Suzi Tells All (About Travel That Is!)

Detailed below is a Q&A with the lovely Suzi Hawk. Miss Hawk is a junior at Ohio University where she studies political science and East Asian studies. She has done her fair share of traveling and shares her experiences in an insightful interview.

Where have you traveled outside of Ohio? I have been to every state east of the Mississippi River, Arkansas, Oklahoma, California, Oregon, Washington, Iowa, Canada, Baja, U.S.Virgin Islands, and China. Describe your most memorable travel experience. I have had many memorable travel experiences. I think my most memorable trip would have to be when I went to San Diego for Christmas my sophomore year of high school. My brother was stationed there while he was in the Navy and he was not going to be able to make it home that year. My mom asked me if I would prefer presents or a trip to see my brother and the obvious answer was my brother. Christmas has always been my favorite holiday, in large part because it is a time of the year that I get to spend with family. Christmas would not have been the same if I weren't able to share it with my parents and brother. It is a holiday that presents are no where near the best thing. The time of the year is meant for family. How will travel impact your future career? I'm not entirely sure yet but I am hoping that travel will be one of my job requirements! Describe your intended career. I have tossed around the idea of my future career many times. Currently I am leaning towards a career within the CIA or Department of Defense. They are big aspirations but I am determined to reach my goal within either one of the fields. Right after I graduate I am going to be volunteering for multiple campaigns for the 2010 election. I have also tossed around the idea of working for the Republican Party but am not sure which direction I will end up going in. Do you enjoy traveling and experiencing other cultures? Explain Yes, very much so. The history of other nations amazes me. It is truly spectacular to see the architecture and culture of the countries around the world. There are so many places I want to see and cultures I want to experience because of how different they are from my own. I think it is phenomenal how different cultures truly are. Where was the last place you traveled to? The last place I went was Washington D.C. for a weekend trip. Offer three pieces of travel advice that you have learned from your travels. Learn the basic 'laws' of the country you are going to. Not every country is as lenient on everyday activities as the United States. Things that would not normally be illegal may be in the other country. Pack accordingly to the weather and terrain of your vacationing destination. Finally, have fun! Don't just go somewhere and go to bars or just the beach. Travel around see all that you can. Especially when traveling abroad, get out there and see the sites. Go to the places that you will never see back in the U.S. Describe your worst travel experience. This is a tough one. All vacations have been interesting and good in there own way. I guess I could say the worst was when I was in 6th grade. My parents and I flew to Florida for a week. Had a fabulous trip until we got back to Indianapolis. We were welcomed back by a HUGE snow storm. Luckily we had some coats in the car and we bought hoodies in Florida. But to top off the snow storm, our car broke down! So, I guess the getting back part was the worst! Where would you like to travel to someday? Why? Everywhere, haha! I would say my top five locations of desire are: Egypt (to see the pyramids!), Greece, Australia, Ireland, and India. I want to go to a few of the places because their cultures are so very different from ours. Mainly because I believe that they all look beautiful and have a deep history. What are your feelings about foreign language requirements and college students being encouraged to study/travel abroad? I think that foreign language is a great thing for people to learn, when it is desirable to them. Foreign language is not necessarily retained by the uninterested. So many career paths encourage foreign language skills, but for people who don't need it, I don't think it should be required for them. I highly recommend studying abroad. It is truly a great experience. Especially for students studying foreign language, I think they should study in a country where the dominant language is the language they are studying.

London Love and Travel Adoration in General

It is personal anecdote time! By now, I think it has become quite apparent that traveling is one of my true passions.

There are several reasons why I am passionate about traveling.

First of all, because I have a stable home environment, I feel comfortable being a little out of my comfort zone. I have a home base which grants me the confidence to explore and take risks. Regardless of what happens, I know I have a place waiting for me when I return.

Second of all, I am curious about the world. I adore learning about history and culture. Foreign languages are completely fascinating.

Third of all, I am a very visual person. I need to be able to see things in order to appreciate them. You can read about the Eiffel Tower all you want. Until you have actually been there, you cannot truly fathom the size and impressive sight it offers.

Going along with the visual thing, I am a fashion enthusiast. There is something about foreign fashion that is completely exciting. The specialized shops that these fabulous cities offer are incredible.

There are numerous other reasons for my passion as well, but way too many to list today!

