tripper your guide to travelling: the fun way
August 2013
Contents Editor’s Letter p.5
This Month’s Featured Bar p. 7
Worst Pick-Up Lines Abroad p.15
15 Fun Items to Pack p.18
Tips for First-Timers p.20
Traveller Tattoos
p.22
Features
Hotels & Hostels With a Psychedelic Theme p. 8
Burning Man Festival p. 12
Tripper Magazine 3
E d i t o r ’s Letter
Away We Go Travel journalism often falls into one of two camps — the highly didactic and servicey piece, “go here, stay there, see that,” or the long-winded narrative in which the writer has the experience and we are meant to be satisfied by the first-person blow-by-blow he or she has brought back for us: “the road into town was dusty and unpaved and the driver kept getting lost.” The former is best served up by the Internet on demand. And the pure version of the latter is perhaps best left to brilliant writers who promise to reward you for coming along (Edith Wharton, Patrick Leigh Fermor, Evelyn Waugh, Jan Morris). There are of course also intellectual and cultural histories of locales, in which the writer seeks to tease out the influences — historical, economic, social, stylistic, culinary and political — that make the place uniquely what it is (V. S. Naipaul, Bruce Chatwin, Ryszard Kapuscinski). The type we favor at T is a hybrid of the three, in which great writing and personal narrative is done in the service of not just traipsing along with the writer who got to go on an amazing journey that we didn’t, but of bringing you back a new understanding of a place that is
enlightening and satisfying regardless of whether you ever plan to visit. And yet, if you do choose to go, we’re there to guide you. In this issue, Gideon Lewis-Kraus susses out the world of Airbnb, a travel phenomenon made possible by the Web, in which one can affordably stay in strangers’ homes across the globe, bypassing the polar choices of the impersonal hotel room or the too-personal B&B. As you’re dealing with real people and real abodes, not hospitality professionals and rooms spit polished by uniformed maids, there is a quirky, happenstance quality that makes for experiences that at times can be annoying and pretty weird, but also rather great, and even magical — depending on your point of view. In his Yes, Please column, Andrew O’Hagan expounds on the profound sensory pleasures of traveling solo, without dealing with others who might whinge at your proclivity to walk everywhere or force-march you to all the sights when you really just feel like sleeping in. To support his life’s work at the Roden Crater near Flagstaff, Ariz., the artist James Turrell does a fair number of private commissions around the world,
on sites as diverse as glass houses in the desert and epic estates in the English countryside. Edward Helmore takes us on a vicarious visit to several of these open-to-the-heavens installations, and uncovers a fascinating dynamic between the artist and his patrons — and a body of work as varied as the sky itself. And finally, Adam Sachs profiles the strange and beautiful utopia that is Marin County, which happens to be populated by people defined by their liberal tolerance (so long as no one disagrees with them), their love of nature and open space (despite a serious case of nimbyism), and their defense of free speech (so long as no one is talking about where they live). Their contradictions mirror that of our writer’s: “I always sort of want to hate Marin,” he says. Of course, “I always fall in love and want to stay.” Travel, and travel writing, should be able to open our minds — and even to change them. xoxo, Deborah Needleman
Tripper Magazine 5
s Thi s th’ n Mo ured t Bar Fea
Tripper Rating: 4/5 Cocktails
Red Sea Star Found in Eilat, Israel
An underwater gastronomic experience is waiting for you, about 5 meters below sea level, in the restaurant of the Red Sea Star. Enjoy a wide variety of exotic dishes in a magical atmosphere of beauty and peace, while observing through giant windows the colorful underwater coral garden and an endless shifting panorama of marine life in all their kaleidoscopic splendor. Next to almost every table in the restaurant there are two personal windows through which guests can observe the underwater surrounding - one in the wall, to which the table is attached, and the other in the ceiling above it. The restaurant of the Red Sea Star has a very rich and exclusive menu, including fish, meet etc. At night the underwater garden surrounding the “Star” is softly lit, without disturbing its natural inhabitants (using specific light colors, specific wave length etc.), offering the visitors a unique “dry diving” experience at night as they eat. Ultimately, it all adds up to a wonderful exotic feast of the senses, which is simply unforgettable - a superior pleasure of colors and tastes. The exclusive underwater bar, located next to the restaurant, offers a large selection of cocktails and alcoholic drinks, soft drinks and hot drinks in a romantic and magical atmosphere. The bar of the Red Sea Star differs in its essence from any other bar in Eilat. Its calm serenity allows for an intimate
At the Red Sea Star, you get to enjoy the view underwater.
atmosphere, perfect for having conversations without any disturbance. The underwater bar is the perfect place to conduct a business meeting, to impress a new date or simply to enjoy a romantic evening in a unique atmosphere.
