Check back often as we post interesting stories, money saving tips, and advice about affordable travel around the world! Our resident travel-on-the-cheap expert, Bruce Northam will be sharing his dispatches from around the world!
Tunisia, Africa's northernmost country, is 40 percent Sahara, 700 miles of Mediterranean coastline, and an idiosyncratic melting pot of Arab, French and progressive Muslim influences. The country's Frenchness was solidified in 1881, when a covert pact between the U.K. and France traded French acceptance of British control of Cyprus in return for French control of Tunisia. As a result of this and other multicultural influences, it's not uncommon to see Tunisians walking around in soccer jerseys, carrying loaves of French bread, singing in English.
My definition of a true scholar is someone who knows how to play an intellectual... but doesn't. As well---because, unless coerced, most of my outfits are still on a road trip---I enjoy rationally critiquing the fashion trade to redefine fashionably late... easy for a guy who still thinks water beds and beanbag chairs are cool. Aware that my wardrobe doesn't quite leap from stylish genre to genre, I'm tranquil on the Caribbean island of Roatan, Honduras' bootlegger paradise, where reverse innovators entrust Pirate Chic: clashing outfits and lifestyles patched together from different parts of the world as if the ensemble had washed ashore with mixed driftwood, or was looted from random chests. Duds you can sleep in; wake-up 'n get-up.
We've all said never say never---and surely, certain hedonistic performances needn't be rescheduled. Though visiting New Orleans for Mardi Gras in 1986 was a personal classic, when I ended up staying in the Big Easy for an additional three feral months, I figured that one Fat Tuesday per lifetime was aplenty. Sometimes, it's best to peer over your shoulder at memories, but not turn back. However, 23 years later, Burlington Vermont's 14th annual February adaptation of Mardi Gras towed me back into its parade splendor... with cooler climes, tastier beer, and a more humane mission. Patriotism, from my perspective, means improving your country. In chorus with that belief, I strive to be a frontline worker in the battle against bad news and boredom. Perfect timing for a weekend of charitable decadence.
Musically, Louisiana isn't a state --- it's a starter planet. Lafayettes's Festival International was originally established for French-singing bands. Though still essentially French, it's now a truly international event featuring 500 artists from 15 countries on six stages --- for free. For five days every April, this corner of Southwest Louisiana becomes America's music capital. The festival debuts many rising stars from every curve of Cajun, Zydeco, jazz, blues, rock and pop. African and Brazilian bands create their own orbits, but Louisiana's evolution of French folk takes center stage. Differentiating Cajun and Zydeco music can be tricky, depending upon which local you ask, and how many drinks they've had. Either way, the genres overlap. The three main downtown stages also feature brass bands and swamp pop. Swamp pop? Think opening chords to a Credence Clearwater song.
Daytona Beach is the birthplace of speed---it all started on its wide, flat sandy beaches. An ocean-side racing oval was ground zero for velocity until the Daytona International Speedway opened in 1959---home of the Daytona 500, which continues kicking off the NASCAR season every year since. The 2.5-mile stock car track, sometimes flanked by 200,000 grandstand and infield fans, has only been repaved once. Two of the track turns bank 31-degrees, which is a lot steeper than it sounds --- if your car, boat, or mate tilts 31-degrees, you panic. The speedway campus hosts other activities 300 days per year including proms, weddings, special interest RV colonies, and backstage tours for racecar hero devotees.
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