Samantha Brown Tag Feed for 'samantha brown'

Montreal

Samantha Brown — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:33:03 -0400

Last time I was in Montreal was when I was 13. It was a business trip for my father and we all tagged along. I don't remember it that well except for one very vivid memory. My parents bought me a really cool outfit that was mustard yellow and charcoal grey. It was a sophisticated ensemble that would betray any New Hampshire Mall purchase and make me stand out in 6th grade.

Montreal is a dead ringer for Europe and we are visiting at a time when due to dollar/euro conversion rates more people are looking for European alternatives. The two are so similar that even though flight time from NY to Montreal is a whopping two hours with no time change I still feel tired. I have phantom jet lag triggered by European architecture and the smell of cigarette smoke.

Being a more international city the sport of choice here is Cricket. Well, that is of course after Ice Hockey. We head to a playing field on the outskirts of the city to join a league already in play. My attention is completely distracted by a homeless kitten that has wandered out of the bushes and has begun to play with whomever will give her attention. The players are concerned with the little kitten getting walloped by the ball and chase her away others show no sympathy and just want her to go. It's a totally heartbreaking scene. Christina, my stylists, is bound and determined to get the little girl a home. My feelings are torn -- where's the mother? Will mom cat miss her baby when she doesn't come back? But working at an animal shelter I know that kittens and puppies get adopted and then those animals are fixed and that helps stop the cycle of homeless animals. Christina has convinced a lovely cricket player whose girlfriend has a little girl (what better way to win her over than with a kitten?) So our work is done. As we were leaving we see another little kitten come out of the bushes. Ugh.

samantha brown montreal canada cricket kitten

Colorado

Samantha Brown — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:20:19 -0400

In Colorado, I was buried in the snow in a mock avalanche rescue drill to teach dogs how to find people who may still be alive. Kevin from Breckinridge dug out a very nice cave in the snow so that when I laid down in it felt like a cross between a tanning bed and the egg in Mork from Ork. Once in, Kevin started piling the snow up to close up the opening completely. I heard him ask on his walkie if the dog Lucy was ready but she wasn't, in fact she was about twenty minutes away. I was told I would only be in this slightly claustrophobic situation for five minutes. So there I lay. I am sure when someone is truly caught in an avalanche and buried alive under snow their thoughts tend to be of the more serious kind: death, leaving of loved ones, things never done. Mine were more of the what should I order for lunch? Hamburger and fries? The chili in the bread bowl -- a ski resort staple? But after ten minutes I found myself getting cold so I started to do sit ups just like I did back in Ely Minnesota while camping out on the ice I found that the shivering to death really made it hard for me to get a good night's rest. Doing sit-ups to keep warm while lying on ice once in your life is an experience but twice?

I am really loving this episode. I love the winter and winter sports. I ski, snowboard and snowshoe and I will be able to take advantage of all that while here. On Friday we head over to Copper Mountain where I get to join the ski patrol as they re-create the coke commercial everyone knows and loves by skiing down the mountain after dark with torches. There's of course some trepidation on the Copper Mt. part about my safety but luckily there has never been one on the side of the production company who loves to see me in all manners of danger just to get the "realness of the situation" but I'm not worried, I'm a pretty good skier and there's nothing like two fire arms one in each hand to keep you upright. It's when they light the two torches at the top of the mountain that my own internal light goes off and I realize that good skier or not this is my first time down a mountain in three years and I'm not sure just how rusty I am.

The feeling of being on the top of a mountain with only blackness around you, no sounds and a steady frigid breeze is absolutely thrilling. Once all flares are lit a great noise generates thru the crowd of a hundred or skiers and it's away we go. With no light you feel the mountain under your feet more. Thru a waxed ski and hard plastic boot the subtle changes in the slope guide you, I soften my knees to let the earth do most of the work and I stop fighting the fact that I can't see a whole heck of a lot accept for the slightly darker shadow the ski lift and its thick as sequoia trees support poles -- I make sure I always know where that is. It's a great feeling. Glad I signed the waiver.

samantha brown colorado ski patrol copper mountain

Dallas

Samantha Brown — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:54:35 -0400

Back in Dallas. I say back because I was born here and even though I only lived here for a year and therefore have no recollection of it at all I still consider myself a little yellow rose. I have been back to Dallas a couple of times and I always enjoy it mainly because the people here a bigger than life and what the cityscape here lacks in personality the people more than make up for.

My day off falls while I am in Dallas and I am told by the hotel staff of the Katy Trail which sort of cuts thru the city on what used to be a raised railroad bed. I head out and what a little jewel this trail is that takes you passed small croppings of bamboo forests and lilac bushes all the while keeping you safe from traffic. Its such a lovely jog I outdo myself and run a lot further than I usually do, my muscles are already starting to ache and I just think "oh no" I'm sure the Texas wardrobe is going to be of the high-heeled kind. It could be a long shoot day tomorrow.

One thing we know we have to do is to create a "what I would have looked like had I grown up in Dallas look." Christina comes beyond prepared and fully passionate about my outfits. She shows up with two sexy leopard print dress, Lee Press On nails and enough hair extensions to outfit the entire Dallas cowboy cheerleading team (who turned me down, but I don't want to talk about that). Okay I will. When I was a little girl I had the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader poster and I would just stare at them and their uniforms and wish upon wish that I could be one of them. Remember the TV Specials where we got to follow the ups and downs of a few girls as they pursued their dreams during the yearly tryouts? It ended with all of them at the first game doing a dance routine to the song "If my Friends Could See Me Now."

But apparently no one but a bona fide Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader gets to wear the uniform. I wanted so badly to show them my resume which would read something like this:

Pussycat Doll
Sang back-up with Reo Speed wagon and Styx during a concert
Worked out with the Marines
Cut a song with Vince Gill
Spent day with a New York City Rockette AND wore the famous Santa Suit
Got a Pitching Lesson with John Smoltz and the Atlanta Braves

For some reason none of THESE people, franchises, brands.... WHATEVER had a problem with it. Oh well, at least now that I don't have to bare my midriff, I can have a big juicy steak...followed by an ice cream sundae.

We had a very long day that put us two hours behind. This became a problem since it was at the end of the day that we were going to create "Dallas Sam". But none of us wanted to call it quits even the fellas. Damion on sound and Alan on camera were like, "This has to happen." Poor Christina worked for a solid hour clipping in hairpieces and curling them individually to get the look. We did this in a small back room of the shooting club we were at. I didn't want to look in a mirror to watch the process I just wanted to see my transformation in one complete instant.

When she was done I looked and I didn't even recognize myself. The long hair completely changed the look of my face, and then there was the bright blue eye shadow, the fake plastic nails, the garish shiny animal print dress. It's like we did a makeover in reverse. The guys were stunned and none of us could stop laughing as we tried to film what we could in the dying sunlight. We went back to our hotel and people looked at me with such disgust-I think they thought my profession was slightly different then it was. When it was time for me to take off "the look" both Alan and Damion came over to me and asked if they could get their picture with Dallas Sam. I was like sure! Then It hit me...I had been working with Alan and Damion for a year and in that time did they ever ask to have a picture with me? Nope. I was like, now I know what look men prefer. And I ain't it. I hope no one in Dallas finds offence with Dallas Sam. It was an exaggeration to be sure; we were having a blast with an old perception perpetuated by one of the greatest shows on television. Of course I am talking about Dallas.

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Santa Barbara

Samantha Brown — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:05:00 -0400

Santa Barbara Blog I love Santa Barbara, how could you not? It's devastatingly good-looking with its mountains and oceanfront. I arrive and do what I always do at a destination: head out for a jog to get some exercise and take in my surroundings. I get back to my hotel, shower and head out to a nice-looking restaurant nearby that had a great menu and wonderful wines by the glass. When I walk up to the host she says she's sorry but the kitchen is closed. I look at my watch. It's only 9:30! She didn't seem to think that was a strange time to close everything down. Oh well, I can tell by my level of perturbness that I am cranky because I am really hungry so instead of looking for another exciting menu I decide to go right next door and have a bowl of soup and a beer.

First up, I try out being a Zookeeper for the day at the Santa Barbara Zoo. I helped feed the Gorillas by measuring out 100 grams of both sweet potato and cantaloupe for their snack. Only 200 grams? I eat more than a Gorilla!

Then we see the giraffes. The giraffe has a 15-inch tongue. After feeding the giraffe about 100 treats, it then started licking me. It's over a foot long tongue coming out like a lasso hitting my shoulders, head and chest. Tough to speak to camera when you're getting a tongue lashing!

Later, at the Plow and Angel we drink a 160-dollar margarita! I couldn't get bartender Chris to divulge the recipe which is so highly secret that he was flown to Mexico to learn how to make it and then sign a confidentiality contract.The cocktail was out of this world and the price definitely kept my usual two-drink maximum to one.

