Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

All I want to do is watch Region 2 DVDs

Wednesday, March 7th, 2012

I’m from England, I also travel a lot to other parts of the world – South America, Australia and New Zealand, Europe, and Asia.  Sometimes I buy DVDs in those places that are not available in the USA.

Currently those DVDs are coasters because of the abject stupidity and closed-mindedness of the various DVD hardware and software companies in the US.  The rest of the world gave up on this region malarky quite some time ago – if I go to buy a DVD player in the areas listed above chances are it will be region free.  But here in the USA (“home of the free?”) I am unable to buy one of those through normal channels, or change my DVD player to read and play them, or use any one of my multiple computers to play them.  I almost resorted to changing the DVD drive region on my laptop to Region 2 (even though that would now exclude region 3 and 6 content), but apparently I can’t even do that, although I am supposed to have 4 of my 5 changes available.

Let me be very clear – these are bought and paid for DVDs from airport and high street retailers in foreign countries.  They are content that is UNAVAILABLE in the US or Canada (and, FYI, they are travel, music, comedy, and TV shows; nothing else).  I truly don’t understand why my choices to play legally obtained content are:

1. Purchase grey-market “region-free” DVD player from dodgy online retailer at huge markup.

2. Download multiple different software packages and attempt to extract, rip, convert, and burn DVDs that may or may not then work in my DVD player.

3. Download dodgy “firmware flash” programs to modify the firmware on my laptop DVD player – invalidating the warranty and causing who knows what other issues.

4. Attempt to obtain illegally torrented versions of this content online.

None of these options are attractive to me. I really wish the MPAA or whomever is responsible for these asinine restrictions could explain what someone whose interests lie beyond the shit shoveled through network TV in the US can do legally to play overseas DVDs in the US.

I’ll keep digging on this and when I find a reasonable option, I’ll be very happy to share it.

 

 

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Winter in the UK

Thursday, December 2nd, 2010

As a Brit, a Geographer, and someone has lived many places and traveled to many more; I am fascinated and puzzled by the British attitude to the weather.

I could fill dozens if not hundreds of pages about various UK responses to too much rain (any time), some snow or ice in the winter, some heat or sun in the summer, or some falling leaves in the autumn / fall.  Right now the news is that after a few mild winters, a normal winter weather pattern leaves the country in ruins.

Let’s recap – the United Kingdom is a NORTHERN European country.  London lies at 51ºN, Manchester at 53º30′, Edinburgh at 55ºN.  Compare these to Calgary (51ºN), Edmonton (53º30′N) and Moscow (55º45′N).  Equivalents for my friends in the Southern hemisphere are tougher, but Ushuaia in Argentina (when I was there last summer/winter, people were skiing at close to sea level and it snowed every day) is at 54º48′ S, closest thing for my Kiwi friends is Invercargill at 46º24′S.  Question – do you think people in that latter (non-UK) list put snow tyres on in winter?  Do their city and county councils have snow ploughs and gritters?

Yes, I understand the difference between a Maritime and Continental climate, and the influence of the Gulf Stream on UK weather, but I also know about the jet stream and persistent Northern Hemisphere highs in the winter and the fact that a country this far north is going to get hit by winter storms a few times each year.  Anthropogenic climate change is likely to increase the frequency of extreme events as temperature gradients N to S get out of equilibrium due to localized responses to increased CO2 and other greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere.  I’m pretty sure that I’m also not the only person who has studied this and knows these facts.

So, why?

Travel networks paralyzed

Gatwick Airport closed for second day

6500 schools closed

And, yes, the usual suspects will be out saying that snow in winter disproves “global warming” when it does no such thing and all serious scientists have known for 25+ years that effects of anthropogenic climate change will be unevenly distributed.  The Lake District / southern Scotland is at the same latitude as James Bay in central Canada or Ketchikan in southern Alaska.  Will you buy some snow tyres, some winter boots, and a warm coat, please?

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Sick while traveling

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010

Always a pain.  Heading back to the US tomorrow and very much looking forward to getting home, rested and back to my usual diet, sleep habits and workouts.  I’ve been in Townsville, Cairns, back to Townsville, Melbourne, and now Sydney.  Hasn’t helped that it’s been cold and rainy here in Sydney and I’m coming down with a bad cold right before my flights home.  Oh well….

