14 posts from 2006

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• Not everyone is comfortable eating alone in a restaurant... So for you solo travelers, does it bother you to do that when you're on the road?



• So - where are you going in 2007? File your travel plans here.



• What would you put in a travel primer - something for everyone to learn from, not bashing any particular culture or nationality, just the basics everyone leaving home would be well to consider before stepping out the door?



• Do you know the touristy things to do in your hometown? And have you visited them? Orangelad wants to know.



• And to round out this last week of the year, trekker has started a thread asking for photos that tell a story or inspire you in some way. Her picture of the incense-selling woman at Angkor Wat is really wonderful, it certainly made me smile! What photo can you contribute to the thread?

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• At this time of year, it's fun not only to make "to-do" lists for next year, but to review the things you've accomplished this year. KPG did the latter, and it's a great list. What things are you excited to have checked off your list this past year?



• With the sad loss of life recently on our very own Mt. Hood, the question came up about how the sometimes extensive (and expensive) searches are paid for. And please, folks, remember to over-prepare for potentially dangerous excursions.



• Would a handbook help the proverbial "Ugly American" be less, well, ugly overseas?



• If anyone's going to South America - or is interested in going - and would like to film an independend travel show, check out Ptown Travel Hound's post... He's had the idea, just needs someone now with a little expertise in the whole filming department.



• Philip Blazdell asks another perfect year-end/year-beginning question: Where do you think will be "hot" in 2007?

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• Joey might think he's being cheesy, but I think his "thank you" message on the eve of his RTW trip is really, really cool. I can't wait to check in on his trip as he makes his way through Africa & Asia. Bon voyage, Joey!!



• So, what are your packing habits? Are you a hyper-planner, getting stuff in the bag months before you leave? Or do you randomly grab a few items as you rush out the door? Landire's put up a poll, let's see where you fit in.



• In the US we've gotten used to being able to find vegetarian options at most restaurants these days. But we know that's not true the world over. Will xxhughesxx have trouble avoiding meat in Europe (Western & Eastern)?



• Though watching television might not be at the top of many to-do lists when traveling, there are inevitably times we're drawn in by something on the boob tube, only to find out it can be a real cultural experience! KateL57 asks, "What are your favorite ads from abroad and at home?" She's shared a few of hers, and others have joined in. What are your favorite commercials? And can you find links to them so we can all have a giggle?



• I read an article talking about how an unexpected one-night "stopover" in Bulgaria turned into a three-day "stop" because the town turned out to be so charming. So, have you had any experiences where a place you thought you'd just be passing through was so wonderful as to make you change your plans and stay awhile?

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• As sz points out, "there must be as many different reasons to travel as there are readers here" - if not more! So, what's your motivation for traveling? Do you have a list of things you want to see in the world and you're checking them off as you go? Do you dream of finding the perfect spot in which to one day retire? Do you keep track of your whacky experiences in order to write them all down in your memoirs? What's your reason for traveling?



• Gerrit is wondering if politics have ever had an influence on your travel itinerary. Would you, for instance, not visit a country because of the actions of that country's government? Or have you ever been ashamed of your own country's politics?



• An oldie but a goodie, skobb is the man with all the information on the U.S. Foreign Service. Check out this thread if you're interested in applying, and to read what others have to say about the process. It's an information goldmine!



• Obviously the name for every country isn't in English... So what are some names for countries in other languages that threw you for a loop or were, in general, interesting in some way?

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• There are occasionally threads on the boards about the "best of" some activity or sight around the world. Stemming from that, elAdi has started his list of "Personal Must-Do's" - those things he simply must see and do in his lifetime. What are your must-do's?



• Stoo's curious what your favorite holidays are the world over - he's being picky, as he only wants the obscure ones (what the hell is wrong with Thanksgiving?!?), but still, it's a fun list. Be sure to add your favorites as well.



• Stoo is also wondering what interesting factoids you might know about the country in which you're living and working. He's in Switzerland, where they have a "religion tax." What's your country's odd little trivia?



• So, if you're on your dream trip - your year-or-more-long RTW trip - are you going to go nuts if you don't give yourself a day off every once in awhile? Is traveling like work? Orangelad wants to know.

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• It's the age-old quest (at least around BootsnAll) for the perfect boot. It is, in fact, one of the reasons BootsnAll was founded! Phillipao is trying to make his decision now, and his concern is that he'd like to go dancing - and can't imagine doing it in hiking boots. Please pass along your sage footwear advice.



• Elis wants to know if anyone else feels the way she does - that she's not really "from" any one place. And if you feel the same way, what are the advantages and disadvantages? Are you more independent? Better with languages? Friends with people all over the world? Do you end up with a place that doesn't feel like "home"? Have trouble saying goodbye? Crave a sense of roots? Come share your experiences.



• Travel can be eye-opening - can it also change your life? GingerSpesh wants to know if anyone experienced a significant change in life direction as a result of travel.



• GingerSpesh posted another great question, for those of us who are into long-term travel - far from home - how do you cope with leaving loved ones behind?

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• Talk about trust... Bethany is asking the folks on the message boards to help her decide where to get married! Chime in with your suggestions.



• Lost76 isn't really looking for advice, just confirmation that she's not alone... Is it possible to have a successful long term relationship and a career that involves lots of extended travel time?



• Zopa is preaching the gospel of travel to newbies who think it's beyond their reach... And she's having a blast. Have you had an opportunity to encourage someone to travel? Has it been successful? How did you do it? How did it make you feel?

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• Wayward Angel started a discussion about the very real and very sad issue of human trafficking; what can we, as travelers, do about it? If anything at all?



• Gardkarlsen gets to the heart of the matter - toilets. We've all got horror stories of the worst toilet experiences we've had on the road, and some of us even have great toilet experiences! Why not share yours? (Warning: Do not read this thread while eating.)



• It's an old question, but it's still a good one - Zopa asks, "How do you make a flight more pleasant?" What are the things you bring along to pass the time on those long overseas flights?



• Here in Oregon, we take recycling for granted... But, Landire asks, what about when you're on the road? Do you recycle out there? What do you do when the option isn't even available?

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• If you're "backpacking" around the world, does that mean you have to bring a backpack? Jeanie and her husband have been going back and forth with this discussion. Can you "backpack" with a suitcase?



• Almost everyone who's spent time in Europe has done the Eurail thing - and for a first-timer it can be confusing! Chuck the Rebel spent three months in Europe this past summer, and boiled his Eurail expertise down into an informative post everyone can learn from.



• There are plenty who pride themselves on their ability to travel on the super-cheap. But if you could, Not the First Travis asks, would you go "luxury?" What are the pros and cons to traveling on a budget or with giant wads of cash?



• While we all have our favorite destinations, there are plenty of travel experiences which many people will agree are on the "not to be missed" list. GingerSpesh wants to know what your "not to be missed" experiences are!

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BootsnAll is always thinking of new ways to share travel information with independent travelers, ways that will help make traveling easier. Since there are many unique ways to experience the world, we have launched a series of new travelogues dedicated to different styles of travel.

• Do you consider yourself a green eco traveler? Read Eco Travel Logue.
  

• Are you someone that’s headed on a desert adventure across Morocco? Read Adventure Logue.
  

• Dreaming of teaching English while traveling the world for free? Read TEFL Logue.

• Spend 99 percent of the time traveling for business and 1 percent traveling for pleasure? Follow our Business Travel Logue.

As you can tell, we have something for just about everybody. Watch out soon for more of our destination travelogues in the next few weeks.