Monthly Archives: January 2012

Leaving Starbucks Behind: New Ways of Getting Your Caffeine Kick

Posted on by under Vayable Experiences

by Jeff Smith, contributing writer

Eating local is a big deal. Step into any Whole Foods and that’s clear enough. But what about coffee? Can we join the local food movement when it comes to the other black liquid that seems to run the world? Some intrepid Vayable guides are now making it possible to at least get a little closer to your coffee.

But first, a little background on the stuff: Coffee is a funny thing. According to legend, an Ethiopian goatherder named Kaldi ate some bright red coffee berries after watching his flock get all hot-and-bothered after doing the same. He got juiced up, and immediately took the berries to a holy man who disapproved of their use and threw them into a fire, from which an enticing aroma billowed. The roasted beans were quickly raked from the embers, ground up, and dissolved in hot water, yielding the world’s first cup of coffee. Coffee is pretty simple really: roast the two seeds of the coffee cherry, et voila. Coffee is hand-picked, grown across the equatorial belt, and the second most exported commodity only to oil.

Vayable can now bring you even closer to your favorite beverage. If you’re going to London, imbibe like a revolutionary. It was the coffee shop where the 17th century Consumer Revolution took place - where business transactions happened and a middle class got cultured. Follow Kardelen around London while she shows you the most happening coffee shops in the city.

In Hawaii? No problem. The little chain of islands is home not only to one our our biggest icons but phenomenal coffee. If you’ve heard of Kona coffee, you’ve heard of Hawaii. Get an education from Casey on his coffee in Kula, or take in beauty vistas with Marilyn at an estate 600 feet above sea level in Lahaina.

But, if you happen to be in Thailand and feel a bit more adventuresome, the 2-day, all-inclusive, countryside coffee shop tour by motorcycle (yeah, it’s that epic) with Dane will put you on the edge of your seat even before hitting the espresso.

Flea Market Survival Guide

Posted on by under Vayable Experiences

by Adriani León, Vayable Intern

Next time you are traveling and want to get your family a gift that is representative of them or your adventures abroad, consider buying your gifts at a flea market! Flea markets offer a marketplace with wide ranges of items to please all tastes and budgets. The items there also tell a rich story about the culture and people of the places they come from.

Here are 6 tips for surviving a flea market and finding that perfect item for a good price!

  1. Get comfortable. Wear layers and comfy shoes! A passive bargaining technique is to dress down, this way people make fewer assumptions about you. Be careful, when dressing down, however, to make sure you do so in a context appropriate with local fashion.
  2. Plan ahead. If you are looking for a specific item, research some prices online first. You want to know exactly how much you should pay when you find that adorable trinket that reminds you of your childhood.
  3. Carry the right tools. Most vendors don’t accept credit cards so make sure to bring cash; vendors will appreciate small bills and exact change. Also, bring some extra bags!
  4. Timing. Professional flea market pickers arrive early to get the best items. If you’re not an early bird, or if you are more interested in bargains, consider going late. Vendors appreciate you lightening the load they have to pack up and bring back home, and you might even score some sweet last-minute deals! When the police go to siesta in the afternoon, locals will whip out more belongings to sell!
  5. Be Creative. If you end up finding items you were not looking for and can’t leave the market without, find new uses for them: What do you do with an imperfect antique tablecloth? Use it as fabric for clothing or to reupholstering furniture! What do you do with that wool sweater that may have a funky design in the front? Re-purpose the sleeves to leg warmers!
  6. Bargaining. The best advice is to be polite and not be afraid to ask. Bargaining, however, is still very hard to pull off- not all of us have the skill. If you find yourself in this category, you might consider the professional services or Marga Binoux.

Aerial view of the Barcelona flea market (photo by Jason Hawkes)

A professional fashionista with experience in costume design, Marga loves shopping. Take a tour with her of Barcelona’s best flea market, which dates back to the fourteenth century. Marga will fill you in on its history, show you the best deals, and she’ll even teach you how to bargain in Spanish! Check out her tour here.

For the truly brave, Marga says come early, “If you like waking up early and don’t mind feeling an intruder in a strange mafia atmosphere, it’s worth it!” You’ll see a melting pot of curiosities sold in lots!

Going Green in the City

Posted on by under Guide Stories, Vayable Experiences

by Adriani León, Vayable Intern

The Bay Area has a long history of progressive green movements, from foraging to school gardens, underground food markets and guerrilla grafting, these activities are supported by people found in community gardens, street food fairs, and thriving farmer’s markets. We are also one of a few cities pioneering a composting program.

In 2009, the city of San Francisco passed the Zero Waste Initiative, a citywide composting and recycling program whose goal is to reduce the amount of reusable materials that are discarded. This program uses the residents’ discarded food wastes, turns it into compost, and then sells the compost to wineries in the neighboring regions to fund itself.

A lesser-known initiative mandates that 1% of all city funding for new construction goes towards creating green spaces. The last place we think of green in this city is in the financial district unless, of course, you are Marylin Straka. Marylin has devoted her career to making the city accessible to the physically disabled and seniors, wants to give you access to many of the city’s hidden green spaces.

In an effort to make the downtown area more attractive to live in, the city of San Francisco has been greening the financial district for years, but many of these spaces are not so easy to find. Sitting atop rooftops and declared by unassuming plaques there are gardens, courtyards, artifacts, and art available for pubic viewing.

In Marylin’s Tour of Rooftop Gardens, she will lead you through three city blocks without crossing a single street! Take a lavender scented elevator ride with her and discover the green spaces that most locals aren’t talking about. If you work in the financial district, this is a great tour for discovering spaces to have a secluded lunch, with lots of fresh air. Check out Marylin’s tour here.

