July 31, 2009 | Fuzzies, Gadgets & Stuff

Last weekend I was in Chicago attending BlogHer ‘09 followed by a Travel Blog Exchange (TBEX) meet up. In addition to informative blogging sessions, both events were pitching grounds for various brands with many giving away freebies to try out (which will be a future article) and others offering discounts.

Following are some pretty sweet discounts on goods every solo travel girl can use when gallivanting.

Gogo Inflight Internet Service: Visit www.gogoinflight.com to receive a 50% discount on most services (the 30-day pass is excluded) when using code: 158FLF7365, valid through August 31, 2009.

Gogo Inflight Internet allows travelers stay connected when flying above the clouds. Currently, the service is available aboard AirTran, American Airlines, Delta, United and Virgin America. Air Canada will soon be offering the inflight Internet service. Prices are dependent upon flight duration and range between $5.95 and $12.95.

Yummie Tummie Shapewear: Visit www.yummietummie.com to receive a 30% discount when using code: BLOGHER30, valid through August 7, 2009.

After seeing the Yummie Tummie shapewear ladies running around BlogHer and seeing the product in action by smoothing over nature’s rolls and lumps, I knew I needed to try it out. Also, Carson Kressley of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and How to Look Good Naked fame tried out the brother product called RipTFusion. I  caught that on video, which you can view on YouTube here. This discount is a great savings considering Yummie Tummie shapewear can run around $60 and upward.

GoGirl: Visit www.go-girl.com to receive $1 off your total Web purchase when using code: ACTIVEGIRL by January 1, 2010.

GoGirl is pretty nifty because when a girl’s gotta go, she’s gotta go and GoGirl makes it easier because the female urination device (FUD) lets ladies pee while standing up. It’s ideal for camping, road trips, boating, nasty bathrooms and any other place that doesn’t have the ideal condition to, um, “go.” The pink, flexible funnel-like device also comes rolled up in a small plastic tube and includes a baggie and swath of toilet paper (although, I’d recommend gals carry a bit more paper for a more fresh feeling). I know you’re wondering and the answer is “yes” I have and used one. A GoGirl single is $6.99 and a pack of three is $18.99.

Happy shopping, saving and traveling.

July 27, 2009 | Solo Adventures, Solo with Others

Three Women in Burqas in Kabul, Afghanistan

Sky-blue burqas continue to flow down the dusty streets of Kabul. They’re remnants of the Taliban’s harsh reign and belief women should not be seen.  While Afghan women are no longer required to wear burqas, many prefer wearing the full-body, shapeless cape while in public. Or sadly, their husbands or other male in their life demand they be worn.

Behind the walls of Kabul’s Baghe Zanana (commonly known as the Women’s Garden), I spent an afternoon shopping and meeting with Afghan women. This is one of the few places in Kabul where women of all ages feel comfortable shedding their burqas and being themselves. Mothers watch their children romp in the playground while enjoying a picnic and laughing with friends in a serene, safe setting. Afghan men are not permitted into this sanctuary.

I exchanged smiles with each woman I passed while browsing the little shops run by Afghan women. A woman half wearing a burqa caught my eye. She had lifted it over her head and wore it almost like a cape. Her beautiful, green-brown eyes sparkled and her distinct, hooked nose stopped me. For some reason, I had the feeling she wanted to talk.

“Salaam,” I said, Farsi for “hello.”

Smiling, her curly, dark-haired head nodded and began chattering way. Unfortunately, I was limited in the native tongue, but somehow, we were able to communicate. Finally, I couldn’t resist. I needed to know. Using hand motions, tugging at the burqa and pretending to walk, I did the best I could to mime, “How can you walk and function in that burqa?”

She understood what I had communicated because the next thing I knew, she was proudly strolling down the sidewalk and suddenly stumbled and tumbled to the sidewalk.  At first, I thought she was hurt. She was belly up on the ground, her arms wrapped around her stomach and laughter suddenly rolled out and her giggles were contagious.  Within seconds, she was surrounded by a group of burqa-caped women howling with laughter, too.

Laughing myself, I extended my hand to help her up. As a small token of appreciation and hoping she would remember our brief interaction, I gave her a postcard and pin from my home town. It wasn’t much, but she grasped the items with her henna-stained hands, as if I had given her gold. Head tilted and with a smile, her right hand patted her heart. Under her breath, and in perfect English she whispered, “Thank you.”

