Central and South America

The benefits of traveling in Latin America include inexpensive accommodation, transport, and food. You can travel in multiple countries quite easily by bus, explore a variety of ecosystems (beach, mountains, rainforest, city), practice your Spanish (or perhaps Portugese or Quechua), or check out Carnival in Brazil (around the beginning of April). There are many opportunities to volunteer or wwoof. Of course many countries in Latin America are close to the Equator and fairly warm most of the time, but for those farther south, summer will be beginning soon. In the summer, cities can often become smoggy and unbearable, so head to the beach.

One of my most memorable destinations in South America was a little beach town called Montañita in Ecuador. Montañita has a very young, international vibe and is filled with people who came for a visit and never left. The surf is good, people are generous, and while there isn’t a huge dance club scene, you’ll have to fight to not find yourself still up at 7am.

one of those 7am pictures

Australia

Sophie has blogged about her love for Melbourne. I’ve never been to Australia, but I’ve had enough friends visit and never want to return, that it’s become a must-do on my list. Australia boasts great beaches and opportunities for snorkeling and diving, as well as many national parks. Check the coastal cities, swim in the Great Barrier Reef, tour the outback, hang out with some cute marsupials, and learn about the complicated history of Australian indigenous peoples, such as the Aboriginals.

India

The peak travel season in India is from October to February, when the heat of the summer abates and some of the wetter regions in the Northeast dry out. If you are interested in trekking in the Himalayas it is best to go during the border seasons (September-November or March-May), but otherwise the cooler months remain ideal. The winter months also seem to hold more festivals and celebrations such as Dussehra, Durga Puja and Diwali. Holidays such as Christmas and Easter are also apparently celebrated, but in a unique Indian fashion. Yet again, India has an extremely diverse array of landscapes, cities, and peoples. I imagine you could spend your entire winter and more exploring the different regions and seeing all of the ways various groups of people interact and coexist.

Anjuna Beach in Goa, photo by AlmazUK

Kumbh Mela Festival, photo by Hans Hendriksen

The Middle East and North Africa

As with India, many countries in the Middle East experience scorching temperatures in summer and become more amenable to travelers in the fall. Autumn seems to be the best time to go. While some balk at the idea and think traveling in this region to be dangerous, I’ve heard many accounts from friends who have had nothing but positive experiences. Autumn seems to be the best time to go. The climate on the Aegean Sea in Turkey is rumored to be “perfect”, and nations such as Iran, Syria, and Jordan have more moderate temperatures as well. Kite surf in Egypt, float in the dead sea, check out the architecture at petra, and fill yourself with delicious foods like hummus, fool medames, and falafel.

Lebanese food, photo by darcyc

West Africa

Winter is a pretty good time to visit nation in West Africa, right after the heavy rains of the wet season but before things get too arid. Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria, Cape Verde, Senegal, Mali, Togo, Benin, and Niger are just a few of the countries considered “West Africa”. Here you will find people speaking various combination of French, English, Portugese, as well as various creoles of these languages and local tribal languages. The roads are not always very good, so don’t expect fast luxury travel. Most people get around in minibuses or “bush taxis”. To save money you can bring a tent and camp near villages or parks, but it’s not a good idea to do this near major cities.  Stroll the markets in Dakar, check out the Niokoko Koba National Park and the Bassari tribal lands in Senegal, canoe in the Gambia, learn about the history of the slave trade along the coast, and hop around tropical islands in Cape Verde. This website is very helpful for looking at different attractions and route planning trips in West Africa.

bamako, mail, photo by jldelbende

With all of these destinations you should of course look more thoroughly into visa requirements, health and safety (such as vaccinations, malaria medication, and advice on water and food consumption), and precautions issued from your nation about traveling in certain regions. It’s also a good idea to pay attention to the relations of the countries in a region to each other. For example, in the Middle East you are unable to cross the border between Syria or Lebanon with Israel and some countries may not let you enter if you have a stamp from Israel on your passport. It’s a good idea to find out about things lie this beforehand and plan around them to avoid complications during your travel.

And of course my apologies for not covering every wonderful place to travel this winter! Do you have any additional suggestions? Please share with us!

Let’s take a look at ways to take risks, pep up your style and inspire others by setting your OWN trends.

My first tip: Don’t hesitate to try it on.

