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If you haven’t already entered the Sosauce postcard contest, what are you waiting for!?

I’ve got my 3 postcards sitting in front of me.  In fact, it’s so fun to have your own photos on postcards that I’m considering the idea of opening a postcard shop.

Now, to send them on their way to the Sosauce Soho office.

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Watching this video stirred up my emotions.  It’s funny how a simple mouse-click can whip them up so easily.  It brought back a lot of memories from my 6 weeks in Nepal last year.

Nepal is f*cking awesome.

While I was there, I knew I wouldn’t be able to fully appreciate the experience until I was back home again.

And as you know, it took me awhile to find my way home again.

Read my adventures in Nepal here

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Side view of the Taj Mahal

On the overnight train from Varanasi to Agra, I saw my first purple sunset and met a Parisian by the name of Laura, who would eventually show me around her home town.

Agra surprised me in that even the budget backpacker hotels had stunning views of the Taj Mahal, at least on the rooftop where meals were served.  While you can visit the icon of India as a day trip from Delhi, I would consider it a shame to not spend at least 24 hours in Agra, taking in the building during various stages of day and night.

Specifically, you can try your hand at shooting monkeys off the rooftops or flying kites at sunset with the locals.

Arriving in Agra

The Taj Mahal

Agra Fort And Kites At Sunset

Flickr Photo Set:  Varanasi & Agra

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Indian Visa

And that’s when I got the help I couldn’t do without. I used the last of my funds to get a cab from the edge of town I crawled to to get to the bar where I met two Peace Corps volunteers, mutual friends of a sorority sister, and agents of my temporary salvation. I took the weekend off from harassing embassies and enjoyed the hospitality of two fellow countrymen. And I finally found a good ATM, hence my relief.

[Written over a beer after the first successful ATM transaction:]

“Relief, and that’s all that spills out as my hand shakes and body tingles; such a small scale scrimp session, but I had no way of putting cash in my hands and saw a future filled with problems. Leaning on the hospitality of others was my only way out of a week in a bus station and walking 20 kilometers with a 20 kilo pack on a road not made for pedestrians. The luxury of this cold beer was hard earned and all the more appreciated, beyond its already praised existence. Thank you, Stanbic Bank, for your loyalty to MasterCard and for not giving up on me.”

That week would have been much less glamorous had I not met these new friends. To give you an idea, I was contemplating sleeping in the bus station. To be honest, I did it the first night, curled up next to about 100 mothers and children, holding my bag straps around my legs and resting it on my feet like a penguin’s egg. I awoke with the imprint of Under Armour on my cheek, but it wasn’t half bad for a few hours’ sleep.

Monday, I arrived at the High Commission office in time for the afternoon pick-up of my visa. The receptionist was beautiful and incredibly sophisticated, but for the sake of my story and memories, I remember the woman who made me cry three times as a “vacuous troll.”

She made a miscalculation on my visa fees, forgetting roughly $30, and couldn’t process my request. My flight was 24 hours away. Her cryptic explanations didn’t satisfy me, and I lost it – a sobbing that ignored the discomfort of the four other people in the room and the signs that forbade erratic or unhelpful behavior. I can’t help it; sometimes I just bust.

Once again, the High Commissioner came out to silence my hysterics and try to assure me that coming first thing tomorrow with more money would possibly get me results. James, my new friend and chauffeur, let me vent my troubles and offered advice while he drove me back to the hostel. He provided grandfather-like sympathy and even took additional money off the already agreed upon, reasonable taxi fare. He agreed to take me in the morning for the last attempt before I had to launch into Plan B, a complete change in flight plan to Nepal.

That last night, I reflected in a crowded bar:

“I’ve been late before for events, in dangerous places I shouldn’t have been, but I’ve never felt the imminent stress of my physical existence and its acceptance in its space more than I do right now. Today, I broke the emotional seal, observed by many who have never seen a woman cry…”

The morning came. I was equipped with more money and my evacuation plans. Osmosis took my own anticipation to the front seat and transferred the jitters to a hopeful James. He forfeited the profits of the morning to wait for my verdict in the parking lot. Inside, the woman took my money, gave me a receipt, then announced today was not my lucky day. At this point, the two people behind the plastic partition waited and winced for the sobs they knew were surely on their way.

And then a breakthrough. The head honcho asked, “You are from Indiana. Is that near Chicago or Houston?” It was roughly 2 a.m. when he  dialed the authorities in the Windy City, leading me to believe he finally flexed his own administrative muscles in order to sidestep the agony of watching me cry one more time. My hand was jotting mid-sentence in my journal when he reemerged from the back with a smile, holding my thick, blue passport. I wrote in big bold letters, immediately:

SALVATION
RELIEF
WATERWORKS

Seven hours to take-off, and I got clearance. The guard at the gate, by now knowing who I was and the details of my trials, gave me his heartfelt congratulations. James saw my cheerful stride and started the engine, his massive jowls frozen in a smile. I went back to the hostel, announced my success to those who knew of the bureaucratic struggle, and gave out lollipops like it was my victory parade.

I guzzled three beers, threw on my bag, and went to my flight, but not before falling asleep at the airline gate with my bag perched on my feet, sweating out the Mosi lagers that rewarded my exhaustion and my triumph.

Have you ever run into a situation with difficult embassies abroad?  Leave us a comment and let’s commiserate together.

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Before embarking on my 340-day traveling adventure, I was beyond nervous. Not only do most students not study abroad for a complete year, but they definitely don’t do so alone. Most programs are large, it is nearly expected that you will know at least one or two people… the Chile program, on the other hand was only in it’s second semester. And so I flew out of JFK airport with 9 other strangers, got to know them for a month in Ecuador and then met the other 3 once we reached our destination in Santiago.

This personal challenge to meet new people, new friends, in a completely unfamiliar setting is what led me to pick up Alice Steinbach’s novel, Without Reservations: The Travel of an Independent Woman. Before purchasing I noted that I loved the delicate cover and genuine character. What I didn’t realize, was how much warm nostalgia the travel book & memoir would evoke as Steinbach wanders through European cities for months on end without a true agenda.

Those familiar with Paris, London, Oxford, and various Italian cities won’t miss the surface descriptions of those lively and dynamic places. However, those of whom are less experienced as European travelers, may feel as lost as Steinbach in the beginning of the novel.

An overworked journalist with a Pulitzer-prize, she begins with a bout self-reflecting boredom. She is clearly accomplished, her children have grown, and she finds herself bored with her habitual and uninspiring days. She uses travel as her time “to take chances. To have adventures [and] to see if I could still hack it on my own, away from the security of work, friends and an established identity.”

She truly gives herself time to rediscover her passion and her zest for life, her joie de vivre, if you will. This alone is relatable to most women who are expected to balance the role of caregiver with a successful career and happy home, but as a reader from a younger generation, I was also able to resonate with her honest insecurities which she overcomes daily. Furthermore, the postcards she sends to herself, which begin each chapter, encompass a sentimental piece of advice or memory for the reader and Steinbach alike.

If you’re looking for to read the story of an adventurous traveler, you may be disappointed with her calm yet pleasant international experiences. However, if a light read of a warm journey of emotion is your cup of tea, then I’d recommend you pick this up. As you slowly but steadily make your way through this beautifully written narrative, the jet-setter on a home-locale break will surely be able to find a place of peaceful travel contentment.

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Post by contributor Lindsay Clark of Nomadderwhere.

Passport Problems Abroad

Near the middle of my travel notebook are three pages labeled “Problems,” which outline the state I was in in Lusaka, Zambia on my last week in Africa. They were evacuation plans from my very vulnerable state and from the continent.

The first worrisome truth: my ATM card wouldn’t work in the country, a country more expensive than my home. Without cash, I couldn’t pay for the hostel accommodations, taxis around the sprawling and scalding city, or the ever-climbing price of my Indian visa “possibility.”

Able to afford one night at Chachacha Backpackers, I squeezed dry the resources at my disposal: boiled water in the kitchen for hydration, washed clothes in the outdoor basins, tapped the hostel staff for detailed instructions to internet and grocery locations to avoid taxis. Luckily, my MasterCard was accepted for the internet time I used to contact local friends that could help me. ShopRite also let me swipe for a week’s food ration: 6 eggs and few cups of rice.

The second worrisome truth: the visa to India was virtually guaranteed to take longer than my coming flights would allow. The wise advise obtaining visas before that first wondrous jet out of your home land. Penny-pincher that I aim to be, I refused to get an Indian visa at home because it would have meant purchasing one year, instead of the minimum six months, to keep my travel dates valid on such a visa. And so I tried across the globe to wrangle this coveted visa as a nomadic, budget-minded foreigner, but never was I in the right place for long enough. With a week between trucking Africa and my flight to Delhi, Lusaka was the only option at the end of this dusty road.

It’s safe to say, at this point, I had done my research on Indian visas, and Lusaka’s High Commission knew I was on my way, or so one would believe. Any other establishment would have seen my preparation and advance notice as thorough and helpful, except maybe the BMV. So, one can imagine my stupefied state when the indifferent receptionist reported the duration of the process to last up to three weeks – the same woman that told me three days over the phone. When the High Commissioner addressed me personally, albeit in a robotic tone, that I was “up poop creek,” I made my first frantic reach for the mother land in five months. I ran blurry-eyed to the US Embassy.

There are few things more annoying than a company, operation, establishment, branch, etc. whose employees abandon their human instinct to help others and refuse to do or say anything that isn’t in their well-articulated job description. These are the same people who expect everyone to know the details of their operations, while also making sure to inform you of the painfully obvious truths they assume you’ve forgotten or aren’t smart enough to know prior. Once again, I’m talking about immigration (and the BMV). The American Embassy wasn’t all that concerned with me.

I’ve never had a true need for the Embassies abroad, and I assumed this fragile situation of one expiring visa, another visa’s complications, and the always entertaining money troubles would merit a sympathetic, “Get-r-Dun” attitude.

Though my tears and hyperventilation were real, I allowed them to get a bit pathetic and theatrical in order to get me the thing I needed: the backing of the American government. As Frida Kahlo once said, “Never trust a limping dog or the tears of a woman.” I got help. But it cost me. Fees out the wazoo to India. And I found myself leaving the Indian High Commission with the equivalent of about $80 less than what I needed to survive at the bare minimum for the next five days.

Was this the end of my visa troubles. Not at all.

Stay tuned for the conclusion of Lindsay’s “Why I Hate the Indian Bureaucracy” tomorrow.

Have you ever run into a situation with difficult embassies abroad?  Leave us a comment and let’s commiserate together.

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Four years ago, I called myself a traveler for the first time.

I was a junior in college, not yet two decades old, and three weeks into my first semester abroad (location: London), I was itching to explore.  A short AIM conversation with a friend studying in Paris later, and the following weekend, I jetted off Ryanair -style for 58 hours in Dublin.

Six of those hours were spent sleeping; otherwise, I remember every minute – a rare feat in Ireland.  There was the raw chill in the September air, the lush green beyond the city limits, the velvety thickness of my first Guinness.  Most important, though, was the adrenaline:  I felt alive.

I have never been one of those lucky ones who knew exactly what I wanted out of life.  I’m an overachiever with an ever-present artistic streak, but I am also indecisive.  But, since that first trip of my first study abroad semester, I have been sure about one thing, and that is travel.

That’s why I followed that semester with a second (this time: Prague).  That’s why I got on a plane to Israel 36 hours after throwing my graduation cap in the air.  That’s why I went back to Prague for a full year of post-collegiate life and work.

Studying abroad is one thing, but working is an entirely different animal.  For many of us, it is the only way to realize the international adventures our rootless spirits so desire.  And so, newly awarded B.A. in hand, I ran back to Prague two years ago, ready to become the just-graduated cliché: an ESL instructor.

After a crash course in TEFL, I bonded with the city’s many expats over the obscure locations our schools sent us to explore, the intimate secrets our students insisted they share, and the realization that the English language simply doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

I’m very excited to be joining the GoBackpacking team, and I’ll be posting weekly on the grand experiment: the ESL life abroad.  Ups, downs, and mispronunciations, there are never enough words to fully tell the tale.  I’ll do my best, and I hope you’ll read along!

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Q: So, what exactly is Couchsurfing?

A: Let me begin my answer by quoting Couchsurfing’s mission statement, as I believe it succinctly sums the project up:

Participate in Creating a Better World, One Couch at a Time.

Sadly, many people mistake this awesome travel community for simply free accommodation, when really the goal is to create an international network of friends with the common interest being the love of exploration.  Yes, one of the many benefits of Couchsurfing is that it makes travel more affordable, but the most meaningful benefit is that connection you make with your host/s or with other Couchsurfers; the cultural exchange that takes place is priceless.  And the hope is that this cultural exchange will in some way make the world a better place through:

“rais[ing] the collective consciousness, spread[ing] tolerance, and facilitat[ing] cultural understanding (1).”

One of the biggest misconceptions about Couchsurfing is that it is only a hospitably exchange.  This could not be further from the truth.  There are approximately 1.4 million members worldwide (even in places such as Antarctica!).  Thus, you will find that most cities have a Couchsurfing group.  These groups have regular local events that you can participate in and are wonderful opportunities to share your travel stories and to make new friends and potential travel partners.  Plus, it is a great way to get your travel fix when you are not able to travel.