Townsville is a nice-ish quiet town with a great seafront called the Strand.  5km out and back which added up to 4 miles with the distance to and from the hotel (Holiday Inn salt shaker building if you’ve ever been to Townsville).  Then up to Cairns to visit my cousin Robert and his family up there.  Quite a bit further to drive than I thought but I had a great time – they made me feel very welcome and shared their wonderful house with me.  They really are living the Aussie dream up there although the sun and humidity kicked my ass!

Melbourne was cold and damp, but I finally got to run the Tan Track and really enjoyed that, although I was starting to feel rundown even then, so the hill halfway round was a bear.  Track itself is just short of 4km, but distance to and from my hotel at the far end of Flinders Lane in docklands meant that it added up to 5 miles total.  I was out there early Saturday morning after some joker rang my room at 5am and woke me up; and then flew to Sydney that morning – that’s probably where the downward spiral began because a hard run in the cold and damp  followed by a packed flight is a great recipe for respiratory infections.

One thing, though, in both places was the high number of walkers and runners out there which made me feel really good about being a part of that.  It’s probably why I should be heading to the east or west sides to run along the river rather than just stay on the treadmill at the gym next door.

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Take a moment to reflect on luckiness

Friday, July 2nd, 2010

I just picked up 5 rolls of film I had developed and printed at my favourite lab (Yeah, I know, I’m old school).  In that collection were some pics from Buenos Aires last year (great buildings in San Telmo), wonderful snow covered Lake District in the UK (from New Year), and four rolls from Australia on my last trip – Great Ocean Road, Bells Beach, Mornington Peninsula.

You know, sometimes all my traveling sucks really badly, but the upside is that I’ve had the chance to visit some absolutely wonderful places in the world.  Remind me of that next time you hear me complain about flying, jet lag, and hotels :-)

Ill scan and upload some pics soon – actually look for links to a whole new photography site in the autumn / fall (if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere – opposite for my antipodean friends)

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Two reasons why Melbourne / Victoria is the New Jersey of Australia

Friday, June 11th, 2010

(probably most of interest to my American readers, but still… )

On my very first day in Melbourne I was walking down William street to Foster’s and I saw this strange sign

(remember USAians, that Aussies, like all right-thinking people drive on the left)

So – I watch people pull to the left to make a right turn and think of the only other place in the world that forces you to turn the opposite direction you want – the good old Garden State itself.

So imagine my surprise when I see this on a number plate:

Does Bruce know about this?

The parallels become even clearer – who loves their big V8s more than Aussies and Jerseyites?

Johnny 99

“Well they closed down the Holden plant in Pagewood late that month
Ralph went out lookin’ for a job but he couldn’t find none ”

Open All Night

“Early north Geelong industrial skyline
I’m a all-set Monaro-jet creepin’ through the nighttime
Gotta find a gas station, gotta find a pay phone
This turnpike sure is spooky at night when you’re all alone
Gotta hit the gas, baby. I’m running late
Victoria in the mornin’ like a lunar landscape”

(lyrics from here)

(updated 6/11/10 2:19 – Just want to state that I believe the lyrics above come under fair use / parody – if anyone disagrees let me know.  The last thing I’d want to do is upset the Boss)

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Snowpocalypse!

Saturday, February 6th, 2010

Greetings from the Aloft hotel in Ashburn, VA where I’m watching over 24″ (60cm) of snow fall and now blow all over the place.  It’s fun to be part of snowmageddon or sn_omg, but I’d much rather be home than stuck in a hotel even though I do get to watch stupid TV and movies and just be lazy.

The really annoying thing, though, is that I was supposed to be running the NYRR gridiron 4M tomorrow morning and now I won’t get home in time – which is a bummer.  Who’d ever have thought I’d be upset about missing the chance to run 4 miles in below freezing temps early on a Sunday morning?  Oh well, at least Kim will get to sleep in and stay warm tomorrow.

It’s funny because I keep bringing my Dulut sensibility to this event – where it wouldn’t have been that big a deal.  I forget that I’m in Virginia with a rented Chevrolet rather than Minnesota driving a Saab with Nokia snow tires or the 4×4 suburban. 

