Setting Siri on the New iPhone to Speak French

(photo: modmyi.com)

(photo: pcmag.com)

Since I mentioned it in the previous post, many new iPhone users were not aware of Siri's other language options. Not that it would be any use if you don't speak the languages but it's fun to hear her different voice used for French and German. It's also unusual to hear her Australian and United Kingdom English.

- Select "Settings" button
- Select "General"
- Select "Siri"
- Select "Language"

Who knows it could be a benefit when traveling abroad. Siri could also help French language students. Obviously there are nuances in the pronounces in the language and Siri knows it.

When in France, Speak like Bradley Cooper Part 2

I've been practicing my French language skills and what's great is I've set Siri on my iPhone to speak the language as well. So at least I can practice it with someone who knows the language better than I. (Siri can also speak German, Australian English and UK English.) What I've learned is even if I know the words my pronunciation skills are way off.

In the meantime here goes Bradley Cooper again speaking French this month translating some phrases into the language. A second YouTube video below is an interview with the actor on French radio to promote "Hangover Part II." Click HERE to read Part 1 and see the video of Cooper on French television that caused the rush of students enrolling in French language courses this year.

A Book Review: A Memoir by Patti Lupone

It's a wonder I did not pick up this memoir by Broadway legend Patti Lupone when it was first released last year. I happen to see it on the shelf at my local bookstore. I picked it up and began reading one of the chapters about her experience in the musical 'Sunset Boulevard'. I could not put it down and purchased the book.

Lupone is very candid and pulls no punches when she describes how she feels about the good and bad people and events in her life. The book is neatly organized by chapters in reference to plays and musicals in which she has performed. I basically read the chapters out of sequence as I wanted to know her story regarding the events that lead to her firing from the Broadway production of 'Sunset' in the role of Norma Desmond which she created in the London premiere of the musical:

"Andrew Lloyd Webber continued to be an unmitigated coward. He didn't have the balls to tell me in person; when the news broke, he sent flowers but no apology. Then he sent two of the most delusional letters I've ever read and which I actually tossed in the garbage, then pulled out and saved. I wanted to reprint them here, but though the letters were sent to me, incredibly, I don't have the legal right to reproduce them without approval from Andrew Lloyd Webber. So without reprinting them, I can still give you the gist."

She reveals the difficult choices made in her life professionally and personally. One such decision was her choice not to repeat the role of Fantine in the musical 'Les Miserables' on Broadway for which she won an Olivier Award in London:

"I'm in the perfect theatrical experience. I'm in a perfect musical with a perfect company in a perfect environment. I can't play this in New York. It would never be the same. This is my company and my experience. All a stage actor has is his or her performance and the memory of it. I didn't want anything to touch that memory."

In the chapter about her role in the ill-fated musical 'The Baker's Wife', Lupone fully reveals the drama behind the scenes on the difficult pre-Broadway tour. Up to then, Lupone often made fun of the experience in concerts before she sang the show's most memorable number, "Meadowlark.":

"...we were still rehearsing by day and performing at night. Bad word of mouth spreads faster than good -- our audiences were tiny and getting smaller by the day. The decline in the audiences matched the decline in the show itself -- it was a long way down from playing the sold-out Dorothy Chandler pavilion in Los Angeles. Finally at a matinee at the Kennedy Center in D.C., we set a house record for the least-attended show in the history of the place: We had 25 people in a 2,700-seat house. These people didn't' have the good sense to get into one row. All we saw was a sea of red."

The book is informative to those wanting to learn about the making of musicals but from the unique perspective of Lupone. Every one of her plays and musicals are covered: "Evita," the 1984 revival of "Oliver", the 2008 revival of "Gypsy" and more. The book is filled with many photographs from her career.

If you are lucky enough to find Lupone's 1993 two-disc recording "Live!", the songs from her career on stage and her introductions to the songs make this CD a perfect companion to the book.

The hardcover copy is no longer in print. Currently available in paperback and audio editions. A Kindle download version is also available.

