I want to thank all of you who responded to my request to help me figure out exactly how to describe my skin care and makeup company, Paula’s Choice, to other people who don’t know my products, books, or bulletins.

All of your comments were thoughtful, insightful, flattering, humbling, and truthful. Most of all they stimulated a meaningful contemplation of what my business is all about.

My marketing team and I have spent quite a bit of time discussing what you have contributed. It has brought a keen understanding of how those of you who shop Paula’s Choice, read my books, or use Beautypedia.com experience what we have created.

After reading all of your absorbing and fascinating comments, I think I can sum up my company and life’s work like this:

Paula’s Choice is a specialized range of skin care and makeup products I formulated after 32 years of research and writing 18 books analyzing the facts about skin care and makeup products.

Because my only mission is to help you find the best products to take care of your skin I am the only cosmetics company in the world that recommends products other than my own.

Come visit us at PaulasChoice.com and find out what you are missing!

Call in & talk to Paula about your skin-care questions during her live Internet talk radio show,
Be Beautifully Informed with Paula Begoun,
The Cosmetics Cop.

Every Thursday beginning
6pm PST, 8pm CST, 9pm EST

• Best & worst products for the week.
• Behind-the-scenes look at cosmetic tips, advertising, & procedures.
• Call in & get personalized advice from Paula.
• Select callers can win free products on every show! 

To tune in…
Call (347) 426-3783 to listen live & ask questions at show time, or listen to live & archived segments online .

We routinely receive emails (lots of emails) from new and longtime readers asking us to review a specific brand or product. It never ceases to amaze us how many brands are out there that we’ve yet to review—given the millions of products available, you’d think no one in the world would have a single skin-care complaint!

Lately I’ve received a series of emails from readers that leave me shaking my head at the audacity some of these cosmetic companies have. These women who write to us have the best intentions of finding products that work for them, but they’re increasingly up against some of the most ridiculous claims and prices we’ve ever seen. I wasn’t a bit surprised when I explored some of the products these women were intensely curious about…and found out that they were terrible in most respects. Good thing they checked with us first, but imagine all of those who don’t and wind up financially and emotionally down when the wow-factor claims don’t show up in the mirror. One more reason why, as Paula states, “You need a Cosmetics Cop!”

 But back to these emails I field daily…the more I thought about it, the more I couldn’t put my finger on why even well-informed, Paula-educated consumers still get curious about products with miraculous claims and stratospheric prices. For example, one of the messages asked about a serum with placental enzymes that cost $200 for an ounce. Not only was the price outrageous, but the formula, quite frankly, sucked. Alcohol was a major ingredient, and it contained irritating plant extracts, too. Of course, placental enzymes (which come from animals, not people) have no effect on skin, but that’s fodder for another blog. This woman must’ve felt that the price and claims added up to something special, because she honestly wanted to know if this serum was worth abandoning the one she normally uses from Paula’s Choice. That’s a hard question for me because after reviewing thousands of products, I know the value of our formulations but at the very least if a woman is going to make a change it should be for the better, not for worse. 

I know women are always looking for the best products. They always want to know if some secret ingredient or formula really exists. The perpetual lure of advertising and dollar signs makes us second-guess ourselves. Is the grass really greener if only we spend a lot more money? With so many products vying for our attention, it’s easy to let our hopeful human nature to take over regardless of how much it costs. That’s not the most rational or pragmatic approach, but in the midst of seeing things we don’t like about our appearance (wrinkles, sagging skin, discolorations) who isn’t tempted to ignore reality and wish for the fantasy? I imagine many women, despite being consistently disappointed by products that don’t work as claimed, remain hopeful because of the boost they get from feeling as if they are doing something to address their appearance. It may not be the best thing and it may cost much more than it realistically should, but simply making the effort and refusing to give up has to count for something, right?

What do you think? Are my theories spot-on or did I completely miss the mark? As cosmetics consumers, how vulnerable are all of us to fantastic claims coupled with jaw-dropping prices?

Inorder to compose the summaries of the brands Paula reviews, we have to gather information about the company history and background in order to put the brand’s products into context for Paula and, of course, for the benefit of Beautypedia subscribers. While compiling information for Sally Hansen, I encountered another positively baffling encounter with a customer service rep, which just might be the kookiest yet!