Our dinner scene for Santa Barbara is at Cold Spring tavern. At first you can't believe your eyes -- it looks like it's been around for 100s of years. Almost. It used to be where the stage coach drivers for wells fargo would rest and have a good meal. It feels like you've stumbled upon an old frontier town with log cabins and a mill.

Next door to the restaurant is a pretty wild bar, after a half a beer I end up asking a man over 30 years my senior for a dance. He knows how to two-step like nobody's business. After dinner it's dancing. We go to the Stateside Lounge for some Salsa dancing, thankfully before the official event begins there's an hour's dance lesson. After about 20 minutes I realize my new shoes are killing my feet. They are sexy strappy deals, they look great but in reality they are like tight nooses around my feet, the thin layer of leather cutting in deeper and deeper with every turn. At least I have a really good excuse for dancing badly. One margarita at the bar and I am now pain-free.

Next on the agenda: get a Polo lesson. This should be good. I am terrible on a horse, sometimes quite frightened and now I get to play a sport on top of one of them. Polo looks hard and it is hard. I have a problem letting the weight of the mallet follow thru to the strike. My main issue is that I don't won't to mistakenly whack the poor horse. I actually didn't do too badly at Polo, and I was able to forget my fear being on a horse since I was more consumed with hitting the ball.

In Santa Barbara I found my new sport! Paddleboarding. Basically you are standing on top of what looks to be a very large surfboard and you move with a Paddle. Anyone can do it after about 20 minutes of instruction. Pretty soon you are out on the bay soaking in a great view of the Ocean.

It's odd looking out and seeing other paddleboarders, it's striking in that it looks like people are walking on water.One of the challenges of my paddleboarding is that because of a scene that we have to shoot right after, I can't get my hair wet. My whole crew and I place bets on whether or not my skills are up to the task. The fellas don't think I can, but both Christina and I know that I will do anything not to have to re-style my hair.

There were a few moments where the wakes from other boats passing by almost knocked me off my board but in the end … I won.

And while shooting on the main street I ran into my old friend Jim Dubinsky whom I haven't seen in almost 10 years! We both moved to NYC at the same time and started waiting on tables at a now defunct restaurant called Perretti's. We couldn't believe we found each other again without the help of Facebook.

samantha brown santa barbara paddleboarding polo salsa dancing margarita zoo keeper gorillas

Sundance

Samantha Brown — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:37:05 -0400

I have a day off and it's a glorious 40 degrees and blue sky. Alan, Damion and I want to put in a half day of snowboarding at The Canyons but we hear the conditions are hard, not a lot of snow and we all are worried we are going to injure ourselves the day before we have to work. Man, we are sooooo lame.

The crew goes into downtown Park City, while I have no desire to shop so I head up hill to where the homes are. I find some beautiful trails. I must look strange hiking these trails while holding a purse.

Ate lunch at a great local spot called Karleens. Homemade soups, salads and baked goods. It's such a local establishment that the same people who are sitting next to me are also in the pictures that are posted all over the walls. I am listening in on the town gossip right now.

I got to experience bobsledding at the Olympic Park here in Park City. Anyone can do it. You just have to want to go 80 mph dropping 40 stories in 53 seconds. I didn't secure my neck so my helmeted head kept bouncing from one side of the sled to the other like a pinball. Pure adrenaline rush.

Next up: An afternoon with Sarah Hendrickson. At 14 she's the youngest member of the US Ski team. She goes off the 120k jump soaring like a bird. At 14, I was just worried about boys.

Brought the crew to my favorite lunch spot, Karleens. While talking to the owners, Karleen and her daughter Niven, I find out that they are letting in only locals beginning tomorrow for Sundance. You have to show a ski pass, library card or no entree. They have even hired a 300 lb doorman to make sure everything runs smoothly.

We ask immediately if they wouldn't mind going on camera and giving us a locals perspective. Niven was fantastic and she even gave me the password so I can gain entrance for the next few days. Of course, I can't tell you what it is.

There really is no attitude at Sundance. There's a huge bouncer outside a gallery holding a party. Alan asks if he wouldn't mind doing a little scene with us where I get turned away. He says sure. Cameras rolling and I go up to him, he points me to the young woman with the clipboard, I give her my name and she says YES, you're on the list. "I am?!" We fill her in on what we're doing, she laughs, says no problem. Take two! Bouncer show's me the young lady with the clipboard who this time says "sorry, you're not on the list." The big bouncer echoes her statement and points for me to leave. While I'm walking away I hear "Excuse me is there a problem?" It's the party's publicist and I'm thinking I just got her front door people in trouble for going on camera with us. Instead she doesn't see the camera but wants to make sure I know I am invited to go in. Is rudeness, snobbery and a pervasive feeling that I am cooler than you too much to ask from people?

Allstate Insurance is a godsend to us -- they have let us use their conference room in their office as a resting place. Sundance is packed and being able to sit, use the bathroom, and change wardrobe is such a luxury. Thanks Allstate! Nothing endears me more to people than providing comfortable bathrooms.

I also helped hand out fliers for a documentary called Afghan Star. This is a TV show in Afghanistan just like our American Idol. The difference is that singing there, one is risking their life because of the old Taliban beliefs.

I feel privileged to be able to talk to Doaud (the Ryan Seacrest of Afghan star). First time out of Afghanistan and he's into the frenzy of Sundance. He tells me that the mountains and climate of Utah remind him of his own country. What he wants most is for Americans and people abroad to realize that Afghans are just like everyone else.

We are at an event and just heard that Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch and Kristen Wiig are on their way. They haven't showed up and now we have to leave.

Stella party next. Free sushi and beer -- who cares I haven't had any celebrity sightings.

Ahhh just got my picture taken with Efren Ramirez (Pedro from Napoleon Dynamite). Now, all my dreams have come true!

Long day shooting. Shooting cocktails and other venues of media frenzy is unbelievably exciting and completely exhausting at the same time. After a full on day, Ginny my producer asks me if I want to cancel the early morning scene snowboarding. No way, I have been looking forward to that more than anything.

Being outfitted for a snowboard and gear at the Oakley House. Had a chance to talk to Alan Cummings. We have something in common; we both hosted the Conde Nast Traveller Awards. But Alan then tells me that they gave him a trip to Costa Rica as a thanks. I guess I didn't do that well, but then again do I really need another opportunity to travel? A trip home, that's what I would love.

We just finished shooting the Happy Hour for Slamdance (alternative film festival) where we were told Ralph Macchio would show up. He didn't and I was pretty disappointed. He was my first really big crush since Outsiders and Karate Kid. I used to sign all my notes passed in class "Stay Gold." I loved him so much that it hurt because I couldn't understand at 14 how I could feel so much for someone when they didn't even know I existed.

I went into a separate room to take a break, and close my eyes for a bit when who should walk in and sit right next to me but RALPH MACCHIO!!!!! I just sat there slumped in my chair not knowing what to do next. Alan and Ginny creep into the room and motion if I want to approach Mr. Macchio on camera. I give them the dirtiest look like they are my parents embarrassing me. I decide that I just can't go up to him, what if he is mean? My inner 14 year old would never be able to recover from that.

The crew is packing up the gear and we are getting ready to leave, I swallow hard, turn back into the room and walk up to Ralph Macchio and say hello. I honestly have no idea what I said to him but he was as gracious and genuine as you could hope someone you have always admired to be. I really regret not getting a picture of the two of us.

samantha brown sundance sarah hendrickson afghan star ralph macchio film festival park city utah

Maui

Samantha Brown — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:11:46 -0400

The episode in Maui has an added twist: make everything as eco-friendly as possible. I also have the added fun of turning the camera towards my crew to shed a light on our collective bad habits of a production crew that aid in the deterioration of this earth. This is going to be fun.

As a production crew we are really just a walking garbage dump, the amount of waste we generate has never been lost on us as it literally piles up in our minivans before us.

Every morning we all come out with our cappuccinos in the cardboard cup with the wraparound snuggie. There is a tower of Styrofoam containers with cold half-eaten egg sandwiches and hardening ketchup.

We all have our own favorite snacks that all come in single serving packages: nut mix, cheese, energy bars, and cookies. Then there are the energy drinks: Gatorade, vitamin water and canned high-octane espresso shots. I should also mention the special vanilla mocha coffee beverages that are the equivalent of liquid candy.

We all agree to cut down our impressive variety to just the essentials: water and Gatorade.
To cut down on waste we agree that instead of buying two cases of bottled water we buy big gallon jugs and refill thermoses. Instead of individual packages of nut mix, we all agree to dip our dirty hands into one super large bag.

Christina has taken on this challenge like nobody else. She reached out to only eco-friendly designers and they were all thrilled to lend us clothing, shoes, purses and jewelry. The selection is amazing and I can't believe how far this industry has come to making things that are easy on the earth AND something you actually want to wear.

EVEN my make-up, hair products: shampoo, conditioner, volumizer and (gasp) hair spray are made with the protection of our environment in mind.

