In the last few days more of Samantha's journal entries have appeared upon that section of this website. Now you can read her further thoughts of Quito, Cusco and Nicaragua. There is much to admire in the person who has penned these little essays. (That makes it sound so effortless, but I can imagine Samantha toiling quite seriously over these vignettes of a life on the road). This is no fluff she has registered, but the reflections of insight of a discerning and often whimsical eye (I recall her saying once that was a favored word, and it fits her well) and likely makes the episodes themselves worth seeing anew once they reappear, and you know they will.

I did, by the way, catch up with this week's Costa Rica and Nicaraguan episodes even though I missed the live airings. Strangely, I was in some local dive watching a young compatriot guide, who's off to law school in a few weeks, playing in her band named (let's see if I can get away with this one) - Straight Punch to the Cr*tch. I'm sure you've all heard of them. She is of half Spanish and half Nicaraguan ancestry herself, and one of their songs was about sushi first appearing in Latin America. This all was so weirdly apropos to Samantha's recent journeys that I felt certain I was forgiven being elsewhere that night. But I saw them recorded, Samantha, and your emotional involvement with those places too, which made them memorable in our eyes.

For any who have not yet read SB's PTLA Journals, I recommend you give them a try. They reveal quite a bit about our heroine, and all of it endearing, frankly. I suspect a chord resonates between she and I (and others, surely) because we share similar reactions, if not necessarily experiences, on the road. In her journals she mentions one of these, that being entering into the public area of the airport where families greet returning travelers.

I've grown quite accustomed to entering these areas beyond the secure gates and having no one to greet me there - but honestly, I always hope that someone is there to surprise me. I flew back to the US from Europe in April seated next to a French woman who is an art teacher working on both continents. Her family lives on the west coast (please allow me to be obscure for her benefit). She had been gone for a few months and wondered aloud if her husband and son would be at the airport waiting for her. We all deplaned and I escorted her toward the narrows where the public is prevented from going by scowling men in white shirts. The family saw her before she saw them and were waving madly and calling her. "Is that them?" I asked. The mad dash toward them with open arms was her answer. OK, good deed done for the day.

I recently said it elsewhere, and leave it to SB to say it better. "PTLA is all about people. I write this paragraph at the beginning — with the hopes that you will tune in to this amazing series not because I am in it, but because of the people: the Peruvians, Nicaraguans, Hondurans, Argentineans, Chileans, Panamanians, Ticas, Cariocas, Uruguayans, Belizeans, Ecuadorians, the Andean peoples, the Maya and the Mexicans." And the people are on the other side of the security area, just beyond where the concourse narrows. Maybe someone will be there to surprise you ...

Cheers, Intl Doc

Thanks for the nice little essay of your own, IntlDoc. Samantha's entries often reveal yet more little facets of that gleaming personality, and I hope she has spousal unit or other loved ones waiting on her returns to JFK.

What traveling I've done through major airports has been of a solitary nature so I always know there's no one for me in the huge waiting crowds, but they're still always somewhat uplifting to see, aren't they? (Cue to airport scenes in the movie 'Love, Actually' although I like the Provencal parts with Colin Firth and the charming Portuguese maid best.) For me the final triumph is the happy scene of being reunited with the still shiny little blue Golf out in the Dulles satellite lot and then paying the bandits at the gate to speed out of there and into the Virginia countryside that's often as lovely as anything I've just returned from.

Just firmed up the dates at my (very UN-Samanthan) London hotel off Bedford Square. But IntlDoc, you don't actually buy your pounds in the airport before leaving, do you? I always thought no advantageous deals were to be found in there.

Now back to reading Samantha's journals, everyone, and I'm off to "work" in a few minutes in an unbelievably gorgeous day here.

As always, Samanthas’ journals are enriching to read; giving us behind the scenes information about the episodes and insight into Samanthas’ inner thoughts.