I thoroughly searched Sally Hansen’s website and that of their parent company Coty, Inc. to find some information about the brand—for instance, who is Sally Hansen? Why is she so focused on nail care? How did the company come to be a drugstore mainstay?—and was coming up with zilch. I couldn’t find any information, not even when it was founded and by whom—basic stuff that almost all cosmetic brands put on their websites. Even a search on Wikipedia and Google yielded no results. So I opted to call Sally Hansen’s customer service, explaining that I was doing some research on the brand and wanted to know some background history. Here’s how that conversation transpired:

Me: Hi! I’m doing some research and I was wondering if you could tell me a little bit about the Sally Hansen brand. Who is Sally Hansen? How did the company originate? Or can you put me in touch with someone who might know?

SH: Sure! I can direct you to our website. All that information is available on SallyHansen.com.

Me: Actually, I started there, and there’s no “About Us” info on your site at all. Or if it is there, I’m just not seeing it.

SH: Then it should be on Coty.com.

Me: I tried there too, but Sally Hansen isn’t even listed as one of Coty’s affiliate brands. That’s why I thought I’d give you a call.

SH: Well, I guess that site hasn’t been updated in awhile! Can you please hold?

*TEN MINUTES PASS*

SH: Sorry for the long delay. I can tell you that Sally Hansen wasn’t actually a real person, and all the other company history information we have is available at SallyHansen.com.

Me: Okay, that’s helpful. But I’m just not seeing where that information is on your site. Can you tell me the tab you clicked on or the URL of what you’re looking at?

SH: Did you click on Contact Us or Customer Service?

Me: Yes, I’m looking at that page now.

SH: All the company information is listed there.

Me: But there’s nothing there.

SH: Well, then, I’m told that’s all the information we have.

Me: So all the information you have is no information?

SH: Yes, all the information we have is listed there.

Me: But have you looked at the page? There’s nothing there. It’s only the customer service phone number and an email address.

SH: Well, you should send your inquiry via email and someone can get back to you.

Me: Great! Which department receives those emails?

SH: This department. Customer Service.

Me: But aren’t I talking to you now? How would emailing you help?

*EXTREMELY AWKWARD SILENCE*

Me: Thank you for your time.

*CLICK*

So, dear readers, after all that, all I know for sure is that Sally Hansen wasn’t actually a real person. Whether or not that accounts for the company’s gaps in their employees’ logic and the staggering lack of background information they give their customers, I can’t say. But in my experience this kind of doublespeak and nonsense at the customer service level doesn’t bode well for how their products will stand up to Paula’s scrutiny. Either way, look for those reviews on Beautypedia soon!

Right around this time of year, reporters start asking me what is the “next big thing” launching in the cosmetics world or what the upcoming trends are. The question in and of itself is frustrating because by now you would think reporters, of all people, would know that the cosmetics industry creates lots of “next big things” to provide press releases to the media so they will write about their products. It all sounds exciting and new (especially if the product contains a rare plant from some remote part of the world) but almost always the information is contrived or without any validity. Of course, after a few months the “next big thing” eventually fades into oblivion making room for the newer “next big thing”, and the cycle goes on and on.

There can only be so many big things, but we seem to have an insatiable appetite for something new when it comes to beauty products. Overblown claims and faux science is almost always what the next big thing ends up being; a big deal over nothing.

So in the spirit of warning you about the next big things you will start hearing about in the media here are few of the things you may encounter:

More and more organic products will be launched—especially ones designed to feel like you are mixing the product up in your own kitchen. There will be kits you put together like a fresh salad every day.

Because of some minor research showing that aroma not only effects mood, sexuality, and even eating behavior, you will see products with a variety of new products both skin care and “perfume” making claims about enhancing and influencing behavior.

Makeup is a spontaneous purchase most women find fun so products that duplicate that expectation (like the vibrating mascaras, eyebrow makeover kits, false eyelashes studded with rhinestones) and similar impulse buy items will be on the shelves. Look for products that have interesting layers of sparkles that cling better to skin without flaking on clothes and mascaras that do the same.

The economy is still suffering so the “Beauty on a Budget” concept will continue. Companies will be launching more products at lower price points but with the same exaggerated claims as the more expensive products they sell. Makeup kits that put together an entire outfit for the face in convenient packaging will also be available at really good price points.

