Get Me Out Of Here!: The Most Efficient Air Carriers At DIA

Denver International Airport

Have you ever rushed to the airport, frantically maneuvering through the ever daunting gauntlet of security, and finally sprinting down the concourse like O.J. Simpson in one of those old Hertz commercials, only to discover that your flight has been delayed.  This unfortunate tragedy happens way too often to unsuspecting travelers. If it has happened to you, then I would be willing to bet that you have wondered which airlines are usually on time and which one will have you stuck waiting around those monotonous airport.  Well, I cannot vouch for the whole nation, but I do have the 2012 statistics for Denver International Airport (DIA).  Last year, DIA had over 25 million eager travelers passing through it's gates on over 230,000 flights.  Of these flights, by far the most punctual airline was Sky West (a subsidiary of American and US Airways) which was on time or early about 62 percent of the time.  It was followed up by Jet Blue with a 47 % rate and Frontier Airlines with 44%.  Finally, the airline with the most delays last year at DIA was Southwest Airlines with an abysmal track record of 36 percent.  Now you might be wondering about those dreaded cancellations.  Well, last year there were 2,457 flights that were cancelled at DIA and most of them took place in the late winter and early spring.  Not surprising since March and April are Denver's most snowiest months.  I hope that these statistics will shed some light on the efficiency of some of the major airlines and will help you in making your future travel plans.

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Sari, But Can't You Make A Friend A Better Offer?

My Wife Dressed Up In A Traditional Sari

     The last time I was in Jaipur, my wife Maggie and myself went to the Sanjay Bazaar.  We were in search of some handmade textiles to bring back to the states for several family members.  For those who do not know, Jaipur is the epicenter for amazing homemade fabrics, especially silk, at bargain base prices.  So as we walked through this exotic market place, we came across this enchanting little shop that only sold textiles.  As we entered this tiny store in the middle of the bazaar, I was immediately overwhelmed by a kaleidoscope of colors.  The place was chalked full of the most beautiful fabric that I had ever seen.  They had a bounty of silks scarves, cashmere blankets, and an assortment of unique fabric in every color possible, and many of these bolts were decorated with the most incredible designs imaginable.  The owner of this humble establishment kindly asks us to sit down and have a fresh cup of chi tea with him.  Here in this exotic city of Jaipur, a shop is treated like an extension of a persons home, so it is essential to be respectful while you are looking for that all so important gift or souvenir.  As a whole, shop keepers in India are extremely inviting and just so full of hospitality.  As you can imagine, a shopping experience here is not a quick in and out ordeal, but rather a more intimate affair. 

  When our tea is poured for us, we strike up a pleasant conversation and get to know a little bit about one another.  This is typically done in order to create a relationship of mutual respect for the buyer and the seller.  This way nether of the individuals will try to exploit the other one in the up coming negotiation.  We talked about our home towns, our families, and about India in general.  So after or conversation and a spot of tea, our host starts to bring out merchandise for us to peruse.  This includes several elegant bolts of silk.  These delicate pieces of material are endowed with the most intricate of designs.  Our host carefully explained how his wife and daughter hand print each silk with precision.  They take a hand carved wooden block and dips it into a variety of organic dyes.  These dye laden blocks are carefully placed upon the fabric and are pressed down into the cloth.  This allows for the dye to permeate the material and for the image to be placed on it.  This technique is repeated over and over again in order to create these intricate designs that even a Maharajah would be proud of. 

     After my wife picked out several pieces that she could not be without, we began the bargaining process.  Bargaining in India is not only commonplace, but it is expected.  All of the prices that you will encounter are negotiable, and the locals really enjoy exchanging offers for goods.  To most, this is the ultimate game, and they love to come out on top.  To be successful in the world of Indian bargaining, you need to start by making an offer around 50 percent of the asking price.  The dealer will in turn, make you a counter offer.  You should again make a lower offer, usually somewhere between your offer and the new one that the shop keeper just made you.  Then the shopkeeper will counter your offer with a new one.  This will continue, until you and the shop keeper have come to a consensus.  If all goes well, you will walk away with the goods you wanted at a slightly reduced rate and the shopkeeper will make enough profit to keep his business thriving.  When we finally left the store, we had bought a bolt of green silk for my sister-in-law to make curtains with, a shawl for my mother-in-law and a traditional sari for my wife.  Shopping in India can challenging, time consuming, and always involves some sort of bargaining, but it is also a great way to learn about the amazing culture of India and it's remarkable people.