Before I decided to stay tonight I walked out to the main road and it doesn’t appear to have been ploughed at all – this is a major 4 lane highway, not a side street!  The hotel staff also told me that roads all around here are blocked by fallen trees as well.  Plus the drivers on I95 in Philly and Baltimore are suicidal on a good day, so probably not a good idea to be out there today.

So thanks to United Airlines for putting me in this position.  Thanks for not communicating the status of flights at IAD (as Kim says, I get 4 twitters an hour when the weather is bad in ORD or SFO, nothing this time) until it was already too late to outrun the storm.  Thanks for not cancelling the flight until 1 hour before even though IAD was essentially closed the night before.

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Rainy and Windy

Monday, January 25th, 2010

We have English winter weather today in NYC – pouring rain, winds gusting to 40 mph.  Reminds me of so many days and nights in the north of England and also feels like Wellington too.  I get a really clear image in my mind of arriving at the Old Dungeon Ghyll in Langdale just as the sun goes down (around 315pm or so) and packing in next to big fireplace to dry off and warm up.  But I could just as well be walking along the waterfront in Wellington harbour towards Te Papa with a detour for scrambled eggs and tea at the Victoria Street cafe.

I don’t know what it is, but it’s comforting while at the same time being cold and wet – it must speak to some deep part of my upbringing or psyche.

But what it also points out is the absolute requirement for some kind of fireplace in my apartment – but is that even possible?  It just seems the right thing – to hear the wind blowing outside, the rain lashing against the glass of the windows, and to be sitting on the couch warm and snug watching the fire.

(It also reminds me of the need for me to finish my project on internal double-glazing using plexiglass and magnetic tape - these old windows are attractive, but very draughty).

Time to research smokeless, ventless fireplaces, because I don’t think I’ll get permission to stick a smokestack through the wall with a nice wood stove on the other end.

Wet dogs, good beer, warm fire

Wet dogs, good beer, warm fire

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Airport Food? Just carry Clif bars

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

It’s hardly original to criticize airline and airport food, but why not add to the voluminous literature on the subject?

Well, airline food has pretty much disappeared so that rules out that area.  Except for international flights – but it’s been so long since they actually remembered to load a vegetarian meal for me that I can’t really judge the quality as much as I can the total absence.  (And can I thank the stewardesses, sorry flight attendants, who just shrug with disinterest when you tell them you ordered a vegetarian meal.  OK then, I guess I’ll just go hungry for the next 9 hours, thanks for your concern).

So I noticed a trend this bright new year.  Let’s start at Manchester airport, terminal 1 where I spent four hours longer than I planned to last week.  I don’t think it’s a exaggeration to say that I’d rather have scavenged the garbage bins out back than eat any of the food on offer there.  I did purchase a brie and cranberry sandwich eventually, but through some miracle all the possible taste and texture had been stripped from both ingredients leaving only the fat, the calories and the unpleasant feeling of having spent six pounds / $10 for nothing.

Next we visit terminal three at Heathrow Airport – the UK’s gateway to the rest of the world.  The proud gateway that says (unless you fly into terminal five): “we stopped cleaning or doing maintenance ten years ago.  Feel free to walk hundreds of yards to your gates that are located somewhere in Surrey.  The main purpose of this airport is to sell you duty-free goods that are more expensive than your local shops.”

Let’s list the options for vegetarian or healthy food that are available in terminal three:

Veggie burger at TGIF – the worst veggie burger in the world served on a stale white bun.  I guarantee the cardboard box the burger came in had more flavour and better texture than that sorry excuse for a sandwich.  But at least it was only 9 pounds / $14, so that’s ok.

Er, that’s it.

And so to Indianapolis’ brand new airport where I’m sitting right now.  What a big, bright shiny airport this is.  And what a lot of chicken there is on the menus of all the various “restaurants”.

Let’s look at the Wolfgang Puck’s Express food choices:

  • Chinese Chicken Salad
  • Barbecued chicken salad
  • Chicken caesar salad
  • Pesto chicken salad sandwich
  • Turkey avocado club sandwich
  • Chicken aiolo sandwich
  • Ham and swiss sandwich
  • Puck Burger

This is not an edited list – this is all the sandwich and salad choices.  Now they do have a four cheese pizza, but I think that might be otherwise named “the gut buster”.

