Pay for a Night in Prison...

I've blogged about underwater hotels, Italian convents, igloos, and more, but recently I discovered the growing phenom of prison stays. Unlike the brick and mortar setting of most prisons, the hotels offer first class service to earn their 4 stars.

In Boston, get booked at the famed Liberty Hotel, formerly the Charles Street Jail. The slammer was originally home to the most notorious of Boston's criminals for nearly 120 years. In 1973, prisoners revolted over poor living conditions and the jail was officially declared unfit and in violation of the inmate's constitutional rights. In 1990, the last of the prisoners were moved and the hotel soon began intensive renovations to a luxury hotel with a team of designers, architects, historians, and conservationists.

A crime of luxury...

Despite additions and renovations, the jail's original granite exterior and light-filled interior rooms remained in tact. Today, the prison turned hotel boats 90 foot ceilings and central atrium. Jail cells were preserved along with wrought-iron windows, and the former exercise yard a carefully landscaped courtyard.

My first question was whether or not the hotel was haunted. I was convinced enough suffering and mayhem had probably occurred over its 120 year tenure to warrant a few hauntings. According to Massachussetes Suite 101, the hotel was cleansed by monks prior to its opening.
So no known spirit sightings, but I wonder how long it'll take before TAPS to show up and debunk or capture ghostly details on film. Real life details of the Liberty Hotel include 'Do Not Disturb' signs reading 'Solitary', plasma TV's, and mini bar. There's also a small gym, but no spa. Overall, reviews are positive, making each customer feel like a treasured inmate guest.

The Liberty Hotel
215 Charles Street, Beacon Hill
Boston, MA 02114
617-224-4000


Take a tour of Boston's Liberty Hotel...

Barrow, Alaska and the Monster Films that Bring Us There...

When I first met my husband, I thought he was a kind, gentle soul who had a quirky sense of humor and eclectic interests. Then I found out about his vast knowledge of zombies, zombie movies, zombie history, and zombie culture. For example, zombies originated from the island of Haiti. Zombie Island if you will. Apparently they practice so much voodoo down there, it's probable they really are reanimating the dead three or four times a week, selling T-shirts about it, and otherwise holding meetings on what to do with these so-called zombie pests. I envision it much like our rat problem here in New York.

Haiti... Zombie Lovin' Since 1492.

While I was never comfortable with the apocalyptic nature of zombie films, I slowly came around thanks to the likes of Shawn of the Dead and Dead Next Door. And then we saw 28 Days Later, where the psuedo-zombies sprint, jump, run, and otherwise scare the crap out of everyone with their sheer speed. I'm not sure how I feel about zombies not keeping in their conventions of slow walking, muttering, and being completely oblivious.

And so of course my husband started introducing me to other monster-esque films and culture as well including vampires, warewolves, and Italian horror movies. When we heard about 30 Days of Night, we decided to catch it on Movies on Demand, and pretend that Josh Hartnett wasn't in it. Turned out, he wasn't so bad.

The premise is pretty amazing. 30 days of darkness in the northernmost town in North America, Barrow, Alaska, brings a feeding frenzy of vampires. While I'm aware it was based on a comic book, I still didn't like that they used axes to cut off the vampire heads as opposed to good old fashioned stakes. The vampires were also not very hospitable, bursting into people's homes without even being invited first. And then of course the rancid gore and speed at which they fed. What's up with all the fast monsters these days in cinema?

Of course the moment the credits rolled, we both jumped on our laptops to look up Barrow. I'm embarrassed to say I wasn't even sure if it was an actual town. But in fact, it's a thriving little town 340 miles North of the Arctic Circle with nearly 4,500 residents who experience upwards of 324 days below freezing, and 65 days of night. Apparently there's a few hours of dusk each day, but the sun never really rises from November 18th through January 24th. But that means from May 10th to August 2nd, the sun never really sets. While 30 Days of Night paints a bleak, dark, ominous, isolating picture of Alaska, the film Insomnia depicts an even scarier version where the sun never sets all during a murder investigation that brings about paranoid delusions.

Chillin' in Barrow...

So the films aren't accurate, even by a long shot, but I wonder how many people started looking to Barrow and Northern Alaska as a destination vacation after watching blood thirsty vampires ravage the town. To find out, hop a plane to Anchorage, then Fairbanks, and then Barrow. Because there are no roads leading into Barrow, locals drive their cars (I assume to stay warm) around the small town, but must fly or dog sled themselves out.

Tourists come for birding, hunting, whale watching, Inuit culture, cross country skiing, and winter sports. While bumping around online, I found a New Yorker (of course) who was complaining about how bad the food and restaurants were in Barrow. Only a New Yorker could complain about the food in an Arctic town, despite all supplies being shipped in from across the country and being exposed to intense cold, arctic desert winter temperatures. Don't go to Barrow for fine dining.

Tourism is surprisingly alive and well in Barrow with an Inupiat Heritage Center, Wiley Post Will Rogers Monument, Arctic Ocean, Point Barrow, Cape Smythe Whaling Station, archaeological sites, whaling festival, kiviq dance, and Spring festival. A handful of restaurants, hotels, tours, public bus, and taxis can help your winter vacation along. Arctic Tours or Point Barrow Tours for help planning your Arctic adventure.

How do I feel about discovering a town based on an inaccurate story about fictional monsters? I don't see how it's that much different than most of the films depicting NYC as bohemian and/or dangerous, with 20-something year olds living in Soho lofts, Friends living in a West Village apartment the size of a suburban house, and financial dudes in suits running the world.