First up on the itinerary: We start with a snorkeling scene with Dr Richard Murphy, a marine ecologist, who began working with Jacques Cousteau in the late 60's.

He is a fascinating and passionate man and I love how he describes to me how coral reefs work like self-sustained cities, in which each creature playing its part. Some fish are the doctors, others like sea cucumbers provide garbage pick-up.

I am excited to get to spend time with this truly remarkable person until I have to get into the water, which for some reason I am more nervous than usual. I really am embarrassed by my fear and I always think each time I go in it will lesson but it sticks with me.

We go in the water and I am all right for a while but then I start to feel a panic attack coming. My mouth piece feels like it has those butterfly pieces of plastic the dentists assistant rams into the sides of your mouth to take the x-rays, that are never covered by insurance, making the whole miserable experience something you have to pay for.

I actually start to choke then hyperventilate underwater. Part of it is fear, the other total humiliation as children nearby me are as comfortable as the fish themselves.

Back on land and I could really use a stiff drink. In keeping with the theme of the show I promise to recycle the empty bottle.;-)

Every word Dr. Murphy says is enlightening but one thing in particular wakes me up with a cold slap across my face. The sun block we are using for our own very important protection is killing the coral reefs. The solution: biodegradable sunscreen. At least there is something we can do about it.

Second day: Its 3:30 AM and we are headed to the other side of the island to Mount Haleakala, my favorite volcano in the world. It's really a showstopper and if you head to Maui you have to see the sunrise at 10,000 feet. It hurts getting up that early but the payoff will be great.

The sunrise was even more beautiful than we imagined and one of the park rangers herself a native Hawaiian sings ancient chants of gratitude towards the sun and earth.

We are shooting the road to Hana, which I have done a number of times, but this time I am going on a bus. I am not one for bus tours but more people sharing a ride means a lighter load on old mother earth.

We get to Hana and have one of the most incredible meals at Hotel Hana Maui. Everything served was grown here. The fish was caught from a fisherman who leaves from a spot you can actually see from the table we are sitting at. Amazing.

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The Carnival Cruise

Samantha Brown — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:07:21 -0400

Joining me for this cruise are my friends Pete, Kinga, Liz, her husband Dossi and my Mom! You may remember Liz from other Great Weekends episodes such as Miami. And she'll be in an upcoming New York City episode! This being Liz's third time should officially gives her "recurring role" status.

All of my friends met when we all moved into the same building. We were all new to the big city, scared, overwhelmed and poor. The best of friendships are made in those times.

Is there anything better than spending the night dancing? The whole crew gathers in the 70's Dance club and after a round of margaritas and mojitos we all hit the dance floor with our best interpretive dance moves. We also have dinner with the Captain and his crew. All my friends were hoping we would get to sit at the Captains table. We are all from the Love Boat generation and there are just some things you can't let go of.

We begin our day in St. Thomas with a Gondola ride to the top of Paradise point for a great view. Of course there's an outdoor bar selling a nice selection of frozen drinks. A sign says they serve the famous Baileys Bushwacker. Its only 10AM, but when the group sees that it is served in a cup in the shape of a gondola we have to have it. And by group I mean my friends, mom and crew. So I ordered one drink with 12 straws. It was very good.

Beans, Bytes and Websites. Great place for an espresso and a respite from the mall-at-Christmas like atmosphere that is St. Thomas. We all really enjoyed the warren of passages called Royal Dane Mall with its old stone warehouses and oversized Dutch doors. At the Royal Dane Mall we visited Dave Hill's gallery (a very talented home grown artist with a surprising artistic range) as well as the Belgian chocolate factory which has incredible homemade organic chocolate. The unanimous favorite: dark chocolate filled with a walnut ganache in the shape of a walnut.

We all agreed the Butterfly Farm right at the port of St. Thomas was a perfect way to end the day on the island. Shopping can wear everyone out and simply following butterflies for a half an hour does wonders for your mindset.

Our next stop is Antigua. My friend Pete and I are going ATV'ing. The fact that there is more goats on the island than people makes me like this place already. Pete didn't put any sunscreen on his hands, (neither did I for that matter) but his blew up like two red balloons.

Our next stop is the one I have been looking forward to all week. We are headed to Virgin Gorda, known for its dramatically rocky coast. What makes it so stunning is that the rocks are larger-than-a-house boulders that the earth blew up billions of years ago.

It's raining! Actually it's pouring. What a bummer to be in the Caribbean and have the weather be all gloomy. Both my director Richard and AP Ben are British. They comment that it figures it would be raining and overcast once we made it to the BRITISH Virgin Islands. Welcome home boys.

To get to Virgin Gordo we take a 40-minute ferry from Tortola and by the time we get there the rain has stopped. Hundreds of people have decided to do the same thing we have and the atmosphere feels less paradise more airport terminal.

We walk down a gorgeous nature path to get to the famous beach. Best thing yet is that there are no crowds. We find out later that there are two ways down to the beaches and we took the much harder route. Worth it, in my opinion.

Close to the last day, I discover the best food on the cruise. There was a Tandoori buffet on the side of the ship that I missed five days straight. Fresh steamed fish, perfectly roasted vegetables in aromatic spices. Best yet there was no line while next door the hamburger, French fries and fried chicken nugget buffet was always packed. I love great food!

We had a great time learning how to be in the Junkano, a 200 year old tradition from Africa that involves elaborate costumes that take over a year to make. Arlene was our passionate guide and owner of Educulture. We are all somewhat toasted from the sun and a weeks worth of shooting. My need to just lie and stare at a beautiful beach is, I admit, squelching my excitement to learn anything cultural at this point. But Arlene's passion and excitement for her Bahamas fills us with a vitality we all haven't felt in a few days.

Our trip is winding down we are all sad that the cruise is over and our re-entry into reality is about to begin.

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Get the Samantha Brown Widget!

Travel Channel — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:16:34 -0400

Stay up to date with the show! You can grab this widget and post it on your MySpace page, Facebook page, on your own site or even iGoogle. The Samantha Brown's Great Weekends widget is updated weekly with the upcoming episode photos, sneak peek video and Sam's blog posts about each location. Don't miss out!

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Boston

Samantha Brown — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:23:38 -0400

First up, it's the Italian Festival in East Boston. While we are shooting all things Italian, our contact becomes audibly upset at me when I go over to the deep fried Oreo cookie stand. "I don't want that in the show, " she says. "It has nothing to do with being Italian!"

I try to make light of the situation by reassuring her it's just a light moment not meant to take away from the focus of the festival. "You should only show things that are Italian," she said. So we head over to where I am going to learn how to throw pizza dough in the air. Only issue is our pizza maker is from Mexico and doesn't speak English. I tell her that's okay I speak Spanish, but of course our lovely lady of publicity does not want that to happen because, you guessed it … it's not Italian.

This is one of those days where I could really go off on a producer. They have signed me up to be in a sausage eating contest. I have an Italian sausage maybe once a year and it's also close to 100 degrees out which alone feels heart attack inducing.

I sometimes have to remind them that I am in fact a real person, not some cartoon that's forever getting caught up in antics.

The pre-contest time is actually quite fascinating as I get a chance to talk my fellow contestants, a couple who do this professionally. My first question is how to you train for something like this -- cocktail wieners? The answer is lettuce.

I now have gotten great advice from a real pro on how to keep my throat open like a snake devouring a rat to allow the most amount of food to go in. Good to know. Surprise, surprise I come in last, which I have absolutely no problem with. Time to change and do something I'm exceptional at: enjoying a cocktail.

Night ends at the Eastern Standard, a great restaurant with a busier than Disney World bar scene. It's easy to see why. In a city known for the most famous bar in the world where beer is the favorite drink, Eastern Standards cocktails are quite possibly the best I have ever tasted. Each one is (aside from the liquor) made with homemade elixirs and juices. A range of cocktails are made for me for my tasting, my favorite hands down is the Cuban, an incredibly refreshing drink that takes away all the pain of one miserably hot day.

I'm really excited about the next morning's Yoga session. I will be doing Yoga at my friend's studio, Sadhana. Glen and I became friends in high school and have remained in touch since. Even though we are good friends it is still rather strange when he touches my behind to adjust my spine. Does this mean you're taking me to the Prom?

Next up: Kelly's Roast Beef on Revere Beach. I love sitting on the boardwalk watching the planes take off from Logan airport. It's around 4:00pm right now so every once in awhile we catch a 747. Watching the sky's version of the King of the Road is a mystifying experience, even as it's in mid air, that something that massive can fly. I also love daydreaming for just a few seconds of its destination. London? Tokyo? Beijing? Even while I'm traveling I dream of travel.

Boston is a city that you have to see from the water, it's such a peaceful perspective that really allows you to take in the whole cityscape. I'm learning to sail, something I was a bit apprehensive about which has a lot to do with my strange fear of being in water -- sometimes it can carry over to when I'm on it as well.