Worldwide Tipping Information

(photo: askmanny/flickr)

Magellan's Travel Supplies has a quick and handy guide on worldwide tipping at restaurants, porters and taxi drivers. The experts at Magellan's offers these general guidelines by region:

Asia and the Pacific: Special care must be taken to insure that your well-meaning gesture is not taken as insulting. If you are unsure, it is best not to tip. If possible, observe the locals and follow their lead.

Europe: Many hotels and restaurants add a service charge to the bill. In most cases, an additional tip is unnecessary. If no service charge is added to your bill 10% is the general rule for restaurant service, a dollar per bag will be appreciated.

Middle East/Africa: While your tip will not be seen as insulting, it may be unnecessary. Once again, the best bet is to do as the locals do.

Central/South America: Many hotels and restaurants add a service charge to the bill, and an additional tip is unnecessary. If not, 10% is the general rule for restaurant service, and a dollar per bag is appreciated.

The Magellan's tipping guide is just that, only a guide, and they indicate the practice is a reward for good service and in the end the value it up to you.  Below are some popular destinations and tipping guidelines.

AUSTRALIA
   Restaurants: 10% in fine restaurants only
   Porters: $2 per bag
   Taxis: Round Up

CANADA
   Restaurants: 15%
   Porters: $1-$2 per bag
   Taxis: 10%

ENGLAND
   Restaurants: 10% if no service charge
   Porters: $1 per bag
   Taxis: 15%

JAPAN
   Restaurants: None, tipping is perceived as insulting
   Porters: None
   Taxis: None

Visit magellans.com for the complete list which features guidelines for over 70 countries.

Ways to Save Money On A Vacation - Airfares

Here are some quick tips that may help you save some money when choosing airfares.

• Remember 3pm (Eastern Time) on Tuesdays. Airlines often post sale fare on Tuesdays.
• Cheapest days to fly international are Monday through Thursday.
• Cheapest days to fly domestic are Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.
• Most expensive days to fly are Monday, Friday and Sunday. Days popular with business travelers who are not as price conscious as those on vacation.
• On your internet browser, clear the "cookies" after a search for fares. Some travel fare sites can still show the higher fare you viewed earlier than newly posted lower fares.
• Fares can be updated as many as three times per day during the week.
• If a fare goes down, some airlines will refund the difference. The passenger must monitor the fares and notify the airline; but service fees may be incurred.
• Sign-up for email alerts with the airline. If you live in popular destinations, special offers can be few.
• Not all websites are created equal. Even if you check through Kayak (which searches across multiple airlines), always check other sites (such as Orbitz and Expedia) as well as the airline websites. Fares can be vastly different on international routes.

Story Behind the Song: "Music of the Night" from 'The Phantom of the Opera' by Andrew Lloyd Webber

The slip cover for a vinyl 7" release featuring "Music of the Night"

Musical composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is reputed to keep a musical bank. He composes tunes and deposits them until they can be used in a musical. Sometimes a tune is withdrawn from the bank only to be returned for use later.

“Music of the Night” from 'The Phantom of the Opera' was first called “Married Man” and composed by Lloyd Webber for Sarah Brightman. This version which premiered in 1983 at his Sydmonton summer arts festival had lyrics by Trevor Nunn. The song was intended as an opening number for the musical ‘Aspects of Love’ for the character of Giulietta, an Italian sculptress who in the novella by David Garnett is the mistress of the character named George and later the wife of his nephew Alex.

The 1986 London Poster

Though “Married Man” was recorded, it could not be released because Lloyd Webber’s lawyers felt that a song with that title sung by Brightman while he was still married to his first wife and with whom he was in the midst of difficult divorce negotiations could not be made public. This was even though Brightman sang it later in a concert at London’s Barbican Centre. So the song went into the drawer as it awaited rebirth along with the whole of ‘Aspects of Love’.

(Lloyd Webber was married to Sarah Hugill from 1972-1983 and then to Brightman in 1984 until their divorce in 1990.)

The melody resurfaced when Lloyd Webber was creating ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ and the song was no longer for Brightman who would play Christine in the musical but given to the Phantom. However Brightman has recorded “Music of the Night” and performs the number in her concerts.

