Great Resources

Know Before You Go – Kayla Allen
I'm sort of a "fly by the seat of my pants" kind of girl. I've planned trips on a spur of the moment and figured out where I was going to stay and what I was going to do when I got there; and had a blast I might add. I do have to say however that the more I've traveled the more I've come to realize that a little research beforehand can go a long long way in making your trip as fun as you'd hoped it would be.
I would never go so far as to plan a trip down to the day-by-day, but weekly, and certainly making sure especially for international travel that all your proverbial ducks are in a row. Case in point, without a bit of research some unlucky north American travelers may soon find the doors to Canada and Mexico closed for them if they don't bring along their passports. Let that be a theoretical lesson to you non-planners!
Good Questions to Ask Yourself & Then Find the Answers To
* Do I need a Passport? From now on, if you're leaving the country, the answer will always be: YES. Here you may find additional information on travel documents.
* Will I need a Visa? This is very dependant on where, how long and what your going for. A good place to find the answer is here. Calling your destinations embassy is also a good way to settle this question. "How do I contact an embassy?" you ask yourself, by clicking here, that simple.
* Do I need any vaccines, antibiotics or other medications? Talk to a healthcare professional for this one.
* Is where I'm going safe? In today's world it's a very valid questions. Get the answers here, but don't stop there. Get first hand accounts from people who've been there. There are plenty of blog sites where you can find just what you're looking for, here's a couple, 1 and 2.
* How am I going to get there? Most likely the answer is: FLY, and with so many options for airfare, here are a few that may come in handy. A resource from AmeriSpan, here. Continental has provided me with good flights to both Costa Rica and Guatemala. Until my dying day I will remain a loyal fan of www.priceline.com so I always give them a try for good measure, making sure to use the "name your own price" option.
* What should I pack? Check the weather beforehand so you don't over or under-pack. Here area some great options regarding luggage.
* Where will I stay? Travel books offer some great options. If you're on a budget, the great thing about hostels is, they're cheap, so go to www.hostelworld.com.
If you're going to a country and don't speak the language, learn it! Want to kill two birds with one stone? Become worldly, learn the native language and stay with a native family. Communication and accommodation, two of the most difficult things about traveling, take care of them both at www.amerispan.com. AmeriSpan also has some great resources here.
* What about money? For conversion rates www.oanda.com is the place to go. For global ATM locations.
* What am I going to do once I get there? Travel books have some great ideas and two in particular that do a great job of detailing options, making sure you're not overlooking must see things and just giving a great overview of your selected destination…drum-roll please… Footprint and Lonely Planet guides top my list.
* Any more questions? No? Good, then leave the rest up to whim, serendipity and how long your money holds out.
If you do have more questions, get more answers here.

Travel Ecuador

– The Galapagos Islands – By Kayla Allen
There are many places in the world that I would love to have the opportunity to visit. Few however that I have dreamed of going to from the moment I first learned of their existence as a child. The Galapagos Islands, off the coast of Ecuador may be the one and only place in the world that makes it onto that list for me. For a small group of islands they held so much mystery and wonder for me when I was young and continue to even to this day.
I'm not alone in holding them in such high regard. Their relative seclusion and therefore great number of species found nowhere else on the planet made them perfect for Darwin to develop and research his theory of evolution. In 1959 the 97.5% of the Galapagos Islands were declared a national park and therefore protected as such.
With such a closed ecosystem it is one of the easiest places on earth to see cause and effect. Before the islands were protected as a national park, their beauty drew many colonists whose effects on species population and the island's flora and fauna is still evident today. Even before the colonists whalers and pirates had their indelible effect on the islands, depleting its number of tortoise (where the islands get their name), in some cases to extinction and also hunting the endemic fur seal to the brink of extinction.
The Galapagos Islands are now a thriving eco-tourists' dream. Fortunately measures have been taken to limit the effect of its visitors on the ecosystem. While there are some hotels located on the islands the majority of its visitors stay in ships docked on its parameters coming in for day trips and returning to their ships for meals and to retire for the evening. As the surrounding waters are also protected a good many of the tourist ships are sailboats, which, powered by wind also help to limit the mark tourism has on the islands. Eating meals aboard also provides a buffer on foodstuffs not native to the islands being fed to its wildlife. There is also a list of banned items and substances that no visitor can bring to the islands.
Some of the endemic wildlife the Galapagos has to offer:
The Galapagos Tortoise
The island's namesake is the largest living tortoise and is endemic to nine islands of the Galapagos Islands. Adults can weigh over 661pounds and measure 8.24 feet long. Although the maximum life expectancy of a wild tortoise is unknown, the average life expectancy is estimated to be 150-200 years.
The Marine Iguana
The only sea-going lizard in the world, this reptile lives on rocky coasts feeding on seaweed and can remain underwater for up to 45 minutes.


