During my visit to China I made sure to spend a morning with the panda bears in Chengdu, at the Panda Breeding and Research Base.
I don't care who you are, when you walk up to all the panda bears eating, playing, and scratching themselves without a care in the world, you'll be "ooooh'ing" and "aaaah'ing" with the rest of us.
The following is a guest post by Sara Loca. If you'd like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.
Wine, beautiful clothes, good food, these are all of things you are told to expect in Italy.
But, woah, hold on now "Letters to Juliet" intellectuals, let's also talk about how my package arrived a month late or how I passed last Saturday night. When out and about around the world it's important to take the good with the bad, the wine with the late/never delivered mail.
Oh Saturday. "Italy is wonderful if you come to see the Uffizi." I have heard this sentiment millions of times from my parents. However, now it was my fellow train passenger repeating it, at 12:30 a.m., on Saturday night, whilst stranded in Alessandria.
My friends and I had gone from Torino to Genova for the day to see the aquarium, we had no clue we would also be seeing Trenitalia at its finest.
9:50 p.m. - Soaked from walking in sleet, we arrive at Genova Principe Station.
9:55 p.m. - Our train is missing from the main board.
10:00 p.m. - *#@#%. Swear words in South African, English and U.S. English.
10:07 p.m. - Find our train on TV screens. Leap for joy.
10:32 p.m. - Train arrives. Happy "Cupid Shuffle" on-board.
11:00 p.m. - 20 minute delay due to snow. Pretty snow, took pictures.
11:50 p.m. - Stopped in Alessandria. Our train is out of service due to a strike.
12:00 a.m. - Myself and other passengers huddle around the train conductor who used the word maybe, or as I called it, The-Word-That-Must-Not-Be-Named, in every piece of news he communicated. A bus MAY come at 1 a.m. to take us to Torino.
12:15 a.m. - The strike will last until 9 p.m. Sunday night. None of us have much cash. More swearing.
12: 30 a.m. - Ask policeman about places to stay overnight in the city. He seems pretty clueless. He points out a hotel that someone then mentioned is out of business. Then shows us another hotel by pointing into the fog and sleet, we decide to risk it and wait for the bus.
1:00 a.m. - No bus.
1:05 a.m. - They The-Word-That-Must-Not-Be-Named found another driver.
1: 10 a.m. - A bottle of rum could turn this situation into a party.
1:15 a.m. - Shivering. No seriously, a bottle of rum.
2:30 a.m. - Driver arrives without rum. Train finally leaves the station. Zzzzzzzzzzzz.
I later discovered that two tiny train driver unions went on strike at 9 p.m. Saturday night and didn't tell anyone. Our driver just happened to be a member and didn't know he was supposed to be on strike. When he found out, he decided he couldn't drive the train to Torino and jumped ship in Alessandria. Unenthusiastic yay…
Tips to avoid shivering in an Italian train station, without rum.
Take a gander online. Here is a site that lists all scheduled strikes. It's in Italian but easy for English speakers to understand. It's also important to note that even though a union may have scheduled a strike, it may not actually strike. Yay…
Check BOTH boards. Check both the main boards and the TV screens. Why they don't always match, I don't know, but you just don't ask questions like that here. The main board should also display a notice (in Italian) when there are strikes.
Use your mouth. No, no, for all of you with dirty minds, that's not what I mean. If you are catching your train when the clerks are working, ask about strikes that day. Usually strikes are regional, so they may only be aware of strikes in their region, but try.
Dorothy you aren't in the U.S. anymore. Tips for once you realize you can't avoid it or as the train conductor put it, "That's just part of Italy's charm, the chaos."
"Guaranteed" Trains. Here is a list of trains that SHOULD still run even if there is a strike. In Italian, but easy to understand. Just click on desired region.
B.S. Learn to mentally repeat B.S.; don't put complete trust in what the "authorities" say. When stuck, keep your options open; make friends, find hotels, calculate taxi costs, ask about a replacement buses, and see if they are finding another driver/worker.
Don't F*** the Police. Call 112 and speak to a police officer. Again, don't automatically hop to whatever they suggest, be proactive, ask questions and trust your instincts.
Paroline. Handy vocab.
Forse: Maybe
Sciopero: Strike
Fermato: Stopped
In Ritardo: Delay in
Autobus/Pullman: Bus
Autista: Driver
Fino Domani: Until Tomorrow
Snicker. It's funny and quite an adventure. Yes, if you are reading this while stranded you hate me, but it's true. You will just have to wait, might as well giggle!
A man helping us that night said, "You are really lucky they found another driver." I didn't believe in luck until I came to Italy. I may just pick up a rabbit's foot while I'm here to get to where I need to go and get my mail somewhat on time. I have been on Italian trains plenty of times and this was the first time I had a problem, however from what the Italians tell me, I've just been lucky.
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About the Author: Sara Emily Loca was born in Milan and lived most of her life Minnesota. She has returned to Italy to travel, understand Italian culture, reconnect with her family and eat. Connect with her on Twitter@SaraELoca or LinkedIn.
The following is a guest post by Monica Stott. If you'd like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.
Learning to scuba dive is often one of the highlights during a backpacker's trip abroad. Discovering a new country from above the surface of the sea is fantastic, but discovering the world that lies beneath us is a whole different experience.
SE Asia continues to be one of the most popular places for budget travellers to learn to dive. You can take your pick from a multitude of white, sandy beaches with clear, warm water. There is a fantastic array of accommodation to suit all budgets and a bustling night life that can be as action packed as you please.
And if that isn't enough, the underwater world in SE Asia has some of the richest reefs on earth and is home to 76% of the worlds coral species and 6,000 species of fish.
PADI Courses
Most people learn to dive with a 4-day Open Water course from a PADI certified dive school. PADI are world renowned due to their high standards and safety is their first priority.
You will begin in the classroom, learning the necessary theory before you're taught about your equipment. Your first experiences in the water will be in 'confined water' which is usually a swimming pool but can also be done in shallow, calm sea. Breathing underwater for the first time is a fantastic feeling and while you adjust to the strange sensation you will also practice basic skills such as clearing water from your mask without re-surfacing, sharing air with a buddy diver and controlling your buoyancy under the water.
After 5 confined water dives you will be feeling confident and ready to move into 'open water'. You will finally have the chance to explore what the sea has to offer and also practice the skills that you learnt in the pool. Within 4 dives in the ocean you will be a qualified Open Water Scuba Diver!
Top 10 Tips for Learning to Dive in Southeast Asia
So you're ready to explore the expansive underwater playground that SE Asia has to offer? Check out these tips for learning to dive in Southeast Asia to ensure you find the right school and get the most out of your diving experience:
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About the Author: Monica Stott caught the travel bug when she was just 10 years old and is currently on a 2 year trip around the world. You can read her tales at: TotalTravelBug.com or on Twitter @TotalTravelBug.
Let's face it: Women have to be more cautious than men while on the road. It hurts to admit it, but we are inherently more physically vulnerable than our male counterparts.
These ten travel safety items for women will help give you peace of mind and protect you as you explore the world.
1. Door stop alarm
Some female travelers feel vulnerable staying in a hotel room alone, especially if they get stuck in a room on the first floor.
A good idea when staying in private rooms is to buy a portable door alarm and push the bottom of it under your door from the inside.
If anyone tries to open the door while you're in the room, a loud alarm will sound.
The wedge-shaped stopper will also jam the door, preventing the intruder from opening it.
2. Personal alarm or whistle
Walking in a dark alley or street alone at night isn't wise, but sometimes it's inevitable.
It's easy to get lost if you're on a solo trip in a new place for the first time (although we recommend you make extensive use of Google maps).
Carry a personal safety alarm that goes around your neck, in a hidden pocket or on a keychain. You could also wear a small whistle under your shirt.
In case of an emergency, this is the best way to easily and quickly make a loud noise and indicate that you need help should someone unsavory approach you or try to hurt you.
Even if you're just in an unfamiliar place and have niggling safety concerns about unwanted attention, an emergency alert device (and perhaps a back-up can of pepper spray) can be your best friend.
And remember, if you find yourself in a dangerous situation as a female solo traveler, make sure you have details of the local emergency services to hand.
3. Small flashlight
Carrying a small flashlight is also a must when walking alone at night.
Besides helping light your way, it should also make criminals less inclined to take advantage of you. There are many bright flashlights that can attach to your keychain or bag.
A few manufacturers make a personal alarm/flashlight combo.
4. Portable hotel door & drawer travel lock
A portable door lock allows you to add extra protection to your hotel room door at night.
You can also use it to lock a drawer inside the hotel room for your valuables when you're staying somewhere without a safe.
We all like to think that our belongings are safe in our hotel rooms, but I've heard countless stories from friends about money, jewelry, cameras, and other belongings being taken from suitcases.
Lock it up and take the key with you while you go out.
5. Fake wedding ring
If you have a nice wedding or engagement ring, leave it at home when you travel so it doesn't risk getting lost or stolen.
But whether you're married or not, you should travel with a plain fake wedding band.
It's said that women are less likely to be harassed if it appears that they're married, as it usually implies that there is a man nearby.
It also allows you to easily make the excuse (if you know the local language) that you need to leave somewhere because your husband is waiting or around the corner.
Stop by a Target or Claire's Jewelers to get a cheap fashion ring that could look like a wedding band.
6. Bra stash (example)
A money belt can be easily spotted on women who wear form-fitting clothing.
Wear a bra stash instead, which is a small pouch that goes in the middle of your bra between the ladies.
It allows you to unassumingly carry extra money, credit cards, a hotel room key, and any other small valuables.
Other important things to stash are details of emergency contacts, such as those of a family member or close friends.
Keep a back-up SIM card stashed too so that you can make a phone call even if your cell phone is stolen.
7. Travel dictionary
It's very important (and also just common sense) that you should have the ability to communicate with locals who can help you in an emergency.
While it's vital to memorize key phrases such as "help me" and "leave me alone," it's also a smart move to keep a foreign dictionary in your travel bag for easy reference for more complex important phrases.
8. Pacsafe Backpack & Bag Protector
It's frightening how easily someone can snatch a bag from you while on public transportation, or even for someone to pickpocket you from your backpack.
The Pacsafe bag is covered in a mesh cage that makes it impossible for someone to get into any of the bag's pockets.
It also has cables that allow you to securely lock it to a pole, perfect for if you're on a train alone and want to doze off--it prevents someone from running off with it.
9. First aid kit
This one's a no-brainer, but every woman should have a small first-aid kit in her backpack.
Tote along some Neosporin, bandages, anti-histamine, aspirin, antiseptic, etc.
You can buy small pre-assembled kits or put together your own.
10. An anti-theft messenger bag
Purses are easy pickpocket targets; their straps are easy to cut quickly, and we often carry them in a way that someone could reach in from behind to grab something.
Backpacks are even easier to get into if someone is walking behind you-they can just unzip a pocket.
Invest in a travel messenger bag that's front-facing and has cut-proof straps for while you're out and about during the day.
Some travel messenger bags also have locking zippers.
If you don't have travel insurance, this precaution is even more important.
The following is a guest post by Kelsi George. If you’d like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.
For me, the first thing that comes to mind in a place as cosmopolitan as Singapore is, "I bet the food is great!"
Noting the diversity and potential for eating bliss, my friend and I set out on a Snack Crawl, the goal of which was to eat at as many places as possible in the 24 hours we had in Singapore. Herein lies a guide for how to eat your way through Singapore.
After checking in at our hostel on Bugis, we bee-lined over to Little India for lunch (we have our priorities).
Little India
The colored buildings and shiny fabrics distracted us for a moment from our journey to gluttony, however the clouds began to pour down their rain and redirected us to our true calling: food! We stopped by the first place that showed promise, Sakunthala, and ordered vegetarian biryani, chicken masala and chappati. After lunch we paused the satisfied stupor of out post dining stroll to sample some coconut burfi and sone papdi from Komalas Vilas Sweets and Savouries.
7/11
What can I say? We'd been living in Thailand for a year at this point and 7/11 had become the sustenance to the snacking needs of our soul. Mostly, we would just walk around the marts, foaming at the mouth, saying things like "They sell Ben and Jerry's here? and "Look at all the chocolate!" This time around we bought some wine in the name of prudence (we were running low on funds!), to bring back to the hostel for our own Happy Hour on the rooftop.
Arab Street
Around dinner time we set out to Arab Street and stopped at Sufi Corner Turkish Restaurant for a mezze platter and hookah. I stopped by this same restaurant on a different trip to Singapore and had a doner kebab, which was also very tasty.
Back to Little India
Yes, back to Little India because we had been truly enchanted and the backpacker bar scene looked promising. We stopped by Zsofi bar on Dunlop St. for Jenga and tapas where as destiny would have it, the tapas come free with drinks. We loved the mushroom bruschetta and spanish potato omelet, which we washed down with Tiger beer - a must-try on any Singapore Snack Crawl list. The pizza we sampled off of other peoples plates (apparently we have no shame) was not too shabby either.
The night was quiet so we hailed a cab over to Crazy Elephant for some live music, before resting our weary heads and full bellies for the night.
Hawker Center
No snack crawl in Singapore is complete without a stop at a hawker center, the near ubiquitous food courts around town that are central to the Singapore eating experience and at times seem to be the only place for cheap eats. We tried out some coffee at Queen Street Coffee Stand to complement the lovely breakfast of toast with jam we had at our hostel.
Chinatown
No, Chinatown, we promise we did not forget you. Being the recovering vegetarians that we are, with a tendency to relapse, we stopped for lunch at Organic Veg, where we sampled a variety plate.
After lunch we perused the stalls in Chinatown for snacks and souvenirs and bought some blended juice and key chains. Then we stopped for coffee round two at Nanyang Old Coffee, which showcases a Singapore Coffee Museum in the back. Here we decided to finally withdraw more money from the ATM and go to the Asian Civilizations Museum (completely worth it by the way) before catching our flight back to Thailand.
More Food Lovin'
If those digs aren't enough for you, here's a compilation of websites about restaurants in Singapore to help you plan your own Snack Crawl. Or you can do what we did and use your gut. Get it? Use your gut. ;)
Bon Appétit!
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About the Author: Kelsi is currently finishing up her service as a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand and enjoys plotting travel adventures, reading books and eating delicious food. Read more on her blog, Some Sojourns, and follow her on Facebook and Twitter @SomeSojourns.
Very rarely do you look at the itinerary of a budget traveler or backpacker and see a tropical Pacific island listed there.
Why? It probably has to do with the cost of getting to the island and staying there. If the phrase "paradise" shows up, most likely so will the dollar signs. But that doesn't mean a budget traveler cannot afford the experience.
Even famous (and pricey) destinations like Hawaii can be done on a budget if you do your homework and plan.
