XO / One Laptop Per Child - as you may know, I'm hauling one of these modern marvels around with me all summer thanks to the generosity (and curiosity) of my uncle Marc. It's a handy tool, very compact, and very capable given its limitations. However, despite my uncle's insistance that it's a "total chick magnet" I can assure you that my experiences with it to date have not been so productive. As Marc will tell you,Location Location Location. So here's the wisdom: being different, unique, and creative is great, but not necessarily when going through airport security. a few times the XO has been met by jovial luggage searches who fall for it's adorable demeanor, but more often than not suspicion and doubt are my primary returns when people ask me, "what is it?" Even more odd, I understand what they have to be afraid of, maybe more so than they do. The fear is that someone could pack a real bomb into a fake laptop cover and thereby get through security because computer casings/batteries are x-ray proof (or whatever0. Due to its size,the XO is no threat, but imagine taking theminiaturized XO components and putting them into a standard laptop casing. It would create a laptop that would function when queried by security, but also have loads of extra (shielded) space for munitions, sharp objects, etc. I'm no Tom Clancy, but surely someone else thought of this already. Anyway, being polite has gotten me through so far, but it's a good reminder than cuteness and novelty aren't the panacea all the time.2. Overnight travel (with total apologies to Dmitri Martin)
Overnight plane - awesome.
Overnight bus - crazy
Overnight train - crazy awesome.
Overnight boat - ??? Let' find out!
3. Checked luggage, even at a premium, is a darn nice luxury. Likewise,planning overnight stop-overs mid-flight is a rather good way to get a glimpse of another major Euro city you wouldn't otherwise have time for. But here's the nugget - don't combine these two treats, or at least if you must, prepare yourself by transferring all your necessary daily goodies to your daypack.4. Every country is the best country according to the people who live there, or at least according to the English speakers who are willing to waste time conversing with tourists. Expect this, and avoid the obvious follow-up questions about why or how. you won't get interesting soundbytes or even a rational conclusion.
5. Exchange rates aren't that hard to figure out, but once you have 5+ currencies rolling around in your pocket, it's time to consolidate. To you, a .20 Estonian Krooner might look a lot like a .20 Yeni Turkish Lira or a .20 Lat, but to the vedor across the counter you just became their gateway to the third circle of international business hell, and they are not going to let you off easy. Interestingly,they're always willing to do the exchange anyway, and keep whichever .20 they want.
6. Eurocup football is pretty darn awesome, and all the more so when you can watch it with local fans. So far I've been able to do this inGreece (hometeam lost to Sweden), and Turkey (home team lost to... Romania?). I'm watching now in Estonia, and luckily they don't have a team in the running. Still, it's a good year for non-western teams, so we're hopeful. If I realy get on the ball,maybe I'll incorporate a link to Eurocup on the page.
7. Even a mundane life can and should be lived like an adventure. more to come on that one after some further pondering.
the weber has spoken (from the lamb)
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