The pounds I buy before I leave are acquired through my bank at home. If I buy pounds at Heathrow, it is at the Barclay's ATM near the car rental kiosks, as it has happened that I wanted to pick up a few extra ₤s before Joanne met me (who always made me wait at the curb so she wouldn't have to park - no homecoming scenes there). Otherwise, the Heathrow Express tickets can be purchased with a credit card and thereafter Brit cash is required for a cab. There are ATMs aplenty in the Kensington neighborhood where I usually stay so cash, once there, isn't a problem either. I've NEVER exchanged money at an airport or train station money exchange; but in Dejardins situation, it was about the only option left open to him as he brought no euros to France (try the Amex office next time). The term usury comes to mind when one examines the exchanges, especially the privately owned ones.

I'll be gone again from Thanksgiving to Christmas this year, having arranged already for the testing services folks at my school to provide my finals, and am trying to figure how to bring the daughter along with me. Should be fun. You are taking the Chunnel to Paris this time aren't you, Capttuttle? We will join you, to be sure.

Cheers, Intl Doc

I would like to thank Samantha for her journals.I sure enjoy them.And all her new shows are just wonderful.Thank You so much Samantha.Love Mary.

It's good to see Mary's presence here again.

I've always avoided airport money exchange places, IntlDoc, but in a medium-to-smaller city such as mine a request for foreign currency in your local bank, even pounds sterling, will get you looks as if you're from Mars in most cases, and not a particularly good rate of exchange, either, I don't believe. So I've been using ATMs right in central London for cash, a joyous and exchange commission-free experience until I tried in Sept. of '05, without success in all but one of many increasingly frenzied efforts, to do so.

When I got back home there was a letter from my credit card (I even tried using one of those for cash at an ATM too) people's Fraud Division telling me some imposter was trying to use my card in London. They seemed amazed when I told them that had been me, just as it had been me who had used that same credit card in London that very time of year well back into the mists of time as their records would reveal. I was then curtly told that I should have informed them first. Evidently these ATMs supposedly available for us to use in 30,000 places around the globe are really just a few dozen in your immediate neighborhood. Where are those nice guys standing by the ATM's in Nicaragua when you need them?

So call your banks and credit card companies a week or more in advance before you go abroad, it would seem. I surely will in a month or so. Now I only hope England won't be under water when I get there. May have to visit that famous Smith's umbrella emporium there after all. And as I believe Samantha has mentioned elsewhere, use the ATMs abroad as few times as possible to save the fee charged for using one of a co-operating bank not your own. They do include exchange commissions as well now, but still are likely to be as favorable as you'll find elsewhere.

And I loved Samantha's latest travel journal entries.

The journals are a great read, both fun and informative. Certainly you can understand a bit more of the show when you find out what else was going on during her stay. Most definately why Samantha said what she did in the opening of the Belize episode.

Captain Tuttle, you may want to see if you can pick up some pounds in a local coin shop. It's hit or miss but worth a phone call.

Good evening, Leia. Actually, I always come back with twenty or thirty pounds so the next time I'll be able to go a good ways before needing the major infusion of cash (and how I wish there could be some debonnaire English gent in bowler hat standing patiently by the ATM changing their twenties for fives and pound coins, too.) And believe me, I'm trying to go cheap this year, but at $2.05 to the pound, well, it's only money after all... And of course the new digital camera to play with this year.

We've had almost New England summer weather down here the last few days, Leia, really quite splendid while it lasts.

And yes, the deeper meaning of the early Belize segment seen after reading Sam's journal sort of falls into place, doesn't it? The many levels of her personality come closer into focus in her writings, too. Not that we're trying to put any pressure on her in her remaining entries, mind you...

Thanks so much for noticing. What started out as something I just did for the fun of it, the Travel Channel is now asking for since it is so popular (my journal now has deadlines! which I have not met time and time again). Sometimes I wish I could just write something like "Costa Rica is so cool, went to a Volcano which was wicked awesome" but that would be a cop out. Thanks for reminding me why it is important that I push myself.

... and with each new journal entry is the foundation of another chapter of your book!

Just trying to be encouraging, SB. It's always wicked awesome to see you aboard!

Intl Doc

PS
Yes, that IS the first time I've ever written "wicked awesome," and likely shall be the last.

Intldoc, thanks for taking a stab at New England sayings. Now to further your education, something that is beyond wicked awesome is pissa or even yet, wicked pissa. This concludes your lesson. Anyone who objects to our caloquialisms shall be tarred and feathered.

