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November 30, 2005
Roam The World Online
I just received the Trendwatching newsletter, which as I've mentioned before, I enjoy a lot, and noticed they have a travel-related section this month.
It talks about how people around the world are posting photos, videos, and online diaries that allow users to see what's going on at any time of day. The article mentions that companies are joining in too--supermarkets around the world are posting what new products they have available, Mc Donald's menus in India can be seen on their website, ads can be watched from anywhere... Want to see what's on the front page of newspapers around the globe? Easy, just visit Newseum
The article is also full of links to cool websites around the world like JapaneseStreets.com where you can keep up to date with Japanese trends.
And hel-looks.com where people in Helsinki show off their personal style and explain their choices in clothes.
Gridskipper.com and the [city]ist blog family like SFist.com get a nice mention too which we were happy to see.
Posted by insideoutmag at 11:15 AM | Comments (0)
Reality Trips
Here's something I've been meaning to write about for a while. Earlier this month, I went to the Adventures in Travel Expo in San Francisco and found about a new tour company called Reality Trips. They call it Reality because it was founded by Reality TV stars Burton Roberts (Survivor: Pearl Islands, Eco-Challenge Fiji) and Jenna Lewis (Survivor: Borneo, All-Stars, Eco-Challenge Fiji).
Here's what they say on the website: "Having so many friends from Survivor and other reality shows, each trip will include other leaders who were also contestants, giving guests the chance to converse with, learn from, and get to know well, people they had previously only seen on TV."
That means travelers can go on trips with their favorite Reality TV celebrity. Guides participated in shows such as The Apprentice, Joe Millionaire, Big Brother, and MTV's Real World (Burton Roberts from Survivor shown above). Sounds cool although I'm not sure how I would feel about being led in the jungle by Sarah from Joe Millionaire... But it looks like they've thought about that already and have partnered with a tour company called Global Adrenaline so even in the jungle, things should go well.
Reality Trips is just launching so I'll keep you posted as I find out more!
Posted by insideoutmag at 09:10 AM | Comments (0)
Caribbean Vacation For Ex-Girlfriend Ends Up On eBay
I came across the This is Local London website this morning and found a funny article I thought I would share with you. Jon Reed, 30, of Oakridge Road, High Wycombe recently booked a Caribbean vacation for him and his girlfriend. Unfortunately, the couple broke up before they could enjoy their vacation so Reed thought it would be a good idea to put his ex-girlfriend's ticket up for sale on eBay and see if he could get some money back and possibly a new date (he was ony accepting female bidders).
eBay found out about the auction a few days after he posted it and had Reed delete it saying that the post breached their human body parts and remains policy, which makes it illegal to sell people as part of the auction.
Reed will have to go on vacation on his own, but says the stunt may lead to romance. He told the reporter: "I have had so many e-mails from people. I've got about 250 dates lined up, that should keep me busy for a year or so."
Read article here
Posted by insideoutmag at 08:30 AM | Comments (0)
Love Your Hotel Room?
Then take it all home--the pieces of furniture, the sink, the bath tub, and the cool vases to. We're not telling you to steal here, don't worry. Jessica Michault at the International Herald Tribune reports that some hotels have started selling everything in their rooms online so that the world traveler can take it all home.
Remember that cool bed you slept in, in Boston? It can be yours!
"'There is a longstanding tradition of guest wanting to take home a souvenir, knicknacks like towels or bathrobes,' says Welf Ebeling, executive vice president and chief operating officer of The Leading Hotels of the World, a group that represents more than 400 luxury hotels worldwide. 'Now each of our hotels has its own unique range of luxury goods specific to its location.'"
What's next? Room service at home, that would be nice, wouldn't it?
Read story here
Posted by insideoutmag at 08:10 AM | Comments (0)
November 29, 2005
Borat, The Diplomat
A few days ago, I mentioned that Kazakhstan may sue Ali G so I thought I would give you an update on what's going on. According to a Reuters report, it looks like Borat isn't afraid to talk back and may get himself in more trouble.
"Responding in character as Borat, Cohen, who is Jewish, said: 'I like to state, I have no connection with Mr Cohen and fully support my government's position to sue this Jew.'
'Since 2003 ... Kazakhstan is as civilized as any other country in the world," he said on his website, www.borat.kz.
'Women can now travel on inside of bus, homosexuals no longer have to wear blue hat and age of consent has been raised to eight years old.'"
