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Boys Misbehaving On The Subway

Situations (and our subsequent reaction to them) are all a matter of how we perceive them. Quite frequently, we tend to make assumptions and draw conclusions based on little or no relevant information (i.e., jumping to conclusions).

The following example comes from Stephen Coveys gave a great book “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”.

One day on the subway, while quietly reading a book, Stephen was interrupted by two wild children that got on with their father at a subway stop.

The children were out of control, jumping up and down, running loudly through the subway car.

The father seemed not to notice or care that his children were misbehaving and disturbing commuters …

Stephen approached the father and wanted to scold him for not controlling his children and teaching them respect for others …

The father agreed, and sighed sullenly, saying “yeah, I just don’t know what to do or say to them. We just came from the hospital where their mother died from a random assault ….”

Hearing this story immediately changed Stephen’s paradigm of the children and the situation. He went on to explore this and counsel the man who had lost his wife .

Continue reading »]]> It looks easy … until you enter the rink for the first time;
The only way to learn is by doing it yourself;
At first, you will fall often … but get back up;
With practice and persistence you will gain control;
With confidence, you will eventually glide gracefully;
Even the experts will fall once in a while.

Those that make it look easy have fallen often, practised more
than you think and have the persistence to reach their goal.

Continue reading »]]> After 52 years of service, the current International Airport of Quito, Mariscal Sucre [IATA airport code: UIO], switches off its lights and closes permanently on October 11, 2012. The original airport was built in 1960 on 126 hectares of land, located in the north of Quito.

Due to its location in the middle of a city surrounded by mountains, the current airport cannot be expanded to accommodate any larger aircraft or an increase in air traffic. Its operation poses higher risks, too; six serious accidents and several incidents have taken place in recent years. When the original airport was built back in 1960 it was on the north edge of Quito … but during the last 50 years Quito has expanded northward, enveloping the airport.

As of October 12, 2012, the new Quito International Airport will be inaugurated and starts its operations.

The new airport, which began construction in 2006, is about 10 times larger and sits on 1500 hectares of land aprox. 18 km east of Quito.

Here are the some comparisons between the original and  new airport:

• Unlike the original airport which is located in the middle of the city, the new airport is outside of the city and therefore has a more than adequate safety/security zone (in case of accidents).
• The original airport is located at 2800 m.a.s.l. (one of the highest airports in the world) and surrounded by mountains.  The new airport is located at 2400 m.a.s.l. and in a relatively open topography.
• The original airport sat on 126 hectares of land with no possibility to expand (as the city grew around the airport in the meantime).  The new airport sits on 1500 hectares with between 70 to 100 hectares of land for possible future expansion.
• The original airport has about 40 hectares (aprox.) of construction, while the new airport currently has 70 hectares of construction.
• The passenger terminal(s) of the original airport is 28,700 m2, while the new airport terminal(s) occupy 38,000 m2 (first phase).
• The original airport runway is 3120 m in length, while the new airport boasts a main runway of 4100 m ( also has a second runway of 2350 m).
• The control tower of the original airport is 22 m high, while the new airport has a control tower of 41 m.
• The original airport capacity to service 3,660,000 passengers, while the new airport some 5,000,000 in its first phase.
• The original airport has 35 airline counters, while the new airport has 60 airline counters.
• The original airport has parking for 32 aircraft, while the new airport currently has parking for 45 aircraft.
• The car park of the original airport can hold 380 vehicles, while the new airport has space or 903 vehicles.

Readers should keep in mind that due to the new location (near Tababela) it may take between 45 to 60 minutes (dependent on traffic conditions) to access the new airport from Quito.

There are currently three different routes to the new airport from Quito [detailed updates on airport access routes will follow as information becomes available, including maps, travel times, costs etc].

At the time of this publication, it is estimated that it will cost between USD $20 to $30 per person for airport transfers between the new airport and the city of Quito.

The future of the original airport is being finalized, but apparently it will be converted into an aquatic park (mini Central Park) with lagoons and a convention center (location of current terminal building.

Continue reading »]]> A handy summary map of the top 15 highlight wildlife and their respective locations in the Galapagos Islands

This is NOT a comprehensive map of all the wildlife in the Galapagos Islands … as there are just too many to try and squeeze into one map.

Instead, I have focused on the more unique and/or popularly asked about creatures.

Continue reading »]]> While working in Niagara Falls (Ontario, Canada) I remember to this day a curious question by a tourist …

“What time do they turn the Falls off at night?” asked the tourist.

.

To which I responded, “You mean … what time do they turn the lights off at the Falls?”

.

