We haven’t posted many gift giving ideas here for the season and I’ll let you know I have some pretty rock-your-socks off recommendations, but for now I offer you this nifty stocking stuffer idea. Let me remind you that it is simple, useful and it is the perfect purchase for those on a tight-holiday budget. Not everyone can afford the first-class ticket to Bora-Bora for their loved ones, but planning for an island vacation doesn’t have to stop here. Grab one of ISLANDS 2007 calendars and mark the days away until it’s time to sail away. The calendar runs for $11.97 from ISLANDS magazine and can be purchased here. To make it that much better they even have an extra island photo for January 2008 so your planning can take you further if necessary.
Asia
Travel through Asia by country:
Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, North Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, Russian Federation, Singapore, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam
Travel through Asia by popular city:
Bangkok, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Moscow, New Delhi, Tokyo
Travel through Asia by popular things to do:
Travel through Asia with our writers:
Infiltrating North Korea, Keyhole Into Burma, Band on the Run ... in China, Chinese Buffet, A Canadian in Beijing, Volunteer Vacation: Tajikistan
Word for the Travel Wise (12/11/06)
My trip to Turkey just this past August was too short and not sweet enough. I had a five hour layover and took advantage of the little time to see the city with a friend of a friend who met me at the airport. It became apparent early on that I would need to return for an extended period of time if I were going to see any real action or experience the nightlife. I’m told to go back in May when the weather is nice in the day and perfect for night crawling. If you are planning some time out on the town when darkness surrounds the city and street lights flicker to keep it aglow; check out this list of Istanbul nightlife options from Frommers.
Today’s word is a Turkish word used in Turkey:
gece – night
Prepare ahead of time by visiting this Turkish Class site. Membership is free and you’ll get a lot more than some of the basics they already have listed. Online Turkish is good too, but you’ll have to register and pay to get anything more than hello, how are you and I love you. Stick to the first site and check out this Turkish vocabulary list of body parts. Wiki has an excellent starters piece on background, history and a short list of words. Scope out phrasebooks from Rough Guides, Lonely Planet or grab both.
Past Turkish words: merhaba, iyi volculuklar, sabirsiz, lokanta, ezan
Word for the Travel Wise (12/10/06)
Just about anywhere you go in Central Asia to eat you’re bound to come across this slightly greasy, yet appetizing and filling meal of rice, chick peas, and sometimes meat. I ate it plenty of times in Tajikistan and once you get past the greasiness of all the food this is one you can enjoy easily.
Today’s word is a Uzbek word used in Uzbekistan:
osh – food, rice pilaf
Uzbek is spoken by 18.5 million in Uzbekistan and across Central Asia. It is the official language of Uzbekistan and classified as an Eastern Turkic language in the Qarluq. Wiki has great background on the lang as usual where as you can find an incredible list of the most common Uzbek words at this Introduction to Uzbek Language site. In addition to the wordlist there is also a small section for pronunciation and grammar.
World Map Quiz Game
For those who like testing their geography skills on a regular basis, try this World Map quiz from GameDesign.jp. The goal is to place as many of the 20 countries given during each quiz countries on the very blank map within an allotted time. I’ll confess my score was horrible. (Here is where I try to justify why a travel blogger of all people did so badly on the quiz.) I’m blaming it on my eye sight for one. I knew the general area for all the places given during my own quiz, but couldn’t pick them fast enough. Some of them looked so tiny and I was afraid using the zoom in feature would suck up some of my time. For instance Croatia was one I missed along with Austria an numerous others. On the flipside I was able to place Rwanda, Chile, Dominican Republic, Estonia and Japan in the time allowed.
Thanks World Hum for bringing my attention to this and yes, I’m already addicted.
Word for the Travel Wise (12/06/06)
Ever since the release of Borat all the ‘stans’ seem to be getting a little more attention and in my book that’s great! It means more people are waking up to the whole wide world and realizing these tiny less-explored spots are still alive and kicking. After I came back from Tajikistan people kept asking how was Kazakhstan and while I thought it was annoying that they couldn’t get it right at first, I started looking at who was doing the asking. Most of them probably wouldn’t have been in the same ball park if it hadn’t been for that silly Borat.
Today’s word is a Kyrgyz word used in Kyrgyzstan:
jaqshë – good
Kyrgyz also known as Kirghiz is spoken by about 3 million people. The lang is a northwestern Turkic language and together with Russian it is the official language of the country of Kyrgyzstan. It is also spoken in parts of China, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Turkey. Check out Wikipedia for background info. In regards to learning online you’ve picked a toughie if you’ve decided on making Kyrgyz your second tongue. This Learning Kyrgyz blogspot page hasn’t been updated in ages, but it may have some helpful links and words of advice for persons eager to learn. If you’d like to learn by listening try the BBC in Kyrgyz. My online suggestions will stop there for now. I picked this word out of my Central Asia phrasebook from LP. Pick one up for yourself!
Past Kyrgz words: kechiresiz