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India, The Land Of Contradictions Redux

A Tuk Tuk In Front Of A Road Side Diner

     As I ride through the streets of Jaipur on a tuk tuk, I cannot help but notice how much this country epitomizes contradiction.  India is a land of extraordinary beauty and extreme filth.  It has one of the fastest expanding economies in the world and yet it possess one third of the worlds poor.  It is a wild, exciting, and truly unique experience for westerners.

     For anyone who truly wants an adventure, try a tuk tuk ride in Jaipur.  A tuk tuk is a three wheeled taxi with an engine no larger than a lawnmower.  They have no sides and no seat belts and roll through traffic at surprisingly fast speeds (around 45 mph).  Thus, if you fall out of one these little green and yellow vehicles, than your more than likely heading to the morgue.  Look on the bright side, you only live once, right!  Unless your a Hindu like the confident and highly skilled driver maneuvering you through the throngs of chaos, that is Indian traffic.  As we slip through the thick but ever moving conglomerate of compact cars, motor cycles with whole families jumbled upon them and bicycle rickshaws hauling massive piles of textiles, I am shocked to see an old fashion camel drawn cart pulling about twelve flat screen televisions on it.  Then I realize that this is India, a place where you see brand new Dell stores full of men in suits buying the most cutting edge technological gizmo's on the market and yet there is a tarp covered shack in front selling the best naan bread that you will ever eat in your life.  This is a place where if you are in need of hair cut you head to a street islander, where a guy has placed a rickety chair and a small mirror in front of a banyan tree and is ready for business.  This is a place where road construction workers consist of women in elegant dresses and thousands of dollars in gold jewelry carrying large dollops of concrete on their heads.This is a place where homes are impeccably clean and yet you have piles of trash everywhere.  The trash men employ pigs and goats to eat up the almost endless supply of garbage.  This is a land where orange clad Hindu priests, who are covered from head to toe in ash since they have not bathed in months since their last pilgrimage to a Varanasi, are talking on cell phones on the side of the road.
This is truly a land of contradiction, and a place where you will find unique surprises on every block.

     So as I sit back and listen to the honks of the cars (every time a car passes another one they honk to avoid collisions) as they carefully swerve around a cow meandering through traffic, I cannot help but realize how modernity and tradition are constantly clashing in this exotic part of the world.  It is an amazing experience, to go half-way around the world to visit a culture so unfamiliar to my own and see how these individuals live.  I truly believe that India is not for everyone, but only when we step out of our comfort zones and try new things can we truly have the most unique, meaningful, and life altering experiences of our lives.

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July's Letter From The Editor

The Amber Fort, Jaipur, India

    I am often asked, what is the most unique or exotic place that I have ever visited.  I almost always emphatically answer, Jaipur.  This Indian city is an amalgamation of underrated beauty and organized chaos.  "The land of Maharajahs" is a land full of adventure, mysticism, and intrigue.  This month we will focus on the desert jewel that Indians call Jaipur.  Along the way, we will climb to an abandon palace on the back of an elephant, and take a jaw dropping ride through this wild city in a tuk-tuk.  We will also bargain for textiles in a traditional market as well as visit a cutting edge astronomical observatory.  Finally, we will continue our Great Itineraries Series with a detailed look at this remarkable city.  So from all of us at The Thrifty Adventurer, we would like to bid you Namaste!