After sizing up my instructor Dave who is not only excellent, but has a calming presence as well, he shows me the ropes. What's really cool about sailing on the Boston Harbor is that you are sharing it with all different kinds of vessels historic and modern, yacht sized to full on barge (just a wee bit scary), but a thrill none the less.

After sailing, I'm in the Boston Common getting a lesson on how to be a member of the Dragon Dance. I had no idea how much physical strength and stamina is needed for this. Usually these groups are men, only putting added pressure on this all female troupe.

Next on the itinerary: Learn how to swing. I love to watch swing dancing and imagine what it would be like to twirl and jump and shake your finger in the air like that. I finally get my chance; there are some really great dancers on the floor tonight. I'm not completely feeling confident when a gentleman dressed in a Navy sailors uniform asks me to dance. It starts out fine but then he becomes the "swinganator " and is whipping me around so fast I feel like I am dish towel in a washing machine.

He's swinging me around so fast I can't figure out how to make him stop, vertigo almost starts to set in and I am praying that my director sees my terror and stops it. I look over to signal for help and what do I see but my entire crew laughing at me. Nice. Boston, a city I love turns out to be one very difficult shoot, mainly because of the unbearable heat wave. Some episodes are just harder than others.

One thing's for sure I am spent. I am definitely ready for a little breather.

samantha brown boston sailing eastern standard italian festival yoga dragon dance

Chicago

Samantha Brown — Thu, 28 May 2009 12:05:55 -0400

Chicago is one of those cities that has it all: great food, a famous music scene, shopping and just to rub it in -- a beach. As a New Yorker I find it hard to contain my jealousy as I jog along the lakefront watching Chicagoans lay out in the sun, play beach volleyball and swim. But then I remind myself that they have only three months of nice weather ;-)

I stopped at a great neighborhood bar called the Map Room that serves over 200 types of beer that represent thirty different brewing styles. I feel at home because it's called "a travelers tavern" you could taste a world of beers without ever leaving your stool.

Moto is one of those restaurants you can't believe exists. Chef Homaru Cantu is a chef/molecular scientist/modern day Willy Wonka. Moto is one of the few places in the United States where you can experience molecular gastronomy. Which is a mad scientist approach to cooking to challenge the way we perceive and eat food. One thing is for sure this is a lot more fun than the ubiquitous male's club steak house. No offense but how much 15 dollar creamed spinach can you eat?

I get to join them in the kitchen, which is equally a lab. I help make a dessert that captures grapefruit juice in a solid sphere form that bursts in your mouth with an incredible flavor.

And I helped cook a rather large piece of meat with a blow torch.

Chef Cantu has an incredible sense of humor one of my favorite dishes is tuna tartare wrapped in seaweed to resemble a cigar that is then laid in an ashtray with salt and pepper made to look like discarded ashes.

We stayed at the uber stylish James Hotel. It's a great location right next to all the shopping but what makes me really happy is that Trader Joes is right across the street.

Next up -- Critical Mass. Critical Mass is an organization that promotes bicycles over cars. Every month nearly 2,000 cyclists come to the downtown area where the police close down the streets to automobiles.

Many cities across the US have their own critical mass -- it's a great event and the energy created feels wonderful. I am always happiest on a bicycle -- I think it just goes back to being a toddler when I got my cherry red tricycle with streamers on the handlebars.

Not everyone in critical mass is channeling her inner four year old. While shooting a man keeps driving by our cameras yelling *&@# the media!!! Our soundman James keeps yelling back "we are not the media!" But that doesn't deter our chummy anti-establishment guy from doing more laps and yelling more expletives at us.

While I am standing with my bike on the sidelines waiting for my crew to catch up with me a women goes by, points at me and yells "I hate you, your show *#@+'s!!

I yelled back "oh yeah, well your Bicycle *#@+ 's!!! (I'm kidding I really didn't say that) but I did think to myself how can you be in a bad mood on a bicycle?

I have been working with Christina (my stylist) for two years now and I just got mad and yelled at her for the first time. As we were crossing the street she was texting on her phone. I was like, "YOU CAN'T DO THAT! NO ONE IS THAT IMPORTANT! If I EVER see you do that again so help me …" I have also started scolding her for not drinking enough water and not using an earpiece for her phone.

Then it was time for me to perform improv on stage at Chicago's famous Second City. It's with their new students on their experimental stage but I really don't think I have been this nervous in a long time.

I used to do improv a lot in college and was apart of a sketch comedy group in my early years in NYC. I love it but know that being able to improv is like a muscle that you have to keep in shape. Right now I am the comedic equivalent of a couch potato.

I think I held my own, but I won't be going on Second City's professional stage anytime soon.

After we were finished my soundman James Demer confessed that he thought I was going to bomb.

We end the Chicago episode doing my favorite thing: the River architecture tour. This will make it my third time and it never gets old. That's probably because I have terrible memory retention and don't recall what I learned the last time.

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Big Island Hawaii

Samantha Brown — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:05:06 -0400

I remember from my days of traveling here that The Hawaii National airport has outside gardens. This is perfect as I always crave breathing Real god made air, I don't care if it's muggy air, rainy, frigidly cold just as long as it hasn't been pumped thru a system, recycled for our breathing enjoyment.

The Hawaii National airport is special as most of it is exposed to the outdoors. The planes are right there and you could touch them as nothing is blocking you from doing so save maybe the length of your arms. Palm trees frame the open breezeways and it's highly common to see large palms and other tropical flora frame the large plans like Air Canada (I bet that plane is really happy) although it is scheduled to leave for frosty Vancouver in an hour. Anyway the greenery surrounding the plane acts like a large lei around the fuselage and you can't help thinking that this is what airports are like in paradise.

When I make it to the Big Island door-to-door I have been traveling for 16 hours and I am beat. It's funny how not moving can just wear you out.

When I walk into my room I see that I have a balcony that is almost out over the ocean. There are lights pointing into the water and as I go to unpack, something in the water catches my eye. There's something really big in there. I go out onto my balcony and what I see makes my eyes well up with tears it's so beautiful. Five giant Manta Rays swimming around. They're doing loop d'loops and showing off their white bellies. Sometimes they'll tip to the side like a plane in an air show. Their wing span must be 6 feet and as they come up out of the water to feed I can see they have the friendliest faces. Watching them you are totally in awe of these creatures and at the same time as delighted as watching puppies play.

I spend the next morning with Danny Akaka, who I have had the pleasure of working with many times in Girl Meets Hawaii and Great Hotels so it's really wonderful that he is a part of Great Weekends as well. He is a Hawaiian treasure who makes it his mission to pass on the spirit and History of Hawaii to all who visit. He also knows all the words to "How do you solve a problem like Maria?" from Sound of Music. Falsetto voice and all.

One of the best parts of this trip is seeing Mauna Kea, considered the tallest mountian in the world. When measured from sea level. Altitude sickness is an issue since we'll be climbing 13,000 feet and will lose about 40 percent of oxygen. We'll also be going from 87 degrees with a lot of humidity to just above freezing and completely dry. We are all really excited about what feels like a good old fashioned school field trip.

We watch the sunset at the top of Mauna Kea. Absolutely beautiful! From this view we can see Maui and the top of the 10,000 ft. Volcano Haleakala.

Ever blow a Conch shell? I got to try at the Luau at Kona Village. I've never been able to do this and thought that this time was going to be no different. But for some reason my first attempt I was like Wynton Marsalis and blew a note that even made the Conch blower impressed. Even my camera crew was taken a back and we just all stood around sort of stunned. Of course when I had to do it in front of 100 people. Nada.

When I come back to my room the next night the Manta rays are not there. I wait. Then go back to wash my face. As I go to turn on the TV I glimpse down and see one of them. I literally jump up in the air and yell Yay! Like I'm 8 and have been told I get to ride a pony. I go out onto my balcony and this time I tell them hello and how nice it is to see them again.

I now think I am becoming too attached to the Manta Rays. I start to get excited to see them when I put my key card in the door. It's like they have become my pets who greet me when I get home. (Whenever I come home, I will first hear my cat Fiona jump off the bed before she runs up to me) I love it but when I don't see them the last night I think it's an Omen. And I'm right the next two days are awful with bad news all around. I miss those manta rays.

samantha brown hawaii big island manta rays mauna kea volcano haleakala conch shell

Atlanta

Samantha Brown — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:43:19 -0400

This weekend is all about doing it up in high style in Atlanta. Atlanta is a city I have been to more than any in the world and yet not really. I have connected thru it easily a hundred times but have never stepped foot in it. At the airport it was very strange leaving thru the gleaming glass doors instead of running to the B terminal.

Starting our shoot at the Georgia Aquarium. I had no idea that Atlanta has the largest aquarium in the world and holds 3,000 fish and by fish I mean sharks, manta rays and whale sharks -- four of them to be exact. This is reason alone to go to Atlanta for the weekend.

