So in today's question file we are tackling the question "How early do I need to arrive at Dublin Airport?".
My first response to this question is a question. Where are you from?
If the answer is the United States, you actually need to be at Dublin Airport 3 hours early. Those going to the United States clear US customs in Dublin. Also keep in mind once you clear customs you will have limited food and shopping options, but WIFI is still available.
For most other countries 2 hours will do. Dublin Airport does not see particularly long, nor particularly short lines. Of course this will vary.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Sunday, January 18, 2015
SUV crash at PETA illustrates why we need more regulations for SUVs
As many who are reading this probably already know a large SUV crashed through the front of the PETA building in Los Angeles. Luckily no one at PETA was hurt nor were any of the office dogs hurt. This was incredibly lucky as a there were people in harms way just minutes before. But when put in danger by SUVs many have not been so lucky to escape injury or death.
This raises the question of why are we not regulating more strictly who can drive a giant 7000+ lb tank. We regulate so much else that is so much less harmful. Why are we letting bad drivers behind the wheel of giant deadly tanks?
Why does an elderly couple like the ones who crashed into PETA need to be driving around an urban area in a giant tank that is endangering the lives of others? They don't. We are trading lives for vanity.
If a vehicle like that is being driven and putting lives and property in danger than it should have to not only have a justifiable reason, but the drivers should have to get a higher level license such as a CDL.
At some point we are going to realize we are wasting a lot of time worrying about things that are hardly even dangerous while ignoring giants tanks being driven by drivers who aren't even safe enough to be operating your average sedan.
This raises the question of why are we not regulating more strictly who can drive a giant 7000+ lb tank. We regulate so much else that is so much less harmful. Why are we letting bad drivers behind the wheel of giant deadly tanks?
Why does an elderly couple like the ones who crashed into PETA need to be driving around an urban area in a giant tank that is endangering the lives of others? They don't. We are trading lives for vanity.
If a vehicle like that is being driven and putting lives and property in danger than it should have to not only have a justifiable reason, but the drivers should have to get a higher level license such as a CDL.
At some point we are going to realize we are wasting a lot of time worrying about things that are hardly even dangerous while ignoring giants tanks being driven by drivers who aren't even safe enough to be operating your average sedan.
Friday, January 16, 2015
Quick Vegan Guide: Mall of America
Updated: Vegan options have greatly increased at Mall of America, since my previous quick vegan guide to Mall of America. Also, in very exciting news Mall of America now has all vegan Earth Burger.
But I have to say the options are really much improved from our last trip a few years ago. One note though: vegan food is fairly limited before 11 am. If you are staying at the mall get food the night before (the Marriott has mini-fridges) and if you are visiting early bring your own.
With options so numerous we will list them below with a few notes. For more details, we will be working on an updated Bloomington book and separate Twin Cities book probably available sometime early next year. But for now:
Chipotle: The usual-I'd guess most people have heard of it! Fairly easy to eat vegan there. Burrito/Mexican food.
Earth Burger: All vegan. See our much longer review of almost everything on the menu here.
Masu Sushi: Probably the most vegan options of any place until Earth Burger opens up. As a sit down it's a little more expensive and portions aren't that big. They have probably at least 8 vegan dishes, not even including a number of vegan sushi rolls and appetizers. On third floor.
Naf Naf: Middle Eastern food- Doesn't have a huge number of options-but I'd say at least half of there menu is vegan and items that are vegan are labeled vegan. Until Earth Burger, probably my top choice for a fast food option. On third floor in food court area near the golf course.
Noodles and Company: The Japanese pan noodles are vegan and an off menu option is the spaghetti and meatballs without the meatballs. On third floor.
Panera: Has a vegan lentil/kale soup type thing. Sometimes seems to come with bread sometimes doesn't: not sure why! Small and a bit pricey for what it is, but a bit healthier than a lot of other options. Also fruit cups. Also have peanut butter and jelly, but beware it comes with a yogurt stick, so be sure to request they leave the yogurt off. On third floor.
Qdoba: Burrito/Mexican Food. Similar to Chipotle. On third floor food court near the golf course.
Subway: Beware the veggie patty is not vegan. However, you could get a sandwich with just bread and vegetables.
Thai Express: Can make a lot of the menu vegan. Has special vegan sauce, so make sure to specify vegan. It is labeled on the menu which dishes can be made vegan.
As far as we know, the mall doesn't have a grocery store, although they do have a few places that sell food products such as Five and Under.
And one other side note I feel worthy of mentions on the shoe shopping front: Tom's actually has a number of vegan shoes and labels which shoes are vegan.
Mall of America is huge and I'm sure I've missed something. If you know of additional vegan options please let us know in the comments!
But I have to say the options are really much improved from our last trip a few years ago. One note though: vegan food is fairly limited before 11 am. If you are staying at the mall get food the night before (the Marriott has mini-fridges) and if you are visiting early bring your own.
With options so numerous we will list them below with a few notes. For more details, we will be working on an updated Bloomington book and separate Twin Cities book probably available sometime early next year. But for now:
Chipotle: The usual-I'd guess most people have heard of it! Fairly easy to eat vegan there. Burrito/Mexican food.