The site also features collectives that are held around the world every year.  These collectives sometimes have up to a thousand attendees.  An example of this is the next collective that is being held in Rio, Brasil in celebration of New Year’s Eve.  There will be events days before and after the holiday too.  It is anticipated that this will be the largest collective to date.  I will make sure to report back, as I am attending!

Another way you can use the site is by contacting other members in the city you will be traveling in to see if they can either offer advice on what to do and see or, and this is the best part, if they might be interested in meeting for a coffee/drink, as well as possibly offering their guide services.  You will find that most Couchsurfers love helping you in any way they possibly can.  Make sure to search the online forums for even more invaluable advice.

Next week I will be answering the question: “Sounds great, so how do I become a Couchsurfer?”

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Recently, I’ve had the chance to meet a lot of wonderful travel enthusiasts, writers, editors, photographers, bloggers, and tweeters in New York City and Washington, DC.  Topics of conversation often included travel (duh!), media (print and online), blogging, freelance writing, non-conformity, and Moo cards.

With that in mind, and an excitable co-host in Stephanie from Twenty-Something Travel to share in the experience, it is time to take a hand in organizing a tweetup.

If you’re reading this and live in the DC-metro area, Stephanie and I would like to meet you!

Click on the twtvite banner below for further details and to RSVP.  Please use #dcthh hashtag in your tweets so we can track this event.

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Busboys and Poets in Washington, DC

I was lucky enough to cross paths with a handful of travel bloggers during my trip around the world, and it was a lot of fun to meet the people behind the travel blogs I’d been reading.  I find it at once amazing, and strange, that you can get to know a person through their writing.

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend two happy hours and meet a lot of new and interesting people in the Washington, DC area.

Travel Writers

The first happy hour took place in The Saloon on U Street, and was a get together of World Hum contributors, travel writers, and their friends.  I arrived at about 6:30 pm, as suggested by Michael Yessis, a co-founder of World Hum who lives in the area.

While sitting at the bar, I realized that aside from a photo or two from Twitter and his blog, I had no clue how to identify Michael from the other patrons.  At least the bar was small, because it made approaching random strangers and asking them if they were travel writers a palatable task.

Five approaches and a few awkward laughs later, I met Michael, Julie Ross, and Andrew Evans.  Over the course of the evening, we were joined by Adam Karlin, a writer for Lonely Planet, Chris Gray, Travel Editor for USA Today, Chris’ husband, and Joanna Kakissis who had just returned from a trip to Bangladesh.  Plus, there was Benjamin Spatz, who after returning to the States after a few years in Liberia, was as confounded by his new Blackberry as I was when I got mine.

The conversations were great, as you might expect from such a well-traveled group, and also touched on the changing face of travel writing and media.

Non-Conformists

A few days later, I had the pleasure of attending the Art of Non-Conformity gathering at Busboys and Poets on 5th and K Street.  As a reader of Chris Guillebeau’s blog by the same name, I’d seen photos of past meet-ups and knew there could be a big turnout.

I went early, arriving at about 6 pm on the dot, and the first reserved table on the second floor was already full.  A kind soul vacated his/her seat so I could join the group, which also gave me the chance to talk a little with Chris before he’d have to start mingling with the new arrivals.

In his invitation, Chris mentioned “The best thing about AONC meetups has absolutely nothing to do with me — it’s about everyone else who shows up.”  I didn’t believe it until I actually begin to meet other attendees!

I got to know the lovely Jen Lemen of Mondo Beyondo, and the friendly Justin Premick of AWeber (an email service I use for GoBackpacking’s weekly newsletters).  I met many others as well, including Nicholas Kralev who writes for the Washington Times, and Thursday Bram.  I couldn’t bring myself to mingle fast enough to meet even half the people who showed up over the three hour event.

At some point during the night, perhaps at the end as the tab was being closed out, I remember telling Chris about going to Gary Vaynerchuk’s recent booking signing for “Crush It!” and feeling really inspired by the guy.  If Chris could garner that kind of response from the people who come out to meet him, including next year when his first book launches, he’d be in great shape.

He responded that “it’s all about building relationships.”

It wasn’t until I reflected on the evening later that night, that I realized, he had done just that with as many people as possible, and without knowing it at the time, with me as well.

Flickr Photo Set (courtesy of Jen Lemen and Roxy Allen)

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My obsession with traveling began like most others.  I was in the midst of my first big trip to a far-away land (in my case it was China) and I found myself experiencing these feelings that I never wanted to go away.  They were feelings such as wanderlust, excitement, and amazement, but most importantly I felt like I had found, at least for myself, what the meaning of life was.  And thus, I have been consumed by the desire to travel ever since and it has now become truly a lifestyle.

Me and some new Chinese friends on that significant trip to China!

After that trip I made certain to travel as often as I possibly could.  1 year I left the country 15 times!  Although, I felt perpetually jet lagged, I was the most content I had ever been, because I was living a life of passion and fulfillment.

4 years ago, I was introduced to Couchsurfing by a fellow traveler.  I was hesitant in the beginning to join, however after some gentle nudging I did and I can say whole-heartedly that it was an extraordinarily life changing decision.  My weekly column is going to delve into the world of Couchsurfing.  I will discuss how it has impacted my life through personal stories, as well tips on how to use it to your full advantage and on ways to avoid having negative experiences.

In the meantime, I will leave you with 2 links to check out:  1) This article was written by my friend Kristin, whom I met through Couchsurfing.  It is a really good introduction to the site, plus I have a little cameo in it.  2) Here is my Couchsurfing profile.  Once you have joined the site, please come and visit me and I will be glad to show you around the South!

[Editor's Note:  I am very excited to begin featuring Andi's weekly column on Couchsurfing!  If you have any questions or concerns you would like Andi to address in future articles, please leave a comment below to let her know.]

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Polar Exploration with Quark Expeditions

I received the following e-mail from Quark Expeditions recently:

Dear Dave,

If you’ve been promising yourself that one day you will explore the polar regions in an icebreaker, delay no longer. Our flagship, Kapitan Khlebnikov, will end her career as an expedition vessel in March 2012, returning to escort duties in the Russian Arctic.

The End of an Era expeditions begin with Khlebnikov’s final west to east transit of the Northwest Passage, from July 18 to August 5, 2010, and end with an exploration of Antarctica’s Far East, December 6, 2011 to January 5, 2012. In between, the icebreaker will return to the High Arctic, Ellesmere Island, and Snow Hill Island, home to Emperor Penguins.

Now is the time to sightsee in helicopters. Cruise bird cliffs in Zodiacs. Savor meals as tasty as any served in a fine restaurant. Now is the time to treat yourself to the ultimate polar adventure aboard the legendary Kapitan Khlebnikov.

We have invited a number of special guests to mark the End of an Era. Each is passionate about the polar regions and looking forward to sharing their expertise with you.

Since polar exploration is high on my list of unfulfilled and exotic travel experiences, I was curious to see what such an adventure would run me.  Greenland is fairly close to the East Coast of the US, so I clicked on the Ellesmere Island and Greenland: The High Arctic trip.

And that’s when the sticker shock turned my icebreaking explorations into a pipe dream for the foreseeable future.

The price range for a 16-day expedition aboard the mighty, nay, legendary Khlebnikov is $13,990 to $23,990.

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This the fourth episode of the 76-Second Travel Show by Robert Reid, Lonely Planet’s US Travel Editor.

To read more about his experiences in Transylvania, including whether a trip to Dracula’s grave is worth the time, head over to his blog at Reid on Travel.

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Varanasi is a pilgrimage site for many Hindus in India (and around the world) as it sits along the holy Ganges River.  Along with Old Islamic Cairo in Egypt and the old part of Kathmandu in Nepal, Varanasi offers great photographic opportunities with every step.

These two Varanasi posts include a lot of my favorite shots, while the side trip to Sarnath offers views of the site where Buddha gave his first sermon.

Hot, Hot Varanasi

An Early Morning Visit to Sarnath

A Sunset Stroll Along the Ghats

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This is a guest post by Linda Smolkin.  Follow her on Twitter @WhateverGirlDC

Several years ago, I spent nine months teaching English in Russia. Due to airline regulations, I could only bring two suitcases, unless I wanted to pay an extra charge. So, I had to choose my outerwear carefully since it would take up a lot of luggage space. For winter, I packed my warm wool coat. For fall, I packed my favorite lightweight jacket — a bright red one with a three-toggle closure.

One brisk September morning, I decided to wear my red jacket for the first time. I was in a hurry to meet a friend and ran out to catch the trolleybus. I boarded, punched my ticket, and walked to the back. It was packed, as usual. As I held on to one of the bars, I noticed a short, stocky babushka looking at my jacket. Then, she began talking to me. Since I had been in St. Petersburg for only a few weeks, I had difficulty understanding her. She mentioned something about my jacket and pointed at it. I understood two words – jacket and open. After looking down, I realized that part of the jacket stays open even after fastening the toggles – that’s part of the style. I looked back and said “Thank you, I know.”

After I responded, she looked away and began talking to the woman next to her, as they both looked at my jacket. A few other commuters smiled and looked my way.

It didn’t take long to feel like the bus fashion plate. I knew my jacket was stylish, but I never thought I would get so much attention. As I walked down the aisle to exit, I felt like a runway model – minus the long legs and rock-star boyfriend. But then, I stepped down to the sidewalk and let out a laugh.

“Boy, I really need to improve my Russian!” I said to myself. The right side of my jacket was three inches higher than the left, the bottom right toggle was fastened to the middle left loop, and the sweet Russian lady was just trying to tell me I had closed my jacket incorrectly. I immediately fixed my jacket and laughed about it throughout the day. I had become a fashion victim on a trolleybus in Russia, and the strongest force against me was the language barrier.

This was a guest post by Linda Smolkin. Follow her on Twitter @WhateverGirlDC

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Why are you going? When are you going? Where are you going?

These are always the first questions I’m asked when I tell someone I’m planning a trip. The when and the where are the easy parts, the why is somewhat more complicated.  As with any big decision there were multiple factors involved.

When I returned from Europe in June, 2008 the only thing I could think about was travel: where, when, how? My initial intentions were of returning to Eastern Europe or trekking through Central Asia. Unfortunately Central Asia is too volatile right now and getting even more so.

Eastern Europe was thrown to the wayside when a backpacker friend of mine suggested South East Asia.

His answer to Why? The full moon party on Ko Pha Ngan, and treks in the jungle were the first things he mentioned, both of which perked my ears right up.  I knew that South East Asia had a well worn backpacker trail and that it had ample amounts of everything I was looking for: wilderness, an alien culture, a handful of countries that can be traveled overland, danger, and a great party scene.

Although I had the time of my life in Europe I had an immediate drive to top it.  When I stood in the German Alps, I told myself that I would find a place even more beautiful before it was all over. I’m still looking…

After watching an episode of Top Gear which featured Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, I knew Asia was in my future.  Europe lacked the danger and adventure that I now crave, and to cure that I would need to push my limits with a venture into Burma.

Asia will be a trip of many firsts for me both in culture and length, which I think is what ultimately drew me away from Europe and set my compass towards Asia­. In my mind, Europe will always be there but Asia is currently in the middle of a tourism boom and rapid industrialization, much like Cuba.  I consider it necessary to see Asia now, before its countries become further developed and industrialized.

Then the questions turned to when to go and where to go. My departure in April of 2010 made sense as I’m taking a second gap year from university along with several other factors. The length of my time off will allow me to accumulate enough funds for a 4 month trip and allow me to make another small trip in February.

After reading about the area and finding this blog, I started to get a good feel of the region and what each country had to offer.  I formulated a route that would take me through Thailand, Burma, Laos and Cambodia.  As I began to plan, I reconnected with a friend I had first met in Berlin, who conveniently lives in Singapore.  With a open invitation from my friend, Malaysia and Singapore were both added to my route. As these things go, the trip continued to expand in my mind to include Vietnam and balloon to 4 full months abroad.

Often after I answer these three questions, people ask me what I’m going to be doing, almost with a tone of disbelief at the amount of time I will be away from home. Although my answer is usually a simple “backpacking around” my mind always starts to race from destinations to adventures: trekking in the Lao jungle, fishing in the world’s oldest forest, exploring ruins in Cambodia, volunteering in Laos, and so many more.

As a traveler I’ll always seek the next experience, the next story.  To experience is to grow, to grow is to live. I hope you`ll follow along with me over the coming weeks as I dive into the details.

Next week, I`ll be writing about how to research a country you know little about.

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Post by new contributor Lindsay Clark of Nomadderwhere.

The first mission of the day was to make it to the city, as the locals do, wandering up weaving lames and jumping garbage heaps until Entebbe road appeared, in all its smoggy splendor. On the way, I began to re-experience the wonder of being a walking spectacle, the extreme and never-before-seen minority, an Average Jane celebrity.

Clothes Hanging in the Rain in Kampala

Children ran around in circles, announcing to their kin the presence of the “mzungu” in their midst. If I responded to their screams, waves, or salutations, huge smiles formed on their faces before they darted home to giggle behind their working mothers.

The taxis: one driver, one screamer, and a 14 passenger bus that almost always breaches the legal limit of riders. They get you from A to B, though you may be sitting on someone’s lap. These services are offered at a wonderfully reasonable price: 20 minutes of bouncing around Kampala for 30 cents.

