Matador Network's Blog, page 1079

Backpacking in Aravaipa Canyon

Arizona is home to some of the most diverse and well-known natural landscapes in the United States, including the red rocks of Sedona, Grand Canyon National Park, and the isolated mesas of Monument Valley. But for the first-time backpacker looking for a truly unique wilderness canyon experience, Aravaipa Canyon is the most ideal destination in the state. Here, saguaro cacti watch vigilantly over the desert landscape as you trek along the waterfront down below, away from both the heat of the desert and the crowds of the national parks to the north. Towering sandstone cliffs provide a colorful backdrop as the sun rises and sets on the canyon walls. Here’s how to put a backpacking trip together to Aravaipa Canyon.

What makes Aravaipa Canyon ideal for newbie backpackers

Photo: Bill Florence/Shutterstock

The biggest perk of Aravaipa Canyon is its ease of access from both Phoenix and Tucson. Instead of driving north to the packed trails of the Grand Canyon, Aravaipa is located just 120 miles southeast of Phoenix, and on the way down you’ll pass the jagged peaks of the Superstition Mountains before turning south on the largely traffic-free Highway 70. The roughly 20,000-acre Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness is a veritable oasis in a landscape otherwise dominated by hot, open desert, and the canyon itself is relatively small with easy trailhead access.

The canyon is the best place in southern Arizona for wildlife spotting. Aravaipa Creek meanders through the rock, lined with cottonwoods, willows, and other lush vegetation thanks to the perpetual flow of water in this riparian ecosystem. Over 300 species of animals call this desert environment home, with more than 200 of them being birds. You might also spot bighorn sheep, coatis, and javelinas wandering the area, and there is also the elusive mountain lion — though your odds of seeing one are low.

How to plan and execute your backpacking trip

Photo: mdstory/Shutterstock

The first thing to know about any outdoor excursion is what the weather is going to be like. The average daily temperature in Aravaipa Canyon is about 10 degrees cooler than that of Phoenix in the peak of summer, but it’s still upward of 95 degrees on most days and not exactly ideal for carrying a heavy pack and gear. But the ideal time to visit has more to do with water conditions than with temperature. March-May and October-November are peak season. In the summertime, temperatures can be exceedingly high and flash floods are more likely to occur without warning.

While the area is still relatively unknown to the backpacker circuit, a limited number of permits are issued daily. On any given day, a maximum of 50 people are allowed to enter the canyon including both day hikers and overnight backpackers. Permits are required and can be obtained from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) up to 13 weeks in advance of your start date. Registering early ensures your permit and gives you time to assemble your gear. If this is your first backpacking trip, run through a thorough gear checklist to make sure you don’t forget any necessities (which is not a bad idea even if you’ve spent some time out on the trails previously, either).

Photo: RCole3/Shutterstock

The canyon is accessible from one of two trailheads. The west entrance is easier to access for general trekkers and backpackers, while the more remote east entrance requires a 4×4 to navigate the challenging roads to the trailhead. If you’re planning to hike the entire length of the roughly 11-mile canyon, it will require shuttling a car between trailheads. This can be avoided by using an outfitter that handles this logistic. If you plan to day hike in the canyon, the west entrance may be the best option because of its easier road access.

While the entire hike can be done in one day by seasoned hikers, spending multiple days within the canyon is required to fully embrace the experience. You’re on a backpacking trip, after all. Optional side hikes within the canyon allow hikers to explore the cascading waterfalls of Horse Camp Canyon and Hellhole Canyon (more commonly referred to as Deer Creek Canyon), which is anything but what its name might imply. Both are easily accessed via well-marked trails within Aravaipa. Allow one or two nights to camp and rest up at the first-come, first-served designated campsites. While securing a place to set up your tent won’t be a problem with your permit, hitting the trail before midday is the best way to get a prime one.

What to wear

Leave the boots at home. Depending on the season, you’ll likely spend 60 to 90 percent of your time in the water, which can include river crossings or just walking right down the middle of the shallow waterway while canyon walls rise on either side of you. With that said, sandals or water shoes like the Eleu Trainer are the best options. These options provide additional protection with most having a hard rubber covering over the toes that can prove advantageous when navigating the rocky river bottom. They still dry quickly and water drains freely once out of the creek. Consider bringing a spare pair of shoes to wear around camp. If you’re comfortable with the sandal option, strap them on and go — don’t bring your flip-flops.

