The sound of kids playing in the summer: Growing up, that was the sound of basketball. Pick up games in the neighbor’s driveway, behind Mikey’s house, and in the park were played till we couldn’t see the basket anymore or that spoiled kid took his ball and went home.
It is undisputed that the international game of sport is soccer with the game being played from beaches to concrete parking lots. When I moved to Mongolia, I expected the same but perhaps not as rampant because the summer is short, limiting the opportunity to play outdoor sports. Curiously, I thought given their stature, the environment, and proximity to the former Soviet Union that Mongolia would be a hockey town. It is not.
The soccer pitch is empty.
I was surprised in walking around Ulaanbaatar to hear the sound of a basketball being dribbled, shit being spoken, and that same whiny kid threatening to take his ball home. Every housing complex has a hoop, some with a net, some without, and a group of kids playing until the sun goes down. The absence of street lights didn’t diminish their drive to play one more game. More surprising was the level of skill these young kids displayed: posting up, driving, and shooting from the outside.
Since the 1992 Dream Team, the game of basketball has become increasingly international with this year’s NBA Finals being broadcast to a record 215 countries. However, just because the game has spread to countries like China, does not mean the skills has followed. As an ESPN 4 analyst walking around China and Mongolia, I saw better fundamentals showcased by young Mongolians than the university kids at Fudan in Shanghai who made my jump shot look Ray Allenish.
The love of the game hasn’t quite yet translated for wins on the international stage for Mongolia. Indeed, Mongolia is ranked dead last in the FIBA Asia zone and 112th out of 116th in the overall world standings. But, I conjecture that this has less to do with talent and more to do with infrastructure, resources, and the availability of the game to what is a small population in comparison to their leading counterparts: China, Korea, Japan, and shockingly Iran at number four.
Maybe it’s because kids were out enjoying the last days of summer or maybe it’s because everyone was playing game after game that today, in Mongolia, I didn’t feel like I was 6200 miles from Detroit. I felt like I was a kid back home.
After another pleasant crisp cold shower following my wrongapartment selection in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, I started to think about all those great showers I experienced all over the world. The criteria for a great shower aside from hot water is water pressure, water spouts, and ingenuity.
So here are the Top 7 Shower Experiences in all of the world*:
*Spas, hammams, shiatsus, and other communal soaking experiences are not included.
7. Las Vegas, Nevada
My first time in Vegas I stayed at the charming Riviera hotel. This iconic hotel will not be included on my Hotel Reviews page because the name speaks for itself. I’ve been to Vegas about twenty times but will not forget the shower experience at the Skylofts at MGM. Not only did we finally come up from the days of the Stardust hotel but also we experienced spoiled luxury for the first time. The room had a chauffeur, a butler, and a private concierge.
Above all, it had a shower with a ten person capacity. Go figure.
Multiple rainfall shower!2nd best shower in Vegas
6. Shanghai, China
My first apartment in Shanghai had a pod for a shower with spouts coming from every direction. It took some trial and error to figure out how to use all the buttons and knobs but once I figured it out, it made for an unforgettable home shower experience.
5. Liberia, Costa Rica
Moving along to more formal luxury is my #5 shower experience at the Andaz Peninsula Papagayo in Liberia, Costa Rica. The resort is built overlooking the marina and the rooms seem to exist naturally with the environment. The shower opens out to the balcony making you truly feel one with nature.
4. Seychelles
The Hilton Seychelles Northolme is one of my favorite resorts not only because it is in the most beautiful place in the world- Mahe,Seychelles but also provides the best service for its guests. The hotel upgraded my room from garden view to ocean view at no cost and provided a shower with a view of the blue ocean.
3. Doha, Qatar
Admittedly, Doha isn’t the most exciting city in the world but it does have a W Hotel, a guaranteed party no matter where in the world you go. As an SPG Platinum member, the front desk upgraded me to the Wow Suite and the shower was what I wish to have in my home one day, should I choose to ever stay put. The rainfall shower was the size of an extra large pizza!
2. Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport
I was about to board my Delta business class flight from Atlanta to Buenos Aires when I went to Delta’s new international Sky Club business class lounge. I had been to business class lounges before but had never taken advantage of the shower service. The lounge shower its hot water never ending and pressure unrelenting made the shower in ATL come in at #2.