So the one vegetarian food choice on all of the B concourse is a four cheese pizza.

I rest my case and ordered another Bass to go with my clif bar.  Thanks, Clif, and fuck you very much to airport food concessionaires throughout the world.

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Is the US the “greatest country in the world”?

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

Fascinating Op-Ed by Neil Gabler on the Boston Globe website questioning the reflexive statement of the superiority of the US made by almost all politicians and media in this country.

I’ve lived in the US for over 20 years now (with small stints overseas) and this has always bothered / mystified me.  I understand all about patriotism and jingoism – almost every country has it – but for it to be so overt and so ubiquitous is really strange.  Yes, it was said that to be born English was to have won first prize in the lottery of life (quote from either Cecil Rhodes or Rudyard Kipling – not clear), but that sentiment always seemed either Victorian or somewhat dodgily racist (google directs you to Stormfront on the first page when you search for it) or both.

I’m extremely grateful for the opportunities I’ve had in the US, and I’ve made my home here for better or worse.  I have many friends here, it doesn’t always rain, and the landscape is fantastic.  New York is one of the great cities in the world, the education system is innovative and good, opportunity abounds….

But things could be better – couldn’t they always?  Are there no ideas, concepts, or things from other places that could not make a positive difference?  I don’t think it’s an admission of defeat or lack of love or respect to say “this is great, you know what would make it even better?”  Imagine JFK with Kuala Lumpur’s express train from downtown to the airport; New York City with Amsterdam’s trams and bike lanes; the US with NZ’s no-fault accident compensation commission?  There are thousands of examples.  Does that mean I should “go live in Europe if you think it’s better”? No.  I think we should work together to improve things here – I just fail to see why that is wrong.

A couple of commentators to the original article chime in with interesting perspectives:

“reminds me of something i read once: “liberals love this country like a grown-up, they see it for what it is and try to work on making it better. Grown-up love means actually understanding what you love, taking the good with the bad, and helping your loved one grow. Conservatives love this country the way a 6 year-old loves his mommy, everything mommy does is right and anyone who disagrees with mommy is bad.”

“We have people here who imply the US cannot learn from other countries. If that’s not a sign of mental deficiency, I don’t know what is.”

and, of course:  “There is a simple solution to this Mr Gabler Move!! We dont need your American Hating types here. Be thankfull for what you got, and for what our forefathers fought for.”

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Lighthouse at the End of the World

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009
Faro des Eclaireurs, Ushuaia AR

Faro des Eclaireurs, Ushuaia AR

I got back from Argentina on Sunday and had a fantastic time there – even with the travel issues on the way down.. Lots of stories to share, but I thought I’d start with a photo.

I flew first to Buenos Aires – was supposed to have had two days there, but because of the stupidity at LGA on Friday only had one.  I flew down to Ushuaia (another 3 1/2 hours on top of the 10 1/2 hours to get to BA from DC) on Monday.  Tuesday morning was bright and clear and cold and I went out on the Patagonia Explorer boat and took tons of pics.  The one above is the lighthouse a few km from Ushuaia.  It’s not strictly the lighthouse at the end of the world as referenced in Jules Vernes’ book (wiki link) which is further out on Isla de los Estados – but it’s certainly a  lighthouse and it’s pretty close to the end of the world as far as most people are concerned.

More stories and pics later

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I (don’t) love LA

Friday, August 21st, 2009

I was in the City of Angels earlier this week and remain unimpressed.  I’m sure it didn’t help that the weather was overcast and smoggy the whole time I was there, that traffic sucked, and that I flew 5-6 hours each way for a 2 hour meeting.  Hey, I guess it’s just not for me – because it certainly didn’t look anything like the TV commercials they have for Gulliforniya.

A funny aside – Elisabeth’s grandmother refers to Arnold as a “Steyr Yokel” – although I’m not sure how the latter word is spelled auf Deutsch or Oesterreicher deutsch.

So you can keep the endless suburbs, shitty freeways, self-impressed people, air pollution, and constant threat of natural disaster and I’ll stick to my East Village / Union Square haunts.

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This has bugged me for a while

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

Mostly because it offends me that airlines think we are so stupid.  It’s the practice of advertising air fares at less than half their true cost with the following disclaimer (from United’s email today, but could be any of the American airlines): “Sample airfares shown are each way based on required roundtrip travel.”

