What's in this issue?
TRAVELER REPORTS
Travel News For Travel People
Nancy Bevilaqua's stay with her boyfriend's family in Egypt is anything but what she expected. Read More
"Hola" said the little boy, and China just got a little bit weirder for Brian O'Sullivan. Read More
On a twelve-hour bus trip, information about how to get into and out of the bathroom should be considered valuable and worthy of attention, but, as in all great tragedies, no one was listening. Read More
Carolyn Theriault worked as site supervisor at several arcaheological sights in North Africa, but as in everything in life, she remembers her first. Read More
Rotten fruit, bricks and hostile locals didn't deter Richard McLaren from learning how to water-ski while serving in Vietnam. Read More
Go to the 50 most recent BootsnAll articles »
If you're planning around the world trip, you'll find plenty of answers to your travel questions, and can read tips and profiles from other round the world travelers.
WHERE NEXT?
New frontiers for modern-day explorers and independent travel
Fourth Stop: Ultar Peak (Karimabad), Pakistan
As conquers have come and gone, Pakistan has been influenced by their presence, creating splinters of culture with people who differ greatly in dress, food and way of life. This diversity is encapsulated by excellent historical and physical attractions, including some of the best hiking in the world. As people slowly make their way back into this region, they will be rewarded with an array of UNESCO sites to visit, mountains to climb and people to meet. What won't be there are all the tourists to share it with - at least, for awhile.
Read more about Pakistan
Know a hidden destination that you would like to share with other independent travelers? Email donovan@BootsnAll.com and tell him a place you would like to nominate for our newsletter.
Travel People
Interviews with people on the cutting-edge of travel
Matthew Harding
Insta-travel-icon Matthew Harding went around the world in 2003, documenting his travels on Wherethehellismatt.com. His personal website contained notes and pictures about his travels, as well as a video of him dancing in different places around the world. The video made the internet rounds and was downloaded to thousands of computers across the globe.
How did you come up with the idea behind Wherethehellismatt?
I had a job in Brisbane, Australia for a few years and I reached the point where I'd had enough of it. I loved Australia, but I was sitting in front of a computer screen all day and I knew I needed a change. It was about time for me to head back to the States anyway, so I quit my job and decided to use the money I'd saved to take the long way home and buy a round-the-world ticket.
The web site was just a way to document the trip and keep my friends and family posted on what I was up to.
When did you decide to 'dance' in a list of places around the world?
I was in Vietnam with a friend of mine. I have a stupid dance that I do whenever I'm happy, or excited, or antsy, and on the spot my friend came up with the idea of having me stand in front of some passing motorbikes and do the dance while he filmed it. We did it and it looked pretty funny, so I kept doing it everywhere I went.
How did you decide on your dancing locations?
The dance was an afterthought -- just something I'd stop and do whenever I was in a place that seemed worth doing it at. I never went anywhere specifically to do the dance.
How did it become the popular 'must see' travel site?
A guy found it on my site and showed it to some friends. They put it up on their blogs, which led to more and more blogs. The link started showing up on sites like Metafilter, Fazed, and Somethingawful, which highlight randomly amusing stuff off the internet. From there people started passing the link around on email, it kept snowballing, and now I get a few thousand visitors a day downloading my video.
Do you have any plans to continue dancing around the world?
Absolutely. I'm looking for sponsorship right now and trying to figure out a way to keep adding to the video.
BOOTSNALL TRAVELBLOGS
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Travel Talk
A travelers community for ranting and raving about world
Traveller's Dating Classifieds
If you were posting a singles ad aimed at other travelling guys/gals, what would you say? Read through these sometimes serious, sometimes halarious ads - and their responses.
Backpacker Ghettos: Where are They?
Where in the world do backpackers flock and hang together? What are the attractions and why do they go there? Kings Cross in Sydney, Wimbledon in London and Akbiyik Caddesi in Istanbul are just a few of the hot-spots.
So What Shouldn't You Have Packed?
Lighten your load before you go by reading these BootsnAll member tips on what's best left behind. From clothes and shoes to books, sleeping bags and towels, almost everyone has ditched something after starting their trip.
Featured Trip - Destination Tuscany
Tuscany is one of the true gems of Italy. From our accommodation in the romantic heart of its former capital Lucca, we savour it slowly. Lucca is a magnificent medieval walled town with a rich cultural heritage stretching back to the Etruscans, after which Tuscany is named. While enjoying every modern amenity, Lucca remains a romantic, wistful place, largely unscathed by the modern world.
Discover more about Destination Tuscany. and more information about all our cheap trips in Italy and around the world.
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