1. Emirates Airlines A380 First Class
And now for the best shower experience in the world, the incomparable, the undeniable, the incomprehensible shower aboard an Emirates Airlines A380. The pictures speak for themselves:
The shower has to be scheduled with the flight attendant and the hot water only lasts for five minutes but how can any deny the cool factor for showering at 30,000 feet especially with all the amenities given pre and post shower.
Now someone please come fix this damn shower in Ulaanbaatar!
Wrapping up the Simply the Best List is July 2014. It goes without saying that my book was published this month and is now on sale. (You can buy it here!) The reviews are starting to come in so let’s see what the world thinks. Luckily, the first one was resoundingly positive and no it was not written by me.
But enough book talk, here’s the list of the best posts that you guys enjoyed in July.
1. I’M COMING HOME (The original parody of Lebron James done minutes after his was released. (see date and time in post) Take that Brian Scalabrine!
The picturesque seaside lined with posh resorts is the sleight of hand meant to cover up the ills of an island marred by drugs, sex trafficking, and an apathetic regard for humanity.
I overheard a fellow patron ask about a food eating contest and my ears perked up. Moments later, I found myself signing up for the Double Lawdog challenge: 2lbs of dog, 2 buns, and a mound of chili cheese fries that must be completed in an hour.
Today on House Hunters International, a lawyer leaves the desert of the Sonoran for the grind of the Gobi. Join us today for House Hunter’s International as we head to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Today on House Hunters International, a lawyer leaves the desert of the Sonoran for the grind of the Gobi.
Mongolia, the land of Genghis Khan, the fearsome conqueror whose empire once controlled lands from Europe to Asia and the Middle East has transformed from a nomadic country into an emerging economy especially in the up and coming metropolis of its capital, Ulaanbaatar.
Ulaanbaatar (or is it Ulan Bator) is a the largest city in Mongolia, a country landlocked between Russia and China. This nation is home to some of the largest natural resource deposits in the world attracting investors like the ’49 Gold Rush in the United States. The economy has gone up and down for the past couple of years but is still lucrative for professionals looking to be a part of what may be the next great international skyline.
Today, we meet Alexander, an American lawyer mining for success in this ancient country.
Alex:I’ve grown quite used to living in the real sunshine state of Arizona but life has gotten to be a little bit dull here. Ironically, I’m moving to a place described as drab because it is the coldest and most polluted city in the world. Luckily, the work will be very interesting.
Alex has had to sell his Cadillac, get rid of his bbq, and rent out his place while simultaneously looking for an apartment in UB. He arrives on Friday with work beginning on Monday so he will have to move quickly in locating a place to live.
Alex:I’ve looked at Google Maps and have some idea where my office is. For me, the most important thing is proximity to work. I’m used to the luxuries of home but will give it up to avoid freezing to death.
Alex found a real estate agent to assist him in the search and listed his requirements:
Alex: Money isn’t the issue, proximity to work is. All I need is strong Wi-Fi, a comfortable bed, and a hot shower. I’d even settle for a studio apartment if it was connected to the office!
Agent:And what is your budget?
Alex:I’m thinking around $500 a month…
Agent:Oh, that’s quite low. Ulaanbaatar is not as cheap you would expect. The nicer properties go for thousands of dollars a month, especially if you want to be in the city.
Alex: . . . Well maybe money is an issue.
Agent:But, I’ll do my best of showing you a range of properties.
Option 1: The Blue Sky Building
Agent:The first property I’m showing Alex is the Blue Sky building located on Peace Avenue. This architectural marvel isn’t quite the achievement that its engineers thought it would be. It was supposed to represent the modernization of UB and introduce a new level of luxury to the city. Instead, the building was plagued with construction delays and the reviews have been mixed. I’m showing Alex this property but it is for sale, not rent. The real estate market has taken a hit since 2012 so the prices are much more affordable
Alex:Initially, I liked the Blue Sky building because it reminded me of my days in Dubai and it is really close to work and the Choijin Lama Temple Museum. The price, in the millions of dollars, not Mongolian Tugrik, is a bit out of my budget.
The Agent sensing that Alex’s talk of not wanting amenities was indeed just talk shifted the focus away from the city center to an area south of the city where many of the expats live. While Alex would not be walking distance to work, the complex provides all the amenities of living in Scottsdale and has bluer sky views than the Blue Sky building which becomes barely visible due to smog in the winter.
Agent: I showed Alex the Bella Vista apartments that have everything from a pool to grocery store located on the premises. I could tell he was impressed. The price was out of his initial budget as most apartments go for a couple of grand a month, but he seemed to be intrigued by living in a place that was so much like home.