Why is this legal?  It just seems untrue, misleading, and most of all stupid.

Let’s follow their example: 

“Drive the new Ford Fusion for only $6000 (sample price is per wheel based on required four wheel purchase)”

“Come and see the new Saw 15 movie for only 10 cents (sample price is per minute based on required 90 minute purchase)”

“Try Subway’s new 42 cent foot longs (sample price is per inch based on required 12″ purchase)”

If you could at least buy a one way flight for this cost, that would be one thing, because most people will fly round trip anyway – but I know from experience that often one-way flights are a lot more than half the cost of a round trip – in some cases they are more. But overall the main thing that bothers me is the assumption of stupidity on the part of purchasers.  Or am I just naive?

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Japanese culture

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

I’ll admit I’m torn on Japanese culture (and I realize how absurd that statement is).  I love to be in Tokyo and hope to visit the rest of Japan some time – particularly Hokkaido – and I love Japanese art and design.  Their architecture and craft are among my favourites too.

Where I have a major issue, though, is the whaling and dolphin-killing.  It’s very hard to forgive that and see past its influence on the culture as a whole.  I’d like to believe (as I have read) that support for these is an older generation thing and dying out, but I have nothing direct to base that on.  I know I did see a whale meat restaurant in Asakusa when I was there last.

All the above notwithstanding, this is fantastic (via Susannah Breslin at BoingBoing):

From “Eye of the Beholder” by Anton Kusters:

“I’m in the front seat, riding with Soichiro in his car on his way to Shinjuku. “One cuts off one’s finger to make a point”, Soichiro explains while driving. “Usually to show the sincerity of an apology after doing something wrong.”

“You cut off a single digit of your own finger in a ceremonial way, while facing your boss, and then you present the severed finger on a folded napkin to him. It reinforces the power of your apology. It shows that you’re serious about what you’re saying.”

Somehow, i don’t feel like questioning that.”

(Image credit: Anton Kusters. Via This Isn’t Happiness.)

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Back in the Big City

Sunday, July 5th, 2009

Finally back at home after two whole weeks away – one week on vacation, flowing into a work meeting in New Brunswick, followed by a couple of days in CT.

One thing that I noticed on my trip was how my music choices changed as I got away from work and real life.  I drove up to Portland and stayed there over night and then caught the ferry across to Yarmouth, NS at 8am Sunday.  It was an early start and followed a lot of hectic activity to get things settled before I left.  As soon as I got in the car to drive to the ferry, I chose (subconsciously, I think) my “ambient” playlist rather than the usual rock, punk or techno that seem to be in heavy rotation usually.

I stayed with this genre and audiobooks through the whole trip with the exception of when I was working out in the hotel gyms.  I really feel like this music choice contributed to my mellow attitude throughout the past two weeks – so maybe I should try and stick with this to keep my stress level and blood pressure down.

In case you are interested, here are some of the artists I consider “ambient”:

Rhian Sheehan – fantastic NZ musician I discovered by accident in Wellington.  He has a new CD out and I can’t say enough good things about him.  Ordered the CDs from Amazon, because I’m still old-fashioned that way and the Virgin Megastore is no more.

Mary Bue – was in my classes at UMD and I used to see her at Amazing Grace on my way back from the beach with the boys.  Great musician and I see she’s put out a couple more CDs and moved to Seattle.  I need to check her new stuff out.

Jordan Reyne – another random Wellington find; NZ has some great music that is worth seeking out.  I was listening to her “Passenger” CD.  She describes her music as “industrial tinged folk music”.

Low - another Duluth connection.  I don’t know Alan and Mimi, but we were friends with Scotty / starfire who worked for them (don’t know if he still does).  I saw Low the last time they played Webster Hall and it was an outstanding show.

Peter Gabriel – specifically the Last Temptation of Christ soundtrack.

Ali Farka Touré – If you don’t know his music you should.  He was a Malian guitarist, literally from Timbuktu, and one of the greatest guitarists ever.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – again a magical singer and musician.  I found (randomly again) a CD of remixes of his work called Star Rise and all its tracks are great.

Verve Remixed series – remixes of classic Nina Simone, Hugh Masakela, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan tracks.

