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I never studied exercise science. I have not even taken a science class since AP Physics my junior year at Culver. I certainly did not plan to become a personal trainer. I wanted to be a spy. Life, however, does not move in a linear fashion. In my professional field of health and fitness, I am largely self-taught. Sure, I dotted my I’s and crossed my T’s with my certifications for liability and insurance purposes, but most of my fitness knowledge comes from daily reading of various industry publications, interactions with some of the best professionals and coaches in my field, and from my own athletic endeavors. It also comes from my diverse interests in the arts, politics, and travel. I attribute much of my success in my continuing education and my clients’ results from the foundation laid at Culver and its health and wellness program.  Photo by SwanShot.com
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How do you measure a summer? In the U.S., summer is bookended by Memorial Day and Labor Day, the unofficial beginning and end of summer. In Spain, our season is opened, locally, by our town’s festival in Torrejón de Ardoz, and closed, just an hour away, at the festival in Yebra, the village where Angel was born.  For the past 49 years, EAA - The Spirit of Aviation - has hosted aviation enthusiasts from around the world for one week in its hometown of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The control tower stands tall, at center field, with a banner reading, “World’s Busist Control Tower.” But just as pilots and aircraft controllers identify passenger counts as “souls on board,” it is truly the souls - the spirit - that make this event one to remember and one to which to return. 
NEW workout video to celebrate the first birthday of AlphaCharlieTravel.com. Here is your 15 minute workout in the water for strength and cardio. All exercises (and instructions) are demonstrated in the video.
The only thing better than laughter is sharing a lesson in utter silence, a demonstration of listening necessary for any true communication and learning. Francis worked hard. She listened. She chose calmness. She was rewarded with the sound of only the aircraft making contact with Earth. Her instructor said nothing and touched nothing from downwind to touchdown.   Only 6.71% of pilots are women, according to the FAA's Aeronautical Center (31 December 2016 data). That number drops to 4.36% for Airline Transport Pilots. We want to expose girls and young women to all that is possible. So we've decided to collaborate with with a few women whose personalities and businesses we've grown quite fond of.
First up, we have Angee, from One Plane Jane. Earlier this week, we had the chance to talk about flying and family. Thanks, Angee, for sharing your story and for inspiring the aviation community, and beyond, with your products. Last fall, while in NYC, I was privileged to watch my best friend perform in the musical, "This One's For The Girls." Although I had studied ballet for my entire youth, as I grew up, I often became "one of the guys," and never gave too much thought to promoting opportunities for women. It was not until watching the musical that I truly realized, with my fully supportive better half (and aircraft mechanic), Angel, laughing and crying next to me, just how recently equal opportunity has become available to women. It happened in my mother's lifetime!
 "Francis opened her novel, wondering if, now, the bound pages had traveled further than the stories of travel between the covers. She quickly released that thought, for with travel, quantity has little meaning." - Excerpt from a draft of the novel, Never Always, by Christine What do love, books, and travel have in common? All require openness and offer possibilities of things you could neither do nor imagine before.
 “To be or not to be,” we ask ourselves. In the United States, today, we may change our answer often. Perhaps this is due to the power of the response, “I am.” Is that not the America dream, to be able to answer, “I am,” as you wish?
I did it again. Almost a decade later, I sold my car and moved across the Atlantic. But this time, I was not alone.
“What are your goals?” He asked me over our first beer in Amsterdam. Sick of travel? I do not think so. Sick from travel? That is a real possibility. I just got over a nasty cold that lasted two months (12 plane segments in 14 days in Argentina started it all). As friends and family back in the USA are shivering in single-digit (Fahrenheit!) temperatures with snow, I thought it would be a good time to share two of my favorite soup recipes! 
Have yourself a merry little Christmas! As we enjoy the last week of 2017, here is a look back at some of our favorite moments from the year. Thank you to everyone for all of the love, laughter, and lessons.
Gift Guide Part 3: Give the Gift of Inspiration  It's my birthday week! But this deal lasts all month.
For all of December, with any canvas gallery wrap purchase, receive a free travel consultation (20-minutes via Skype). Gift Guide Part 2: Give the Gift of Understanding (English)  The worst part about not understanding a foreign language is not knowing when to laugh!
Okay, perhaps you may first want to learn how to find the bathroom, how to order a beer, and then how to ask for the check. But then you will want to learn when to laugh. Because people are funny! Gift Guide Part 1: Give the Gift of Health  Last year's 30-hour 30th birthday on 3 continents! It's my birthday week!