Also, remember that you’re in the desert — daytime temperatures during the summer can often jump into the triple digits but can also plummet at night, so pack accordingly. Consider bringing a warm jacket and a change of clothes on the off-chance you take an unexpected swim during the day.

Opt for the guided tour

Photo: REI

First-time backpackers looking for a bit of professional guidance and tips can do so by trekking with an outfitter. Don’t worry about sacrificing any dignity by doing so — there’s ample value in securing the expertise and guidance of a professional guide and you’ll learn a ton about both backpacking best practices as well as the landscape you’re passing through. A limited number of people are allowed into the canyon daily and utilizing a guide service like REI Adventures can make that process easier. Despite being a four-day adventure, this option is perfect for the beginner as well as experienced backpackers. In addition to providing ground transportation to and from the trailhead — thus negating the need to shuttle a vehicle between the end and starting point — outfitters will provide all necessary group gear, an informative geological and historical tour through the canyon, and most importantly, gourmet backcountry meals prepared creekside.


More like this: How to backpack Arizona’s eerie Superstition Wildernes

The post Arizona’s Aravaipa Canyon is perfect for first-time backpackers. Here’s why. appeared first on Matador Network.

Parisians attempt English words

What’s a good YouTube video without a bit of fun at the expense of others? A recent video from the French Morning Media Group stationed a host in central Paris, where she asked passersby to pronounce a series of overly complicated for no better reason than to watch them stumble. While one or two did end up correctly saying each one, often with a prompt from the host, what’s most noticeable in the video is how thoroughly the French pronounce every letter they speak. This is evidenced by their inability to pronounce “thorough” without a hard push on the “u.” Silent letters threw the Parisians for a loop on the word hedgehog as well, as they couldn’t quite let go of that second “e.”

Another stumper was the word “jeweler,” but perhaps a pass is in order on that one, as “w” isn’t the easiest letter to pronounce no matter your native tongue. One practice that worked out well for one contestant was using the words in a sentence. None of those interviewed successfully said the word “lettuce” without surrounding it with commonly associated words, such as “romaine lettuce” and “bacon lettuce tomato.”

We’d bet native English speakers would also trip up at the word “psychophysicotherapeutics.” That word is just too long and contains too many unnecessarily similar syllables, something that the French apparently have no time for. This has us wishing for a video in which anybody from around the world was asked to pronounce words in the Icelandic language.


More like this: What mistakes do American tourists make in Paris?

The post Watch these Parisians attempt to pronounce tough English words appeared first on Matador Network.

Famous landmarks colorful for Pride

It’s June, and cities around the globe are hosting Pride Month celebrations. Let these photos remind us that no matter where we are, there are millions around the world coming together this month to celebrate love. This year marks 50 years since the 1969 Stonewall Riots, when the LGBTQ community of Greenwich Village, in New York City, rebelled against police raids in one of the few places the gay community was openly welcomed in the 1960s. The movement stood as a launching point for LGBTQ rights in the United States, and these global hotspots are aligned for diversity, inclusivity, and openness.

New York City’s Arlo in SoHo rocks an epic mural

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Indie 184 (@indie184) on Jun 2, 2019 at 8:47am PDT

Times Square stands tall

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ℑ Ự ∀ N͙

What is an aperitivo in Italy

The sunset-colored Aperol Spritz has become a symbol of summer, la dolce vita, and continental sophistication. The last decade has seen this aperitivo drink rocket in international popularity, thanks mainly to shrewd marketing campaigns by the Campari group that now produces Aperol. But while Aperol Spritz may seem to embody the very essence of Italian living, it is just one of a whole range of aperitivo drinks that were and still are popular across northern Italy. Aperol can now be found throughout Italy, but to try most of these other bittersweet drinks you need to visit the place of their invention.

1. Spritz Bianco — northeast Italy

It may come as a shock, but the original Spritz did not contain Aperol or any bitter at all. It was a blend of wine and a “spritz” of water. Many credit the origins of this to soldiers of the Austrian Empire in Austrian-occupied northern Italy in the 1800s, who added a spritzen of water to the highly alcoholic Veneto wines to make them more palatable. Of course, adding water to wine has been a custom since Roman times, but perhaps we can thank them for the name “spritz,” as the combination of water and wine has several different names throughout Italy. In northeast Italy, wine and water, or seltzer, without bitters is often still considered THE Spritz. Elderly people and traditionalists throughout the Veneto still opt for the Spritz Bianco rather than the younger Aperol Spritz.

