June 2008: The Travel Issue

by ewa brockway, novi

Her story: Ewa Brockway, born and raised in Poland, has been illustrating for five years. As a freelance illustrator she provides high-quality images to a vast range of clients.

Where you’ve seen her digital illustrations: Revolution magazine, Strut

To see more: Visit her Web site at www.EwaBrockway.com and her fashion blog, Eye Candy Bazaar, www.EyeCandyBazaar.com

By the time this issue hits the stands, I might be eating low-country shrimp creole or scarfing down a piña colada cupcake.My girlfriend and I are going on a girls’ getaway to Charleston, S.C. Our backdrop is the annual Spoleto Festival, where we’ll do suitably artsy things, such as see an opera complete with Chinese acrobats composed by the front man for the band Blur. But really, we’ll be shopping. A lot. And eating. A lot more.

Did I mention we’d be eating?

by karen buscemi

The only thing I expected from my husband in the delivery room was to be there. I wasn’t looking for a cheerleader to root me on with, “Almost there! Just one more push!” I didn’t need a play-by-play announcer to inform me, “And the head is starting to crown now, folks. This rookie has preparing nine months for this.”

Truth be told, I didn’t care if he cut the cord, turned and faced the wall or passed out on the cold linoleum. As long as he was in the room with me, I was happy. (For the record, he sat on the couch beside the bed, covering his eyes with one hand.Worked for me.)

However, now that the baby is here, I expect everything.

SOME OF METRO DETROIT’S MOST TRAVELED WOMEN SHARE ADVICE, AND THEIR BEST GEAR AND SHOPS

by ellen piligian and emily hopcian

product photos by rosh sillars

At top: baggalini cosmetics bag, $37.95. Jasmine II Olympia Pullman and Tote, $119, set. Leather Travelpro Luggage tag, $7. Travelon train case (complete with removable 1-quart TSA compliant carry-on pouch, not pictured), $36.50. All luggage this page available at Travelers World, 6253 Orchard Lake Rd.,West Bloomfield, 248.855.3180, www.travelersworld.com

HOW WORKADAY WOES FADE THE HIGHER YOU CLIMB THE EIFFEL TOWER

by leslie carbone

“Is Paris burning?” The subject line of my brother’s e-mail message jolted me from my work.

“No, but it’s on strike,” Greg’s text began.

Paris was facing two of its frequent work stoppages. The cultural workers were striking, meaning that the museums and other tourist attractions were closed. And the transportation workers were on strike, so the Metro was shut down.

With nowhere to go and no way to get there, the City of Lights was “one big doggy toilet,” according to my frustrated brother, who’d been there for a day.

WHY REAL WOMEN NEED REAL VACATIONS

by cindy la ferle

My favorite comedy routine is the one in which Steve Martin blanks out in the middle of a monologue, then beams a vacant smile and informs his audience that he’s momentarily visiting the Bahamas.Martin redefined the ultimate dream vacation – which seems to be the only type of vacation most women can schedule these days.

VACATION ADVICE DOESN’T ALWAYS FLY

by maggie hathway

"I’ve found the perfect place for my honeymoon,”my electrician announced.

He had been at my house putting in lights and rewiring long enough to confide all the details of his upcoming wedding. I knew money was tight, and the honeymoon was to be a few nights somewhere within driving distance.

“Mackinac Island?” I asked. “Chicago?” He shook his head and smiled.

“Gary, Indiana.”

I quickly surmised that this fellow had never been west of Kalamazoo, or he would have known that a city you smell before you see (as unfortunate a trait in places as it is in people) is unsuitable for romance.

WHEN BOOKS, NOT PASSPORT STAMPS, MARK YOUR ESCAPES

by stacey duford

I foolishly began reading The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown while planning my husband’s surprise 40th birthday party. I say foolishly because the planning was a full-time job that I had to hide by the time he came home every day, and I couldn’t put the book down.

VACATIONS SHOULDN’T COME WITH CAVEATS

by sharon macdonell

We’re not going on vacation this summer. I guess we just can’t stomach the idea.Why? Because of what happened last year on Cape Cod, in Massachusetts, where my family stayed for a week.

I had this brilliant idea to go whale watch.My husband and I had been on a watch before, and it was perfectly idyllic. The whales came over to meet our boat and frolicked in the waters, offering dozens of photo-worthy poses of their car-sized tails flipping into the air. The experience was ethereal, one I had to share.

NOTHING SAYS SUMMER LIKE DETROIT’S RIVERFRONT

by sandra dalka-prysby | photos provided by the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy

Clockwise from top: 1. GM River Days and much more will provide additional fun and enjoyment on the RiverWalk. 2. The Parade Company children’s activities at the Little Caesars Discovery Zone. 3. DTE Energy Parade of Lights. 4. Last summer, the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy announced that more than 75% of the East Riverfront – including two plazas and pavilions and approximately 2 1/2 miles of RiverWalk – was finished and opened to the public.