76-Second Travel Show: 'Hobo Packing Tips'

Episode #031
F E A T U R I N G * 5 7 * B O N U S * S E C O N D S

Did you know hoboes meet every August at a National Hobo Convention in Britt, Iowa and vote on a hobo king and queen? Some call this 'fauxbo' -- for more hobo outsiders than the real deal. For that you'll still find folks riding the rails on/off the Burlington line -- and at hobo gatherings like the one recently in Amory, Mississippi.

I had the pleasure of traveling with Kim Mance and Courtney McGann of GoGalavanting.com to Amory (to shoot an upcoming episode that I'm honored to be a part of). We met with hoboes like Stretch, who has been on the road for 27 straight years. And we learned how to pack like a hobo, why hobo travel beats taking the 'blue highways' across the country, and how one local even won Rush tickets in Atlanta by covering himself in cake and being licked.

We also learned how to survive in a dry county: just follow the hoboes, pack in your own liquor.

(More on hoboes to come...)

Some trips are more memorable than others.

76-Second Travel Show: 'Billy Joel Winners'

Episode #030

The love we're seeing at the SSSTS studios regarding the emerging notion of 'Billy Joel Travel' has been astounding. And pleasing. But only three winners could be chosen for the first-ever 76-Second Travel Show Road Trip, on Joel's 61st birthday -- Sunday May 9.

And those winners are 'Rutila,' 'Brooklyn' and 'Matt.' I seriously hope you can do this. We'll be back before dark.

Email reidontravel[at]gmail[dot] com for details.

Trip in brief:

* we'll get a Cold Spring Harbor breakfast
* track down the 'village green' Billy sings of
* see the 'Miracle Mile' from 'It's Still Rock'n'Roll to Me'
* maybe see a Billy Joel car-wreck site
* see if we can find someone Billy Joel beat up (he boxed) or other Billy Joel experts
* AND grab either a bottle of red or white at the restaurant which MIGHT be the 'Italian Restaurant' from 'Scenes from an Italian Restaurant.'

Meanwhile, check back for more Billy Joel Travel updates, including a road video and theme song 'We Didn't Invent Travel.'

76-Second Travel Show: "Billy Joel Roadtrip Contest"

Episode #029
F E A T U R I N G * 3 1 * B O N U S * S E C O N D S

The 76-Second Travel Show wants to take you on a Billy Joel roadtrip in New York's Long Island to celebrate the 'guitar man's' 61st birthday on Sunday, May 9, 2010.

The trip begins from Brooklyn, NY, that morning and should be back around dusk.

The itinerary is mostly a secret (ie still being formed) and will include some food, a look at Cold Spring Harbor (which Billy named his first solo album after in 1971 -- though it was released too fast, by accident), the 'village green' where Brenda and Eddie hung out at in 'Scenes from an Italian Restaurant' (see this video done by Mexico City students) and a look at the 'miracle mile' from 'It's Still Rock'n'Roll to Me.'

To enter, just tell us what you think Billy Joel thinks of travel.

Two random winners will be picked on April 20.

76-Second Travel Show: 'Is San Francisco Better than NYC?'

Episode #028
F E A T U R I N G * 7 0 * B O N U S * S E C O N D S

Little known fact: Charlie Dickens was a travel writer. He did a romp across the US and summed up his whining take in a book (I have it, but haven't read -- I only assume he whines) called 'American Notes.' But more associate him with the head-rolling 'A Tale of Two Cities,' which opens up with Dickens' own Gettysburg Address-esque sound-byte: 'Things were pretty good, and at the same time not so good.' More or less.

The equivalent American two cities, at least on most people's travel-dream radar, are New York City and San Francisco. Huge draws for visitors, and a less-talked-about bounce between New Yorkers longing for a slower pace, coastal drives, great wine -- and some semblance of city life.

The usual routine goes -- New Yorker in late 20s, dissastisfied with career, moves to San Francisco, then guts new friends by constantly comparing things to New York. In some ways, the Ugly American gone domestic. 'This restaurant closes at 9pm -- are you serious,' said with only slight earnestness. 'This would never happen in New York.' And it wouldn't.

Most move back to New York within five to eight years. (I did.)

Sometimes I liken New York to a boss (gets things done, and sends you blissfully reeling when it, on occasion, notices you), while San Francisco is a pizza buddy (comforting, always there, great coffee and burritos, plus a 'robust' theatre organ scene featuring the priceless David Hegarty, no real risks -- other than grossness of large men at that nude beach beyond Golden Gate Bridge).

So, which is better?

Knock-Knock Joke of the Week

Knock knock
Who's there?
Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh who?
Ho Chi Men looking for Ho(o)chi Mamas