As sung by the Phantom, “Music of the Night” had much different lyrics when it was performed at Sydmonton by Colm Wilkinson in 1985. Gone were the words of Nunn and replaced by those of Richard Stilgoe and Charles Hart who further revised the Sydmonton version into the present one heard in ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ when it finally premiered at London’s Her Majesty’s Theatre in 1986 and sung by Michael Crawford. ‘Aspects of Love’ opened in 1989 at London’s Prince of Wales Theatre with no traces of the “Married Man” song or lyrics.

The extreme success of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ has lead to accusations of plagiarism. The estate of Puccini accused Lloyd Webber of plagiarizing several musical motifs from “La Fanciulla Del West” (The Girl of the Golden West) for “Music of the Night”. The lawsuit was settled out of the court and the terms never made public. Other reports compare the song to “Come to Me, Bend To Me” from the musical ‘Brigadoon’ by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe.

Below are YouTube videos of “Married Man” performed by Sarah Brightman and the Sydmonton version of “Music of the Night” sung by Colm Wilkinson. The lyrics are re-printed below for comparison purposes. In the final video, an interview shows Lloyd Webber talking about the versions of the song.



"Married Man" (music Andrew Lloyd Webber; lyrics Trevor Nunn)
Dreams of summer, secret smiles between us
Of us meeting, you thought they had seen us.
We thus tried explaining, then it started raining,
Then you said I love you girl and then
I'm much too old to fall in love again.

Time was golden, I felt I was falling,
Waiting, smiling, hoping you'd be calling.
Loving eyes upon me, showing me you love me,
I woke up beside you once and said
I don't think I could fall in love again.

Married man you were happy and you let me know
As you run up the stairs to reach my door.
But I cried every time you had to go.
Should have said, don't come here anymore.

Winter, silence, shadows on the ceiling.
You said, you're too young to know that feeling.
Then your voice seemed colder,
then you said I told her.
I said well she's older but then
She's young enough to fall in love again.

Though I tried to forget her as you live with me.
But you cried when she met you to return.
You said no that's all over but you lied.
Married man, are you too old to learn?
Spring can be a very cruel season,
Help me, help me, don't ask for a reason.

Please you must believe me, I want you to leave me.
One day if you're free, but not till then.
I'm young enough to fall in love again.
I'm young enough to fall in love again.



"Music of the Night" Sydmonton Version (lyrics by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe)
Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation,
Darkness multiplies imagination.
Slowly all the senses, abandon their defenses,
Helpless to resist the notes I write,
For I compose the music of the night.

Close your eyes, for your eyes will only tell the truth,
And the truth isn't what you want to see.
In the dark it is easy to pretend,
That the truth is what it ought to be.

Take your time, break in, filling us completely.
First love, slaughter, adverse words of greeting.
As the night is nearing, the touch, the taste and hearing,
Gradually replace redundant sight,
Preparing for the music of the night.

Close your eyes, let the touch of it, abuse the soul;
Let its timbre crescendo in the flame.
Can you tell, is it pleasure? Is it pain?
From now on, you'll never be the same.

Go now, gently; my music, though you fear it,
Let me show you, only stay and hear it.
Measure after measure, an instrument of pleasure.
A treasure-house, of passion and delight.
Come join me in the music of the night.

All along, my soul can not be right,
Help me make the music of the night.

Shop Marriott, Renaissance, Courtyard and JW

Who would have thought that among business opportunities for the hotel industry would be marketing and selling the products used for each property.

Four websites covering four brands (Marriott, Renaissance, Courtyard and JW Marriott) within the Marriott Hotel family specifically sells products ranging from bedding to room accessories to bath toiletries. I have to admit that after seeing the chic and modern designs of some of these hotel rooms and common areas, I can imagine that some guests may want to duplicate features in their own homes. These products are not cheap. On the ShopMarriott website 16 oz toiletries are $10 and bath towels are $25. Lamps range in price from $175 to $300.

Visit any one of the four shopping websites for more information. There is only checkout even if products are ordered across the four sites.
ShopMarriott.com
CollectRenaissance.com
CuratedByJW.com
ShopCourtyard.com

Best and Worst Frequent Flyer Programs for Availability

(photo: jaunted.com)

SmarterTravel.com recently issued a report comparing the availability of domestic coach tickets using frequent flyer miles. Based on a survey conducted by IdeaWorks, 6,720 test bookings were made on the websites of 24 of the world's largest frequent flyer programs during March and April 2011 for travel dates between June through October 2011.