Posted by insideoutmag at 02:19 PM | Comments (0)
Strange Eats in Japan
As I mentioned earlier this month, one of the great things about traveling is discovering new dishes, tasting the country's cuisine--well, most of the time, it's a great thing. Sometimes, you wish you could just pass.
This Japanzine article lists weird things you can eat in Japan including natto (stinky fermented soy beans), black food, baby bees, grasshoppers and the list goes on. They're strange and they may not be tasty but most of them are good for your health according to the writer.
Posted by insideoutmag at 09:34 AM | Comments (0)
Holiday Destinations That Won't Break The Bank
The holiday season is here and that means plane ticket prices are going up. So, if you're going somewhere in December and haven't booked your ticket yet, check out this MSNBC article on "Holiday Destinations That Won't Break The Bank."
The article mentions a website I didn't know about, airfarewatchdog.com, so I went and checked it out and it seems like a good resource. The staff compiles the Best and Worst Airfare Deal and Todays' Best Deals among other things.. it's worth checking from time to time if your dates are flexible.
Posted by insideoutmag at 08:40 AM | Comments (0)
What's Wrong With France?
The Daily Times in Pakistan ran an interesting article on the "ghetto economy" of France. The reporter writes "The youngsters who are ravaging France realise that they don’t have a future. That is why they are burning cars. But how many French politicians realise that their beloved “social model” is partly to blame?"
Read story here
Posted by insideoutmag at 08:15 AM | Comments (0)
November 28, 2005
Solo Travel Can Be an Emotional Roller Coaster
Sophia Dembling's travel column in the Chicago Tribune gives us a nice glimpse into traveling solo. Some days, it's great and others it's not, "Solo travel can be an emotional roller coaster," she writes.
Most of us can probably relate to some of the difficult moments she's experienced traveling solo, especially eating alone. She writes about one evening in Helsinki where she decides to go to a restaurant alone and is asked to wait for a table while couples walk in and sit right away.
She writes " As I wait to be seated, a couple pushes past me and a waitress materializes and immediately seats them. I wait. Finally a waiter gives me the fish-eye, points me to an undesirable table by the door and hands me a menu. After brusquely taking my order, he does his best to ignore me.
Feeling awkward, unwelcome and very alone, I bury myself in my book, make it through the meal, return to my hotel through a cold drizzle and wonder why I ever liked traveling alone."
Click here to read article.
Posted by insideoutmag at 09:09 AM | Comments (0)
Travel Gift Ideas For Globetrotters
Beth Harpaz from the Associated Press came up with a great list of gift ideas for the globetrotter on your list. Here are some of the ones we liked best:
- Point It, a colorful and charming book, has pictures of everything from food to medical problems to help travelers communicate their needs. The passport-size book, published by Graf Editions, is $6.95. You can order it from the Museum of Modern Art Design Store, www.moma store.org or 1-800-447-6662.
- A new take on an old gadget is a "SwissCard." The size of a credit card, it slips into your wallet but has all the essentials of a Swiss Army knife -- tiny blade, scissors, screwdrivers, tweezers -- for about $25. Make sure to check it in your luggage, though.
- Most of us can't afford to give someone else an entire vacation, but maybe you can give a small piece. Best Western and other hotel chains sell gift cards good at any of their properties; most spas offer gift certificates. And don't forget about restaurants.
- One-time-use camcorders and digital cameras are available at pharmacies. They're a great way to let budding filmmakers or photographers document a vacation. Or, if you want to put out the long green, how about a point-and-shoot digital camera?
Posted by insideoutmag at 08:50 AM | Comments (0)
Monday News and Book Reviews
It's back to work after a long weekend for many of you so we thought you would appreciate reading this New Yorker article about how much Americans work.
Read story here
We had some nice reviews on the book we wanted to share. We hope this doesn't seem too self-promoting, but, to hear that people actually read and seem to enjoy what we poured our hearts into is just such a thrill for us that we have to share!
SFist
"'San Francisco: The Unknown City' definitely delivers. Reading a guidebook about your own town is always interesting. What did they forget? What did they get wrong? Not to mention what they found that you still haven't. And we have to admit, there were certainly some sites and activities in the book that we haven't actually been to or done. But that's to be expected from a travel guide that's more of an introduction to the kind of stories that locals take for granted and the average Frommers reader might never discover: Frank Chu, Emperor Norton, the Zodiac Killer, competing theories on why it's called 'The Tenderloin.'"
