From Mexico and Sweden to Argentina and Japan, here are our picks for New Year’s Eve photos from around the world.

A Traditional Dance in Chiang Mai, Thailand

image source: jurvetson

Fireworks in Gothenburg, Sweden

image source: mescon

Crowded Streets in San Juan, Argentina

image source: fabio2005

Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo, Japan

image source: shunkoh

Pinata in Cerralvo, Mexico

image source: celso flores

Water Lights in Had Rin, Thailand

image source: joestump

Fireworks and Bridge in Sydney, Australia

image source: coquetboy

Times Square in New York City, USA

image source: andrewparnell

Happy New Year!

originally posted at Go Green Travel Green

Photos: Celebrating the New Year Around the World

But you can make your travels hassle-free by taking a few simple steps. Step back, take a deep breath, and dive into the holidays with these tips.

1. Check for flight delays before you leave

Call your airline or check online before you leave the house to see if your flight is delayed or cancelled. If it’s cancelled, you might have a better chance of getting rebooked on the phone than in person — especially if you’re a frequent flier. Either way, it’s helpful to know what to expect when you arrive at the airport.

2. Get to the airport (extra) early

Even the smallest airports are incredibly busy during the holidays. Last year I almost missed a flight in my hometown because I assumed the airport would be less crowded that it was. Account for things that could go wrong on the way (traffic, late train or bus), leave the house early, and be prepared to wait in long lines once you arrive at the airport.

3. Bag your toiletries

Save time in line by putting your travel-size toiletries in a plastic baggie before you leave the house. Keep the bag in accessible spot so you won’t hold up the line while frantically digging through your suitcase in search of your deodorant and toothpaste. For a green toiletry option, Tom’s of Maine has some great environmentally-friendly travel-size products.

image source: jetalone

4. Wear shoes that slip on and off easily

We’ve all been in line behind that guy who wore lace-up boots that took 20 minutes to remove. Don’t be that guy. If you want to wear shoes with laces, loosen the laces while you’re waiting in line so you can slip your shoes off quickly when you get to the front of the line.

5. Know airport screening requirements

Airport security lines are slowed down even more during the holidays by inexperienced travelers. Being prepared by knowing requirements will help you get through security without a hitch. In the U.S., you can’t have liquid bottles that are larger than 3 oz, all liquids have to go in a plastic baggie, you must remove your shoes and coat, and you have to take your laptop out of its bag.

6. Pack snacks

Who wants to wait in line for 45 minutes to buy a bland, $10 sandwich? Bring snacks from home and you’ll save money and avoid hassle. For snack storage, a Wrap-n-mat is a fantastic alternative to the decidedly un-green plastic baggie.

7. Bring a water bottle

Avoid the $4 bottles of water and opt for a green alternative — your own reusable bottle. The folks at Hydrasip were kind enough to send me a Hydrasip stainless steel bottle, which has become my new favorite. I like the contoured shape that fits comfortably in my hand.

8. Pack light

The overhead bins are fuller than ever around the holidays, so be prepared to check a bag if you don’t pack light. Packing light is better for the environment and easier on your stress level. Plus, most airlines in the U.S. now charge for checked bags. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Packing Light for tips and tricks to lighten your load.

What do you do to make your holidays less hectic? Share your tips in the comments.

Happy holidays and safe travels!

originally posted at Go Green Travel Green

8 Holiday Travel Tips for a Hassle-Free Vacation

My wife, Nicky, and I have been very lucky. In the last year, we’ve started up our own company based in the Lake District, UK.

It’s an eco-friendly business promoting travel bags, outdoor gear, and a positive lifestyle. It’s also a company that we’re doing our best to run on sustainable principles.

But how possible is it to combine such principles with commercial good health? And what are the tough choices which any such business faces?

So here are our reflections on running a sustainable company. We’d like to lift the veil and describe some of the everyday choices we face. We hope that you take away a realistic picture of the possibilities and challenges which any eco-based business faces today. These are some of the issues we’ve faced.

What materials should we use for our products?