These are the results showing the percentage of successful on-line award bookings for U.S. and Canadian programs among 20 top routes.
1) Southwest  99.3%
2) Air Canada  82.1%
3) JetBlue  79.3%
4) United  71.4%
5) Continental  71.4%
6) Alaska  64.3%
7) American  62.9%
8) AirTran  47.1%
9) Delta  27.1%
10) US Airways  25.7%

It's no secret that airlines do not publish the number of seats available for award redemption so this list is the closest to any hard data that passengers will have. Visit SmarterTravel.com for the full article.

One of the Best Signs Ever: Aloha Spirit Required Here

One of my friends emailed me this photo of a sign posted at the entrance to a Molokai grocery store called Friendly Market. It's a nice reminder that the Aloha spirit is not left at home nor checked at the door. I love this sign. Someone should market it and print it on t-shirts.

Hotel Safe Security Flaw

Dailydot.com reports that the security safe in hotels rooms may be not as secure as one may think. The safes are commonly used by guests to store valuables such as passports, cash and jewelry rather than risk losing them by having to carry the items wherever they go.

A YouTube video (posted below) shows one hotel guest unlocking his safe by entering all zeros. The guest had forgotten his previously chosen password and the front desk advised him to the the "000000" security code.

The article includes comments from a customer service rep at a safe manufacturing company that being able to unlock the safe in this method is pure negligence on the hotel's part. The rep adds that every safe has a factory code, whether it is all zeros or all ones, and it is each hotel's responsibility to reset this factory code when they take the safe out of the box.

I've come to depend on these safes and now it appears these default passwords which may be common knowledge among hotel staff. However it is commonly reported that one other option is to ask the front desk to store extremely valuable items hotel's main safe. But even with this method I've read that in small hotels especially those in foreign countries guests should request to see the actual safe to verify its security.

ANA Flies First Boeing 787 Dreamliner

The highly-touted Boeing Dreamliner flew its first commercial flight this month after much delay. Paying customers on ANA (All Nippon Airways), one of Japan's largest airlines, had the privilege of flying this inaugural flight from Tokyo to Hong Kong. Though the jet seats 264, only 100 were made available to the public. The balance of seats offered to a mix of journalists, airlines officials and industry workers.

The 787 is supposed to usher in a modern design for passenger comfort including:

Larger Windows. The feature is 30% bigger on the 787 compared to those on Boeing's 767 and positioned closer to eye level offering even passengers not seated by the window a view. The windows do not have manual shades but instead are darkened by a button control that electronically dim the light partially or completely.

Bigger Storage Bins. Designed to accommodate the standard carry-on rollers bags, the bins are 30% bigger than on Boeing's 777 aircrafts. Boeing believes the design allows passengers to more easily fit their bags into the bins that will help more flights take off on time.

Comfortable Cabin Environment. The Dreamliner is pressurized at 6,000 feet elevation in lieu of the 8,000 that is typical for most passenger aircraft. Combined with a higher humidity, passengers should experience less headaches, fatigue and jet lag that accompanies flying. LED lighting illuminates the cabin gently creating a more relaxing space.

Washlet-Equpped Lavatories. The ANA 787 has toilet seats with a warm-water bidet function in each class of service.

Other Features include:
Cabin Design. Vaulted ceilings help play off the larger windows to make the cabin feel more spacious.

Gadget Friendly. ANA offers USB posts and electric outlets at every seat.

Quieter Cabin. Boeing reports that cabin noise on the 787 will be lower compared to other long-haul jets.

One thing that passengers won't notice but the airlines appreciate is the Dreamliner's reduced weight and aerodynamic profile that will increase fuel efficiency up to 20%. Unlike the Airbus A380 which no U.S carrier operates, orders for the 787 Dreamliner have been placed by United and Delta. Critics caution passengers that the perception of the plane will depend on each airline tailors and customizes the experience. Visit ana.com to learn more about the artiness 787 Dreamliner.

