Hey everyone!

So,  in just a couple of days from now, Dana and I will be heading off to New Orleans for 6 days of relaxing, eating great food, having a few cocktails, and checking out the sights.  This will be our 4th trip together there, and my 5th trip to New Orleans, overall.  Every time we go, we find something new we had not seen before.

Over the years, I’ve developed a sort of code to live by when traveling.  It started with my sister, years ago.  It was mainly just a couple rules, partly to get you out of the day to day rut most of us are in, and to keep track of how many places you’ve been.  I asked on FaceBook and Twitter for other people’s rules. Some were pretty good.  Here are mine:

1. No Chain Restaurants-I can eat at a McDonalds, or a Denny’s anywhere in the US.  That’s pretty boring.  Get out and try truck stops, diners, hole in the wall joints.  Ask the locals where they eat… and then go there!  That leads into the second rule…

2. Eat and Drink like a local-If I’m in New Orleans, I’m not drinking a Budweiser.  I’m reaching for an Abita Turbo Dog.  Mainly because I can’t get it here, easily, and it’s brewed locally in Lousiana.  When we were in Minneapolis a few weeks ago, I had a Bells beer.  It was pretty good… and local!  If there is a local specialty food on the menu, try it.  If you aren’t sure what to get, trust the waiter!

3. Don’t be that guy at Airport Security– You know who I’m talking about.  The guy that complains the entire way thru the security line.  Listen… we’re all in the same line, and YES, airport security sucks.  You have no choice… deal with it.

4. States count as 1 point, Countries count as 2-I think my sister is beating me overall.  She has a few more countries than I do, but I have about 22 states plus Mexico!

4a. If you don’t leave the airport, that state DOES NOT count.

5. Be a Traveler, not a Tourist– This might be my most important rule.  Do a little research before you go somewhere.  Check out what the locals are into.  Blend in.  Believe me, if you look and act like you belong, you might just to see things the tourists aren’t seeing!  In short, act like you’ve been there!

So there a go… Anyone else have any rules they live by while traveling?  Let us know… maybe we can add them to our list!

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter (Jeff)(Dana) to see what we are up to, and to see some camera phone pics while on the trip!  See ya in about a week!

J+D