“The only restaurant in the world where guests can eat underwater while observing hundreds of sea creatures in their natural surrounding - by day or night”
On the roof of the Red Sea Star, about 10 meters above sea level, the “Metro Bar” is located. In the “Metro Bar”, which is designed as a deck of a ship, one can enjoy the fresh air of the sea, a pleasant breeze and the glowing lights of the cities of Eilat and Aqaba. The guests in this floor experience the enjoyable feeling of sailing at sea, without enduring the encumbrance of sea travel. -Omer Yair
Two Women Enjoying the bar, a nice scene for young travellers.
Tripper Magazine 7
Hotels & Hostels With a Psychedelic Theme Written by Ashlea P.
St. Christopher’s Located in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
St Christopher’s at the Winston has to be your first culture stop in this over the top, Dutch city! Here you can upgrade to one of our 60 design hotel rooms - all decorated by local artists. You can choose from the gsus room, the exotic Absolute Danny room, and much more! All the rooms are completely unique and worth a look. St. Christopher’s describes its rooms as an “experience”.Judging from the vibrantly colored walls and its location in one of the trippiest cities in the world, our guess is that “experience” they speak of is probably better induced.
Rocking J’s Located in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Peace, love and Costa Rica,Rockin’ J’s, one of the most popular hammock hostels in Costa Rica. Started by a guy who, after an apparently inspirational spliff, decided to build a hostel right near the beach. Guest made art and mosaics cover just about everything, lending this place a kaleidoscopic, third-dimensional type of vibe. Known as “The Vortex”, people who visit once, keep returning time and time again. Rocking J’s gives you the opportunity to meet people from all corners of the globe! A must see hostel in Costa Rica!
Naha Psychedelic Hostel Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
This hostel is referred to as the ‘dreamhouse’ for artists, free thinkers and friends who just want a place where they can commune with other happy hallucinators. At Naha you can expect to engage in idealistic conversation about art and society with a guy strumming an acoustic guitar.
8 Tripper Magazine
To the hippies, free thinkers, bohemians, burners, flower children, non-conformists and psychedelic art aficionados, here’s a list of lodging options that will give you a fourth-dimension experience.
Jade Seahorse Located in Utila, Honduras
Alice didn’t really go to Wonderland, she went to Honduras and stayed at Jade Seahorse. Nearly every inch of this hotel is covered with mosaics and every piece of decor is DIY. With magical bridges scattered throughout the property and a very popular treehouse bar, it’s no question the owners wanted to create an undoubtedly surreal experience for their guests.
Propeller Island City Lodge Located in Berlin, Germany
What could more trippy than a room that’s upside down? In this room, furnishings hang from the ceiling while guests sleep under the floorboards in comfortable boxes. If that’s a little too surreal for you, they have 29 other mind-bending rooms with features such as levitating bed or coffins. A habitable work of art in Berlin, whose inventiveness knows how to pull everyone in its spell and guest sustainable nor inspired; a magnet for creative people.
Yellow Submarine Located in Liverpool, United Kingdom
There has and likely will never be another brightly painted piece of watercraft that represents the psychedelic experience quite like the iconic yellow submarine. This Liverpool hotel has created a real-life yellow submarine for guests with rooms and a lounge area decorated to give you that psychedelic, but luxurious ‘trip.’
Tripper Magazine 9
Burning Man Festival Featured in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada Written by Ashley P.
