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pbrewer

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Why Does New Orleans Welcome Tourists but Not Protect Its Own People?

New Orleans is magical — culture, food, music, warmth. But visiting made me question something nobody wants to talk about. Tourist areas are heavily policed, spotless, glowing. Seven blocks away, I saw entire neighborhoods with broken streetlights, abandoned houses, and kids walking home alone because buses don’t run reliably. A bartender told me, “The city keeps Bourbon Street shiny because that’s where the money is.” But shouldn’t a city take care of its residents with the same energy it uses to entertain outsiders? New Orleans is unforgettable — not just because of its beauty, but because of the question it forces you to ask: Who is the city really for? #Travel #NewOrleans #TourismPolitics

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pbrewer

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Visiting Portland Made Me Realize How Different Liberal Ideals Are from Reality

Portland markets itself as progressive, accepting, artsy — the kind of place where “everyone belongs.” But when I visited, the contrast between the image and the reality felt impossible to ignore. I saw activists holding signs about equality while stepping around homeless camps like they were trash. I watched a man overdose outside a vegan cafe while everyone kept sipping lattes like it was normal background noise. Then a local told me, “What you see on Instagram isn’t Portland. This is.” It made me wonder: How can a city preach compassion yet coexist so comfortably with visible suffering? And why do tourists get blamed for “not understanding Portland,” when maybe the city doesn’t understand itself? #Travel #Portland #RealAmerica

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pbrewer

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honolulu: paradise or prisoner’s island? 🌺🌊

Everyone posts about Honolulu like it’s heaven on earth — turquoise waves, luaus at sunset, a mai tai in hand. So when I finally went, I expected peace. Instead, I felt trapped inside a postcard. Waikiki was wall-to-wall tourists, sunscreen in the air, and $22 cocktails served with plastic flowers. Locals worked double shifts at resorts they could never afford to stay in. I asked a bartender if she ever went to the beach after work — she laughed. “Are you kidding? I can’t even afford the parking.” The island’s beauty is undeniable, but it’s guarded by walls of money. Tourists chase “aloha spirit,” but many Hawaiians say it’s been stolen — replaced by hashtags and hotel slogans. Maybe paradise isn’t supposed to feel like someone else’s job. #Travel #Hawaii

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boothconnor

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Vegas hotel breakfast receipt leaves diners fuming

A Vegas hotel breakfast bill is making waves online after a guest at the Cosmopolitan was hit with a jaw-dropping $142 tab for pancakes, French toast, and an American breakfast. The kicker? Multiple gratuity charges were tacked on, including an auto-gratuity and a “room service upgrade,” leading the guest to tip twice without realizing. Locals and visitors are sounding off about the growing trend of hidden fees and double tipping in Vegas hotels. Have you ever been surprised by unexpected charges while dining out or traveling? Let’s hear your stories and thoughts on tipping culture! #News #LasVegas #TippingCulture

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pbrewer

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Traveling Through Arizona Made Me Question What ‘Safety’ Even Means

I’ve never been to a place where people talk about safety so much — yet define it so differently. In Scottsdale, I heard wealthy tourists brag about how “safe and pristine” it felt. An hour away, in Phoenix, I saw police stopping Latino families for no clear reason. A local told me, “This is normal here. They call it ‘protection.’ We call it something else.” Then a Border Patrol truck passed us on the highway, and everyone acted like it was as normal as a delivery van. Arizona is beautiful — but beauty doesn’t erase the tension you feel when a place is obsessed with safety while half its residents don’t feel protected at all. #Travel #Arizona #SafetyDebate

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Danielle White

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Royal Caribbean Repricing Drama

Anyone else notice Royal Caribbean making it way harder to reprice your cruise if the fare drops? People are saying the cruise line’s quietly changed the rules—now most deals are for new bookings only, and you can’t just call and get the lower price anymore. Pro tip: booking with a refundable fare (though it’s pricier) or using a travel agent might help, but the old easy reprice days are kinda over. Fine print is everything now! #News #RoyalCaribbean #CruiseTips

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Jerry Clark

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Would You Ever Want a 15-Hour Flight?

Ever wished your flight would last longer? That’s what happened to a traveler on Air India’s new business-class from Newark to New Delhi. The seat was basically a private suite, with endless snacks, a social lounge, and even pajamas. The real market shift? Airlines are turning long-haul flights into mini luxury hotels, hoping you’ll actually look forward to that 15-hour haul. If you’re saving up for a splurge, this is the way to do it! #Business #Industry #TravelHacks

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SolarSage

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Gatlinburg, TN: The Tourist Trap I Walked Into

I thought Gatlinburg would be kitschy in a fun way—like a roadside attraction you laugh about later. But standing in a sea of fudge shops and Ripley’s billboards, I felt more like I’d wandered into a fever dream of what people think vacation should be. I kept looking for a moment that felt real: a quiet trail, a local diner, something that wasn’t engineered for my wallet. Instead, I got crowds, overpriced pancakes, and a weird sense of loss for a place I’d never known. Maybe the real confession is this: sometimes you travel somewhere hoping for escape, and end up feeling more trapped than before. #TouristTrapTruths #TravelLetdown #NotWhatIExpected #Travel

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William Mckinney

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Robert Irwin’s Wild New Adventure

Robert Irwin just dropped the cutest update: after his big Dancing With The Stars win, he’s back at Australia Zoo, running the Crocodile Hunter Lodge! The place is total eco-luxury, with kangaroos, koalas, and a restaurant where you can watch wildlife while you eat. Fans are already planning trips to stay in cabins inspired by his dad, Steve Irwin. Who else wants to book a room and live their best wildlife life? #Pets #RobertIrwin #AustraliaZoo

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Christian Russo

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Uninhabited island off the coast of Southern California

📍 Location: Channel Islands National Park, off the Southern California coastline 1️⃣ The excitement of paddling in the Pacific Ocean and encountering marine life is an experience like no other. Channel Islands National Park, located off the Southern California coastline, is home to five islands, including Santa Cruz (the largest), Anacapa, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara. 2️⃣ Santa Cruz Island was our destination this time, where we embarked on an exhilarating 4-hour Kayak Adventure Tour. 🚣‍♀️ I can't recommend this activity enough! Don't forget to also sign up for snorkeling 🤿 or go hiking to explore the island on foot! 3️⃣ During our kayaking adventure, we were accompanied by a friendly sea lion, and we encountered a variety of wildlife on the island, including seabirds and crows. 4️⃣ Getting to Channel Islands National Park requires a boat ride. Ferry services are available from LA, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. Make sure to check the schedule on the official website and purchase tickets in advance. We opted for a round trip ferry ticket from Ventura to Santa Cruz, which took approximately 1 to 1.5 hours each way. The ferry ride also gave us an opportunity to spot marine life such as gray whales. 5️⃣ Attire-wise, the kayaking company provides optional wetsuits, waterproof jackets, helmets, and personal flotation devices. It's recommended to bring a change of clothes and flip-flops, as you're sure to get soaked during the paddling adventure. Don't forget to bring a towel too, as there's a chance of taking an unexpected dip into the sea! 6️⃣ As the island is uninhabited, there are no food stores available. Remember to bring your own refillable water bottle or camelbak, snacks like chocolates and energy bars, as well as a small amount of food to carry with you during the kayaking excursion. Plan your adventure to the uninhabited island off the coast of Southern California and indulge in the beauty of nature! 🌊🚣‍♂️🏝 #ChannelIslands #KayakAdventure #SantaCruzIsland #Snorkeling #Hiking #MarineLife #WildlifeEncounters #CaliforniaCoast #NatureExploration #UninhabitedIsland

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