Christopher Morrison
Writer and Editor of
The Thrifty Adventurer

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Top Of The World: Trail Ridge Road

Alluvial Falls In Rocky Mountain National Park

    As a long time resident of Colorado, I have seen some truly remarkable sites, but for me, nothing can rival the sheer majesty of Trail Ridge Road.  It takes you from the lush forests and peaceful meadows to roughed peaks and formidable tundra.  Here you can truly see the Rocky Mountains at there best.

     Trail Ridge Road begins in the touristy, but fun town of Estes Park.  This is a great place to stock up on supplies, to shop at one of the many souvenir shops along the main drag, or you can enjoy a succulent elk burger in one of the cute little restaurants that permeate this well visited town.  Once you get your tourist bug worked through, then head into Rocky Mountain National Park.  This massive park (415 square miles) is home to over 72 named peaks 12,000 ft. above sea level, including the legendary Longs Peak (14,259 ft.).  As you wander through this majestic park you will quickly realize that over one third of it is above 11,400 ft. in elevation.  So be prepared for cold climates, high altitudes and unpredictable weather.  In fact, the last time I traveled to the top of this amazing trail, was in June and it snowed on me.  So always be aware of the constant changing climate.

     As you begin your ascent to the top of the pass you will stumble across spectacular waterfalls and pristine lakes.  This is a wonderful opportunity to spot white tailed deer, big horn sheep and the ever impressive North American elk.  In fact, if you come here in September and October you can hear the male elk's bugling to attract female.  It is truly a sight or more appropriately, a sound to behold.  Besides these massive land mammals, Rocky Mountain National Park has a large population of black bears, mountain lions, wolves, foxes, coyotes, eagles, hawks, and so much more.  In the last couple of decades, The Department of Wildlife has began to introduce lynx, wolverines and moose back into this incredible woodland.  So after you have spotted several of these amazing wild creatures, head higher up.

 

     As you increase in elevation, you will notice that the trees begin to get more and more sparse as the views become even more spectacular.  In the sub alpine area of the park, the drop offs are vast and you can view the valley below.  These picturesque views points can provide you with some real perspective on how high you are up and how far you have traveled.  As you proceed up the road, you will emerge in the alpine tundra.  This is a land that is covered in small plants and brightly colored flowers as well as cool breezes and patches of snow that last the year round.  Here you can see adorable yellow-bellied marmots scrounging for food and see massive glaciers slowly eroding the mountains before your very eyes.  For those who do not know, this is the highest paved road in North America and once you finally reach the summit, 12,183 feet above sea level, you will feel like you have reached the absolute top of the world!

     Once you have taken that last picture at the summit, begin your decent to the bottom.  As you head west, you will drop dramatically in elevation.  Within a five mile stretch you will literally decrease your elevation by 2,000 feet.  Besides the intense drop of in elevation, it will also place you on the other side of The Continental Divide.  This means that every drip of water that you will now encounter is heading to The Pacific Ocean, instead of east towards the Mississippi River.  You will now find yourself back in a thick woodland.  This is the place to look for moose.  These incredible animals were once hunted to extinction in Colorado, but due to The Department of Wildlife, they have made a remarkable comeback.  Nowadays, there are several hundred moose found in these thick woods.  So as you continue your journey down this legendary road, keep a lookout for these massive and majestic animals. 

     Finally, you will arrive in the cute resort town of Grand Lake.  This is a wonderful place to grab a bite to eat, and reminisce over the sites and experiences that you just have witnessed.  Most visitors to Trail Ridge Road will tell you that this is more than just a scenic ride into the mountains, but is a chance to see some amazing things and provide you with the opportunity to experience what the Colorado Rockies are all about.

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The T.S.A. Actually Has A Brain!