Earth Burger: All vegan. See our much longer review of almost everything on the menu here.
Masu Sushi: Probably the most vegan options of any place until Earth Burger opens up. As a sit down it's a little more expensive and portions aren't that big. They have probably at least 8 vegan dishes, not even including a number of vegan sushi rolls and appetizers. On third floor.
Naf Naf: Middle Eastern food- Doesn't have a huge number of options-but I'd say at least half of there menu is vegan and items that are vegan are labeled vegan. Until Earth Burger, probably my top choice for a fast food option. On third floor in food court area near the golf course.
Noodles and Company: The Japanese pan noodles are vegan and an off menu option is the spaghetti and meatballs without the meatballs. On third floor.
Panera: Has a vegan lentil/kale soup type thing. Sometimes seems to come with bread sometimes doesn't: not sure why! Small and a bit pricey for what it is, but a bit healthier than a lot of other options. Also fruit cups. Also have peanut butter and jelly, but beware it comes with a yogurt stick, so be sure to request they leave the yogurt off. On third floor.
Qdoba: Burrito/Mexican Food. Similar to Chipotle. On third floor food court near the golf course.
Subway: Beware the veggie patty is not vegan. However, you could get a sandwich with just bread and vegetables.
Thai Express: Can make a lot of the menu vegan. Has special vegan sauce, so make sure to specify vegan. It is labeled on the menu which dishes can be made vegan.
As far as we know, the mall doesn't have a grocery store, although they do have a few places that sell food products such as Five and Under.
And one other side note I feel worthy of mentions on the shoe shopping front: Tom's actually has a number of vegan shoes and labels which shoes are vegan.
Mall of America is huge and I'm sure I've missed something. If you know of additional vegan options please let us know in the comments!
Thursday, January 15, 2015
What motivated me to get my books done
Updated: Jan 2020
I received the comment "Interested in your travel books and how you got started writing them"! So today I'm going to try to answer the second part of that question. Since writing my shorter original answer I have been asked this several more times.
For a really long time, perhaps forever, I had thought about writing books, but didn't get around to it. I think what really gave me motivation to get serious about getting books done and writing was when my mom was diagnosed with cancer about a year and a half ago. My mom had always talked about wanting to write books and had started books but never gotten anywhere close to completing the books. My mom being diagnosed with cancer made me realize perhaps that time is not indefinite. That if I had a dream, such as creating the numerous books I wanted to create, I should do it now.
I will mention that starting is just the beginning. Writing is easier and more fun than editing. So it took a lot of perseverance to keep going. When writing my first book, which was my Dublin travel guide, I didn't even know if and how I would be able to publish it.
I was pleased to find publishing and copyrighting was fairly simple. Once I knew that self-publishing was easy it was easier to find motivation. But what isn't simple and is still a challenge is marketing in a very flooded market. There are so many books out there and sales are a challenge. At least, sales on the level I would like to have them.
Still, despite not selling as many copies as I would hope, I am still glad that I have written my books. I have enjoyed the process...well at least most of the time. I have also reached some people with my message. Hope to reach more in the future.
I am also happy to report that my mom's cancer is currently in remission.
So I believe if you have a dream to write a book find the time and stick with it even if you make slow progress!
I received the comment "Interested in your travel books and how you got started writing them"! So today I'm going to try to answer the second part of that question. Since writing my shorter original answer I have been asked this several more times.
For a really long time, perhaps forever, I had thought about writing books, but didn't get around to it. I think what really gave me motivation to get serious about getting books done and writing was when my mom was diagnosed with cancer about a year and a half ago. My mom had always talked about wanting to write books and had started books but never gotten anywhere close to completing the books. My mom being diagnosed with cancer made me realize perhaps that time is not indefinite. That if I had a dream, such as creating the numerous books I wanted to create, I should do it now.
I will mention that starting is just the beginning. Writing is easier and more fun than editing. So it took a lot of perseverance to keep going. When writing my first book, which was my Dublin travel guide, I didn't even know if and how I would be able to publish it.
I was pleased to find publishing and copyrighting was fairly simple. Once I knew that self-publishing was easy it was easier to find motivation. But what isn't simple and is still a challenge is marketing in a very flooded market. There are so many books out there and sales are a challenge. At least, sales on the level I would like to have them.
Still, despite not selling as many copies as I would hope, I am still glad that I have written my books. I have enjoyed the process...well at least most of the time. I have also reached some people with my message. Hope to reach more in the future.
I am also happy to report that my mom's cancer is currently in remission.
So I believe if you have a dream to write a book find the time and stick with it even if you make slow progress!
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Quick Vegan Guide to International Airplane Travel
There are basically two things one should do when vegan and traveling internationally by airplane. These also apply to vegetarians or those with other dietary needs.
1. Make sure to order a vegan meal in advance. How to do this depends on the airline. I have often found that I could not do this when setting up a flight so methods I have used include calling customer service (United) and using the contact us form and requesting confirmation (KLM)
2. Bring extra food with you. This serves two purposes. First purpose to supplement your meals. The second purpose is in case you don't get your meal-which by the way hasn't happened to me...but others on the internet say it has happened to them.
