Top Summer Destinations

     Greetings audience, this is Stephen Gaiber: The Autistic Traveler again, and today we are going to talk about a different subject. We are going to discuss Top Summer Destinations. For most of us who are out of school or looking for a break from work and haven't booked our summer trip, here are some ideas to consider while booking. Some types of vacations that people like to check out include beach, city, camping, theme park, and nature.

     A lot of people in the summer, especially those graduating high school or college, have plans to tour around Europe. One of the best summer destinations to visit is Paris, France. With many museums such as the Louvre, Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, and even a Disneyland for Disney fans, there is a lot for the "city of love" to offer. There are many things that make Paris an amazing summer destination, such as July 14 aka French National Day or Bastille Day. This was the beginning of the French Revolution and storming of the Bastille. There's a parade and everything. There is also a pop-up beach near Paris with sand and umbrellas. Launched in 2002, the mini beach is known as the Paris Plages. This is a great way to get a tan without going to an actual beach. Some other summer activities include the Tour De France, rollerskating on the streets every Friday night, and a trip outside Paris to Chateau de Versailles. These are unique attractions that make Paris an exciting city. For more information, feel free to check out https://www.travelchannel.com/destinations/france/paris/articles/summer-in-paris-beyond-bastille-day.

     We all think of going back east as going to big cities such as New York City, Boston, Washington D.C. or Philadelphia, or even historical walking tours about slavery and plantations. However if one is going back east, one should check out some lesser known destinations such as Lake George, New York, and Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Let's first talk about Lake George. Located about 4 hours from New York City, it's dubbed the miniature golf capital of the world. Some of the attractions include swimming, fishing, cruising on the lake, hiking, and even zip-lining. This small town is worth checking out if you're into nature or if you're visiting New York and want a break from the hustle and bustle of city life. For more information, please visit https://www.visitlakegeorge.com/.

     Another destination worth checking out is Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Some of the highlights include the gingerbread-style houses and the famous lighthouse. This is a beautiful place for those who want to check out an island on the east coast, particularly those who want a break from Boston. There are many ways to get there, such as a ferry from Woods Hole, which you can get to by bus from Boston, or you can even take a ferry from New York. This would be a great day trip to escape the city, or an adventure for the entire weekend. For more information, visit http://marthas-vineyard.com/.

     Another destination worth checking out in the summer is Alaska. As you may know, there are many cruises to Alaska out of Vancouver or Seattle, particularly in the summer months. This is why. Between May 10 and September 15, the days are long, the nature is beautiful, and the air is clear. On June 21, the longest day of the year, the sun in Anchorage is up for 19 hours, 20 hours in Fairbanks, and 18 hours in the southeast. Think of why that movie was called Insomnia with Al Pacino and the late great Robin Williams. Some of the activities in Alaska include Northern Lights tours, dog sledding, bear viewing, glacier tours, and many other nature attractions. There is a lot of beauty to check out in Alaska. For more information, visit http://www.alaska.org/.

     Hopefully I've given you some ideas of places to visit that will make your summer just a little more eventful. From international travel around foreign continents to nature to the beach to the city, there are a lot of places one can check out that would be suited for them. Happy travels!

Temecula

     Greetings audience! Imagine a land in Southern California between Los Angeles, Orange County and between the Inland Empire and San Diego on Interstate 15. That magical land is Temecula. It is centrally located and has a lot to offer, from wineries to an old town to hot-air balloon rides, as well as the famous Pechanga Resort. I happened to spend my 29th birthday there and can't wait to take YOU on this epic journey.

    Temecula has a lot of attractions and events that bring people to visit every year, such as the Temecula Wine Country, Temecula Valley Wine and Food Festival, Temecula Valley International Film Festival, and of course Old Town Temecula. Our journey starts in Old Town Temecula, which has the perfect old-town vibe. Consisting of historic buildings from the 1890s, Old Town features antique shops, specialty food stores, and collectible stores. If one wanted to go on a weekend, it also has a growing nightlife. Old Town hosts many events such as Rod Run Car Show, Art and Street Painting Festival, Santa Electric Parade Show, and Summer Days. I found Old Town Temecula to be a vibrant place to explore if one has an hour to spare and take in the stylized buildings.