The Blue-footed Booby
A long-winged seabird it's an average 2.65ft long and weighs 3lbs, with the females slightly larger than the males. The name "booby" comes from the Spanish term bubi, which means "stupid fellow". The Blue-footed Booby was so dubbed because it clumsiness while on land.

My First Experience in Morelia

By Emily Hogge – Guest blogger traveling in Morelia, Mexico
¡Hola! This is my second full day in Morelia, and I think I'm finally starting to get the hang of things. It is somewhat overwhelming to be constantly surrounded by Spanish, but I've been surprised by how well my Spanish has held up thus far. I feel like vocabulary is the main thing that trips me up; when my host mother gets to excitedly talking, I can normally get the gist, but sometimes I get a little lost.
Right now, I'm also slowly getting over the initial shock of immersion- I'm just so tired! From what other people at our school say, this is pretty normal and should go away in a day or two. But it's still been surprising to me how tired I feel, even though I haven't really yet participated in any activities other than my basic language classes. I suppose one culprit is just the shock to my system of so many new experiences, from a new place to live, new language, new people, just everything. I took a nap for a few hours yesterday afternoon, and went to bed earlier than usual, but I still awoke fairly tired. Hopefully, I'll feel less wiped out in a few days, and more excited about exploring the city.
I am so lucky in my host family, though. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it's really nice how it has worked out. I live with a woman named Blanca and her 1 ½ year old daughter Regina. We also live with Blanca's parents, and their dog, Axel. Blanca is very welcoming, and insists on talking in Spanish, even though she knows English fairly well (she actually gives English lessons to students in our house). One thing that I have been surprised by is the number of people who come to work in our house: I've counted 3 so far (one woman cooks, another cooks and cleans, and a third cares for Regina sometimes). It seems fairly common to have at least one person come work in a house, but from my few conversations with other students, it seems like 3 is slightly unusual. So, I'm not quite used to the way things are yet, but I'm glad that I'm here.