By the way I fly United and KLM internationally and both have gotten me my meals.
Monday, January 5, 2015
Why is there no charge to travel on roads?
And another question. Why haven't we asked this question? (or asked it enough). Especially those of us in the green movement.
When we ride public transit we are charged money every time to off-set the cost. Why are those who drive on the roads not required to do the same. And even more so why aren't those with heavier vehicles (such as SUVs) required to may even more as they do more damage to the roads.
In the environmentalist movement I think we tend to focus on the same things over and over, but there are so many for things we can be doing and should be demanding.
If the roads are free, than public transit should be also. And if public transit costs money than it should also cost money to use the roads.
When we ride public transit we are charged money every time to off-set the cost. Why are those who drive on the roads not required to do the same. And even more so why aren't those with heavier vehicles (such as SUVs) required to may even more as they do more damage to the roads.
In the environmentalist movement I think we tend to focus on the same things over and over, but there are so many for things we can be doing and should be demanding.
If the roads are free, than public transit should be also. And if public transit costs money than it should also cost money to use the roads.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
The Most Dangerous City I visited this year
For those of us from the United States there seems to be an endless amount of information on how to stay safe when we travel "abroad". Yet we seem to forget about all the dangers we have created and failed to address domestically. Which gets to in my opinion the least safe place I have traveled to all year: Houston, Texas.
Why do I say this about Houston? Well lets start with the traffic fatality rate of 11.87 deaths each year per 100,000 residents in Texas. In comparison Ireland sits at 3.5, Hungary at 7.7, and the United States as a whole at 11.6 percent. Then add in the lack of interest in creating safe spaces for people to walk or bike to work and the lack of acceptance of these ways as forms of commuting (although I know people who do commute these ways in Houston). This lack of creating safe places for walking and cycling are not a problem unique to Texas either in the United States.
Then add on the way people drive and treat each other on the roads in Houston. It seems like way to many people in Houston buy oversized SUVs and pick-up trucks and use them to bully others on the road or to drive recklessly while assuming they will just kill someone else (bad assumption by the way). What ends up happening is a large number of road fatalities.
Then add in guns which by the way kill far more people by accident than they do in any type of self defense.
Houston isn't exactly a crime free city either, but none the less I'd rather be in a high crime place with few reckless SUV drivers who don't care if they run over a cyclist or pedestrian, than in a low crime place where people are indifferent to running over pedestrians and cyclists. Additionally, when people spend all their time isolated in their person vehicles it is to easy to lose a sense of community and as a result see crime develop as a result of this indifference.
Yet those in Houston seem to highly fear crime, but not driving somewhere. Which I find rather odd.
So this is why I call Houston the least safe city I've been to this year.
In fact of the cities I've been to this year (and I'm probably omitting quite a few I've forgotten and I'm excluding airport connections) this is how I would rank them:
From Safest to Most Dangerous:
1. Trim Ireland
2. Drogehda Ireland
3. Dublin Ireland
4. Budapest Hungary
5. Arlington, Virginia
6. Washington DC
7. Bloomington Minnesota
8. Minneapolis Minnesota
9.Alexandria, Virginia
10. Fairfax (and other nearby cities) Virginia
11. Las Vegas, Nevada
12. Houston, Texas
Why do I say this about Houston? Well lets start with the traffic fatality rate of 11.87 deaths each year per 100,000 residents in Texas. In comparison Ireland sits at 3.5, Hungary at 7.7, and the United States as a whole at 11.6 percent. Then add in the lack of interest in creating safe spaces for people to walk or bike to work and the lack of acceptance of these ways as forms of commuting (although I know people who do commute these ways in Houston). This lack of creating safe places for walking and cycling are not a problem unique to Texas either in the United States.
Then add on the way people drive and treat each other on the roads in Houston. It seems like way to many people in Houston buy oversized SUVs and pick-up trucks and use them to bully others on the road or to drive recklessly while assuming they will just kill someone else (bad assumption by the way). What ends up happening is a large number of road fatalities.
Then add in guns which by the way kill far more people by accident than they do in any type of self defense.
Houston isn't exactly a crime free city either, but none the less I'd rather be in a high crime place with few reckless SUV drivers who don't care if they run over a cyclist or pedestrian, than in a low crime place where people are indifferent to running over pedestrians and cyclists. Additionally, when people spend all their time isolated in their person vehicles it is to easy to lose a sense of community and as a result see crime develop as a result of this indifference.
Yet those in Houston seem to highly fear crime, but not driving somewhere. Which I find rather odd.
So this is why I call Houston the least safe city I've been to this year.
In fact of the cities I've been to this year (and I'm probably omitting quite a few I've forgotten and I'm excluding airport connections) this is how I would rank them:
From Safest to Most Dangerous:
1. Trim Ireland
2. Drogehda Ireland
3. Dublin Ireland
4. Budapest Hungary
5. Arlington, Virginia
6. Washington DC
7. Bloomington Minnesota
8. Minneapolis Minnesota
9.Alexandria, Virginia
10. Fairfax (and other nearby cities) Virginia
11. Las Vegas, Nevada
12. Houston, Texas
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