We produce bags and pump a lot of thought into the organic fabric in our rucksacks, the vegetable tanned leather in our wallets and the recycled polyesters in our travel bags.

But it’s worth being clear that 100% sustainability doesn’t exist.

However natural the materials that a company uses, those materials still need to be produced, processed and shipped. And that involves energy, fuels, emissions and a carbon footprint.

We’ve discovered that it’s therefore all about degrees of sustainability. About making the most informed choices that we can while still running a viable business. And we’ve been thrilled to learn that there are always positive steps that we can take.

It’s been an education along the way. We produce bags. And we’ve been inspired from the start by old mountaineering bags, traditionally made of cotton, wool and leather. Working with RITE (Reducing the Impact of Textiles on the Environment), we quickly realised that we wanted to use organic cotton rather than its conventional cousin. Organic cotton requires far less pesticides, insecticides and water in its production.

It’s also been heartening to learn of positive choices we can make even with synthetic materials. For example, we’ve used recycled polyester rather than virgin polyester, thereby saving 50% on water, 20% on energy, and 60% on air pollution. That feels good.

However, not all our materials are organic or recycled at present. Our bags can contain as many as fifteen components each. And in some cases, we simply haven’t found a more sustainable alternative yet or alternatives are too expensive at this point in our growth. It’s about balancing the ideal and the realistic. You have to know where your heart is set.

What partners do we team up with?

Running a company is all about making connections and working with other people. You have to ask yourself - do you want to work with local or global partners?

Do you work with an expensive local partner who uses non-sustainable materials - or a cheaper global partner committed to sustainability and good employer practice?

In our case, we work with both local and global partners but always sustainable ones. Take the leather we use in our products. When we started, we had no idea of the extent of chemical use in producing modern leather. Or that in ancient times, vegetable tanning was the norm. Or that a beautifully worn hundred-year old wallet is almost certainly vegetable tanned. Learning this, we knew we wanted to opt for the vegetable tanning route.

The question then was where to access this product. We were thrilled when we found the only remaining traditional oak bark tannery in Britain. They have been able to supply us with leather for certain products. However, we’ve also needed other leather for other products. And for this we’ve had to travel to a tannery in southern China.

The Chinese tannery produces 70% vegetable tanned product, with an initial 30% chemical treatment. So not ideal. But they’re developing a new 100% vegetable tanned leather for production in 2010. So some of these things are just a matter of time.

FInding the soul in commerce

In all our everyday dealings with partners, we’re also constantly looking for the human face in business. Obviously business is partly about money, but for us it’s also an expression of values. When Nicky and I met backpacking years ago in Latin America, we knew that we were committed to the same things - getting out, adventuring and making connections.

So for us, the human element in business is all-important. When we were looking for a bag maker, we found our partner Henry. Henry’s dad originally started their business in Hong Kong. Today, they remain a small family business, now located in mainland China.

We like the family element and Henry’s passion for food, tea and quality of life. We like the fact that he farms and feeds his team and other workers from surrounding factories with high-quality vegetables. Our relationship with him isn’t just based on commerce.

Working from home and managing the work-life balance

Having lived the rat-race, Nicky and I both re-thought our priorities a few years ago and settled in the Lake District. We wanted to start an ethically sound company promoting sustainable living and travel. We also wanted to work from home.

Managing work-life balance when one’s always within reach of a ringing office phone is never easy. Our eleven year old daughter, Kiah, is naturally a big part of our home life, and there’s always a temptation to slip into the office when we shouldn’t. But then, there’s also always the option of pushing work aside and heading outdoors for a bracing walk.

With the work-life balance, we’re continually needing to revise our way of doing things. We’re currently debating whether to invest in a shed for the garden and relocate our office out of the house. There are no easy answers. We just have to remain alert to the issues.

What we do know is that our way of life is far healthier and more in tune with our values than it ever was when we were caught on the corporate treadmill. We prize that.

Revising our own consumer choices through running a sustainable business

One of the things that happens running a sustainable business is that your own consumer choices get challenged. This is exciting, sometimes unnerving, and part of a continuing learning process.