2. Spritz Select — Venice

Photo: Select

The Aperol Spritz is often thought to originate in Venice, but despite the drink being ubiquitous throughout bars in the city, Aperol was actually born in nearby Padova. Venice’s bitter of choice, instead, is called Select. It was created in Venice in the ‘20s by Fratello Pilla distilleries. It’s pinkish red and has a sharper, more medicinal taste than Aperol. But sometimes on a stifling summer day, you need something bitter to cut through the heat. One of the best streets for an aperitivo bar crawl is the Fondamenta dei Ormesini. If it’s sunny, sit on the steps of the canal outside the bars.

3. Pirlo — Brescia

Lombardy, too, is an aperitivo-loving area, and its drink of choice is the Pirlo. At first glance, the Pirlo seems very similar to the Venetian Spritz but its key difference is the use of flat white wine rather than Prosecco. The wine is mixed with sparkling water for the fizz, and Campari (originally) or Aperol (a later fashion). It is drunk as the accompaniment to apericena, Lombardy’s version of aperitivo, which features a much more extensive buffet than that of aperitivo including hot meat dishes and pasta. With its substantial food options, the apericena has become a popular way to have a cheap dinner. In fact, due to the quantity of food, bars have also begun to offer a Pirlone, a big or double Pirlo so customers don’t have to come back for drink refills so often.

4. Mezzoemezzo — Bassano del Grappa

Photo: Nardini

Aperitivo drinks are also a lot more diverse than just different versions of spritz. Bassano del Grappa, a town in the north of the Veneto region, is famous for its Palladio-designed wooden bridge spanning the Brenta River. But come evening, you’ll find the bridge packed with people who are not admiring the engineering, but are drinking Bassano del Grappa’s local aperitivo. The Mezzoemezzo was invented by Bar Nardini, an unassuming venue sitting at one end of the bridge. This “half and half” drink is made from one part Nardini’s Rosso (a bitter orange liqueur) one part Rabarbaro (an amaro made from rhubarb), two parts cold soda water, and a lemon twist.

At aperitivo hour, a typically chaotic crowd line up for their drinks inside and outside of Bar Nardini, and the bartenders work with mechanical efficiency as they place glass after glass of aperitivo on the wooden bar. Part of the experience is to elbow your way back outside to the wooden bridge and drink as you watch the sunset over the river.

5. Biancorosso — Valdagno

Carlotto’s is another historic bar with its own unique aperitivo. The bar has no seating, just a long wooden counter topped with shelf after shelf of bottles of their products. The walls are decorated with faded striped wallpaper and vintage publicity posters from the ‘20s and ‘30s. Its classic drink is the Biancorosso, a herb-based bitter produced by Carlotto Liquori since the ‘20s. It is poured from a large bottle that sits on the counter and it is served in little tumblers. It also has a sweeter, summer option, the Biancorosa, which is stored in wooden casks. Despite being intended for hot summer days, it still has a powerful kick of alcohol.

6. Aperitivo Caravatti — Mantova

Photo: Bar Caravatti

Mantova’s aperitivo, in contrast, is all about sophistication. Piazza Erbe is theatrical, a place to see people and be seen. Historic Bar Caravatti, located under the porticos of this square, performs the social ritual of aperitivo admirably. From the shaded chairs and tables, you can look out onto the sunlit square while you drink its signature Aperitivo Caravatti. It is made from infusing wine with various herbs and spices, including gentian and hibiscus. It is a rather exclusive aperitivo to be enjoyed in an exclusive location.

7. Punt e Mes — Turin

Produced by the Carpano company in Turin, the Punt e Mes is a dark brown vermouth made with a bitter called quina. The name translates as “a point and a half” and refers to the fact that the drink contains one point of sweetness and half a point of bitterness. It was supposedly created in 1870 in the Carpano wine shop in Turin, by a stockbroker who, thinking about the increase in share prices that day of one and a half points, asked for his usual Carpano vermouth with an added half a measure of the bitter quina. It immediately became popular as an aperitivo drink and was reportedly the favorite drink of Giovanni Agnelli, founder of FIAT. It is now sold in bottles and is usually drunk straight (and very cold) or on the rocks, as well as in cocktails such as a Punt e Mes Negroni or Americano.