    Another aspect on the journey to Temecula is the world-famous Pechanga Resort and Casino. It's the largest casino in California. It's larger than the MGM Grand. Wow! This resort palace opened its doors on June 24, 2002. The magical resort has a lot to offer, such as a golf course, a spa, 11 restaurants, and The Pechanga Showroom, where many celebrities have performed. This castle is the biggest employer and has 4,000 jobs in Temecula. The Pechanga Resort and Casino is worth checking out in Temecula, though some may not find it special if they have been to Las Vegas or other large resort casinos.

      Without a doubt, the best part of my birthday in Temecula was going up in the air in a hot-air balloon. I mean, how many people can say they've been up in the air in a hot-air balloon? So let’s discuss the basics. It starts early in the morning around 6 a.m. because the weather is cool, which is optimal for flight. The tour guide will take you to a remote part of town for your flight. They load the basket, which takes all the passengers from the jeep, then the balloon is prepared by being filled up with hot air from the flame. Once the balloon is ready, all the passengers ascend and get a fantastic view of the Temecula Valley. On the flight, one will see other balloons up in the air, mountains, houses, and the vast area surrounding Temecula. Let me tell you: the views are incredible. There are not many places in California where one can take a hot-air balloon ride; some of the other places you can do it is Palm Desert and Del Mar. However, those are only seasonal due to their extremely hot climate, while Temecula offers it year-round. This is definitely one thing to cross off your bucket list!

    Temecula has many attractions one can easily check out, and with its central location, one can certainly take a day trip to experience them. From a lively downtown to wineries to an awesome casino to, of course, hot-air balloon rides, Temecula has something to offer for everyone. Please feel free to watch my video on the hot-air balloon ride at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3AbS8cMjK4.

My Day At The Natural History Museum

     Greetings audience! Today we are going to explore the fascinating land of the dinosaurs and deep roots of the natural history of Los Angeles by discussing the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. Our journey begins on an exciting journey from the Orange Line from Canoga Station to the USC/Expo Station on the Expo Line. I would strongly recommend that one take public transportation to the Natural History Museum, rather than suffer traffic and parking fees. Not to mention you would benefit the environment. In addition, I strongly recommend that people visit the museum on the first Tuesday of the month, because it's free.

     Before we get into the fun stuff about my fascinating journey through the Natural History Museum, let's talk about some of the history of the museum. This museum is associated with two others, The Page Museum and William S. Hart Ranch. Their goal is "to inspire wonder, discovery, and responsibility for our natural and cultural worlds." This museum opened in Exposition Park in 1913 and was known as the Museum of History, Science, and Art. In 1965 the Los Angeles County Museum of Art moved and the museum became the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. Tourists from around the world are continually attracted by the addition of exhibits, including the Dinosaur Hall in 2011 and the Becoming Los Angeles exhibit in 2013, where visitors can learn the history of the city.

                                                   NORTH AMERICAN MAMMAL HALL

     If one wants to take a journey to see creatures from North America, one should check out the North American Mammal Hall. Our wonderful continent has many different creatures that seem out of this world, and this exhibit houses them for your awesome viewing adventure. Some of the creatures that are found in the woods of North America as well as featured in this exhibit include the American black bear, bison, moose, polar bear, and walrus. It feels like a collector brought these animals together on this quest for us to view. I enjoy seeing all the animals and learning some history about each one. One of the mammals I am going to discuss is the bison, which looks like a buffalo roaming in the west. Did you know that at one point there were 90 million roaming the continent? Now there are about 500,000 located in North America.

                                                         DINOSAUR HALL

     What would a trip to the Natural History Museum be without a trip to the see the dinosaurs? One of the new exhibits is the Dinosaur Hall. This exhibit host many of the dinosaur skeletons from the prehistoric ages. This would be a great place if one wants to be an archaeologist like Indiana Jones to discover interesting facts and history about the dinosaurs. Some of the dinosaurs that can be found include the t-rex, stegosaurus, and triceratops.  My favorite dinosaur is the t-rex because its what I grew up with and associate it with movies. I hope that if one likes dinosaur bones and wants to be reminded of the prehistoric times that one will check out this exhibit.