Take our car. Our T-reg Ford has just about reached the end of its days. We need a new one for our family. We also need a way of transporting our products to the events where we promote and sell them. So do we go for two different vehicles, just one mega-sized one, or a combo of car and caravan or a horsebox?

That’s before we even contemplate the green issue. Do we buy a recycled, second-hand car using petrol? Or a brand-new, green vehicle which is more expensive? Tallying all the facts involved and making wise, conscious choices isn’t necessarily easy. But we believe that it’s precisely what each of us has to do given the problems of our planet.

This simply isn’t a time to put our heads in the sand. And when one hits on a sustainable choice which is also affordable and practical for one’s needs, it’s such a good feeling.

Running a travel company and the question of our carbon footprint

Running a company promoting travel presents us with a final conundrum. How do we reconcile the travel that we need to do to meet global partners with our carbon footprint? Should we just go local and sever all our ties with overseas colleagues?

We don’t think so. And here we have to go back to our most basic values. Nicky and I firmly believe that life is about connecting with other people. With getting out of our self-contained boxes. With following the high road of adventure. None of these things are ever going to happen sitting in our living-room.

We remain very sensitive to the question of our carbon footprint and we’re always looking for ways to reduce it. But, for us, life is about travel and connecting. And to deny that would be to deny one of our deepest desires and the very foundation of our business.

So we’ll continue to review our position on this. But for the moment, we remain committed to wise, conscious travel both for business and our own enjoyment.

In short, we don’t always find it simple running a sustainable company. However, we do find it hugely inspiring and positive. For us, it’s about making responsible choices in tricky times. We love this journey that we’re on and we welcome you to join us in our adventure.

You can find us at www.homeofmillican.com.

All images © Millican.

originally posted at Go Green Travel Green

What are the Challenges of Running a Sustainable Business?

Little did we know, the Budapest-Prague route is not your typical train ride.

photo credit: adam_sporka

Peeping Tomáš

We got to our compartment and hunkered down for the night, determined to be well rested for our first day in the Czech Republic. I locked the door and closed the curtains. Exhausted after a day of exploring Hungary’s most well-known city, Elizabeth quickly drifted off to sleep. I stayed up reading our travel bible of the moment, Lonely Planet’s Europe on a Shoestring, in preparation for the next day’s adventures.

The train paused twice not far from Prague to pick up more passengers. After the second stop, I heard the door handle to our compartment jiggle. I reached for our tickets, assuming it was the conductor coming by to do his routine check.

But the conductor had a key and whoever was on the other side of the door didn’t. Someone was trying to pick our lock. I reached for the curtain and moved it slightly to alert the intruder that I was aware of his presence. He scurried away.

Shaken, I sat back down on my bench. What would I have done if he had persisted? Five minutes passed and I felt like someone was watching me. I looked at the window to the hall and saw a man’s eye peering in. He caught my eye and disappeared. I pulled out the scotch tape we used for scrapbooking our travels and taped the curtains to the walls so there were no cracks.

I pulled our backpacks down from the top rack and told Elizabeth to sleep on hers in case the intruder came back. But that was the last I saw of the persistent prowler.

Needless to say, I did not sleep well that night.

The Revelation

At our hostel in Prague the next day, Elizabeth and I joined in a conversation in the communal kitchen. It went something like this:

Traveler 1: Whatever you do, don’t take the night train from Budapest back here.

Traveler 2: Oh yeah, that’s an awful idea. Don’t do it.

Traveler 3: Why not? I’ve taken lots of night trains in Europe.

Traveler 1: It’s dangerous. People break into compartments and rob travelers.

Traveler 4: It’s notorious for being unsafe.

[Chorus of agreement.]

At this point, I broke in and shared our experience. I said I had been scared, but the door had been locked so I wasn’t too afraid of being robbed. Traveler 1 looked at me pityingly. Traveler 2 informed me that the keys that open the doors to train compartments are incredibly common in Europe; they’re WC keys and anyone can get one.