I've been preparing for a week-long trip to Oahu and have a solid plan on how to stick to my budget while still experiencing as much of Hawaii as possible.
Here's what I've learned about planning a budget-friendly trip to Hawaii, specifically Oahu.
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If you're like me and heading to Hawaii from the East Coast, airfare will cost a big chunk of change.
Even flying from the West Coast isn't cheap. The key here is to keep an eye on flights across various airlines and booking sites early on.
Using a site like Skyscanner with a 'check whole month' feature is helpful because it shows when the cheapest day to travel is.
I kept an eye on Skyscanner for weeks before I booked my flight and eventually bought a round-trip ticket from Pittsburgh to Honolulu for $650, including tax and flight insurance.
The trade-off was extra layovers, but that's a compromise I was willing to make.
Use the Skyscanner search box to find the best flight deal; you might be surprised at what you see! Also, be sure to download the Skyscanner app.
Related: How To Find Cheap Flights
While island-hopping in Hawaii probably sounds appealing, it makes much more sense financially to pick one island and stick to it.
Airfares from one island to another aren't cheap -- for example, going from Oahu to Kona on the Big Island can set you back $150.
Exploring only one island means you can devote more time to it and travel more slowly. If you decide to go this one-island-only route, I suggest Oahu, home to Honolulu's state capital.
Yes, Honolulu is probably the most touristy city in Hawaii. But it is also the largest city in the state, meaning there's the most opportunity to find ways to save money.
Related: Island Hop the South Pacific on a Budget
Oahu, and Honolulu especially, has what I'm told is a pretty reliable transportation system called The Bus. You can go anywhere by bus for $2.50 one-way.
Or, if you're planning to stick around for a few days, purchase a 4-day pass for $25, which gets you unlimited rides on any regular and express buses.
This, I think, is the way to go. It will save you money on rental car fees and gas (which is expensive in Hawaii), and you'll even help the environment.
Yes, Oahu DOES have hostels! Many Honolulu hostels are around Waikiki Beach, which means they are close to restaurants, nightlife, transportation, and inviting Pacific waters.
If you're willing to sacrifice room service and book a dorm bed, you can get the same views in a hostel for a fraction of what you'd pay at Waikiki hotels.
Polynesian Hostel Beach Club - Beds start at $26 in the 6-person dorms; semi-private and private rooms are also available, with a studio costing $75.
Perks include free Wi-Fi; complimentary snorkels, masks, and beach gear; and surfboard and bike rentals for an extra charge.
Check Price & Availability at Hostelworld.com
Waikiki Beachside Hostel - standard rates average $34 per bed in the dorms. Semi-private rooms are also available. Perks include free Wi-Fi, surfboard and moped rental (extra charge), and discounted tours.
Check Price & Availability at Hostelworld.com
Hostelling International Honolulu - Beds start at $25 per night for members ($28 for non-members); private rooms are available for $58 for members ($64 for non-members). Perks include proximity to the beach and free boogie boards and sports equipment.
Check Price & Availability at Hostelworld.com
We also recommend checking out Hotels Combined, a meta-aggregator that searches across popular booking sites and compares the best deals.
It's worth a look, as any time you can score a sweet hotel deal for what you'd be paying at a hostel or close to it!
Click here to search on Hotels Combined.
Staying in a hostel will save you a lot of money (even the private rooms are less than half what you'd pay at a hotel), and you'll also have the opportunity to meet travelers from around the world.
Sitting on the beach, soaking up some sun, and people-watching won't cost anything.
Many hostels even provide free beach equipment like beach mats, boogie boards, and snorkeling gear that you can take advantage of.
On the weekend, check out sunset on the beach at Waikiki, where a free movie is shown on a giant 30-foot screen, and local bands perform before the sun goes down.
And, if the crowds at Waikiki aren't to your liking, hop a bus and head off to any of Oahu's other beautiful beaches.
Head to Hanauma Bay for some of the best snorkeling in Hawaii, or check out Sunset Beach, Waimea Bay, and Banzai Pipeline on Oahu's North Shore for some of the best surfing in the world.
If you're on Oahu during the late fall/early winter months, you could probably spend days just watching surfers tackle 30-foot swells at the North Shore.
Related: The Beauty of Oahu
You can pay $80 to attend a kitschy luau or take a bus tour around the island.
But there are plenty of other things across Oahu that you can do for free or for little cost. For example, consider the following. Everything below is things to do in Oahu with kids, too.
On the first Friday of every month, crowds gather in Chinatown for free art exhibits, entertainment, and restaurant specials.
If you want to see some hula or learn some moves, consider checking out the Royal Hawaiian shopping center in downtown Honolulu.
They offer free hula lessons, lei-making classes, and even weekday ukulele lessons. At 6 p.m. every weeknight, there's a free hula show.
It's hard for me to imagine visiting Honolulu without making the trip to Pearl Harbor, where the Japanese attacked the U.S. on December 7, 1941.
It's easy to get to by bus, and there's a lot worth seeing. The USS Arizona Memorial and Museum are free, as are the Bowfin Park Outdoor Exhibits and Submarine Memorial.
Touring the USS Bowfin Submarine costs $10, and visiting the USS Missouri Battleship costs $20. You can tack on a visit to the Pacific Aviation Museum for another $20.
Don't bother paying for a guided tour, however. You can go it yourself or rent audio tours for a few dollars.
If you're the outdoors type, hiking up this extinct volcanic crater should probably end up on your list. You can take a bus to Diamond Head and pay $1 for the hike.
It's a moderately strenuous hike, but you'll be rewarded at the top with panoramic views of Honolulu.
Related: Popular Hikes on Oahu
Ever wondered what a pineapple plantation looks like? Well, you can visit one in Wahiawa.
Admission to the grounds is free, but the Pineapple Garden Maze is one of the main attractions. Try your luck in it for $6.
Built in 1882, this palace in downtown Honolulu was once the official residence of Hawaii's monarchy. Take a self-led audio tour for $12.
During the winter months, whales are aplenty in Hawaii's waters. And while some operations charge $100+ for a sightseeing/whale watching tour, you can go for as low as $30 on the Star of Honolulu, a 4-story cruise ship, if you book an early-morning excursion.
There are, of course, many other ways to save money in Hawaii. Eating at local restaurants, cooking meals, ignoring kitschy souvenirs, or finding a friend to stay with can also help you keep expenses down.
But the moral of the story here is that anyone can afford Hawaii if they plan for it - even budget travelers.
Contrary to popular belief, Russia does not consist of just two parts, the first being the Kremlin with the Red Square and the second one being the vast and untamable Siberia much publicized by Hollywood films.
In this post, we'll shed light on some characteristics of the country. Here are ten things you didn't know about Russia.
1. Let's start with the simple truth. Bears do not walk down the streets in Russia. It's a difficult reality to come to terms with, but sometimes the truth hurts.
The same goes for kangaroos in Australia and moose in Sweden.
2. It's not always cold in Russia and certainly not everywhere. The South of Russia is warmer than most European countries; there are also palms growing in some areas near the Black Sea (which means the climate there is subtropical).
In the summer, the South of Russia (Krasnodar region, for instance) has an average temperature of 32-35C, reaching 40-43C from time to time; in the winter, the temperature is rarely below zero and snowfalls are extraordinary.
Also for public transportation as a transport collapse usually follows each snowfall.
3. It has woods, steppe, taiga, tundra, but less known is the fact that Russia has a desert as well, namely the Caspian lowland desert (besides the Caspian Sea that is actually a lake) that looks exactly like the Sahara desert.
4. Oh, the Transsiberian! The Transsiberian Railway trip is on many a traveler's to-do list; however, some don't do their research correctly, and once on the train, they realize there are no showers on the trains that serve the Transsiberian.
Well, there are showers on the luxurious train specifically tailored for foreigners who can afford to pay for it, but it's not a real experience anyway!
You're going to have to think of ways of how to take an improvised shower with the help of a sink and make use of a lot of wet wipes, but chances are you're still going to stink once you're at your destination.
Still part of the charm, though, right?
5. This one is a personal favorite. Not all Russians drink vodka. And in a broader sense, not all Russians are alcoholics.
In fact, the Irish and the Germans and the French and perhaps a dozen other nations consume much more alcohol per capita than Russians.
Sure, in some remote villages almost cut off from civilization with a high unemployment rate, people drink more than in big cities, but really, not in the amounts portrayed by the media.
And while I'm on the subject, Russians don't say "Na Zdorov'ye!" before drinking.
It's either a short toast proposing to drink for the meeting/evening/long-standing friendship/somebody's birthday or a long(ish) toast at a wedding or anniversary highlighting all positive characteristics of the toasted person or persons.
Also, keep in mind that as of several years ago, drinking is not allowed in public places. If you violate this law, be prepared to cash out either officially or unofficially.
6. Continuing the topic of vices, cigarettes are quite cheap in Russia. A pack of Marlboro will cost you $1.37 (1 euro); therefore, it's not unpopular to stock up on cigarettes here.
However, don't forget that one person is not allowed to have more than 200 cigarettes (10 packs) on them at the time of crossing the border.
But you guessed it. It's not uncommon to purchase more than that and then ask your fellow passengers to help you out with a couple of hundreds of cigarettes for the duration of your flight/ride.
7. What do Russians eat? Well, of course, borsch, pelmeni, bliny, and caviar, what else?
In reality, of course, the food selection is a bit more diverse than that. However, borsch remains a favorite dish of many a Russian.
But did you know, for instance, that borsch can be green?
Yes, the standard version includes cabbage, root-beet, carrots, potatoes, and sometimes meat; however, the green borsch is made from sorrel, parsley, potato, and egg and is deemed the summer version, better served cold.
Not to be missed on a hot summer day.
8. Russian hospitality is either overrated or a myth altogether.
The truth is, Russia was cut off from the entire planet for so long that in some federal subjects (and there are 83 of them) when people see a foreigner, they can hardly contain their excitement and want to get to know this person, find out if they're real or not and if the grass is greener on the other side.
Thus the invitations, the openness, the chats, and all that is referred to as Russian hospitality.
This is not to say that homo homini lupus est and every man is for himself, but it's just that this hospitality exists thanks to the Iron Curtain.
9. The Soviet Union ceased existing almost 20 years ago and yet some of the leftovers of that time are still ever-present.
For example, queues are a Russian reality. Want to send a postcard to your family from the post office? Or maybe buy a ticket for the subway?
Well, be prepared to wait in a line of rushed and unhappy people who seem to want to push you or throw a demeaning look at you all the time.
The one advice is: breathe! And don't let those cunning people with "I just have a small question to ask" squeeze ahead of you, otherwise standing in queues will be your full-time job.
10. Most Russians approve of the government and the tandem in charge.
But that's because the media is under full control of the government, and most people only know what they are told and they are told what somebody wants them to know.
Therefore, they are convinced that they have a democracy and that they are well taken care of.
In any case, a political discussion is not recommended, at least not with people you just met.
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About the Author: Irina Sazonova is Russian by place of birth and passport, but prefers to think of herself and other fellow bloggers as citizens of the world. Currently based in Europe, Irina documents her travels in her blog Online Hiatus, http://onlinehiatus.blogspot.com. Follow her on Twitter @onlinehiatus.
For my first big adventure of 2011, I'm taking a 12-day Winter trip to Japan. I have two personal goals in mind, packing light and sticking to a budget.
First and foremost, I want to travel light. Really light. My packing list is almost finalized, and it's by far the smallest amount of stuff I've taken on an international trip.
I've always thought of myself as being on the lighter side of the packing spectrum.
However, I've been noticing the minimalist travel bloggers around the interwebs, which has inspired me to challenge myself, at least for this trip.
To recap a few advantages to the "less is more" philosophy as it relates to international travel:
Here's a breakdown of my ultralight packing list for Japan:
Originally the board shorts were for the spas, but I was recently told the guys go "au natural." I'm going to bring them anyway as they're lightweight.
Even though it's Winter, I'm counting on several layers to keep me warm versus a heavy jacket. I hope I don't regret that once I land in Tokyo!
As much as I'd like to leave the giant paperback guidebook at home, flipping pages still seem faster and easier than navigating an ebook.
"Habari gani" is the most common greeting in Kenya, and it doesn't mean "hello."
The direct translation is more along the lines of "what's the news of the day," or in other words, "how's it going?"
It's a friendly invitation to say a little more, explain something personal or just express what happens to be on your mind.
Being friendly and halting a busy schedule in order to hang out with friends is the first step in how to be a local in Kenya! Master the first step and the other steps will fall into place!
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In Kenya, there's absolutely no need to worry about or even know the time.
As in much of Africa, things just fall in to place at the right moment, and there's no need to rush the process.
It's not a joke, most people in Kenya (and all of Africa) are experts at carrying things on their heads.
It doesn't matter if it's a bucket full of water, a simple notebook or a takeaway lunch, it's much more convenient and resourceful to carry it on your head.
Think about all the relief it gives your hands!
Sheng is a mixed combination of Swahili, English and tribal African languages that developed and currently evolves on the streets of Nairobi.
There are a host of “wazup,” style greeting like sema, sasa, walapa, and instead of saying “How are you?” the correct lingo is “Is how you guy?”
Many words are shortened or spoken lazily, as with most slang around the world.
It doesn't matter if it's beer, soda or water, refrigeration or the electricity to power it, are not Kenya's most reliable amenities.
This poses no problem for Kenyans because beer is much more appealing in its room temperature state.
To be Kenyan means learning to drink and crave a warm, refreshing beer!
The public minibusses that prowl the streets of Nairobi, known as Matatu's, are rowdy, chaotic, and usually entertaining.
In addition to the roller coaster ride provided, many are hooked up with the latest jua kali (fix anything) sound systems and speakers that you can feel!
There's nothing more Kenyan than eating chunks of pure enriching glutinous animal fat!
Eating roasted meat, known as nyama choma, is a popular past time in Kenya and something everyone enjoys.
After waiting for the meat to finish grilling, the waiter comes to the table and slices up the meat on a chopping board.
The man of respect has the initial honor to indulge in the transparent pieces of fat!
Greetings are a crucial part of Kenyan culture, and handshakes always accompany a “habari.”
Kenyan handshakes are not the firm Western style shakes that hurt your hand, but just a soft squeeze of acknowledgment.
For utmost respect, shake with the right hand and support your elbow with your left hand.
Those flip flops that broke at the toe, your ancient lawn mower, or even your busted radiator, can and will be fixed by a jua kali method.
Jua kali, which means “hot/fierce sun,” is used to describe fix-it men that use their creativity and inspiration to repair anything and everything.
Their innovative strategies which often involve welding and banging, are not always the best quality, but they have a high rate of short term success!
