When Erik Met Rick Through Jen…
This blog entry was originally posted on May 04, 2005.
Who would have thought that when I sported a hot pink bra in Montreal, it would get me a mention in travel guru Rick Steves’ website?
Let me explain: Back in July 2003, I volunteered to be the intern of acclaimed Travelers’ Tales writer/editor Jen Leo during a visit to Montreal to promote her women’s travel humor book, Sand In My Bra. I accompanied Jen and fellow travel writer Christine Michaud, wandering around the streets of the Canadian metropolis during the annual comedy festival “Juste Pour Rire 2003” (“Just For Laughs 2003”). We passed out flyers, hung up signs, staged a book reading/signing at a local bookstore, went to the local talk radio station for an on-air plug, and even made gift baskets for female comedy writers Tina Fey and Sarah Vowell. In a ploy that I immediately regretted suggesting after I did, I said I’d go the extra mile and go out on the streets with the hot pink bra on to attract even more attention to the book while handing out flyers. The mission was successful, and I’d like to think my little stunt helped Sand In My Bra become a bestseller for Travelers’ Tales.
The success of Sand In My Bra spawned a sequel, Whose Panties Are These? (which was published and released while I was on my Global Trip), and work on a third women’s travel anthology, The Thong Also Rises (working title) is currently underway. It has not yet been determined if I will be going back to Canada in a hot pink thong, although I don’t think I’ll be suggesting that one just yet.
Anyway, Jen and I have kept in correspondence from time to time since Montreal. In fact, she surprised me when she turned up unexpectedly at my welcome back DAY 503 party. Currently she’s trekking on in the literary and blog worlds, and has recently written the May 2005 Travel News on RickSteves.com, of which this here blog has been mentioned, along with some other blogs worth checking out.
If you are unfamiliar with Rick Steves, he’s the travel guru for an older, less courageous crowd, focusing on Europe, but not exclusively. You may have seen a bunch of his books on the shelf in your bookstore’s travel section, or his own travel series that airs on PBS. Say what you will about Rick, but the fact is, he’s got quite an influence in the travel industry. For example, the Cinque Terre coast of the Italian Riviera had no tourism years ago, until Rick Steves “discovered” it and started writing about it. Now it’s become one of the most visited spots in Italy.
Anyway, Jen Leo’s piece, “Globe-Blogging,” gets sent out to 200,000 travel enthusiasts that subscribe to Rick Steves’ newsletter, which of course, is a thrill. Whether or not I will be wearing any ladies undergarments for Rick Steves has not yet been determined, although I wouldn’t hold your breath over it.
To Jen Leo, I thank you for the mention, and to the new readers coming from Rick Steves’ audience, welcome aboard!
Also, check out Jen Leo’s blog of the inside world of travel publishing, “Written Road!”
Next entry: Amazing Fantasy #9
Previous entry: Today in U.S.A. News…
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Comments for “When Erik Met Rick Through Jen...”
RICK STEVES: Bonjour! Bonjourno! Buenos dias! Guten Tag! Bom dia! Good day!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 05/04 at 07:17 PM
first!! haha
feliz cinco de mayo!!!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 05/04 at 07:44 PM
Second!!!!
an’ that’s no lie!!!Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 05/04 at 08:17 PM
Wow, Erik.
What a wonderful recap. Thank you. I do hope that you get some new followers from this. And don’t worry, I don’t think a stunt with either one of us in a thong will help book sales this year. You’re safe!Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 05/04 at 08:42 PM
I admit, I like Rick Steves! I’m one of those suckers who went to the Cinque Terre a few years ago after seeing it on his show. (it was beautiful!) He has a good pub crawl itinerary for Madrid and Venice too.
and you gotta love his kinda nerdy but endearing little phrases:
“put your seat in it’s upright and locked position, today we’re in the Black Forest!”
“I’m Rick Steves..keep on Travellin!’”
He’s like most of us in 30 years or so. Still backpacking!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 05/04 at 08:43 PM
Margaritas… it tastes so good when it hits your lips.
Happy 05/05/05Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 05/04 at 08:58 PM
Sixth!
ha.
Posted by Alyson on 05/04 at 10:00 PM
Okay, so if you click on the newer book link, at the bottom of the amazon.com page, it says:
Customers interested in this title may also be interested in
* Panties
Variety of colors, hi-cut or bikini Buy No Nonsense panties today.
http://www.nononsense.comI’m sorry - but am I the only one who finds keywording highly amusing?
Hope someone had a marg for me - I was too tired. :D
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 05/05 at 10:17 AM
hi Erik and blog readers,
hey Erik I know u are busy guy but I would like to get in touch with you. I wrote to you here and to your yahoo email account. no answer. what that f***?
i know u are start now but dont forget the simple people ok?
if u can send me an email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
take care
congrats for your blogPosted by alex on 05/06 at 07:11 PM
Hot damn, another ringing endorsement! Kudos! I took Rick Steves to Italy and it was worth it—yes I’m less courageous.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 05/09 at 07:39 PM
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This blog post is one of over 500 travel dispatches from the trip blog, "The Global Trip 2004: Sixteen Months Around The World (Or Until Money Runs Out, Whichever Comes First)," originally hosted by BootsnAll.com. It chronicled a trip around the world from October 2003 to March 2005, which encompassed travel through thirty-seven countries in North America, South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. It was this blog that "started it all," where Erik evolved and honed his style of travel blogging — it starts to come into focus around the time he arrives in Africa.
Praised and recommended by USA Today, RickSteves.com, and readers of BootsnAll and Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree, The Global Trip blog was selected by the editors of PC Magazine for the "Top 100 Sites You Didn't Know You Couldn't Live Without" (in the travel category) in 2005.
Next entry:
Amazing Fantasy #9
Previous entry:
Today in U.S.A. News…
THE GLOBAL TRIP GLOSSARY
Confused at some of the jargon that's developed with this blog and its readers over the years? Here's what they mean:
BFFN: acronym for "Best Friend For Now"; a friend made on the road, who will share travel experiences for the time being, only to part ways and lose touch withThe Big Trip: the original sixteen month around-the-world trip that started it all, spanning 37 countries in 5 continents over 503 days (October 2003–March 2005)
NIZ: acronym for "No Internet Zone"; a place where there is little to no Internet access, thus preventing dispatches from being posted.
SBR: acronym for "Silent Blog Reader"; a person who has regularly followed The Global Trip blog for years without ever commenting or making his/her presence known to the rest of the reading community. (Breaking this silence by commenting is encouraged.)
Stupid o'clock: any time of the early morning that you have to wake up to catch a train, bus, plane, or tour. Usually any time before 6 a.m. is automatically “stupid o’clock.”
The Trinidad Show: a nickname of The Global Trip blog, used particularly by travelers that have been written about, who are self-aware that they have become "characters" in a long-running story — like characters in the Jim Carrey movie, The Truman Show.
WHMMR: acronym for "Western Hemisphere Monday Morning Rush"; an unofficial deadline to get new content up by a Monday morning, in time for readers in the western hemisphere (i.e. the majority North American audience) heading back to their computers.
1981ers: people born after 1981. Originally, this was to designate groups of young backpackers fresh out of school, many of which were loud, boorish and/or annoying. However, time has passed and 1981ers have matured and have been quite pleasant to travel with. The term still refers to young annoying backpackers, regardless of year — I guess you could call them "1991ers" in 2013 — young, entitled millennials on the road these days, essentially.
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