I may not be able to share my cake, but I can share some sweet deals with you. First up, give the gift of health this holiday season! Wherever your next adventure, at home or away, your body is the best piece of equipment in which you can invest! A portion of all sales in December will go towards Aldeas Infantiles SOS. It wasn't such a bad thing that my mobile phone died on day 5 of our 15-day journey. I only lost my cockpit selfie. But what did that matter? “What possible relation can there be between living something and telling it?” – Carlos Fuentes  Smile. Be kind. Eat pie. Often you do not know why someone is traveling. It could be for celebration or mourning, for business or for pleasure. Or for pie. Small rural airports have some of the best homemade pies. I once flew across Ohio for blueberry pie, landing just 10 minutes before the KTSO restaurant closed. The owners insisted on brewing a fresh post of coffee and even offered to stay open and cook us dinner. Respecting their time, we thanked them profusely and took off for home, racing the thunderstorms, carrying a whole blueberry pie and two steaming cups of black coffee to celebrate my first 100 hours of flying. The aviation community often extends so much kindness, perhaps realizing that we could, one day, be flying their mothers or children. Two years and some hours later...  Sometimes we fly to share breakfast with people who have become our family.
“What possible relation can there be between living something and telling it?” – Carlos Fuentes  Borgarnes, Iceland 2015 The meal that may have changed my life. I placed my hand on the napkin blanketing the loaf of white bread and found it still warm! Our host baked us fresh bread, and prepared a spread of food to satisfy every taste. Maybe having someone to share breakfast with is not such a terrifying idea. - Christine 2015
"What is a typical day like in Spain?" Such a basic question that I somehow fell short of answering throughout my six-ish months of weekly (yes, weekly) trips across the pond and since my move here, a year ago. (Note: Time only matters when you are actually flying the airplane, so all timelines are approximate). Here is our first attempt to show you.  "This is so much better than what you made in the U.S.," my mother declared after taking a bite of my tortilla.
Last spring, my mom visited us, here in Spain. Angel and I offered many options for food and activities, but tortilla was non-negotiable, because one cannot refuse a dish that can be complemented only by, "Muy rico!" because very delicious are the only words you can mutter between bites of devouring this plate. "Yes, mom," I told her, smiling, "the ingredients are much better here. Plus, I was just learning to make tortilla when I first made it for you. It only gets better with practice." She declared that she was not hungry, but consented to a tortilla of her own after we assured her that it would not go to waste and I would finish it for breakfast. The three of us sat at the round, kitchen table for dinner, each in front of potatoes and eggs muy rico. Many would argue that one's ability to adapt is most important for traveling. Growing American brands look for the same quality of adaptation in their leaders. Emotionally intelligent leaders hone their adaption in order to improve themselves and to simply live well. But beyond adapting to life on the road, on the other side of the pond, or across the street, is the traveler's ability to learn.  Andy Cartegena at Féria de Pedro Romero, Ronda, September 2017 On a recent trip to Ohio, I asked my best friend’s husband what would be appropriate attire for church on Sunday. I then remarked, “Isn’t it interesting how we all want to fit in when we are someone’s guest? Yet when we are in our own homes and towns, we want to stand out.”
"Make, don't just take, a photo."
My university professor's words inspire intention in each of my photographs. He did not allow us to edit our photos. To this day, I do not edit the composition of most of my photos. I learned to shoot with film, so I take the time to make the photo. I then just edit the lighting, if needed. Below are a few techniques to improve the aesthetic of your photographs. Choose just one, or a combination, in order to not just document a memory but to create a story that suddenly captivates a complete stranger.
22 Lessons from My First 100+ Hours in the Cockpit
At Alpha Charlie Travel, we take you from A to C, where you can Be yourself in-between. As your travel specialists, we make certain you are a passenger only when you are in the plane. Enjoy the lessons and video, below, as you prepare to pilot your own travels. We may have control over very little, but we do have choices. The following lessons apply well beyond the forces of flight.
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AuthorsChristine & Angel 
Aisle or windowHe likes the window; she likes the aisle. Match made at FL350. Here are some other travel preferences. Full disclaimer: These are affiliate links, meaning the authors are rewarded for referrals (usually in the form of a credit to use more of the product/service themselves). Pinky promise: Recommendations are simply the best.
The Art of Strength is our sister site, with all of your fitness needs. Whether you are training for your next adventure, to avoid shopping for bigger clothes so that you can save money for your next adventure, or to have more energy with your kids, there is a training program for you. Click the photo below for the latest training special.
When we are not hitchhiking through the airport and landing in foreign lands, Christine is teaching English in Spain. She also offers classes via Skype, allowing you to learn from the comfort of your home, with flexible scheduling. Click the photo below for more information.
We are in the coffee business. Because wherever we go, we drink coffee. And let's face it, some hotel coffee leaves a lot to be desired. So now we can pack our own. Click the link below to have your coffee delivered to your home, to drink there and on the go.
Away makes thoughtful luggage featuring unbreakable shells, interior compartments, and built-in USB chargers. Click the image for $20 off your order.
Airbnb is the preferred accomodation for Christine & Angel when they want to connect with locals, want to keep their entire group under one roof with the privacy of separate bedrooms, or when staying in a place known for expensive hotels. Click here or on the photo below to save on your first stay.
New users, click the photo below, or sign-up with code christineh8502ue to get your first Uber ride for free.
Make your travels meaningful with Pack for a Purpose. Simply use a small amount of space in your luggage to pack supplies needed by community projects around the world. Click the photo below to find a project in your destination.
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