Dessert is not a big part of the Kenyan diet, so when it's time to drink Kenyan style tea, make sure it is super sweet.
Add about three tablespoons to make a proper cup of Kenyan chai.
Kenyans love music, but they're not always listening to Kenyan music, many love Lingala music from Congo.
It's a common practice to walk around, battery fed radio in hand, and groove or sing along to the high pitched Congolese guitars.
Despite these cultural ways to blend into the Kenyan culture, it's nice to know that the most essential way to become a local in Kenya is to enjoy the company of others, be friendly and always love a good laugh.
Learning a few of these cultural practices may never make you an authentic Kenyan, but you can be assured that locals will smile, be accepting, and laugh with you!
During my time in Chengdu, China I drank a lot of tea. Once I realized the tea shop people love to have tourists do a tea tasting with them, I ducked into those shops left and right. When I was getting ready to leave the city, I figured a tea cup would be the perfect reminder of my time there.
The more expensive cups and pots are made of clay, and look fairly dull and plan. I learned that they can absorb the flavor of the tea you use with them. For that reason, it's recommended you only drink a specific tea out of the cup, such as black, or green.
Because I couldn't see myself committing to just one tea, I bought the cup above. I was born in the year of the dragon, and my favorite color is blue, so it was meant to be.
Winter holidays to the Greek island of Rhodes are becoming a standard fixture for many holidaymakers looking for sun, sea, and sand during harsh winters.
Rhodes is a beautiful Mediterranean island that boasts spectacular sandy beaches and crystal clear waters.
With numerous attractions and architecture dating from 200 BC, Rhodes' historical and religious sites make it a city that must be explored!
Rhodes' Old Town provides its visitors with an abundance of historical attractions.
With traditional street lamps and a medieval street look to complement its traditional shops and stalls, there is something for everybody, from traditional local jewelry to pottery.
Known for having the best shopping, Rhodes' Old Town also provides a range of modern and classic antique goods.
Outlets selling wine and traditional Greek olive oil and gift shops selling cheap souvenirs are also available in the Old Town.
Located not too far from the Old Town is the stunning beach of Faliraki.
With sunbeds, umbrellas, restaurants, sports facilities, and beach bars, Faliraki beach is perfect for holidaymakers looking to soak up the endless rays of sunshine and partake in adventurous watersports.
Watersports such as scuba diving and surfing are key activities that make this Mediterranean island a top holiday choice for families, singles, and couples.
Top attractions include the ancient Hellenic acropolis of Rhodes, which sits on a hill in the western part of Rhodes.
Once consisting of prominent temples, public buildings, and underground vaults, this famous attraction dates back to the 2nd century BC and continues attracting numerous tourists to its ruins.
As one of the liveliest islands in Greece, Rhodes provides a varied nightlife with dance clubs, bars, and bouzouki clubs.
Additionally, there are several dance theatres for those looking for different entertainment.
The town of Rhodes is picturesque, with many wonders, archaeological sites, and natural beauty spots. The best beaches are located on the east coast between Faliraki and Lindos.
Holidays to Rhodes are increasing in popularity. As winter gets colder, many holidaymakers flock to the Greek islands, and Rhodes remains a top holiday choice.
Welcome to my Indonesia island paradise -- Gili Trawangan off the coast of Lombok.
Small enough to walk around in an hour and a half, it attracts a wide range of travelers seeking a little slice of heaven.
The island is packed with dive shops and has become a popular spot to get PADI certified.
Snorkeling is also an option, as is renting a bicycle, however, if you decide to simply spend your days lounging around, you'll be in good company.
In Fall 2009, I began accepting contributions on Go Backpacking, and since then, I've had the chance to feature dozens of bloggers, and work with quite a few on a regular basis, including Danielle who has been helping from an editorial standpoint for almost a year.
It has been a rewarding experience for me, the blog, and hopefully everyone who has shared their writing and photography.
In 2011, I'd like to bring on a Feature Blogger. This is a paid position, and can be done from anywhere in the world.
I'd like to build a long term relationship with a travel blogger to help grow Go Backpacking's audience and reach. I'm looking for someone who can commit to at least 6 months if they're accepted for the role.
The blogger would be responsible for one post per week, which will be published on the busier traffic days (Mon/Tues/Wed) for maximum exposure. Topics will be brainstormed together, and will be a mix of ideas from both the blogger and the editor-in-chief (me). Please review the submission guidelines and Archive to get a feel for the format and types of posts being published on the blog.
In addition, it's expected that the Feature Blogger will actively participate in promoting his/her posts via social media (esp. Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon) and respond to comments left not only on his/her posts, but also participate in the comments of all posts that appear on Go Backpacking. (not literally every single post...the idea is to help foster comments across the blog, not just his/her contributions.)
Payment will be competitive, and paid via PayPal on the last day of each month.
Email [email protected] with:
The deadline to apply is 10 pm EST, Sunday, January 30, 2011.
If after Stage 1 it looks like you would be a good fit, then I will ask you to write a post based on one of your suggested articles. This post will be published on Go Backpacking as a trial run (think of it as an audition).
Only the person who is ultimately hired for the position will receive compensation for the trial post.
If you have any questions, please leave them in the Comments below, or contact me privately.
With the holidays behind us and resolutions long forgotten, it's time to turn our attention to the year ahead.
To provide a bit of inspiration, we've chosen ten unforgettable destinations along with thoughts from experienced travel bloggers to let you know what you can expect.
Despite being locations all over the world, they have one thing in common. You'll have a fantastic story to share when you return home.
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Northern Iraq is an area that travelers are slowly starting to enter as stability increases in the region.
While it isn't for the novice, it is considered a safe area to visit.
Anil Polat of foXnoMad has recently visited and written extensively on the safety and his experience in the region.
As one of my followers on Twitter said, northern Iraq isn't as dangerous as you've heard but not as safe as you'd like. So many of the things I read about the place were inaccurate and just about everything I had preconceived was wrong too - if that isn't a good reason to travel and see things firsthand, I don't know what is.
Check out foXnoMad's post What's it like to travel in Northern Iraq
With a sprawling coastline and castle-dotted hillsides, Croatia is quickly becoming a favorite destination among budget travelers.
While in the heart of the Balkans, the country has all the charm of Italy to the East.
Caroline of Caroline in the City fell in love with the familiarity this European destination:
I love Croatia because it has all the things you love about Italy- winding cobblestone streets, breathtaking ocean views, delicious food- without the hefty price tag.
Check out Caroline in the City's post: I left my heart in split
One of the larger states in the Middle East, Syria, receives mixed reactions due to its conflict with the United States.
However, those who choose to see past political conflict find a country rich with history.
Jonathan from Retrospective Traveller was taken with one of many historical sites in Syria:
Syria is like a pop-up book of history with it's ancient ruins, castles, medieval souqs, beautiful mosques, and of course, Damascus - one of the oldest cities in the world. It was the Roman ruins at Resafa, Bosra, and Palmyra that attracted me to Syria, but it was the mighty Crusader castle at Krak des Chevalier that blew me away...
Check out Retrospective Traveller's post: Up at the KraK of dawn… Krak des Chevaliers that is!
The days of Nicaragua's violent and revolutionary past are long gone, making way for a new era of peaceful politics.
Wedged in between popular Guatemala and Costa Rica, Nicaragua provides a beautiful landscape for a budget traveler's dream price.
Michael from Go See Write visited the area and was pressed to find any faults:
Nicaragua has some of the friendliest people in Latin America, photogenic cities, a good variety of activites, and although some of the roads are horrible, the magnificent sunsets make up for any negatives.
Check out Go See Write's post: Trip to San Juan del Sur
With the world's largest population and the diversity to match, traveling in China can be intimidating for even the experienced traveler.
Organized tours throughout the country are becoming more popular, and independent travelers are finding it easier as the country grows its tourism industry.
Due to its large size and population, Monica of A Pair of Panties and Boxers found the country appropriately complex and summed up the essence of traveling there:
Traveling through China is like being in two places at once - the past & the present.
Ethiopia is a country often misunderstood, evoking images of barren landscapes and food drops.
But Ethiopia is a land of extremes, and there is so much more to see.
However, it is not for the faint-hearted; traveling can be stressful but also rewarding for those seeking adventure.
Dave and Deb from The Planet D shared their thoughts on the misconceptions of Ethiopia:
When people think of Ethiopia, they still envision famine and drought. But go there and it will surprise you. The Great Rift Valley and the Blue Nile River runs through the country filling it with rich vegetation and abundant wildlife. A mountainous land, Ethiopia offers remarkable scenery accentuated by its landscape like the Blue Nile Gorge seen here.
Check out The Planet D's post: What it's like to Cycle in Ethiopia on the Tour d'Afrique
Many are flocking to see this forbidden island before the US embargo is lifted.
Whether you travel to a resort or make your way independently, the people will surely leave a lasting impression.
Andi from My Beautiful Adventures comments on the undeniable energy in Cuba:
Surrounded by tropical heat, the beat of salsa music, dilapidated architecture, and the constant presence of political unease; in Cuba I had the constant feeling that something was just about to occur, because in a place so full of uncertainty the only thing that was for sure was that something inevitably would happen.
Check out My Beautiful Adventures' post: Cuba Day 4, Part 2
One of the more controversial destinations, particularly for Americans, travelers continue to visit Venezuela.
Although the country is in ruins, with its infrastructure falling into disrepair, the vast amounts of oil that the country is blessed with continue to keep the country together.
Marcello from Wandering Trader was born in Venezuela and has lived around the world. He warns that due to the collapsing economy, the dangers of the country, and most importantly, its capital, are very real.
If visiting Venezuela extra precautions should be taken including not wearing jewelry or fancy shoes, traveling in groups, and very rarely going out at night unless you are in a big group. The desperation in Venezuela is dire but if you are willing to arise to the challenge some of the highlights include Margarita Island, the Angel Falls, and the cozy city of Merida.
Check out Wandering Trader's post: Top 5 Venezuela Attractions
If the Czech Republic were a person, it wouldn't be old enough to drink in the United States legally.
Somehow this young country, particularly its capital of Prague, quickly became a darling of European travel.
Tourists spend days wandering from cathedral to castle basking in one of the world's most beautiful cities.
Chris from The Aussie Nomad recently visited Prague noted its popularity:
Prague is cheap, fun and amazingly beautiful. By day you can explore Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and wander the streets getting lost in the city. Then by night, enjoy the various pub crawls and night life that so many backpackers are fast discovering. Nearby you will also find the ghoulish Bone Chapel in Kutna Hora, a day trip worth your time of day.
Check out The Aussie Nomad's post: Kutna Hora and the Bone Chapel
Antarctica is a land of legend, folklore, and extreme. It's a dream destination for many who count passport stamps and want to push their next adventure.
But unlike the early explorers, getting to Antarctica is much easier if you have a bit of extra cash to spend.
Brendan from Brendan's Adventures recent trip lived up to his expectations:
Some people come to Antarctica for penguins, others come so that they can tell others that they've been to all 7 continents, but no matter what their reasons for coming may have been, it is the sheer beauty of the experience that will have them talking about it for years.
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About the Author: Ayngelina left a great job, boyfriend, apartment, and friends to find inspiration in Latin America. Read about her adventures at Bacon is Magic and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.
All photos are courtesy of the respective bloggers.
If it wasn't food, I didn't buy it. That was my rule for my solo cross-country road trip, and I could not afford exceptions.
I did, however, succumb to the allure of a new book.
After wandering around Boulder that morning and Colorado's capital all afternoon, I was almost relieved when it started to rain since it gave me a reason to seek refuge in the second-hand bookstore I'd heard so much about, the Tattered Cover.
The original building holds a seemingly endless number of books within the walls of its five floors.
I worked my way up to the third, where the travel section was, and sat down with the first book that caught my eye, The Palace of the Snow Queen.
Within 10 seconds, I was hooked; within 10 minutes, I also had to own.
Appealing to lovers of travel, history, and culture, Barbara Sjoholm explores all that Scandinavia offers-light, darkness, cold, ice, snow, and people.
Within three winters, she visits the Ice Hotel (Jukkasjarvi, Sweden), Kiruna (Sweden), Santa's Post Office (Finland), and many Sami homes in and around the cities of focus.
She exposes the reader to the beauty of Lapland and the tensions among culture, politics, language, environment, tourism, and economics.
It is genuinely fascinating yet not once overwhelming with information or detail.
Sjoholm writes in a vivid and lively way that makes the fictional Palace of the Snow Queen as real as the frigid and snowy landscapes of northern Norway and Finland.
She teaches, analyzes, and explores the region with such finesse that I'd be lying if I told you that amid my recent Central American experience, I somewhat long for the chill of Scandinavia.
She creates a real yet magical landscape that is both intriguing and satisfying.
What better time than now-the snowiest of winters in the States-than to curl up with a hot cup of tea and discover the honest beauty in The Palace of the Snow Queen.
I've bought a lot of cheap trinkets in my travels, like the infamous Thai Beer Can Tuk-Tuk, but there is one souvenir that makes up for all my episodes of bad judgment -- a Tibetan thangka I bought in Kathmandu, Nepal.
While it's the most beautiful piece of art I own, it's also by far the most expensive souvenir I've ever purchased.
Thangkas are traditional Tibetan cloth paintings, framed with embroidered silk.
The paintings typically depict the Buddha, other Deities, mandalas, the Wheel of Life (as you see in the photos here) or other important scenes from Tibetan Buddhism.
Full of symbolism, they are hung around monasteries and homes to illustrate Buddha's teachings, as well as for decoration.
Before leaving home, I had encountered thangkas at a Washington, DC Buddhist center and at a DC shop that sold crafts from the Himalaya.
In that shop, there was a limited choice of thangkas, and the prices were around $500 apiece.
I wanted one badly. However, I knew I could get one for less if I went to the source -- Tibet.
As it turned out, I never made it to Tibet.
I was in Chengdu, China, when riots broke out in Lhasa, and the border was closed to foreigners three days before I was to depart by train.
I had already visited Little Tibet in Chengdu, a street filled with Tibetan shops and monks.
Unfortunately, the majority of "thangkas" were just cheap prints, so I had to wait a little longer to see the real thing.
Once I landed in Kathmandu and settled in a guest house in the tourist ghetto known as Thamel, I began to explore.
The Nepalese people were friendly, and it wasn't long before I had shopkeepers inviting me into their stores to sit down for a cup of milk tea and look at whatever they were selling.
Ironically, Nepal probably has more Tibetan thangka artists and schools than Tibet now, given China's religious oppression has driven artists into exile.
In the beginning, I had a trek to focus on, so my thangka shopping had to be put on the backburner, but when I returned to Kathmandu toward the end of my stay in Nepal, I dedicated an entire day to shopping for the best thangka I could find.