Organic and natural products with heart-tugging stories will pour onto the market. Mother’s making products for their daughters, daughters making products for their mother, survivors of cancer making products for others with their health concern, etc. Don’t count on those lines providing anything new in terms of formulary, this is all about marketing a really good story and making healthy consumers afraid of benign ingredients while promoting questionable natural ones.

In terms of ingredients, because of the research showing that diet (antioxidants, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids) can improve skin texture, collagen production, and encourage more normal cell development, products claiming to mimic a healthy diet will be launched (and if they are well formulated will be good for skin, but regrettably claims in the cosmetics industry rarely match claims).

You’ll see all of this and more as you venture out to shop for cosmetics in 2010. What you can count on as always is there will still be plenty of poor products, plenty of fantasy claims to endure and overcome, and plenty of opportunities become an even savvier cosmetics consumer—one who can separate hype from fact and is all the more beautiful because of it!

With New Year’s eve soirées just around the corner, I’ve decided to reveal my secret weapon for quick glamour: false eyelashes (well they aren’t all that secret, they are false lashes after all, but they are glamourous). I naturally have stick-straight, medium-length, blonde lashes, and although I have found some great mascaras to enhance them, nothing can do it like a pair of well-done false eyelashes (then again, I haven’t tried Latisse yet). I’ll never forget the first time I wore them around my husband (who was just my boyfriend at the time)- he couldn’t pinpoint what I had done different but he kept complimenting me, telling me how gorgeous I looked. From that moment on I was hooked! I’ve worn them on my wedding day, to holiday parties and girls night out extravaganzas, and even on a Valentine’s Day or two. While false lashes are not for everyone and the glue along the lash line is something Paula doesn’t like (at least not on a regular basis), when done right the payoff can be fantastic. Of course, when done wrong you can be left looking like a mannequin. Allow me to spare you the false lash fiascos I have encountered by highlighting the tips and techniques I’ve mastered along the way.

Selecting the Right Pair
The point of wearing false lashes is to enhance what you naturally have, but there is a fine line to walk when determining how thick and long to go. It’s one thing if you are wearing a costume or going into theatrics, but if you want your faux lashes to look realistic avoid sets that are overly thick, strange-colored, or too long because they will just end up looking obviously fake or overpowering.

As with all cosmetics, when shopping for false eyelashes, spending more doesn’t necessarily equate to better a product. I’ve experimented with several brands and variations of lashes, and I always revert back to my personal favorite, Ardell Accents Lashes #305, which can be found in drugstores and run you about $3.50. Ardell’s eyelash adhesives also work quite well. Ardell Accents Lashes are great for beginners because they only cover your outer lash line, making them much easier to apply. If you do choose to go the more expensive route, self-proclaimed false eyelash experts Shu Uemura have an extraordinary selection of lashes and their boutiques offer “eyelash bars” where consultants will work with you to tailor a pair that suits your preferences.

Application Process
I find it best to apply my eyeliner, eyeshadow and mascara first. You may have to re-touch up your makeup once you’re done, but applying the eyeliner first will fill in any gaps you may have if you don’t get the false lashes exactly on your lash line. You’ll also avoid getting loose powder on your false lashes if you apply your eye makeup first; getting eyeshadow off your false lashes is no easy task.

Next, remove the false lashes from the packaging and bend and flex the lash strip band. This will provide more flexibility when applying them to the curvature of your lash line and will result in a more natural look. Practice placing the false lashes as close to your lash line as possible and experiment to see what looks best. You may need to trim the lash strip to fit your eye.

Once you’ve got that down, place a thin layer of lash adhesive along the band, making sure to coat the ends. You can use a toothpick or the end of your tweezers to spread the adhesive. Allow about 15 seconds or so for the adhesive to become a bit more tacky and then apply the strip as close to your lash base as possible, going just to the outer corner without extending beyond your natural lash line. Depending on the type of adhesive you’ve selected there may be areas where you can see the glue. Don’t worry: this should dry to an unnoticeable clear state. Retouch your eye makeup if needed and voila, you are done!

Words to the Wise
Although I don’t recommend adding this step to your daily makeup routine, for special occasions it is an impressive way to enhance your features and add more pizzazz to your look. Chances are it’s going to take some trial and error so don’t wait until 10 minutes before your special event to try false lashes for the first time. The fact that it took an entire blog to explain the process may be enough to scare some of you away, but for the daring souls who want to give it try here’s to fabulous faux lashes in 2010!