The Moral(s) of the Story

1. Even experienced travelers can walk into dangerous situations, so keep your guard up (within reason — don’t let fear guide your travels).
2. When in doubt about a night train route, ask your fellow travelers for advice. If we had asked in Hungary about taking a night train to Prague, we wouldn’t have had to learn its dangers the hard way.
3. No matter how careful you are when you’re traveling, you’ll find yourself in a sticky situation. When that happens, use your best judgment and hope for the best.

originally posted at Go Green Travel Green

Peeping Tomáš: The Night Train from Budapest to Prague

1. Contigo Stainless Steel Travel Mug

It’s not something you’d bring with you on a long trip, but the Contigo stainless steel travel mug is great to throw in your bag to transport your coffee to work or school.

Read our review.

2. Stainless Steel Water Bottle

If you read our blog regularly, you know how much we love our stainless steel, BPA-free water bottles. They’re great to use while traveling or at home. Our favorite is the Klean Kanteen, but check out our Stainless Steel Water Bottle Smackdown to see how others stack up.

3. Simple ecoSNEAKS

As I mentioned in my ecoSNEAKS Satire review, I love these recycled shoes, but they’re not ideal travel shoes. They are fun for every day wear, though, and Simple’s ecoSNEAKS would make a great gift.

4. Lonely Planet’s The Travel Book

I love this book. With its amazing pictures of every country in the world, The Travel Book will make any lifelong travel want to hit the road again.

5. Kitchen Compost Bin

Any green traveler who’s on a temporary break will appreciate an under-the-sink kitchen compost bin. They reduce waste and it means you have to take out the trash less often. (And no, they don’t smell.)

6. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Eat, Pray, Love is a fantastic book for anyone who loves to travel and misses the life-changing experiences that come with living in new countries. Read our Eat, Pray, Love book review.

7. Molcajete (Mortar and Pestle)

For the traveler who likes to cook, a molcajete is an excellent gift. The guacamole you can make with a molcajete is amazing.

8. Mountainsmith Recycled Backpack

Do you know a traveler who’s about to take off on a long trip? Get him one of Mountainsmith’s recycled backpacks and he will be forever grateful. Not only are these backpacks recycled, they’re comfortable and attractive.

Check out our reviews of the Lily recycled backpack and Ivy recycled backpack.

9. Gelato Maker

Does anyone really need a gelato maker? Technically, no, but having one is life changing — especially if you’ve experienced authentic Italian or Argentinian gelato. This machine will make you want to go back.

10. Nikon D40 Digital SLR Camera

Whether you’re on the road or at home, the Nikon D40 is an amazing camera. When you’re not traveling, practice taking photos to hone your skills so you can better capture your travels.

Want More Green Gift Ideas?

For more great gift ideas for the avid traveler, check out:

• Our Green Travel Gear page
• 21 Gift Ideas for Green Travelers: 2008 Holiday Shopping List
• Amazon Green

originally posted at Go Green Travel Green

10 Christmas Gift Ideas for the Traveler Who’s Not Traveling

Contigo was kind enough to send a few of their travel mugs for review. Here are my thoughts.

The Best Stainless Steel Travel Mug?

I would venture to say that the Contigo mug is the best stainless steel travel mug there is. It has honestly revolutionized my life.

Why?

It’s leak proof.

Totally 100% leakproof.

So leakproof that I put it in my laptop bag (next to my laptop) filled with hot tea. I’m not much of a risk-taker, and honestly it took me awhile to trust my Contigo Stainless Steel Travel Mug enough to be able trust it, but it really can be tossed in a bag and it won’t leak. I do usually turn it up and down just to be sure it’s sealed.

Spill Proof Stainless Steel Travel Mug

Not only does the mug not leak when I travel with it, it also is spill proof when I knock it over.

BPA Free

Besides the BPA-free stainless steel travel mug, Contigo also sells BPA-free plastic. I use this to heat up water in the microwave at school to make my tea. (Probably not the best idea to put plastic in the microwave, but it works.)

Insulated

Did I mention it’s double walled and vacuum sealed? During October, when we had unseasonable cold weather and snow, I filled my Contigo travel mug with tea heading off to school. Two hours later (after waiting for the bus outside for a good while) the tea was still warm. It wasn’t piping hot, but warm enough to comfortably drink.