My Trip to Quito

ER in Quito – By Robin Fillner – SALUD Program Guest blogger traveling in Quito.
I left Quito Thursday morning at 6:30am. I was a little reluctant but excited to get home and see my husband. We are having our first anniversary today as a matter of fact. Due to the time difference, I got up at 4:30am, while he strangely decided to keep sleeping.
I arrived in Houston from Quito, where I had to spend the night in a hotel. I could have stayed overnight in the airport and saved 69$. This is definitely something I would have done had I been traveling with friends, due to peer pressure and out of fear of looking too cush or something, or about 5 years ago before I became a nurse and had enough savings to not work for awhile. So now, at the ripe age of 32 and with a little money cushion, I decided to splurge. The Super 8 where I stayed sucked. I had no soap, and there were people arguing at the front desk about something missing from their room. Definitely experiencing a case of the post-travel blues, I locked myself in my room and phoned some friends. Sixty-nine dollars for a crappy hotel room with nowhere to eat but Sonic Burger, Jack in the Box, and Waffle House. Houston was unbearably hot, flat, and the airport just god-awful generic looking. (In Quito, there would have been a little hostel for 5$ with tons of little menu del dia shops (a healthy meal for .75 cents to 1.75$ and probably salsa or reggae playing from a CD/DVD store next door.)
After taking a shower I changed into a skirt and T-shirt. I wore the same skirt that 4 weeks prior I angrily took off and shoved deep in my drawer in Isabel's guestroom due to the ridiculous amount of hoots and whistles I received from machismo men. I am so grateful that I can wear my skirt in the US and not get called out by it. I am also grateful for the rights women have attained in the US. It really is a big deal. Even while working at the hospital in Quito, the men would say, "Hello lovely," and it just made me cringe. Men in latin countries feel that their heightened social status over women is their right, and calling out to women makes them feel powerful and noticed. It happened to me a lot in Ecuador whenever I was not with a man and I was walking in the street. But then I met so many men that I couldn't imagine acting that way.
Now that I'm back a lot of people asked me if I ever felt unsafe. I was definitely nervous going there mostly because almost everyone I knew, with the exception of my friends that travel, had something negative to say about traveling to South America. But, once I got settled in I wasn't worried about anything. I always took safety precautions, like not walking alone on dark streets late at night or not leaving money sticking out of my pockets, but those are things that I would do in the US. I met some students at the school that had traveled through Columbia, where I think I would be a little nervous traveling, and they said that all the violence is with the mafia. That they pretty much keep to themselves. When I arrived in Houston and turned on the TV, I was bombarded with news about 6 women whose rape/murders have been linked to a serial killer. Didn't see that in Ecuador!
There are definitely political factions that rise up… In Quito, there was a peace march that the police decided to throw tear gas at, some of which wafted into the school. Aside from a little coughing, there was no violence or injury on our part. Life is definitely different there and it makes me appreciate the stability we have here, but I think when traveling you can't have any expectations and you have to feel confident. That's what keeps you safe. If I was going to rob someone I would choose someone who looked weak.
On the Park & Ride shuttle back to the airport the next morning I met a Zimbabwean man, traveling from Athens back to Galveston where he lives. He was a musician. Because he looks like a terrorist from Athens he was detained at the airport for 12 hours and then just let free – just like that. "Oh, sorry, wrong man," he said of the police's apology. Then, on the plane to Hawaii I met an American man that is retired and has been living in Naples for 11 years. He still doesn't know Italian! He calls himself a leisurologist and gave me a business card. Fantastic. Now I'm inspired.

Studying Abroad

- Using a Cell Phone Overseas by Connie Marianacci
Travel abroad and stay in touch; the easiest and most convenient option is to have a cell phone. In most cases the simple combination of an international unlocked GSM cell phone and International SIM card will offer the best deal including rates, international coverage, and dependability.
What type cell phone do I need overseas (and why!)?
Just so you know the names, in the US our cell phone service is either CDMA type (Verizon and Sprint), or perhaps TDMA or even iDEN (Nextel) or AMPS, or GSM (T-Mobil and Cingular). You don't want to know what these acronyms stand for and you don't need to know.
Internationally, most countries – more than 205 at last count – use GSM wireless service. So if you plan to go travel and want the convenience of carrying a cellular phone, then you're going to need a GSM cell phone.
Can I (Should I) rent a cell phone?
GSM cell phones can be rented for typically $29-$59/week with per minute charges ranging from $1.50-$5/minute, for incoming and outgoing calls. If you travel infrequently (once every 2 years) and your stay is less then a week then this may be the best option even with the outrageous per minute costs. With most study abroad programs lasting 3-months or longer this is usually not the most economical solution.
Will my US cell phone work overseas?
T-Mobile and Cingular operate GSM networks in the United States and as a subscriber on one of these networks you may already have a GSM world phone. In this case you can simply take your current phone overseas and start calling. However be advised that this solution is not for the typical student budget. While roaming in another country you can expect to pay $1 to $5/minute in roaming surcharges for all of your calls. These charges can add up especially when you use your phone abroad as much as you do at home.