                                              BECOMING LOS ANGELES

     In our final part of this blog, we will be discussing another fairly new exhibit: Becoming Los Angeles. There is a lot of history that one can learn from exploring this exhibit. One can learn about how the city of Los Angeles was made and how it has grown throughout the years. Sadly I wasn't able to check out the exhibit this time because it was closed. However, I still feel like I learned a lot of history about Los Angeles by being there, such as how the city once had many cowboys.

     One should definitely take an epic quest to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. There are many exhibits one can take a look at, such as dinosaurs, mammals from North America and Africa, minerals, and the history of Los Angeles. One should start their journey by leaving their car at home and take the metro, where one can also explore more than just the museum, such as USC and the California Science Center. If you liked my blog, please check out my video about my day at the Natural History Museum at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4HbuBhePrw&t=2s.

Anthony Bourdain And Depression

     Good day audience! As most of you know, CNN and Parts Unknown Star Anthony Bourdain passed away on June 8, 2018. As someone hoping to make a career out of the travel industry, I hadn't personally watched the show until I decided to binge watch it on Netflix after his death. He did a lot of interesting things, such as visit many different countries and try different types of food, but probably the most notable thing he did was have a meal with former President Obama at a Vietnamese restaurant. Another subject we're going to talk about is depression and suicide, topics that are particularly important to discuss for the autism community. Let's dive into the life of the late Anthony Bourdain.

                                                    Life Of Anthony Bourdain

     Anthony Bourdain had quite an exceptional life. His resume includes celebrity chef, author, travel documentarian, and TV host. He was born on June 25, 1956 in New York. He got his culinary degree from the Culinary Institute of America in 1978 and ran a bunch of restaurants in New York. His media career started on the Travel Channel and Food Network, including A Cook's Tour from 2002 to 2003, No Reservations from 2005 to 2012, and The Layover from 2011 to 2013. All these shows relate to food in different parts of the world. In 2012, he left The Travel Channel and went to CNN for Parts Unknown. He also has won many awards, such as Food Writer of the Year in 2001 by Bon Appetit, as well as every year from 2013 to 2016 an Emmy for Outstanding Informational Series for Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown.

     One could learn a lot from Anthony Bourdain about how to become a travel host. I am hoping to achieve the success of Anthony Bourdain by combining my passions for entertainment and travel. I could give people of all abilities unique recommendations and inspire them to travel and be independent. I am not into food as much as Anthony, and I like to hang around touristy areas because that's where there is the most to do. I do believe in living life to the fullest and combining all passions of life, which is what Bourdain did with his passions for food and travel.

                                      ANTHONY BOURDAIN: PARTS UNKNOWN

     Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown was his most recent travel and cooking show on CNN. It premiered on April 14, 2013, and its main purpose was to uncover lesser-known parts of the world, as well as to explore culture and cuisine. I've only watched a handful of episodes, such as about Myanmar, Koreatown, Las Vegas, and Thailand. He gave a very unique perspective about parts of culture that one wouldn't necessarily know about. I personally am not overly invested in the show because I am not a food person. For example, I mostly ate McDonald's when I was in Thailand because I like to keep it simple. I like to explore countries so that I can see different parts of the world.

                                                  AUTISM AND DEPRESSION

     Let's discuss the elephant in the room. The reason Anthony Bourdain took his life was he was battling depression. Let me tell you, depression is not a pretty sight. The world has lost many celebrities because of suicide, such as The Genie AKA Robin Williams, Tony Scott, and Chester Bennington. Depression is a very powerful force -- no matter how rich or powerful you are, it can afflict you.

     For adults with autism, especially Asperger Syndrome, depression is common to come across. Among the reasons is the fact that they face many different challenges. These challenges include a lack of social communication, social understanding, and imagination. The person can have trouble with appropriate social interaction, making friends, and being able to anticipate what might happen. Depression is a reaction for those with autism dealing with employment difficulties, relationship issues, and a non-autistic world.

     I have had my fair share of battles with depression, and I realize that life is hard. Some of these times have occurred in high school, college, and years at work. The way I got through it was to confide in the right people. The problem is that one can't be sure who to trust and that life can sometimes just suck. If anyone would ever like to talk to me about depression, I can be a shoulder to cry on. Anthony Bourdain and I have had a lot in common, including travel and depression. Rest In Peace Anthony and thanks for being an inspiration.