I actually get to scuba in the largest tank in the world (they don't like to call it that) we enter the room that puts you above the aquarium. Picture an entire football field of water -- the size just overwhelms! You can look down and see the massive picture windows and the people pointing and staring.

I'm looking down into the water and see this magnificent shadow moving slowly like a large cloud that will block out the sun. What in the world is that?!? I ask. "It's the Whale shark, it's 22 feet long."

I'm a human blob right now so mired in conflicting emotions. I am scared, really scared of going in the water -- especially since my view gives me a good look at the Hammer head shark that's cruising around. But this is an opportunity of a lifetime. People who scuba their entire lives never enter waters this teaming with sea life.

If the hammer head wants my job, he is definitely in a position to do something about it. The Aquarium is aware of my fear and they send two other divers to make sure I remain alive to fulfill my Travel Channel contract.

What a feeling!!!! Once in, I felt very calm. At one point my guide points behind me and motions me to turn around to see what's coming behind. I shake my head vigorously no! then begin a mild panic attack that sends me up to the surface of the water.

Just then one of those 22 feet whale sharks pass under me, they swim at the surface so I literally had to grab my knees so I wouldn't be standing on him.

There are four of these Escalade sized mammals so they come by as frequently as a city bus. Now I'm not nervous any more just thrilled.

You don't hear them approaching underwater all of sudden they are a few feet below you and eclipse your view. I was so close that I would have to suck in my stomach to avoid its dorsal fin.

I thought I was totally in the zone and completely passed my anxiety until two 5 inch snappers zipped right up to my face and I screamed. I looked towards the big exhibition window and everyone was looking at me! The other divers told me it was the loudest scream they had ever heard.

Dinner scene is at one of Atlanta's favorite restaurants Rathbun's. Keith Rathbun is an intimidating large man who beat Bobby Flay on Iron Chef. He's also a total sweetheart who is excited to have some fun. We stage our own Iron Chef completion and use the patrons as judges. Watch the show to see if I win!

Next door is Keith's other establishment Krog Bar. What a gem! Incredible wine list and tapas menu and the atmosphere made me feel like I was back in Sevilla, or Valencia. A don't miss spot for sure and a real surprise in the city of Atlanta.

Then I spend the day with the Altanta Braves getting a pitching lesson from John Smoltz (who later went on to the Red Sox).

Its a little nerve racking when we do things like this -- meeting big time sports celebrities while having to learn to pitch which is considered one of the most difficult actions in all of sports -- or is that hitting a baseball? Yeah, I think I have that wrong. Hitting a baseball is more difficult than pitching ... tell that to my right arm.

John Smoltz turns out to be a gentle giant and because of the camps he runs himself for kids he's able to teach me pretty quickly.

I got a little over zealous with my throwing and nearly took out my camera man, Rory. He ducked at the very last moment. I like to keep my crew on their toes by showing 'em who is boss once in awhile.

I find out that some of the other Braves want to know what my marital status is. Apparently they want to set me up with John who is now newly single. With both our travel schedules it would never work. That and I am married. I found this to be very flattering though. John is not just a pitcher, he's a catch;-) Bad joke, I know.

I have done a lot of challenging activities while on this show but what I am about to do next is causing me more fear than when I competed in the rodeo.

I have to be in a fashion show and walk the catwalk. Ah geez.

The Fashion show is a part of Fashion Week in Atlanta, it's called HauteLanta. Very clever. I am to be modeling a dress made specifically for me by the wonderful designer Maria Harper. We sent my measurements to Maria and in one day she made me a GORGEOUS black party dress, devastatingly flirty and I feel like Audrey Hepburn in it. I LOVE IT. And most importantly I get to keep it.

Back stage at the Hautelanta -- CHAOS! It's a tornado of fabrics, make-up, hairspray and models with legs for days (then there's me -- stubby) all over the floor are those boob enhancers that look like raw chicken breasts. What we women do to impress.

Thank goodness there is nothing but pandemonium backstage, there was no time for me to get nervous for walking the catwalk. One second, I'm being sprayed with hairspray like I'm a weedy lawn and the next I'm in wings listening for my cue -- Billy Jean by Michael Jackson.

I got a very robust round of applause -- that gave me a lot of confidence. Now I have to rock out gold lame Daisy Duke short shorts. Again, I think I would rather be competing in a Rodeo right now.

At Varsity, a hot dog and hamburger joint that's been around since 1928! It's a Drive in as well, just park your car and the Car Hops will come out and take your order. Some still sing the menu like they used to when Nipsy Russell was a Curb man. You may want to avoid after a Georgia Tech game. With a parking lot that fits 600 cars and a restaurant that fits 800 people, you can imagine it gets pretty crowded.

I end the night by clubbing at Opera. It's a great space that used to be a beautiful theater with balconies overlooking a proscenium stage. We are really excited as a crew because this is a wrap of the episode. Tomorrow we just have to pack up and go home.

After everyone had a glass of champagne we all looked at each other and said - let's get out of here. My whole crew and I are like an old married couple. We all know we are tired and just want to go to bed. The boys have hours still to pack up their gear.

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Charleston

Samantha Brown — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:47:00 -0400

The theme of my Charleston weekend is to face my fears. One biggie is getting on a horse. I'm only scared to get on a horse when I am on camera. Unfortunately that seems to be the only time I get on a horse. Horses don't understand "takes," they can become very jumpy when a camera is angled towards them and they definitely don't like any fast and sudden movements which is exactly how a shooting crew has to move in order to capture the horses. So there's a lot of conflict of interest.

We are at Middleton Place Hounds to shoot a Drag Hunt which is exactly like a fox hunt but no killing of a fox. I would absolutely refuse to do something like that. Drag refers to the fact that a scent is dragged thru the countryside and the hounds simply chase the scent. Much better.

Before I even get on a horse I am introduced to a nice young lady who immediately asks me to sign an insurance release. Now I am a bit fearful. As soon as I get on the horse, who was picked because it's "a total sweetheart" (I have found all horse owners are like parents who think their children are the most well behaved), Dave on sound picks up the boom mic abruptly which sends the horse up on its hind legs ... with me on it. Right now I am in the saddle of my fears.

I have never taken a drink on camera for my nerves but when I saw they were passing around Sherry, I downed it like it was a shot of tequila. A very nice gentleman sees how I am holding my reigns and tells me that if perchance I should fall off the horse (say when it rears up after having seen a boom mic) that my hands would become tangled and I would be dragged along side the charging horse. Is there any more sherry?

The drag hunt is over and it was a lot of fun but now I am dripping in sweat and my hair having been under a helmet would make medusa turn to stone. Its 6:20 and I have to be showered, made-up, hair redone and at a dance class learning the Charleston by 7pm. Uh oh.

Early in the morning I am training with the cadets at The Citadel. Just set my alarm for 3:15am. Ouch. I am still on Santa Barbara time. Double ouch. The U.S. Army on Jet Lag, should be fun.

Just trained with the army can barely pick up my blackberry and too tired to type. I am proud of myself because I pretty much kept up with the grueling calisthenics. It was the 2.5-mile run at 5:30 that really did me in. I kept thinking this work out would be so much easier with my Dance hits of the 80's mix.

The crew had a great breakfast at a place called Diane's where the specialty is poached eggs over crab cakes and fried green tomatoes on top of English muffins. I just go for scrambled eggs knowing full well that if I ordered that I would be out like Rip Van Winkle.

samantha brown charleston middleton place hound the citadel

Savannah

Samantha Brown — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:44:00 -0400

The Jinx bar here in Savannah puts on a Rock and Roll Bingo night. The crowd is tattooed and pierced and I love it. I think it's great that we are showing a side of Savannah that's not on the horse drawn carriage tour. Anyone ever been there?

Met a very talented tattoo artist, Chris Parry, who practices his art at a shop called Pain and Wonder tattoo. I ask his opinion on what should be my first tattoo and where he would put it. He told me it would be a small globe and he would put it on my ankle. Nice.

Gil is the MC of the evening. He's a local legend, foul-mouthed sweetheart who insists we do a shot together, I try to refuse but he will have none of it. The second time he insists the barman, (AKA my angel) can tell I am obviously no hard drinker and asks if he wants me to pour a doctored one -- a fake. So my second shot is a coke. The third time I am not so fortunate as I am standing on stage reading the Bingo numbers as an Irish Whisky shot is placed in my hands. Its 11pm, our day began at 7am. We didn't have time for dinner and so I know after I have this shot I am done for. Tomorrow my day begins with the Girl Scouts. What a strange job I have.

The Girl Scouts were of course adorable. I was a Brownie but not a Scout. I am a little crest fallen to see that they are not wearing sashes but vests as a way to display their badges. Apparently the Girls have a choice. When I ask why they went with the vest one girl said, "It's more professional," Did I say they were adorable?