Kampala is the result of a tribal collision and explosion, a city smashed with basic homes and millions of people breathing in a nicely concentrated formula of oxygen and diesel exhaust. Not many people own cars, so it’s a bit of a mystery as to why the air is opaque. It’s deceiving, but everyone is always on the move, which is why the population calls for the organized chaos of the taxi parks.

They all crowd and congregate like hungry coy fish, drivers jumping for passengers and squeezing through openings not big enough for their cars. You could find a ride to anywhere and meanwhile purchase peanuts, beer, scrunchies, and hair extensions while waiting in your seat by an open window.

Taxi Park in Uganda's Capital

Of course, where there are people, there are people selling crap – the biggest taxi park bumping butts with the biggest mad house market. Massive bags of rice and spices, washing soaps and appliances, second hand clothes and dried sardine heaps, and about forty men with wedding proposals for my very eligible hand.

I grasped my bag, half hidden under my shirt, and skillfully maneuvered away from the forceful arms trying to grab my attention. Weaving through the roughly covered maze of stalls, I had to laugh at the exclamations people would shout: “Hey Mzungu!”, “Marry me?”, “Come come you buy something!”, “Lips!”. Paul loved the show as well.

It was all a pulsating whirlwind erupting around me. I had to step back and get a hold on where I was. We climbed a closed up shopping center to view the sudden wash of rain that swept the littered streets and nearby music festival in sight. The city was impressive, in a shocking way, as I couldn’t believe such a tattered place existed. The essence of “shambles,” but it was mysteriously hypnotizing nonetheless.

The Hills of Kampala

From a cathedral on a nearby hill, the improved view gave me a sight more removed and peaceful, where I could finally see the urban rain forest at arm’s length. It was a smoggy mess, a sore on the terrestrial crust, but viewing the palms and rolling lushness with raw sugar cane sweetness tossing in my mouth made me find a twang of admiration for the basic nature of Kampala’s exhausted inhabitants. I had a strong desire to stop time and paint the most complex picture of each tiny moment that were cultural time-bomb slaps in the face. This is Africa.

Paul's Niece Modeling for Me

Meals of plantains by candlelight and chapatis by rooster crows hugged my stomach with simple fulfilling pleasures only possibly by my mental smiles, thankful I was seeing such a real experience. Authenticity, my friends; there’s no substitute.

My last day in Kampala was all about family. We strolled to Paul’s aunt’s home on a nearby hill where I got my first real chicken coop experience. Given it wasn’t in the back of a truck after hitchhiking in the countryside, but it still satiated an odd desire to see feathers fly.

I fed little piggies palm leaves and stepped over coffee beans drying on the ground. Baby goats chased each other and dove under the full utters of the mother, only until Paul wrangled one for a quick pet of its soft cowlicked coat.

Just then, Paul’s niece came running down the red dirt road from school and joined us for the jaunt back to his abode. We all ate a quick bite of potatoes and avocado before I had to skidaddle. I introduced the young eyes of Latisha to the world of photography and let her snap it around the family compound. She was so quiet, but after sharing a smashed airplane Mars bar and clicking the camera shutter, she was glittering.

As I left Masajja for Jinja town, a shower smoothed the rough appearance of Kampala and left the bright red dirt and clean green lushness vibrating in my enamored eyes. Uganda was already a glowing memory and in Kampala nonetheless.

Have you couchsurfed in a foreign country?  Leave a comment and let us know if your experience was good or bad.

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Post by new contributor Lindsay Clark of Nomadderwhere.

The first time I flew into NYC at night, the infinite stretch of lights had a deep impact on me – seeing the development and magnitude of the world from a pilot’s-eye view. A like, yet opposite, moment occurred with the descent into Entebbe, Uganda. There were minutes of time I saw not one single light in the darkness. What was below me was simply nature, no embellishments.

After immigration, I dawdled around the exit, hoping my first couchsurfing host would recognize me from my profile picture, since unfortunately my previously given description of “brunette girl with all the bags” was not valid at the time [thanks to lost baggage]. Paul found me and took me away from the probing taxi drivers and towards the capital city of Kampala.

Couchsurfing Host, Paul

I knew I made a fantastic decision to couchsurf when my drive from the airport got me closer to the real Uganda than I ever could have gotten otherwise. As we chatted through the hour-long drive, I realized the scene outside was unfolding something so eerie and intense. The dust of the streets created a fog through which car headlights revealed hundreds of wandering silhouettes. Things didn’t feel so familiar anymore, as I realized the streets were littered and webbed with people, even out here in the dark of night, somewhere on a stretch of highway. Finally came the realization, the zing I sought for months:

“Wow, I’m traveling.”

The Streets of Masajja near Kampala

Paul lived in a village right on the edge of Kampala, one called Masajja, which was connected by dirt roads, all veined and rutted by the wet season’s downpours. The first few bouncy minutes brought to mind Ace Ventura on his jungle rides through Africa, singing Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang with head bouncing from the passenger’s seat across and out his driver’s side window. I needed a helmet there in the back seat.

The Ssenoga family, Paul and siblings, live in a home attached to a few rooms, which they rent out for their income. My travel goal of never using a squat toilet went out the window when I got a look at the compound latrine. I was in no way discouraged though, as I knew my immersion was deeper than I could have anticipated (and that doesn’t mean I fell in).

Enjoying My Free Bed While Couchsurfing

Though I hadn’t slept in about three days, I stayed up to chat with my host about his family, his village, and life in Uganda. Outside his window, the sun was far set, but the neighborhood was still throbbing. On the corner, a man made a stand to sell chapatis (essentially flour tortillas) for cash flow. Boda-boda drivers (guys with motorbikes) surfed the dirty waves while trying to find passengers to transport and charge.

In this community, everyone was a family man and everyone an entrepreneur. Noise was a constant, but at 2 a.m., when I awoke to roll over, I could have heard a rooster toot in the next village over.

Old MacDonald lost control of his livestock as they all crowded around my window to oddly awaken me in the morning. Roosters were crowing every thirty seconds, goats were screaming like little children in agony, motorbikes streaking across my sightline and every human being on the block took to the streets to get it done, whatever “it” was, as they had been since 4am.

I drew my first breath at 8:30am and sought some relief at the long drop. One cannot wander in there half asleep without losing a leg to the earth’s dirty mouth and cracking your pelvis on the wet cement surrounding the hole. I sure do have a delightfully poetic mind.

And then I walked miles to sit on someone’s lap all the way into the city…

Tomorrow, read the rest of Lindsay’s experience couchsurfing Uganda.

Have you couchsurfed in a foreign country?  Leave a comment and let us know if your experience was good or bad.

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Istanbul

Hello world! I would consider myself pretty well-traveled for a 21-year-old, because, well, I suppose I should start from the beginning…

As an American college student with a multicultural background, my fascination with travel and cultures, languages and food had already led to many international excursions. But simply visiting different places wasn’t enough for me.

In addition to studying magazine journalism, I also spent my first two years advancing in my comprehension of Spanish and beginning to delve into French. With fluency in two languages just over the horizon, I took a leap of faith and signed up for an entire year, two academic semesters, or 340 days studying abroad.

During that time I lived with three different host families, attended multiple universities, became close friends with Ecuadorians, Chileans, and many French, while also bonding with fellow foreigners. Not to mention that I found three distinct and wonderful homes away from home.

And, if that weren’t enough for me, I’ve also had multiple opportunities to travel, to get a taste of other South American and European cities and countries, and explore places I had only yet dreamed about going.

I accomplished more than I thought possible on my trip of a lifetime, having lived and traveled abroad; I have gained an intermediate fluency in Spanish and French, I have found my place is various cultures, I have tasted some of the most delicious, and oftentimes, healthful foods that the world has to offer. And since being back, I have done my fair share of travel-reading as well. You know, gotta feed the travel bug somehow.

Now that I’m home again, changed forever, I’m in the process of finishing up my college degree, figuring out what the future hold for me career-wise, and finding my place again in the U S of A. I am so honored to be one of Dave’s first contributors and share my past and present experiences with like minded, travel-enthused individuals. Maybe doing so will be able to help us both find our next destination.

Until next time!

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It wasn’t until I returned home from my recent travels that I really sat down and spent some time getting to know my way around Twitter.  I began following travel bloggers, writers, companies, and whomever they were following too.

There was one Twitterer whose sparkling smile seemed to show up on my screen more than any other.  Katy, the Community Manager for Where I’ve Been, tweeted travel like there was no tomorrow. And there was something special about Tuesdays I couldn’t quite figure out at the time.

Curiosity lead me to the Twitter page for @whereivebeen and then to their website.  While Where I’ve Been may have started out as a simple map application which let Facebook users brag about where they’d traveled (by publicly posting a map to their Newsfeed), it had clearly been growing at a rapid rate into a full-fledged travel community.

Of course my first task was to fill out a map, and post it to my Facebook profile like any good, self-promoting traveler.  I’ve yet to meet a map application I didn’t enjoy.  And as I mentioned, the site is about much more than maps now.

Over 9 million community members currently have the ability to:

• Book hotel rooms, domestic or international flights, and even tables at their favorite restaurants.
• Become travel experts:   the more pictures, videos, and reviews they add to the site, the more credit (points) they get to become a  travel expert on a specific country or city.
• Write reviews, upload photos & videos, and share them not only through Where I’ve Been, but also on Facebook.  As a result, friends on Where I’ve Been and Facebook are instantly connected and can share travel information all in one place.
• Read not only user-generated content, but also aggregate content from multiple accredited sources, including Citysearch and Kayak, and Hotelvideoreviews.com

And why are Tuesdays on Twitter so special?

Katy and Where I’ve Been initiated the de facto way for travelers to share Twitter users worth following each week.  Simply use the following hashtag, #TravelTuesday, along with your recommendation, and the travel community will thank you.

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I’ve read my share of blogs and free ebooks about how to make money online, so I was hesitant to spend $27 on Nomadic Matt’s first travel ebook, How to Make Money with Your Travel Blog, released earlier this year.  After the ebook launched, and I read the early reviews, I assumed there would be little for me to gain by purchasing it.

Almost 6 months after it was released, curiosity finally got the best of me and I bought it.  Spoiler alert:  I learned a thing or two and was satisfied that I got my money’s worth.

Before I continue, I should also acknowledge that I signed up as an affiliate before deciding to write this review.

My first impression was “wow, that is a concise Table of Contents” when seeing it featured just 7 chapters (the entire book is 37 full pages, single spaced, with illustrations).  Matt begins with an introduction citing the reason he wrote the ebook was to help answer common questions he receives about search engine optimization (SEO) and how to make money travel blogging.

Following the introduction are six parts, covering everything from the questions to ask yourself before starting your first blog to critical WordPress plugins, SEO and link building tips, and of course, how to make money when you put all the pieces together.

…building social traffic and a network takes time. Don’t expect to have a huge amount of traffic or readers right away. But if you are committed to it and stick with it, traffic will appear.

More than the advice on proper use of Stumble Upon, or the diagrams attempting to demystify SEO, I appreciated his straightforwardness with new bloggers as to the amount of time it takes to build a successful site.  If you’re starting from scratch, we’re talking a minimum of months, if not years.  Building a blog is more like running a marathon than a sprint.

In the monetization chapter, Matt reviews Google AdSense, selling text links, affiliate sales, and how to price advertising when you cut out the middle men.  Along the way, he offers his perspective on the pro’s and con’s of these methods.

I also enjoyed his Putting It Together chapter which wraps up the ebook, however there is one point Matt highlights, which I have to disagree with, or at least present the opposing view:

Don’t feel the need to blog every day. When I first started I put up content every day. It was stressful always trying to fill the blog. It creates more work than you need. You can build traffic just as easily with two or three posts per week.

If you happen to be a persuasive, funny, or naturally talented writer to begin with, then posting a few times a week and building traffic from bookmarking sites and link building can perhaps get you the results you seek.  I, on the other hand, believe strongly in attempting to post at least five times a week, regardless of your experience level. This shouldn’t be stressful, but rather fun, because you are hopefully writing about your passion.

For the novice blogger, it will allow you more opportunities to experiment with writing the all important post titles (headlines).  You’ll narrow down the direction of your blog and find your voice as a writer more quickly (if, like me, you have no previous writing experience).  And of most importance, you’ll be building your blog’s overall content faster, every post being a new opportunity to have pages indexed in the search engines and bookmarked and passed along by readers.

[Editor's Note:  To feel a little more confident when you're just starting out, poke around the early, archived posts of any well-established blogger.  If it is their original blog, and it has been a few years, the difference in writing/blogging quality should be immediately evident.]

For the advanced blogger, you can continue to hone your writing skills, experiment with new writing techniques, and again, build new content.

I realize Matt is simply trying to reassure new bloggers that they need not stress themselves out in order to gain traffic, however I believe there is a lot of value in writing as frequently as possible, whether it’s to build traffic or improve one’s writing skills.

In conclusion, there are a lot of internet marketers who are all too happy to make outlandish claims in order to sell their products.  Some people may doubt Matt’s claim of making $3,000 per month, however once you’ve made some money from a blog or website, you know first hand that it is a reasonable and achievable figure.