Cooking With Amy Blog
"'San Francisco The Unknown City' is hands down the coolest, hippest guide to San Francisco I've ever come across. While the contents include such standards as Dining, Shopping, Nightlife and Notoriety this book covers not just local favorites, but many places I doubt have ever been listed in a guidebook before. Places like The Crissy Field Center Cafe, the hidden Japanese restaurant Kappa and The Cake Gallery for 'naughty treats' are all in there."
Posted by insideoutmag at 08:20 AM | Comments (0)
November 23, 2005
See Angkor Via Bike
In the LA Times News From Around the World section, I found out that the Cambodian government has started offering 300 battery-powered bicycles for tourists to rent while visiting Angkor archaeological park, in an effort to reduce noise and pollution. It sounds like a great way to get around.
The bicycles rent out for $4 per visit during the daytime. There are 14 repair stations within the park where tourists can have bicycles fixed or have batteries recharged during the tour.
Battery-powered bicycles boost the rider's pedal power, increasing speed and making uphill climbs easier.
Posted by insideoutmag at 10:47 AM | Comments (0)
"Why is it called Thanksgiving dinner, when it is served in the middle of the day?"
Thanksgiving may be a big family holiday for most Americans, it didn't mean anything to my family when we moved to the US from France. So I can relate to the people mentioned in Vanessa Hua's article yesterday. A San Francisco Chronicle writer, she wrote a story about Thanksgiving yesterday and what it means to immigrants in the Bay Area. She reports "When a 20-pound turkey emerged from the kitchen at a weekend dress rehearsal for Thanksgiving dinner, about two dozen Chinese immigrants pulled out their digital cameras and snapped away."
Read SF Chronicle article:
What's all this fuss over turkey? Immigrants learn about what it is that makes Thanksgiving
Posted by insideoutmag at 09:30 AM | Comments (0)
November 22, 2005
If There Was An Award For Best Blog Title...
... then Jolie at Jaunted would win for her title about Ali G who may be getting sued by Kazakhstan. The title was: "In My Country, There Is Problem..."
Seeing his picture right under the title, I read it with Borat's accent, and I'll admit I laughed outloud. I then found myself remembering the title later in the day... and laughing again. So, thank you Jaunted for the laugh! I'm very happy to see that John Ranbow is back in the travel blogging world. I missed reading Right This Way, a great travel blog that used to be featured on Fodor's website.
Check it out.
Posted by insideoutmag at 02:00 PM | Comments (0)
Back To Blogging
Hi, I (Helene) took a few days off from blogging but I'm back and have cool stuff to report. Our travel book launch party on Thursday was a lot of fun. Thank you to everyone who was there to celebrate with us. The kind people at Bambuddha Lounge took great care of us--we had our own private bar with San Francisco cocktails including the Unknown City Cocktail which tasted a lot like a Cable Car cocktail, the outdoor area all to ourselves, and we even shared restrooms with guests at the private H&M party taking place inside--pretty glamourous!
I've uploaded some of the photos Kerri took to Flickr. Just click on the link below and search for insideoutmag_com's photos, or click on the photos below.
www.flickr.com
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Posted by insideoutmag at 01:00 PM | Comments (0)
November 17, 2005
San Francisco Travel Book Launch Party Tonight!
Today's the day--we're celebrating the launch of our book on San Francisco! We're excited and looking forward to seeing all of you at Bamduddha Lounge tonight starting at 7 pm. In case you haven't read the party details yet, here they are again:
Alright friends, "San Francisco: The Unknown City," has started shipping to bookstores. Here are the details on our launch party—you're invited!
What: "San Francisco: The Unknown City" launch party.
When: Thursday, Nov. 17, 7-9 p.m.
Where: Bambuddha Lounge at the corner of Eddy and Larkin in the Phoenix Hotel.
How: With libations from a cash bar, including the "Unknown City Cocktail." The ingredients are a secret, but the effect will be all too apparent.
Why: To revel in the weirdness and beauty of our city with people we've mentioned in the book and fellow San Franciscophiles. Books will be on sale at a 25 percent discount.