ANA long-haul first class seats.

ANA economy seats.

Top 50 World's Most Visited Tourist Attractions by Travel + Leisure

This month Travel + Leisure Magazine published a ranking of the 50 most visited tourist attractions in the world. Forbes published a similar list in 2007 and at the time many agreed that the attractions listed deserved a ranking in the top 50. When the two lists are compared there are some surprises and omissions.

One obvious difference between the two rankings is the preponderance of attractions in the United States on the Travel + Leisure list. There are 28 compared to the Forbes ranking which listed only 19. Left off the T+L list were Pyramids of Giza (Egypt) 4 million and the Taj Mahal (Agra, India) 3 million. While others like Stonehenge (England) at 1 million visitors did not have the attendance to make either list.

Times Square (photo: TheHopefulTraveler)

Trafalgar Square in London which ranked number four on the Forbes list is excluded from the Travel + Leisure because of the methodology to determine the list. The local tourism bureau could not provide estimates that distinguished between visitors and locals. Similar to the Forbes ranking, Travel + Leisure defined "tourist attractions" as cultural and historical sites, landmarks and officially designated spaces. So Minnesota's Mall of American with 40 million visitors is exempt. Also excluded are sights that draw exclusively religious pilgrims.

Some things remained constant on the Travel + Leisure ranking, France contains the most popular attractions after the United States and that visitors have a continued fondness for Mickey Mouse.

Click on the name of an attraction for a link to a related website. Where an official website could not be found, the link is to an information or ticketing website. Count how many you have visited. I have a feeling this list will be much debated.

1) Times Square (New York City, NY) annual visitors 39.2 million
2) Central Park (New York City, NY) 38 million
3) Union Station (Washington, DC) 37 million
4) Las Vegas Strip (Las Vegas, NV) 29.5 million
5) Niagara Falls (New York State and Ontario, Canada) 22.5 million
6) Grand Central Terminal (New York City, NY) 21.6 million
7) Faneuil Hall Marketplace (Boston, MA) 18 million
8) Disney World's Magic Kingdom (Orlando, FL) 17 million
9) Disneyland Park & Disney's California Adventure (Anaheim, CA) 16 million
10) Grand Bazaar (Istanbul, Turkey) 15 million

Grand Bazaar (photo: SteveButler/flickr)

11) Tokyo Disneyland (Tokyo, Japan) 14.5 million
12) Pier 39 (San Francisco, CA) 14 million
13) Notre Dame Cathedral (Paris, France) 13.7 million
14) Golden Gate Park (San Francisco, CA) 13 million
15) Forbidden City (Beijing, China) 12.8 million
16) Epcot (Lake Buena Visa, FL) 10.8 million
17) Disneyland Paris Resort (Marne-la-Valee, France) 10.5 million
18) Sacre Coeur Basilica (Paris, France) 10.5 million
19) Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront (Hong Kong) 10.1 million
20) Victoria Peak (Hong Kong) 10.1 million

View of Hong Kong from Victoria Peak (photo: hanneorla/flickr)

21) Pike Place Market (Seattle, WA) 10 million
22) The Zocalo (Mexico City) 10 million
23) Disney's Animal Kingdom (Lake Buena Vista, FL) 9.7 million
24) Disney's Hollywood Studios (Lake Buena Vista, FL) 9.6 million
25) Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee/North Carolina) 9.4 million
26) Great Wall of China (China) 9 million
27) South Street Seaport (New York City, NY) 9 million
28) Navy Pier (Chicago, IL) 8.7 million
29) Musee du Louvre (Paris, France) 8.5 million
30) National Air and Space Museum (Washington, DC) 8.3 million

National Air and Space Musuem (photo: ChadBendall/flickr)

31) Universal Studios Japan (Osaka, Japan) 8.2 million
32) Sydney Opera House (Sydney, Australia) 7.4 million
33) Everland (Gyeonggi-Do, South Korea) 6.9 million
34) National Museum of Natural History (Washington, DC) 6.8 million
35) Eiffel Tower (Paris, France) 6.7 million
36) Lincoln Memorial (Washington, DC) 6 million
37) Bourbon Street (New Orleans, LA) 6 million
38) Universal Orlando / Islands of Adventure (Orlando, FL) 5.9 million
39) Palace of Versailles (Versailles, France) 5.9 million
40) British Museum (London, England) 5.8 million