Nomadic Matt shows you the tried and true strategies he used in How to Make Money with Your Travel Blog.

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Matthew in the German Alps, 2008

I’m Matthew and soon I’ll be contributing a regular column to GoBackpacking.  I’m currently planning a 4 month backpacking trip to South-East Asia and my posts will explain what is involved with planning a long term trip, everything from budgeting to visas. In the past of I’ve backpacked through Western Europe and Cuba, two experiences that I want to share with GoBackpacking readers.  I had some unrepeatable and amazingly unique experiences that are just dying to be told.

I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, right in the heart of Canada.  As a outdoors person I’ll always seek out the call of the wild in my travels, and I’ll try anything once.  To me travel will always been about pushing myself outside my comfort zone, those sweaty palms and queasy stomachs are always worth it at the end of the night. I’m looking forward to sharing my preparation with you, and hopefully make your trip to Asia a whole lot simpler.

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_

Image locations include Kolkata, Bodhgaya, Varanasi, Agra, & Delhi.

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Goooood Friday morning!

I’d like to pose a quick poll for all the readers who currently have, or intend to begin, a travel blog.

Your responses will help me, help you.  Thank you for participating!

Most importantly, please leave a comment with your biggest sticking point as a travel blogger.

Where do you need the most help?

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Entrance to Mahabodhi Temple

34 hours….1 taxi….1 share jeep….1 overnight train….1 bus ride….3 autorickshaws….1 bicycle rickshaw….

In 20 months abroad, my longest continuous period of travel was the trip from Gangtok, Sikkim to Bodhgaya.

We passed a young woman in a bright, flowing silk sari talking to a man and my mind couldn’t reconcile how such a beautiful woman could coexist with the filthy streets.

It was not easy, however the payoff was the opportunity to sit and meditate in the same place as Buddha when he attained enlightenment.  Powerful stuff.

Looking back at these posts, I believe they capture some of the most fascinating moments of my backpacking trip around the world.  Chai tea on the train.  Uncomfortable bus rides.  Public urination.  Sleeping on the property of a Tibetan Monastery.  And even a Bollywood movie being filmed.

Pilgrimage to Bodhgaya (includes my first train ride in India)

Monasteries and Mahabodhi Temple

Meditating Under the Bodhi Tree

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Charlie

I lived with Charlie for two years in Virginia.  After we parted ways, I began saving for my RTW trip, while he was establishing a new life in the Sichuan Provence of China, learning to speak fluent Mandarin, and building a career as a professional DJ.

I was lucky enough to visit him for two weeks on my trip around the world, and see first hand how well he had adapted to life in China.  Enjoy!

GoBackpacking: Why did you choose to leave your job as a graphic designer in the USA and travel to Asia?

Charlie: I got bored. My life turned into uninteresting routine and I had to break out. I could see colleagues who, through decades of meaningless office toil, had lost something very precious. I decided that no matter what the cost I wouldn’t befall the same fate. Asia was one of several candidates – it turns out that it suits me well so I’ve been here for several years.

You now call Chengdu home.  What were your first impressions of the city upon arrival, and how does it differ from the other large cities in China like Beijing or Shanghai?

Chengdu has a unique charm that’s difficult to describe. It’s at once a bustling metropolis and a very friendly laid back place. Chengdu, and West China in general, are vastly different from cities on the east coast including Shanghai and Beijing. Personally I wouldn’t choose to live in the mega cities on the east coast because to me they are too much of a compromise. Shanghai and Beijing are so developed and westernized that I don’t really feel like I’m in China.

Enjoying the Chengdu Nightlife

When did you realize you could earn a living as a DJ instead of the more common approach of teaching English?

I quickly realized that there are many paths to earning income besides teaching English. Music and DJ’ing were things I had been involved with for years before coming to Asia so it was a natural fit. The truth is that there are countless opportunities overseas at the moment if you can produce a competitive product or service – teaching english is the easiest path which is strewn with many people who do it because they don’t see or don’t want to pursue the other options.

What challenges did you face while learning to do business within China’s nightlife and entertainment industry?

Showing off a spa-issued Chinese bathing suit

As far as doing business, the most difficult part was adapting to the language and culture. Learning to fend for myself as an entrepreneur and not allow people take advantage of me just because I’m a guest in their country.

Staying productive and pushing forward is sometimes a challenge when I vacation several months out of the year and don’t have anyone making a schedule for me. These have probably been the biggest challenges but I don’t see them as very unique to the music industry in China.

Where were you on May 12, 2008 when the magnitude-8 Sichuan Earthquake struck near Chengdu?  Have there been any lasting effects or has the region fully recovered?

During last year’s earthquake I was on Qing Cheng Shan which is one of the birthplaces of Daoism. That day I was on a motorcycle excursion with several friends and the earthquake hit when we were making our way back down the mountain. We were trapped in a section of the mountain with about 100 locals and had to hike down the mountain which took 24 hours. During most of this time it was raining and there were constant and powerful aftershocks as well as no roads due to landslides taking them all out.

A few months later I returned to the mountain to retrieve my dirt bike which was where I left it. To this day the part of the mountain that I was on (the back side, called Hou Shan) is closed due to the damage it sustained.

Are there any misconceptions or stereotypes about life in China you’d like to clear up?

It’s difficult for me to address misconceptions about China because I rarely interact with people who have no exposure to China. Before arriving in China several people were stunned to hear that I would willingly commit myself to China but I did and do consider those people to be narrow minded. China isn’t for everyone but I’ve found that it’s a wonderful place that I’m happy to find myself. With that said, I’m sure I could say the same of many other countries as well.

Ping-pong in PJ's at a Chinese spa (~3am)

Do you have any tips or tricks for learning Mandarin?

My number one tip: speak and hear Chinese all day. Don’t just go to Mandarin class and return to English when you finish. Whether this means finding a companion or friend who doesn’t speak English or surrounding yourself with non English speakers, this is the quickest path to proficiency. There are many aids which will speed the process, the most important being your own motivation and fascination. From the very beginning, keep a journal and write down every word and phrase you learn.

I haven’t taken a single lesson in Chinese but my skills have eclipsed those of Chinese language majors in the States. I don’t believe that speaks to my natural intelligence as much as my learning methods. For more information on how to quickly become proficient in foreign languages I recommend checking out Tim Ferriss’ blog. I’ve utilized a lot of his methods and found them to be very practical and effective.

Beyond China, which countries would you like to visit next and why?

At the top of my list is South America. It’s a region that I haven’t personally explored and it interests me because, like Asia, it’s developing very quickly. The fact that most of the continent speaks a single language makes it very accessible as well.

Also on my list is Iran – I have a lot of Iranian friends and Iranian politics are of particular interest to me. Like China, I believe that Iran has the power to destroy popular misconceptions about people and culture that linger in the back of my own mind.

Readers:  Please leave a comment and let me know if there is a traveler, adventurer, or expatriate you would like to see interviewed here!

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I first learned about Resume to Interviews earlier this year in Medellin, when I ran into Jason, the man behind the scenes.  We kept in touch after going our separate ways, and when I finally began looking for a job back in the States, he offered to put his services to the test in exchange for a review.  I welcomed the help, as I’d taken the easy way out and left on my trip around the world without taking the time to add my accomplishments from the prior 5 1/2 years.

The first thing I did after receiving Jason’s offer was to check out the website.  I was immediately drawn to the Testimonials page.  It was filled with a long list of quotes from satisfied customers, such as:

“Just got a job offer yesterday for a company that I sent my resume to 6 days ago. Many thanks for the excellent resume! If nothing else, the design is well worth the money. Having an easily readable and flowing resume is incredibly advantageous.”

The site layout is clear and uncluttered.  Pages include a FAQ, Terms of Service, basic tips for writing resumes and cover letters, and interview advice.

Satisfied with the customer feedback, I accepted Jason’s offer, and forwarded him the resume with which I’d been struggling.  I asked for two different versions – one that emphasized my recent travel writing/blogging experience, and one that emphasized my professional management and customer service experience.

I knew I had been on the right track with the content to include, however the design and organization was “schizophrenic” according to my Dad.  Frankly, I’m incredibly self-assured about what I can offer the right company.  I am confident I can come up with great ways to leverage my recent travel experience in an interview.  And I have former bosses who would be happy to help with great recommendations.  However none of that matters if I can’t present myself clearly and professionally via resume.

Four days later, I received the revamped resume that would serve as the basis for specialized versions.  Downloading the new resume and opening it up was a real “Wow” moment for me.  It was immediately obvious that the new layout resolved the problem I’d been having with organizing content, and I also thought the new font (Garamond) was an improvement.

I edited the general version and returned it to Jason, and he created the specialized copies I sought, which I then edited at least once more.  He responded within a day or two on each occasion, and provided final versions in two common formats, Microsoft Word and PDF.

Jason specializes in Gap Year scenarios, and his Testimonials page reflects the success his customers have experienced in landing jobs.  The cost for a new customer to have a standard resume created within 5 days is $65.  Faster delivery is available for an extra $10, and going a step further is same-day service for an extra $20.  Additional services include phone consultations and cover letter assistance and critiques.

While I have yet to land the perfect job, I am happy to endorse the services of Resume to Interviews for helping me present my experience in the best light possible.

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A chance to write for AskMen.com about Medellin fell into my lap this past Spring, wholly the result of building a noticeable web presence through Medellin Living about what it’s like to live in Colombia as a foreigner.  When I delivered, in spite of a very tight deadline, the managing editor suggested I pitch a few additional ideas.  I knew I had a golden opportunity.

Of course, I had no clue as to how to pitch editors at the time.  No…clue.  So I shot from the hip, and fired off a few sentences on a variety of ideas.  Perhaps I was already a proven entity by then, or perhaps they just needed content.  Either way, they gave me two more stories – one of my ideas and one of theirs.  I was lucky.

A few weeks ago, I attended my first Mediabistro seminar on the topic of pitching editors.  It was held in a very small theater in Georgetown, with about 15 people in attendance.

Carl Hoffman, a contributing editor with National Geographic Traveler and Wired magazines, gave the class.  Prior to class, I had already read through the 17-page outline (twice).  In and of itself, it was worth the price of admission.

Carl brought the outline to life over the next two hours, finished with a Q & A, and stuck around to let a few of us talk his ear off while we had the chance.  Also, he opened himself up to letting us send him pitches for feedback in the future, which I believe is incredibly generous.

To give you a feel for the material we covered, here are a few quotes from the outline:

Generally, only amateurs write articles without assignments, because professionals don’t want to chance wasting their time writing stories that may not be purchased or published.

Question is always what is the story, and then why you?

You don’t just pitch to publication. You pitch to a particular section of a publication, and ideally to the editor in charge of it.

Socialize. No question that it’s easier to sell work to editors you know personally.

I left the seminar feeling empowered.  I had already gained a 1,001 stories from my travels, and now I had a blueprint for submitting professional pitches to editors.

________________________

Carl Hoffman has a blog at The Lunatic Express, which is also the title of his new book due out March 16, 2010.

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Lonely Planet's Guide to Travel Writing

The publishing world may revolve around New York City, however National Geographic calls Washington, DC home.  As a result, they frequently host live events which draw engaging crowds to the theater in their headquarters.

Last Thursday night, I answered the tweet of Don George, former editor of Lonely Planet, and made the commute into the city despite cold temperatures and driving (ok, drizzling) rain.  The talk with Simon Winchester, British author and editor of The Best American Travel Writing 2009, was preceded by a reception.  Not knowing anyone, but clearly amongst my people (aka the well-traveled), I grabbed a complimentary beer and introduced myself to a few of the other guests.

When the lights began to flicker, we headed for the theater.  Two armchairs were placed on stage, with a world globe in between.  I was impressed with the turnout, since $25 per ticket isn’t chump change.

A brief introduction was given by Keith Bellows, editor of National Geographic, and then Don and Simon took the stage.  A big part of the reason I attended the event was to hear more of Simon, as I enjoyed his comments at the book launch party in New York City the week before.

The evening turned out to be quite pleasant, with Don effectively interviewing Simon in a relaxed and lighthearted manner.  A lot of time was spent discussing how Simon is approaching the process of writing his latest book, a biography of the Atlantic Ocean.  A question and answer session occurred at the end, and then the two authors were available for book signings.

I decided to make this the occasion that I picked up Lonely Planet’s Guide to Travel Writing, which had been updated earlier this year.  Since I was buying the book, I had to get it signed as well.

When I reached Don, I made sure to mention the NBC News piece by Wendy Rieger in which we both appeared back in Fall 2007 before my trip around the world.  The video is conveniently embedded below for a good laugh at my expense.

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I started GoBackpacking in 1999 to encourage people to travel abroad, independently.  11 years later, the site’s mission remains the same, and I am eager to bring new voices and perspectives into the mix.

Who

Anyone who believes in the aforementioned mission.

When

Immediately!