Alex:Wow, I really like this apartment complex. It is more like living in a points hotel, like a Park Hyatt. The budget is a little off but there is a gym on site. That may be too hard to pass up. I don’t know how to get to work because there’s no way I’m driving in this traffic. Even taking a taxi seems like it would be an inconvenience given the language barrier.
Moving onto option #3, the Agent does a complete 180 as she shows Alex his final choice. It is located right in the city center, only five minutes to work, right next to a gym and grocery store, and most importantly next to two pubs: Grand Khaan Irish Bar and MB Beer Plus that also is a brewery.
Option 3:Nearby Livin’
Agent:Now I’m going to have warn you, the outside of the building isn’t exactly beautiful. It was built in the 60’s in typical Soviet design. Furthermore, the apartment is located on the 5th floor and there is no elevator. It does include Wi-Fi and satellite TV that has HBO and CNN International for watching dreamy AC360. Also, the rent is only $570 a month.
Alex: Let’s take a look.
Agent:Well here we are.
Alex:Well, the building and the front door sure have character.
Agent:Here’s the bedroom that comes with this interesting rug and a bed that is as hard as the concrete infrastructure of the building itself. The bathroom has a hot shower but in Ulaanbaatar the hot water is sporadically cut off during the summer like rolling blackouts in San Francisco. But, come look, you can see your work from the window.
Alex: If there’s one thing Ulaanbaatar has, it’s common parts. How’s the Wi-Fi?
Agent:It’s pretty reliable. Please decide as soon as possible. The availability of all these places even with the economic downturn dries up quite quickly.
Walking around the city, Alex goes to Suhktbaatar Square to look at the impressive statue of Ghenghis Khaan. Running out of time, he has to make a decision on where to live. Will it be option 1, the Blue Sky of Dubai, for the luxury lifestyle? Will it be option 2, the style of Scottsdale, outside the city center? Or, option 3, Flinttown, Mongolia?
Alex:Well, first I have to start by eliminating one option. That seems obvious. Option 1. It’s too early to buy a property and especially in a building that has such terrible reviews. The gym in the complex is smaller than the one in my parents’ house and it costs $100 a month to enroll. There is a nightclub attached to it called Vegas, but nobody goes there.
Option 1 is out.
Alex:Now, it’s between option 2 and option 3. When I started this search I did say that proximity was important so long as I had a comfortable bed, a hot shower, and great Wi-Fi. Option 2 has all the features I’m looking for in an apartment but it is pretty far away. Option 3 does have Wi-Fi but the bed is made out of bricks and intermittent hot water? I mean, I know the summer is coming to an end any day now but that would mean I would have to move again next summer or learn to enjoy cold showers from time to time.
So which one will it be?
Alex:ThePointsOflife has allowed me to travel the world and stay at the best hotels and fly on the best airlines for next to nothing. I’ve been pampered more than I deserve and have grown accustom to a champagne lifestyle. But, I really enjoyed my days in Anytown, USA when I was sleeping in the great outdoors in my upgraded tent. I guess I could get use to the hard bed. And for $570 a month all in and I’m right next to work, I think I’ve made my decision:
Option 3 it is!
We caught up with Alex a week after he has settled into his new apartment. The shower is running hot and the bed has enough padding to trick him into believing he is staying at his former home, the W Hotel Scottsdale.
Alex:I love my apartment. I walk to work, to the gym, and most importantly to the bar, come rain or cold. With all the money I saved on rent, I can go to the nearby pubs as often as I like and buy as much locally crafted beer as my liver desires. For sure, I know I made the right decision. Thanks House Hunters International.
The investigators are gonna want to pull a tube of your blood to check for intoxicants, and what are they gonna find, Alex? Do the math. You’ve been smoking PCP all day, haven’t you?
I met Cabbie Alonzo Harris bright and early for what would be an unforgettable training day in the life of a taxi driver. We left the yard and took our first call in the city of Mesa, a family going to see the doctor. From there we cruised the streets of Phoenix and Alonzo told me what not do as a taxi driver.
– Do not carry any cash in your shirt pocket. Thieves sitting behind you will say they have a weapon, or have a weapon and jack you for your money.
– Do not pick up fares from gas stations. Many of the robberies and criminal mischief originate from these locations because there is not a phone number to track the individual.