More like this: Cicchetti are Venice’s answer to tapas. Here’s where to try them.

The post 7 traditional aperitivo drinks from Italy that aren’t an Aperol Spritz appeared first on Matador Network.

International Space Station opening

At long last, your dreams of epic spacewalking can move beyond the dance floor. You can now travel into space — if you have a pretty penny in the bank to back you. The US Space Agency revealed last week that the International Space Station, owned by Russia and the United States, will open to paying tourists and other private ventures on two separate occasions each year. According to a BBC report, visitors will be allowed to stay on board for up to 30 days for a cool $35,000 per night. This rate includes access to air and supplies while in space but does not cover the cost to get there.

That charge, sure to far exceed the cost of actually staying on the station, is being left to private enterprise. Entrepreneur Elon Musk, of course, couldn’t let this opportunity pass by. His company SpaceX was one of two companies chosen by NASA to handle the logistics of putting together the flight crews and ensuring that all aboard are properly trained and medically fit to take flight. The other company selected was Boeing, which is sure to turn heads given the recent faults with its 737 Max 8 aircraft. If you choose to ride to the International Space Station with one of these companies, expect a taxi fare in the millions of dollars for a seat — but because Musk is involved, the ride should at least be as sleek and comfortable as imaginable.

The plan to put paying tourists and other private endeavors on the station is part of NASA’s goal to privatize the ISS in the coming years, following a budget overhaul from the Trump administration that strips it of government funding by 2025. There might be other private businesses and top-tier rich people sharing the station’s limited amenities, but if you can somehow pull together the seven-figure overhead to get up there, you could be a part of history.

NASA explained the decision in a video posted to Twitter.

 

.@Space_Station is open for commercial business! Watch @Astro_Christina talk about the steps we’re taking to make our orbiting laboratory accessible to all Americans. pic.twitter.com/xLp2CpMC2x

— NASA (@NASA) June 7, 2019

H/T: BBC

More like this: 6 space travel projects that will become a reality in our lifetime

The post The International Space Station will open its doors to tourists appeared first on Matador Network.

How to hike Mullerthal Trail

Everyone knows about the Camino de Santiago, the Amalfi Coast, and the various routes through French wine country, but one of the best hikes in Europe is actually in one of its tiniest countries. Luxembourg’s Mullerthal region is nicknamed “Little Switzerland” for its craggy terrain, imposing rock formations, lush forests, and streams reminiscent of Switzerland’s landscape. It’s also home to the 70-mile Mullerthal Trail that offers some of the best hiking and cycling in Europe. Sure, Luxembourg might sound like a relatively out-of-the-way destination if you’re visiting from the US, but located between Belgium, France, and Germany, it’s actually incredibly accessible. Mullerthal’s relative obscurity also makes it a great summer hike for those wishing to truly connect with nature, away from the hordes of tourists that plague more popular European trails. Here’s everything you need to know about tackling Luxembourg’s most epic hike.

Loop One

The Mullerthal Trail consists of three big loops, each with its own distinct personality and aesthetic. The first loop begins in Echternach, a town on the banks of the Sûre River, right on the border of Germany. Echternach is the perfect base for any Mullerthal Trail trek, with a full day’s worth of highlights on its own. You can explore the 7th century Abbey of Echternach, wander the old town square, stroll along the river, or even walk across the bridge into Echternacherbrück, Echternach’s German counterpart. There are also plenty of outdoor bars, restaurants, and cafes, so you can fuel up before hitting the trail.

Photo: trabantos/Shutterstock

Leaving from Echternach, start walking west toward Rosport along the Sûre River. Trails lead you into the woods behind Echternach, and you will find yourself immersed in a green forest. If you’re hoping for photographs popping with a variety of colors, you’ll be out of luck, but that doesn’t mean you will be disappointed by the landscape. Between the thick foliage and leafy canopies, the topography is impressively green. It may sound a tad monochromatic, but the visual effect it produces is almost surreal.

Photo: amalasi/Shutterstock

You will also see impressive rock formations in the woods, springing almost from nowhere between the trees, and lending the forest an ancient, prehistoric feeling. Some formations even bear the markings of those who lived there thousands of years ago, and even now many hikers use their caves for shelter.

