A Brand New Series--The Great Shrimp and Grits Survey of the South

As a lifetime Southerner, there are some things I just take pride in.  Our beaches, mild winters, friendliness, culture, great cities and small towns; I love it all. 

One of the best things is our food--fried chicken, red eyed gravy, church picnic potato salad, barbeque, and green bean casserole are the stuff of Southern culinary legend.  A particularly Southern item that is probably misunderstood is the classic dish of shrimp and grits.  First, let's dispel one myth.  The grits used in shrimp and grits are not your typical grits most of the country thinks of when the name "grits" is mentioned.  These grits are especially made for this dish and have an altogether different consistency and taste than anything you may have experienced with products from the grocery store straight out of the microwave.

As a true fan of this uniquely southern treat, I decided to work my way through the south sampling shrimp and grits.  I have had shrimp and grits in Savannah and Charleston--the holy grails of southern cuisine and most people assign the origins of shrimp and grits to one of these. I want to find lesser known locations; the small town take on the subject. At the same time I will be reporting on some interesting bed and breakfasts, resorts, and other accomodations that you may not have even know exist.  I know it's a tough job, but as always, I am willing to take one for the team--you gals my readers! I appreciate your  input, and if you know of a lovely local spot that serves a great shrimp and grits--send me an email.  I would love to hear from you!  Well, I better go to the gym, all this delicious food--I am going to need it!  Until my next installment--happy eating!

Sandy

Sandy, the diva cruiser, is actually Sandy Wheeler, independent contractor for Connie George Travel Associates.  She can be reached for comment on this or any other of her blogs at sandy@cgta.com.  Follow her adventures on Twitter @divacruiser or www.SandyWheelerTravel.com.

Facebook Fun and Games

I admit it, I absolutely love Facebook! I check it every morning just after I check my business and personal email. I update it most every morning, sometimes several times a day. I check it before I go to sleep at night--I confess I love Facebook! To my friends and family, this comes as no surprise, to those of you who don't know me--well don't judge until you try.

Why do I love FB? Several reasons divided into two different categories. First personal reasons. Did you know I hardly ever miss a friend or family member's birthday now? And, I have reconnected with a friend I started elementary school with. In fact, more than one. Several people I went to high school with, people I knew from 25 years ago; it's amazing how many people I am finding. I found a lost cousin, people I love that I used to work with, and about a hundred kids I taught while they were in high school who are now raising kids of their own. I see what my own kids are doing even when they don't take the time to call their mom, and can take pride in my nieces and nephews as they enter their high school years. It's wonderful--I LOVE Facebook.

The second reason I love it is for business. I use it to introduce cruise specials, connect with clients and post my blogs, tweets, and pictures. I met my business coach and have received help, advice, and a chance to mentor from several like minded industry leaders and new friends. I have found suppliers and resources as well as inspiration from other small business owners working their way through the joys and problems of business ownership. I LOVE Facebook.

Some people maintain you really need to have two separate accounts, and they may be right. I tried it and didn't like doing it that way. I wound up mixing the two parts of my life by accident or lack of time anyway; plus I feel a person is the sum of their parts, so there you go.

However, I have a little advice that I would like to pass along.

• If you are like me and use FB as a personal and professional tool, be careful that you keep a decent balance. Too much info either way may be aggravating.
• Don't use your FB as a political, moral, or economic platform. Think before you expect other adults to change their minds about any of the before mentioned, no matter how eloquent your debate.
• Be careful the information you list in your updates. I freely give my business phone, but almost never give out my home phone or home address.
• Remember your Facebook page may be indexed by Yahoo and Google. Often my FB page will come up higher than my actual web page. And while most of the info is protected, any entry level hacker can figure out a way around the safeguards, so again discretion is advised.

Just some friendly advice, some unfortunately I learned the hard way. I am certainly no expert, but then that's another one of the beauties of Facebook--anyone can learn to use it and enjoy the product for personal and professional benefit. Just another reason I LOVE Facebook!

Keep on posting,

Sandy

Sandy, the diva cruiser, is in reality Sandy Wheeler, an Independent Contractor for Connie George Travel Associates. Follow her adventures on www.SandyWheelerTravel.com and on Twitter @thedivacruiser

To Each His Own!

The best lobster I have ever eaten was onboard NCL’s Norwegian Crown on their first “formal” night of a 7 day cruise. It was so moist and tasty, I can still remember it. In fact, I ate two of those lobsters, that’s how good they were. That’s saying a lot since I am a seafood snob, having spent most of my life within an hour drive of the Atlantic Ocean. Another thing I remember about that cruise was floating around in the pool with two ladies who knew each other from New York City. They were discussing how poor the food was onboard and particularly how poor the lobster was. They commented on this Italian place in Manhattan, and a bistro in Soho, and on and on. I remember thinking at the time, “to each his own” and it’s never truer than on a cruise.

If you are that person who is only happy if running, jumping, sliding, or climbing over, around, or into something—there’s lots for you on a cruise, with plenty to do on shore excursions as well. If relaxing by the pool with a good book and a cold drink is your ideal situation—you can do that all week long if you choose. Love Broadway, comedians, live music, lectures, classes, art auctions? It’s all there. From salsa dance lessons in the morning to soaking in the hot tub in the afternoon, a cruise has something for everyone.