– Do not drop off unruly customers in unlit places. A taxi driver had an issue with two passengers and finally kicked them out of his cab but did so in a dark street. They ended up taking the driver out of car, beating him so badly he ended up in intensive care, and setting fire to his taxi.
– Do not return lost stuff back to a passenger’s residence. Alonzo personally, out of the kindness of his heart, returned an iPad left in his cab. When he got to the residence, the owner accused him of stealing it and pulled a gun on him. Luckily, he sped away and was not hurt.
From there, the rest of the day was routine: here’s how to use the meter, here’s how Greater Phoenix is divided into parcels, and here’s the emergency button if you are in distress.
A few uneventful hours later, a few dollars later, Alonzo asked me if I still wanted to be a cabbie.
“Damn right,” I nervously responded.
“Good, because you start tomorrow night,” he replied.
This time they’ve gone too far! Outraged, angry, and disgusted is how I feel right now.
We borrowed a bottle of Tabasco for the apartment from a local restaurant because we couldn’t find it in the store.
I came home after a hard day’s work yearning for some peppery pleasure. Out of habit, I remove the unmistakable red top, tilt the bottle at the perfect angle, then curiously wonder why there is a moment of pause before my hot sauce fixation is fixed.
A delayed second later, I figured out why when I tasted disappointment. Believing this was karma from borrowing, I almost didn’t give the bottle a second glance. Luckily, I did. That’s when I discovered trademark infringement at its finest- fake Tabasco!
Fake f@*!ing Tabasco. Are you kidding? Is nothing sacred? This time they’ve crossed the line. This time I’m going to take some action. This time I’m using my law degree for good.
Following my taxicab book promotion, my plan was to have the book released for my Round the World Trip in One Direction Tour then the Across the World to Mongolia Encore Tour. The idea was to bring as many books as I could pack into my Osprey backpack and leave them in the seat back pocket of every flight. Travelers would reach for that mind numbing airlines magazine and be pleasantly surprised to find my inspirational work instead. (YOU CAN BUY IT HERE! and SkyMall.)
Looking at the Great Circle Mapper, that would’ve required about 20 books, and maybe some excess baggage fees.
That’s 42,000 miles of First and Business class flown for next to nothing! #pointsking
Unfortunately, the process of editing and binding a book is much more complicated than I realized. So, all I could bring were some nifty business cards showcasing ThePointsOflife on one side and my Prius whip on the other.
Call me maybe
Passing those out was still fun as I received the same run down of questions each time:
Enter Alex the marketing magician to respond to said questions.
Even with the barrage of new Facebook likes, Twitter followers, and Instagram stalkers (I should disable the location), I was still annoyed that I didn’t have physical copies to disburse at 30,000 feet.
My vexation has been soothed in the past few days and friends, family, and fools have posted pics of the book from around the world. From Tokyo to Toronto, Anchorage to Australia, the word is getting out- abandon your cubicle, live life now!
Christmas came early for big supporters in Toronto! Shout out to George and Stephan!
Impatiently waiting for the book to go from viral to epidemic status, I’m off to plan my next marketing scheme since this taxi is out of commission.
Animal style? Protein Style? Not quite, but I did have a mouth watering double cheeseburger on the way home after a couple more Chinggis Darks. The price was right, the toppings a little quirky, and the service with a smile, the same as In-N-Out Tempe (a popular destination for my fares when I worked as a taxi driver).
As usual when it comes to food, I let the pics do the talking and my mouth the drooling.
So here it is: In-N-Out Burger UB Style: All rights reserved:
world class ketchupthe sous chefthe executive chefi recommend UB stylethe uniformso close!benny benassi!
Marcia, Marcia, Marcia! Status, status, status! That’s the name of the points game. Dropping status is almost as bad as losing a relative. That love, support, and ass kissing are gone, leaving you feeling alone- a stranger in your own hotel.
I hold onto my Hilton Gold status by paying the annual fee on my Citi Reserve Hilton card, find some value as a Platinum by paying for a Chase Hyatt card (though it does not compare to being Diamond), and will sacrifice my new born to stay Platinum with SPG (sorry Dequindre but I love suite upgrades).
Today I received an email from Le Club Accorhotels saying that my Platty plat platinum status has been downgraded. Accor does have a lot of nice properties worldwide but I have only stayed at a couple of them. Last year, I found a loophole to reach platinum and got a few amenities when I was at the Novotel in Wellington, New Zealand! Windy Wellington!
Still I really think their marketing team could have done a better job in delivering the bad news:
