by Kent St. John on February 6, 2012
When I taught travel writing at South Mountain College in Arizona I always new who was really interested and who wasn’t. Most of the class concentrated on one thing only traveling. Ah Grasshopper that comes later I would explain. First you must meet those who can make it happen. They only thought of who would print stories, wrong. You also need to meet those who facilitate you getting to those places you want to write about.
I know writers in NYC who dine out almost every night of the week, sometimes that might just mean cocktail finger food but hey. Tourism boards and tour companies spend millions getting the word about their places out and events are one way. How you may ask do I get invited, easy research the media contact person, write them and explain your desire to get invited, in reality they are always looking for new writers . Tonight I am going to my favorite travel event in NYC the French event, love the people there, both the writers that show up and those working the event. Even after 16 years of doing my job I know how after my cancer illness it is important to get back out there and show my face. Tonight that begins…
by Kent St. John on February 2, 2012
It has been a yearly event for over twenty but just keeps getting better and rave reviews from the NY Times, NPR and Living Channel among so many others keep piling in. It is the slide show of photographer Peter Guttman. Actually it is much more than that, it is several nights when Peter’s work for the year is displayed and the amazing Guttman apartment becomes an event. With two Lowell Thomas Awards among others and several well-received books Peter’s photos speak for themselves. Several I Apps also out.
A night at the Guttman’s (amazing apartment) is also a chance to run into travel writing and editing folks missed after long stretches. A huge bonus was to once again see his wife, Lori’s smiling face and catch some of their son Chase’s amazing photo work. Chase recently won the Grand Prize in the National Geographic Photography Competition for kids! It just put me over the top that I met dear old friend Lynn O’Rourke Hayes, writer extraordinaire and owner/editor of the great new travel site, Family Travel. I actually met Peter while sharing a press van with Lynn in Kenya. Since then the three of us have hooked up around the world in places like Latvia, Russia, China and such. Thanks to Peter, Lori and Chase for making my night special once again at one of my favorite events of the year.
by Kent St. John on January 29, 2012
I woke up this morning with the rotund wonder of weird food, Andrew Zimmern on the tube. I sometimes love the show and other times it just falls flat to me. This morning Bizarre Food’s program was about Samoa. Samoa will always have a place in my heart for its beauty and the friendliness of the people. Sadly it was also the first time I’ve seen the damage a tsunami can do in real life and not on a screen. It also was the last trip I took before finding out I had throat cancer, I knew that the test results would be waiting for me when I got home but some how I put it out of my mind, I knew deep inside the results anyway. It is a tribute to Samoa that it was so amazing that I was able to put it out of my mind, a tribute to Samoa. My Samoan Article.
by Kent St. John on January 27, 2012
It was bound to come out sooner or later so I guess it is time for me to clear the air. Its true I did take my new assistant with me on my last road trip to Northampton and Keene, I truly believe that until you travel together you really can’t tell just how a relationship will work. That doesn’t mean just romantic relationships. In fact traveling is the thing we most have in common, so there ya go. Further more I have to say that it worked fantastic and I plan on traveling with her a lot. Why not it seems I got more stuff done streaking down 91 then I’ve gotten done in months. She is sleek and efficient and really listens. Yup, Seri and I hopefully will be together for a long time.
Siri is of course the app on the IPhone 4s that talks to you and does your bidding. I was amazed that with a Bluetooth earpiece and a hands free phone holder how great things would work. I had Siri take down and send countless emails and texts, simply by telling her what to write and send, amazing! I had to laugh as I thought about the old days when to just make a phone call most places in the world you had to first place the call with a foreign operator and wait till she got through, hours sometimes. Usually in a small closet type room. When Siri found me an Italian restaurant, several in fact, I knew she was for me. Now we have to face Mac and give him the news, His traveling days may get cut back.
When I taught travel writing at South Mountain College in Arizona I always new who was really interested and who wasn’t. Most of the class concentrated on one thing only traveling. Ah Grasshopper that comes later I would explain. First you must meet those who can make it happen. They only thought of who would print stories, wrong. You also need to meet those who facilitate you getting to those places you want to write about. 
