Tips for Teens Traveling

by Adrienne Wilson on

After a
brief phone call with my Aunt this evening I find myself prepping for the weekend ahead and a conversation I’ll be
having with my younger 16 year-old cousin. You see my cousin is about to take a very big step in her life and set out
on a journey I’m sure she’ll never forget. She’s headed to France for seven days on a French language program offered
by her high school and the idea fills her mother/my old Aunt with some great concerns. Seeing that the young gal
developed a the desire and taste to travel from my tales of exotic lands and seems to be following in the
footsteps of her big cousin I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to offer the teen some valuable travel tips. Me?
Huh? Travel tips? Don’t talk to strangers….uh?

Teenagers know it all or at least they think they do, but
when it comes to travel in foreign countries these all-knowing adults become quite vulnerable. By no means would I ever
wish to rain on anyone’s parade by creating some sort of travelers paranoia and fear, but there are a few things every
teen should know before they go. This About.com
is a good starting point on topics such as minors traveling unaccompanied, how to review airline security procedures,
dealing with travel crises, booking their own travel and overall safe travel. Independent Traveler also
has some pointers, but mainly for kids that haven’t yet reached the age of raging hormones and know-it-all attitudes.
It’s all in the approach and I think most teenagers are willing to listen to any and everybody with the exception of
their parents. Hopefully that’ll give me an edge in communicating with my cousin.

If you’ve got any words
of wisdom to share I’d love to hear otherwise wish me luck!

Word for the Travel Wise (03/22/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

I’m going to spare all the chit-chat for the sake of providing a well thought out game plan in achieving greater language capabilities after today’s word lesson. Not because the language is spoken by billions of people globally, but simply because I have nothing clever to say at the moment. It’s just one of those days.

Today’s word is a Sri Lankan Tamil word used in Sri Lanka:

vanakkam – hello

Tamil is only one of several langs heard in this Southeast Asian country and is not considered an official one for the record. Also spoken in certain areas of India, Malaysia, and Singapore the Tamil language like most, is best picked up on when listening to the pronunciation of speakers within each country. Web resources for leaning online include Ominglot’s guide to written language, Tamil Nation (everything you want to know about Tamil – almost), LearnTamil.com, and Tamil.net. None of the links seemed to knock my socks off or really impress me to go into great detail about them today, but there is most certainly a thing or possibly two to learn.

Past words from Sri Lanka: hari shook

Last Day WWP

by Erik Olsen on

I posted a few days ago about the
beginning of the World Wide Pano project, one
of my favorite panoramic photography events of the year…of which there are some four….one each equinox and
solstice. Well today is the last day to shoot ffor the event. So if you want to participate and haven’t got out there
yet, well, go.

Each event has a particular theme, which can be interpreted by photographers however they
wish. This year’s theme is Borders. I’ve got my own pano shot and am building it now, and I’m rather giddily excited to
see what others come up with. Needless to say,  if I’d really had a nice travel budget I could have done a whole
assortment of cool things, but being that I work a full time job, well, t’wasn’t in the cards.

Anyway, this
is an immensely cool project and I hope you check it out, if not contribute. I’ll post again when the current theme
goes live with all the new photos from around the world.

Gadling Spring Cleaning: Kimono Shopping

by Adrienne Wilson on

Alas, spring has
arrived. The budding flowers dance eager to bloom. The wind blows a playful breeze through the trees. A couple whose
relationship soured during harsh wintry blizzards rekindles their love and all of nature appears harmonious. With the
exception of the high pollen levels causing your allergies to go haywire the only other thing keeping you from bringing
this joyous season in, in style is your dusty wardrobe. Ugh – spring cleaning! However, dumping your old clothing for
newer, trendier fabrics doesn’t always have to be a chore and this season I’d like to assist in providing some ideas to
making the chore more of an event.

My first recommendation: Toss out those boring old day dresses to nab a
beautiful kimono this spring. While I haven’t a PhD in fashion my
imagination tells me wearing a kimono to check out the cherry
blossoms in Hiroshima, Japan is one of the best ways to celebrate your efforts. ‘Hanami’ is the term for "flower viewing" and though
it may not require one dress-up for the occasion it’d still be incredibly nice. If a trip to Japan isn’t going to happen this spring season don’t let that keep you from finding
the perfect kimono. Search online starting with these links below and take it  to the streets!

  • Ichiroya.com – Several styles and colors of  kimono for
    purchase.
  • Japan-Shop – Shop for antiques and
    various Japanese treasures including kimonos.
  • Metropolis Japan Today –
    Kimono hunting secrets and list of shops in Japan.
  • JapaneseKimono.com –  Everything you’d ever want to know about
    kimono with history.
  • Japan Guide – Cherry blossom
    forecasts in big Japanese cities. There isn’t much time left, so go!

P.S. Make sure you pick out the
appropriate color for the season.

Overloaded Vehicles

by Erik Olsen on

If you’ve ever traveled to a Third World country,
you’ve seen the odd site of an overloaded vehicle. I know I have. In India, I saw a truck very much like the one in
this picture, loaded with logs and branches such that I was sure the vehicle would soon topple over .Amazingly, it
didn’t but kept right on chugging along down the street. In Cambodia, I saw a family riding a motorcycle. A family of
six. The kids hung off each side, a baby was on the handlebars and the mom and two kids sat on the seat. Well, here’s a hilarious gallery found via Boing Boing of photos that will make you gasp and laugh at the ingenuity and ambition
of the human race. We advise you not to try this at home.