What's in this issue?
TRAVELER REPORTS
Travel News For Travel People
Laurie Weed knows exactly how to dodge the rickshaw drivers, the touts and the aggressors at Indian train stations. Read More
Brian O'Sullivan encounters Cuban 151, English stupidity and South African generosity...all in Hong Kong.
Read More
Despite being 'deposited' by his horse, Tim Healing decides the fear of his first time on the animal is worth it once seeing the rewarding view.
Read More
Philip Blazdell wonders what it would be like to penetrate the Japanese mind and rummage around in the lingerie-drawer of their thoughts. Read More
Ray Leung sees hookers, eats a Danish feast and talks to the cops in Copenhagen.
Read More
Go to all the new BootsnAll articles from last month »
WHERE NEXT?
New frontiers for modern-day explorers and independent travellers
Niger, West Africa:
With countless countries in Africa having huge travel potential, Niger is one country that is quickly emergening as the next possible extraordinary destination - one that is barely been noticed by travelers and much of the world. Squashed between seven countries with varying levels of safety, Niger is a country that has managed to maintain its old world charm - with a north African landscape like no other in Africa. It has dramatic mountains, vast deserts and huge black volcanic mountains. It still has ancient desert cities that are a step way back in time.
Read Village Life by Alexis Wolff as she discovers the physcial and mental maze of travel in rural Niger.
Check out BootsnAll's Niger Nuts & Bolts
TRAVEL PEOPLE
Interviews with people on the cutting-edge of travel
We were fortunate enough to meet Malia Everette, director of Global Exchange's reality tours. Global Exchange is an International Human Rights Organization whoses "reality tours" explore the social and economics impacts of foreign policy, both past and present. Malia explained to us how her reality tours are different from typical tours.
Can you explain what makes Global Exchange's reality tours unique?
There are many reasons. As you know we offer socially responsible, alternative, educational travel programs. Our program is also built on the principals of experiential education (thus all of our tours incorporate learning as part of the travel journey). Our programs are also transformative and we believe that experience can be the basis for change (individual and thus social). I know we share the belief that travel inspires change. It opens people's hearts and minds. I have seen the power of people-to-people connections over the years and what our alumni have done upon return.
We offer tours to over 29 countries now. New in 2005 are Bolivia, Libya, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. Reality Tours does go to places to explore the impacts past and present of US policies. For example in Afghanistan, Palestine and Israel, Colombia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, Mexico and Iraq.
On GlobalExchange.org, it says that the participants will explore how the US's economic and foreign policies impact other countries. Can you give us an example?
In Cuba, we have sent tours for 15 years. Sending people to Cuba is and was important because of the fact that the US has maintained an embargo against the country and does not have diplomatic relations. Our tours are designed to have North Americans and Cubans exchange ideas and for our participants to come back home with a humanized vision and experience of Cuba. When they share their thoughts it helps to change others impressions and educate them.
The embargo hurts average Cubans and we believe that it is wrong (as a human rights issue) and that it is a policy that has been ill conceived and enacted. Additionally the travel restrictions to Cuba should be challenged.
We believe in dialogue and diplomacy. We also believe in respecting the national sovereignty of other nations and that people should have self determination. That said, at Global Exchange there are diverse opinions about the current state of affairs in Cuba, but we are unified in our perspective that US relations should be normalized, peoples should be able to travel, and that the embargo be ended. We also realize many of the successes Cuba has made over the past five decades in health, education, culture and in sustainable agriculture, development and renewable energy. In this light we believe North Americans and Cubans have a lot to share and support.
Read the entire interview with Malia Everette of Global Exchange.
BOOTSNALL TRAVELBLOGS
Endless amounts of travel news, thoughts, opinions from BootsnAll bloggers on the road
After over 500 days on the road, Erik Trinidad's epic round-the-world journey is coming to an end. Within a week many people will be wondering how to fill that portion of their day usually spent reading Erik's travelblog and poring over the fantastic photos. But if you're in New York, you have a chance to meet up with the man himself on March 5th.
In the meantime, check out some of our newest travel blogs!
Don't forget, if you're about to head off on an extended trip and you've just got to have one of your own, talk to us about getting your own Travel Blog. All you need to do is make sure you're a BootsnAll member and we'll take care of the rest.
Sign up for BootsnAll membership here »
Check out all the BootsnAll TravelBlogs »
TRAVEL TALK
A travelers community for ranting and raving about world
BootsnAll Guided Trips
We are taking 30 people from around the world to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania for New Years 2006. Afterwards, we will embark on a five day safari through the Serengeti. Interested? Check out this thread.
Biological Clock Ticking?
Tick Tock Tick Tock - Thinking about having a baby but also want to travel? What to do? Should you stay and live a sheltered, but comfortable life, with a white picket fence and let your bun grow in the oven? Or should you head out into the amazing world and explore the world without the responsibility of a child? Or can you do both?
How did your first solo trip change you as a person?
Traveling effects everyone in unique ways. Some travelers come back inspired and want to seize the day and find happiness and joy everywhere; others travelers when they return curl up in a ball and try to make sense of the cruel world. Despite your experience, this thread examines different types of personal growth - physical, social and metaphysical - after your first trek alone.
Cambodia - how dangerous is it really?
Cambodia gets mixed reviews from travelers - many people love the amazing Angkor temples, but other travelers say Cambodia is a little rough on the edges. Hear what other first-hand experience BootsnAll members said about their trips to this Southeast Asian gem.
FEATURED TRIP - Kilimanjaro New Years 2006
BootsnAll is looking for 30 people from around the world to join us for an ultimate adventure in East Africa. On the morning of New Years, Jan 1 2006, we plan to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro and watch the sun rise over the Great Rift Valley. After climbing Kilimanjaro, we'll to head out into the Serengeti for a five day epic safari camping adventure.
For more details, visit our East Africa New Years 2006 discussion or email donovan@BootsnAll.com
TICKET DEAL OF THE MONTH
Ya Making Me Crazy Mon - Jamaica on Sale
Only a few hours from the United States, those with the winter blues, or looking for a Spring Break party, head to Rastafarian Jamaica with its beautiful beaches and laid back "no worries" culture. Right now, BootsnAll has cheap airfare to Kingston.
We also have extremely affordable hostel and hotel options available!