The book is available in most independent bookstores and online stores such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Posted by insideoutmag at 01:24 PM | Comments (0)
November 16, 2005
When in Australia, Ride the Train
The Queensland Government is offering a new rail travel pass for the 300,000 backpackers who visit the state every year. According to Transport Minister Paul Lucas, the new pass provides six months of unlimited one-way travel on Queensland's coastal trains.
"Two thirds of backpackers internationally who come to Australia come to Queensland ... and more and more want to explore the little parts of Queensland to see the connections that they might have," he said.
Click here to check out rates and routes.
Posted by insideoutmag at 08:51 AM | Comments (0)
Happy Birthday Harriet!
Harriet the tortoise celebrated her 175th birthday on Tuesday--with a pink hibiscus flower cake at her retirement home in northern Australia. The giant turtle has spent the past 17 years at the Australia Zoo. She is said to have been collected by scientist Charles Darwin in 1835, although some historians have disputed this.
Harriet, formerly known as Harry because scientists believed she was a male for more than a century, is recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest living chelonian, or reptile with a shell of bony plates.
Read story here.
Posted by insideoutmag at 08:34 AM | Comments (0)
November 15, 2005
World Pulse Magazine
World Pulse Magazine is showing off its new online look today and I like it a lot. For those of you who haven't heard of the magazine, World Pulse's mission is "Unleashing the Global Power and Leadership of Women and Youth Through Media."
Here is how the magazine got its start:
"When Jensine Larsen returned from reporting on indigenous communities in the Ecuadorian Amazon and along the Burma/Thailand border, she dreamed of a media source that would broadcast the thriving, but neglected, voices of women and youth around the world."
Although I haven't seen a print issue of World Pulse yet, I was able to download a sample issue here and I was impressed by the colorful pictures and touching stories.
Posted by insideoutmag at 02:52 PM | Comments (0)
Traveling Grandparents
John Frenaye at Tripso wrote an interesting article on a growing trend: intergenerational travel. He writes "Older travelers are no longer content to take bus tours with the blue-haired crowd or hire dancing companions on upscale cruises. They want to explore new destinations, to have active vacations, to experience some adventure — and they want to bring the extended family."
My grandparents are probably the most well-traveled people I know--they sailed in many different parts of the world for 30 years. They even lived on a boat in the Caribbean for eight months out of the year for several years--and in their case, they were definitely leading the family.
Posted by insideoutmag at 08:37 AM | Comments (0)
November 10, 2005
Eating My Way Around the World
One of the things I love the most about traveling is eating. When I think of the time I spent in Japan, I remember tofu dishes I had in Kyoto, a hot bowl of ramen in Miyajima and dinner parties with friends. In Hanoi, it's the banh cuom I had; when I'm back in France, I eat as much cheese and Corsican charcuterie as possible... you get the point, I like food.
Today while checking out food articles and websites, I found a website that's all about Ramen. We're not talking Top Ramen noodles you ate in college but traditional Ramen noodle soup. Before I lived in Japan, my idea of a typical Japanese meal was sushi but once there, I quickly found out that sushi, unless bought at a food stall as take-out, is expensive and a much more common Japanese meal is Ramen. I like this website because in addition to having a large database of Ramen shops around the world, it explains the different kinds of Ramen, has some appetizing photos of Ramen dishes, and shows that there are some serious Ramen fans out there.
And while we're on the subject of food, here are two food blogs I enjoy:
Chocolate and Zuchini
Clotilde updates this blog daily with family recipes, meals she's had on her latest trip, etc. She focuses on French food and reports from her apartment in Montmartre, Paris.
Noodle Pie
Graham Holliday, a British freelance journalist who's lived in Asia for about eight years writes about food, restaurants and street food vendors in Vietnam.
Posted by insideoutmag at 08:45 AM | Comments (0)
November 09, 2005
Update on Riots in France
France has declared a state of emergency and put in place a curfew yesterday in an attempt to stop riots. The state-of-emergency law was written during France's war with Algeria and was last used in 1984 by former President Francois Mitterrand in New Caledonia.
Reports show that violence has gone down but there's still a lot of work to do... For those of you who speak French, you can watch today's France 2 news for free here (click on JT for video).
Here are reports in English from newspapers and websites:
Posted by insideoutmag at 09:40 AM | Comments (0)
Traveling From Couch to Couch
Visiting family and friends living abroad is always a great way to save on accomodations but there's bound to be places you want to travel to where you don't know anyone. That's where Couch Surfing comes in handy--this free service allows you to search couches in the area you'll be visiting and connects you with a host and its free couch.