How can I travel with a cell phone on the cheap?
To really use a cell phone abroad like you do at home and not need the salary of an investment banker, you will want to purchase your own GSM cell phone and a local prepaid SIM. This is the option Amerispan recommends to students who study abroad.
Unlike typical cell phones in the US, GSM world cell phones do not come with phone numbers programmed into them and the actual service is not even tied to the phone itself. Instead customers activate their mobile phones by popping in so-called SIM cards, little thumbnail sized devices that determine your cell phone number and any additional services like voicemail.
A pre-paid SIM card for each country you visit, gives you a local phone number and local calling rates are usually a low 25 cents/minute. It is easy, convenient, and relatively inexpensive for you to call other people in the country you're visiting, and easy and normal for them to call to you on your local number, too. Best of all, Incoming calls are FREE regardless of where they originate (So there is no excuse for not taking that call from home!!!).
Swapping out the SIM cards (they usually snap or slide into the back of the GSM phone – no engineering degree required) is a snap, literally and as they are prepaid you never have a monthly bill, or contract.
You can replenish your airtime on the SIM card by purchasing an airtime voucher in one of the local currency denominations. They are available at most newsstands, kiosks and convenience stores. The airtime vouchers are scratch cards that have a pin code which you simply key into your phone for immediate credit.
In summary, with a prepaid cell phone you have a cost effective way of staying in touch with no bills, no roaming charges and no hassles.
What do I need?
1) An international unlocked GSM cell phone
2) An international SIM card
For additional information find Telestial here where you may also purchase what you need.
SOURCE:
Telestial

Some Wine-Producing Regions

By Glenn Rigby
Lots of people enjoy wine. Something for dinner, a party, celebrations, special occasions – you name it and there is a wine for it. "But where does it come from," many of us may wonder. Well, there is the question at hand.
Wine is produced all over the world. Writing on all the myriad wine regions and locations would fill volumes, so I have decided to pluck out a few acclaimed spots to highlight.
* Emilia-Romagna, Italy
In this region, where the vines have found favorable growing conditions both on hillsides and in the lower plains, thus generating vineyards with well defined characteristics, over the past twenty years an extensive planting of international vine varieties has taken place. In the latest years though, this trend has reversed and many local producers are turning their attention to native vines, aiming at the production of wines which are ever more competitive in the global market, thanks to unique and characteristic perfumes and flavors.
That's why, in addition to well-known international varieties such as Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon, or the classic native Lambruscos, Sangiovese and Albana, wines such as Montuni, Pagadebit, Fortana, Canina Nera, Uva Longanesi, Centesimino (local name for Savignon Rosso, or Sauvignon Rosso [Red Sauvignon]) and Pignoletto, are finding their market and are so well received
* Burgundy, France
Many of the vines here have been cultivated by monks since at least the 500s. The names of the religious orders became the names of some of France's most renouned wines: Chambertin, Santenay, Pommard, Meursault. You'll be surprised how small the great vineyards are if you decide to walk around them. Each property is made up of a many of small, disconnected parcels of land. 3500 properties are responsible for two thirds of the 24,000 hectares of vines planted.
* Mendoza, Argentina
The winemaking process in Mendoza is performed by 682 wineries, divided in different types of companies; those who have a long history and began as a familiar project a long time ago; those who have born based on foreign investments and finally; the small wineries that produce small quantity of wines, many times called "boutique" wineries.
On the other hand, since the beginning of the new decade, the "wine tourism" has taken a remarkable position into the Argentinean wine industry. At the present time, the foreigners can visit more than 70 wineries located into the wine growing regions (Northern, Central and Southern). This allow to the visitors learn more about harvesting, winemaking process and history of the viticulture in Mendoza.
SOURCE:
italian-flavor.com
about.com
greatwinecapitals.com