Of course we don't leave until we get cookies. Thin Mints, Samoas and my personal fave Tagalongs (the Peanut Butter Patty). This is the first time I have demanded something in return for my autograph. When asked by one of the leaders, I answered back, "Only if I get cookies." I know when to play hardball.

Night ends with a little Murder Mystery Dinner theater. The restaurant is laid out in 7 tables of 8 and each table becomes a team that must watch the play and determine who the killer is. Is it the sexy ingénue? The beatnik poet? The Mafioso guy? The restaurant is completely surprised when the detective reveals the killer to be ... oh, you'll have to watch the show!

The very talented man playing the detective has never seen me on the Travel Channel and so when he announces my role in the whodunit he says that I am a talk show host. I, of course, turn the gun on him first and correct him.

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Minnesota

Samantha Brown — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:44:35 -0400

Christina, James Demer (sound) and I all land together in the town of Duluth where we then have to drive two and 1/2 hours to the town of Ely (Ellie) self proclaimed Dog sledding capital of the United States. We stop for lunch at a local diner with a down home feel. We know we are in the right place when a board has listed over 15 types of pie.

We all love our mini road trip thru this new place and get even more excited when we see a Target because I need energy bars. We walked through the sliding doors and see a Starbucks. Perfect, our very last cappuccino! Our producer Ginny is wondering where we are and so we tell her we are having little field trips of capitalism before we hear the call of the wild.

When we went out for a dog sledding 101 run I just about froze my tuckus off. I think I have the right gear for this cold but clearly its not enough. We have those heating pads that you put in your boots and gloves. I am thinking about sewing them together to create a pair of heated bloomers.

Our camp is in a beautiful area tucked in the side of a lake. Guides went before to set up the fire for lunch and the big tent with the small wood stove that warms it up to a beautiful 70 degrees. (angels chorus).

My excitement for this new adventure has begun to mellow. For lunch its instant tomato soup, string cheese and pepperoni sticks. The latter two being hardened and tough to eat from the zero degree temp. The instant soup is a surprise instant hit. But it's now hitting me that I am sleeping here tonight.

We now have to start to make camp, that is make "winter camp" which is explained to me as being a lot like summer camping but just colder. I really dislike putting up the tent since the chilled metal poles have begun to freeze dry my hands but I love making an ice hole in the lake with a pick. I ladle in lake water into a bucket that will be boiled for soup.

We just made a bed for our team of dogs. We shovel snow and break off pine tree branches that the dogs will arrange with their own paws to create their comfy place to sleep. I love doing this, taking care of the dogs, tucking them in for the night has calmed my nerves and helped mentally prepare me for my own night on the ice as well. Animals just make everything better.

Tonight it will reach ten below zero and I am sleeping on a bed of ice. I run around to get my heart rate up and body temperature so I will insulate my sleeping bag and remain warm for the rest of the night. But I don't close my sleeping bag properly and almost all my warmth escapes.

Don the guide zippers me in correctly and things are getting better but now I can't sleep. I mean I am wide awake. My feet get cold and I was told by the guides that the best thing to do is to switch your sox while in your sleeping bag which is so tough to do you actually get hot. But here's the thing -- if I do that it draws attention to the fact that I'm in this tight sleeping bag and I start to have a claustrophobic panic attack. So I just lie there, but that's not helping me get warm, so I remember Don told me another trick: do sit-ups until you fall asleep. So that's what I did and it worked until…

The scariest sound I have ever heard. The lake just bellowed a sound it makes when its freezing, like a death charge emitted far away that gradually gets nearer, the ice begins to rumble and the sound goes right under you.

When you use lake water there are small remnants of the woods that still persist to be there even after the boiling. Bits of twig, pine needles etc. it's all harmless but I am not used to my coffee being on the chunky side. I drink using my teeth as a barrier so that only the liquid coffee gets filtered through.

Just got back from Dog sledding in the woods. Got a little hairy on the trails there, one time we even catch some air as we go over a big log. I felt less like I was on a dog sled and more like I was riding on the General Lee. It's the Dukes of Hazard up north. But I realized that falling off the sled was about as much fun as riding it.

Paul just went down, we were shooting a ski scene on the ice and his ankle snapped. He was yelling in pain and just dropped like a sack of potatoes. We think he tore a tendon. We are all really worried about Paul because he is our rock. When he was carried away on the snowmobile we all feel a little empty.

The show must go on and thankfully on this trip instead of having an assistant producer we have another shooter, Josh Otte operating a smaller video camera. Josh is here to help get coverage but he has just been promoted to first camera.

Man I am beat. Two hours of sleep, the biting cold and getting knocked off a dogsled a handful of times have really begun to take its toll. But we have packed up the camp and are heading back to the lodge. We shoot one more dog sledding sequence and it's the coldest yet. The wind across the lake is so brutally frigid and I have still one more scene to shoot: A sauna, then the jump in the lake through the hole cut into the ice. The thought that I am actually going to be colder than how I feel now is simply terrifying.

We get word back from Paul at the emergency room. His foot is broken in two places and he has a torn tendon. The news is worse than we thought.

I did the cold lake plunge-and it was awesome. If you ever have the chance to do this go for it! We end the night with a fantastic dinner by Chef Bernard of Turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and brussel sprouts. It's a Thanksgiving dinner and it's perfect for how I feel about this incredible experience, my job and my wonderful crew. Overwhelmingly thankful.

Side note: once the dinner was through the rest of my crew: Ginny, James, Josh and even Christina went to the Sauna and to jump into the lake. Paul, the poor guy, was stuck in the lodge with his newly broken foot.

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Philly

Samantha Brown — Tue, 05 May 2009 22:24:00 -0400

We are in Philadelphia this weekend to shoot an episode. I think this city has to be one of the most underrated cities in the States. It's historical, hip, romantic and fun. Can't beat that!

We are spending the day going to some of the best places for a beer in Philly. I would be much happier about this if I didn't have a mean sore throat and was starting to feel sick. Why can't we go around tasting the best places for chicken soup?

The Monks café made this wine lover a beer-drinking girl. Tom Peters who owns this famous establishment makes his Bible of beers less intimidating by his passionate yet laid-back demeanor. He opened up a beer aged in Pinot Noir casks that was lovely. I have to watch myself on Belgian beers, as the alcohol content can sometimes be double what it is here. Tom went down as "the best man in history" by my on-camera friends and crew as he treated us all to what many consider to be the best beer in the world, the Trappist Westvleteren. It's certainly one of the most exclusive beers in the world. Only way to get it is to go to the Monastery in Belgium itself. Once you pay for it they give you a receipt that says NOT FOR RESALE. The monks are adamant that their Brewery remains a not for profit. The Monks only brew what they need to financially support their lives as Monks. I don't know a lot about beers but I can tell you it was a revelation. After the first sip works its way down your throat you think -- I could live on this alone. It's the most perfect beer I have ever tasted. I didn't get to eat at the Monks Café but the food looked absolutely amazing. I was told the mussels are a specialty. Actually I did get to sample some incredible french fries with a garlicky mayonnaise dipping sauce. That will sop up the beer.

The South Philly Tap Room, is a laid-back neighborhood establishment. This is definitely a place I would go to meet friends and enjoy a beer but I feel terrible so when the scene is done and we break for dinner I go to the crew van and sleep.

South Street in South Philly is a great street mixture of old nostalgic Philly and its funky art present. We are here for the Magic Gardens, a work of art almost 40 years in the making. Isaiah Zagar is the man behind this enigmatic world of mosaics that engulfs you to the point where you feel like you are almost submerged. And its only three bucks to get in.

Philly has the greatest concentration of murals than any other city! Did you know that? Over 2,800. The mural project was started in 1984 as a way to bridge the huge racial divide polarizing neighborhoods at that time. Now other cities all over the world come to the Mural project to see how they can achieve the same harmony thru the arts.

If you log on to muralfarms.org you can get a list of the public works and create your own tour. Best thing it's totally free.

I liked Philly a lot last time I was here was before we shot Passport to Europe so now that I am back there are parts and aspects of this city that to me feel very European. I realize with the world-class museum this could be a nice "European weekend" that's accessible to everybody.

Next up: The Eastern State Penitentiary -- definitely not to be missed when in this city. Just fascinating how the compound was designed so that criminals could give penitence to their crimes. I never realized the connection between those two words.

Sean Kelly is the curator who is giving me the tour but his passion and heartfelt love for this place makes him more like a Steward. At the end of every tour you are taken to the top of the guard tower for one of the best views of the city. Usually, in the winter you get a cup of hot chocolate but instead my producer Michael thought Champagne would be more festive. It's night, all the lights of the city are sparkling and both Sean and I feel a little awkward at the romantic implications. I mean the poor guy actually had to say "would you like a glass of champagne" and make it sound like it's something he always does. Sean also got a chance to work with the Ghost Adventures Crew so I told him it could have been worse: he could have had to ask Aaron, Nick and Zak if they wanted a glass of bubbly.