Why

If you are reading this, then chances are good you’ve traveled independently and enjoyed it.  While I am not in a position to pay at this time (I need a job first), here is what I can offer:

• A growing, global audience:  GoBackpacking receives over 14,000 visits and 30,000 page views per month.  Traffic increased 20% from August to September alone.  In addition, there are 790+ subscribers.
• Syndication:  All location-specific posts are syndicated on Lonely Planet’s online destination guides, while World Reviewer, Alltop Outdoors, and travel4press also feature posts.
• GoBackpacking is an original member of the Trusted Travel Blogs Network which recognizes “high publishing standards” and transparent advertising practices.
• For contributors with a blog, this is a chance to reach a wider audience.
• For contributors without a blog, this is a chance to share travel experiences to entertain, motivate, educate, and/or caution others.
• My current editorial policy:  write about whatever gets you excited, and don’t forget to use spell check.
• All contributions will be promoted via social media, including:  Twitter, Facebook, and Stumble Upon.
• All contributions will include the author’s name, short bio, headshot and a link back to his/her blog, website, or social profile of choice.  Authors retain full rights to their stories and photos.

What

Different ideas and perspectives can help to create a unique reader experience.  That said, here are a few of my ideas for how GoBackpacking could benefit from new voices:

• Teaching English and/or Working Abroad – weekly series about teaching English or other approaches to working abroad.  Tips for picking a farm in Australia, anyone?  The topic is far too deep to try and cover in bullet points, and my personal attempt to teach in Medellin was short lived.
• Couchsurfing Reporter – share your experiences hosting, as a guest, or participating in the activities of a local Couchsurfing group.
• Book Reviews – I’m buried in books at the moment, and would probably turn down any new ones I’m offered until I can catch up.  Please let me know if you would like to share you opinion on travel books you are reading, or would be open to reading/reviewing in the future.
• Media – Do you have a burning desire to share your opinion about why the movie Eurotrip does not accurately reflect backpacking culture?  Or perhaps the latest Travel Channel show deserves a boost.  Help get the word out on what’s hot and what’s not in travel media.
• (((( Your Ideas Here ))))

How

Please contact me to discuss further.  A writing sample will be required in the absence of an existing blog (which does not have to be travel-related).

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Fresh Guacamole @ Rosa Mexicano in NYC

I’ve already written about the book launch party for The Best American Travel Writing and the 2009 Adventures in Travel Expo, so it’s now time to fill in the gaps of this 4-day NYC escapade.

Friday morning, I twittered my way into consciousness and made plans to meet my friend at the offices of College Humor near Union Square. Expecting to exit the elevator into a maelstrom of sophomoric hijinks, I was instead met by the sound of silence. Even the crickets had left for the weekend.

We walked a few blocks to meet my brother at Rosa Mexicano. The interior of the restaurant, with its wall of cascading water, was very inviting. We grabbed a booth in the back and ordered lunch.

Chicken tacos @ Rosa Mexicano in NYC

Fresh guacamole was made to order tableside, and served in a giant mortar.  Along with freshly made tortilla chips, it was the bomb.  I love “good” fat.  I ordered the chicken tacos, though the menu description and a photo are necessary to do them the slightest bit of justice:

Grilled chicken marinated in ancho chiles, garlic, cumin, cloves and cinnamon.  Topped with slow cooked peppers, served with melted Chihuahua cheese.  Served in a cast iron skillet with red bean-chorizo chili, corn esquites, chile de árbol salsa and freshly made warm corn tortillas.

Rosa Mexicano might cost a little more than your local Mexican restaurant, with lunch entrees hovering around $13 apiece, however the food is to die for.  I left with little desire to do anything but sleep, yet I had more internet company offices to visit.

Absinthe on the rocks

Next was Yext.  You remember Yext, right?  I wrote about them a few months ago during a previous visit to NYC.  Since then, they debuted at TechCrunch50 and secured $25 million in new venture capital.  My brother left his production work on Hollywood movies to join them.  The new office in Chelsea Market looked like it offered plenty of room for growth.  Even though I wanted to crash The Food Network studios (located there as well), I had one more office to visit.

I took a taxi to the new Soho office of Sean, Alisha and the gang of Sosauce.com.  They welcomed me with open arms, and we talked about the postcard contest they’ve got running and South Africa, among other saucy things.

I forgot what I did Friday night, but I assure you it was awesome.

Saturday night, my brother took me out for sushi on St. Mark’s, and then we shot some pool at his favorite local dive bar, Cherry Tavern.  I noticed absinthe on the menu, and remembered hearing that some kinds were now legal in the US.  After assuring the bottle on the bar included the fear-inducing ingredient of wormwood, I ordered a glass on the rocks.  At 100 proof, it takes a good constitution to drink slowly, but I enjoyed (most of) it.

We then met my friend at Nevada Smith’s for the USA v. Honduras World Cup Qualifier.  For stupid foreign TV rights and money reasons, this very important match was only available by pay-per-view, so options for viewing it were limited.  And as I previously wrote, Nevada Smith’s is NYC’s best soccer bar.

It was packed on both floors with shoulder to shoulder drunk dudes.  It was insanely hot, and smelled of B.O. and bad beer breath, but the match was awesome, and the USA cinched a 1st round appearance in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Jameson, pickle juice, and Pabst Blue Ribbon

After the match, we had a beer at a bar across the street with a friend of my friend, and grabbed a taxi to a speak-easyish bar called The Randolph in Little Italy.  My friend had been talking incessantly about how you can chase a shot of Jameson whiskey with pickle juice to cut the bite.  I had no choice but to participate in imbibing this odd combination, though it’d be my last drink of the night.  After hanging out and congratulating some Honduran fans on a great soccer match, we hit one last bar.

Home Sweet Home was busy, and stocked with a wide arrange of stuffed fowl.

In the early morning hours, the dance floor filled with New Yorkers getting their (drunken) groove on, I wondered whether the bartenders named the stuffed geese.

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_

I was still in a New York state of mind when I picked out this week’s travel video.

I love being able to see a place through a new perspective, and this time lapse of the city did just that for me.

Amazingly, Max Moos shot all the footage during a 3-week stay in April 2006.  If you want the full effect (which will blow your mind), check out the High Definition version on Vimeo, where he has also posted similar portraits of Istanbul and Hong Kong.

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"Ever wondered who defied death to build these roads? BRO that leads the way."

Sikkim is a former Buddhist kingdom nestled along the Himalaya, bordered to the west by Nepal, the north by Tibet, and the east by Bhutan and China.  About 30 years ago, India took the reigns, yet its unique identity is still reflected throughout the state.

Narrow, winding roads are etched into the sides of steep mountains prone to landslides.  Despite the dangerous conditions, the roads are paved and often surprisingly smooth.  The Border Roads Organization (BRO) take immense pride in these results and there are street signs throughout the state which praise the laborers and also caution people against driving dangerously.

4×4’s are the primary form of transport.  I took two jeep tours – the first a day trip, and the second a 3-day journey into the northern reaches of the state.  Sikkim is also home to the world’s 3rd tallest mountain, Mt. Kanchenjunga, which I was able to catch glimpses of from Gangtok.

To discover Sikkim, please follow these links:

Sikkim Bound (the jeep trip from Darjeeling)

Good Time Gangtok (exploring the capital city)

Yak Rides at Tsomgo Lake

Big Waterfalls, Long Drive (1st of a 3-part series)

The Tsopta Valley and Jeep Drama (part 2 – includes our jeep breakdown)

Yumthang – Valley of the Flowers (part 3)

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The day after attending the launch party for The Best American Travel Writing 2009, I noticed (via Twitter) that several other big events were occurring in New York City over the weekend.  While the Anthony Bourdain’s talks were sold out for The Food Network New York Wine & Food Festival, it’d be no trouble for me to attend the Adventures in Travel Expo at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.

Back in Spring 2007, before my backpacking trip around the world, I attended the same convention in Washington, DC so I knew what to expect.  When I re-read what I wrote about that first experience, it occurred to me that I may have become slightly jaded since then.  Either that, or my recent travel experiences have filled in a lot of blanks in my mind about what it is like to visit remote tropical islands, scale high-altitude mountain passes, and discover exotic cultures.

Musher with Jamaican Dogsled Team

I went with an open mind, a handful of Moo.com business cards, and one planned tweet-up.  The admission at the door was $15, and unlike my last experience, I didn’t have a National Geographic coupon to waive it.  Once inside, I was faced with a massive room filled with booths highlighting everything from local trips to the Poconos to summer camps in Greenland and cruises to the Antarctic.

The first booth I approached was Contiki.  I began speaking with Jennifer, who turned out to be the Sales Manager for the Mid-Atlantic Region.  I asked her about whether Contiki trips are good for people who enjoy independent travel.  She handled the question well, selling the fact that sometimes it can be nice to relax and let other people worry about managing logistics.  After taking two guided trips in southern Africa last year, I could relate.

Every traveler has his or her own personal threshold for dealing with the challenges that can present themselves on the road.  If paying a premium for an organized tour helps someone feel more comfortable exercising his/her passport, more power to them.

As I was talking to Jennifer, I began asking questions about her experiences guiding Contiki trips and working for the company.  I realized the event was more than just an opportunity to discover new travel companies and advertise my blog.  It was a great chance to speak with people in a variety of jobs which all fall within the travel industry.  I collected her card in addition to giving her mine, as she was open to fielding future job-related questions from me.

My next memorable visit was with the founders of Great Beyond Adventures.  Their booth was the antithesis of convention strategy.  No marketing gimmicks, women, contests, candy baskets, or kitschy giveaways.  In the name of eco-awareness, they didn’t even have a stack of catalogs for visitors to take away.  Simply a sign-up form to receive their newsletter.

I began talking with one of the guides about my adventures in Nepal last year, and he mentioned a future expedition he may be taking to Cho Oyu, the 6th tallest mountain in the world (with a view of Mt. Everest).  I forgot how the topic of Ethiopia arose, however I expressed my interest in visiting.  It turned out that John “JR” Ricci, the company’s founder and executive adventurer just returned from a trip there.  When John returned to the booth, he relayed a few of his experiences visiting remote tribal villages. Now I definitely wanted to go!

Shark Photographer

I stopped by the Globe Trekker booth where I spoke with one of the two women who work on the show from the US office, based in Los Angeles.

I signed a “no finning” petition at the Shark Research Institute booth, where I encountered an extremely passionate shark photographer (pictured).  I felt bad walking away, but after 10-15 minutes of politely listening, I could tell he wasn’t going to stop relaying shark stories like machine gun fire.

I had been asked via Twitter to pet a dog at the show, which made no sense to me, until I saw an adorable pair of husky puppies with Oswald “Newton” Marshall, a musher for the Jamaica Dogsled Team.  In case you are wondering, the team trains out of Minnesota.  They plan to compete in the 2010 Iditarod.

And somewhere in the middle of all this, I met Maggie Soladay, professional photographer, by the zip-line.  I was just about to respond to her latest direct message via Twitter, when she noticed me standing all of 2-feet in front of her.  I really suck at this, I thought!

Maggie recently returned from guiding a trip to India with SalaamGarage, “a citizen journalism organization that partners with International NGOs and local non-profits.”  I found speaking with her to be incredibly inspiring.  As I shared some of my own travel tales, she offered encouraging feedback that I had stories which could be further developed in the interest of being published.  For the rest of the weekend, I started to see how some of my favorite stories from the last year and a half could take on new life if I properly put together pitches for the right publications.

She also gave me another reason to chuck my Blackberry in favor of an iPhone, in the form of a mobile application for Tweetdeck.  Very cool, and much more efficient than what I’d been doing.  (Note:  I’ve since installed UberTwitter but it’s not the same).

All in all, if you are passionate about travel, I believe you’ll find at least one booth at the Adventures in Travel Expo which will be worth your time.  Otherwise, you can use it as a networking and promotional opportunity like I did, or simply a reason to meet up with the local travel tweeters in your area.

____________________________

Future Stops in 2010

• Chicago, IL:  January 9-10
• Los Angeles, CA:  February 13-14
• Washington, DC:  March 6-7
• Seattle, WA:  November
  

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“How did you find out about it,” my Dad asked, after I announced the reason for my impromptu weekend trip to New York City.  “Twitter,” I responded with a satisfied grin.

The next morning, I was barreling northward on I-95 aboard the Megabus from DC to NYC to attend the book launch party for The Best American Travel Writing 2009.  I’ve attended a sum total of zero book launch parties, so I had little idea of what to expect, though I was glad to know a few guys I’d been following on Twitter would be there.

Idlewild Books is located near Union Square, which made it a convenient destination from my brother’s East Village apartment.  I arrived within minutes of the official 7 PM starting time to find a small, independent travel bookstore already filled with people chatting in small groups and browsing the shelves.  My initial instinct lead me to pick up a few books on Nepal and the Himalaya, though my curiosity about the people in attendance soon took over.

I walked to the nearby coffee table with wine, and poured myself a cup.  And in the blink of an eye, I was chatting with sisters Emily and Bernadette, the former a student and writer from Drexel, and Joy who worked in public relations for Houghton Mifflin.

I thought I recognized Craig from his Twitter photo when he entered the store, but I wasn’t sure.  Thankfully, his facial recognition is better than mine, and he came over to introduce himself.  Craig is a freelance writer, and technically the first person I’ve met through Twitter.  We were soon joined by Grant Lingel, author of the recently-released Imagine: A Vagabond Story.

After talking to the guys for a bit, my curiosity took hold again, and I approached a young woman in yellow. Turns out she’d submitted a story of her own for consideration in the anthology, and was there to “check out the competition.”

