Dec
27
Lee Foster’s way-cool accomplishment
December 27, 2009 | Leave a Comment
I have a huge amount of admiration for Lee Foster’s travel writing and photography, technological savvy, and “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” philosophy. Like the rest of us, Lee has been affected by the downturn in publishing. But he did something about it: he turned one of his books, San Francisco Photography Guide, into an iPhone application and released it in the Apple iTunes App Store (it costs just $1.99). It “assists users to create, collect, and enjoy their own postcard perfect photos and memories of San Francisco. Lee presents his top 100 views of The City, from vistas to iconic details, and shows the user how to duplicate them. The app has Lee’s comments on how to make the photo and why the view is significant, even if you only want to enjoy the view and not photograph it. Interactive maps show what photos/views can be savored in a given neighborhood.”
Dec
27
US DOC projects travel gains
December 27, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Good news ahead for the US-based tourism industry, from the Office of Travel & Tourism Industries (OTTI): “The U.S. Department of Commerce projects international travel to the United States to regain its footing by 2010 following its first forecasted year of decline (2009) since 2003. Reflective of the current global economic environment, international travel is forecasted to decline by 8 percent in 2009. A 3 percent rebound is projected for the United States by the end of 2010, followed by 5 percent annual increases through 2013.
Dec
27
First aid kit for travel
December 27, 2009 | Leave a Comment
I’m getting ready to take a trip, and pulled out some notes about what first aid items to bring along. I am not a doctor (nor do I play one on TV), but here’s a basic list complied by one. Of course your own list will depend on where you’ll be, and what your individual needs are. Be sure to check with your health care provider (you could use the notes below as a discussion guide).
- Antibiotic to use for treatment for travelers’ diarrhea (item number 1 on the list for a good reason?).
Dec
27
UV Disinfector
December 27, 2009 | 1 Comment
Has anyone tried a product like this? I’ve seen UV disinfectors for $95, and for $19.95 (wonder what the difference is…?), and they seem like a useful item to travel with these days. According to the instructions, they use “the same technology hospitals use to sanitize,” killing 99% of germs [mold and] and bacteria with ultraviolet light—no chemicals. The UV sanitizer pictured at left runs on batteries and is about 20″ long.
Dec
14
Travel Writing 101 Workshops, Buenos Aires
December 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| February 11, 2010 | to | February 12, 2010 |
| March 9, 2010 | to | March 10, 2010 |
| March 17, 2010 | to | March 18, 2010 |
Have you heard about Camille Cusumano’s travel writing workshops in Buenos Aires?
“If you can write, there’s a reader waiting to read what you have to say. Why not start publishing your prose? The time has never been more auspicious—and I’ll tell you why. If you are coming to Buenos Aires for your first time, be prepared to find inspiration daily in this lively Latin city and its culture, full of surprises.
Dec
14
NOLA Travel Writers
December 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment
I’ve traveled—and written—twice with Denise Altobello, and was delighted to learn that she will be a teaching a travel writing seminar for middle-schoolers next summer. If you know any 7th, 8th, or 9th graders who might be interested, please pass this information along; I ‘m sure it will be an excellent workshop! Knowing Denise, it will also be a big bunch o’ fun—wish I could go, too.
Dec
14
Smithsonian Magazine photo contest
December 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| December 16, 2009 | ||
| 12:00 am |
Good news! Smithsonian magazine has extended the deadline for their photo contest to Wednesday December 16, 2009 at 2pm Eastern Time. Contestants may enter photographs in five categories — The Natural World, Americana, Altered Images, Travel and People — that represent subjects of special interest to the magazine.
Dec
14
Travel Writing: Map Out the Route to Your Dream Profession with Lisa Alpine
December 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| February 6, 2010 | ||
| 10:00 am | to | 4:00 pm |
“Do you love to travel? Keep a travel journal? Why not take the next step and turn your daily scribbles into salable articles? You can do this by learning two things: 1) how to improve your storytelling abilities, and 2) how to market your work. “I’ll lead you through the steps of writing a travel story and then targeting and querying your markets [short story anthologies, newspapers, magazines and ezines],” says instructor Lisa Alpine.