See more about Barrow, Alaska....

Gowanus Canal - A Story of Sludge

I live on the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, NY. I am now out of the closet about it. Originally, I once lived in a magical, clean and less smelly place called: Carroll Gardens. However, when my husband and I were tired of using our kitchen sink as the bathroom sink and sharing 2 closets that could easily pass for shelf-less bookcases, we started the arduous process of looking for a new apartment. When Craigslist, the almighty New York apartment finder, pointed its almighty ad for a place near the Canal with a deck, washing machine, walk-in closet, and only one stop from every express train in Brooklyn.... we couldn't resist the call.

So I use to respond to "Where do you live?" with "I-live-in-between-Carroll-Gardens-and-Park -Slope." and then quickly change the topic of conversation, lest be subjected to "Aren't you afraid of the pollution?!?!" But now I can relish in saying that I live on the Gowanus, right by the old-fashioned, oddly side-ways drawing drawbridge. It's also quickly becoming a small, delicate, refuge for artists looking to squat or rent for considerably less than the surrounding hipster neighborhoods. We all wait in fear to become 'Williamsburg' stretching across all of Brooklyn with no borders, rhyme, or reason. It also once housed a whale named 'Sludgie' who died a day after getting lost in said canal, and also a seal aptly named Gowanda. May she rest in peace.

So for awhile there was a boat called The Empty Vessel Project, a rescued WWII boat that was drug into the polluted canal. After being fixed up, it offered gallery showings, spoken word performances, and other such art fare. Somewhere along the way, I read a local blog that said the veseel was sold to a lesbian couple for $1, who now plan to eventually host alternative weddings on its roof, art events, and offer lodging to travelers.

I've grown quite accustomed to the magical aroma of the Gowanus. I've also grown to adore the jumping fish (probably mutated), winter ducks (they refuse to leave even when it's 10 below), and the dude who watches movies projected up on his sailboat mast. There is a certain calm and charm to it all and it's quite stunning at sunset. However, I'm not entirely sure if travelers would want to venture down to the Gowanus, an area largely known for looming, empty warehouses, and being squashed between two hipster neighborhoods to which neither the two shall wander. It also appears to be a rather small boat. Will there be showers? A kitchen? A toilet? Or will people just unbutton and aim over the boat?

I'm not so sure about this idea, though it could take some time to come into fruition, if at all. This is the same Canal that developers wanted to transform into a modern, Sopranos style Venice where people would row their urban gondolas down its waters to grab a bite, have a drink, and visit their neighbors. I'm not sure if any of those developers have ever eaten at Monte's Restaurant, where a poster of Prizzi's Honor proudly hangs and every mafia related actor, singer, performer has frequented.

Not sure what kind of Venice it's going to be.

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Alternative Lodging for the Unique Traveler

With travel becoming so specialized for expats seeking out vegan to nudist to high-end luxury vacations, it's no longer necessary to book the same cookie-cutter hotel year after year. I do often opt for cookie-cutter if it's in a great location in town or offers an amazing discount, but for the most part, I like to find cozy apartments, bed and breakfasts, convents, or funky alternatives. Lodging can enhance just as much of your travel experience as your itinerary of museums, theater, hiking, and culture.

Here's just a few resources for those looking for unique and unusual accommodations.

Cave Hotels - Stay in Cappadocia in a real cave... with Internet access!

Convents - Stay in a convent in Italy and enjoy relative peace and quiet, breakfast, and a serene setting at a fraction of the cost.

Temple Stays - Start your vacation with a holy experience among the monks.

Tree House Hotels - Stay in a treehouse cottage from Alaska to Hawaii to Papua New Guinea.

Underwater Hotel - Scuba dive down to the main lobby and sleep underwater in a former research station.

Europe's answer to a countryside RV Park - You can rent apartment style RV's in the European countryside and participate in organized activities with other guests. Some will even let you stay free if you're willing to check it out as a potential real estate investment.

Youth Hostels - You don't have to be a youth, or even young. I've stayed at hostels with 80-something year olds. You can opt for cheap, bunk-bed style lodging, or a private room. I stayed in South Beach in a hostel and paid about $15 a night, 2 blocks from the beach.

Home Swap - Swap homes with someone in another city or even another country. You could be brave and find a stranger via Craigslist in the temporary, sublets, or vacation section. Or consider using an agency. Make sure to have a signed contract and see lots of photos of where you'll be staying.

Lighthouse Hotels - Hit up the New England area and stay in a quaint lighthouse, usually bed and breakfast style.

Couch Surfing - Stay on someone's couch for free. Read your couch host's reviews and get recommendations before you go.

South American Ranches - Embrace your inner cowboy and cowgirl on an Argentinian ranch.

US Dude Ranches - Dude, a round-up of more than 100 ranches in the US.

New Zealand Home Stay - Stay in a house or farm in someone's home and get an authentic, insider's perspective.

Haunted Hotels - Get creeped out by things that go bump in the night.

Ice Hotel - Entirely made of ice and snow in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden and also one in Montreal. Very cool.

Igloo Hotels - Just in case Ice Hotels aren't interesting enough, you can stay in an igloo instead.

Houseboats - Amsterdam and beyond, stay on a houseboat and be one with the water. (Might wake up wondering why you're laying at a complete slant)

University dorms - Universities all over the world frequently rent out rooms to travelers, usually only during summer months. We stayed in one in Edinburgh and paid nearly half of what we would have gotten just two blocks away. The room was tiny and the bathroom rather uninspired, but it was comfortable, clean, and quiet with free breakfast.

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