Inside Idlewild Books

A few minutes later, Simon Winchester took the podium to introduce The Best American Travel Writing 2009.  Simon is this year’s guest editor for the series.  I had noticed him earlier as he was the most distinguished looking man in the room.  (Sidenote:  Last year’s guest editor was none other than Anthony Bourdain.  I’m always one step behind the guy!).  Simon took a few minutes to read aloud his thoughts on the importance of knowing world geography, and then introduced three of the authors included in the anthology.

Andre Aciman, Matthew Power, and Elisabeth Eaves all read for 5-10 minutes from their contributions.  My favorite was the piece by Matthew, which he wrote after joining an anarchist/punk rafting trip down the Mississippi River.  The description of the make-shift raft was enough to hook me, let alone the character whose idea it was to put together such a modern day adventure.

When the readings wrapped up, and the applause was rendered, I introduced myself to Mike Barish.  I lucked out because his Twitter headshot, a photo of him eating a hamburger, does not make him the most easily identifiable person.  He was dressed stylishly in a bow-tie, and sporting a fantastic beard which has since become a Twitter phenomena in its own right.  Mike was incredibly friendly, and introduced me to several people including Eva Holland.  While Mike writes for Gadling, Eva is a senior editor over at World Hum.  And there I was, DIY blogger amidst two titans of travel in the online world.

Later, I also met Jason Wilson, the series editor for The Best American Travel Writing 2009 and editor for Smart Set, an online magazine supported by Drexel University, before heading off to meet friends and continue the New York City night.

_______________________

The Best American Travel Writing 2009 is now available on Amazon.com for the small sum of $10.98

Follow the tweets:

@simonwinchester

@elisabetheaves

@gadling

@mikebarish

@mikebarishbeard

@worldhum

@evaholland

@stayadventurous (Craig)

@vagabondstory (Grant)

@idlewildbooks

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Vanessa (Germany) on Capitol Hill

I learned a valuable lesson in Colombia earlier this year – when you stay put, it’s only a matter of time before other world wanderers visit your neck of the woods.  Of course it helps to live near a major city, and in my case, that city is the US capitol of Washington, DC.

National Gallery of Art - East Building

Vanessa and I met Christmas Eve 2007, when we arrived in Queenstown via the same Stray bus.  A few days later, we exchanged e-mail addresses as so often is the case, and stayed loosely in touch via Facebook.  I skipped visiting her in Germany this past January, in part, due to the cold Winter weather.  A few weeks ago I received a message that she would be visiting Washington, so I offered to play tour guide.

I took the metro to the Eastern Market station and walked to William Penn House, her Quaker-run hostel located on Capitol Hill.  When I later joked about her hostel being run by Quakers, I realized she had no idea it was a religious group.

We set off down East Capitol Street, our first stop being the Supreme Court building.  A few cameras were set up and a local homeless person was across the street yelling his objections to something or other.  I mentioned it was the first day of the Court’s new session and this was a popular place for rallies to gain attention.

Next, we walked across the street toward the Capitol Building. There is a newly-opened, underground visitor’s center, however the day was so beautiful, neither of us were inclined to go inside.  Vanessa liked the sunlight, and I can never get enough of the white Washington buildings and monuments set against cloudless blue skies.

We walked around the Capitol Building and down to the Mall, passing our first monument of a General on a horse.  Vanessa highlighted men on horseback as a popular theme in America (she had previously visited Boston).  Such an observation is exactly the kind I so often make in other countries.  For example, noticing the ubiquitous Chairman Mao statues in China.

I showed her the optical illusion at the National Gallery of Art’s East Building, where if you stand at the right spot, it appears as though part of the building is only two dimensional like a piece of paper.  In the past, you could walk right up to the building to see it, but someone recently decided to plant shrubbery in front, thus distancing tourists from that particular corner.

Washington Monument as seen from WWII Memorial

We continued westward, through the Sculpture Garden, set across the street from the National Archives.  I suggested we take a look at the original copy of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, the perfect excuse to get my bald head out of the sun for a bit.  When I visited as a kid, you could walk straight up the front stairs, through the big doors, and into the open rotunda.  These days, the front doors are closed for security reasons.  There is a street-level entrance with metal detectors and scanners sensitive enough to pick up the foil wrapping of my gum.

Next, we swung by the White House for photos, and then up to the Washington Monument for 360-degree views of The Mall.  We walked through the World War II Memorial, and then past the always somber Vietnam Memorial.  It was here that I had to conclude my portion of the tour as I had an evening activity to attend.

Vanessa’s month-long tour of America continues with stops in Niagra Falls, Chicago, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

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_

I love this video of Christoph Rehage as he sets off to walk from China to Germany.  Many others do too – it has received at least 500,000 views on YouTube.  While he didn’t reach his goal, it is clear he had many adventures along the way.  You can read more at his blog.

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Shrine to Sherpa Tenzing Norgay at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. Tenzing accompanied Sir Edmund Hillary to the top of Mt. Everest in 1953.

I knew nothing of Darjeeling before my trip last year, except for the region’s reputation for quality teas.  One of the greatest aspects of long term travel, and around the world trips in particular, is the freedom the time allows you to change plans and follow your curiosities.

It turns out Darjeeling has a lot to offer, and I was easily able to occupy myself for a full week.  Check out the posts below to see if you’d enjoy a visit to this Indian hill station too:

Getting to Know D-town (first impressions)

Mt. Kanchenjunga, A Tea Plantation, and The Snow Leopard

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (historic toy train ride)

Himalayan Sunrise and Buddhist Monasteries

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Angkor Wat, Cambodia

They say that an image speaks more than a thousand words, and we think travel photos are the best ‘travel guide’ around – how better can you sum up a destination than that perfectly captured moment from your travels?

So we want you to get involved, and create your own photo guides to inspire each other to travel the world. We know loads of you are budding photographers, and are always amazed by the photos we get posted on our Flickr group. So we are running an interactive Travel Photography Competition over the next few weeks…

I received word that Hostelbookers.com began a new travel photo competition last week.

The prize?

A free copy of Earthbound – A Rough Guide to the World in Pictures.

Ready…steady…GO!

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A little over two years ago, I read and reviewed my first travel book aimed squarely at the female population.  Despite having “lipstick” and “women” in the title, I found it to be perfectly suitable for men as well.

When I was offered the chance to review Chelsea Duke’s first book, High Heels and a Head Torch:  The Essential Guide for Girls Who Backpack, I figured why not?  Since I’d learned with the lipstick book to take titles with a grain of salt, it wasn’t Duke’s cover which tipped me off that this would truly be a book geared for women.  Nor was it the feminine, cursive typography sprinkled throughout the text.  Not even the little pair of illustrated, strappy high heels underneath the page numbers gave me that ah-ha moment.

It was when I started chapter one, “First Things First,” which details putting one’s kit (or backpack and belongings) together, that I realized I’m in for a steady dose of the female perspective.  I noticed there was an inordinate amount of time spent on clothing and accessories, and not just which items to bring, but how to ensure maximum opportunities for coordination.  I learned, among other things, that make-up can melt and make a mess in hot weather.

Sure, guys think about what clothes to take, but I’ve never seen so much time and care devoted to the topic in a backpacking guidebook.  Perhaps most writers, even the female ones, assume femininity is sacrificed on the backpacker trail.  Chelsea Duke disagrees.  For example, she suggests women “take a skirt and/or heels and/or make-up – something to make you feel a bit girlie and sexy.”

As I continued to read, I started to realize that while a man can effortlessly build a rugged persona during a backpacking trip, a woman has to be creative in order to maintain her sense of sex appeal (which we all know is required to attract a man – a fact not at all lost on Duke given the number of condom and safe sex references).  I also learned women have built-in money belts in the form of their bras.  Duke regularly recommended stashing stuff there for safekeeping.

I appreciated the author’s tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, and could clearly tell she was passionate about sharing her lessons learned from a trip around the world.  Duke weaves plenty of anecdotes from her adventures in Asia, Australia, Africa and South America into the book, offering lists of Do’s and Don’ts at the end of every chapter to sum up her best advice.

She covers the typical budget travel stuff like managing a good night’s sleep in hostels, and how to meet new people.  In addition, she humorously touches on topics you’d be hard-pressed to find in other guidebooks, such as tricks for ensuring you can use squat toilets effectively, and how to go about bush peeing without making a mess.

I imagine reading High Heels and a Head Torch:  The Essential Guide for Girls Who Backpack would be like reading a backpacking column in the pages of Cosmopolitan.  Perfect for women, but guys best look elsewhere.

______________

High Heels and a Head Torch:  The Essential Guide for Girls Who Backpack by Chelsea Duke is currently available in UK bookstores and via Amazon.com UK for £4.94.  Plans are being formalized for its release in the USA as well.

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Note: GoBackpacking is an affiliate of World Nomads.

Van-Tastic Adventures: Drive it! Film it! Win it!

Are you a mad keen traveler with a lust for filming your adventures?

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Apply now and start preparing a 2 minute or less video of why you are the most Van-Tastic.

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Spider with egg sack - McLeod Ganj, India

Have you ever jumped atop a piece of furniture in your home or workplace after seeing a mouse run by?  Grab your significant other to squash a spider?  Or douse a trail of ants with a full can of Raid?

The above reactions are all normal in the cities and suburban dwellings of developed nations, though if you’re going to be a world traveler, it’s time to desensitize yourself to close encounters of the creepy-crawly kind.  And not just the little buggers you’re accustomed to at home -- we’re talking large, exotic, potentially poisonous, monster-movie inspiring creatures!

Worse than the actual close encounter is the state you’ll likely be in -- buck naked, or close to it.

The Big Hairy Spider

I encountered a big, hairy spider protecting its egg sack when I walked into my hotel bathroom one morning in McLeod Ganj, India.  I nearly jumped out of my boxers at the sight of it chilling out near the window above my shower/bathtub.  Conveniently, I was overdue for a day without a shower.  The next morning, it was still there, and I wasn’t about to move it, so I mentioned it to the hotel staff who said they’d take care of it.

Whether it was the hotel staff, or the spider exiting on its own accord, it eventually left the bathroom and I was able to make use of the shower again.

Feisty scorpion - McLeod Ganj, India

The Big Black Scorpion

The biggest, blackest, badass scorpion I’d ever seen up close walked out of my bathroom in a hostel in McLeod Ganj.  My room was tiny, and I was abandoning it that morning for a 4-day trek.  I couldn’t let the beast stick around.  The only thing worse than seeing a critter in your room is seeing it and then losing track of it.  You end up living in fear that it will crawl over your face while you’re lying in bed.  Or hitchhiking in your backpack!

After snapping the requisite photo for proof of the encounter, I scooted the aggressive little bugger out the door.  A hostel worker looked at it with the same level of surprise that I had, and suggested the rain may have brought it out.  How it arrived in my bathroom, I could not figure out.

The Dreaded Cockroach

I use to think the itsy, bitsy roaches that invaded my Arlington, VA apartment were bad.  Then I traveled overseas to places like Belize, where a prehistoric, palm-sized cockroach landed at my dinner table while I was staying at Ian Anderson’s Caves Branch Adventure Lodge.  It was horrifying.

Luckily, on my trip around the world, I didn’t see any more such monsters, but I did run into lots of roaches a good 3-4 times bigger than the ones I’d seen in my old apartment.  Actually, I ran into the first few the 5th night of my trip, as they were scuttling around the floor of my couchsurfing hosts’ house on Tahiti.

Cockroach - Bali, Indonesia

One time when I walked into the bathroom of my bungalow on Bali late at night, I had the pleasure of seeing a rather big roach with twirling antennae on my sink.  Not the kind of thing you want to see when you turn on the lights, bleary-eyed at 2 AM.

A few months later, during my attempt to go off the beaten track by visiting Koh Phayam  near the Thai-Burmese border, I ended up in a rustic bungalow on a deserted island.  Unlike the well-known islands, nobody goes to Koh Phayam during the off season.  But I digress.  The night was spent with my headlamp and roaches galore.  I was so glad the morning arrived without a giant boa constrictor slithering through the open windows and slipping into bed with me.

Ambitious dung beetle - Elephant Sands, Botswana

The Fascinating Flightless Dung Beetle

The flightless dung beetle lives and breathes crap.  When an elephant drops a bomb, these unique dung beetles no doubt follow their noses and jump head first into the massive piles of dung.  As I found out in South Africa’s Kruger Park and later Botswana, it is immensely fascinating to watch these beetles at work.  They try very, very hard to form the biggest balls of dung possible.  After observing the beetles at length, I can assure you it is no easy task.

If the dung beetles want to get the balls back to their homes (where I think they use them to lay eggs), they have to ensure the balls are well-rounded.  Otherwise, they can’t roll them efficiently.  It seemed especially hard for the ones we saw at Elephant Sands (campground) in Botswana because they had to try and roll the balls on soft sand.

Flightless dung beetle - Kruger Park, South Africa

Of course all this observation requires that you stare at a giant mass of elephant dung -- the fresher the better, but it’s worth it.  I highly recommend you see them up close if you can.

Now it’s your turn.  What’s the scariest bug, spider or critter you’ve encountered abroad?

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_

Any time I want to relive my first backpacking trip to Europe (1998), I sit down and watch Eurotrip. It’s a silly, stereotype-driven take on what it’s like to ride the rails and get into trouble in such popular destinations as London, Amsterdam, and Rome.