Chicago

      Greetings, everyone! I’m now going to take you on a tour of one of my favorite cities of all time…The Windy City…Chicago!!! Chicago is famous for a LOT including the buildings, museums, deep dish pizza and sports teams. I love this city because of its richness in the arts and the amazing night life! 

                                                     HISTORY OF CHICAGO

     Chicago has an amazing history! Its economic, cultural and political histories have all helped the city grow and become diverse over the years. Even when a fire destroyed most the city including the central business district in 1871, the city grew because of its railroads, finance, higher education, broadcasting, jazz, and high culture. A display of Chicago’s rise to stardom can be found in the Chicago History Museum still standing and thriving today!

                                                      GO CHICAGO CARD

     If you’re interested in saving money and visiting places such as museums and skyscrapers, I highly recommend the “Go Chicago Card.” This card is an all-inclusive pass which provides access to famous sites including the Shed Aquarium, Skydeck Chicago, 360 Chicago, Art Institute of Chicago, Adler Planetarium, Field Museum, Chicago History Museum, and many more. You can buy a pass that lasts anywhere from one to five days. Getting a Go Chicago Card rather than tickets to the individual attractions will save you money AND time! For more information on the Go Chicago card check out https://www.smartdestinations.com/chicago-attractions-and-tours/_d_Chi-p1.html?pass=Chi_Prod_Go.

                                                    Field Museum of Natural History

     One of my favorite museums in Chicago was the Field Museum of Natural History. It's a HUGE museum and maintains its status of a premier natural history museum with the help of a state-of-the-art education and scientific program. There are exhibits for the whole family whether you wish to explore Asia or Hawaii or Africa, just to name a few!  Be sure to look for the most noticeable creature in the entire museum…SUE THE T-REX! 

                                                                 Art Institute Of Chicago

     If you’re ever in Chicago, I also highly recommend visiting The Art Institute. It was founded in 1879 in Grant Park and is the second largest art museum in the United States (after the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York)! Some of its collections include African art, Indian art, American art, Asian art, European paintings, and Modern and Contemporary Art. I highly recommend you check out the Asian art while you’re there...it is gorgeous! Before you leave, seize the rare opportunity to get close to the famous painting, American Gothic (the painting of the older couple with the man holding a pitchfork).

     With a lot to offer and a city full of memories, Chicago is a spectacular place to visit! This is one of my favorite cities in the world and I hope you’ll get the chance to explore Chicago and save yourself some money while you’re at it!

                                                 

Berlin

     Last April, I went on a trip to Berlin, Germany. I was amazed by this city because of the captivating tourist attractions including many museums, the Berlin Zoo and Charlottenburg Palace. I was fascinated by all these sites in Berlin because of what I learned and how interesting and lively the exhibits are in the city.

     Berlin is the biggest city in Germany and the second most populated city in the European Union behind London. Berlin is a world class city full of politics, culture, media, and science. Berlin was founded in the 13th century and was the capital of the Kingdom of Prussia. Prussia grew in the 18th and 19th centuries, forming the German Empire in 1871. Berlin has since become a major world city for its leadership role in science, humanities, music, museums, higher education, government, and the military. When much of Berlin was destroyed after World War II, the city was separated by The Berlin Wall from 1961 to 1989. 

                                                              BERLIN PASS

     Are you ready to hear about an awesome way to SAVE MONEY on activities and transportation in Berlin? I highly recommend buying the Berlin Pass. Included in the Berlin Pass are free entries to over 50 attractions, the Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Pass, an optional travel card, and discounted exclusive offers. Some of the attractions include museums such as The Berlin Dome, Madame Tussauds, Berlin Dungeon, Aquadom and Sealife Berlin, Checkpoint Charlie, Bode Museum, Alte National Gallery, The Jewish Museum, Berlin Film Museum, German Technology Museum, and many others. A 3-day pass costs about 145 Euros (about $175) and is definitely worth it!