Check some of this out if you don’t know it! Perhaps it will calm you down too.

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Just gets better

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009

So I finally got to the hotel around 930pm (rather than 7pm as planned) – cranky, tired, low blood sugar, etc. etc.

This morning I get a call saying that the meeting I came down for is cancelled.  Oh well, at least it’s not hot and humid down here in DC :-)

I’m sorry, Amtrak, next time it’s Accela for me.

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District of Columbia

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009

Heading to DC for a meeting tomorrow.  Should I take the train or fly – well, Accela is more expensive than flying, and I am nothing if not a mileage whore.  So I chose to fly on the US Airways shuttle.

And that’s why I’m sat here at the gate an hour after scheduled departure and 3 hours after leaving home second guessing that decision.

Somehow, though, classic rock of the 80′s on the iPhone makes it all a little more tolerable.

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On the Vineyard

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

I love Martha’s Vineyard – another case of where I’m surprised that I like somewhere.  Sure the rich people and the crowds bug me, but is that so different from NYC?  I have a dream that one day I’ll be able to buy a small place out there and live on the island in the fog and overcast skies through the off season.  Then I’ll leave in the summer and go somewhere quieter (back to Manhattan, perhaps?)

The island has good memories for me; and I enjoy the back roads, watching birds and fishing boats, the quality of light that comes from being surrounded by the sea.  I also like the fact that it is off the coast of America and therefore somewhat insulated from the realities of day to day life (like a reliable cell phone signal).

cimg1632

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Ninja Obama

Monday, April 20th, 2009

DiD US Presidential Election 2008????????.

This is why I love Japan and Japanese culture -  the picture of President Obama with a katana and wakizashi is worth ten thousand words of description of cross-cultural strangeness.

How did William Gibson find this?

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Oregon – 48th of 50

Monday, April 13th, 2009

I’m traveling to Portland, OR next week to meet with some clients and it will be the first time I’ve had a chance to visit Oregon.  Seems strange to me, since I’ve always heard great things about Portland and the areas around it and I’ve been to all its neighbouring states.

Oregon will be the 48th of 50 states that I will have visited, so after that I just have Mississippi and Alabama, which I should be able to check off together in a short trip (even though the south scares me more than most places).

In Canada, I’ve been to every province and territory from Quebec west, so I just have the Atlantic provinces to cover.  I’m hoping to get to some of them this summer.  I’ve been at the airport in Kuujjuaq a bunch of times, but just visiting the airport doesn’t count in my book, so I really need to count Nunavik and Labrador as separate regions if I want to cover all my options in Canada.

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Skiing at Hunter

Monday, March 2nd, 2009

I went skiing to Hunter mountain yesterday with Jen and although it was icy, I had a lot of fun.  It’s a little ironic, because today I woke up and it’s snowing hard with 3-4″ of accumulation in the city and there must be nice new snow further north.  The news would have you believe it’s the end of the world – the Weather Channel is calling it a “Mega Storm“- which seems a little alarmist.  I don’t think anything with less than 2-3 feet of snow counts as a mega storm.

I had never been to Hunter before and it’s a small, decent mountain.  It’s only about 2-2.5 hours drive from the city, so it’s pretty convenient.  I’m spoiled by Portes du Soleil with 230 lifts and 650km of runs, so there’s not a whole lot in North America that can compare.  It’s interesting to compare costs as well – a one day pass is 39 Euros which is right around $50 at today’s exchange rates.  It wouldn’t be fair to compare Hunter and their prices to P du S, but Whistler is the largest area in North America and their pass is $89 CAD plus 5% GST = $73 USD.  Vail is now $97!  I guess I’ll be skiing in France next winter if I want to go for a week.

I started pretty shakily on the skis, but by early afternoon was feeling pretty comfortable and I skied my first ever black runs, and even a double black (by mistake!).  Conditions were icy – I was told they had 1″ of rain on Friday which then froze overnight – but I felt OK with it and only fell twice all day.  I’m glad Jen was there to encourage me out of my comfort zone, otherwise I probably would have stuck to blues.  It seems to me that I’ve been on blue runs in France that were tougher than the black runs at Hunter, but that may just be hindsight.

I noticed that many (if not most) people my age were wearing helmets on the mountain – probably something I should do too.

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