Hijinks, Hissy Fits, and Hysteria

Way back in the day in my lbtc (life before travel consultant), I taught high school for a number of years and was the sponsor for a student vocational organization that taught business skills and leadership. Our group was very good and we frequently won our tests and competitions at the regional, state, and even national level. I was young and foolish and would take a bus full of students to competitions--that was back when I could get by with only two hours sleep in a period from Thursday morning until Sunday afternoon. Now granted I stacked the deck in my favor by choosing only the brightest and best behaved students, but still it was not without it's problems.

The first category of problem is what I call hijinks, kids being kids, having silly but harmless fun. For example, we were all having dinner in the mall (or so I thought). One kid runs up and says, "come here Mrs. Nye, you have got to see this, hurry!". I took off running expecting to see blood, or at least guts. There sat one of our group in the middle of a store, playing the piano! Since no one was complaining (he played pretty darn well for a teenager) I laughed. I even let him keep the tips he made.

The second group of offense called for me to have a hissy fit. Now for those not familiar with that statement: it's when an adult finds out, lots of yelling occurs, and punishment is doled out accordingly. Had a couple of noteworthy fissy fits--once I caught some of the gals sneaking a smoke in their room and another time some of the boys (my own son included I am pretty sure) thought it would be oh so cool to write their name on their room wall with cheese-whiz and crackers. They all know who they are, so no names will be offered.

The third thing--hysteria--only happened once, when a student fell on the escalator and she and I went by ambulance to the ER in a strange town. I had to get hold of myself because the student needed me. That brings me to my point about hysteria.

I think the news media has done a pretty good job stirring up hysteria about the swine flu. Pictures of poor folks with face masks appear on every broadcast. But is this a situation where hysteria is necessary?

Let's look at the numbers. If you do research yourself, rather than allowing those face masks to scare you, you will realize that more people die each year of the regular flu and diabetes than have died of swine flu. And, we have medications for both. That's not to say I am not being careful. I am washing my hands a lot more and watching out for crowds and people who appear to be sick. But I do that anyway, don't you?

I’ve heard from a few clients who are concerned about visits to Mexico that are scheduled for their cruises for two months from now or even six months from now. The answer I give is simple. First, this too shall pass. It’s likely that this will be over in the next few months. Secondly, the cruise lines have no interest in putting their guests nor their crew in danger. We’ve seen the cruise lines change their itineraries for the next month as they take a “let’s wait and see” approach to decisions in the further future. Trust that they have everyone’s safety in mind and that the news media’s job is to keep your attention.

Don't let hysteria ruin the fun of anticipating your cruise!

Women Traveling Alone or With Other Women

Women Traveling with Other Women or ???Alone????

My hubby and I were having lunch at an awesome deli in town, Pineapple Cafe, during a busy time last week. The tables were pushed very close and seated just behind me were two obviously professional women who were discussing their business travels among other things. Honestly, I tried not to hear. Finally one lady said, "You know the really nice spa on Glenwood Avenue, what's it called"? I turned around (I couldn't help it) and said, it's the Umstead. She squealed "Right, the Umstead!" I knew how wonderful the property was because my daughter and son n law spent the first night of their honeymoon there. I had used the almost sinful beauty products my daughter brought home. I have the place on my to do list for certain.

Seeing these ladies made me think about safety and my duties as your ladies travel coordinator. Traveling alone for business or for fun has some serious implications these days. Having experienced violence in my own family, I know that problems can happen anywhere and at anytime.

My first advise to lady travelers is: don't do anything away from home that you wouldn't do at home and then err just a bit more on the side of safety. When at a club, dance, or party I don't get drunk and dance barefooted on the table. Don't at home, don't on the road. A couple of drinks, a few dances with my hubby or close friends and I am perfect. However, let me give you a more concrete example. Last summer I had to travel alone for business and made a reservation at a Hampton Inn in Morehead City. When the reservationist answered the phone (thankfully a woman) I asked point blank about the configuration of the rooms since I was traveling alone on business. I had already checked the hotel out online, looking for recommendations from other women business travelers and it passed the test with flying colors. I highly recommend this practice. The reservationist said she had many women travelers and actually had a hall on the first floor that was very visible from the front desk.

Later that evening I walked across the courtyard to a restaurant and had awesome shrimp and grits while indulging myself on a mystery thriller. There was a band playing in the bar area. I love live music with a passion and wanted to get closer to see and hear, but all the seats available were at the bar. Had I been at home with my girlfriends that I know have my back, yep, we would have sat there. But common sense told me a single woman sitting at the bar in a strange place could be a problem. So I opted on the conservative side and switched my seat to the other side of the table and just listened from the restaurant.

'What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas' may be a cute saying and may work for some travelers. But for a women traveling alone, if you wouldn't do it at home--maybe you shouldn't do it while away from home either.

Email me for more questions about ladies travel or to tell me about any spa experience you have encountered.

Happy travels,

Sandy, the diva cruiser