You think you’ll look ridiculous in glitter or beads? Don’t trip out, just put it on. If you feel weird after strutting your stuff in front of the mirror or something tugging a little to tight on your back or shoulders then put it down. If not, maybe it’s best to bargain hunt and pick up things you might never think of. This is the first step you must take in order to set your own trends.

My second tip: Suede or (ultra)SUEDE.

Don’t be afraid of this fabric: I was for a brief period of time and now I can’t get enough. Just be aware: when it comes to rain TAKE CARE. As Jerry Seinfeld once famously said, ”Now why does moisture ruin leather? I don’t get this. Aren’t cows outside most of the time? When it’s raining, do cows go up to the farmhouse? ‘Let us in! We’re all wearing leather! Open the door! We’re going to ruin the whole outfit!”

With that in mind… the suggestion to wear suede is coming from the girl who has dropped the iPhone, broken the camera, and never fails to trip over the glass of water sitting in the middle of the room.

I won’t pretend that I’m saving any lives when I go out, almost weekly, in suede ballet flats. There are a variety of options here but a more durable one would be ultrasuede . Now, I can’t promise you will find this fabric on a to-die-for pair of shoes immediately but recently I stumbled across these 1Euro beauties:

My third tip: Pants with Zippers (on the legs).

I’ve now acquired 2 pair of jeans with zippers near the bottom. One a pair of “legging jeans” which I love because, let’s get real here, you can’t always count on wearing a shirt that covers your ass when you’re feeling the need to work a pair of leggings– THUS the legging jean is the perfect combination to flaunt your curves while not giving too much away. The other pair are pictured below. Very good for a day in the sun or a night out. (Black pants, in particular, work well for transitioning from day to night).

Regular Jeans with Zippers: HELLO!

A secret tip: If you buy a pair of jeans (on sale or not) from 7 For All Mankind and ANYTHING happens to them (that shouldn’t) you can always send those beauties back to the 7 headquarters in California and get a new pair in return. Seriously.

My fourth tip: If you like it, and it’s priced well, buy 2 or more.

I found a pair of knockoff “vans”– simple, red and white tennis shoes for 5 Euro. About 4 months into wearing them I realized I should have purchased 4 pair. Don’t make the same mistake. If you see something inexpensive, cute, and travel worthy definitely think twice about leaving with only one pair or item. And for 5Euro with another pair in my bag I wouldn’t be so sad to toss them in the trash bin or pass them on (by leaving them in a park or similar location).

This hot dog likes my 5Euro shoes.

So now all I need are more suggestions! What have you been wearing?

The calanques around Cassis and Marseille are a collection of rock inlets with hidden beaches and bays where the only access is by boat or a more gruelling hike in +30 degree heat. Normally, the further you walk, the more beautiful and more deserted the calanque. The calanques are one of France’s great natural beauties and in the next few years they are going to become a protected national park.

We hiked from a little village called Goudes (just outside Marseille) to reach a calanque called Callelongue. The path is well marked so there is no real need for a map but it might be a good idea to check out where you’re going before you set off. There is a good website here giving information about all the calanques in the Marseille region. You also need to wear a pair of good trainers or walking boots as the paths can be steep and slippery in places. Needless to say that hanging out in Callelongue was quite definitely an amazing way to spend an afternoon away from the crowds found on more popular neighbouring Marseille beaches. There were rocks to jump off into the ocean, beautiful shells to collect and even a little hut selling cold beer and freshly caught fish. However next time I’d prefer to avoid the 3 hour hike and arrive on the deck of my super yacht … but who am I kidding, I get seasick!

photo by kassá

This sort of tourism is a double edged sword for me. It’s interesting to see travelers seeking to engage more with a location, instead of sitting at disconnected luxury resorts. The favela tour website above claims that its mission is to show people the real inhabitants and life of the favelas and disprove stereotypes of them as violent, drug ridden shanty towns. However, I think it’s impossible to avoid realizing this as a commodification and tourism of poverty. It is reasonable for people from more privileged nations who don’t regularly see poverty to want a better understanding, but there are many other ways to get involved. In order to have access to some of these lands and communities, tours must pay off cartels and gang leaders and so your money may inadvertantly go to support something you didn’t expect. A good alternative is to volunteer for an organization in another country. Often you pay little or nothing and may be provided some room and board, while getting a chance to live in a place and make real connections to people and organizations focused on really helping the community. For some resources check out Katja’s post about volunteering abroad.