If you’ve ever had your fill of street mimes, then this video clip set in the long line awaiting entrance to The Louvre in Paris is for you.

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When this jeep taxi got stuck on a pipe in front of us, we had to take a detour

Crossing international borders over land can be full of headaches, from filling out paperwork to bureaucratic delays, insidious money changers and scams galore. After convincing myself to finally leave Nepal, I clearly had the desire for more adventure because instead of making the trip from Kathmandu to Darjeeling, India with new friends, I decided to leave a few days ahead of them and go it alone.

Re-reading the Nepal-India Border Crossing, I’m reminded of the tropical heat and humidity which surprised me upon stepping off my Yeti Airlines flight in eastern Nepal. I can taste the dirt kicked up from the roads, which necessitated a bandanna be tied around my nose and mouth. I can hear the excessive use of horns on the roads once inside India, and see the utter mayhem firsthand – a mix of trucks, cars, tuk-tuks, rickshaws, bicycles, pedestrians, and livestock jostling for position.

Thankfully, one thing I cannot recall, is the smell of the bathroom in that tiny Nepal airport.

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Thai Singa Beer Can Tuk-tuk

We’ve all done it – bought the souvenir from abroad, which once opened at home, results in thoughts like “what the hell was I thinking?”

For me, nothing came remotely close to topping the Thai tuk-tuk carefully crafted out of a Singha beer can.  I’m going to attempt to dissect, for your amusement, how I could end up buying such a souvenir, and massively overpaying for it to boot.

Bangkok Night Market

Bangkok’s Khao San Road is filled to the brim with souvenir stalls.  It is impossible to see every t-shirt design, let alone every form of cheap souvenir on offer, regardless of how many times you visit.  After several months of island-hopping in the south, I returned to the capital with the company of two new Canadian girl friends, Josie and Catherine.  It was their first time in the city, and like most women, they loved to shop!

One night, we took a taxi to a night market situated within a red light district.  According to Lonely Planet, the market had become more of a tourist draw than the strip clubs.  First, we ate dinner at a restaurant across the street, and then we stormed the market.  Not surprisingly, it it was stocked with much of the same cheap stuff found on Khao San Road.

I came across a few small magic tricks and began playing around with them, wondering if I could manage to master each if I actually bought them.  When I asked the guy for the price of a few, he threw out a figure so high, it was worthy of a laugh.  I knew the tricks were probably worth one tenth of his suggested price, but didn’t yet have the faith in my bargaining skills to get him so far down.  I walked away.

Then, I came across the Thai beer can tuk-tuk and thought it was the coolest thing!  A souvenir that could remind me of my favorite Southeast Asian beer AND the colorful Thai tuk-tuks.  The perfect combination, I thought.

Upon asking the price of such a fine piece of art, the man responded with a figure in the area of $20.  Ha!  What does this guy take me for, a fool?  It was a cheap piece of aluminum – weighed next to nothing, sculpted out of a beer can.

I held it in my hand.  It was as light as a feather.  I knew it was cheap.  The sales guy knew it was cheap.  I countered his offer, probably throwing out a figure close to $5 (which was still too much).  He detested, and knocked some Baht off his original price, leaving it still far too high.

I fondled the tuk-tuk again, as though the more I felt it up, the more I would be convinced that it was a wise and worthy investment for reminiscing about Thailand once home.  I threw out another amount, and the guy again detested.  Tiring of the negotiation process, as usual, I agreed on his rate.  I think I paid about $14.  It seemed like a lot, but I did bargain, and it did come with a sturdy cardboard box to protect it from being shipped half way around the world. How considerate!

The next morning, walking from the hostel to Khao San Road with Josie and Catherine, we passed by a sidewalk display of 50-100 Thai beer can tuk-tuks.

Asking price?

$2

Fair post-negotiation price?

$1

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The grimy seafood tanks at Sin Huat

This past Sunday’s Washington Post Travel section featured a great story for foodies about Eating Well on Singapore’s Seedy Side.  It brought back memories of visiting the various food stalls around the city and sampling everything on offer.  The author, Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan described the scene at Sin Huat quite adeptly:

The place also has an especially bare-bones setting, even by coffee-shop standards: On the night we went in June, the restaurant’s lights would periodically flicker and go dark for several long seconds before coming back on. Our table by the grimy, greenish fish tanks also offered us front-row seats to the sweaty cooks reaching into the tanks up to their armpits to scoop out shellfish whenever a customer placed an order.

My first impressions and fondest memories of Singapore will always be tied to the food scene.  I discovered I could enjoy soup for breakfast and savor the stinkiest fruit known to man (durian).  I also learned an original Singapore Sling at the Long Bar will set you back close to $20 and just because a restaurant looks like a dump, doesn’t mean it won’t be prepared to charge you $35 and up for fresh crab and noodles.  Ironically, I thought to myself at the time, I’m not even a fan of crab!

While both experiences cost more than I expected, it gave me a chance to enjoy a few spots featured on Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations.”  The unassuming Sin Huat Eating House was the scene of the crab feast.  It sits across the street from one of Singapore’s red light districts, a fact that Ian, my couchsurfing host, mentioned to me when I first gave him the address.

Have you been to Singapore? If yes, what did you think of the food?

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____

I just came across this video Matt Harding put together last year.  I have to admit, he’s really played this whole viral dancing badly thing to travel (at the expense of Stride Gum) quite well.

You can find out the whole backstory and see the various videos at his blog, Where The Hell Is Matt?

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Boudhnath Stupa, Nepal

Since rioting Tibetans and the iron-fist of the Chinese government meant I’d miss the chance to visit Tibet, I was soaking up as much of the culture as possible in Nepal.  Nowhere was it more alive than around the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Boudhanath Stupa, the 5th World Heritage Site I visited in the Kathmandu Valley.

Life literally revolves around the stupa.  From sunrise to sunset, and well beyond into the night, Tibetans walk clockwise around the stupa, spinning the prayer wheels, repeating mantras and counting them on malas (prayer beads in the form of a necklace), and catching up with their neighbors.

Moving out of the brash and hectic tourist district, Thamel, to the serene, traffic-free area around the stupa was one of the best decisions I made on my trip.  I was able to photograph the stupa in all manners of light, from every angle I could come up with.  I woke up early in the morning to the echoing drums and Tibetan chants from the monks next door in the monastery that ran my guest house…which I much preferred to being kept awake every night by the brash sound of cover bands playing the same rock ‘n roll classics over and over.

Om……

Blissful Boudhnath Stupa (my first impressions)

Daily Life In Boudha

More Images From Boudhnath Stupa (less writing, more photos)

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Venice, Italy

Thoughts on money for the budget-minded

When it comes to travel, there are two things you can count on: (1) you’ll always find a cheaper exchange rate after you’ve traded your money, and (2) you’ll always go over budget. I don’t mean to be negative, but these are the Murphy’s Laws of travel. Yes, there are more, but this article is only concerned with money.

By the way…Congratulations! If you’re sitting somewhere reading this then you are probably already planning a trip. So you’ve already decided to go, but now you want to know how much your little adventure is going to cost. Unfortunately, there is no one universal rule or formula that will calculate your total costs.  However, I do hope to show you how easy it can be to put together an estimate, using my own experiences.

The Budget Breakdown Of My 2-Month Backpacking Trip To Europe (Summer, 1998)

Airfare = $450 (round trip, Boston, USA – Paris, France)

Finding a good deal on airfare can dramatically lower your overall costs. The good news is more of those deals are now easier to find thanks to the internet. The days of paying a travel agent to find your deals is over. Now you can perform your own searches from home, in your pajamas. Since I was traveling with the son of a travel agent, I did not get a chance to purchase my ticket over the internet. However, it will definitely be the first place I go when I begin planning my next trip.

The cost of a round trip airline ticket is going to vary, depending on your dates of travel and the distance you are traveling. I can tell you that I thought my $450 round trip ticket from Boston to Paris was cheap. However, if you are in Australia, and planning a trip to Europe or the USA, expect your airfare to eat up a greater portion of your overall budget.  And for all the lucky British readers, we envy you for your ability to reach mainland Europe for $50.  Regardless of where you’re coming from, it is worth your time to research a good airfare deal. Below are some of the basic options you have:

• Major Airlines – This is a good place to start. Spend some time collecting average airfares between the major airlines. This will provide you with a good jumping off point.
• Charters – I have to admit, the word “charter” gives me an ill feeling after my experience. Since charters operate at a very low profit margin, they have a tendency to make drastic schedule changes on little notice, and even cancel flights all together. The former happened to me. I ended up having to buy a ticket home, from United Airlines, for $600 (which was a deal I lucked out on). Still, if you’re willing to take a chance, this can be a cheap, if not reliable, option.
• Consolidators – Consolidator fares are airline tickets purchased by “airline wholesalers” and then resold to travel agencies at substantial discounts (up to 70% off regular fares).
• Airhitch – This company will place you on flights that have openings. The catch is that you must be extremely flexible regarding which airport you fly out of, which one you land at, and the dates of your departure and return. The reward is one of the cheapest ways to reach your destination (continent).

Eurorail Flexipass - 1998

Rail Pass = $450 (10 Day Eurorail FlexiPass)

Travel costs between cities and countries will vary greatly, depending on how much you want to see, and how long you have to see it. I found my 10 day Eurorail pass to be just right for my 2 months. Of course, it wouldn’t have lasted that long (with 2 days left over) if it weren’t for my trusty erasable pen. There are so many options when it comes to picking out a Eurorail pass, that it is definitely worth your time to find the one that best suits your planned itinerary.

I probably don’t need to mention this, since I’m sure everyone reading this is budget-minded, but don’t even think about buying a First Class ticket. They’re more expensive, and you’re a lot less likely to meet up with other backpackers and young people. Other options for travel include buses, renting/buying your own car (or motorcycle), cycling, or hitchhiking. Each has it’s own pros and cons, which I’m not going to get into here.

Picnic in Prague, Czech Republic

Equipment/Clothing = $300 (total cost of essentials only – backpack, sneakers/socks, guidebook)

This is one of the best places to save money. I figured this out after my trip was over, and I was looking back at my various costs. I got a little carried away with my whole “trip of a lifetime” and ended up buying lots of new things. A good example of this was a pair of $70 North Face cargo pants I bought. I had several pairs of pants that I already owned, and could have brought, but once I found myself in a big camping store, I couldn’t control myself. I’m still making good use of them, but they were definitely not a necessity for my trip. Below is a list of what I believe is worth the investment for any backpacker. And of course, you might not need to buy some of these things if you already have them, or can borrow them from someone else.

• Backpack – Look at buying a good backpack as a long term investment. Most backpackers wouldn’t think of traveling any other way (if you’ve experienced it, you know what I mean). For this reason, you can easily get several journeys out of a quality pack. I bought my Gregory Chaos (2,700 cubic inches) for $150 at an outdoor store. I kicked that thing across every dirty train station floor in Europe, and it held up superbly. I’m looking forward to using it on my next trip, and am happy to recommend Gregory packs to everyone.
• Daypack – Most people have a regular book bag that they used for school. If you do, you’ve just saved yourself $20.
• Clothing/Footwear - Don’t make the same mistake I made, and go out buying a whole new wardrobe.  However, you should definitely buy a new pair of walking/all-terrain sneakers. Expect to pay $50-75 for a quality pair. I recommend New Balance, which were on 4 out of 5 of my friends feet (myself included).  New hiking/walking socks ($10 per pair) are also worth the cost, as you probably can’t imagine how painful it can be to walk on blistered and sore feet. *cringe* This wasn’t my experience, and I attributed my comfort to the sneakers and socks I wore daily.
• Guidebook – $15-20 expense if you don’t have an older brother or sister who can lend you their beat up copy. But seriously, although the major all-in-one guides are updated yearly, the majority of the information remains the same. However, I’d put a limit on how old a book I would use. 5 years sounds too old, right?
• Passport/Visas – $60 in the US. I had already renewed my passport for another ten years prior to my trip, so I didn’t even have to worry about it.
• Optional – Besides the above, there are probably a ton of other items you’ll be bringing, but for the most part, they’re all optional.

Nice, France

Daily Living Expenses = $2,500 ($50 per day x 50 days)

Establishing your daily monetary allowance will be the most important aspect of your overall budget. This is where you can get by dirt cheap, or go for broke! But seriously, I found the $50 mark to be the perfect balance between roughing it and splurging. I was able to drink, a lot. I ate at one sit down restaurant per day. I was able to go to every museum and castle that interested me. I saw 7 musicals in London.

OK, I’ll admit that I went over budget for 2 of my 5 weeks. But, it was only because I decided to travel over to England and Ireland, where the dollar isn’t as strong. Plus, I had the extra travel expenses (my Eurorail FlexiPass wasn’t good in England). Anyway, $40 is definitely the lowest daily allowance I would plan on.  Any less than that and you’ll have to resort to hitchhiking, sleeping/camping out, and working. Of course some people will say that’s how’d they’d prefer to travel. Try it, and if you enjoy it, more power to you.

