Featured Event: What is Mystery Meet?

What is Mystery Meet?

I am constantly on the prowl for new and interesting experiences around food, and when you throw in an incredible story in there, it makes it even more provocative.

Mystery Meet fits the bill. But what is it? Well, their site states the following:

"We bring together adventurous foodies for a night of social dining at the hottest restaurants. There's only one catch...you don't find out where you're going until 24 hours in advance."

Now, how cool is that? With the trending of people being hooked on social media, and preferring to FaceBook, versus actual person-to-person interaction; Mystery Meet may be just what the foodie world needed. It's not only an exciting concept for the "surprise" element of not knowing where you are going to dine, but there is also the "puzzle" aspect (there are clues supplied prior to the event, so you can try to figure out which mystery restaurant you will be dining); and finally, the coming together of a diverse and eclectic group of people who also share an interest and (hopefully) love for food. I have no problem dining alone; sometimes, I prefer it, but there are times where a meal is so decadent and over the top, that you just want to run around telling everyone you know, about the "best meal you've ever had!"

I mentioned the incredible story, and that is regarding the founder of Mystery Meet, Seth Resler. You can read the touching and inspirational story about his being a victim of a random act of violence, in his November 2012 blog posting. In his post, Seth describes the reinventing of Mystery Meet, as well as his slow and steady recovery from the nerve damaging injuries he sustained during the attack.

Mystery Meet is currently soliciting feedback for a Food Tourism Conference they will be hosting later in 2013. You can take the survey and answer the questions around activities and venues you may be interested in knowing more about during the Food Tourism Conference.

Personally, I am excited about Mystery Meet, and look forward to participating in some of the meets they have throughout the U.S.

*Photo taken by Master isolated images from freedigitalphotos.net

www.chicksthattrip.com

Featured Event: Adopt or Sponsor a Panda Event - Denver, CO

A friend of mine sent me an email regarding this incredible event. If you are able to attend, that would be fantastic, and if not you can still find out more information about this incredible opportunity to Adopt or Sponsor a Panda! What little cuties they are!

DONATE NOW :: ADOPT A PANDA :: SPONSOR A PANDA :: BECOME A MEMBER



Pandas International invites you to celebrate
The Year of the Snake
at our 13th Annual Dinner
Please Join Us At Our Annual Chinese New Year Dinner >>
Saturday, February 23, 2013

The Palace Chinese Restaurant
6265 East Evans Avenue
Denver, Colorado

303-782-0300

Auction and Cocktails
5:30 pm

Dinner
7:15 pm


Silent Auction

Marvelous Chinese Banquet

Up to Date Report on
all of the Panda News

Entertainment

Cash Bar

Enjoy a fun, exciting evening with family and friends
and help support the Giant Pandas!


Individual Tickets $65.00 || Tables $600.00
Various levels of Corporate Sponsorship are available

RSVP:
Visit www.pandasinternational.org
E-mail info@pandasinternational.org
Call 303.933.2365

Make your reservations or purchase a sponsorship now >>

Our goal is to be able to provide climbing structures,
enrichment toys and trees for every panda.

The Giant Panda is one of the world's most endangered species. The proceeds from this year's Chinese Dinner will provide enrichment for the captive pandas. The goal of environmental enrichment is to improve or maintain an animal's physical and psychological health by increasing range or number of species-specific behaviors, increasing positive utilization of the captive environment, preventing or reducing the frequency of abnormal behaviors such as stereotypical behaviors, and increasing the individual's ability to cope with captive challenges.

If you are unable to attend, please
consider a contribution for enrichment.
Donate Online >>





Pandas International is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the preservation of the Giant Panda.
All contributions are tax deductible according to IRS guidelines.
PO Box 620335 Littleton, CO 80123 303.933.2365
PRIVACY POLICY:
We respect your desire for privacy and want to make you aware that Pandas International's e-mail database is used solely for the dissemination of Pandas International's information. We will not sell, trade or share your email address in any way.

Memories are Priceless

Memories are Priceless

There are some people who can go through life; not really living, but, well, just going through the motions. I will agree that life can be hard, but I am a firm believer that LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT - that's why I travel!