I have traveled to Europe three times thus far. I would like to expand a little on my third and most recent trip.

I had the privilege of going to London for a two week study abroad trip during Ohio University's winter intersession in 2007. I went with a group of ten Ohio University students and Professor Jody Lamb to study 19th Century Art History.

It was a truly fabulous experience because we went during the holiday season. London goes crazy for Christmas so the store fronts were gorgeous, as were the decorations everywhere we went.

We stayed at a lovely hotel in the Bloomsbury district which was close to everything. A typical day consisted of spending a few hours at a museum for our class portion of the trip, lunch, sightseeing in the afternoon, a dinner, and then either a night at the theater or pub-hopping.

Some of the museums we visited were the British Museum, National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Victoria & Albert, and several others.

As for London sights, we went to Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Chinatown, Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, London Eye, etc...So wonderful.

This is basically my little shout-out to the OU Study Abroad Department. They offer all sorts of fabulous opportunities. I knew I would not have the time or money to study abroad for a quarter or even a summer. By offering the winter intersession trips, one is able to complete a course at an accelerated two weeks and explore a city for a more modest price.

So if you have the travel bug nagging at you, check out study abroad opportunities. I am so glad I did!

Traveling in Style and Staying on Budget

Travel to Paris by ~KTMAX on deviantART

When one has particular standards and is not necessarily willing to rough it while traveling, certain issues can arise. This is especially true when that person is on a limited budget and wishes to spend his or her money wisely.

Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to find acceptable accomodations at a reasonable price without resorting to staying at a hostel. I prefer to stay in a room with a comfortable enough bed and its own bathroom. If I am traveling with friends or acquaintances, I am perfectly happy to share the room.

When traveling, one rarely spends a great deal of time at their hotel because they obviously are exploring whichever city they are in that particular day. I am a firm believer in staying in a decent enough place because it gives you peace of mind.

You are less likely to worry about theft and safety. Also, you know you will be able to get a decent amount of sleep if you have a private place.

I am also a much happier traveler when I am able to take a shower and be clean. Having an electrical outlet is also a plus. Appearance, while not everything, is important to me. I do not wish to look like a slob when traveling so I take a bit of time to make sure my hair is travel-proof and my outfit is not wrinkled.

So while I am certainly not bashing hostels, I myself would prefer to find a reasonably priced hotel when traveling. If I have to pay a bit more, I am willing to do that in order to have a truly enjoyable traveling experience.

For more tips about traveling stylishly and on budget, check out The Budget Babe. It is a really interesting blog about staying on budget.

Mapping Out the Best Spots in London

I have created a map of the top ten places to visit in London. Of course, this is my own opinion but they are recommended nonetheless. Check it out!

Conservatives Travel to D.C. For Annual Trip

Twenty nine conservative students from Ohio University's College Republicans traveled to Washington D.C. this past weekend.

The 2009 Conservative Political Action Conference is what inspired these students to make the 5.5 hour drive to the nation's capital.

The 2009 Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC for short is an annual convention for conservative activists across America. CPAC is held at the Omni Shoreham, a lavish hotel in Washington D.C.

Held since 1973, this conference provides an excellent excuse to travel to Washington D.C. and mingle with fellow conservatives.

Washington D.C. is a lively city and highly enjoyable for both the politically active and historically interested. Teeming with monuments, memorials, and museums, the nation's capital is a fascinating place to travel.

This year's Conservative Political Action Conference received a great turnout from conservative activists across the nation. This conference was able to inspire a great deal of traveling to the nation's capital.

The conference was highly successful as it featured noteworthy speeches from prominent conservatives such as Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Rush Limbaugh, and Ann Coulter.

"There were so many fascinating speakers and their events obviously generated a lot of attendance. Unfortunately, some of the events required waiting in line for over three hours just to get into the conference room," says Suzi Hawk, communications chair for the Ohio University College Republicans.

The popularity of CPAC's keynote speakers certainly hindered some attendees' plans. Even after traveling near and far to get to D.C., some people ended up viewing the speeches on televisions in their hotel rooms.

"Regardless of where we viewed these speeches, they were poignant and hard-hitting. Just the environment of being at CPAC was refreshing and invigorating," says Kristen Bussel, vice president of Ohio University College Republicans.