T he answer to that question certainly isn’t from any cosmetic you can buy. Skin care can do a lot, but eliminating wrinkles isn’t among the benefits of even the best skin-care routines available. What is the real answer besides cosmetic procedures? Photoshop! It will stun some women and come as no surprise to others that the cosmetic industry relies exclusively on Adobe Photoshop (or some other photo-retouching computer program) to demonstrate in ads how effective their products are. They would NEVER rely on their products to demonstrate the dramatic results they endlessly boast you will get if you use their products because they know damn well such miraculous results are impossible.

A clear example of this artifice has popped up in the U.K. and is making news headlines over there. Here’s the saga:

Remember who this is? It’s Twiggy, circa 1969, the iconic, waif model who made emaciation a fashion statement that won’t go away.

But it isn’t her body or the spidery false lashes she always wore that is getting attention today. Rather it is the false, photo-shopped pictures of her appearing in magazine ads for Olay that have appeared all over the U.K.

Here is how Twiggy really looks in person circa 2008 (the photo is from an Elle awards show):

And here is how Olay wants you to believe she looks in their 2009 ads for Definity as a result of using their Eye Illuminator product:

And as advertising would have it here is another example of Twiggy’s photo-shopped visage in 2007 (the one on the left is the picture that appeared in ads for Marks Spencer and the one on the right is the real Twiggy).

Why Did This Make Headlines?

Olay launched their Definity Eye Illuminator Eye Cream this past summer with ads in magazines showing Twiggy’s face smoothed over like spackle does over cracks in a wall. Due to new advertising regulations in the U.K. from the Advertising Standards Authority the entire ad campaign was banned as being misleading (as if the claims weren’t misleading on their own, but that’s another story) and was “socially irresponsible” and could have a “negative impact on people’s perceptions of their own body image.”

Although Olay admitted to “minor retouching” around Twiggy’s eyelid area, her before and after pictures depict what is really going on, and it is hardly minor retouching by anyone’s definition except Olay’s.

But why pick on Olay? This kind of retouching shows up on hundreds of other models in most every single ad in a magazine that exists regardless if it’s cosmetics (false eyelashes pretending to be created by mascara) or clothing, or jewelry. Women and men are doctored up to look perfect. Is there anything wrong with that?

Your Thoughts?

Before I write about my feelings concerning this new development in fashion photography I would love to hear from you. I’m curious to know what you think about all this. Please comment and then I’ll let share my thoughts.

I know I’m about to piss a lot of people off with this blog entry but let me just preface what I want to get off my chest by saying I am an environmentalist and have been for years. I live in the Pacific Northwest and as a community and personally we have been ecologically aware for decades. I know polluting our world is a serious problem and we all need to do everything we can to reduce our carbon footprint, but I have had enough with the fear mongering, propaganda, and outright brainwashing the organic and natural skin care product lines throw at consumers. Even mainstream companies have gotten in on the act (L’Oreal actually advertises their Everpure hair-care line claiming it is better because it doesn’t contain sulfates, which is a bunch of crap because all of their other products from Garnier to Kerastase contain sulfates. Why didn’t they stop selling those if sulfate-free is so much better?).

Let me just say this up front: skin care products are not killing us, causing cancer, or any other dire condition. Women have no more higher incidence of cancer then men (breast cancer doesn’t count as men don’t have estrogen in the first place and women don’t get prostate cancer for obvious reasons as well). The insane, misleading information about mineral oil, petrolatum, parabens, and even toluene in nail polishes is just bizarre. The research doesn’t exist to prove any harm is being done, not even remotely. Not to mention natural and organic products contain problematic ingredients that effect the environment and our health as well.

I’m not sure how this all got started but the natural organic fanatics want you to be very afraid and, of course, only buy their products because they are pure and won’t harm you (forget the fact that there isn’t any research showing their products are effective and that many aren’t all that natural in the first place). Even more obnoxious is their blatant hypocrisy. I am fairly certain almost every single owner, employee, or lobbyist for any organic/natural cosmetic company in the world uses computers, talks on cell phones, drives cars, flies in airplanes, mostly lives in cities, and myriad other things that are far more problematic for the environment and health then any cosmetic could ever be. Breathing auto exhaust fumes and adding to landfills with outdated cell phones and computers (and all manner of outdated electronics) are where the concern should be, not the cleanser or moisturizer you are using.