Preparing for Mexico

By Emily Hogge – Guest blogger traveling in Mexico.
In the quiet calm of my American living room, it's a little hard for me to believe that in 3 days I will be boarding a plane for Mexico. I've visited a few Mexican border towns before, and even worked in Texas within shouting distance of the border, but this will be my first real venture into the heart of Mexico. And, really, my first time being fully surrounded by a language that is not my own.
Even though my friends and roommates joke that I'll return fluent in Spanish and able to salsa like a native, I wonder how much truth there is in their predictions. Will I really speak only Spanish for my entire stay in Morelia? Or, overwhelmed by this foreign language and culture, will I instead seek out other English-speakers to escape it?
I would love to speak Spanish more fluently; that was initially the driving force behind my trip. I'm just unsure of the execution of this goal, and if my slightly shy nature will slow my progress. I wonder if Spanish will naturally infuse my daily experiences, or if I will have to be more intentional in my pursuit of it.
Still, the prospect of four weeks of language study and cultural exploration seems exciting. I love that I will be living in one place longer than the average tourist, long enough to peer beyond the basic sights and sounds. I am particularly intrigued as to what my host family will be like, and what we'll learn from each other. I wonder if the language will be a barrier for us, and what kinds of food we will eat together.
In my final countdown to departure, as I scurry to change the right amount of money into Mexican pesos, and pack the perfect combination of items, I hope that I do not neglect my mental preparation. I would like to enter this trip aware of the challenges, but ready to embrace all that I will experience. I suspect that I will encounter sounds, smells, and tastes that I never have before, and I hope I eagerly soak them up.
Let it all begin!

Medical Spanish Program

By Robin Fillner – SALUD Program Guest blogger traveling in Quito.
Well, today is my last day because I'm leaving for the jungle in an hour. The real last day is tomorrow. I thought this would be a good time to sum up my experience of the last 6 weeks, 4 of which were with the program SALUD.
I am so glad that I came for two weeks prior to the start of the program. I really didn't know hardly any Spanish. My first class, during the first week was a total disaster, well actually getting to Ecuador was a disaster in itself with all the missed connections. But, because I came late, I was placed in a class that had extra room that turns out was way above my head. I didn't understand the instruction for what to do… But, even that has a good ending because I had a lot of notes on Spanish above my head that really helped me out in the next three weeks. Plus, I met some incredible folks that I got to hang out with the next two weekends.
Once the program started we were full on into medical Spanish and our guided trips. I haven't ever been one to go for guided tours but it was so much fun. We didn't have to worry about our stuff getting stolen since we were on our own busses, or which bus to catch, or where to get off. It was extra time to hang out without being a little stressed. Plus, we always had guides that spoke to us in Spanish and forced us to return the favor. Our classes were hard and mind boggling.
Then we started the volunteering. In the hospital I was a little disappointed at not being able to help out more than I did. Probably, this was my own fault because I didn't try to do more. But, I got to a point where I just felt weird being there. There were so many med students that there really wasn't any necessity for me. And my Spanish isn't up to any level where I can understand what they want, or what they were saying to me anyway. I was put with a nurse Susanna to follow around the first day, but she was busy stocking drawers. So, I just tried to wander around and meet people to hang out with. I did end up meeting some very nice doctors that took time out to painfully talk with me. I even attended rounds almost every day, that at least gave me something to do for an hour at a time. And my eyes had an infection that they helped me out with. But, as the week went on, it just seemed kind of pointless. I really went xxx toward the end. Yesterday, I had a horrible reaction to my yellow fever vaccine, so only stayed at the hospital for about a total of five minutes. And today, I didn't go because I had to study for my comprehensive exam, that they told me today in class, that I don't have to take until I get back from the jungle on Wednesday.
But, it's been my life's dream to work in a hospital in a third world country and I think this was a good start. I'd be sad if I never tried again. And hey, for never learning Spanish before now, I think I did pretty good. Today, we had a little pizza party for everyone (I'm pretty sure they did it for me because I had to leave early).
It was really nice and Patti, the head administrator gave us a great speech about helping people and learning Spanish. I will really miss her and Kati, and Santiago, and Andreas, and all my teachers. We even got certificates. Mine says that I am now officially a high intermediate! Wow, who would've known.
My family was especially sweet. I really love them and will miss them so much. They even gave me going away presents! These words aren't doing them justice because they were so helpful and hospitable and shared themselves fully with me. I really felt a part of the family and have definitely taken a part of them with me as well as left a part of myself with them.
All in all, this will definitely be a memorable experience for the rest of my life and if you're interested I highly recommend this trip to you! Good luck! And it's time to catch the 12 hour jungle bus! (I hope my yellow fever diarrhea doesn't pop out on the bus – yuck!)

