RESTLESS NEWS

10.11.05
Putting the "Travel" Back in the Travel Channel?
It may be hard to imagine, but once upon a time the Travel Channel actually had shows about travel. That's right. The channel that has given us shows on the hidden secrets of elevators and was a pioneer in poker on television once had shows about people traveling around the world. Unfortunately, great programs like Alby Mangels' Adventure Bound and the Lonely Planet series gave way to shows about every haunted building in the Western hemisphere and behind-the-scenes looks at Las Vegas casinos. Although we're hesitant to jump back on the Travel Channel bandwagon, it does seem the channel is slowly returning to its roots. New programs like Stranded with Cash Peters and Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations show people traveling to actual foreign countries. And, in what is perhaps the most encouraging development, the Globe Trekker series (formerly the Lonely Planet series) is returning to the channel on Saturday nights at 10 p.m. eastern. According to the Travel Channel website, this week's program has Ian Wright traveling to Cambodia. Now maybe we should start a campaign to get Alby Mangels back on the air.

09.14.05
The Fists of Fury as Peacemaker
Most martial arts fans know Bruce Lee for planting a whoopin' on bad guys in such films as Fists of Fury and Enter the Dragon. But a war-ravaged Bosnian city plagued by ethnic strife is looking to the image of Lee as a symbol of peace and healing. A life-size bronze statue of the Dragon will be erected in the city of Mostar within the next few months, according to a story on Yahoo. Mostar was nearly destroyed during the war between Muslims and Croats in the 1990s. And ethnic tension remains. Local authorities say Lee's statue is a symbolic protest against that ethnic division, as he is someone all ethnic groups can relate to. The Mostar association stated, "[The statue will] be a reminder of our childhood dreams of a just world where crude physical force does not matter, but skill, speed, and the will to fight for justice does."

08.10.05
Stepped Out, Will Be Back Soon
Computer problems in June and the arrival of my second child in July have squashed plans for Restless Me's Summer 2005 issue. Rather than rush out a half-assed edition, we'll try to put the full ass into our next edition in September. See you then.  -D.M.

Come Back to Colombia
Colombia might be a great place to visit for Robert Young Pelton and other adrenaline junkies who like tangling with would-be kidnappers and dodging the crossfire of a civil war. But other than those folks, it's about the least-likely destination for tourists on the planet. Yet, the Colombian government is hoping that will soon change. According to a story on CNN.com, President Alvaro Uribe's government is trying to make the country a tourist destination by making it safe for foreign visitors and changing Colombia's image abroad. If they can make it safe, Colombia sounds like a great place to visit, complete with Caribbean beaches, virgin Amazon jungle and high Andres peaks. READ

07.10.05
Fight Back Against Terrorism: Travel
Last week's bombings in London that killed more than 50 people were not just an attack against the city's populace, but also against the city's half-million visitors, says travel writer Simon Calder in the July 9 edition of the UK newspaper The Independent. He points to other attacks in Egypt, Bali and Kenya, and says the London attacks are the latest blow to the psyche of today's travelers. But Calder urges defiance. "Even though the attack was targeted haphazardly against humanity, rather than specifically at tourists, it is a natural reaction to want to stay safe at home," he writes. "Yet the best response to those who seek to diminish our lives is to expand our horizons: to travel more, not less; to celebrate our freedom to meet people across the world; to understand their lives, hopes and fears." Take up the discussion about terrorism and travel in our forum.

05.27.05
No More Pretzels for Northwest Fliers
After axing free meals for passengers in February, Northwest Airlines is now taking away free pretzels too. The airline hopes the move will save $2 million a year. Passengers still get free soda, but must pay for food. (A three-ounce bag of trail mix goes for $1.) Meanwhile, Hooters Air is experiencing growth. Those who enjoy SI's swimsuit issue can check out the airline's photo gallery that runs with the story at USAToday.com.

05.04.05
U.S. Warns on Traveling to Egypt
Following several attacks on tourist sites in Cairo, the State Department has issued a travel warning for anyone going to Egypt. The warning urges travelers to stay away from crowded tourist areas and to keep an eye out for suspicious behavior. Last month there were three terrorist attacks in Cairo, one in the Khan El Khalili bazaar, one near the Egyptian Museum and one near the Citadel. And last fall, terrorists killed more than 30 people in an attack on a hotel in the Sinai resort of Taba.

04.20.05
The Travel World's Greatest Forum?
Want to learn Arabic from an Algerian who wants to practice his English? Or get authentic Cambodian recipes with a person in Phnom Penh? Or just a pen pal in Iran? You can do all that at what might be the travel community's greatest online forum, the United Planet Message Board (all due respect to LP's Thorntree and our own embryonic effort). The active board has more than 3,000 registered users from all over the globe, with forums dedicated to different languages, people looking for e-pals, discussions on travel, customs, culture, arts and virtually anything else you can imagine.

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Travel writer Nicole Trilivas is a 2005 graduate of Boston University who is currently working in advertising in New York City. She is also working part-time as a freelance travel writer. As a self-proclaimed serial-backpacker, Nicole has bounced around almost every European country, as well as parts of Asia. She recently returned from India, and she is already well into planning her next trip, which will be to the South Pacific, where she intends on spending vast amounts of time lounging about, drinking local beer, and avoiding malaria.

Mark Blickley is a widely published short story writer, essayist and playwright. His collection of short stories, Sacred Misfits, is published by Red Hen Press. He was recently married in Las Vegas, which he visited for the first and last time.

Karolyn Stuver is a writer, sailor and communications professional living in Alexandria, Virginia. She is on her way back to Culebra, Puerto Rico and is seriously thinking of joining the ranks of the exes there herself.

A fellow "restless" soul, Stephen Ausherman is the author of two award-winning books: Restless Tribes, a collection of travel essays, and Typical Pigs, a novel. His story, Fei Ge, Wode Zhen Pengyou, appeared in the Spring 2005 issue of Restless Me. Born in China and raised in North Carolina, he now lives in New Mexico. His website is www.restlesstribes.com.