But back to skin care. I want to remind all of you that I have a ton of research on my web site about all this, including these links:

http://www.cosmeticscop.com/skin-care-facts-preservative-problems-risks-benefits-of-parabens.aspx?filter=itemtype%3acontent

http://www.cosmeticscop.com/skin-care-facts-sodium-lauryl-sulfate-sodium-laureth-sulfate.aspx

http://www.cosmeticscop.com/skin-care-facts-mineral-oil-safety-nonirritating-moisturizer.aspx

If you want to send this rational, documented information to your friends and family that would go a long way to helping them make better decisions about what skin care and makeup products to buy. Right now I am just overwhelmed and the voice of reason is drowned out by the endless garbage (brain pollution) the natural/organic cosmetic industry can’t help spilling into the minds of women like an oil slick that can’t be cleaned up. Just in case you’re still not willing to believe that cosmetics aren’t killing us, below are some rational, voice-of-reason quotes from respected sources.

“FDA believes that at the present time there is no reason for consumers to be concerned about the use of cosmetics containing parabens.”

— Food and Drug Administration

“[The 2004 Darbre Study] did not prove that parabens cause breast tumors. The authors of this study did not analyze healthy breast tissue or tissues from other areas of the body and did not demonstrate that parabens are found only in cancerous tissue.”

— National Cancer Institute

“There is no sound scientific evidence that cosmetics as they are typically used cause cancer.”

“Parabens have a long history of safe use and have been specifically recognized as safe by the FDA.”

— American Council on Science and Health

“… The technical accuracy of the initial reports [linking parabens to cancer] have come under challenge,” noted Sandra Porter, Clariant. “Recent reports published and available in the public domain indicate that there is no conclusive evidence of harmful effects from parabens in cosmetics at typical usage levels.”

— Household and Personal Products Industry Magazine

I also want to share this letter I received from a physician on this issue; it succinctly sums up the manipulation we suck up like water in the desert without any benefit:

Paula,

First of all thank you for speaking up about a topic that has been very important to me for a long time. In fact I created a blog simply to address this issue: http://parabenmyth.lexli.com/
My frustration with philosophies such as this stem from the fact that I treat patients with breast cancer on a daily basis, and am very cognizant of what is good or not for them. I have spent a long time researching the paraben issue and found the same conclusions as you have. Such negative, panic provoking tactics against ingredients has almost become a norm for a number of “big beauty” marketers. Unfortunately, it works on consumers who may be unaware of the whole picture, and in many cases do not have access to in-depth scientific facts. To condemn an ingredient just because it might, possibly, might, remotely mimic, seem like, maybe etc. is incredibly unjustified. The evidence linking paraben absorption via skin care products, mimicking estrogen and in turn affecting breast cancer rates is extremely farfetched at best. I suspect your chances of taking in estrogen like substances is higher from food intake of animal and plant products, such as cow’s milk! But, obviously certain negative marketing, using scant scientific findings and manipulating it is much more potent at molding the human mind than presenting the facts. I applaud you on your ability to go against the flow and try to reach the truth.

An article in the November 16, 2009 issue of Special Chemicals reported on a study consumer products company Beiersdorf had published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology revealing why your arm pits and other parts of your body can become unpleasantly odiferous. It seems the aromas you might experience in the locker room of your local gym, on a crowded bus at rush hour, or when your partner hasn’t gotten around to bathing after mowing the lawn (so gross) is all about a single protein molecule. The Beiersdorf scientists in Hamburg (which is a lovely city by the way—and not smelly at all) found the components of sweat responsible for being stinky are transported to the surface of skin by a special transport protein. Once this protein brings these components of sweat to the surface and is decomposed by bacteria on skin you get a wafting, un-aromatic body odor.

Even more interesting, depending on their region of origin, 30 to 100 percent of the Asian population have no problem with body odor as it is experienced by persons of European descent. Beiersdorf researchers discovered that this transport protein found in sweat is inactive in most people of Asian descent. I mean really, who would have thought?