Be a Tourist at Home: Ideas for Extending Your Holiday

Posted on by under Explorer Perspectives, Vayable Experiences

by Whitney Eden, Contributing Writer

Nearly halfway into January, our post-holiday glows have definitely faded away. We waited all year for this blissful break, be it a tropical trek or quality time with the family, and it only left us wanting more. So if what are the options if you’ve used up all your vacation days? In the words of Marcel Proust, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new landscape, but in having new eyes.” We’d like to reveal some gems that exist in your own backyard, but we aren’t talking your usual walking tour. Ever want to explore the seedy underbelly of Berlin? What about the vibrant Gospel scene in Harlem? You can do all this and more, without spending beaucoup bucks or valuable vacation days.

San Francisco Motorcycle Tour

With one of most utilized public transit systems in the nation, San Francisco locals often view their city from bus, train or simply from the sidewalk. Want to kick it up a notch? Try checking out the city from the back of a motorcycle. The Kan Brothers offer individualized tours through the city and there’s nothing like the wind whipping through your hair to make even the most jaded SF local feel giddy.

Harlem Brunch

Even the most jaded New Yorker will feel enlivened by Harlem’s vibrant Gospel scene. Prepare yourself for singing, dancing and soul-stirring sermons. Carolyn, a Harlem native, will be your guide through this vibrant experience, ending with a tasty brunch at a authentic local eatery. Bonus: if you want to explore more of what Harlem has to offer, check out Carolyn’s Harlem Guide iPhone App

Explore Eastside

Whenever someone says “Los Angeles”, our minds naturally go to gridlock, Beverly Hills and ceaseless sunshine. However, Erik opened our eyes to the bohemian side of version of this spirited city. Check out vintage shops, hip bars and cool cafes; it’s like living in your own personal version of Swingers.

Shanghai Running Tour

A far cry from the traditional tour bus, a running tour through Shanghai might be just the thing for you endorphin junkies. Your fearless leader, Kyle, has 5 marathons under belt, Shanghai street cred and a shared wanderlust. With the aid of a running buddy and an adventurous attitude, Shanghai reveals even more of its vibrant, eclectic allure.

Berlin Bottom-Up

Most tours intentionally keep you away from the more “colorful” parts of town, but Luckie isn’t your normal tour guide. A native Berliner and former taxi driver, he’ll take you through the city’s seedy underbelly, where junkies, punks and squatters frequent, all from the safety of his car.

Passenger Moto Tour of Rio

Without wheels, most of Rio’s most stunning features are often of reach. However, with Stewart’s know-how and motorcycle, you can explore Rio’s coastal roads, active urban areas and dense jungle trails; the only requisites are an adventurous spirit and good weather.

Introducing Adriani: New Vayable Intern

Posted on by under Vayateam

A few weeks ago, we featured Juliann, one of our new interns. This week, we’re introducing Adriani, another one of our fabulous interns!

Hi! My name is Adriani and I’ve been living in San Francisco for three years. I am originally from the Dominican Republic but having spent most of my life in NYC- I consider myself a New Yorker, A’ight? I attended Brandeis University in Massachusetts where I studied International Relations. I took courses in politics, German and environmental studies- but was mainly attracted to this major because it required interning abroad. :) I lived in Germany for two semesters and hope to one day return to Berlin. I love Berlin for its street art, doner kebabs, community gardens and pieces of history on every corner.

When I travel I can see the personalities of my friends and family, replicated through people living in other countries, speaking different languages and eating different foods; I love traveling because it teaches me about myself. I like to travel without an itinerary, walking through a new city by landmarks or streets that need wandering.

My picture was taken last summer in Grenada, during one of the most memorable weeks of my life. I was “playing Jab Jab” during J’ouvert- part of the island’s week long Carnival. Playing Jab Jab requires waking up before dawn, dancing your way to town behind pickup trucks with giant speakers blasting the latest summer hits and smearing colorful paints and motor oil all over any bystanders.

I’ve dedicated my pre- and post- college years to working with immigrant youth, teaching them about sustainability and living healthy lifestyles. Most of my work has been through small, struggling non-profit organizations whose work is SO important but are run very poorly. My current journey is to learn about for-profit business models that have positive impacts on their communities, which is how I found Vayable. Working at Vayable, I’ve had the pleasure of talking to the amazing Porteños that will be leading tours in Buenos Aires and whom I hope to come across some day.

Happy New Year and a Look Down Memory Lane

Posted on by under Community, Vayable Perspective

We hope everyone had a great holiday season and New Year!

As we look upon the new year, we’re filling our calendars and to-do lists with goals big and small that we’ve set for ourselves. Whether it’s being more healthy or learning something new, don’t forget to also appreciate the things in life that make you happy. Studies show that being happy broadens thought processes and facilitates creative thinking. The joys and inspirations we find every day in surrounding ourselves with beautiful interfaces, spending more time with loved ones, and treating ourselves to fun experiences can make all the difference.

This year has been a big one for us at Vayable. We launched to the world in April and made a lot of friends along the way. We noshed on food carts in New York City, created a meal with fresh, local ingredients in San Francisco, learned about sustainable agriculture in Costa Rica, and explored the other side of our own hometown. Our inspiring guides have been able to make their own dents in the universe, from creating community murals enjoyed by everyone to getting a step closer to quitting their day jobs, thanks to your booking their experiences.

2011 was a year of new beginnings, and we have big plans for 2012. Thank you for following us and supporting us in our vision for a better world. Stay tuned for great things to come!