Keep writing, Samantha. The stories of your adventures should be published.

I wrote a response just now which has landed in jail like our dear Captain Tuttle has. Please send bread and water.

Oh no, not you too, Leia!

I just read the journals and I have to say I admire Sam even more. I could easily picture Sam running through the snow and ice of New York to find a ride to the airport, and when she arrived at the closed doors of her flight, I felt for her. Oh, they close 15 minutes early? Of course, thanks for the help! No matter that my plane arrived 10 minutes ago. I know what it's like to run like crazy through an airport to catch a flight... at least at that airport they spoke English, not French.

I knew that Sam must have had such an amazing experience at Machu Picchu. I would be unable to utter a word as well. When I go to places that are just so beautiful (i.e. anywhere near the ocean or the mountains) people ask me what I think of it, and I don't want to talk- I just want to be. As I usually have my camera in my hand, sometimes I have to tell myself to just put it down and just enjoy my surroundings. After all, everything looks much better if you aren't looking at it from a 2x2" screen.

I'm glad Sam got to work with some old companeros. I'm sure that was fun, and what a great place to catch up in!

I agree, it was "wicked awesome" to read Sam's thoughts of her trips. It's "excellent!" as Wayne and Garth would say.

Always nice to read the journals, Sam! Keep them coming!

~Kelsey

Kelsey,

You’re so right about letting the whole of where you are sink in. My daughter and I have taken several great trips together and, thanks to John Mayer’s song 3 x 5 – her favorite before our first trip when she was 15, always make a point of putting down the cameras and recording memories. Sitting on the wall above Machu Picchu with her will always be one of best my memories of our travels together.

This is the part of JM’s song we live by:
Today I finally overcame
tryin' to fit the world inside a picture frame

Everyone should! Hope that's not OT

I love Latin America and love it that Samantha Brown does too. Her journals are terrific and I know what a challenge it must be for her to put all the things she has experienced filming this series into these journal entries. Great job!!

Looking forward to another season of PTLA,
Jane

It's an incredibly wise person who knows that exactly the right thing to say is:

nothing.

Intl Doc

I just finished reading the journals. they add a special insight especially when you read them after seeing the episode.

Jane--3x5 is one of my favorite John Mayer songs: "Didn't have a camera by my side this time/ Hoping I could see the world through both my eyes"

I am glad, though, that Samantha and Gideon had their cameras by their sides

Well, on this Samless Wednesday night (I was home earlier today to see some of Turin at least) we now see why Leia was dragged into jail. In the future it appears she should not advance beyond "wicked awesome" in New England local terminology. Seems it's not the actual word we use here, but the word included in the word that can get us into trouble. I once got put in jail here for mentioning the last name of the author of Oliver Twist and Great Expectations. Quite a crime.

The Machu Picchu journal entry is up for all to read, by the way. (I've learned the correct spellings of Uruguay, Ecuador and now Machu Picchu right here, by the way. This is a very educational forum, even if we're living very close to the edge of Danger on it. But it's worth it if it entertains our patron saint).

quote:

Jane--3x5 is one of my favorite John Mayer songs: "Didn't have a camera by my side this time/ Hoping I could see the world through both my eyes"

Boy, here's a sentiment I should learn to live by! (But I love my camera)

I just read Sam’s Machu Picchu journal entry. There’s no way to capture the experience of visiting the Sacred Valley on film, in words … you just have to go there and you’ll understand. However Sam did a terrific job in words and on film!

I loved the account of the thunderstorm in the Sanctuary Lodge. My daughter and I were staying in the Hotel Libratador in Cusco during a similar downpour. It’s a nice hotel built on the foundations of Incan buildings. Part of the hotel is built around the Cusco home and garden of Francisco Pizarro.

The lights went out and we could see from our balcony that it was widespread. We got out our flashlights and wandered around the hotel in the dark. The stones from the Incan construction, the fountain in the plaza of Pizarro’s home, the whole idea that we were treading where so many had been before was unique. Sometimes it’s the things that aren’t in the guidebooks that are special!