What do you think about these “poverty tours”? Are they more positive or negative?

First thing first, Norway is not a part of the Euro zone and the local currency is Norwegian Krone (NOK). Currently 1 euro is around 8NOK. Have a look here for a currency converter.

Photo: Aslak Raanes

How to get to there

Check out Norwegian’s Low Fare Calendar for flights down to 20 euros. Ryanair also flies to Oslo, but be aware of that what that the airports are located quite far away from central Oslo (Torp is about 160 km outside of Oslo, and Rygge around 60 km from the city center). You should also check out Katja’s tips on how to find the cheapest flights. Airport transportation is normally quite expensive, so keep your eyes open for student/age discounts. An alternative might also be to take the bus instead of the train.

Getting around

• Check for domestic flights at Widerøe, Norwegian or SAS pages.
• Between Oslo and Bergen you can have a beautiful train ride over the mountains, try to buy Minipris tickets (from NOK 199) at the Norwegian National Railway (NSB) pages. These tickets are normally cheaper than tickets with student discount.
• If you’re heading to Stavanger, Kristiansand or Trondheim (Minipris might be an alternative here as well) you should check out Lavprisekspressen’s bus offers. You can find tickets down to the price of NOK 49. This page is only in Norwegian, but with a little help from Google Translate you should be able to find the information you’re looking for.
• Norwegian towns are in general not too big, and if you’re a fan of walking or biking that will save you a lot of money compared to public transport. In Oslo it might be a good idea to rent a city bike, you can get a special card for this at the tourist information for about NOK 80.
• The Norwegian Costal Express (Hurtigruten) going along the Norwegian coast is a beautiful way to see some fjords. Hurtigruten is not the cheapest way to travel, but they offer student and group discounts that makes it affordable. If you travel overnight you can also skip booking a room, and just stay in the hallway or lounge to save money.

Eating

• Again, going out to restaurants in Norway can be quite expensive, but ask the locals for the best and cheapest tips.
• In Oslo you should check out Grønland, which is an area with a lot of immigrants and some reasonably priced restaurants/cafés. VisitOslo also has a nice overview over places you can drink and eat cheap.

Drinking

• Alcohol and tobacco are definitely the most expensive pleasures in Norway. The prices on a glass of beer varies from NOK 29 to NOK 90, so you can definitely save a lot of money going to the right place. See here for price list of beer in different bars in Oslo.
• Norwegians normally have a pre-party at home to save money (and get drunk) before they go out. For the Germans among you, you will be pleased to learn that we Norwegians call this a Vorspiel (foreplay). The after-party is called Nachspiel (afterplay), and since the bars/clubs close quite early, this is where the party continues.
• The cheapest beer in the supermarkets costs around NOK 10-12. For wine or spirits you will have to go to the government owned alcohol retailer Vinmonopolet (be aware of the opening hours), you can find a decent wine for about NOK 75.
• It also might be a good idea to buy alcohol (and tobacco) at the airports duty free store (also possible on arrival). This is also a perfect gift idea if you’re visiting Norwegian friends..
• Drinking in public places is illegal in Norway, so observe how the locals do it before you pull out your beer bottle.

Buying groceries

• Since eating out is quite expensive you might want to cook yourself, and there is a lot of money to save by going to the right store and buying the right products.
• The supermarket chain REMA 1000 normally offers the best prices; you can also save a lot of money by looking for special offers in the more expensive stores.
• Another supermarket chain that is worth a visit is KIWI, here you can buy a range of cheap products labeled “First Price”. They also have an interesting guarantee that can save you a lot of money: If you are not satisfied with your fruit or vegetables you will get the double price back. And if you find an item that is expiring the present or next day you will get it for free. If it expired yesterday, and they can’t offer you an equivalent, you will get the money for the item paid out cash.

Accommodation

• Couchsurfing is definitely the cheapest way to stay in Norway, especially if you can do some cooking at home.
• You may also find hostels with decent prices around the country. See here for an overview.
• Many hotels have special offers for tourists in the summer, check with the local tourist information if they can give you some information about the best deals.
• If you bring your own tent you are free to camp almost everywhere (200 meters away from the closest road or private property), and campsites normally offer cheap places for tents or low budget huts if the weather gets too bad.