Dec
14
Ripples of Difference
December 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment
From Colin Salisbury, Founder and President of the Global Volunteer Network:
In recognition of the thousands of volunteers around the world who have given their love, energy, and time through helping communities in need I would like to give you a copy of GVN’s brand new book – Ripples of Difference!
Ripples of Difference is a collection of unique and powerful stories written by volunteers whose lives have been significantly affected through their experience of volunteering abroad. From refugee camps in Africa to orphanages in Asia, read about how volunteers are touching the lives of others and making a difference — a ripple of difference.
Dec
14
2010 Indigenous Peoples Calendar
December 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment
The Peoples of the World Foundation’s 2010 Indigenous Peoples calendar is available as a free download.
Dec
14
Asphalt skiing in Switzerland
December 14, 2009 | 1 Comment
You need nerves of steel just to watch this video of asphalt skiing in Switzerland.
Dec
14
On the road in Central America
December 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Mural at Treehouses Hotel; photo by David Webster Smith
Erin Van Rheenen is on the road in Nicaragua, Panama, and Costa Rica, researching the third edition of her guidebook, Living Abroad in Costa Rica, and (surprise!) is blogging about her trip.
Highlights include:
- The naive paintings of Nicaragua’s Solentiname Islands (they’re gorgeous).
- A gay Cafe in the Nicaraguan jungle (with the only espresso machine in town).
- Elbow-deep in you-know-what at Rancho Margot, an organic farm on Lake Arenal (discover one surprising benefit of an organic diet)
- Of treehouses, sloths, and the mighty mot-mot (“No one messes with the mot-mot”).
Dec
14
Smithsonian’s new studies abroad programs for high school students
December 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Smithsonian Journeys announces new Studies Abroad programs in China, Italy, or Spain, which “offer high school students the opportunity to do more than just travel abroad. Students will immerse themselves in another culture and experience the day-to-day life of their host country. They will study the language, explore the history, and visit top sites in each country while creating new friendships along the way. Imagine spending three weeks living as a local in Beijing, Florence, or Avila.”
Dec
14
United Airlines and Taylor Guitars
December 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment
A testament to the power of YouTube:
“A musician named Dave Carroll recently had difficulty with United Airlines. United apparently damaged his treasured Taylor guitar ($3500) during a flight. Dave spent over 9 months trying to get United to pay for damages caused by baggage handlers to his custom Taylor guitar. During his final exchange with the United Customer Relations Manager, he stated that he was left with no choice other than to create a music video for YouTube exposing their lack of cooperation. The manager responded, “Good luck with that one, pal.”
Nov
18
Katy Butler Workshop at Esalen
November 18, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| November 29, 2009 12:00 am | to | December 4, 2009 12:00 am |
I’m posting this information about an upcoming memoir workshop because Connie Hale (herself an exceptional writer and instructor) recommends instructor Katy Butler. In fact, when Connie was running Harvard’s Nieman Narrative Conference she brought Katy in (twice) to teach.
Here’s the scoop:
What: “Straw into Gold: the Alchemy of Memoir” 5 day writing workshop.
Who: Leader Katy Butler is a former finalist, National Magazine Award, and
a current contributor to the New York Times magazine, MORE, & elsewhere.
When: Nov. 29 through Dec. 4.
Where: Esalen Institute, Big Sur, California.
How: Sign up at Esalen.org or 831 667-3000.
More info from Katy Butler at 415 789 8366.
Do you have a story you are longing to tell? This is your chance to take a great leap forward with the help of a writer whose memoirs and literary nonfiction have appeared in the New Yorker, Vogue, the New York Times, Salon and elsewhere.
Nov
16
Contest for Wannabe Travel Writers Includes Assignment in Japan
November 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment
| December 21, 2009 | ||
| 12:00 am |
Littleton, CO, November 9, 2009 – Write your way around Tokyo, all-expenses paid, and get published to boot. The travel writing scholarship 2010 from WorldNomads.com offers chance to explore and cover Tokyo for Rough Guides.
WorldNomads.com in conjunction with Rough Guides, Intrepid Travel and Hotels.com announces a contest for aspiring travel writers ages 18 and up. Candidates can be students, emerging and non-professional writers and lovers of travel looking for a career change. The prize is the chance to travel for a week, all-expenses paid, to Tokyo and learn tricks of the trade from Rough Guides travel writer, Simon Richmond.