Courtney’s Blog
My Farewell
Jun 24th
This is my last blog for Global Traveler. With great excitement and a heavy heart, I will be leaving GT and moving on to the next stage in my life, pursuing a Master of Arts in teaching at Smith College.
I can’t believe it was almost three years ago when I first met the team behind this magazine. I knew very little about Global Traveler when I first came on board, and within the first month, I was introduced to a whole world I had never before been connected with. From the GT team to subscribers, clients and partners across the globe, we all shared one common denominator — a passion for travel and premium services and a desire for an extraordinary life. While most people my age were committing to entry-level positions in big offices, I was reviewing business-class flights and 5-star hotels. I traveled to attend hotel openings and travel trade shows across the nation. I even traveled across the globe to review one of my favorite hobbies, scuba diving, in Palau, one of the best diving spots in the world. I did all of this while representing with pride a quality publication and an extraordinary team. GT has felt more like a family than an employer, and I am certainly not the first to say it.
Global Traveler has opened my eyes to a new class of travel. With hard work comes reward, and what better way to reward oneself than with the luxury of premium travel? With premium travel comes an education and, as Fran accurately defined it, the quality of being open to a world of experiences (globility). Travel is something that always has been and will always be a part of my life, and I thank GT for taking my passion and experience to a whole new level. I will never forget Alex introducing me to the world of first-class lounges or Kim showing me how to throw a world-class party!
I am a lifelong supporter of this great publication, and I wish the team continued years of success. Happy travels!
– Courtney Centeno, account executive
Go for a Bike Ride
Jun 17th
Recently, my boyfriend’s younger sister traveled to New York City for a visit. Since she is a young, spritely college athlete, we wanted to think of something besides shopping and dining out that would allow her to tour some of this great city. We found a great opportunity to bike up the Hudson River, from the West Village all the way to the George Washington Bridge and back.
Biking is a great way to tour a new place. Depending on your pace, biking can be relaxing or energizing. Traffic in the city can be intimidating, but bikers should not fear because Google Maps maps out the safest bike routes, from point A to point B, in the city. A path, safe for bikers, walkers and joggers, runs along the Hudson. There are various parks along the way, perfect for resting and snacking.
For bike rental, I highly recommend Hub Station Bike rental. The service was excellent and the bike options ranged from mountain bikes and cruisers to tandem bikes.
Hub Station Bike
73 Morton St. (betwen Hudson and Greenwich streets.)
212 965 9334, hubstation@gmail.com
Open 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Prices: $35/24 hours or $7/hour
Happy biking!
– Courtney Centeno, account executive
You Can Help
Jun 10th
It is easy to get caught up in the oil disaster (no longer just a spill) and start to feel pretty helpless watching the recurrent image of the gushing oil flow that began almost two months ago. The idea that thousands are voicing their own ideas to BP on how to plug the leak gives you a sense of the desperation. So, if you’re not a bio-systems engineer, what can you do to help? Here are the top five ways you can get involved:
1. REPORT AND DOCUMENT: If you live along the Gulf Coast and spot oil or injured wildlife, there are ways to report it:
- To report oiled wildlife: 866 557 1401
- To report oil spill-related damage: 800 440 0858
- To report oiled shoreline: 866 448 5816
- To document effects of the spill: iPhone users can download the Noah’s Project app to document the impact of the spill on wildlife and shorelines.
2. DONATE: Whether it is money, hair, dish soap, or a boat, here is a list of organizations that are accepting donations from the public (taken from the dailygreen.com).
- National Audubon Society is working to aid birds and habitat.
- National Wildlife Federation is responding to the spill. Text WILDLIFE to 20222 to donate $10.
- Greater New Orleans Foundation is assisting locally.
- Matter of Trust is accepting donations of hair, fur and nylons, which are used to aid in the oil response.
- Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences, which protects important shorebird habitats in the Gulf and throughout the Americas, will be documenting damage to birds and striving to restore them.
- Dawn will donate $1 of your purchase of dish soap to help wildlife if you activate your donation online.
- Vessels of Opportunity is accepting help from local boat operators.
3. PICK UP TRASH, LEAVE NATURAL DEBRIS: The state of Florida is calling on volunteers to pick up any trash they see on the shoreline and leave natural debris as it can provide shelter for injured wildlife.
4. VOICE YOUR OPINION, SIGN A PETITION:
- Oceana offers an online petition to stop offshore drilling completely.
- Sierra Club, Oceana and NWF wrote the letters for you. All you have to do is personalize and hit send.
5. BOYCOTT BP AND STOP USING SO MUCH OIL: To address long-term consequences of our dependency on oil, start using public transportation, buy a fuel-efficient or electric car and be energy efficient in your own home or office.
– Courtney Centeno, account executive
Governor’s Island
Jun 3rd
Summer is the time of music and free shows, and Governor’s Island is the place to be. Located in the New York Harbor about a half-mile from Battery Park, Governor’s Island is a free public space where visitors can enjoy biking, art exhibits, performances, art-designed miniature golf, picnics and free concerts. The island was once a military facility for more than 200 years. It was used for recruitment, storage and even, at one point, as a prison for captured Confederates. In 2003, it was sold to the people of New York for public benefit. Deed restrictions were created to prohibit permanent housing or casinos.
This summer, the public can enjoy concerts on the beach. It’s just a free ferry ride from the Battery Maritime Building. Governor’s Island is the place to be this summer to see your favorite band or artist.
– Courtney Centeno, account executive