Goscandinavia has some good tips about free things to do in Bergen and Oslo. You should also check out my post about Hiking in Norway, a cheap and beautiful way to travel.

Have a good trip, and share your best saving tips with us!

during my recent trip through the United States I filmed everything and everyone and I’ve been working on editing a mini series of short films, each episode located in a different city.

The first stop on my US itinerary was New York City, which is why there series starts here. Enjoy.

It is a weaving organization run by women, employing about 400 females in the Western Highlands of Guatemala. The aim of TRAMA is to offer fair prices for their workers and sell their products either in their store in Quetzaltenango or via the internet,  but also to offer training to the women and maintain and develop the art, stories, designs, and textile traditions of Guatemala. The company was founded in 1988 and meanwhile there are 17 different groups, who work for TRAMA. Each group differs through their designs and their ideas.

When we arrived there, we met a bunch of nice  and motivated volunteer workers, originating mainly from the States and Canada, but also people from Belgium, Denmark and Sweden. We had all came here with one common goal: to improve and develop TRAMA and contribute in the best way we can.
The main tasks for Julie and me were to take photos for the webpage as well as translating the product catalogue in German and French (which should be online soon). We startedby applying to the official fair trade organization and visiting a village in order to take pictures and interview the people allowing us to update information for the product catalogue.

TRAMA: Shirt and Maya Belt

TRAMA products: scarf & bag (left), shirt & belt (middle), shirt & belt & bag (right)

TRAMA: Poncho

TRAMA: scarf

TRAMA: shirt & pillows

TRAMA: shirt & bag & alice band

TRAMA: skirt (left), traditional güipiles (middle), bag & scarves (right)

Our `business trip´ to the village San Juan La Laguna, which is situated at Lago Atitlán, gave us insight in the life and work of a Mayan women.

My friend Julie and I at Lago Atitlán

The group was called `Las Mujeres Botánicos´. They chose this name as they dye all their products with natural colors (made from leaves, flowers and vegetables, such as carrots).

Dyeing strains with natural products

In 1985 three local women decided to work together (meanwhile there are more than 50 people working for this group) and in 1988 they joined TRAMA.  Since they joined TRAMA Textiles they have a safer and regular income, which helps them to finance the school of their children and to provide their family with enough food. The oldest woman of the group is 86 years old and she is still quite active.

86-years-old-lady

In order to finish a scarf or carpet they normally need 3-5 days. The technique they use is called `backstrap loom´.
They have their own store in their village and regularly supply TRAMA with products. Once in a while they also go on business trips, where they are travelling around to sell their products.

Weaving Material

In case somebody is interested to buy products of TRAMA, to make a donation or to participate in volunteer work, check out their webpage, they are happy about every support they can get. Furthermore Xela is a great city to hang out for a while; it has delicious, cheap food, a great nightlife, cheap Spanish schools and a lot of friendly people, which come from all over the world to volunteer here. If you have more questions about TRAMA you can always contact the company (trama.textiles@yahoo.com) or me (mariepfisterer@gmail.com).  We are happy to provide you with further information.

Or visit their homepage on:  http://tramatextiles.org/

Photos taken by Louise Burton, Diana Enriquez and myself

After a long and tedious drive up north all the way from Murcia (only bearable thanks to the  sightseeing stops we made in Alicante, Valecia, Zaragoza, and Pamplona), we finally reached our destination – a small town called Estella – at 3 o’clock in the morning. After all three hotels in town turned us down, the boys and I were forced to spend the night in our car. Easier said than done when you’ve got 3/4 of the vehicle jam-packed with luggage and 2 out of 3 passengers are over 6 foot tall – but hey, we managed!

bed, bathroom, closet - flexibility is the key when you're travelling!

Why did we choose to end our trip in such a remote place? It just happened to be fiesta season – the time of year in which many Spanish towns and cities host the traditional fiestas de toros. These are usually one-week spectacles, consisting of the famous encierro de toros (Running of the Bulls), live concerts/performances and lavish wining & dining. Basically, these things are party marathons, causing the entire town’s population to go crazy seven days in a row (drinking starts as early as 11 am). One of the university students we met in Murcia invited us to drive up and spend the festivities with her friends and family – how could we say no?

