One Man, One Motorcycle and 1000 Stories

by Kelly Amabile on

Here’s a cool travel vlog to check out when you’ve got some spare daydreaming moments: 1000Stories is currently being updated daily with video dispatches from Florian Thalhofer, a German filmmaker and artist who is riding cross-country on a shiny motorcycle, courtesy of his pals at BMW. Thalhofer has embarked on a “social experiment” in which he seeks to learn firsthand about the United States. In his own words:

American culture can be found everywhere in the world. But the U.S. is still a mystery to me, always a little incomprehensible. That feeling of having grown up with American culture but never really understanding what America is all about has become stronger after September 11.

So Thalhofer decided to head off the beaten path on his bike, visiting small towns and talking to people about their lives and life in these United States. His route will be determined by Americans who want to meet with him, so sign up if you’d like a chance to chat with Florian. He’s in Iowa now, and headed west. He’ll be on the road through November 15.

The Big Trip Contest: How Does Around the World Sound?

by Jamie Rhein on

“A Map for Saturday,” the documentary conceived and directed by Gadling, guest blogger Brook Silva-Braga has been raking in movie festival awards. Read Justin’s review and you’ll see why. If you look across the top of the film’s home page, you might notice how the award graphics look like winning symbols on a slot machine. That’s what I thought, anyway. If you watched the trailer of the film on the Web site, or saw the whole thing and started thinking, “Aw, rats! Why didn’t I take this trip,” or, “Sure, what a great experience for someone who can actually AFFORD a plane ticket, ” don’t fret. Your life is not wasted. All is not lost. Not yet, anyway.

There’s the most awesome opportunity for some wordsmith, traveling type to win an around the world journey. Did you catch that? AROUND the world!!! . . . Plane ticket. . . Journey!!! Along with the airfare, the winner will received 20 nights in hostels, guidebooks AND a backpack. Plus, Brook who will give a one-on-one sit down to help you plan your trip. As you can tell from this Talking Travel interview with Justin back in June, Brook is an engaging kind of guy.

To win, write a 400 word essay that explains just why YOU should be the one who gets such a prize. Click here for exact details, and click here for the rules. Once you’ve written you missive, email it to contest@amapforsaturday.com. You have until November 30, 2007 to enter. Get busy. Need some inspiration? Read Brook’s posts from his Gadling series “Across Northern Europe.” They’ll whet your appetite for that possible trip in your future

**The contest is being sponsored by Earthchild Productions and Hostelling International, thus the hostel stays. If you’re traveling solo, hostels are one of the best places to meet people. If you win, you have time to pack–the deadline for hitting the road is November 30, 2008.

National Geographic Encourages Making of Wild Animal Videos

by Abha Malpani on

I have a vlog now (come on, you don’t!?), and now I can dub myself to bark, chirp or roar if I want. I can even drag and click to have a pet penguin appear in my video. Finally, all my animal fetishes can surface and be recorded in the privacy of my own home!

Not quite what National Geographic might have had in mind with the recent launch of Wildlife Filmmaker, a creator amateur nature-loving filmmakers to make, urrm, nature-loving films!

Perhaps that’s why it doesn’t seem to have the rocking popularity (or abuse) it might have had in today’s freaky vlogger world. That’s where all the video-production junkies muck around giving reality television new meaning; Wildlife Filmmaker doesn’t allow you to mesh any of the features with your own ‘animal instinct’ videos.

When you try to find Wildlife Filmmaker, the link takes you to the National Geographic homepage. Perhaps they’re going to fix the program, that’s why access to the link doesn’t exist anymore (?).

Oh well. I was I am quite excited to have animals featured in some of my productions.

UPDATE: The link works now. Check it out!

Google and YouTube Take Video Watching to Different Level

by Abha Malpani on

Since online monopolizing giant Google bought YouTube last year, it’s not surprising to see them incorporate YouTube into their Google Earth program.

I’m yet undecided as to my privacy concerns when it comes to Google Earth, since I love zooming and peering into friend’s homes, hotel rooms, offices and other random spots — (yeah, and you don’t? — admit it!). I think the ability to be able to see related YouTube videos of the spot you are nosing into is a welcome application, although not particularly necessary; I guess the need of another press release was in order.

I was going to add — who would get onto Google Earth to watch YouTube videos? But then, why wouldn’t you? — specially if they are readily available and accessible from Google Earth. Who will upload, connect and tag these videos to Google Earth? The same crazy people who make them — we are all attention seeking maniacs who will put in extra effort to link where ever we can and be seen where ever we can.

There is a spanking-ly funny video on YouTube that gives a perfect example of what we have already gotten ourselves into with Google Earth, now difference is that videos will be more geographically connected and sorted.

Low-Budget Airline Jetstar is Going Places

by Kelly Amabile on

What happens when flight attendants do their own traveling? That is some of what you’ll see if you live in Australia and have access to the new documentary Going Places, a creative marketing tactic from the folks at budget carrier Jetstar. While it’s not exactly an Aussie version of Flight Attendant School, the eight-program series (which premiered today on Channel Nine) will follow eight Jetstar cabin crew members during training maneuvers and travels to several Asian countries and Hawaii. (Of course, these are all destinations where the carrier flies.)

Promotional material for the series claims that Jetstar is going behind the scenes at it “moves into the highly competitive international market.” As Neil noted earlier this year, the airline was named Best Low-Cost carrier by Skytrax. The Australian-based airline runs dozens of flights within OZ and to destinations throughout Asia, including Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Cambodia, Malaysia and others. They also fly to Honolulu from Melbourne and Sydney. (I recently flew them round-trip on a short hop from Melbourne to Hobart and was satisfied with the service and budget price – US $170.)

You can view an intro and clips from episode one — looks like your standard reality-TV without too much excess drama. Will it make you want to fly Jetstar on your next vacation or sign up to work for the young company?