Then I got to play a little ice hockey with some of the players on The Phantoms, the minor league team that supports the Flyers. I've always regretted not playing a sport in school and if I did this would be it. It's a lot of fun out there on the ice and I was getting the hang of it pretty quickly. Unfortunately the only women's ice hockey teams are -- where else -- in Canada.

My favorite part of learning some moves was the Checking part. I learned how to and how not to show someone who is the boss and I think this could really come in handy as I navigate thru airports and such. I think just holding a hockey stick people would take me a lot more seriously.

At the very end I turned too fast in my skates, was skating backwards, lost my balance and fell right on my tuckus, my head snapped back and I wacked it on the ice … cut.

Next up: Learning how to box like the pros at Tenth Round in Philadelphia. My sparing partner happens to be a woman named Sacred the 6-time National Champ. I am not only nervous but absolutely full of fear and apprehension. Whenever I get really nervous about something I start to snap at my crew (sorry bout that guys) I really just want it to be over.

I love sports but I am not a fighter. Let me correct that -- if pushed too far I will tell someone off in an instant but actually hit someone. I don't think I can do it. My trainers, Liana and Pedro, tell me that I'll get over that really fast once I feel the fist of another fighter against my head, my very well protected head, that is.

Like I said I am to be sparing with a lovely woman named Sacred. She knows that I know nothing and to go reeeaaaal easy but when the bell is rung I see in her eyes she means business. She has that psychological psyche out the competition thing down. We begin with just light tapping of our boxing gloves but as we both bore of that, we branch out. Meanwhile trainers are yelling what types of punches and moves we should do as well as progress reports. Not surprisingly I am not doing well and all the screaming is actually unnerving. I am a wimp, I don't care, that's just what I am. At one point Sacred is faking a punch but at the same time I duck a little to get in a lower jab. My movement helps land her gloved fist squarely on my nose. It's a light but strong enough touch to startle the heck out of me. As I am dancing around the ring, wishing I was back in Great Hotels eating turn down chocolate, I start thinking how highly choreographed stage combat is. Am I nuts to be in this ring? No doubt that Sacred and I are both trying to improvise this as best as we can and I know she has no intention of doing any damage but then I feel the hit on my nose again. This time I realize how stupid this whole thing is and stop the fight mid -round. So just so you know, I didn't even go two rounds.

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Santa Fe (crew)

Lesley Grossman — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:44 -0400

I hate heights.

I'm only 5''3", and that's really as high up as I ever like to go. Our office is on the 12th twelfth floor, and I can't go near the windows. It's bad, not even a fear really, but an all-consuming, shaky legs, cold sweat terror. So it makes perfect sense that I'm about to go up in a hot- air balloon.

We're in New Mexico and for the past week, I've been more than content to take in the scenery from ground level. In fact, I was all ready to take some great photos of the crew lifting off. I was even going to wave!

But, no. Website photos need to be taken, and it's my job and ... ohhhhh, man.

Getting into the balloon is surprisingly harder than it looks, and, of course, I trip on the way in and land at the bottom of the basket. Liftoff is surprisingly smooth. At least, I assume it is. My eyes are squeezed shut, and I'm clutching the sides of the basket so hard, I can't feel my hands. I'm actually not afraid of falling or crashing into power lines or rabid pigeons, and with my eyes closed, I don't even feel like I'm 150 feet in the air.

(Did I mention I got up at 4 a.m. to do this? Insult to injury, that's what that is.)

(I'm sure the good people down below in Albuquerque are also glad I skipped breakfast.)

Ten minutes into the flight and our pilot takes pity on me, dropping the balloon lower (I'm sure it had nothing to do with us needing a shot of Sam from up above.) I manage to take a peek, and we're now less than 10 feet off the ground, floating over a lake, which is fine with me. I figure if anything goes wrong now, all those swimming lessons at the JCC Day Camp will come in handy.

As we drift along, skimming the treetops, I manage to pick off a few shots here and there (one-handed, there's no way I'm letting go of the basket.) I figure if I can survive indoor skydiving in Orlando, this is at least less windy. The view is amazing, and I manage to hold it together as we begin to climb higher. Passing over the freeway, semis honk at us as we sail by, and each time our pilot pulls the cord, the neighborhood dogs bark up a storm.

A wide field comes into view, and our pilot lets us know it's landing time, noting we might want to secure all lose objects and hang on tight. Landing a hot air balloon is a lot less graceful than taking off, and our basket crashes into the ground, bouncing and skidding across the dirt. We finally come to a stop, and it tumbles over, dumping us out. At last, I'm on solid ground.

We crawl away from the basket, and get ready for Sam's landing. The wind shifts and her balloon sails over us, out into the distance. There's no way I'm going back up to catch her.

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LA (crew)

Lesley Grossman — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:56:15 -0400

Injuries I Have Sustained in the Last Six Months of Production:

Sprained ankle (flip- flops, meet slippery wet floor.)
Concussion (oh, hi there, steamep pipe.)
Sprained wrist (I ...don't even know.)
Poison ivy (tip: don't use a cheese grater on it.)
Food poisoning (ugh.)
Sliced fingertip (I still have no feeling there.)
Seasickness (that was fun.)
Broken toe (poor little lefty.)
Strep throat
The flu
Allergic reaction to antibiotics for said flu (insult, meet injury.)
Broken blood vessels in both eyes (sexy!)
A wide variety of bumps, bruises, scrapes, and scratches
Fire- ant bite (oh my god, that was painful.)
Burnt hand (Kids, listen to your science teacher. Microwave'd glass is hot.)
Waterslide rash (I swear.)
Rug burn (ow ow ow.)
More sunburns than I can count.
Not to mention all the times I've bruised my pride.

And thanks to L.A., I'm charred once again. After a day of shooting on the beach, I'm in a state. I've got on two shirts, a hat and SPF 65, and I still look like I took a ride under the broiler. You know those sun charts that tell you how long you have until you burn? I have pale skin, red hair and blue eyes; add all that up and it just says DON'T LEAVE THE HOUSE. SERIOUSLY. I'm not even supposed to get too close to the toaster. Or a photo of the sun, if we're being honest here.

Upon returning to New York, it's itchy, painful and ... well, you don't need to hear the rest. I'm a veteran sun-burn-er, but this ain't right. I immediately visit My-Brother-in-Law-the-Doctor, aka Dr. Danny. He takes one look at me and, shaking his head, says I've bested myself and now have sun *poisoning*. Guh?

I always thought sun poisoning fell under the same heading as the girls who complained of craaaamps every time we had to run the mile in gym class -; it wasn't real. Nope, says Dr. Danny, you've been poisoned. Slather yourself in this ointment (ew), and stay away from the windows.

Six days later, I get off the couch, and I've molted, leaving a Lesley-shaped outline behind. Season two, I'm getting a Travel Channel beekeeper outfit.

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Brooklyn (crew)

Michael Petrella — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:55:02 -0400

Brooklyn is Huge

I'm not originally from New York, so I'm not terribly familiar with all of the boroughs yet. I spend the majority of the time in Manhattan - where our office is and where I lived for the first few years. I've had friends in Brooklyn, but I'd just go visit and we'd go to a bar or a restaurant, and then I'd go back to more familiar parts. Long story short, I never really explored Brooklyn as a neighborhood. Turns out it's huge.

We had a very eclectic shoot in Brooklyn. We spent some time in very dapper neighborhoods, but washed it down with trips to Coney Island and DUMBO - much more casual places to spend a few hours. There aren't many places in the world where you can have a beach and thriving boardwalk AND a quiet brownstone neighborhood AND an artists' haven AND a massive, green park AND an urban shopping district - among others.

Speaking of Coney Island - what an awesome place to go see. Sadly, a lot of Coney Island is slowly going away, but we were fortunate to be able to catch a sSideshow act, get a Nathan's Hot Dog (in between the hundreds Joey Chestnut shovels down), and walk along the boardwalk. On the weekends in the summer, it's pretty crowded, but the beach is still a nice respite from the madness of Manhattan.

I was a tiny bit concerned when making plans to shoot in Brooklyn that it would be difficult to find places interesting and interested in having us. Sometimes, the mystique of television wears thin in major metropolitan areas, but the folks in Brooklyn couldn't have been nicer and couldn't have been more gracious. I can't wait to go back in a capacity other than work.

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Cape Cod (crew)

Michael Petrella — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:36:02 -0400

Poor Paul ...

So, in Cabo San Lucas, our crew went on a whale- watching cruise. We knew we were filming at the tail -end of whale season, but we were optimistic that we'd at least get a glimpse of one stinkin' whale. I'd been to Cabo a handful of times and always, always, always seen a few. Our cameraman, Paul, was especially excited because - if I remember correctly - he hadn't ever seen a whale up close. I assured him that this would be his lucky day. Not only did we not see a single whale on the cruise... , we didn't see one all week. Occasionally, one of us would shout "WHALE!" but by the time we got our bearings and set up camera, it was long gone. Obviously. Paul wasn't on the Cape Cod episode. And it's a shame, really. We went on a cruise once again - this time hoping to see some big-time whale activity. Sure enough, within minutes, we were surrounded by what the captain called "fifty or sixty" whales. They were jumping, playing, swimming under our boat, and right up on the side of it... - it was pretty much amazing. I resisted the temptation to text- message Paul about what he was missing.