I'm confident I found it, and for those who would like to shop for one as well, I have a few tips on how to buy a Tibetan thangka in Nepal.
>>> Planning a trip to Nepal? Check hotel deals on Travelocity.
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And then be willing to break it. I paid three times what I initially thought I'd spend, but it was worth it.
Factors affecting the cost of a thangka include quality of painting, the skill of painter, size, and your ability to negotiate.
Select a subject in advance, or as early as possible in the shopping process.
Thangkas are hanging from shops all over Kathmandu and Pokhara, if not the rest of Nepal.
The sooner you can narrow down the subject you want to be depicted, the easier it will be to compare quality between shops.
Think about the size of the thangka you want, inclusive of the embroidered frame.
Most of the paintings you'll browse will not be framed with the silk embroidery yet.
While you can frame a thangka like an ordinary painting, their traditional silk frames will distinguish them from other artwork you might have in your home.
The paintings are available in all sizes, and you can usually customize the width of the frame.
Note: It might take a day or two for the frame to be stitched together with the painting.
Give yourself time to visit shops and thangka schools.
Talk with the shopkeepers. Ask questions about the stories and scenes depicted in the paintings.
Expect offers of tea to keep you in their shops. Accept the proposals as a courtesy. Enjoy the tea, but if they pressure you to buy, head for another shop.
There are three general skill levels of thangka painters:
You can discern the skill of the artist by looking closely at the lines, such as those used to make waves, clouds, and the faces of people, deities, and animals.
The finer and more precise the lines, the higher the skill involved.
A thangka painted by a master will cost more than one painted by a professional.
The student painted thangkas are the lowest quality, and therefore, the cheapest.
To start recognizing the minor differences between professional and master quality yourself (versus taking the salesman's word for it) look at a dozen or more thangkas of the same subject.
Once you've found the thangka you want, negotiate for it!
Nepalis expect this, and if you've already been to several shops, then by the time you pick the painting you want to buy, you will already have a good idea of the going rate for the same size and quality elsewhere.
A close-up view of the hell realm reflects attention to detail and fine lines. These are both qualities to look for when determining the quality of thangkas.
If you plan to continue traveling for an extended time, you will want to ship your thangka home.
To ensure delivery, I recommend using a courier service such as FedEx or DHL.
The thangka I bought was painted by a master, on the larger side, and included the two wooden rods for the frame, with metal tips.
I paid $75 to have it shipped via FedEx from Kathmandu to Virginia in the United States.
It arrived safe and sound, packaged in a cardboard tube thick enough that I could stand on it without it giving way.
My Tibetan thangka still hangs in my home today, and I always get joy out of seeing it all these years later.
Argentina is blessed with everything a country could ask for. The vast country has waterfalls and rainforests to the north, desert and mountains to the west, a seashore and animals to the east, and glaciers and mountains to the south. If you have the time, you could see all of Argentina in one whole month, 30-34 days, to be exact.
This itinerary doesn't include the off-the-beaten-track cities of Cordoba and Rosario, but with careful planning, you could see all the cities in 30-35 days (including travel time). What follows are my tips for visiting Argentina in 30 days.
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This cosmopolitan city has everything you could ask for, from culture and the arts to a bustling nightlife and enough European charm to steal the heart of a Frenchman.
The itinerary below balances everything there is to do in Buenos Aires. If you prefer to experience the culture or even party your vacation away, you can do just that.
See also: Things to Do in Uruguay
One of the world's natural wonders, the Iguazu Falls is an absolute must when traveling through South America, much less Argentina. It could easily be considered one of the top Argentine tourist attractions.
While most people visit the Argentine side of the falls, the Brazilian side is just as beautiful. Getting a Brazilian visa is not as complicated as you would think, and most travelers only spend time on the Argentina side.
If you choose not to get a visa, cut the trip to three days. You only need one full day to see the Argentine side. That could be a combination of two half days or one full day-plan for 1-2 days of travel in and out of Iguazu City.
The helicopter ride from the Brazilian side is awe-inspiring and highly recommended.
This is Argentina's version of the American Southwest. If there were ever a place to experience culture shock, it's here. You can travel to small towns where the Inca Empire once existed and get a completely different view of Argentina.
The second-largest city in Argentina is home to various things to see. Near the city is a German town that hosts the second-largest Oktoberfest outside of Germany, and a museum is dedicated to Che Guevara.
Who wouldn't love to get to know one of the most controversial men of the twentieth century?
The third-largest city in Argentina boasts a unique river cruise that allows visitors to see parts of the country that are not shown online or in guidebooks. It is excellent for walking around and learning about the country's history with the flag monument.
This is where locals go for vacation -- it is one of the top tourist destinations for Argentines. It's a great beach town to wind down and relax while you recharge your batteries.
The animal lovers' paradise, interact with Penguins, dive with sea lions and whales, and even get inches from Elephant Seals.
Ushuaia is the self-proclaimed southernmost city in the world. It is picturesque, laid-back, and full of tourist attractions. It is also the gateway to Antarctica, where you can take the trip of a lifetime.
Home to Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the only growing glaciers in the world, many tourists can even see chunks of icebergs break off into the water. This unique event should be added to everyone's bucket list.
The Argentine version of Switzerland: snow-capped mountains, delicious chocolates, and great adventures for the whole family.
The Napa and Sonoma Valleys of Argentina provide excellent opportunities to taste some of the best wines of South America amongst endless fields of grapes.
The Andes Mountains' highest peak also provides excellent climbing and hiking opportunities.
Depending on your travel plans and preferences, you can see the entire country in less time. You can also save time and money by taking overnight buses to some cities that are 7-12 hours away from each other.
Also, be aware that hostel prices are incredibly high compared to other cities when traveling to Patagonia.
Don't forget to get information about traveling to Antarctica in Ushuaia, as this is the gateway to the vast continent.
After touring Rwanda for a week last April, my group returned to the capital city of Kigali to prepare for departure.
We stopped by a souvenir shop on opening night. Run by a women's collective, the shop sold traditional Rwandan crafts that were made by women all across the little East African nation. Items for sale included paintings, beaded jewelery, and woven bowls and placemats.
The idea was that by pooling their products in a central, well-trafficked location such as a shop in the capital, they'd be able to make more money than if they relied on foreigners to drive through their part of the country.
I was especially struck by the crafsmanship and colors of the woven bowls. To support a good cause, and pick up a reminder of my time in their friendly country, I bought a red and blue bowl.
Pretty enough to stand alone as decoration on a coffee table or wall, I also imagine it'd be perfect for holding fruit in a kitchen one day down the road.
As for the cost, I believe the large bowl pictured here was about $12. I bought a second, smaller one for a little less as a gift.
During a one week swing through Switzerland two years ago, I took a bus from Interlaken to a train, to a tram which rose to an elevation of 10,000 feet amongst the jagged mountain peaks of the Swiss Alps.
My destination? A rotating restaurant on Schilthorn peak, which was built for the James Bond movie "Her Majesty's Secret Service." It was there that I enjoyed my one and only lunch atop the Swiss Alps.
Troy has invited me a half dozen times to visit India since he decided to meet up with our friend Christine there next month. It was a tempting invitation, given how much fun the three of us had in Medellin, but I replied that I wasn't ready. I needed more time to lapse, as though two and a half years isn't enough to recover from the stresses of travel on that great subcontinent.
I almost didn't go the first time, in 2008. I'd been talking to backpackers who made the trip from India, and most described Nepal as cleaner, the people friendlier. My anxieties were getting the best of me.
As luck or fate would have it, a Canadian woman appeared atop the Pokhara mountain where I was enjoying breakfast with a Himalayan view one morning. Her advice was to "go with the flow," as though the exact four words have been passed on to first-time travelers to India for generations.
I made up my mind in that instant to see the country for myself. I spent 7 weeks crossing India from the northeast corners of Sikkim to the northwest border with Pakistan. And I had many amazing spiritual experiences until the poverty, inefficiencies, heat, pollution, cows, public urination, dust, and touts utterly exhausted me. When I flew from New Delhi to Thailand, I didn't see myself returning to India for years or decades, if ever.
Then I read these words a few weeks ago:
It took me a long time and most of the world to learn what I know about love and fate and the choices we make, but the heart of it came to me in an instant, while I was chained to a wall and being tortured. -- Shantaram
And with that irresistible opening salvo, I was immediately sucked into the world of an Australian escaped convict in 1980's Bombay. Gregory David Roberts was that convict, and Shantaram is the novel he wrote after ultimately being recaptured by police in Germany.
The actual events of the author's life were so dramatic that I read the book as though the whole story and all the characters were true to life. Of course they are not, however it's to the author's credit that he can take you along on such a wild ride, and get you feeling the emotional up's and down's of Lin, the protagonist. And there are many.
Immediately upon stepping off the bus in Bombay, Lin meets a tout named Prabakar, whose big smile he takes an immediate liking to, and thus, the adventures begin. In these first minutes in the city, he also encounters Karla, a Swiss woman who captures his heart.
After Lin is robbed, Prabakar invites him to live in the village where he grew up. There, he picks up the local language, which comes in useful throughout the years. Here, we experience the customs of rural life in a typical Indian village, and Prabakar's mother dubs Lin with the name Shantaram, meaning "man of peace."
Upon his return to Bombay, Lin goes to live in Prabakar's slum, which is about the only standard of living he can afford at the time. He starts to make money by helping tourists buy drugs -- hashish mostly.
Interestingly, he begins treating the slum-dwellers for minor illnesses and injuries out of his tiny home, which becomes a makeshift clinic. His descriptions of life in the slum were my favorite part of the book, as the author spent time living in a Bombay slum, operating a free clinic. He continues to pursue Karla, at least in his mind, because living in a slum is hardly conducive to building romantic relations, at least with a Western woman.
The book takes a significant turn when Lin gets picked up by the local police and imprisoned. As disturbing as the descriptions of the Indian prison were, this was also a part of the story I found riveting. Eventually, he's bailed out by a mafia kingpin, at which point he goes to work as a counterfeiter, smuggler, and gunrunner to repay his debt.
The scenes of fighting and violence became more frequent, and every chapter seemed to feature grisly murders that were all too detailed in their descriptions. Around the 600-page mark, I felt as though the book had already climaxed, which left a lot more reading to do before the unanswered questions in Lin's life were resolved. Ultimately, I was satisfied with the way the novel ended, though a few people on Twitter commented that it was a mess.
At 936 pages, Shantaram is the second-longest book I've ever read, and I devoured it in under two weeks.
Having been to India once already, the book brought back memories as I related to the characterizations of Indian people, such as their famous head waggles. The more I read, the more I appreciated the country I'd almost skipped over entirely.
I remembered my first chai, bought for me by Indians on my first (overnight) train ride. My fondness for the Bollywood movies and the amazement that women dressed in colorful saris could seem so graceful amidst trash-strewn streets. By the end of the book, I was ready to book a flight back to India.
My return will have to wait, however, as I've already invested in other plans for 2011. I do know that it will be a lot sooner than I expected as a result of reading Shantaram.
PS - You can learn more about the author, David Gregory Roberts, on the book's website. He is working on the sequel to Shantaram and hopes to have it published by late 2011. He then intends to write a prequel, followed by a fourth and final installment.
I am a WWOOF'er. I WWOOF. I am part of the WWOOF'ing community.
Get it?
Neither did I a year ago. As it turns out, this organization has become the savior of my travels in Canada.
WWOOF stands for 'World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms', and it is possible to get involved with this in dozens of places dotted around the globe.
You choose a country, sign up on their website (often for a reasonably small fee) and you are then showered with possible farms to work on in exchange for free accommodation and meals.
This was an ideal situation for me. Having had several financial blips in saving for my trip to Canada over the last year, anything free is a bonus.
Accommodation and food are the only absolute essentials when it comes to travel, and both can often drain your bank account.
Additionally, for the Canadian organization, participation does not require a working visa. WWOOF'ing is a perfect opportunity for anyone looking for inexpensive travel, and it can be a highly rewarding experience.
So, back in August, three months before I was set to fly out to Vancouver, I started hunting for farms.
A plethora of options were open to me in British Columbia alone, from Icelandic horse farms, cattle ranches, herb, crop, and vegetable harvesting, to building ecohouses on top of a mountain and much more.
I wasn't too fussed about the kind of work I was looking for, but dairy farming was definitely in my top five choices.
If I could combine my love for cheese with volunteering in Canada, I was a happy lady.
And I hit the jackpot when Goats Pride Dairy Farm in Abbotsford, BC swiftly replied to my request for work.
Life here on the Goats Pride is an enlightening and sometimes challenging experience.
Having neither worked on a farm nor had much contact with farm animals before, I wasn't too sure what to expect.
As it turns out, this farm has hosted over two hundred WWOOF'ers in five years, so it seems I've come to the right place.
The daily routine includes participation in either or both 6 am and 4:30 pm chores, which include milking and making sure the goats are fully fed and watered.
Volunteers also rotate turns to work full days helping out in the dairy, where all the magic happens; the cheese.
In between chores, the rest of the day is filled with seeking out the work you wish to contribute to, which allows you to focus on a particular aspect you were wanting to gain more experience in.
For me, I've mostly been touching up on my cooking skills with Goats Pride's mother-hen, Jo-Ann.
I am now fully confident in my ability to make a thoroughly enjoyable cinnamon bun.
The season in which you volunteer can change your entire experience with WWOOF'ing.
Some farms have little or no need for workers in Winter, this of course not being the case with a farm that keeps animals as there is demand all year round.
At particularly cold times, I sometimes wonder why it was that I chose to come out here in these months.
On most days, I get up in the dark, and I finish in the dark.
This, of course, can be the same case in an urban area, the difference here being that the icy, crisp and fresh air I breathe in once I step out into the country always makes me feel invigoratingly alive.
Having spent three weeks touring cities, including Vancouver, Victoria, and Seattle, and spending money faster than I could have anticipated, a break in the country was just what I needed.
This complete change of scenery has broadened my perspective on living an impact-free lifestyle.
By that, I mean that the community we have built here, which consists of seven family members and up to seven WWOOF'ers at any one time, tries to make sure that we carry out the principles of sustainable living as much as possible.
Almost everything is recycled and used to its full potential, from waste food that goes to the goats or used as compost, fertilizer sold to other local businesses, clothes, packaging, endless jams and juices and more than I could possibly list.
As well as the work, let's not forget the play. WWOOF'ing is a fantastic way to experience a way of life in terms of the people you stay with as well as the farming.
I was lucky to find a very large close-knit family to enjoy the company of, and I am honored to be welcomed in and shown their Canadian way of life.