Going to Taipei?

By Glenn Rigby
Taipei is the capital of Taiwan, an island off the coast of the People's Republic of China. It is rife with culture and historical importance. There are many fascinating temples, museums, towers and other architectural features.
Let's take a look at some popular sightseeing spots, shall we?
* Taipei 101 – The world's tallest building when built in 2004. The design is inspired by traditional Chinese architecture, with a shape resembling a pagoda. The sectioned tower is also inspired by the bamboo plant, which is a model of strength, resilience, and elegance.


* Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall – A majestic marble monument surrounded by gardens and ponds, the Memorial contains a statue of late President Chiang Kai-shek. A ground-level library displays photos and mementos of the late president's life. Adjoining the Memorial are the National Theater and National Concert Hall, both built in a traditional Chinese palace style.
Changing of the Guards: every hour.

* National Palace Museum – The National Palace Museum was established in Beijing on October 10, 1925, shortly after the expulsion of Puyi, the last emperor of China, from the Forbidden City by warlord Feng Yü-hsiang. The articles in the museum consisted of the valuables of the former Imperial family and were moved from place to place in the 1930s and 1940s to prevent them from falling into the hands of the invading Imperial Japanese Army.

* Confuscius Temple – In contrast to many other temples, the Confucius Temple is a tranquil place that comes to life only at dawn on September 28. On this day every year rites are performed, some of which date back nearly 3,000 years, by school children in ancient costume to honor Confucius on his birthday.
* Pao An Temple – A short walk from the Confucius Temple is the 230-year-old Taoist Pao An Temple. The three main deities worshipped here are Pao Sheng, God of Medicine; Ju Lai Fo, God of Luck; and Chu Sheng Niang Niang, Goddess of Birth and Fertility.
* Martyrs Shrine – An excellent example of classical Ming dynasty architecture, dedicated to the fallen heroes of China's wars. A majestic archway, tranquil paths, and a ceremonial changing of the guards. Changing of the Guards: every hour, 10 minutes to the hour.

Oktoberfest – Munich, Germany

By Glenn Rigby
Beer? Check! Germany? Check! It sounds like you're ready for the world-renowned, phenomenon known as Oktoberfest.
This two-week festival in Munich, Bavaria is the world's largest fair. Every year, about 6 million people attend from around the world. Germany is known for its beer, and it is found in abundance at this famous event.
I've never been to Germany, so I have not experienced the awe-inspiring spectacle known as Oktoberfest. Friends of mine have gone. I am related to people who have been a part of the event. But, alas, I am not yet part of that club. Cities around the world hold their own smaller versions of the Munich original, and in Philadelphia the drinkers like to celebrate it, but it is not the same. Just look at this photo of the Löwenbräu tent at night!


This is one of 14 enormous tents set up every year for the fair. This particular tent seats 5,700 people inside, and 2,800 people outside. Above the entrance is a 15 foot lion who drinks from his beer.
Oktoberfest began as a commemoration of the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen in October 12, 1810. Many times over the course of the years Oktoberfest has been cancelled – whether the cause be plague, war, inflation, or other emergencies.
About 15% of the attendees are visitors from out of country. Many tourists are overwhelmed by the grandeur of the tents, the people, the dizzying amount of beer, and the overall atmosphere. Be careful not to drink too much! Every year, many people pass out due to drunkenness. These overly drunk people are often called "Bierleichen" (German for "beercorpses"). They are brought to a medical tent where drunks as well as sick people are treated.