The good news is I took about 200 photos while on board. So at least I'll get to share the experience a little bit. If he's anything like me, he won't take any consolation in that whatsoever. ANYWAY, later in the week, we filmed Samantha taking a ride in a glider. For those of you who don't know, it's essentially a plane with no engine that relies on wind and heat and other factors to soar through the air (after being pulled into the air by a tow-plane). To be honest, I'd rather NOT know how it works, and just take the pilot's word for it that it's safe and easy and that "thermals" means something I should know about. I just nod my head when the science happens. Samantha - being the trooper she is - climbed right in and went along for what looked like a heck of a ride. I'm not sure I'd be next in line for a trip, but we got some amazing footage.

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Wyoming (crew)

Lesley Grossman — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 01:54:30 -0400

I've never been anywhere quite like Wyoming. On this trip:

We flew in a plane so small, we had to take the cameras out of their bags and ride with them on our laps to make them fit onboard. I seat-belted mine in, just in case (and ate its bag of peanuts.).

Upon landing, were swarmed by Cody's paparazzoi - one guy with a Nikon. The airport is smaller than my New York apartment, and our arrival is big news; jet service to the area is seasonal and we're the first ones to arrive for the summer. The next day, we're on the front page.

Got laughed at by the rental car people when I pulled out my Google maps. Cody has one main road and it'll take you anywhere you want to go.

Even the Wal-Mmart, which I could see from the airport.

Getting lost for 90 minutes in said -Wal-Mmart while hunting for Luna bars and Fig Newtons.

Finding live bait next to the Snapple in the soda case at the gas station on the way to the ranch in Shell. Note that there doesn't appear to be any fishing outlets nearby. Rethink Snapple purchase.

Losing cell phone and Blackberry reception not because of weather, but because there just ...isn't any out this far. I won't lie -; this was probably the best part of the trip.

The crew is given a whole house to ourselves. We promptly nickname it Real World: Wyoming and draw straws to decide who gets to be the naked guy and the drunk girl.

There are four of us and three bedrooms.

Luckily, mine has two teeny- weeny twin beds. Ginny (our superstar director) and I pretend we're back in college and bunk together. Pillow fight!

Neither of us top out past 5''3", and yet our feet hang off the ends of our Bert andn' Ernie beds. * We also debate the best method of short-sheeting Paul (DP) and Damion's (audio) king- size beds but settle for claiming several of their many, many pillows.

The ranch is beautiful, with an amazing mix of red rock, painted mountains, and lush green fields filled with wild flowers and sweet, tall grasses.

So tall that, four hours into the shoot, I back one of the SUVs into an unseen ditch. Did I mention it was grassy? And muddy? And raining? And cold? And it happened 30 seconds after I casually mentioned that the hill we were on was kinda steep and I didn't want to hit the fence at the top as I backed up?

SUV. IN. A. DITCH. WTF?

Fortunately, our friendly host, Peter the Belgian Cowboy had both a rope, a Hhemi engine truck and a sense of humor. He pulled, we pushed and out popped the car, now covered in mud, inside and out, as. Wwe all climbed inside, ensuring we'd never get our security deposit back.

Sitting on a pile of cow poo.

Being so tired, I didn't care (although replacement jeans were purchased at Wal-Mmart. I cared just enough to not want to smell like cow poo for two weeks.)

Cruising back into town and feeling pieces of our souls die as our phones chirped back to life and voicemails poured in. * Arguing with a waitress about the definition of noon and how it relates to getting eggs for breakfast or lunch or brunch.

Trekking through the woods to get to the river to catch Sam as she goes by in a raft, knowing the water is a maximum 50 degrees and feeling bad for her.

Feeling worse for ourselves when we realize the only way to actually get the shot is to wade in, waist-deep.

Having a silent, gesticulating argument with Paul about whom exactly is going in the water first. I'Am victorious but realize that when the day includes soaking- wet underwear, there are no winners.

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DC

Samantha Brown — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:39:03 -0400

Washington is no doubt one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The last time I was there, I went on one of my epic walks --six Hours!!! The city was so gorgeous I just found myself walking down streets, through parks, pastsed monuments. When I finally came to, I had walked all the way out to Chevy Chase. So this time around, as I headed out, I made a mental note that I had to control myself. I also brought my phone and some money, which is something I don't normally do, but realize too late that I might want to jump in a cab or maybe phone the hotel to ask them where I have waondered to. I rarely bring maps as welleither. I think I am just reacting off ofto having all my time being so overscheduled that I just for a brief period want the feeling of having no strings. But maps, phones and money all come in handy when you have no idea where you are.
The hotel we are staying at, the Helix, is great since it's close to iconic D.C. and yet in a real neighborhood. To my utter delight, we are around the corner from a Whole Foods. I have toyed with the idea of putting it in my contract that my hotel must be only .5 miles from a Whole Foods since, whenever I have access to one, it makes my week. I can make my own salad, pick up some homemade soup and a great bottle of wine, -bring it back to my hotel and watch "Sex and the City" re-runs. BLISS!!! My favorite experiences while in D.C. are a toss-up between Ben's Chili Bbowl and Etete, the Ethiopian restaurant. I loved Etete. Bbecause of supreme luck, I got to sit right next to some men from Ethiopia visiting their family. We all hit it off immediately, and all the men acted like the camera's and big lights shining arewere not even there. So instead of another scene of me eating alone, I joined their group, learning how to eat Ethiopian food from the pros.

The food was soooooo good, too. I was a bit disappointed that I ate so much on camera though, since we as a crew were eating there for dinner, as well. I always try to eat a little on camera so that I can really enjoy it off - -after all these years, I am never that relaxed when eating while the camera's rolling. I am always scared that I am going to dribble something down the front of me or choke (which I have done many times, they just edit that out). But the kind men kept feeding me, and I wasn't about to turn down that type of hospitality.

Ben's Chili Bbowl, shot the same day right before Etete (thank goodness no bikini scenes are in the near future) was amazing, since being a family business, we were made to feel a part of the family immediately. Shooting an institution is always tricky in the travel- show biz, since we want to show the daily ins and outs of an institution but obviously the big camera, a audio man putting mic's on everybody and holding a boom, and then me can really change people's behavior. No such problem at Ben's. Even though they serve the famous half- smoked hot dogs, they are all hams. And wonderfully so.

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DC (crew)

Michael Petrella — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:20:38 -0400

Which way is North?

I've never claimed to be good with directions. In fact, I'll be the first to admit that I'm directionally challenged. With this fascinating tidbit of my personal life in mind, I would like you to imagine someone like myself attempting to get around Washington, D.C.

I'm sure D.C. isn't all that tricky when you live there or have spent a nice chunk of time there, but for someone like me - shall we say, "compass-ly deficient" - it was a nightmare.

A good friend told me that the roads are designed in such a way to make it difficult for an invading army to reach the Capitol. I don't know if that's true, but it's totally awesome, so I'm going to go with it. Surprisingly, I took no solace in this intriguing fact as I drove aimlessly around looking for Rhode Island Avenue NW or Massachusetts Avenue SE.

I do however know the alphabet and how to count. So the grid part of the city wasn't so bad. I could get from P and 17th to U and 11th, no problem. But when you start throwing in so many diagonal streets, some traffic circles (sorry, U.K., "roundabouts"), and state names that don't seem to go in any discernable order - yeah, its official, I'm lost.

It would have been neat if they had the state avenues in order of their addition into the union (hey hey, history lesson!) - or alphabetical - or ANYTHING other than totally random. The only real pattern I could find is that New York and New Jersey intersect at some point. Just like real life!

Other things I've learned while studying the map are that Montana and West Virginia are not near one another; neither are Massachusetts and Louisiana. YET, you'll find a very lovely train terminal called Union Station at the intersection of the latter.

Luckily, we had a local production assistant and a GPS unit to get us around our shoot. However, the morning after our final shoot day, I was on my own. Instead of flying with all of our gear, I figured it'd be easier to just drive from - and back to - New York. After all, Google told me it's only four hours. Not so with Mini Magellan at the steering wheel. It took me two hours to get out of the city. Don't ask how, because I don't remember. All I know is I passed the same liquor store three times before figuring out that circular isn't the fastest way to Maryland, and subsequently Delaware and Jersey. Even if those states converge by the Library of Congress.

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Sichuan

Samantha Brown — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:39:35 -0400

A photo blog with descriptions from Sichuan

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Xian

Samantha Brown — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:29:13 -0400

A photo blog with descriptions from Xian

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