As much as meeting other travelers can be exhilarating, to come over to a country and see the way the locals live from day-to-day is a memorable and unique experience.
This is especially the case when staying in a place that strives to be self-sufficient and eco-friendly.
Being part of the process of taking produce from the goat to our kitchen table in a variety of forms, including milk, yogurt, and cheese, has given me a greater awareness of where the things I put in my belly come from.
WWOOF'ing is a great way to understand and be part of the ethics involved in the farming and food industry, an alternative experience for any traveler.
If you imagine that no two farms will be the same, the possibilities are endless. And not a penny will leave your pocket.
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About the Author: Emma Higgins' addiction to travel started with an inter-railing trip around fourteen countries in Europe in the summer of 2009. Her 2010 travels included a whistle-stop tour of Northwest India, a brief visit to Marrakech and two months in British Columbia, Canada.
Her blog is based around my travels and the cultural comparisons she comes across, but whilst at home, she writes for all the other young and penniless travellers out there (she's only 22!), and about the trials and tribulations of being stuck in ones mothercountry, itching to leave. You can catch up with Emma on her blog, Gotta Keep Movin'...
During my time in South Africa, I visited several souvenir markets and shops, especially at the start on Long Street in Cape Town, and toward the end in the suburbs of Johannesburg.
Wooden dolls from countries all around Africa were plentiful, so the casual shopper had only to decide which style he/she liked the most. That style would invariably be the hallmark of a particular culture and country. Go to enough markets, and see enough dolls, and you'll soon be able to discern which items come from which nation.
The dolls vary in significance. One common purpose, such as the the one I purchased, is protection.
Aside from a few domestic trips to New York City and Los Angeles, my big international adventures of the year were a week in Rwanda, and six months in Colombia.
The Rwandan adventure involved two days of travel to and from the country, but it was worth the energy and effort when I was in a forest snapping photos of wild gorillas, cruising across Lake Kivu on a new speedboat, and soaking in the bathtub of a luxury villa.
My return to Colombia began with two and a half weeks of rest and relaxation in Cartagena.
I then made my way back to Medellin, where I met nine new travel bloggers, and took a few short trips to other parts of the country, including Cali, a snow-capped volcano, and the coffee region.
On tomorrow's agenda, the best photography posts of the year. Stay tuned!
In 2010, contributors wrote several of this blog's most popular posts of the year, as measured in terms of visitors, comments, and social media sharing.
They also helped to cover a wide range of topics beyond my own experiences and expertise.
Below are 15 of the most popular, written guest contributions published in 2010, ranked in relative order based on the number of visits:
If you're interested in sharing your favorite travel story or best advice in 2011, please check out the submission guidelines.
Tomorrow, I'll share my favorite posts from my adventures in Rwanda and Colombia.
Here I am, sitting at my parent's kitchen table, sipping hot chocolate and reflecting on the year 2010. What a ride it's been, for both me and the blog!
This post recounts my personal experience as a full time travel blogger. For the remainder of the week, posts will highlight the best stories, photography, and videos featured on Go Backpacking in 2010.
If you're new to the blog, this week is a great chance to catch up!
Rwanda Trip - On February 12th, I announced that I was going on a week long media trip to Rwanda, the Country of a Thousand Hills.
The opportunity to see endangered mountain gorillas in the wild was unreal -- the kind of experience I'd dream of when flipping through adventure travel catalogs just a few years ago.
Learning about the 1994 genocide touched on a whole different set of emotions.
Los Angeles - I met Stefanie Michaels (@AdventureGirl) on the Rwanda trip, and soon after our return, went to visit her in LA. It was my first time visiting the City of Angeles.
We spotted a bunch of stars including Jessica Biel, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Fred Savage.
I indulged in the sushi of Katsuya, remembered James Dean, and recounted scenes from Swingers at The Dresden.
New York City - I made 3 trips to the City That Never Sleeps, however the one that stands out the most was for the 2010 Travel Blog Exchange conference in June.
Rarely do hundreds of travel bloggers come together in one place on this planet for any length of time, so it was a fun opportunity to put (Twitter) names with faces.
Earlier in the year, I also found myself at Blue Ribbon Sushi for a terrific lunch on a snowy winter's day.
Return to Colombia - After TBEX, I returned to one of my favorite countries, Colombia, for the remainder of the year.
I began by relaxing in Cartagena and then made my way back to Medellin, known as City of the Eternal Spring.
During my trip around the world from late 2007 to early 2009, I had the occasional opportunity to meet up with other travel bloggers.
These encounters excited me because I knew the people were like me -- enamored with both travel AND blogging.
I could count the number of these people on one hand, over 15 months.
In 2010, I met dozens, if not a hundred or more travel bloggers in person. Since I can't name them all here, I want to share a few people with whom I spent the most time.
Stephanie @20stravel - Stephanie co-hosted the DC travel tweetups with me, so in addition to connecting online, we had a monthly excuse to hang out at local bars. She's now enjoying her own RTW trip!
Troy @foggodyssey - Troy had already written some of this blog's most popular posts of the year by the time I met him in Medellin. He's an amazing photographer, and hanging out with him and learning to use Lightroom in the process contributed to a quantum leap in my photography skills this year.
Christine @almostfearless - I met Christine, along with husband Drew and baby Cole, when she visited Medellin to interview me for her video documentary on digital nomads. I was glad they stayed for 3 weeks so we could share a few adventures together.
Benny @irishpolyglot - Benny from Fluent in 3 Months spent the end of his year in Medellin, and he was a very positive influence on my efforts to learn Spanish. Namely, I became a lot less self-conscious about speaking, and am encouraged about working toward fluency in 2011.
This year I grew my travel blogging activities into a business that could support me while living abroad.
As of this week, I met my goal of earning $3,000 per month ($36,000 for the year).
It's far less than I earned at my job as a Customer Service Manager for a health insurance company back in 2007, but the freedom it affords is priceless.
I share my earnings publicly because I continue to meet people who question whether you can earn money from having a blog, let alone earn a living.
While I've been at this for 4 years, and I certainly didn't reach this point overnight, it is possible.
As the travel blogging niche matures and gains credibility, and more "how to" resources become available, it's increasingly possible to see results much faster than me.
Go Backpacking - While the blog brought in considerably more money via advertising this year, the number of monthly visitors remained fairly flat, and well short of my goal for 50,000 per month. On the bright side, the number of subscribers grew by 350%, and there were lots of great guest contributions.
In 2011, my goal is to better curate the stories, photos, and videos to ensure you're not only enjoying them, but excited to share them via Facebook and social media.
Travel Blog Success - Building an online course and community from scratch ain't easy, however after 4 months of work, I launched my first digital product. Over 100 travelers have become members, and the feedback continues to be overwhelmingly positive 11 months later.
In 2011, my goal is to continue building upon these resources while helping other bloggers reach their goals and easily connect with quality advertisers.
Medellin Living - Returning to Colombia, I regained the reigns of Medellin Living. The frequency and consistency of new posts lead to a doubling of monthly traffic to 5,000 visits. The site also began to make money, mostly as a result of me upselling advertisers from Go Backpacking.
Private Consulting - I had my first two clients this year, and intend to continue offering my support on a limited basis.
I'm dedicating January to redesigning and adding lots of new content to Travel Blog Success. Thankfully (albeit by design), I enjoy this kind of work.
I'll be spending the first two weeks of February in Japan, and then February 15th sees me heading back to Medellin for another 6 months.
By mid-August, I intend to set off on a new adventure to see the rest of South America.
The following is a guest post by Amy Hamblen, regarding her experience visiting Jack Kerouac in Lowell, Mass. If you’d like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.
Dashing back and forth across the country with his friends to meet new girls and pursue all kinds of madness throughout the day and night, who couldn’t fall in love with Sal Paradise in On the Road?
He and his friends were digging life like we all want to: with a knife and fork and swallowing it whole. They were searching for new highs with a case of wanderlust so bad that a dose of any experience would whet it and an overdose of an adventure so big it could suppress it didn’t exist. They were my heroes in college, my role models after and now they are the saints I scream all my existential questions to.
It was Kerouac who left a seat open for all of us on these road trips, and it was his hometown I took the opportunity to see during the Lowell Celebrates Kerouac festival. I was living in the South Shore of Massachusetts in October, 2008, far away from Mexico City, the setting of my favorite book of his, “Tristessa,” but only an hour’s drive from Lowell, his birthplace, and the setting of five of his other books.
When I arrived, the tour-goers had gathered outside the now-closed Caffé Paradiso which was hosting a marathon reading of The Dharma Bums, since 2008 marked the 50th anniversary of its publication. There were 20 or so other people who wanted to see Jack’s old haunts.
Here’s where I wish I could say that I made a new set of lifelong friends who share a love of the same kind of liberating works of impassioned writing as I do, but it’s painfully clear to me that I’m not really good at these kinds of things. I was more than happy to join them, though.
We began the tour, and as our guide, Roger Brunelle, splashed brilliant stories on each Kerouac –affected landmark, it reminded me that even Kerouac came from somewhere; Lowell just happens to be the town he grew up in. Maybe this was where he had those first big dreams of who he wanted to be and what he wanted to do with his life.
Walking past his high school, where he played football, and the Lowell Sun, where he did a short stint as a sports reporter, made the town feel small. It reminded me of my own little somewhere that I was anxious to burst out of while I was growing up.
The last spot on our tour was the Jack Kerouac Commemorative. Beautifully conceived by artist Ben Woitena, the site structurally integrates religion with Kerouac’s writings. Quotes from Jack’s beloved books are etched on tall slabs of granite. Several of the quotes are from Kerouac’s Lowell books including Dr. Sax and Visions of Cody, and of course one of the panels has a quote from On the Road. Sleek curved benches encircle the granite panels. In the middle of the memorial there is also a seat for you to sit and reflect, and if you are patient, you can try to find your own center.
After the tour there was one more spot I had to see, so I took a solo journey to Edson Cemetery. I walked awhile among the gravestones, expecting to see a shrine or a flock of onlookers to guide my eyes in the right direction, but there was none. After a little bit of a search, I finally found what I came for, it was the fitting, humble marker with the engraved words “Ti Jean” (Little John) that marked the spot.
It was the perfect place to pay my respect for the seeker and teacher whose inspiration was so loud I couldn’t help but hear it as a young woman in the Midwest, a thousand miles away and over 30 years after his road brought him here.
Messages and tokens of love from others who had been touched by Kerouac’s thirst for life were left behind. I took a moment to appreciate the man, his life and his gifts. I scribbled my own note and left it with the others.
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About the Author: Amy Hamblen grew up in the Midwest, but found a good fit in Queens. Although her cuisine has changed from bluegill to bibimbap, she’s still up to her old tricks: trekking to concerts, watching low-budget films, and finding new places to get lost. She writes for www.shortandsweetnyc.com.
Long time readers know that I asked people to dare me to do various activities on my trip around the world. My last dare dates back to December 2008, when I ate sheep's head (specifically tongue and brain) in Soweto, South Africa.
Since then, the program had all but been retired, until that is, I was visiting the Colombian pueblo of Guatape with Go Backpacking contributor, and my friend, Troy from FOGGOdyssey this past August. While we were waiting in the main square for another friend to arrive, he dared me to eat a regional delicacy known as chunchurria, or intestines.
The reward for completing this dare? Enough money to cover the cost of the dish, or about $1 to $2.
As with the rest of my dares, this was more a matter of pride than money, so I ordered a plate. The female vendor was busily snipping the long pieces of intestines into more bite size segments using a pair of scissors. The scene was as unappetizing as it looks in the photos.
The chunchurria was served on a small plate, with potatoes and an arepa.
I sat down and mentally prepared myself, while Troy grabbed my camera and set about recording the experience on video (a video of my many contorted facial expressions...I'm sparing you from watching).
I poked one of the intestinal bits with a toothpick, and began to nosh on it. And chew. And bite. And grind.
Nothing.
I chewed on the same piece for almost five minutes, getting nowhere in breaking it apart. It was as if I were chewing on a bicycle inner tube that tasted like....well, intestines. It soon became unnerving that I couldn't swallow the chunchurria. I ate a potato, and bit a piece of the dry arepa, but none of it helped me break down the intestine. I didn't even have a drink to try and wash away the awful flavor that now filled my mouth.
Eventually, I spit out the intestine, which was 100% intact, and accepted my failure.
Later, I learned from a Colombian that rubbery chunchurria is a sign that it is undercooked. I may give it another try some day, but I certainly won't be seeking it out any time soon!
Editor's Note: Last year, I featured a few of my memorable souvenirs (Thai Beer Can Tuk-Tuk and Tibetan Prayer Wheel) from a trip around the world. They were a lot of fun to share, so I'm bringing the idea back as a series every other Saturday.
I tend to be cautious when buying souvenirs, especially in countries known for haggling.
I'm always concerned about getting ripped off or getting inferior quality knock-offs of the real thing.
The most popular souvenir from Agra, India, home to the Taj Mahal, is marble with inlay designs similar to what you'll find on the Taj Mahal itself.
The objects come in all shapes and sizes, from little boxes and plates to end tables, and pieces of furniture.
If you visit the Taj Mahal, chances are you'll end up in at least one marble shop, if not several.
Tuk-tuk drivers love to take tourists to them as they get kickbacks in the form of money or gasoline.
The key to avoiding fake marble is opacity. Real Agra marble is opaque, and will not let light through.
The legitimate marble shops will be happy to demonstrate their quality goods by turning the shop lights off and holding a lamp or flashlight up against their products.
I bought a little plate, and a small box, trying to keep the size and weight of my souvenirs to a minimum.
However, the much more massive objects available, such as end tables, were often reasonably priced, and the shops could arrange for international shipping at the time of sale.
If I recall correctly, a marble end table with a beautiful design on top might cost around $200.
Of course, this is a lot of money in India, but for Americans and Europeans, in retrospect, it's a steal.
There is the added shipping cost to consider, but overall, buying a larger marble souvenir from Agra is one of the few shopping regrets I had upon arriving home from my trip.
Taking photos of cute dogs in exotic places is a favorite subject of mine. Oftentimes, they can be seen lazing around on beaches, mountains, or city sidewalks.
I imagine a dog hanging out by the pyramids in Egypt has no sense of how amazing the surrounding scenery is to us humans around the world. He or she is simply focused on the daily essentials of a dog's life: water, food, sleep, human attention, and sex for all those non-fixed dogs.
This photo essay is dedicated to Tobias, my Colombian roommate's old, black, arthritic Labrador, who lies quietly around the apartment, keeping me company as I work.
The following is a guest post by Robert J. Fry. If you'd like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.