The Ohio University College Republicans opted to carpool this year to the conference. The journey took approximately 5.5 hours and took the students through the states of Ohio, West Virginia, and Maryland.

Carpool tends to be the preferred mode of transportation but charter buses are also occasionally used.

"This is my third year attending CPAC. This annual trip and conference is something I look forward to all year long. Traveling to Washington D.C. each year is definitely a highlight of my college experience," says Melissa Short, president of Ohio University College Republicans.

The CPAC attendees also travel to Washington D.C. to partake in sightseeing and experiencing what the city has to offer.

"Visiting the National Museum of American History, viewing the Washington Monument, and eating at fabulous restaurants completely complemented the CPAC experience this year," says Tanya Rennicker, secretary for Ohio University College Republicans.

For more information about CPAC, please visit http://www.cpac.org/

getting there

Traveling tends to be an enjoyable experience, particularly once you arrive at your destination. The actual process and journey it takes to get to that end destination can be a bit stressful though. While I am not as well-traveled as others, I certainly have had my fair share of travel/journey experiences.

When it comes to successful travel, it is a good idea to keep certain things in mind. There are certain skills or knowledge that allow for a seamless trip. Obviously being prepared and flexible are necessary qualities of a successful traveler. There are some other tips that I have learned from my travel experiences. While some of these tips may seem obvious, they can be easily forgotten when one is actually in the process of traveling.

For this post, I will be discussing travel by car. These journeys usually take place within a single country. For this I will focus on American travel by car because that is obviously what I am most familiar with. Some things I keep in mind or do when traveling by car are:

1. Have a map, directions, GPS, whatever. Obvious, I know. However, never assume you know where you are going. It also pays to be a smart traveler. Don't go east when you are obviously needing to head west. I actually know some people who have done this on more than one occasion.

2. If you are the driver, sleep before you begin the trip. You will need to be alert. Finalize travel arrangements before the trip takes place. By this, I mean discuss with the passengers about gas money payment, luggage space, parking prices, switching off drivers, etc...

3. If you are the passenger, be considerate of the driver. Do not distract. Pay for your share of the gas money. Also, it is a good idea to bring something to entertain yourself during the drive. An iPod, magazines, books, etc... are always good choices.

4. Plan out stops for the trip so everything can run smoothly.

5. Enjoy the ride!

happy packing!

Photo credit: Arturo Elena

Packing for trips is no easy task. Even if you claim to be a professional, it certainly can cause stress for an impending trip.

I for one have a love/hate relationship with packing. I love it because packing means I am traveling somewhere. Obviously, I enjoy traveling. That goes without mentioning.

I hate it, however, because I tend to pack either too much or little. Often, I will have packers' remorse and regret not bringing certain items. This is when I start shopping and then I am in real trouble...

Anyway, with my Florida trip looming ahead and my traveling to Washington D.C. next week, I have some packing to accomplish.

Of course, I will be packing for two different climates and two different purposes.

The purpose of my trip to Washington D.C. is to attend a conservative conference called CPAC where I will network with prominent politicians, authors, and other important people. This will be my third CPAC trip and I always enjoy it. I will be traveling with my fellow College Republicans via cars and we will be staying at the luxurious Omni Shoreham hotel. While most of the days will be spent at the conference listening to speakers or networking at the job fair, we will also be exploring D.C. in order to visit the monuments and museums.

For this particular trip, the packing can be quite tricky. Business professional is the required dress code for the event so that means I will be packing business suits, dresses, heels, and pearls. Sightseeing, however, will require jeans, comfortable shoes, coats, etc... Of course, we will also be going out which will require fancier tops, nicer jeans, and so on and so forth.

As for my trip to Tampa, that will be for pure fun and relaxation. I will certainly need that after finals and these last few stressful weeks of winter quarter. Laying out, shopping, eating delicious food, and spending time with my aunt and friends will be heaven. We will be flying to Florida and staying with my aunt the majority of the time.

Packing will most likely be more fun and certainly less complex for this particular trip. Swimsuits, sunglasses, sundresses, and sandals will be the required dress code.

Some general packing rules I abide by are as follows:

1. Bring clothes you can wear more than once.
2. Limit shoes to three or four pairs maximum
3. Establish a color theme. Mine is pink and black.

More will follow but for now, happy packing!