Kilkenny Castle, Ireland

My Total = $3,700 for a 2-month trip to Europe

At this point, those of you who actually read this article carefully will be concerned because I actually spent several hundred $’s more than I’m showing. Well, if I could go back and correct my mistakes, the total $ amount above would be correct. Besides, I don’t want to scare anyone off because of my mistakes.

Don’t let money alone determine whether or not you can take your trip. If worst comes to worst, just scale back to a few weeks rather than a few months. You’ve got a long life ahead of you, and I’m sure you’ll have plenty of other opportunities to travel. Another option would be to ask others for help in funding your trip.   You can ask to receive portions of your expenses as gifts, such as your backpack or airline ticket. Find out who in the family has been saving up frequent flier miles for just such a gift. Offer to repay your relatives once you return. Or, and I don’t recommend this option, get a few credit cards together, and become a slave to debt for a few months.

On that note, happy travels!

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I brought much of the following on my post-college, 2-month trip to Europe in 1998.  Since posting the original list online upon my return home, I added a few reader suggestions.  I think most of it still hold true today.

My Gregory Chaos Pack - Vientiane, Laos 2008

Backpack – Gregory “Chaos” (Medium, Red, 2,700 cubic inches)
I purposely bought a small backpack to help limit me in what I brought on the trip. This mentality worked very well, and I recommend it highly. When buying a pack, go to an outdoor store that specializes in camping, etc. Ask a lot of questions and shop around. Make sure your pack fits well, and be willing to return it if you have any problems packing it.

It is very important that you spend some time walking or hiking with your pack fully loaded before you leave. This will get you comfortable with how to load/unload it and how to adjust the straps for ultimate performance and comfort. I tested mine out by walking with it on a tread mill for two miles per day, the whole week before my trip. Remember that if you buy a quality backpack, you should be able to use it for more than one trip.  [Author's Note:  My Chaos is now 11 years old.  I've taken it to 29 countries, and my brother borrowed it for his own post-grad Summer in Europe.  It still fits and works perfectly.]

Daypack – Jansport (Green, Standard school size)
I wasn’t quite sure of what a “daypack” was when I kept running across it in books. The term is actually a catch-all that describes whatever smaller backpack you use to carry around your things during the day, like your camera, journal, food, water, etc. I brought the backpack I used in college, and it turned out work just fine.

Me and my pack - Blarney Castle, Ireland - 1998

Clothing – see below

Pants: bring 1 pair in the Summer, 2 in the Winter. Don’t bring jeans – they take too long to dry, and they are very heavy. Do bring khaki pants. They will match all your clothes, they are lighter, and compress better in packing. I bought a pair of North Face pants for my trip. They were very expensive, and I should have just brought a normal pair of khakis. Cargo pants are helpful for their extra pockets. [Author's Note:  I used the same pairs of North Face pants and shorts on my RTW trip as I did in Europe 11 years earlier.  Don't be cheap - make the investment in a few pieces of quality gear and clothes!]

Shorts: bring 1 or 2 pair in the Summer, none in the Winter. Bring a pair of shorts that either is a bathing suit, or is light enough that it can double as one. You might not even have a need for shorts during your trip.  The only time I wore my shorts was during my time in Italy and Nice. If you only plan on visiting the British Isles, you definetly do not need shorts. Check out what the averages temperatures are for the places you are going, and pack accordingly. Only bring what you need.

Shirts: 2 short sleeve, 1 long sleeve. What kind of shirts you bring really depends on where you are going and when. I think it is the biggest variable for clothing. I brought 3 short sleeve t-shirts and 2 long sleeve shirts. I ended up wearing one of my shirts (a polyester Addidas soccer shirt) for 90% of my trip. I threw out one of the long sleeve shirts and one of the short sleeve shirts. I would have gotten rid of a second short sleeve shirt, but it was one of my favorites, and I ended up having to carry it for the rest of my trip. Bring less than what you think you’ll need. And only bring shirts that you would be willing to throw away. This isn’t a fashion show, you won’t even be seeing the same person for more than a day or two anyway.

Sweatshirt or sweater: none in summer, 1 in winter. These articles of clothing really do take up a lot of space. I seriously considered bringing a hooded sweatshirt during my trip, and I’m really glad I didn’t. Even when I encountered cold weather in Ireland, I kept warm by simply layering my clothes. A t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, and windbreaker worked just as well as a sweater.

Footwear: 1 pair of all-terrain sneakers, sandals and shoes optional. Your choice of footwear is an area where you don’t want to be cheap. I bought a pair of all-terrain New Balances (801). They were expensive at $80, but unbelievably comfortable during the whole trip. Plus, I’m still using them after the trip. Don’t bring boots unless it is winter and you plan on hiking through the woods a lot. They are too bulky and heavy. Sandals are good if you are worried about the dirty showers like me. In reality, I ended up using them at the beach and during the warm weather parts of my trip, and almost never used them in the showers. Only bring dress shoes if you are interested in getting into the expensive, trendy clubs of Paris and London. Otherwise, they are a big waste of space.

During my trip, I saw an unbelievable range of footwear. I couldn’t believe some of the girls would bring 2-3 inch platform shoes with them. Others wore converse sneakers which offer no support, and fall apart quickly. Whatever you decide to bring, break them in before you leave. Trust me, if your feet are happy, you are happy.

Costa Rica - 2005

Socks: bring 3-5 pairs. I brought 4 pairs of hiking socks with me. They were expensive at $10 a pair, but they were padded, and dried very quickly. Don’t skimp when it comes to your feet. There is no quicker way to problems, than lack of mobility. I attribute my lack of foot problems to my choice of socks and sneakers. Oddly enough, I got giant blisters on my toes, but they never hurt to walk on.

Underwear: bring 3-5 pairs. I brought 3 pairs, and ended up throwing them out for about a week, then bought 2 more pairs. Traveling commando is an effective way to cut down on clothes, as long as you are comfortable. I found that all the walking I did daily led to chaffing, and decided I was pro-underwear on the whole. But be willing to go without, on those dreaded laundry days.

Jacket: 1 windbreaker in Summer and Winter. Don’t bring heavy jackets! To stay warm, whatever the temperature, layer your clothes. Then, all you have to do is put your light jacket on to keep you dry. Make sure to bring a jacket during the summer too, in case of rain and cool nights. Bring a jacket that is packable, or compresses easily.

Hat: optional. I brought a Columbia hat with a 360 degree rim. I only wore it at the beach to help fight the sun, but even then it wasn’t necessary. No one seems to wear hats like these in Europe. For that reason, I stuck out like the biggest tourist when I would walk around a city like Rome. For that reason, I recommend sun tan lotion, and a hat only if you can’t live without it.

Sleep Sack: I don’t recommend bringing a sleep sack. About 90% of the hostels I stayed at had sheets, and you could rent sheets at the places that didn’t provide them. Even the cheapest hotels have clean sheets.  One of my friends did say he used it at a campground in Greece. But, I don’t see how a sheet can provide comfort against the ground? Anyway, I thought about throwing mine out several times during the trip, and probably should have. Even when I did need to use it, I was too lazy to take it out from the bottom of my pack, and ended up just wrapping myself in the blanket provided. They are a waste of space, and a giant part of your dirty laundry.

Towel: Everyone has a different opinion when it comes to this. I bought a packtowel and cut it down to about the size of an 8 1/2 by 11 inch piece of paper. Although at times, I longed for a normal cotton towel, my approach worked just fine. The best part was that I could use it in the shower as a washcloth, then ring it out, and dry myself off. These things are amazing! If you are not as gung-ho about saving space as I am, then you’ll probably want a hand towel. Anything bigger is not really needed.

Swiss Army Knife: This is the easiest way to carry a corkscrew. Everyone drinks wine in Europe, and you’ll find yourself coming to the rescue of many people. The knife was also helpful in fixing meals, especially when it came to slicing cheese. It doesn’t pay to buy cheap imitations. My friend had one with a corkscrew that broke when we tried to uncork a bottle!

First Aid Kit: You can assemble your own kit, but I found it useful to buy a small one at an outdoor store and then supplement it with more medicine and band aids. I think the price alone was worth it for the little booklet that describes the common travel ailments and their recommended cures. You should bring a lot of band-aids since they tend to fall off (especially when on your feet). Tweezers are good for splinters.

Bring several types of over the counter medications for coughing, fever, headaches, muscle cramps, diarrhea, and general pain. Don’t bring full bottles, you only need enough to last you a day or two, thereby giving you time to find a pharmacy. I found the pharmacist I talked to in Venice to be very helpful, I just pointed to the problem areas (throat, nose and head) and he was able to recommend some medicines. You should also make sure to bring supplies of any medication you take on a normal basis.

Soap/Shampoo: I brought two small bottles of all purpose Campsuds. It worked well as shampoo and soap, but was not very helpful in doing the laundry. I also tried using it for shaving, which turned out to be a masochistic experience. When I lost my Campsuds, I was forced to buy a bar of soap, which I ended up preferring. But that meant I had to buy a bottle of shampoo too, and I could only get a bigger than I needed bottle. Whatever you bring, make sure to keep it in a ziploc bag.

Shaving Cream: One travel size bottle will last you two months, and you probably won’t even be shaving every day.

Toothpaste and Toothbrush: Bring a medium sized tube and a normal toothbrush will do. You might want to invest in one of those little protective covers if you are squeamish about your bristles getting dirty.

Tampons: For all the female readers, I doubt you’d forget this but I’ve received many e-mails to add it to the list.

Sun Tan Lotion: Bring a big bottle in the summer, and a small one in the winter (good if you are going skiing?). Of course this is an optional item for the lucky people that don’t burn (not me).

Journal: I brought an almost standard size composition book. It was a little big, and I could never just carry it in my pocket. I suggest a pocket size book with no lines. This will allow you to whip it out at any time, while at a restaurant or museum, and make a quick note of something. Remember to draw pictures! And bring a couple of pens too.

Camera w/film: I brought a mid-priced auto-zoom Minolta camera that worked just great. I brought 12 roles of 24 exposure film, and used 10 of them in 7 weeks. Don’t bring more than one role of film per week . You’ll just end up with a lot of crappy pictures. Instead, try and budget your film, and only take worthwhile pictures. Whatever you do, don’t bring a video camera. I’ve seen people’s vacation video, and I’ve talked to people that have edited them It always turns out duller than when you took it, and you’ll probably never watch it. Plus, you’d have to deal with all the voltage differences and the constant charging of batteries.  [Author's Note:  Remember, this was in 1998 before the advent of cheap digital cameras.  I definitely was opinionated back then.]

Back-up glasses or contacts: I brought a back-up pair of glasses, but never needed them. Still, go out and buy a cheap pair if you don’t already have one. I can’t imagine what I would do if I lost or broke my glasses, and didn’t have a second pair readily available. It would also be helpful to bring a copy of your current prescription, so you wouldn’t have to pay for a new exam.

Miscellaneous – see below

Spoon: One of the most valuable tools you can bring on your trip. There were countless times I wanted to buy yogurt, but couldn’t due to my lack of this utensil. A knife and fork are a distant second to the spoon.

Cups: Not necessary. Just drink from the bottle. In Italy they give you free Dixie cups when you buy a bottle of wine. Sometimes you need to ask for them.

Ziploc Bags: Bring a lot of these things. They were great on my trip. The gallon sized ones are great for keeping wet clothes separated in your pack. They are also good for storing food, and packing up meals for picnics. Cheeses belong in these bags. They are also handy for keeping spillable liquids like soap and detergent contained.

Packing for Belize & Guatemala - 2006

Optional Items

Walkman w/8-10 AA batteries: Bring a cheap walkman, and 2-3 110 minute mix tapes. This was one item I didn’t mind carrying around. I used it most when I was traveling between locations. My friends would listen to theirs while walking around the cities. I think that isolates you from your surroundings. You can’t fully experience a new culture like that. A bonus is your ability to receive foreign radio broadcasts, which can either be an interesting or boring experience.  [Author's Note:  Remember, it was still the 90's.  These days, bring an mp3 player of course.]

Books: Don’t carry more than one small paperback at a time. There are plenty of people willing to trade books, and most major cities have large book stores. If you are reading an interesting author, it’s also a good way for strangers to start conversations with you. This happened to me more than once. I suggest “On the Road” by Jack Kerouac.

Rope and clothespins: You definitely don’t need to bring these items unless you take great pride in doing your laundry. Don’t worry, there is always something to hang your clothes from, normally it’s your bunk bed.

Sunglasses: Either you wear them or you don’t. I didn’t before I went, and I ended up not wearing the ones I brought.

Toilet Paper: Looking back, I think I took all the threats of bad toilet paper a little too seriously. The only country’s toilet paper I had a problem with was the Czech Republic. Even then, it was bearable for a few days. I ended up using the toilet paper I brought for my cold. After running out, I never had a problem since I would just steal some from a hostel or restaurant.

Multivitamins: Since you’ll be on the road for an extended period of time, you’re regular diet will most likely be interrupted. Vitamins are a good way to help make sure you stay healthy on your trip.

Condoms: Always be prepared.

Sachet: A small packet of perfumed powder used to scent clothes. Probably a good idea for girls to carry something like this to help keep their (dirty) clothes smelling good while confined to their backpacks. Available at Victoria’s Secret.

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Related posts:

1. My Actual Costs – Europe – Summer 1998
2. Packing List
3. My Packing List Featured On Gadling.com