Trying to explain what Burning
Man is to someone who has never been to the event is a bit like trying to explain what a particular color looks like to someone who is blind. To truly understand this event, one must participate.It is perhaps because there has never been another community arts festival like it. Burning Man is a real-life human experiment in creativity and self-expression. There are no celebrity headliners, no Vip tickets, no ten-dollar Bud lights- absolutely nothing can be bought or sold. There are no attendees, only participants who are expected to completely share, be and rely on themselves (hence the crazy costumes and, er, nudity). Burning Man is a celebration of freedom where the participants live out their 12 Tripper Magazine
deepest fantasy as to who they are and how they see themselves within this temporary community. Don’t look to be entertained, because you are the entertainment. Sound a bit too abstract? That’s partly because the whole idea is indeed abstract, guided only by the 10 principles. There are no rules about how one must behave or express oneself at this event (save the rules that serve to protect the health, safety, and experience of the community at large); rather, it is up to each participant to decide how they will contribute and
A burning man structure, the common symbol for a burning man. Usually lit later on, during the night festivities.
Tripper Magazine 13
An aerial view of the desert. As you can see, there is a lot going on, and the festival takes up a large area.
1. Radical Inclusion 2. Gifting 3. Decommodification 4. Radical Self-Reliance P ri n c ip le s o f B u rn in g 5. Radical Self-Expression
10
Man
6. C 7. C ommun 8. Leivic Res al Effort 9. Pa aving Nponsibil 10. rticipat o Trace ity Imm i edia on cy what they will give to this community. The event takes place on an ancient lakebed, known as the playa. By the time the event is completed and the volunteers leave, sometimes nearly a month after the event has ended, there will be no trace of the city that was, for a short time, the most populous town in the entire county. Art is an unavoidable part of this experience, and in fact, is such a part of the experience that Larry Harvey, founder of the Burning Man project, gives a theme to each year, to encourage a common bond to help tie each individual’s contribution together in a meaningful way. Participants are encouraged to find a way to help make the theme come alive, whether it is through a largescale art installation, a theme camp, gifts brought to be given to other 14 Tripper Magazine
individuals, costumes, or any other medium that one comes up with. The impact of the Burning Man experience has been so profound that a culture has formed around it. This culture pushes the limits of Burning Man and has led to people banding together nation-wide, and putting on their own events, in attempt to rekindle that magic feeling that only being part of this community can provide. The Black Rock Arts Foundation promotes interactive art by supporting public art that exists outside the event, and has a special interest in supporting art at regional events. Additionally, Burning Man has over two thousand volunteers who work before, during and after the event (many who work yearround) to make the event a reality.
Night life at Burning Man! Top Left: A sculpture coming to life at sunset Top Right: “Truth is Beauty� figure showing her beauty, along with other attractions in the background. Bottom: A view that shows you scale of the Burning Man figure and that there is lots of fire, and lots of people.
Tripper Magazine 15
Can’t Make it to N e v a d a ? Wa n t t o Participate in Burning Man Elsewhere?
Burning Man Worldwide
The festivals may vary, but the principles are the same.
Afrika-Burn Perhaps the most-well known and largest Burning Man regional outside of North America, South Africans have been ‘burning’ since 2007. AfrikaBurn describes itself as “a participant-created movement, an experiment in inclusive community building, decommodification, creativity, self-reliance and radical self-expression. It is a chance to invent the world anew”. When: May Where: Tankwa Karoo, South Africa
Midburn-Oktoburn Octoburn is the first, only and official Burning Man regional in the Middle East. Held in the desert of Israel, the Midburn organization holds events for fellow burners throughout the year. Check out these super dope videos of Mama Burn and Octoburn! When: October Where: Israel
16 Tripper Magazine
Kiwi Burn Build something, fly something, float something, burn something is the motto for New Zealand’s regional burning man. KiwiBurn started in 2004 and has been burning by the 10 principles ever since. When: January Where: Whakamaru Domain, Mangakino
The Borderland The Borderland, started in 2011, is the Scandinavian Burning Man regional. Sweden, with all its natural beauty, is the perfect location for Swedish burners to share peace, love and artistic expression. When: July Where: Gotland Ring Quarry, Sweden
Locations of Other Burning Man Festivals Burning Japan When: October Where: Tamagawa Camp Village, Yamanashi
Nowhere Burn When: July Where: Northern Span, between Zaragoza and Lleida
Korea Burn When: September Where: Gijipo Beach, South Korea
Burning Seed When: October Where: Matong State Forest, Australia
Burning Flipside When: May Where: Austin, Texas Freezer Burn When: June Where: Alberta, Canada
Tripper Magazine 17