Whenever I have my "pity party of one" moments, I pull out photos. Yes, actual pictures that were taken with my old school camera, and throw away cameras I've purchased throughout my years of travel. I pull out varying photos from trips to: St. Lucia, Europe, Jamaica, Canada, Mexico...just to name a few, and I flip through the photos and relive those moments. 

Much like music, for me, when I flip through these photos, I am transported back to that time. If I was at the beach, I can almost smell the ocean. If it is a photo of me on the Golden Gate Bridge during a day where the sky was clear enough I could see miles and miles away, I can remember almost everything I saw that day. Perhaps my memory over enhances my experiences, but it's in a good way.

All of these memories are priceless to me. I know a lot of people do not "get" spending, what they deem is a lot of money, with no real value, but I disagree wholeheartedly. Sure, traveling is not a car, clothing, home, or other tangible items, but it is buying memories and experiences. Going to faraway lands to mingle with other people and living by their customs. Like the photo above, it's driving down a sleepy road in Puerto Rico, and seeing a beautiful horse just chilling on the side of the road. Nothing can compare to these moments, and to me, they will always be priceless.

*Photo taken by That Chick Té

www.chicksthattrip.com

Romantic Travel, Even if You're Single!

There seems to be some misconception by various marketers,  that only lovers can travel to romantic destinations; especially during the month of February...yes, because of the "V" word.

I won't hate on Valentine's Day, but I do have a problem with  the marketing surrounding it, and making those of us who are otherwise unattached feel like we are unworthy of a sexy and romantic getaway, because, what in the world would we do by ourselves?

While I can agree, partially, that there are some destinations that just seemingly lend themselves to sneaking away to nestle with your amour, like Paris; that being said, those same destinations are just as sexy and inviting for singles too.

When I'm on the beach in St. Lucia, or cruising around some nondescript street in Paris, I feel the romance around me, but I don't feel unworthy to be there. It's just as provocative, sexy and fun; even when I am alone.

There are properties that are solely for pairdom (no, it's not a real word, but it's fitting): Sandals, Couples, some Karisma properties; they all revel and market to those divine couples. You see them frolicking happily together in the water; sharing an intimate dinner for two in an elegant restaurant, and strolling hand-in-hand as a glorious sunset sets below the oceans horizon. Good for them! I think couples should be able to sneak away and enjoy one another.

But guess what? There is nothing stopping a single person from experiencing the same, if not similar experiences. I love strolling on the beach by myself, day or night. There is something so soothing and serene hearing the ocean waves rushing up to the shoreline. And dining alone; I have no aversion to that by any means! I've had some of my most fabulous and entertaining dinners when I've been at a restaurant alone. I'm chatted up by an array of interesting characters - male and female. I can tell you that I've eaten at some phenomenal restaurants around the world, and I have been privy to seeing couples dining together, but barely sharing a dozen words between one another. I understand comfortable silence, but sometimes they don't even seem to be enjoying each others company, and to me, that's a shame, and a waste of a delectable meal.

So, during this month, when we will be tortured by jewelry commercials, chocolate ads, and travel commercials depicting couples frolicking together on the beach; just know that you can have all of that too, and more! 

Rincon, Puerto Rico

My short list of romantic places to be, whether you are single or a part of a couple are as follow:

• Paris, France - I think that speaks for itself.
• Santa Barbara, CA - An eclectic, relaxing and romantic place to be whether you are a couple or a single!
• Aspen, Colorado - You can be snuggled in your room with your loved one, or hunkered down in the lodge in front of a roaring fireplace by yourself; either way is an enjoyable and relaxing experience. By the way, don't forget the Irish Coffee or hot toddy to sip while you languish in front of the fire.
• Seattle, Washington - I'm specifically going to call out an establishment. The 'W' in Seattle, Washington is a place I have enjoyed immensely alone, and while traveling with others. Its seductively dark "living room" area is filled to the brim on a nightly basis, and a lot of the people there are single (well, at least when I've been there).
• Jamaica - All you have to do is rent, "How Stella Got Her Groove Back," to know that Jamaica is definitely a place for everyone, and anything can, and does happen while vacationing in Jamaica.
• Rincon, Puerto Rico - Alone, with friends, with a lover; it's just a spectacular place to be.

Viva solo travel!

*Heart photo taken by  Victor Habbick from freedigitalphotos.net. Rincon, PR photo take by That Chick Té

www.chicksthattrip.com