                                                              BERLIN WALL

     One major highlight of my trip was getting to see the ruins of The Berlin Wall. The art and graffiti on the wall symbolized how people felt about Berlin being a divided city. This wall caused a lot of problems for the city because East Germans couldn't travel or migrate to West Germany. In addition, families were being split up and people were being cut off from their jobs. Many people died attempting to get over The Wall and there’s even a memorial to remember those that lost their lives. The fall of The Berlin Wall started when the Hungarian government dismantled the fence with Austria causing many in East Berlin to escape through Hungary and Austria. The Wall was officially torn down in 1989 resulting in the reunification of Germany. 

                                                                    BERLIN ZOO

     Last, but certainly not least, I’m going to talk about my favorite part of the trip: The Berlin Zoo. This zoo opened in 1844 and is one of the oldest and most well-known zoos in Germany. It features over 1,380 different species and 20,200 animals! It’s the most visited zoo in all of Europe, and one of the most visited zoos worldwide bringing in over 3.5 million visitors in 2017! It felt more like being in an animal sanctuary because the animals aren't locked in cages and could run around and explore their territory like it was their natural habitat. I especially loved seeing the elephants up close! If you’re a fish lover, there’s also an aquarium in the zoo! 

     In summary, Berlin has a lot to offer and it feels extremely underrated compared to other cities in Europe because not enough people seem to talk about it. This city has a lot to offer from world class museums to historical monuments to history about the city and a world-class zoo. I encourage you to take a trip to Berlin and see how it can amaze you. I'm Stephen Gaiber: The Autistic Traveler and I look forward to showing YOU A Whole New World.

Dallas Zoo

     Greetings, everyone! Today I am going to talk to you about my adventures at the Dallas Zoo, located three miles south of Downtown Dallas.

     The zoo was established in 1888 and the first purchase consisted of two deer and two mountain lions for $60. Today, the zoo has 106 acres with over 2,000 different types of animals! Some of the biggest expansions of the zoo were the Wilds of Africa exhibit, the Giants of the Savanna exhibit and the main part of the zoo known as Zoonorth.

                                                            WILDS OF AFRICA

     

     A part of the zoo that I really enjoyed was the Wilds of Africa exhibit. This exhibit opened up in 1990 and was the first exhibit to feature all of the major habitats of Africa. In this exhibit, you can visit rain forests, mountains, woodlands, rivers, deserts, and the brush of Africa! My favorite part was the nature trail that takes visitors through the rain forest, where I saw gorillas, chimpanzees, crocodiles and cranes. 

                                                       GIANTS OF THE SAVANNA

       I then went to an exhibit called the Giants of the Savanna. This exhibit provides an interactive experience for different types of animals that call the Savanna home. Some of the animals include elephants, giraffes, and zebras. This exhibit has won many awards such as the “Top 10 Zoo Exhibits” in 2015 by USA Today, as well as a 2011 Exhibit Award by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for significant achievement. It also has received much praise from researchers, zoo industry professionals and zoo guests.

     One of the most impressive parts of this exhibit is the Elephants on the Savanna. If you go there, look for a herd of female elephants called “The Golden Girls.” The design of the Giants of the Savanna allows the elephants to run wild because they are looking for food, water, and companionship. Treats are occasionally hidden in trees or niches around the habitat for the elephants to find and to get exercise. 

     Another interesting part of the exhibit is feeding giraffes at the Diane and Hal Brierley Giraffe Ridge. For $5, you can come face-to-face with the tallest creatures on the planet! Giraffes eat a variety of fruits and vegetables with male giraffes eating around 75 pounds of food a day! Make sure to only feed them food provided by the zookeepers and watch your personal belongings as giraffes tend to lick or grab things they haven’t seen before with their long, black tongues!

                                                                  ZooNorth

     Other exhibits in the zoo house otters, Galapagos tortoises and monkeys. Be sure to check out the Pierre A. Fontaine Bird and Reptile Building where you will learn about amphibians as well as endangered species. I was fascinated by the Endangered Tiger Habitat where I saw some very rare Sumatran and Malaysian tigers!  

     Overall, the Dallas Zoo has something to offer for every member of the family! Be sure to watch this video of me at the Dallas Zoo to see more of what I saw! I'm Stephen Gaiber: The Autistic Traveler. 

-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65ncTHyKq0s&t=1s