Lotte World (photo: krispyfreak/flickr)

41) Lotte World (Seoul, South Korea) 5.6 million
42) Grauman's Chinese Theatre / Hollywood Walk of Fame (Hollywood, CA) 5.5 million
43) French Market (New Orleans, LA) 5.4 million
44) Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City, NY) 5.2 million
45) Hong Kong Disneyland (Hong Kong) 5.2 million
46) The Colosseum (Rome, Italy) 5.1 million
47) Ocean Park (Hong Kong) 5.1 million
48) Sea World (Orlando, FL) 5.1 million
49) Tate Modern (London, England) 5.1 million
50) Universal Studios Hollywood (Universal City, CA) 5.0 million

Universal Studios Hollywood (photo: crabers.crab/flickr)

Souvenir Brochure: 'The Phantom of the Opera' at the Royal Albert Hall In Celebration of 25 Years

Some of the poster art advertising the London production of 'The Phantom
of the Opera' over 25 years.

Souvenir brochure cover

One of the must have keepsakes from the 25th Anniversary Celebration of Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'The Phantom of the Opera' live at Royal Albert Hall is the souvenir brochure made for this special event.

The glossy 72-page softcover brochure measures 13.5x9.5" and features much more than biographies of the creators and 25th anniversary celebration cast. Among the highlights include a loving tribute to 'Phantom' set and costume Maria Bjornson with photos of her costume sketches and a feature about adapting her designs for the Royal Albert Hall. A list reveals the thirteen actors who have played the most performances as the Phantom. Topping the list are Howard McGillin (New York) and Peter Karrie (London, UK Tour, Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore) who each has played over 2,500 performances as of October 1, 2011.

Also included is a complete list of the original cast recordings and a sample of the cover art of these CDs. Another section features the facades of theatres worldwide where 'Phantom' has played and a full-list of 145 cities across 27 counties that have hosted the show

The brochure serves as a companion piece to the out-of-print book 'The Complete Phantom of the Opera' by George Perry which documented the making of the original London production.

This very special souvenir is available from the Really Useful website for £10 (US$16) or London's Dress Circle musical theatre shop for £12 (US$19).

Click HERE to read a review of the cinema presentation of the this special event. This was not a 25th anniversary concert but a fully staged presentation complete with sets, costumes and choreography featuring a cast of over 200 actors and musicians.

Main cast: Ramin Karimloo (The Phantom), Sierra Boggess (Christine),
Hadley Fraser (Raoul), Keira Duffy (Carlotta), Barry James (Monsieur Firmin),
Gareth Snook (Monsier Andres), Liz Roberson (Madame Giry) and Wynne Evans
 (Ubaldo). Due to the illness of Keira Duffy, Wendy Ferguson played the role of
Carlotta at each of the three celebration performances.

The 'Phantom' on various brochures, playbills and merchandise.

Feature about the design for the 25th anniversary shows.

A Note from Housekeeping

Finally finished unpacking my bag from my trip to Philadelphia. I found this note I kept that housekeeping had left on the desk in my hotel room at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. Even though I was tipping them for the good work they do, it was nice to know they appreciated the tip as well. It was another reason why I have say that Philadelphia is one the most friendliest cities I have ever visited. I'm actually a bit embarrassed that the Aloha Spirit of Hawaii of my home state may be challenged by the City of Brotherly Love in the hospitality department.

Where & Official Visitors Guide Philadelphia

(photo: TheHopefulTraveler)

If you don't have a guidebook these two magazines Where Philadelphia and Philadelphia Official Visitors Guide are the the perfect substitute. Best of all each offers up to date information of special and current events as well as all the basic information about visitor attractions and dining options. These two magazines were in my room at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown.

Visit wheretraveler.com and philadelphiausa.travel for their online versions. Click HERE for the Philadelphia Official Visitors Guide iPad app. Where is also available for other cities in the U.S. and foreign destinations.