South America

Travel through South America by country:

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela

Travel through South America by popular city:

Bogota, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro

Travel through South America by popular things to do:

Adventures in the Amazon, Falkland Islands, Iguazu Falls, Tierra del Fuego

National Geographic Roper Survey

by Erik Olsen on

Here is your chance dear Gadling readers to show that you are worldly aware, that you can put to shame the 60-plus percent of kids today who could not find Iraq on a map.

The National Geographic Roper survey of geographic literacy is online and awaiting your best effort. Me, I scored 17 out of 20. No kidding, I did. But, hey, that’s ’cause I read the damn paper every day … and I would have gotten more, too, if I watched more TV. And I guess I got lucky on a few of them. The fact is, it’s not all that hard, but give it a try yourself and feel free to post your score.

Killer Animals

by Erik Olsen on

Lions and
tigers and bears, oh my! Sharks and snakes and tarantulas, oh my!

Let’s face it, probably the most
frightening thing you can imagine happening to yourself is being somehow eaten, bit, torn apart by some raging, wild
animal. It is a fear the quivers there in the shadows within your deepest cortex. Despite the fact you are much more
likely to be hit by a car or fall down stairs and break your neck, your greatest fears of death usually have something
to do with scary beasts.

And to help you better understand your fears, and perhaps to make them worse, the
good folks at the Times Online (the UK
version) have got a piece about all the scary critters who mean you harm out there. From elephants who will stomp you
into pink mush, to sharks that will swallow you whole, to even little scorpions whose venom will paralyze you and kill
you in seconds, this is a finie list of all the fun stuff that can happen to the unwary (and tasty) traveler.

GADLING'S TAKE FIVE: Week of April 22

by Adrienne Wilson on

Your attention please! I said your attention
please! Since it’s the end of the week it is now time for me to present to you five fine posts you may have missed over
the last few days. Just make sure you never miss them again. (Smile.)

5. Casanova’s Pizzeria – Oakford, PA
As
you may have noticed I haven’t been blogging as much as usual, but it’s for good reason and cause. For starters I was
out sampling the town in Oakford, PA earlier this week to bring you dispatches on what the natives are eating. If you
ever find yourself in the area make sure you check out Casanova’s Kitchen and be sure to order the
"scrapple."

4. America’s Best Campsites
Although camping
may not be Karen’s activity of choice, she points those ready to soak up all that nature has to offer to a fine piece
out of Sunset Magazine on America’s Best Campsites. Grab you sleeping bag, tent, and other camping gear and head on
over to Karen’s blurb.

3. Buenos Aires: Newest Expat Oasis
For
those of us looking to jump ship when things in America have gone completely haywire why not head south to South
America? Better yet, make it Buenos Aires where it is said to be the latest and newest expat oasis. Neil does a
fantastic job offering his insight on other expat locales like Prague in addition to providing his forecast on the
scene Buenos Aires.

2. Tipping Tips
Thanks to Erik I know not to ever leave a tip in Japan, where the pocket change can often be considered an insult.
Whew! But what about tipping here in the U.S.? What is the norm these days? If you’ve ever been a little unsure on how
much you should leave after having your fine meal and glass of wine click here to get all the guidance you’ll need.

1. More on Ugly Americans
It disheartens
me to go abroad and find my fellow countrymen acting a snobbish fool. Had they no clue what the outside world was like?
Did they not know everything that goes down in America doesn’t necessarily go down overseas? I’m sure you’ve come
across an ugly American at one point or another or maybe you are an ugly American. Sigh. Again, Erik does wonderfully
in getting a debate started or the World
Citizens Guide and whether or not we are as bad and as ugly as they really think we are.

South America via Wheel Chair

by Neil Woodburn on

Travel
always presents a certain amount of challenge and that’s what makes it so rewarding at times.  Imagine for a
moment losing the use of both of your legs, however, and such challenges take on a whole new dimension.
 
Most of this planet fails to provide ramps, elevators, special bathroom stalls, and other conveniences for the
wheel-chair bound, making travel almost impossible in many countries.  About 80% of Europe, for example, is pure
stairs.  The near impossibility of navigating Europe with wheelchairs often occurs me due to a friend of mine who
can no longer walk. 

It was therefore with much interest that I came across an Oakland Tribune article written by a woman who
accompanied her paraplegic friend on a journey through
South America.  Journalist Julia Malone had never traveled with a wheelchair-bound person before and
didn’t quite know what to expect.  Many of the challenges were somewhat anticipated, but the pleasant
rewards she encountered were not. 

Take a moment to browse her account of the trip.  You’ll realize just how much of a luxury travel truly
is and how much of it you simply take for granted. 

Be on TV

by Erik Olsen on

Here’s your big chance to get that travel show you’ve always wanted. The folks at the Travel Channel
are looking for a couple to be part of a new show based on the book 1000 Things to Do Before You Die, the Lifelist
book that is all the rage these days. They are looking for folks who will get to do things like visit the pyramids in
Egypt or Raft the Grand Canyon or swim with dolphins. I know, you’re eyes are bugging out right now. You’ve got a pen
in your hand and are breathing heavily, wondering when I will get to the point.

OK, OK, here’s the rub.
There are a few small rules. First, you need to be able to travel for up to four months without returning home. So quit
that crappy job. Hey boss, I’m going on safari in Africa, for free…and I’m going to be on TV, so take that Xerox toner
and, well, you know what you can do with it. OK, next. You have to download and fill out a questionnaire and an
application/release that says you will not hold the Travel Channel responsible for getting eaten by a lion on
safari…even if they covered you with hamburger and left you on the savannah overnight.

Then, and here
comes the tough part, you have to make and send to the Travel Channel folks a short videotape of you and your partner
(lasting no more than three minutes) showing how well you get together, what you look like on camera, how you sound,
and why you are inspired to travel. Pls. no Paris Hilton films! Then, finally, send in some pics of yourself. Couldn’t
be easier ,right? So what are you waiting for, get going!