Although she wasn’t one of the high profile officials I met and I am just an ordinary citizen of the U.S., our interaction had some impact in building a small pocket peace in the world. We didn’t exchange names, but I will always remember her.  And most importantly, I learned laughter is an international language.

Note: This was written shortly after my March 2006 trip to Kabul, Afghanistan, with Global Exchange. Visit the blog I kept during the trip at QKGirlAfghanistan.blogspot.com.

July 26, 2009 | Solo Adventures

Style Guru Tim Gunn Leaving BlogHer '09

Or, this post could have been called, “My Two Minutes with Style Guru Tim Gunn” of Project Runway and Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style fame. A treat about BlogHer is the mixing with celebrities compliments of brands sponsoring the conference.

Tide and Bounce were kind to invite Tim Gunn between 3 and 5 p.m. on Saturday to meet with attendees. This was more than the standard meet and greet, Gunn took the time to chat with each BlogHer attendee who wanted a photo with him. And so it was my opportunity to, in the words of Gunn himself, “Make it work!”

With my pink Flip video camera in my left hand, I shook Gunn’s hand who was very kind and sincere. I asked if I could ask him a few questions and he agreed. I pressed the start button and away I went asking two questions suggested by Facebook friends and a question of my own.

Solo Travel Girl: During your foundation year at Parsons, which classes were you taking when you knew you could make it in fashion?

Tim Gunn: I didn’t go to Parsons.

Solo Travel Girl: ["Oh, this isn't good," I thought to myself. I disregarded one of the key principals of journalism by not fact checking and was kicking myself because a little gut feeling said, "Check his schooling" but I didn't. Feeling my face and entire body turn hot with redness, I continued…] Oh, that’s not a good question. Uh…

Tim Gunn: I worked there after earning a degree from Corcoran College of Art and Design in sculpture. By not having a degree in fashion, I think I’m better qualified because I have a different perspective.

Solo Travel Girl: Hmm. Interesting. So what’s the ugliest piece of clothing you own? [This interview is not going well. I was still flustered over the flub of the first question and this next question was suppose to ask about the most 'embarrassing' garment, not ugly.]

Tim Gunn: [After he laughs] I hope I don’t have any ugly clothing! I would have gotten rid of it in fear of someone following me and trying to film me wearing it.

We both laugh.

Solo Travel Girl: Okay. You have a robust vocabulary so what’s your favorite word?

Tim Gunn: [Pausing before answering, I see his eyes thinking.] Preposterous!

Solo Travel Girl: Great! Thank you so much, I appreciate your time.

We shook hands then walked over to the Tide and Bounce backdrop for the professional photograph. I turned off the Flip video camera, or so I thought. We posed, shook hands and before I walked away he asked, “I didn’t ask you about your blog, what is it?”

“Solo Travel Girl dot com. I’m a solo girl, I travel. I travel alone, not lonely.”

Gunn had a thoughtful look before responding, “I’m the same way, I really am.  We’re kindred spirits. I’m the same way plus I prefer it. It’s a good thing.”

“It is a good thing,” I replied.

When I went stepped to the side to immediately look at the video, a pit fell to the bottom of my gut. The camera was RECORDING at that moment, which meant it was NOT recording when I asked Gunn the questions. When I hit the button to turn it off after asking his favorite word, I was actually turning it on. Ugh!!!! It did record him asking me about my blog yet the video is of our feet and a lot of red carpet.

Lessons learned?

• I’m a blogger and not a vlogger…yet.
• Fact check and recheck before asking an interviewee a question.
• Learn to look for the red light on the Flip to make sure it’s on.
• Just roll with it and make it work!

Thank you Tim Gunn, Tide and Bounce!

July 25, 2009 | About Me

It’s time to step up my game and deliver on the promise to myself with getting this blog off the ground. BlogHer ‘09 has been the needed validation I’m doing the right thing. Read my initial thoughts about the blogging conference here and look forward to at least a couple of posts this weekend.

July 22, 2009 | About Me, Solo with Others

It’s time to step up my game with this blog and just delve into posting. Hopefully BlogHer ‘09 and TBEX (Travel Blog Exchange for those not in the know) will be the inspiration I need to get back on track with my passion for travel blogging. I will be live tweeting for the event, so follow me for updates @jenniferhuber, #blogher09 is the hashtag and hope to be posting photos on Flickr, too. I received my new business cards and will TRY to post a photo of them over the weekend.

Off to packing!