The trail will bring you to Rosport and Steinheim, where you can stop for a short break before turning east past the Sûre Valley toward Moersdorf. Moersdorf, or nearby Born, will be the last place for you to rest before embarking on the last part of the trail back to Echternach, through the forest of Herborn. The entire trail is 23 miles long, but given the number of options for stopping and resting, you can take as long as you need to complete it.

Loop Two

Photo: Bert Beckers/Shutterstock

Loop Two of the trail can also begin in Echternach. Start at the bus station, and walk east for about an hour and a half to Berdorf. It’s a bit steep here, but you’ll eventually reach an outlook called Trooskneppchen, where you’ll get a great view of the small town and surrounding landscape. Perhaps the most memorable part of Loop Two — and indeed, of the Mullerthal Trail as a whole — is the Wolfsschlucht (wolf’s canyon), lined with massive moss-covered rock formations.

One of the most imposing rocks you will see along the trail appears shortly after the canyon, as you continue along the Aeschbach brook. Called Perekop, the rock is the quintessential example of the many unique formations you will see along the way, and just beyond it is the Huel Lee cave, where more rugged travelers can choose to rest.

Photo: amalasi/Shutterstock

Pass Berdorf and continue through Schnellert Forest toward the village of Mullerthal. You’ll probably be a bit hungry, so make sure you stop at the local mill, which now serves as a restaurant called Brasserie Heringer Millen, and tourist information center. Once you’ve satisfied your hunger, you’re ready to see the first waterfall of your hike. This isn’t Iceland, so don’t expect anything too dramatic, but the Scheissendëmpel cascade, directly off the trail, is a refreshing sight in the green wilderness.

Photo: amalasi/Shutterstock

Your next rest stop will be in Consdorf, just 45 minutes from Mullerthal. This will be your last rest stop before you head back to Echternach, passing first a crevice called Kuelscheier. Note that the crevice is very dark and narrow, and if you don’t have a light, you might be better off walking around it.

Loop Three

Photo: Allard One/Shutterstock

You can start Loop Three in a few different towns, but the most convenient might be the town of Mullerthal. From here, walk north to Beaufort along the Black Ernz river — a leg of the journey that should take around two hours. You will pass through the picturesque valley of Halerbaach and end up right at the doorstep of Beaufort Castle, where you can stop to explore the grounds and sample some black currant liqueur, which is still produced there.

After the castle you’ll reenter Halerbaach en route to Larochette, where you will be greeted by yet another castle. This 12th-century estate cuts an imposing figure over the small market town of Larochette, and if you don’t feel like continuing on the trail just yet, it’s the perfect place to spend the night.

Photo: Mikel Trako/Shutterstock

After a solid night’s rest in the shadow of the castle, walk along the White Ernz brook toward Blumenthal, atop a high plateau where you can enjoy more fantastic views. The route from Blumenthal back to Mullerthal takes you through a light beech forest, a refreshing pool of water called the Kallektuffquell, and the Scheissendëmpel cascade also visible on Loop Two. After passing the Scheissendëmpel, it’s just under one mile back to Mullerthal, where you started.

The best part about the Mullerthal Trail — regardless of which loop you decide to take — is that you can make your journey as long or short as you like. There are plenty of rest stops along the way, and they aren’t simply highway oases with gas stations and McDonald’s. Each little town on the trail is a destination in itself, where you can easily spend a full day wandering the medieval streets before setting off again for the Luxembourg wilderness.


More like this: 5 extraordinary hiking trails you won’t believe are in the United States

The post Luxembourg’s Mullerthal Trail is the most underrated hike in Europe appeared first on Matador Network.

Dog-friendly ice cream shop in NYC

We do everything we can for our furry friends, and that includes keeping a watchful eye over what they can and can’t eat. There’s a long list of what’s safe for dogs to consume and what’s not, and while some foods seem like they could be fine for our pups, they don’t process things like fats and sugars the same way people do. However, one man is turning that notion on its head by opening up New York City’s first dog-friendly ice cream shop in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

Ollie’s Ice Cream + Stuff opened on June 1, and is serving up ice cream for both humans and dogs alike. Those with opposable thumbs have a range of creative flavors to choose from, including the vanilla and rose-water Bread and Roses flavor. For dogs, there’s only one ice cream flavor, but it’s one they’ll surely love: a mix of peanut butter, banana, sweet potato, and organic pumpkin puree. For now, it’s being called “Peanut Butter Pumpkin Butt.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ollie’s ice cream + stuff (@olliesbk) on Jun 10, 2019 at 6:01am PDT

Run by owner and Bushwick local Eric Kyriakopoulos, Ollie’s is also the first ice cream shop in the Bushwick neighborhood. “So many people came up to me and thanked me for finally opening one up in the area,” he said.

