My afternoon in Cotonou, Benin did not go as planned. But an unexpected tour of an L-1011 plus a cultural reckoning at the voodoo market were not the only things I saw in Cotonou. This photo essay recounts my...
Humbled At The Voodoo Market In Cotonou
I thought I was being respectful but it turned out I was being just the opposite. Ultimately, I was left deeply humbled after a visit to the voodoo fetish market in Cotonou, Benin. Humbled At The Voodoo Market In...
Photo Essay: Exploring Lomé, Togo
Early on a Sunday morning, before the sun rose, I was up and ready to explore. The following photo essay recounts my walk through Lomé, Togo. Lomé Togo Photo Essay Just outside my hotel was the Monument de l’Independance (Independence...
Review: United Airlines 737-900 First Class Los Angeles To Denver
I don’t usually write domestic shorthaul trip reports, but thought it might be helpful to chronicle my recent trip to Colorado on United Airlines onboard a 737-900. While pandemic-related service cutbacks continue, the flight felt surprisingly like old times....
Detained At The Ghana-Togo Border…
You would think I might have learned my lesson in Cuba. Or in Uzbekistan. Or in Montenegro or El Salvador. But no, I had to take a picture… This picture, to be precise: Trouble At The Ghana Border Outpost In Aflao...
Overland Journey From Accra, Ghana To Lomé, Togo
I really hated to leave the Kempinski, but around 2:00pm I ordered an Uber and headed over to the bus station. Yes, I planned to take public transport on a 200km (124 mile) journey from Accra to Lomé via...
A Somber Visit To Cape Coast Castle, Ghana
Like visiting a Concentration Camp, my visit to Cape Coast Castle in Ghana was a somber reminder of the depravity of the human race. A Day Trip To Cape Coast Castle in Ghana I hired a driver in Accra...
I Experience The “Coming Out” Scam In Cape Town
A man came up to me on the street. He asked for help. I attempted to help him. But I soon found that I fallen to victim to the Cape Town version of a “coming out” scam…or something like...
My Thankful Uber Driver In Cape Town
Moments after stepping into Robert’s car at Cape Town International Airport, he started pouring out his heart to me. This was not going to be an ordinary Uber ride. A Memorable Uber Trip In Cape Town Robert, who said...
Introduction: An African Adventure As The World Shut Down
As the world began shutting down in March, I found myself in Accra, Ghana. While I considered aborting the remainder of my trip and heading directly home, I opted to remain for a couple extra days and enjoyed an...
A Late Autumn Weekend In Trump Country
In thinking about all I am thankful for this week, I cannot help but to express gratitude for the friendships that have helped me through this most difficult year. And for diversions. Sometimes we just a need a break...
November 2020 Trip Report Roadmap For Live And Let’s Fly
Just a housekeeping post, geared toward my regular readers. As the new month begins, I wanted to check in concerning trip reports. Trip Report Roadmap For November 2020 Trip reports are a cornerstone of Live and Let’s Fly and...
A Staycation In West Hollywood
COVID-19 has been tough, especially in Los Angeles where most indoor activities, including restaurants and gyms, remain off-limits. Throw in a newborn child, the shutdown of pre-school for our four-year-old, and an extremely stressful season in my entrepreneurial career...
Photo Essay: My 10-Mile Walking Tour Of Washington, DC
One reason I spent a night in the District earlier this week was for the chance for a late-night walk through the monuments, something I have not done for a decade. It remains one of my favorite activities and...
Report: My Visit To U.S. Supreme Court In Memory Of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
After a short but poignant private service inside the Great Hall of the U.S. Supreme Court, the casket of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was placed on the portico of the Supreme Court and the public were welcomed...
My Circuitous Trip To Washington, DC On United Airlines
To get to Washington, DC for the RBG remembrance, I could have taken a nonstop trip from Los Angeles to Washington Dulles. But I flew via San Francisco and Newark instead. Wait, what? Allow me to explain my circuitous...
Extreme Productivity: 10 Hours Of Solace In United Business Class
I recently traveled from Los Angeles to New York. For an hour. It’s not like I could leave the airport anyway unless I was willing to quarantine. And you know something? It was exactly what I needed. So while...
My First International Trip In Five Months
The last time I stepped outside the United States was in March 2020. When I left for Africa all was calm. By the time I returned just a week later, everything had begun to change. I recently left the...
Introduction: An Alliance Smörgåsbord To Finland
I should say an alliance voileipäpöytä since the trip was to Finland, but the Swedish smörgåsbord is a more familiar term. Welcome to my next trip report, which covers a trip in late February that included flights on oneworld, SkyTeam,...
From Chicago To Los Angeles Via Newark (ORD-EWR-LAX Report With 767-300 Premium Transcontinental Business Class)
You can read about my outbound trip here. My trip home Chicago could have been easy, a straight shot from Chicago to Los Angeles with an upgrade. But I opted to fly via Newark instead. Why? Social distancing…oh yes,...