Four travelers launched this website in 2003 so that they could find free places to stay around the world. Today, they have 36,255 couch surfers registered.
Read how to get started started and register here
Posted by insideoutmag at 09:11 AM | Comments (0)
November 08, 2005
L.A. Times Daily Traveler Blog
I just found out about the L.A. Times Daily Traveler Blog today and spent some time reading it. Like most travel blogs, it includes major travel industry stories and hotel news. However, I liked the Flight Forecast entry that shows what kind of weather you can expect today and I laughed reading about the stripper pole in showers in party suites in the Fantasy Tower at the Palms in Las Vegas.
Daily Traveler reports "The 360-room tower, opening in time for New Year's Eve, will include seven themed 'party suites.' Each party suite’s bathroom comes equipped with showers that include stripper poles; at the punch of a button, the frosted glass between the shower and the living room becomes clear."
Posted by insideoutmag at 02:40 PM | Comments (0)
Avian Flu, What You Should Know
Avian flu is in newspapers and magazines, on TV and the radio these days. But what do you know about it? What precautions should you take next time you travel? If you need a quick list of what you can do before traveling, check out this article by Sarah Pascarella at SmarterTravel.com.
She writes, "With proper planning, preventive care, and knowledge of possible health risks, you can still have a safe, enjoyable vacation."
Posted by insideoutmag at 08:41 AM | Comments (0)
November 07, 2005
Seasonal Work Abroad
I've written about SeasonWorkers.com before but since I just received their newsletter, I thought I would mention it again. Their latest e-mail included job listings for next summer.
I know, it's pretty early to think about summer and most of you are just starting to think about winter jobs or time off with family, but if you're planning on going somewhere next summer and you're not made of money, it may not be a bad idea to start applying for seasonal work in countries you plan to visit anyway--schedule some time before and after work to travel and you've got yourself a vacation that won't leave you pennyless.
Posted by insideoutmag at 05:07 PM | Comments (0)
Fighting Malnutrition in Sri Lanka One Cow at a Time
Victor Hettigoda, one of the 13 presidential candidates in Sri Lanka, announced that if elected, he would give a cow to every Sri Lankan home.
"Every Sri Lankan home will be gifted with a high milk-yielding cow from (the Indian state of) Kerala which could be expected to yield 10 liters (2.5 gallons) to 16 liters (four gallons) of milk every day," Victor Hettigoda was quoted as saying by The Island newspaper on Friday.
The presidential election will take place on Nov. 17.
Read article here
Posted by insideoutmag at 09:18 AM | Comments (0)
November 06, 2005
Interview with Rick Steves
Michael Martinez of the Mercury News recently interviewed Rick Steves and I thought you may enjoy reading about his top sites, pet peeves, and best advice.
According to the article, Rick Steves spends about "120 days a year in Europe, producing his TV programs and updating his 30 travel books, which have sold about 4 million copies. He also speaks to groups of travelers across the country."
Click here to read more about the busy travel guru (free registration required).
Posted by insideoutmag at 07:58 PM | Comments (0)
November 05, 2005
InsideOut Travel Mentioned on Gadling
Gadling.com, a blog I enjoy and read regularly, has a very nice write-up on our latest issue. Kelly Amabile, one of three bloggers at Gadling, wrote: "InsideOut always gathers a fantastic collection of travel writing and tips, and this issue is no different."
Thanks for the kind words Kelly, I'm glad to hear you enjoy reading us!
Read entire post here
In addition to writing for Gadling.com and WrittenRoad.com, Kelly's been posting on her own blog as she gets ready for a trip around the world. Friday was her last day at work--check out what she's up to here.
Posted by insideoutmag at 02:47 PM | Comments (0)
We're French, but not "real" French
I've been reading the reports on the riots in Paris and today I finally found an article that gives a glimpse into current racial problems in France. International Herald Tribune reporter Kathryn Bennhold wrote an excellent article in which interviewees explain that although they were born in France, they have never felt like "real" French people.
The article focuses on "93," a suburb outside of Paris where riots started after the death of two young people but the guys interviewed could be from any other suburb in France.
While I was there this summer, I was invited to a Tunisian wedding in Marseille. The groom and bride grew up in two of Marseille's low-income neighborhoods. We piled up in cars and followed the groom's car to the bride's parents' house honking, cheering and wailing to let everyone in the neighborhood know about the celebration. The wedding was a lot of fun and everyone welcomed me as if they had known me for years.
