of the world makes a personal commitment to recycling and conservation, it is the intelectual hope that towns, cites and countries will follow and we can leave some of the beauty on this earth for our children.

So my mom is turning 70 in July and I wanted to surprise her and take her somewhere really nice for her birthday. I have been tossing around a few ideas but it’s hard to decide where to take your mom. I don’t think a hot tropical island would be the best choice for someone of her age, and Europe entails a lot of walking, so that’s out. I was thinking of a nice cruise because it would be easy for her and there would be a lot of activities for her to do. A friend of mine suggested the Alaskan cruise because her birthday is in July and that is supposed to be the best time to go. If you have any better suggestions, let me know. It needs to be simple, yet something she’ll enjoy.

- Greg Shenkman

Of course I’m not really moving to Brazil but it is enticing to know that if you live in Brazil you get a minimum of 30 vacation days plus 11 public holidays. Yahoo had an article posted yesterday about countries with the most vacation days. France, Finland and Russia come in second for the most time off with 40 vacation days and holidays. At least I don’t live in China or Canada where people only get 10 vacation days plus holidays. I can see how the extra vacation time could make people more appreciative of their jobs and also keeps them from getting burned out. For now, Greg Shenkman, is staying where he is, but its nice to sometimes think about what it would be like to be elsewhere.