Kids Sippy Cups

Contigo also makes their autoseal cups for kids!

Downsides to the Stainless Steel Travel Mug

My only negative thought about this mug is that it does retain smell/taste. If you don’t wash it out right away it can really smell; we had to use a vinegar soak in it one after leaving coffee in it for a few days.

Also, since Kimbelry drinks coffee and I drink tea, we’ve found that even with a good washing it still maintains the smell taste just slightly. So, I would recommend that if you drink mulitple hot beverages you get two — use one only for coffee and the other only for tea. Alternatively, you could remember to wash it out everynight and not leave it in the car for a week…

Would I Recommend It?

I would highly recommend Contigo’s Stainless Steel Travel Mug as a gift this season for any traveler, student, or commuter. It really will change your life.

Here’s what Contigo’s website says about their mugs:

AUTOSEAL® Stainless Steel Travel Mug (Vacuum Insulated)

Never spill another drop! 100% spill- and leak-proof travel mug uses exclusive AUTOSEAL® technology to prevent accidental spills. Press the AUTOSEAL® button to sip, and release the button to automatically seal. This self-sealing lid technology is combined with a double-wall, vacuum-insulated, stainless steel mug, providing exceptional temperature retention. Beverages stay hot for 4 hours or cold for 12 hours.

Benefits:

• Patented AUTOSEAL® lid is 100% leak-proof and 100% spill-proof.
• Drinking made easy! Press to sip. Release to seal. The AUTOSEAL® Stainless Steel Mug automatically seals between sips to ensure no spills.
• Vacuum-insulated technology keeps beverages hot for 4 hours, and cold for 12 hours.
• Contoured body makes this travel mug easy to hold and easy on the eyes.
• The AUTOSEAL® Stainless Steel Mug will hold up to 16 oz. of your favorite beverage and fits most standard car cupholders.
• Constructed with a double wall and stainless steel inside and out for maximum travel mug performance.
• BPA free.

Specs

Volume: 16 oz.

Weight: 0.8 lbs.

Dimensions: 3.6”L x 7.9”H x 3.3”W

With go-anywhere style and convenience, this thermal mug features AUTOSEAL® technology for 100% spill- and leak-proof performance. Double wall construction helps retain beverage temperature and prevents external condensation.

You can buy your Contigo Stainless Steel Travel Mug on Amazon.com.

originally posted at Go Green Travel Green

Stainless Steel Travel Mug: Contigo Mug Review

I wanted shoes that were more durable than the Vans, but as attractive. I was even willing to sacrifice the awesome velcro of my Prison Issues, but only for the right eco-friendly shoe.

Then I saw it: the Simple Satire, a member of Simple’s ecoSNEAKs line.

Features of Simple’s Satire ecoSNEAKS

• Certified organic cotton uppers with recycled PET laces
• Vegan shoe! No animal byproducts or even regular animal products
• Certified organic cotton linings
• The “pedbed” (the cushiony and supportive stuff at the bottom of the shoe) is made of super soft and squishy polyurethane and recycled car tire
• Partially recycled shoe – the bottom of this shoe is made from a recycled car tire
• The foot form inserts are made of post consumer recycled paper
• Even the boxes are environmentally friendly – made of post-consumer recycled paper, soy based printing ink, natural latex and starch based glue

I quickly ordered the black hemp version (they also come in leather, silk, and suede) and eagerly awaited their arrival.

I wasn’t disappointed when I opened the box: the shoes were cute and looked durable. I slipped them on and promptly wore them as I walked the monuments in Washington, DC. The 5+ mile walk was quite the initial test, but I wasn’t as excited as I wanted to be. I wanted to love them. I wanted them to be my go-everywhere, perfect travel shoe.

But I found them less comfortable than I hoped; specifically, the sole didn’t have enough cushion. It almost felt like I was wearing flip flops — the ball of my foot had virtually no support. And my arches were completely unsupported. I hope Simple has improved the “pedbed” in newer editions of the shoes.