Because I grew up just a few miles from most of the people at the wedding, I thought of everyone there as French but as some jokingly started calling me the "French girl" (I was the only blonde there), I was reminded of the divide that exists in France.
Posted by insideoutmag at 12:01 PM | Comments (0)
November 04, 2005
10 Best Vegetarian Destinations
Although I'm not vegetarian, I know that it can be difficult to find vegetarian-friendly restaurants when traveling. VegNews magazine recently published a list of the 10 best places to go for a vegetarian-friendly vacation that may be interesting to some of you.
Morocco, Italy, England & Wales, Mexico, and Kenya are some of the top ones. Check out the list here
Posted by insideoutmag at 10:10 AM | Comments (0)
Volvo Ocean Race
Here's a cool boat race I hadn't heard of although they've been doing it since 1973--the Volvo Ocean Race. It begins with port racing off of Spain's northwest coast. The race then goes to Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, the United States, England, the Netherlands, and finishes in Goteborg, Sweden.
The voyage will be seven-months long and starts with preliminary races Saturday.
To follow the race, click here.
Posted by insideoutmag at 09:39 AM | Comments (0)
Thank you also...
To everyone who bought our book last night. When Josh and I walked in Get Lost Books, Lee, the owner, told us that he had just received "San Francisco: The Unknown City." Although we were there to talk about volunteer programs, he was kind enough to tell people about the book and recommended it to anyone who's just moved to San Francisco. This is the first time that we see our book in a store (and the first time we're asked to sign them) so we were excited.
Get Lost Books will be selling copies at our book launch party on Nov. 17 so if you want to get one, come celebrate with us!
Here's the info for the party:
What: "San Francisco: The Unknown City" launch party.
When: Thursday, Nov. 17, 7-9 p.m.
Where: Bambuddha Lounge at the corner of Eddy and Larkin in the Phoenix Hotel.
How: With libations from a cash bar, including the "Unknown City Cocktail." The ingredients are a secret, but the effect will be all too apparent.
Why: To revel in the weirdness and beauty of our city with people we've mentioned in the book and fellow San Franciscophiles. Books will be on sale at a 25 percent discount.
Posted by insideoutmag at 08:45 AM | Comments (0)
Thank you!
Thanks to everyone who joined us at Get Lost Books last night, we had a great time chatting with you. Mona Nyandoro, Gregg Buttensky and Josh Krist did a great job talking about their personal volunteer experiences.
It was very interesting to hear stories so different from one another because it shows that there are more than one way to go about volunteering.
Josh Krist traveled to Israel after signing up with Kibbutz Program Center and spent four months living in Kibbutz Baram in the Galilee. When he first showed up, he wondered if people were making a weird fashion statement by wearing second-hand clothes and walking around with a key around their neck. He quickly found out that when living in a kibbutz, people wear communal clothes and the only thing they need when walking around is the key to their room--everything else, including meals, is provided. Although some of his tasks were difficult--Josh was a vegetarian at the time but had to harvest chickens--he said it was such a good experience, he would do it again.
Mona Nyandoro was in the Peace Corps for two years in Sao Tome and Principe, a small island in the Gulf of Guinea. She admitted she hadn't even heard of the island until she was informed by the Peace Corps that she would be going there. She was nervous when she found out that she would be working in forestry, something she didn't know anything about, and would have to learn Portuguese, the official language of Sao Tome and Principe. After three months of training, she made her way to the small town and slowly figured out what she was supposed to do and fell in love with the people. She traveled around Africa after the Peace Corps, met her husband in Zimbabwe and says that this volunteer experience changed her life. See more information here.
Gregg Buttensky's volunteer experience is different in the sense that he created his own program. Gregg's girlfriend, Cecille, was Filipino and they had talked about traveling to the Philippines together. Sadly, his girlfriend passed away before they could go so he decided to go on his own. He traveled to her hometown and realized that there were no books around. Cecille was very fond of books so he decided to open a library. It was difficult to start something like this from the U.S. but after many letters, phone calls and visits, Gregg was able to open the Cecille Gonzales Gomez Library in Numancia, Aklan. See more information here
Posted by insideoutmag at 08:13 AM | Comments (0)
November 03, 2005
Adventures in Travel Expo
Adventures in Travel Expo, the world’s largest travel and adventure show, is starting its nationwide tour in San Francisco on Nov. 11 and we're looking forward to checking out the new tours, workshops, rock climbing walls, scuba pools, kayak demonstrations, and cultural performances.