Together with Nerea and her friends, we watch the official opening of the festival (think traditional costumes, marching band, gunshots and champagne) and then continued to bar-hop all over town. Every place we went to offered either beer or vino con kas (red wine with orange soda) and a small piece of fried food for a moderate price of 3 – 5 €. After several rounds of drinks in various locations, we had lunch at a gigantic wooden table, which was set up in the middle of the street and almost collapsed from the amounts of food and drinks it carried. Delicious salads and  paella, fifteen Spanish girls and one German – I believe my two male travel companions from Jordan thought they had reached Nirvana…

At six in the evening, it was time for the first encierro de toros. Suddenly, people swarmed into the streets from every direction, all dressed in red and white and ready to run with the cows. I didn’t know what was going on until I heard a loud PANG! and saw masses of people running towards the narrow alleyway I was standing in – followed by two very angry-looking bulls! I had barely enough time to climb over the wooden barricade and take a photo before the whole shebang was already over.

Afterwards, young and old continued to celebrate in the streets – supposedly until the next race at 8 o’clock in the morning. At the prospect of having to drive back to Barcelona early in the morning (and with a killer headache), the boys and I capitulated at 4 am and went to bed – god knows how Estella’s locals survive a week of this madness!

(Previous stops of our trip: Barcelona, Sitges, Murcia)

If you’ve missed part 1 and 2 of my road trip through spain, be sure to read them here and here.

When you find yourself single and ready to mingle there are more than a few ways to go about getting out there. If this rings any bells don’t feel embarrassed or weird– you’re not the first person to search for the cutest guy to crash with via Couchsurfing or an entertaining dude to ride-share across the country with. Deep down inside we all must remember: when you’re least looking for love or a weekend fling in a foreign place it will probably be likely to happen when you least expect it.

THUS: The best way to go about meeting someone is to do something you love to do.

If you’re interested in knowledge (which, I can only imagine, all of us are in one way or another), and traveling through a kitschy part of town, head to a local book store. It especially helps if the store is specific to your interest: i.e. art, music, mind reading, whatever it may be. The chances of a cute guy who knows the area (i.e. works at and/or frequents the store) just hanging around waiting to help you find a monograph on the very top shelf of some random photographer (whose name you can’t quite remember) are very high.

Another great option while traveling is to look to your travel Bible, Lonely Planet, for book exchanges in each city. It’s quite likely that there will be boys at these exchanges who have tips (or need tips) on where to travel or what to do. Planning travel with new people can lead to all kinds of adventures!

Another great thing to check out in an unfamiliar place is live music. Usually in large cities there will be some music, SOME WHERE, every night. Whether it be a festival or one night at a blues bar it is rare that you can go wrong when you’re both listening to something you love; let the mood set itself.

When travelling in a place known for its yummy or original food a restaurant is a great place to go for sitting/eating/drinking/eye candy gazing. Vegan? Full on carnivore? Not sure, don’t care, or into eating whatever new thing you can try? Do it all and take your time. The chances of you meeting someone who can introduce you to new things or show you new creations of the same old dishes are always good– your waiter, or the guy behind the counter, knows best. Make a little small talk and who knows, when he gets off work maybe a coffee or a beer would be to his liking (with you, of course).

In any city, specifically large ones known for their fashion or innovative style, this next suggestion can be a prime resource. You may not believe it at first, but pampering yourself a bit with a new haircut or simply some window shopping can be a great way to meet a guy who won’t only help you look great, but feel great as well. One of the best guys I’ve ever met was a salon owner who cut my hair and offered great conversation (not to mention that he was very easy on the eyes). I must note that his model girlfriend kept me far from asking him out, but both she and he took time to bring me with them for a few nights on the town and introduced me to some equally intriguing friends.

In the end my favorite man, by far, has been my Hungarian Knight in Semi-Shining armor.

Where have you found flings?

While surfing the web for interesting travel ideas I stumbled over a competition to win a trip to New Zealand. Just when it starts to get dark and cold in Europe, you can escape to the beautiful beaches and unspoiled nature of New Zealand.

The travel agency STA and the travel portal 4trips are making it possible for 14 lucky adventure travellers to spend almost two weeks in the land of the Kiwis. The trip will start in Frankfurt am Main (Germany) the 27th of October and you’ll be back the 11th of November 2010.

To participate go to STA Travel or 4trips (in German). Make a profile for yourself and gather as many votes as possible until the 30th of September.

May the best travelette win!