The Pros and Cons of Simple’s ecoSNEAKS

In summary, the pros:

• Very eco-friendly — where else can you get a shoe made with recycled tires
• Cute
• Can dress them up or down
• Comfortable except for the sole
• Durable

The cons:

• Lacking arch support
• Not enough padding in pedbed
• Since they’re made with old tires, they’re a bit heavy for travel

Would I recommend the Simple Women’s Satire?

Yes, I would — for everyday wear. If you’re walking more than a couple miles, I’d stick with traditional tennis shoes.

I also wouldn’t recommend them as being your sole (no pun intended) travel shoe, since they’re a bit heavy and not as comfortable as other travel shoes I’ve tried. For that, I’d recommend a more supportive hiking boot.

Buy your ecoSNEAKS at Zappos.com

Check out Best Travel Shoes: Travel Sandals, Walking Shoes, and Hiking Boots plus Zappos Review for more travel recommendations.

originally posted at Go Green Travel Green

Simple Satire ecoSNEAKS Review: Environmentally Friendly Travel Shoes

The conference is free and open to the public so if you’re in the Boston area, make sure you stop by for some great sessions. Space is limited, so be sure to register online.

Conference Details

Workshop
Date: Friday, November 20, 2009
Time: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Location: Boston Park Plaza Hotel
Street: 64 Arlington St
City/Town: Boston, MA

Workshops Include:
- David Clemmons, founder of VolunTourism.org
- Edward Hasbrouck, author of “The Practical Nomad”
- Sean Keener, co-founder of BootsnAll Travel
- Keith Levit, Keith Levit Photography
- Elizabeth Sanberg, co-founder of Go Green, Travel Green

The afternoon forum will explore the the future of backpacking with:
- Jeff Greenwald, author and founder of “Ethical Traveler”
- Pauline Frommer, budget travel expert and guidebook author
- Rolf Potts, author of “Vagabonding”
- Tony Wheeler, founder of Lonely Planet
- And others!

This event is free and open to the public. Register online and for more information, check out the Facebook page.

What Are Your Favorite Boston Sights and Eats?

Since Kimberly and I will be in Boston for the weekend, we’re in the market for some cheap eats and entertainment. What are you favorite sites and restaurants in Boston? Tell us in the comments.

originally posted at Go Green Travel Green

Join GGTG for HI-USA’s Boston Travel Forum this Weekend

Traveling on bicycle is one of the few methods of travel that allows a deep relationship with Mother Nature while, at the same time, treading lightly on our precious earth. Our bicycles use no fuel (other than the food we consume), and are easy on the ground we pass over. But the best part of traveling on bicycle is the opportunity to get to know the earth and her people in a much more intimate manner than any vehicle can allow.

The Vogel family of Family on Bikes. Photo credit: Nancy Sathre-Vogel.

As my family and I have traveled southward from Alaska, we’ve had the opportunity to see - really, truly see - our world. We’ve ground up mountains and plummeted back down the other side, we’ve sailed through valleys with tailwinds pushing us on, and we’ve woken up to snow blanketing our tent and the surrounding countryside. We’ve pedaled through deserts, along coasts, and through rain forests. Our children have climbed trees of every imaginable variety, swung on vines like Tarzan, and tasted exotic fruits they had never heard of. In short - the four of us have had to opportunity to get to know our world.

But we’ve also had the opportunity to get to know the world’s people. There is something about the bikes that draws people toward us; that encourages people to reach out to us in ways they never would if we were in our own car. It might be something simple like handing us a bag of apples or tomatoes, or it could be as complex as hiding caches of Gatorade along the highway, but people of all walks of life have reached out and added magic to our lives.

I can tell story after story about the people we’ve met. About the woman in Oregon who handed us the keys to her house and said, “Go on in and make yourselves at home. I’ll be there in a few hours.” And she didn’t even know our names. Or the ER doctor in California who pulled up alongside us and asked, “Would you like to stay at my house tonight?” Or the man who cycled up to where we were eating crackers and cheese in a park in Texas and invited us to his home for a warm dinner and soft bed for the night.