Ollie’s is open Tuesday to Friday from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM. If you can’t make it out to Bushwick, you can smooth the FOMO over by checking it out on Instagram, where there will also be announcements of new flavors and the like, as well as pics of dogs enjoying ice cream. Or, you can look at adorable photos of Kyriakopoulos’ Insta-famous dog Simon.

H/T: Lonely Planet

More like this: The story behind the 11 most popular dog breeds in the US

The post New York City’s first dog-friendly ice cream shop just opened up in Bushwick appeared first on Matador Network.

Public punching bags in NYC

Living in New York City can get pretty stressful — high cost of living, an irritating train system, crazy drivers, and people who don’t know what side of the street to walk on or how fast. Using a stress ball or focusing on your breathing can get old pretty quickly when stressors appear daily, but studio dtttww has offered up a new way to relieve any tension people might have: public punching bags.

Photo: studio dtttww

“Public Punching Bags” were debuted by the studio at New York City Design Week last month, a weeklong celebration dedicated to all things design. As the name suggests, punching bags have been placed at different locations around the city to provide an outlet for New Yorkers and visitors alike to let out their emotions publically in a healthy way, rather than taking it out on each other.

“The concept explores designing common spaces for the frustrations we all face. Frustrations that go beyond designed systems and happen, well, because we are human,” the studio said. “The public punching bag offers an outlet for these emotions as a means to maybe develop a healthier way to address personal and collective issues in a public setting.”

Photo: studio dtttww

Bright yellow with an image of a fist and the words “Public Punching Bag,” “Use at your own risk,” and “A healthy place for frustrations,” these punching bags are hard to miss.

H/T: Apartment Therapy

More like this: How to practice daily meditation while traveling abroad

The post Public punching bags in NYC are the newest way to let out all your emotions appeared first on Matador Network.

Best ways to confuse a Philadelphian

If you’re not from here, you might think we’re rough. Rugged. A bit, shall we say, edgy. All of this to say, we just think we’re being honest. So when people come here and visit with a certain perception of Philadelphia, or act a certain way in this city, we tend to have a few questions. If you’re trying to get a bit of a rise out of us here, these are 14 ways to confuse us or throw us off-guard.

1. Suggest we grab a quick brunch on a Saturday or Sunday morning

Um, you mean to go to the restaurant, put your name down, and then wait a minimum of two hours, right? Because we’re not getting into any brunch spot worth eating at on a weekend morning without a lengthy line.

2. Wear a suit or a jacket for your nice dinner out

Where do you think you’re going, a wedding? Unless you’re going to one of a handful of old school-style fine dining spots, aka Vetri, you’re never going to need an outfit that fancy to eat out in Philly. That entree may cost a casual $57 but that doesn’t mean we’re changing our casual wardrobe to eat it.

3. Mentioning the champs in any other reference than the Eagles

Yes of course other teams and states win things. Or so we hear. It’s just a bit strange to us that you think we’d want to talk about it or celebrate it with you if it’s not in reference to the Eagles.

4. Subtly explain your feelings

We communicate in one way and one way only: loudly and honestly. If you’re beating around the bush we’re not going to have any idea what you’re talking about.

5. Try to leave for the airport four hours before your flight boards

Be easy, friend. The airport is small and 20 minutes from the city center. No matter where you’re staying in Philadelphia, you can be at the airport within half an hour and trust us, there’s not much happening once you get there. There’s no need for all that hustle, leave that for trying to get yourself to LaGuardia in a timely fashion. Unless, of course, it’s rush hour. In that case, and in that case only, plan to give yourself double the time.

6. Plan an outdoor meetup on an August afternoon

No self-respecting human being is leaving their house in summer humidity between the hours of 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM. It’s your birthday? Cool, we’ll gladly go out…after the sun sets.

7. Say hello on the streets to strangers

Are you trying to scam me? Is this a religious pitch? Should I be worried? If you say “Hi” unprompted to a Philly resident and they don’t know you, they’re going to be in a bit of minor, internal panic.