Shimla is not only the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of India's many metro centers and tourist hot spots, it’s also an escape from the insufferable heat of the plains. Since 1819, when it was rediscovered by the British, it has been touted as a prime summer getaway. With its cool mountain breeze, hills blanketed by thick pine trees, and a town center dotted with crumbling colonial charm, it's not hard to imagine why. The people are friendly, the vultures are few, and the surrounding landscape is breathtaking.
Shimla is a hill station, meaning that instead of being situated at the base of the mountain or in a valley, it is carved into the mountaintop. You can appreciate the sheer altitude with just one short stroll so arrange for a hotel that’s closer to the bus station. When exploring “the mall” (otherwise known as Shimla’s main street), however, get ready to walk because vehicles are prohibited. Although Shimla can be a physically draining place, you’ll also find that things here move at a slow and pleasant pace. Stores and shops sleep in too, and so will you.
On my last visit there, I picked up a copy of Ernest Hemingway's 'The Old Man and the Sea' at a local bookstore for about 50 cents. I was ecstatic, having wanted to read this story for a very long time. So instead of a gloomy bar stifled with smoke, as Hemingway himself would have frequented, I found an open-air rooftop bar with mountain views and clean, fresh air to read. I sat in a corner booth, ordered a beer with chaser, and let the long awaited journey begin. But then, as I had barely got into the 85th day of Santiago's unlucky streak, I was set upon by two animated youths.
"Awes-trey-lee-HAH?" they inquired, loudly enough to stir a grumpy bar dweller by the restroom.
"Yes," I admitted. What happened next was strange, as the taller of the two looked left and right, as if watching a tennis match only he could see, before letting out an almighty bellow.
"RICKKKYYY PAWNTEN!"
It was clear that he had learned the name of the Australian Cricket Captain from the commentators that are so popular in this part of the world. They sound and act in an exaggerated manner, much like a televangelist would, which should come as no surprise as this is India, and thus, cricket is religion.
At this point in time, I had been in India for over 6 weeks and was getting used to friendly locals in search of free beers (a particularly common scam in Varanasi). These two were refreshingly unique in that they not only paid for their own drinks but they also covered mine, in addition to a couple of snacks. "Please,” one of the pair named Deepak said. ”You are our friend, very good friend. It is a gift to you." As he said it, he rolled his head from side to side as a smile spread across his face. It was the classic Indian head wobble, another characteristic I’d become accustomed to.
While it may feel like a world away from hectic big city life, hot dusty plains, and the Hindu heartbeat of Uttar Pradesh, Shimla is still very much India. A part of India that is clean, safe, ridiculously picturesque and a welcome retreat for many chaos and clutter weary ex-pats who've come to call the subcontinent home.
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About the Author: Robert J. Fry is a recent graduate and penniless travel writer. He enjoys bumming around, the hobo lifestyle and Grateful Dead t-shirts. He has been described as reckless, foolish and absurd - often in one sentence (like this one). Follow his progress at his personal blog, Global Drifter.
The following is a guest post by Jennifer Tice. If you’d like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.
Besides being able to save those hard earned dollars for a rainy day, there are many reasons why you should avoid traveling, stick to what you know, and not indulge your curiosities about the world.
I mean who wants to experience new cultures, meet new people, spend time at the wonders of the world, or lazing on the beach anyways?
Ok, who are we kidding, there isn’t anything more exciting than traveling the world, and after 15 months of doing so I wouldn’t have traded those hard earned dollars for anything else.
But even on the best of trips, there are times when travel is not all glitz and glamor but rather dull and dingy, so if you’re planning your first big trip, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:
Most of the time travel is exciting, you’re taking in new scenery, trying new foods, and maybe learning some of the local customs and language.
But there are also hours (and sometimes days) spent waiting for planes, on long bus journeys, and in the middle of nowhere.
Be prepared for long waits – books, cards, laptops, iPods/iPhones are great devices to help pass the time.
If you’re traveling for several months or more, taking up a new hobby is another great way to help pass quiet evenings.
Learn how to use Photoshop to edit your new photos, write a blog/diary of your travels, or study a new language in depth.
If you’re traveling anywhere in Asia, Africa or South America this will be a big one.
Appalling bathrooms, squat toilets, lack of access to running water in places, and mystery meat that will give you the runs for days are just a few of the lowered hygiene standards you’ll have to embrace.
Pack your own toilet paper, lots of hand sanitizer and Imodium and hope for the best.
If your skin color and native language are different than the locals, you might as well paint a bull’s eye target on your back for pick pocketing, scams, and inflated prices.
Although you should always be mindful of your belongings even when in your home town, you’ll have to be doubly aware abroad.
Keep your passports and wallets tucked away in money belts, keep purses zipped and over the shoulder and remember if a deal sounds too good to be true it usually is.
Unless you’re booked into an exclusive 5 star resort, you’ll most likely miss some of the comforts of home every now and again.
From waking up to your favorite coffee blend, missing your favorite foods or just wishing for reliable internet, the best way to cope is to embrace the new comforts you have abroad – treat yourself to a famous Thai massage, or spoil yourself with a nice dinner out for only pennies compared to prices back home.
From being the only foreigner on a long bus journey to standing in the middle of Khao San Road among the madness by yourself, feeling alone can creep up on you when you least expect it.
Striking up conversation with other travelers as well as the locals can help to stave off the loneliness.
Every now and again it’s worth the time and money to make calls back home to your family and friends.
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About the Author: Jennifer Tice quit her job, sold her belongings, strapped on a backpack, flew to the other side of the world, and hasn't looked back since. Follow her journey around New Zealand, Australia and Southeast Asia at http://jennifertice.com/ and on Twitter @Jennifertice
I learned many things on my road trip across the United States, but there are 30 that I took special notice of, and they sum up why I believe America is beautiful.
All of the facts below are from my positive experience in the actual places.
None of them are based on preconceived notions nor the opinions of others. Most are exaggerations or slightly sarcastic. Very few are facts.
And if you find any to be the least bit negative or critical, please know that I don't mean them to sound that way.
Enjoy, and please feel free to add any more in the comments below!
Sometimes people ride bikes naked in Philadelphia. At least they do once a year in September. Name that cause.
North Carolina boasts a plethora of vineyards. Don't miss them. Also, visit one of their farmer's markets since the offerings are ridiculous in a good way.
I want to retire in Savannah. I toured a home that may have been owned by my grandfather's distant relatives at one time-more research to come.
Montgomery, Alabama, makes for a friendly pit stop.
Don't go to New Orleans alone. Or go and enjoy yourself, but make sure that you make one more trip with a group of people. Others are necessary to enjoy all that the city has to offer. Know the significance of "Whodat?" before you even think of going alone or with company.
San Antonio is not a walkable city, but it's worth driving around. The Alamo, on the other hand, is not as exciting as it seems.
The Oklahoma City Art Museum is fantastic, as is all of its ethnic cuisines. Believe it.
Salina, Kansas, is the capital of frozen pizza making.
Those who said that the drive through Kansas is boring are mistaken. It's pretty gorgeous if I do say so myself.
Eastern Colorado is boring. Central Colorado is beautiful but be careful about the speediness of your alcohol consumption.
If you're a hippie and want to start a family, may I suggest you move to Boulder?
Santa Fe is a dream that I want to have again. If you go yourself, take note of the "Thanks for working" signs on the highway. They're a nice reminder to appreciate road work and the people that do it.
Phoenix has a lot to offer. You'll have to drive 20-minutes to find it, but you probably should anyway. Also, Arizona State is a party school, but I don't think any more than other fun colleges. I'll report back with more findings as I discover them when visiting my brother, who's currently a freshman there.
Los Angeles traffic is not that bad; it's just constant. I didn't hate it and could survive living there with an authentic smile on my face. Get sushi there, too, at least once.
Santa Barbara is too pretty to look lived in. I'm still glad I visited, though.
The scents of San Francisco are intoxicating. I blame it on the street gardens. Make sure to walk through them in addition to hiking up and down each block. It's good exercise.
Wine tastes better straight from the source. Visit a vineyard on the west coast, and invite me when you do.
I like fog, and I like forests, but northernmost California makes it eery.
According to Seattlites, Portland was a mini-Seattle about ten years ago.
Seattle's International District is the most appropriately named area for fantastic Thai/Vietnamese/Japanese/Filipino/Korean/Laotian/Cambodian/Burmese/etc. food.
The landscape from western Washington to Eastern Washington is incredible.
Northern Idaho (the Coeur d'Alene area) is breathtaking. The site, like many others, was carved by glaciers. Go. You must see it for yourself.
Bozeman, Montana is a midwest medley. I believe people with all interests could find a home there.
There's a big difference between the East River (eastern border) and the West River (western border) of South Dakota. I appreciate them both, although I can't say the same for the sprawl in the middle. It makes for one hell of a drive.
Austin, MN, is home to the SPAM museum and a super cool Couchsurfing host.
Madison, Wisconsin, is a town made for foodies. In addition, it is the only capital situated on an islip, and the beaver atop the capitol building points towards Washington, DC.
If there were to be a perfect college town, I'd vote for Ann Arbor.
Pittsburgh serves sandwiches with coleslaw and fries within them. You can thank the coal miners of yesterday.
There is nothing like going back to your alma mater. But I guess that's only if you had a fantastic college experience, and all of your friends go back with you, say, for homecoming.
The speedy crowds of New York aren't for everyone. Like really, really aren't for everyone. Many Americans told me so. Antique and vintage stores are, however, seem to be loved by all. They're everywhere.
Tel Aviv is the biggest city and trade center in Israel, situated along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and with fantastic views and beautiful surroundings.
The city offers a diverse array of shopping locations, active nightlife, cuisine from all over the world, entertainment venues, and lively trade fairs.
It is also the most important cultural center in the country, with a wide variety of galleries, concert venues, theaters, and museums.
While Tel Aviv is a magical and truly international city, there are some things to keep in mind.
First, the airport security check can be long and tedious.
If you fly with the Israeli El Al, you should know that it is among the few airlines with armed security guards.
My innocent self was asked a few thousand questions before the flight: 'What do you do for a living?' 'I see, a translator - what was the last translation you did?', 'Who used your laptop the last time?' And it goes on for ages.
Then, if you are an eager tourist wishing to see it all from the beginning, don't plan your holiday the way I did.
Landing just before Shabbat, I hardly managed to catch the last train from the airport to the city center (merkaz).
Apart from the big food stores, some restaurants, and a handful of museums, everything was closed down.
If you come on Shabbat in the summer, you can spend the day on some of the beaches close to Ben Yehuda Blvd.
For a unique cultural experience, go to one of the information offices around the city and get the contact details of a family with whom to spend the holiday.
The downside of Shabbat is that the festivities will keep you up on the night of the holiday - celebrations usually continue all night long. This can be a problem, especially if your hotel is in the downtown area.
Many budget travelers (like me) opt for hostels found there.
The place where I booked was clean, packed up, and affordable, with staff fluent in about five languages.
If you insist on having an air-conditioned room (and yes, humidity is a problem), you might look at other types of accommodation.
However, keep in mind that good hotels can be a bit pricy. Rooms start at $100 a night, especially during the holiday season.
Another thing to know is that the municipality organizes free walking tours for visitors to the city. These are in English and last for about two hours.
I joined a tour featuring numerous examples of Bauhaus architecture - many buildings are considered monuments.
The city permits the construction of skyscrapers in the downtown area only when the constructor renovates older buildings.
Real estate is quite expensive in the city. Apartments in high-rises on the coast are selling for 14 million US dollars.
Jaffa is among the prime attractions in Tel Aviv, and locals relish telling the legends of this place.
It was named after Japhet, son of Noah, who built the port after the Flood.
It is also believed that the name comes from Yofi, the Hebrew word for beauty.
The history of Jaffa goes back more than four millennia, with Jaffa being the only port in history that has been inhabited continuously since its founding.
Jonah left from Jaffa in his escape from God.
The Apostle Peter performed a miracle here. Then, Jaffa was conquered by Roman emperors Richard the Lionheart and Napoleon over time.
Even without knowing all this, one gets a special feeling when standing on the shore and gazing out over the waters flowing into eternity.
Tel Aviv is a little like the two-faced god of antiquity, Janus, with one face looking forward and the other gazing back into the past.
Tel Aviv may be a bastion of modernity in some regards, with the ancient city of Old Jaffa offering a charming touch of the medieval.
This unique combination of Mediterranean ambiance, modern outlook, and holiday resort is behind the unique appeal of Tel Aviv.
As always, there are conflicts between tradition and modernity.
As far as Shabbat is concerned, they involve hotel policies. Religious tourists are usually asked to vacate their rooms in the afternoon, quite a bit before the end of the holiday.
You usually have to pay a higher price to stay or cancel your vacation altogether.
Recently, there were complaints about this, and the local rabbinate was asked to intervene.
That notwithstanding, such conflicts are inevitable in a city like Tel Aviv, where the past and future live side by side.
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About the Author: Melissa Davis writes for Healthy Living Magazine, offering advice on a balanced life, self-knowledge, and unforgettable journeys inside oneself and around the world.
During my trip through Colombia's coffee region, it was recommended to me by several fellow travelers that I visit Salento, a well-preserved pueblo which serves as the jumping-off point for day trips to the Valle de Cocora.
In Salento, as with most pueblos, daily life unfolds in the main square every day and night.
This is part 2 (of 2). In case you missed it, part 1 was Extreme Horseback Riding in Valle de Cocora.
After enjoying hot chocolate, cheese, and a break from the rain, we snapped a few photos of the hummingbirds fluttering around, and set about extracting ourselves from the forest on foot.
It quickly became clear that the Aussie was going to be the slowest, as he tried to balance himself with a hand on the ground while his bare feet slid down through the mud.
The Colombian girl was nursing a bruised knee from the horse who kicked her on the way up, so I expected she'd be slower than normal too.
Within five minutes, the two Swiss girls and I had lost track of the others.
They didn't seem concerned about splitting up, and I much preferred to keep a faster pace so we could get back to Salento and out of the rain sooner rather than later.
We had received general guidance that to continue on the trail, we'd backtrack to where we left the horses, then go down a little further to a fork in the trail.
To get to the guest house had gone to the right; to get back to the valley we'd go left, and then climb even higher than the elevation of the guest house, before reaching a road that would loop back to the start.
Backtracking required crossing the river, and this time I didn't have Canario, my trusty steed, to assist.
The four logs in the photo above were our footbridge.
Covered in moss and moisture, I crab-walked across to ensure I didn't end up in the water.
Thankfully, it turned out to be our only river crossing on the way back.
At the fork in the trail, there were a bunch of dilapidated, barely legible signs.
The Valle de Cocora trail was in dire need of a makeover. One of the signs indicated the elevation, about 2,500m.
And we would all begin to feel it as our ascent got underway.