It's going to be hard to choose which seminars I want to check out, there are so many good ones! Here's a list of some of them:
Pelton Answers FAQs on War Zones, Hot Spots, and Living Adventurously
Robert Young Pelton, Columnist, National Geographic Adventure
Through the Lens with Robert Caputo
Robert Caputo, National Geographic Photographer
Best Women’s Adventure Getaways
Marybeth Bond, “ The Gutsy Traveler”
From Tehran to Timbuktu: My Life of Adventure
Kira Salak, National Geographic Adventure Contributor
I'll report on cool finds and people you should know about so check back with us.
The Expo will then go to the following cities:
Chicago, Jan. 6-8
New York City, Jan. 13-15
Southern Calif., Jan. 28-29
Washington DC, Feb. 10-12
Dallas, TBA
For more information on the Adventures in Travel Expo, click here
To purchase your tickets, click here
Posted by insideoutmag at 01:35 PM | Comments (0)
Free Hotel Stay in Puerto Vallarta
Aspiring writers and poets, here's your chance to test your writing skills and possibly win a hotel stay in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico--VallartaSource.com is giving away a week's stay at the NH Krystal stay, a beach resort in town.
To participate in the "Why I Love Puerto Vallarta" contest, write up memories of a visit to the beach town. Entries can be in any form—poem, limerick, narrative, song lyrics set to a well-known melody, even haiku.
To enter, go to www.VallartaSource.com. The deadline for entries is May 15, 2006, and a winner will be announced by May 30. Grand prize is a one-week stay for two at the NH Krystal Resort in Puerto Vallarta.
Posted by insideoutmag at 12:59 PM | Comments (0)
Kodak Opens Pop-Up Stores in New York and San Francisco
During the month of November, you can take advantage of some free workshops at Kodak's interactive galleries in New York and San Francisco.
One Gallery is a gallery/store/learning center that features exhibits from renowned and emerging artists, technology workshops, classes taught by professional photographers, store events, product giveaways, and hands-on trial of the latest Kodak products and services, including the EasyShare wireless system.
Click here for more information.
Posted by insideoutmag at 10:15 AM | Comments (0)
Join Josh, Helene, and Guest Speakers at Get Lost Books this Evening!
Our last event at Get Lost Books was very popular and we're hoping to see as many people tonight for our Volunteer Abroad talk.
Here is what's planned for tonight:
Volunteer experience is a way to immerse oneself in a community while contributing ones’ time and skills.
- Josh Krist talks about his four months on a kibbutz in Israel.
- Gregg Buttensky went to the Philippines with the intention to do something, but he didn't know what until he arrived there. He helped locals start a library to make books accessible to those living in and around Numancia, Aklan on the island of Panay.
- Mona Nyandoro served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Forestry, '94-'96. She spent two years on the tropical island nation of Sao Tome and Principe, off the coast of Gabon in Central Africa. Since the Peace Corps, she has been a team leader for the AmeriCorps NCCC in Washington, DC ('97-'98), led a group of college students to Tanzania (Summer '99) and to Brazil (Summer '01) for Operation Crossroads Africa, served as an Environmental Director for a YMCA summer camp ('97) and acted as a kitchen manager for a homeless shelter ('97). She been recruiting for the Peace Corps for the past 4 years out of the San Francisco Regional Office.
We'll have a Q&A session after our guest speakers.
See you tonight!
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Posted by insideoutmag at 09:40 AM | Comments (0)
Dia de Los Muertos
I didn't get around to tell you about Dia de Los Muertos but I went to the march in the Mission district for the first time yesterday. I'm glad I went because it was unline any march I've seen in San Francisco.
Streets were filled with smoke from burning incense and sage and hundreds of people walked towards Garfield Park where altars were set up by several artists.
Part of the march went through Balmy Alley, a small alley covered with colorful murals. If you've never seen it, I would highly recommend walking down there (for those of you who want to find out the history of the murals, SF City Guides offers a free walking tour of the alley).
To check out the Day of the Dead website, click here
Posted by insideoutmag at 09:02 AM | Comments (0)