Gadling Podcast: Joshua Berman

by Erik Olsen on

The whole guidebook writing thing has long intrigued me with its double-sided nature. On the one hand, being in a foreign locale, and having your job consist of reporting on the food, lodging and fun in that place seems like a dream job. On the other hand, spending an entire day peeking under mattresses and checking the cleanliness of bathrooms, well, I don’t care WHERE you are, that can kind of get old.

Well in today’s podcast, we talk about the job of writing guidebooks and a whole lot more. Out guest for today’s podcast is guidebook writer Joshua Berman, the author of several guidebooks in Central America as well as a brand-new book called Living Abroad in Nicaragua, released by Avalon Publishing this month. I’ve blogged about the Living Abroad series before, and I have to say it is a very handy guide for those who are considering making a move to any of the various countries for which there are books. But Joshua is also the writer, or co-writer, as the case may be, in two other guidebooks from Moon Guides (also under Avalon Publishing) Moon Guides Nicaragua and Moon Guides Belize. he also runs the wonderful Web site stonegrooves.net which chronicles his recent travels with his wife as a volunteer worker in places like India and Pakistan.

So turn up the speakers or put this thing on your ipod and take a listen.

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GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of July 9

by Adrienne Wilson on

Time for us to showcase some of our favorite blurbs of the week in case you missed them. I’m guessing most of you dear and loyal readers, haven’t and I completely don’t understand if you did, but here’s another chance to review five.

5. Saving Belizean Music:
Thanks to Neil, Belizean music is remembered this week. In this short blog he points us to a LA Times piece on the sounds of local music in Belize. On top of that he also provides you with a link to get your own fill of these Central American tunes.

4. Saving Pics:
Everyone’s got their own method to saving their precious travel memories. Some will back them up three times on CD, on five different computers or you name it so long as they are protected. A few of us who are a little more trusting in modern technology can probably do without caring too much equipment in the name of protection and that is why I point you to this (oh-so) simple gear piece from Erik. The skinny – Flashtrax XT. Another cool compact option for photo storage on the road.

3. Machu Picchu Helicopter:
To climb or fly? That is the question in this chopper over Machu Picchu piece, where Neil invites readers to share their feelings on whether or not taking the ride up to the ruins is better than hiking. In short, we want to know if it’s cool or lame?

2. Road Trip USA Podcasts:
Here’s a good one if you’re planning a last minute road trip for the summer – Road Trip USA podcasts by Jaime Jensen. While the gas along the way may be high you needn’t worry about the podcasts costing you a thing, because if what Erik says is true, then they’re free. Go get some audio for the road to help you along the way!

1. Self-Erecting Tent:
Some claim it’s spankin’ new and other say it’s a thing of years past, but I’ve never heard of it so for me it’s on the spankin’ side. What am I speaking of? The self-erecting tent by Quechua is making pitching your cozy campsite digs a breeze. All you do is toss it in the air and by the time it lands your home-sweet-tent is all ready to go. Thank Neil for pointing to this fine piece of gear.

Saving Belizean Music

by Neil Woodburn on

I’m always on the lookout for new and exciting music. Unfortunately, in an era of American Idol, Backstreet Boys, and Celine Dion, I’m finding I have to look further and further abroad to find something actually good.

It was therefore with a welcome surprise that I came across an LA Times article about local music in Belize.

Belize?

What exactly is Belizean music, you ask? Can Central American music be categorized? Does it have Caribbean flavor? Or, perhaps a touch of Mariachi. Well, according to writer Reed Johnson, a trip to Belize will reveal a complicated pastiche of musical flavors inspired by a long, multicultural history of African slaves, Carib Indians, and numerous other melting pot elements thrown into the stew.

The resulting “polyrhythmic… sonic cocktail” is in danger of disappearing, however, as hacks like Clay Aiken make inroads into local CD stores. Thankfully, Stonetree Records, a Belizean company, is here to help. Since 1995, they’ve been reissuing traditional Belizean music and keeping the flame alive. Check out their website for some fantastic downloads. I particularly liked the Paranda clip, described as “African drumming, American Blues, Cuban Son, and West African guitar all wrapped into one.” Be sure to give it a listen.

Planning a Belize Adventure

by Erik Olsen on

I’m not one for resorts, but prefer instead to stay in cheap, local hotels and/or hostels. Or sometimes, if I can find the right beach or camping area, I’ll pitch a tent and hang out for free…or nearly free, as most camping places don’t charge much. But you might be traveling with a significant other or perhaps you’re just fed up with the rat race and are looking for some creature comforts. Good for you. I can certainly appreciate that.

Well, the good folks over at Luxist have posted about a resort in one place I’d very much like to go: Belize. Sad to say, I’ve never been. Belize is actually one of only a few Latin American countries I’ve never visited, but would love to go, as I hear that it is not only remarkably beautiful, but the diving is said to be superb. Well, if Belize is on the horizon for you, you might check out the Kanantik Resort.

The Belize resort offers adventure-minded travelers who also have a bit of the luxury bug to experience eco-minded adventures with a hefty dose of romance. The cabins are plopped down on a private and secluded beach surrounded by a rainforest. They offer a rather impressive-sonding “Romantic Honeymoon” package that includes a six night all-inclusive stay in an air-conditioned beachfront cabana, three guided adventure tours and daily meals with gourmet dinners that can be served by candlelight on the private veranda of your cabana or on the beach. I suppose I could put my tent away for a week and do this. ;-)

Garifuna Settlement Day in Belize

by Erik Olsen on

I’m going to guess that you have never heard of Garifuna Settlement Day. Come on, be honest! OK, maybe one or two of you know it because you did a trip to Belize way back when. Well good for you. That’s one of the reasons we travel, isn’t it? To learn about stuff like Garifuna Settlement Day. Well this November 19, just a few days away, marks the date that the Garifune people of Belize arrived in the area in 1802. Descended from African slaves who were shipwrecked off St. Vincent around 1635, the Garifunas mixed with the native Caribbean Indians there and now theymake up about 8 percent of the current population of Belizeans. But they have a culture of their own that is rich and varied, and that culture is on display during this event. As you might imagine that means ample music, food, traditional dress, all in a lovely locale reknowned for some of the best diving in the world.