“No”, responded the tourist.  “What time do they turn the water off at the Falls.”

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“Experience, travel – these are as education in themselves” ~ Euripides

Unless you’ve “been there, done that” there is always a degree of uncertainty and mystery to any given travel destination. That’s probably some of the reasons why we travel … to discover. The Galapagos Islands are no exception.

What follows are the first  FIVE THINGS (of a total of 10) that many people have mentioned that they wished they had known before visiting the Galapagos Islands.

If people are informed they will do the right thing. It’s when they are not informed that they become hostages to prejudice. ~ Charlayne Hunter-Gault

#1 Decide on a cruise BEFORE you make flight reservations

Although the majority of tours (both live aboard cruises & land-based hotel packages) include the coordination of the round trip Galapagos Islands flights, many people opt to book these flights independently.  Recently, this is more predominant with people using LAN airline flights.  Keep in mind that cruise logistics are based on pre-assigned/determined flight schedules.  Each operator already has the flight spaces for specific airline flights … and thus coordinate matters in Galapagos based on these specific flight schedules.

In the case of many of LAN airline flights into and out of the archipelago, for example, the arrival and/or departure times don’t always work well with all cruises (i.e., you arrive too late and/or depart too early). People often need to arrive one day before the cruise and/or stay on in Galapagos one day after the cruise ends in order to ensure that everything can be coordinated.  If you’re not sure, ask!

#2 Sea sickness

It is difficult to avoid traveling on the open water while in Galapagos … even during land-based hotel packages.  In fact, contrary to public opinion, you are more than likely to spend more daylight hours traveling to and from a visitation site on land-based (or day tour) options than you are during a live aboard cruise.

Many people (whether they are aware of it or not) might be susceptible to motion (or sea) sickness.  For anyone who has never traveled on board a boat, you might not know.  The good news is that there are remedies to alleviate or minimize any potential effects of sea sickness – these include patches & tablets (e.g., Dramamine, Transderm, Mareol etc).  There are a number of natural remedies that many claim seem to work (i.e., ginger, peppermint etc).

In terms of practical recommendations, avoid selecting a sailing boat (more prone to rocking than wider, heavier vessels like catamarans and cruise ships).  Basically it boils down to a width & weight issue.  The narrower (and lighter) the vessel is, the greater the likelihood of rocking.  So, pick a wider and heavier vessel to minimize rocking (and therefore the potential effects of sea sickness).  Another aspect to keep in mind is that the higher up you are on a boat, the more likely you are to feel movement (both side to side as well as aft [back] to bow [front]). So where is the most optimal spot to be?  As low down (e.g., lowest deck possible) and in the middle (both front to back and side to side) of the vessel.

On final pointer includes the time of year to visit the archipelago.  Generally speaking (Mother Nature is not always constant and predictable)  it would be advisable to consider traveling the Galapagos in any month except for late August, September & October (when the seas are generally rougher).

February to April is generally the calmest period.

#3 Drizzle & rain

The warmest (and wettest) period – also known as the “rainy season” - is generally late November through to early June – this period is  characterized by strong showers  followed by clear skies and long sunny periods.

Mid-June through to late November is known as the garúa (meaning “drizzle”) season.   There is little rain during this period but light drizzle is not uncommon – skies are overcast although there are some sunny periods.

So why mention this?  Although the majority know to bring sunblock/suncream against the strong sun, it is advisable to also pack a light rain jacket.

#4 Cabin location

While many take the time to investigate the most appropriate boats for their cruise experience in Galapagos - be it a catamaran, cruise ship, sailing boat or motor boat –  many neglect an important issue … the cabin itself.

Although it is true that one does not spend an exorbitant amount of time during the course of a cruise in your cabin (other than to sleep and change), your cabin location is fairly important.  Why?  In conjunction to the a fore mentioned indications regarding sea sickness, having a cabin close to the aft (back end) of the boat is more prone to noise from the generators and motors.  Therefore, you want to be as far forward and as high up (if deck options exist) to minimize the potential problems of noise, fumes and vibrations from the motors/generators.

#5 Clothing & packing

The first thing you need to keep in mind is the following luggage restriction for the Galapagos flights per person: (1) one carry-on of 8kg (17.6lbs); and (2) one check in of 20kg (44lbs).  No agricultural products are permitted (e.g., fresh fruits & vegetables etc).

In addition to the useful list of items to take found in the article, “The Ultimate Packing List for the Galapagos Islands” you should try and pack quick-dry clothes.

Part 2 of “10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting the Galapagos Islands” will touch on another five things people have stated that they wished they had known prior to visiting the Galapagos Islands.