     I want to personally thank The T.S.A. (Transportation Security Administration) for coming to their senses.  As my devoted fans may recall, a few months ago I went on a rant about how insane The T.S.A. was for allowing knifes of six inches or less on board commuter flights.  My concern was for the safety of passengers around the world.  I was worried, because these blades that they were going to allow on commercial airlines, were longer than the ones that were used in the 911 tragedy, and who would ever want a repeat of this horrific event.  I am a realist, and know that terrorists will do whatever is necessary to accomplish their devious goals, but why give these individuals any unnecessary ways to cause chaos and destruction to innocent bystanders.  I know that this is a small matter in the fight against terrorism, but I am so relieved to know that The T.S.A has finally come to their senses, and has decided to keep the status quo on their original policy. Thus, there will not be any knifes of any type or size allowed on commercial planes.  This is just another way to keep the bad guys from doing horrible things to unsuspecting travelers.  So again, I would like to commend The T.S.A. on this great decision and the work they preform on a day to day basis. 

My original article about knives on a plane:

http://thriftyadventure.blogspot.com/2013/03/knives-on-plane.html

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Aspen: It's Not Just A Playground For The Rich And Famous

  When people think of Aspen, they typically envision "the good life".  You know, wealthy heiresses cruising around in luxurious European sports cars and beautiful people sipping on glasses of chilled Dom Perignon in lavish ski chalets. And you would not be too far off the mark on that. Aspen is home to some of the most wealthy and influential individuals on Earth, but it also has a more casual side. This week we will be highlighting activities that just about anyone can afford. This way even a person on a budget can enjoy this delightful piece of Rocky Mountain paradise.

     So for a person on a budget, what does Aspen have to offer?  Well, you might be surprised, because there is a plethora of inexpensive and even free activities that the whole family will really enjoy.  If you are into the whole shopping experience, then Aspen is the place for you.  From Coach to Rolex to Versace, they have every high end store imaginable, and of course it costs nothing to do a little bit of window shopping.  If you do not have a trust fund to blow on the newest handbag, then checkout The Aspen Saturday Market.  This fun, open aired market, features locally grown fruits and vegetables as well as specialty foods, adorable handicrafts, and live music.  Speaking of live music, Aspen is home to The JAS Festival (Jazz, Aspen, Snowmass).  Here you can see some of the biggest names in music perform live.  If you are in town during the summer months and are up for some free music in an idyllic location, then take the gondola to the top of Aspen Mountain.  Every Saturday and Sunday they have free concerts, at it's summit.  What could be better than listening to some good music, while taking in some breath taking views of the valley below?  If you are interested in developing your inner core, then partake in the free yoga classes held daily at the sun deck.  For those art lovers out there, swing by The Aspen Art Museum to see the latest works on exhibition.  Here you can view some cutting edge work from around the globe, and not have to spend a dime to see it,  If you are a history buff, then take the Aspen Walking Tour.  It can give you a unique perspective on how this little mining town has been transformed into a magnet for the worlds elite.  If you are in search of some serenity, then head down to The John Denver Sanctuary at The Rio Grande Park.  This is without a doubt, the most tranquil place in this vibrant town.  For those of you who do not know who John Denver is, he was a legendary musician and a long time resident of Aspen.  He was heavily inspired by the majestic mountains that surround this great town, and you can see them for yourself as you head just outside of town on Highway 82 thru Independence Pass.  This stretch asphalt does an excellent job showcasing what Colorado is known for, spectacular rock formations and a sea of Aspen trees as far as the eye can see.

     If you are in need of refueling, then you are in luck, because Aspen is a foodie Mecca.  There are over 100 restaurants within Aspen's city limits, and they have something for every type of pallet and pocket book imaginable.  These dens of culinary delights can range from an elegant Michelin rated dining experience to an amazing little hole in the wall that would make Guy Fieri proud.  In fact, the best sandwich I have ever had the pleasure of consuming was at Johnny McGuire's Deli.  This quirky little dive, is immensely popular with the locals and with incredible flavor and reasonable prices, how can you blame them?

The Free Iron Willy At Johnny McGuire's Deli

 

     So for anyone who says that Aspen is only a playground for the extremely wealthy, I would adamantly disagree with them and suggest that they take a closer look.  Aspen has something for everyone and any budget.

For Johnny McGuire's official site:

www.johnnymcguires.com/aspen/

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