Jewel Talks Travel: The Vatican, Rude Men and Avoiding Sickness
- Filed Under:
Patrick Batu
September 1, 2009
Photo Credit: Kurt Markus
Growing up in Alaska, you could say that Jewel lived a completely different life than she lives now. Jewel endured poverty and teen homelessness on the road. What’s amazing in her story is that she overcame those hardships to become a three-time Grammy nominee and has sold over twenty-seven million albums worldwide.
I find it inspiring that with all her fame and fortune, she remains grounded and connected with her roots. This recording artist, author and philanthropist returned to her hometown of Homer, Alaska to help raise funds for the Bunnel Street Arts Center’s “Artists in Schools” program.
“I’m so thankful for this town and all that I have been able to accomplish because of the support I received as a young and aspiring artist. When I was 15, I was accepted to Interlochen, an arts school in Michigan, to pursue my studies in visual art and music,” said Jewel. “My hometown of Homer, Alaska helped me raise the $11,000 that I needed to go. That was a critical stage in my journey that led me to where I am today. I’m happy to be able to give back and help others in this wonderful community. The people here are so talented and gifted. I’m very proud of where my family and I come from.”
AOL Travel had a chance to learn more about one of Jewel’s most inspiring moments in her life (a trip to Italy), how she is able to keep from getting sick while traveling and how she really can’t stand rude men on planes.
Is there a destination or travel moment that inspired you, or even changed your life? If so, where and why?
When I sang at the Vatican for Pope John Paul I got to have a private tour of the whole place- including the Sistine Chapel. I was an art student in school, and it’s just hard to describe the feeling of being able to see that wonderful place and its art, and then the added honor of being able to sing and add my own humble art was almost a heart stopping and surreal event for me.
What's your biggest pet peeve when you travel?
Rude men who elbow women and the elderly in first class so they can stand up first and get their overhead bags. The joke of it all is that they end up just waiting at baggage claim like everyone else, so I don't know what the big rude hurry is.
Where is your favorite place to get it away from it all?
A yacht in the Bahamas. There is a direct flight from where we live to Nassau (essential in picking a place when you travel as much as we do- we don't want long or connecting flights if we can avoid it), and we skip hotels and live on a boat for a week. I live in hotels 200 days a year, so being able to live on a boat, see no one, and eat food that is cooked for us is a real luxury and very relaxing.
When traveling, what's the very first thing you do when you enter your hotel room?
Look in the mini bar for snacks
As a celebrity, you travel a lot for your job. What are some tips and tricks that you've found to make the journey more comfortable?
To avoid getting sick, I learned a trick from my doctor after I asked him how he sees sick people all day without getting sick- shake hands with my right hand, and touch/scratch/fuss with your face with your left hand. It takes a while to pick up the new habit, but it really works, and I rarely get sick. I also have become a pro at never checking a bag- I pack light wherever I go with a carry-on, and if it’s a long tour I mail a box ahead so it can meet me on tour, and mail it home after. I hate waiting the hour it takes to get bags, and I enjoy not unpacking massive amounts of clothes the first day I'm home anyway.
This trick will definitely take some time to try out. I can hardly remember what happened five minutes ago, let alone distinguishing which hand to do common every day tasks. However, I have to agree with her on packing light. It definitely helps you speed through the airport and not losing any baggage.
Photo Credit: Kurt Markus
Growing up in Alaska, you could say that Jewel lived a completely different life than she lives now. Jewel endured poverty and teen homelessness on the road. What’s amazing in her story is that she overcame those hardships to become a three-time Grammy nominee and has sold over twenty-seven million albums worldwide.I find it inspiring that with all her fame and fortune, she remains grounded and connected with her roots. This recording artist, author and philanthropist returned to her hometown of Homer, Alaska to help raise funds for the Bunnel Street Arts Center’s “Artists in Schools” program.
“I’m so thankful for this town and all that I have been able to accomplish because of the support I received as a young and aspiring artist. When I was 15, I was accepted to Interlochen, an arts school in Michigan, to pursue my studies in visual art and music,” said Jewel. “My hometown of Homer, Alaska helped me raise the $11,000 that I needed to go. That was a critical stage in my journey that led me to where I am today. I’m happy to be able to give back and help others in this wonderful community. The people here are so talented and gifted. I’m very proud of where my family and I come from.”
AOL Travel had a chance to learn more about one of Jewel’s most inspiring moments in her life (a trip to Italy), how she is able to keep from getting sick while traveling and how she really can’t stand rude men on planes.
Is there a destination or travel moment that inspired you, or even changed your life? If so, where and why?
When I sang at the Vatican for Pope John Paul I got to have a private tour of the whole place- including the Sistine Chapel. I was an art student in school, and it’s just hard to describe the feeling of being able to see that wonderful place and its art, and then the added honor of being able to sing and add my own humble art was almost a heart stopping and surreal event for me.
What's your biggest pet peeve when you travel?
Rude men who elbow women and the elderly in first class so they can stand up first and get their overhead bags. The joke of it all is that they end up just waiting at baggage claim like everyone else, so I don't know what the big rude hurry is.
Where is your favorite place to get it away from it all?
A yacht in the Bahamas. There is a direct flight from where we live to Nassau (essential in picking a place when you travel as much as we do- we don't want long or connecting flights if we can avoid it), and we skip hotels and live on a boat for a week. I live in hotels 200 days a year, so being able to live on a boat, see no one, and eat food that is cooked for us is a real luxury and very relaxing.
When traveling, what's the very first thing you do when you enter your hotel room?
Look in the mini bar for snacks
As a celebrity, you travel a lot for your job. What are some tips and tricks that you've found to make the journey more comfortable?
To avoid getting sick, I learned a trick from my doctor after I asked him how he sees sick people all day without getting sick- shake hands with my right hand, and touch/scratch/fuss with your face with your left hand. It takes a while to pick up the new habit, but it really works, and I rarely get sick. I also have become a pro at never checking a bag- I pack light wherever I go with a carry-on, and if it’s a long tour I mail a box ahead so it can meet me on tour, and mail it home after. I hate waiting the hour it takes to get bags, and I enjoy not unpacking massive amounts of clothes the first day I'm home anyway.
This trick will definitely take some time to try out. I can hardly remember what happened five minutes ago, let alone distinguishing which hand to do common every day tasks. However, I have to agree with her on packing light. It definitely helps you speed through the airport and not losing any baggage.