Beiersdorf researchers are no doubt excited to start working on further research that would enable them to develop new forms of deodorants. When you think about it, there hasn’t been a new form of deodorant for decades. Come on Beiersdorf, we’re counting on you!

We arrived in Kathmandu Saturday evening and went directly to the Hyatt. The Hyatt here is a beautiful hotel, a respectable blend of contemporary construction and Nepali design. I still can’t believe we are in Nepal—it is surrealistic to say the least. Sunday morning we woke up early and drove to a viewpoint in the hills, a small town called Nagarkot, to see a section of the Himalayas. It was amazing, though the ride up was nothing less then terrifying, cars and buses play an outlandish game of chicken at every turn with only inches of shoulder area abutting a sheer drop off. These drivers are crazy! I’ll gladly accept a ride in a New York City taxicab any day of the week compared to this terror!

From Nagarkot we toured a couple of town areas. City streets here are almost identical to India but a bit cleaner and less densely populated. Kathmandu has a population of about 6 million spread out over twisty, dusty, pot-holed streets in a valley surrounded by foothills with peek-a-boo views of the snow-capped mountains, amidst cascading, steep plots of farmed land. Regrettably, like many major cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, Hong Kong) smog hangs thickly over the landscape like a veil of stagnant, gray-stained air that never dissipates.

People here in Kathmandu look mostly Indian with a smattering of East Asian features. The language is similar in script to Hindu and Harsha can read it but the manner of speaking is hard for him to understand, I liken it to the way I feel when I’m trying to understand Australian slang.

There are three historic town squares in the area. We drove to one after we left Nagarkot called Bhaktapur, an ancient area where 400- to 500- year-old buildings hug the street and Hindu temples adorn every corner. In India the Hindu temples are stone and marble monument-like buildings; here in Nepal they are modest, mostly brick and carved wooden structures that are minimally restored (and in risk of falling apart), fashioned in a somewhat tiered pagoda style.

I have finally become a bit adept at understanding Hindu lore, and it is beguiling. Nepal, in contrast to India, is fervently religious (non-Hindus cannot enter those temples) and processions in their town squares occur randomly throughout the day. Buddhists are in smaller numbers but their stupas are attended by devotees with adoration and patience. It was particularly interesting when we passed one school where all the students were lined up outside in straight rows, solemnly praying for the gift of education. Fascinating.

Later that day as the sun was setting we stopped at one more section of Kathmandu called Pashupati where more then a dozen Hindu temples are crammed together along a small river bed. In the center of this area an outdoor platform is used as a crematorium and it is continually ablaze with wood stoked pyres sending the dead to their next reincarnation. None of that seemed disturbing until I saw one of the attendants sweep the smoldering embers and remaining pieces of burnt logs into the river below. Along with endless piles of garbage littering the water the amount of dangerous pollution being thrown into the city’s water supply was painful to see.

That night we went to bed early so we could get up early for our next excursion. In the morning with some trepidation we took a flight to get an aerial view of the Himalayas. Shortly after take off, up close and personal, the sheer faced, rugged tops of the mountains appeared. With utter bewilderment we tried to comprehend the panorama before us. We gasped and strained our necks to behold the implausible. Spellbound, we stared at the stretch of Himalayas we slowly flew past. Geologically speaking the 2400-mile long Himalayan range is very young which explains their gargantuan size. Pyramidesque vaulted formations are endless, like fingertips reaching up to touch heaven. Then finally, after about 25 minutes of flight time, Everest in all its 29,000 feet of pinnacled glory comes into view. It indeed stands above the rest: a haunting shadow embedded in a landscape of glacier and rock. For me what was most astounding was realizing that Washington’s Mt. Rainier would barely be a blip in the Himalayan expanse. Envision that Everest is almost three times the size of Mt. Rainier, but even more astonishing is that several of the other mountains are at least twice to two and a half times Rainier’s size. If there is any sense of being at the top of the world it is surely here and if God is listening, at this height, it is a toll-free call.

I’m back in Mumbai now waiting for my plane to go home. After 5 weeks of being on the road I am ready to leave and head back. I long for Seattle, a comparatively quiet, organized part of the world where stop lights and stop signs have meaning, pedestrians have the right of way, people don’t spit on the ground among other bodily functions inches away from you, and cows, camels, and monkeys don’t have access to the streets.

It has all been a richly diverse, intriguing experience but truly there is no place like home.