Thick with mud, and a noticeable amount of manure, the trail zig-zagged it's way up a mountain.
We did our best to walk the edges, and not get bogged down, but the pitch and my impatience meant I'd often step in 6 inches of mud if it meant traversing a section faster.
At times, I thought of the Aussie guy navigating the trail in his bare feet.
Remember the scene in Romancing the Stone where Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner get caught in a rainstorm and go careening down the Colombian mountain on a giant mudslide, landing with a splash in a big puddle (2:00 mark in this video)?
Yea, I did too as I tried to wipe images of me losing my grip and meeting the same fate from my mind.
They were on a movie set, we were in the middle of nowhere as far as I was concerned.
After we'd done what felt like a good deal of climbing already, one of the Swiss girls wondered aloud if we should go back to the fork in the trail, and return the way we came on the horses.
The prospect of having wasted time and energy on our current path, combined with the images of the rickety bridges we'd have to cross, ensured I wasn't turning around.
The rain continued falling, and we continued wondering how much further up we had to go before we would emerge from the forest.
After what felt like hours, but in reality, it was closer to 45 minutes, I spotted a patch of white sky.
A few dozen meters more, and we were at the bottom of grazing land.
A muddy path wound its way up to a fence, on the other side of which was a guest house. Elevation 2,860m.
We breathed a collective sigh of relief and took a few minutes to rest.
It would take another hour plus to walk back to the pick-up point for share jeeps to Salento, but at least we were on a flat, open road, and would be walking downhill the rest of the way.
As we finished the hike, the rain let up, and the sun began to shine as if the valley was giving us a warm welcome for having weathered an otherwise dreary day.
Clouds swept through the tops of the towering wax palms; cows grazed down below.
The three of us could not resist taking photos every step of the way.
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My 138-page, all-original Medellín Travel Guide is available for Kindle and PDF.
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Last month I met a horse named Canario, and if I had my way, that horse would retire from shuttling tourists around and live out the rest of its years chomping fresh, green grass under the towering wax palms of Valle de Cocora in central Colombia.
Extreme horseback riding wasn't on my agenda when I arose early one morning at a dairy farm turned hostel outside Salento, a pueblo in the heart of Colombia's coffee-growing region.
Upon arrival the previous day, I'd kept to myself, aside from talking to a German guy in the bunk bed next to me who'd spent five hours hiking around in the mud and rain to see hummingbirds.
After taking in the views of clouds drifting through the mountains around the dairy farm, while sipping a fresh cup of coffee, I walked the 10 minutes down a dirt road into Salento's main square.
There, I waited for the 9:30 am share jeep to Valle de Cocora, a nature preserve home to Colombia's national tree, the wax palm, which also happens to be the tallest type of palm tree in the world.
While I was waiting, the Colombian manager from the Base Camp hostel in Manizales showed up, along with the French guy that had been working there during my stay.
They were wearing rubber boots in preparation for the mud to be encountered during the full 5-hour hike.
I was still feeling content with my plan to hop out of the jeep, photograph the palms, have lunch, and head back to Salento within a few hours.
Then a friendly young Aussie walked up in shorts and flip flops. Followed by two Swiss girls.
And suddenly, we were all crammed in the back of an old jeep, speeding down a mountain road, onto a bumpy unpaved one, toward the entrance of the valley.
During the journey, we introduced ourselves and got to know each other, as happens so effortlessly when sharing such experiences.
By the time we arrived thirty to forty minutes later, a group dynamic had developed, and before I knew it, we were picking out horses to ride during the first half of the trail.
The cost was about 18,000 pesos each ($10), which included payment for a guide (required when taking horses).
There were no helmets; no insurance waivers to sign.
Once we were all on our horses, mine's name being Canario (Canary), I declared in Spanish to my new friends that I had minimal horseback riding experience.
My last ride was almost two years prior -- a gentle trot through Storms River, South Africa.
Luckily, horses such as these have the same routine every day, so they follow each other and are familiar with the guide's commands (usually relayed via whistling).
The Swiss girls were experienced riders, as was everyone else in comparison to me. The Australian guy was riding barefoot.
As we set off down the trail, the horses all fell in line, and we were soon passing through farmland, on a narrow, deeply rutted path.
Canario managed to balance himself on the thinnest sections of mud and traipsed through large puddles of water without hesitation.
Sometimes another horse would speed up behind us, and as if to ensure none of them would pass, Canario would speed up too.
I'd immediately try and calm him down, but it took some time for me to relax and enjoy the passing scenery without images of falling off a runaway horse passing through my mind.
After about thirty minutes, we left the open farms of the valley for the cover of the jungle.
Due to the region's climate, it rains a lot, and therefore the trail was wet and muddy.
We were soon navigating around very steep terrain (both going up, and more frighteningly, down).
The Swiss girls commented that their (pampered) horses in Switzerland would never be able to handle such rugged trails.
Meanwhile, I thought that this ride was about ten times more dangerous than any other I'd been on (going back to when I was a kid and rode a little more often in New Jersey).
The rocks and deep sections of mud were one danger, but it was the river crossings that had my anxiety levels maxing out.
We crossed the same river in the jungle about 4-5 times, and each time it seemed the water was deeper and moving faster than the prior crossing.
The water level was just below the bottom of my stirrups, and as it was muddy, there was no way to tell where it was best for the horse to be walking.
They just followed each other in a line. One misstep, and I was going to be chucked into cold water.
On one or two occasions, I'd also probably have been swept over a small rocky waterfall to boot.
My camera, in a nylon drybag, could easily be destroyed, along with a few of my bones.
Even scarier than the river crossings on horseback were the state of the "bridges" if you were hiking that section of the trail.
Usually, they consisted of a few rotten logs. One of them was a moss-covered, rope suspension bridge, complete with broken floorboards like you'd see in an Indiana Jones movie.
When I saw them, I was thankful to be riding Canario.
And despite all my anxieties, I trusted Canario didn't want to fall either, and would, therefore, be taking as much care as a horse knows how to take.
After an hour and a half or two, we dismounted and walked another few hundred meters up to a small guest house perched above the trail.
Home to an array of hummingbird feeders, and a Colombian man, it was a regular rest stop for those on the trail.
Our group warmed up with the hot chocolate and large chunks of cheese.
Those familiar with local customs will break up the cheese and add it to the chocolate -- a delicious treat after more excitement than I bargained for that morning.
We were at 2,800m, and it had begun to rain.
The Australian, when given a choice between hiking the remainder of the trail in flip flops or barefoot, started to go barefoot.
Between the mix of mud and horse manure on the trail, it was an unthinkable (and dangerous) proposition to me. But he had no other choice.
The Colombian girl had been on the receiving end of a kick from the French guy's horse just before we arrived at the house.
A giant bruise was swelling up on the outside of one of her knees.
To finish the trail, we would be on foot for the next three hours.
Already having experienced the type of terrain we'd encounter on horseback, I knew I was in for a muddy mess, especially with the rain starting.
The elevation couldn't be ignored either, as it was not something we felt while the horses were doing the physical work.
Would the barefoot Australian make it out alive? Would we get lost due to the poorly marked trail? Would the views of the valley be worth the effort at the end of the day?
To be continued.
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My 138-page, all-original Medellín Travel Guide is available for Kindle and PDF.
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Imagine for a moment that you could do the work you love, from anywhere in the world you want?
Location independence is a contemporary term coined to describe people who are able to work remotely, and therefore have the freedom to travel and live abroad.
Working from home is not a new concept, and remains the dream of many who work in cubicle farms, however, today's location independent professional tends to be empowered by Internet-based businesses such as blogging or freelance anything (writing, editing, design, consulting).
Five months after returning to a city I love (Medellin), in a profession that makes me happy (travel blogger), I've learned there are a few hidden pitfalls to the location independent lifestyle -- pitfalls that are easy to overlook when you've always got your eye on the prize.
Thailand is a popular expat destination for a reason -- beautiful beaches, flavorful foods, dependable internet access, laid back attitudes, and plentiful amounts of cheap alcohol.
When you live in paradise, every night is an excuse to hit the beach bars and mingle with members of the opposite sex from around the world.
In Medellin, where there are mountains in lieu of beaches, the cheap rum and Latin nightlife can just as easily become an ongoing distraction.
If you're a single guy, add the appeal of local women to the mix and you may find it difficult to get any work done.
Late nights outs aren't the only challenge to your productivity; their after-effects (ie. the hangovers) can sap your creative energy, and motivation to tackle the next new project.
Solution
If your to-do list is collecting dust months after you initially wrote it down, then it's time to reexamine your priorities.
Chances are it was hard work and hustle that got you where you are, so getting back on track is a matter of refocusing your energy.
Countless business books have been written on productivity, and the same principles apply whether you're working in an office, your home, or a bungalow on the beach.
Balance is the key.
Too much focus on fun and you risk losing your source of income.
Too much focus on work and you'll miss out on experiencing life in the present moment.
There is a middle way, however, each person needs to find it for him/herself.
Living in a foreign country, especially before you've attained fluency in the local language, means food shopping can be a challenge.
If you are an amateur chef in your native country, you might be thrown off by the lack of certain ingredients abroad (ex: I can't find curry paste in Medellin).
This can lead to a dependence on junk food, or less healthy foods since they're easier to identify and prepare (mac 'n cheese anyone?).
For example, living in a tropical climate, it's easy to get in the habit of picking up an ice cream pop every day without thinking twice. Living in Italy? Double those calories because you'll be eating gelato.
If you're in a big city with a strong food scene, such as Buenos Aires or Chengdu, you may prefer to eat out all the time.
Traditional cuisine in certain countries may be inherently healthier than that in others.
Sushi in Japan certainly beats the pants off deep-fried everything in Colombia.
And needless to say, Pitfall #1 can contribute to a poor diet as well.
Late nights of partying often end with greasy, fatty foods consumed without abandon.
Between the partying, an erratic or unhealthy diet, and a potentially sedentary job sitting in front of a computer all day, exercise can also fall by the wayside.
Solution
Wherever you live, or for however long you travel, eating healthy foods and getting regular exercise is about maintaining a sense of discipline.
This is hard enough in your home country, but it is especially difficult when you're in foreign territory, faced with unfamiliar options and the endless distraction of getting to know your surroundings.
One approach is to learn to cook the local foods, and therefore give yourself control over both ingredients, and portion sizes.
In Thailand, there are plenty of inexpensive, single-day classes teaching foreigners how to prepare typical dishes.
In Argentina, you'll be grilling steaks; in the Caribbean, learn to catch and clean fish and you'll be living off the sea.
When it comes to regular exercise, if you're not inclined to play sports with the locals, then suck it up and invest in a gym membership.
Make your health a priority, and in addition to feeling fitter, you'll experience boosts in energy which will carry over into your work and social life too.
Whether you're building a lifestyle around successful travel blogging, photography, or another location independent profession it can be all too tempting to immediately spend the money you start earning.
Instead of saving a percentage, or reinvesting in your business to help it grow faster, you may feel the desire to begin upgrading your standard of living.
Bigger apartment, better view, more clothes, costlier bottles of wine, unnecessary travel.
Whatever your hobby, passion, or material vice, earning US dollars, Euros, or British Pounds while living in a developing nation can quickly lead to a feeling of wealth that far exceeds the reality of your bank account.
Solution
As with the other two pitfalls, a renewed sense of monetary discipline is required.
Setting goals for yourself month to month and year to year can help control your discretionary spending habits.
To make the process fun, set up rewards for yourself that are in line with your business.
For example with travel blogging, allow yourself one week of travel for every month you reach a specific benchmark in earnings.
Colombia's proximity to the Equator lends many visitors to believe they can go anywhere in the country wearing a pair of shorts and flip flops. These people fail to account for the mountainous terrain that covers a good swath of the country, including Bogota and El Cafetero, the coffee region.
Manizales is a small city built on hillsides, a five hour bus ride south of Medellin. Situated at an altitude of 2,100m, it is the main jumping off point for trips into Parque Nacional Natural de los Nevados to see the mighty, snow-covered Nevado del Ruiz volcano. The 5,300m volcano is even high enough to have a few glaciers.
For most Colombians, a day trip by minivan to the park is the most accessible, affordable opportunity they will have to experience snow. For tourists, there is an undeniable novelty to seeking out snow in a country so often associated with tropical beaches and jungle.
I arrived in Manizales and took a room at the new Base Camp hostel, which on a clear day, has a direct view of Nevado del Ruiz from the rooftop bar. I was in town not only to see the volcano, but to hit the 5,000m mark in altitude. It was to be a new high for me (my previous record being 4,330m in northern India).
Unfortunately, I was quickly informed that due to recent seismic activity, the highest we would be able to ascend is 4,800m. I was bummed, but wanted to make the best of the situation.
I awoke bright and early at 6am the next morning to zero visibility, and pouring rain. I debated whether to delay my trip and try again the next day, or go, and cross my fingers that the visibility would be better at the higher elevations. The low season meant rainy days were the norm, so for all I knew it could be raining the following morning too. On the flip side, rain in Manizales equals snow in the mountains, and because the Colombians are there for the snow, they're not about to be picky about visibility, and neither was I.
My group included four women from Cali, two women from Bogota, a professional photographer from the Dominican Republic, and me. Our driver spoke no English, so many of the details he shared during our trip were lost on me.
On our way out of Manizales, we picked up some snacks and water. Even though we were driving instead of hiking, it was still important to respect the high altitudes we would be experiencing. The ride into the mountains was drab, with clouds obscuring what I imagined to be beautiful scenery.
At 7am, we stopped for breakfast at a small restaurant (3,760m), the rain still pouring, and the temperatures cold enough for me to be shivering. I was wearing a motley assortment of clothes, including a wool cap from Darjeeling, a Khmer scarf from Cambodia, and the GoLite hoodie and jacket I'd reviewed on this blog earlier in the year.
Breakfast was basic, but large, consisting of eggs, rice, bread, an arepa, a massive chunk of cheese, and the local (unsweetened) hot chocolate, which I immediately fell in love with. After gobbling it all up, I walked up a small flight of stairs to use the restroom, and it was then that I felt my heart beating noticeably harder from the altitude.
Back in the minivan, with its bald tires, and barely functioning heat, we drove another 15 minutes to the entrance of Parque Nacional Natural de los Nevados (4,050m). A sign indicated there were bears and pumas in the park. We went inside a small building and were given a presentation in Spanish, and then it was back to the minivan.
It's always interesting to see how the vegetation changes as you increase your altitude. Add to the mix a volcanic environment, versus regular mountains, and the landscape quickly became other-wordly. We hit the snowline almost immediately after entering the park -- glaciers visible in the distance. The rain turned to a wintry mix, and the paved road came to an end.