One day in Mexico we ended up in a migrant workers’ camp and our boys played with some of the poorest kids in the country. Another day, we were invited to stay with an incredibly wealthy family where Davy and Daryl played video games while sitting on posh, luxurious furniture. Young couples and old. Rich and poor. White, black, and brown. All have reached out to add magic where none was expected, but was greatly appreciated.

I’m convinced traveling on bike is best way to see the world. On bikes, we live the world. We experience the mountains by grinding up and plunging down. We understand the idea of valleys and coastlines. We see how life varies depending on altitude and longitude. In short - traveling on bike allows us to gain a much deeper respect for Mother Nature and the earth’s peoples than we could ever gain in any other manner.

* * *

Nancy Sathre-Vogel is a modern-day nomad and vagabond who is currently traveling the length of the Americas with her husband and twin 11-year-old sons. The family left Prudhoe Bay, Alaska - at the northernmost terminus of the Pan American Highway - and have pedaled over 10,000 miles so far to Ecuador. They plan to continue southward until they reach the southern terminus of the road in Ushuaia, Argentina near Tierra del Fuego. When they reach their destination, the boys will have earned the Guinness World Record as the youngest people to cycle the Pan American Highway. You can follow their travels at Family on Bikes.

originally posted at Go Green Travel Green

Biking from Alaska to Argentina: One Family’s Ultimate Green Travel Experience

We all have those moments when we travel. There’s something about being in a new country that makes us more daring, more willing to be spontaneous. Then we return to home to our routines and that willingness to get off the beaten path fades.

But it doesn’t have to. In fact, I think we could all learn to live our lives more like a 20-year-old in Estonia.

A Spontaneous Thanksgiving Weekend in Estonia

It was Friday, November 26, 2004 –the day between Thanksgiving Day proper and our planned Russian-American-British-Finnish-German Thanksgiving extravaganza.

Elizabeth and I grabbed our passports and cash and headed to the bus station to buy tickets to Tallinn, Estonia. The plan was to leave the next morning, a Saturday, so we could celebrate Thanksgiving on Friday with our fellow study abroad students.

Of course, nothing goes as planned in St. Petersburg, Russia. When we arrived at the bus station, we were told they were sold out of tickets for Saturday. In fact, they only had tickets left for one bus the rest of the weekend. It left in an hour.

We paused to consider. It would take more than an hour to get back to our dorm, grab our bags, and return to the bus station. We would have to be crazy to head across the border to Estonia on such short notice. “What the heck?” we decided. “We’ll take two tickets.”

And with that, we spontaneously headed to Tallinn, Estonia without so much as a toothbrush, a change of clothes, or a hostel reservation. We called our resident advisor to let her know of our newly hatched plan and she sighed and wished us well.

photo credit: ezioman

In Retrospect, Jumping on the Bus Was a Good Idea

We spent a lovely weekend in Tallinn, although we don’t have pictures to prove it because, along with our backpacks and travel guide, our cameras were on the desk in our dorm room — packed for our planned Saturday departure.

In Tallinn, we walked along the waterfront, checked out the local grocery stores, and admired the ancient architecture. We also bought toothbrushes, two changes of underwear, and winter hats.

Elizabeth and I often look back on that weekend. “What were we thinking?” we’ll say with a bemused smile. But neither of us regrets the trip. In fact, it’s one of the trips we think of most fondly.

How to Act Like a 20-Year-Old in Estonia

I’m not one to toss about hackneyed expressions like “seize the day” and “there’s no time like the present.”

But I will say there’s a lesson we can learn from my 20-year-old self. Granted, it was much easier then to hop on a bus and leave the country. I didn’t have a house, a dog, or a job to hold me back.

Even so, there’s something to be said for stepping back from the daily grind to take advantage of life right now — for changing your perspective.

That might mean hopping on a train for an impromptu trip. It might just mean taking a day off of work to spend with your family. Or it might mean adding a week to your vacation so you can experience more of a new country.

After all, when you look back on your life, are you more likely to remember what you did during those 7 days in the office, or what you saw during that week as you delved deeper into the culture of a new country?

originally posted at Go Green Travel Green

Live Your Life Like a 20-Year-Old in Estonia