8. Believe that the time Google Maps suggests is actually the amount it takes to get somewhere

Sure, it’s only 0.7 miles away, but it’s 5:30 PM and off I-76. There is no algorithm that is advanced enough to accurately predict how long you will be sitting in that horrendous traffic.

9. Question Cheez Whiz

Whether you’re a believer in this as the more authentic cheesesteak topping or not, this is a staple in Philly culture. It’s basically liquid cheese, and honestly, we don’t need to know anything else beyond that. No one around here is peeking at that ingredient list.

10. Ask us where to park

Good luck and Godspeed. No matter how long we’ve lived here, we still have no idea if there’s a safe space to park in this city. We’ve long ago been pacified into accepting the PPA’s rulings, whether they’re fair or not. We suggest you do the same.

11. Let the words “What’s a Wawa?” leave your mouth

At least not in public. If you don’t know, whisper it quietly to someone in a safe space and let them show you the way to the best meal under $5 you’ve ever had.

12. Order a sandwich

Oh, you mean a hoagie? Sure, we’ll grab you an Italian when we’re out.

13. See if we can stop by Pittsburgh while you’re here

Getting to the other side of Pennsylvania will take well over five hours. You’re better off hitting up Baltimore or even DC for a day trip from here.

14. Say it doesn’t matter when we ask where you want to drink

In other parts of the world, a bar may just be a bar. In Philly, your favorite bar says a lot about who you are as a human being. Choose wisely.


More like this: 9 unique Philadelphian traditions that are hard to give up

The post How to confuse someone from Philly appeared first on Matador Network.

Anthony Bourdain travel list

Anthony Bourdain did what many of us aspire to do — travel the world for a living. In an October 2015 post on the now-defunct listicle site Li.st, Bourdain noted five places around the world with, as he so eloquently put it, “No high fiving bros, oligarchs in Speedos, binge drinking soccer fans, (or) tour buses filled with ugly ass leisure wear.” These destinations earned the highly respectable label of ‘underrated, douche-free destinations’ from the king of travel television. Here they are, along with tips on what to do while you’re there.

1. Uruguay

Photo: Karol Kozlowski/Shutterstock

Bourdain’s wisdom: “Montevideo is beautiful and uncrowded. The coast — once you get away from the resort areas, is wild and magnificent. The food is generally superb — though not exactly vegetarian friendly. I recommend the excellent morcilla sausages cooked on a parilla.”

2. Marseille, France

Photo: Mariia Golovianko/Shutterstock

Bourdain’s wisdom: “The French may be ambivalent about their second largest city, but I am not. Eat bouillabaisse, Corsican charcuterie, cous-cous, swim in the sea, take a day trip through Provence, drink a whole lot of Pastis. It’s laid back, spicy, mixed up, multi-ethnic, attitude free, working class and wildly under appreciated.”

3. Laos

Photo: Naypong Studio/Shutterstock

Bourdain’s wisdom: “Okay, Luang Prabang and Vientiane are not exactly parts unknown any more, but take a road trip through the mountains around the PLAIN OF JARS and step back into another century. You want to get lost? Do it here. Absolutely gorgeous, tons of history that you are probably unfamiliar with, amazing food traditions.”

4. Sardinia

Photo: Ekaterina Pokrovsky/Shutterstock

Bourdain’s wisdom: “NOT the coast! That’s where Italian soccer stars go to pose in the surf with their ‘Velena’ girlfriends of the moment. The interior is another planet. A tasty, tasty planet. Malloredus, roasted baby goat, incredible hams, lobster ‘Catalan,’ fantastic cheeses and spaghetti a la bottarga.”

5. Beirut

Photo: LMspencer/Shutterstock

Bourdain’s wisdom: “Don’t be afraid. Beirut is a magical, magical place. It may suffer from all the world’s problems simultaneously, but it’s also got everything you want and expect of the one time ‘Paris of the Orient’: It’s a quick education on how complicated the world can be. It’s beautiful, maddening, heartbreaking, exciting, confusing… the food is fantastic and diverse. To go there is usually a joy and an education. Go. The more people who do — who go and see first hand? The better the world will be.”


More like this: Anthony Bourdain’s 10 favorite hotels and why he loved them

The post The 5 most ‘underrated, douche-free destinations,’ according to Anthony Bourdain appeared first on Matador Network.