Our minivan was ill equipped for normal roads on a sunny day, let alone volcanic terrain covered in snow. At about 4,300 meters, it could go no further. This happened to be the same altitude I reached in India, and thus I set no new record for myself.
We exited the minivan, the Colombians making snow angels and taking lots of photos of each other playing around. The crater we had the best view of was not the big one, Nevado del Ruiz, but was sufficiently cool to satisfy me. The heavy cloud cover meant our views were limited. The dreariness of the weather matched that of the environment - dark, dull, moody. Vegetation had been reduced to small clumps of grass.
It wasn't until our way back down that the skies began to clear, and we managed to get a decent look at Nevado del Ruiz. We stopped for lunch at the same restaurant where we enjoyed breakfast, only by now it had stopped raining, and warmed up. As we continued down to town, the sun emerged, burning off the clouds and lighting up the green mountains all around us.
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My 138-page, all-original Medellín Travel Guide is now available for Kindle and PDF.
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I am not as concerned with theft as I am with losing my digital camera to the elements.
I've gone through three point-and-shoot digital cameras in the last three years, and I have vowed to make my new Canon PowerShot last at least two.
I was heartbroken when my first digital camera died after some sand got into the lens at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
I had dreamed about hiking into the Grand Canyon since I was a little kid, and I sadly have no photos at the bottom of the canyon.
My last camera only made it a few months; it met its end when drink powder ripped open in my bag during my first ultramarathon.
The road can be pretty tough on cameras, so here are seven highly effective ways to protect your camera while traveling:
1. Utilize the Camera Strap
So this is pretty much Photography 101, but always use your wrist or neck strap to secure your digital camera.
I often remove the strap because it can blow in front of the lens and get in the way of my shot, but it wouldn't if I had the strap wrapped around my wrist like it is supposed to be.
Straps keep you from dropping your camera off the side of the boat or the cliff.
Table of Contents
If I had only discovered Pelican cases and Otter boxes years ago, I wouldn't have gone through so many cameras.
These cases are crushproof, dustproof, and water-resistant.
I love being able to toss my camera in my backpack and not have to worry about it getting crushed or scratched.
The only thing is they won't protect your camera out of the case.
Some cameras are just more robust than others. The Olympus Stylus Tough series cameras are waterproof, freezeproof, shockproof, and crushproof.
These cameras are built with the adventure traveler in mind and can withstand whatever abuse you toss at it.
Just because you got yourself a nifty waterproof camera doesn't mean that it will float if you drop it in the water.
Get yourself a floating strap, so in case you do drop it in the water, it won't sink and be lost forever.
If you're not in the market for a new waterproof camera, you can waterproof your existing camera with a relatively inexpensive case.
The Aquapac Compact Camera Case turns any digital camera (up to 8 inches in diameter) into an underwater camera.
Waterproof to a depth of 15 feet, the Aquapac's ultra-clear lens lets you take great underwater shots right through the case.
Related: Travel Photography Advice from a Five-Year Traveler
Have you ever tried to use a rock ledge or a signpost as a tripod, just to have a gust of wind blow up and toss your camera to the ground?
Try a Gorillapod instead. These flexible tripods weigh less than two ounces and monkey its way around an object to help you safely get the perfect shot.
If you're hard on electronics, I highly recommend purchasing warranty or accident protection plans for your camera.
Many plans will protect your camera 100% from mechanical failures as well as falls and water damage.
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About the Author: Amiee Maxwell writes about travel and outdoor gear at Travel Gear Blog, part of the BootsnAll network. You can follow her on Twitter @AmieeMaxwell and @TravelGearBlog.
We all tend to be very passionate when we latch onto an idea. So I know that those of us who should take a sober look at our efforts are probably the exact people who will not do so.
Step outside your enthusiasm for a moment, though, and ensure that your intentions are being served as effectively as possible. Whether you're considering volunteering as part of an upcoming trip or maybe you're a seasoned volunteer, there are a few things you should consider.
These are not items for or against volunteering outside of your home country. More accurately, they are considerations regarding the effectiveness and direction of your efforts. You are volunteering to be effective, right?
Here are a couple of examples to help you get into that big-picture frame of mind when considering whether to donate your time to a cause.
Let me tell you a story of a real problem we faced in post-earthquake Haiti. Thousands and thousands of Haitians were living in IDP camps after the significant January 12th, 2010 earthquake. In disasters, IDP means Internally Displaced People and is used to differentiate them from international refugee camps.
In the case of Haiti, the average IDP camp is a vast area of tarps, sheet metal, salvage, and far too many families, all crammed together in an open space such as a farmer's field or a park. Not a place anyone would willingly reside.
In any case, a few months after the earthquake, many volunteer groups were heavily focused on helping families move out of these camps and back onto their own property.
Everyone naturally assumes that camp residents would be eager to move away. However, the actual situation that unfolded is that the families would not go.
They loved the idea of leaving the camp but weren't willing to go without the handouts of food, clothes, and other essentials that other volunteer groups were providing in the camp.
If these families went home, they would miss out on the handouts, and so these well-meaning handout organizations were creating a considerable dependency on living in horrible squalor.
Consider, then, on top of all this, the cholera epidemic that Haiti is now seeing and how IDP camps have zero sanitation. How many families are living in potentially deadly filth so they can get their handouts?
I bring this up as something to consider because it's often tough to see the knock-off effects beyond the obvious initial benefits of a kind act.
They say that math never lies, and in this situation, that is pretty much true. Do some math on your potential volunteer plan and see if you're effective with your help.
For example, if you buy a new pair of boots, a sun hat, and a case of bug spray, plus pay for an international flight to help an organization, are you providing more value than the sum of your expenses?
Would the organization have been better served by receiving the money you spent?
Now add the value in time and materials of any training and housing you will receive, plus the proverbial free t-shirt. You see where I'm going here.
By the time you get your butt to an international volunteering situation, you've spent a noteworthy amount of time and money (same thing).
Maybe you should have donated that money instead? Sure, you wouldn't feel awesome, but this isn't about you.
If you're going to spend the money on volunteering, be confident that you are competent enough to make it worthwhile.
A common point of contention among international volunteers is the "foreigner saves the day" syndrome. What can you and your friends do that someone local to the issue can not?
Are you providing training and addressing absent skills, or are you simply doing what a local would do if given the chance? This one is often related to time and money considerations as well.
Why should you pay hundreds in airfare, etc., to go milk seals for a week, or whatever it is you want to do, when your expenses could otherwise employ a local for a year to do the same job?
Look for aspects of your plan that involve training or enabling people to help themselves. You know the saying, "Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day, but teach a man to fish, and he eats for a lifetime."
So teach that unemployed local person how to milk seals so that he can then make a living, which he previously wasn't able to do, rather than milking seals for a week and then leaving. Perhaps I should have used a different hypothetical cause? You get the idea.
I encourage you to be able to honestly list the value you are adding. Don't generalize or gloss things over because you're caught up in the romanticism of helping. That said, I encourage you to volunteer.
As all voluntourists should do, I also encourage you to stay involved in some sense afterward. Tell folks about how and why you volunteered, and be around for your co-volunteers to commiserate with.
There are, in fact, very few things in this world as rewarding and satisfying as being directly involved in a meaningful project purely for the sake of doing the right thing. The world doesn't have nearly enough volunteers, so we should ensure that the few we do have are useful.
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About the Author: Shawn Stafford is an attractive crime fighter and part-time nomadic freelance writer, whose other articles can be found on his subtly classy yet mediocre website, Rerunaround. You can also stalk Shawn on Twitter (X): @shawnosaurus
The following is a guest post by RJ Fry. If you'd like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.
Winners are grinners, and the locals here are full of smiles. The city of Ipoh is engulfed by jungle on all sides. The landscape is blanketed in a brilliant shade of green that lays undisturbed, except for the limestone peak of an occasional jagged mountain. The architecture is colonial, and with it comes a laid-back feel - a welcome relief from the chaos of Kuala Lumpur. The town boasts many boulevards, a range of roundabouts and frequent fountains.
Like in Georgetown, the amount of street food stalls is staggering, but the ubiquitous hawker stands take up less sidewalk space. Ipoh is famous even by Malaysian standards for cheap and delicious foods, and most meals will cost less than $1. Backpackers take heed...
Ipoh is famous throughout the coffee drinking world for 'Ipoh White Coffee,' a regional specialty in which the coffee beans are roasted with butter and salt, and served with condensed milk. The end result is an aftertaste akin to popcorn, one which is absolutely addictive. I spoke with Amy, one of the managers at Ipoh Central Cafe (address: Jalan Raja Ekram), who shared with me the reason her cafe made the best brew in town. "We do not mix beans!" she exclaimed. "In America, or Europe, people mix beans together. We use only local harvest."
I leave the cafe after three delicious iced coffees. I cross the road, halting suddenly as somebody yells out to me from a motorcycle.
"HELLO FRIEND" he shouts enthusiastically, with his whole family piled on the small frame of the bike. I wave back a hurried response to this man who has already started to slow the traffic behind him.
"How are you finding yourself today?!" he shouts, no need for an inside voice as we are on a busy stretch of road and must shout over all the blaring horns, just to make ourselves heard.
"Yeah, really good," I reply, shocked and unable to match his level of intensity.
"Ipoh very nice city, good people here take care for you," he says, before zooming off in a cloud of dust. His two young children wave and smile in my direction, bidding me farewell in their local language. Ipoh and Georgetown both have wonderful food options, but only Ipoh can boast locals this friendly.
As I set off for the island state of Penang, I was very excited. I figured anything nicknamed the 'Pearl of the Orient' would have to be beautiful! However, this initial excitement decreased drastically, the longer the trip to get here took. This tiresome journey included twelve hours on a train from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, immediately followed by a further eight hours on a train from KL to Butterworth, from Butterworth it was only a fifteen minute ferry, but my patience was already pushed at this point and this little island was going to have to work hard to impress me.
After disembarking from the ferry, I take a walk through the crowded streets of Georgetown. It is a rare occasion when the streets are not just crowded with people, but with an abundance of decaying buildings which although lay dormant, appear to be jostling for position. One cannot simply walk down a footpath here, as space is limited and every available inch is used. It's a constant game of back and forth, as you must alternate between road and storefront in order to proceed to your destination. I choose not to visit the northern part of the island known as 'Batu Ferringhu,' as I have a sneaking suspicion that the Malay translation is along the lines of 'beach for tourist.' No thanks.
This is not a city full of landmarks, or must-see attractions. For the bulk of visitors, it is a place to indulge in digestive decadence. A place to relax by the beach, catch up on reading or spend long periods of downtime. There is a reggae cafe with many depictions of Bob Marley, but being caught in possession of any drug in Malaysia will lead to similar penalties found in Singapore.
What catches my interest instead is a tank with little water in it, and many thrashing eels. Thinking it was a pit of snakes, I wandered over to get a better look. The restaurant manager was more than happy for me to take a photo, and happy to explain the process. Live eels are worth more than dead ones, so when they are transported, they are kept alive with a little water and oxygen. Some diners even choose to have the specimen prepared in such a way, that it is still alive upon consumption. Apparently to 'look them in the eyes while you eat them, is to gain their soul and fighting spirit.' In other words - BS.
I head to Upper Penang Road, the restaurant/nightlife district, to look for a cheap feed. Penang is the home of 'laksa,' a famous noodle soup which is known throughout the world. I decide to try the local specialty, from one of the many food stalls that line the busy street.
The vendor and I share a game of charades, during which I express my desire for a vegetarian laksa in which there is no fish stock. A passerby takes pity on me, and translates my concern. The vendor is all too happy to help out, and since everything is prepared fresh before my eyes - there is nothing to be concerned about.
I find the soup to be tasty and fresh, but a little too sweet for my liking. In terms of laksa, my vote is with sour not sweet. In the search for the best of Malaysia, Ipoh wins again!
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About the Author: RJ Fry started publishing Global Drifter after completing University in 2010, and bumming around India for a few months. He travels sporadically and takes stupid risks - follow his progress on http://global-drifter.blogspot.com
The following is a guest post by RJ Fry. If you'd like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.
To really understand Malaysia, you'll need to plan more than just a stopover in the nation's capital - Kuala Lumpur. If you happen to find yourself there for 24 hours due to unforeseen circumstances (or canceled flights), rest assured - there's plenty to see and do during a layover in Kuala Lumpur.
To get your bearings, first head to Bukit Bintang (Golden Triangle). Although this is undoubtedly the tourist precinct in KL, it's not all bad news. This is also the city's shopping and nightlife precinct, with open-air food stalls and a few makeshift bars open late each night. You'll find plenty to keep you entertained, from world class cuisine to relaxing massages, and everything in between.
For those sick and tired of regular massages, why not try the special 'fire-cup' technique? Also known as 'cupping,' you can try this traditional form of Chinese medicine for under $20. It dates back thousands of years and involves suction of the skin, in order to suck out all the bad properties while replenishing the good, much like the way leeches were used in the middle ages. The process is no doubt painful, with each fitted cup bringing with it a feeling akin to clothes peg on nipple. After 20 minutes of waiting and wondering, all amidst incessant laughter from a mob of masseuses, the suction cups are finally removed and the sense of relief is overwhelming.
You'd be well within your right to eat every meal in Bukit Bintang, as this part of the city showcases the depth of Malaysia's obsession and love affair with food. Every cuisine is represented, from Mexican and Iraqi restaurants, to Thai and Pakistani street stalls. If you do choose to leave the area, and want to try some fantastic Indian food, make sure you head south and check out Brickfields, or as it's known to locals - Little India.
I have eaten Indian food all over the world, including in India, but Sangeetha Vegetarian Restaurant (Palace Hotel, Brickfields) still stands out. On my last visit to the Malaysian capital, I stumbled into this restaurant by pure chance and foolishly forgot to get a business card. I thought about the place often, but without even a name to go by, my chances of finding nirvana through nourishment again, were lowered drastically. I only knew that it was in Brickfields, near a bazaar and at the base of a hotel.
After being dropped off by the marketplace, my wild goose chase is thankfully short, and I have found my happy place in under an hour. In every respect, my first visit here resulted in the best meal I'd ever had in my life, and probably ever will. I decided this time around, I'll order the same thing - Gobi Manchurian with Masala Dosa to start. Although I've ordered the exact same meal before, complete with naan and chutney, the taste still blows me away.
Kuala Lumpur is big and bustling, there's no doubt about it. Look past the honking and the horns, and you'll find it's also something else, and while it may seem slightly western - it is undeniably Asian.
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About the Author: RJ Fry started publishing Global Drifter after completing University in 2010, and bumming around India for a few months. He travels sporadically and takes stupid risks - follow his progress on http://global-drifter.blogspot.com