Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.gadling.com/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[World Streetfood Congress To Be Held In Singapore, May 31-June 9]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/17/world-streetfood-congress-to-be-held-in-singapore-may-31-june-9/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/17/world-streetfood-congress-to-be-held-in-singapore-may-31-june-9/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/17/world-streetfood-congress-to-be-held-in-singapore-may-31-june-9/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

street food
Laurel Miller, Gadling
Does the mere thought of street food set your stomach to rumbling? If so, you'll want to get yourself to Singapore- the world's unofficial street food (or, technically, hawker centre)- capital. The city is hosting the World Streetfood Congress May 31-June 9. Don't let the stern-sounding name fool you: this 10-day event is all about hedonism, snackie-style.

In addition to a World Streetfood Jamboree featuring the "best street food masters" from all over the world, there are also demos, a first-of-its-kind awards ceremony, discussions on "street food opportunities," live music, and more.

For those in the F & B industry, a two-day conference, The World Street Food Dialogues, will be held June 3-4. It will feature noted speakers/street food experts such as Anthony Bourdain, Saveur magazine editor-in-chief James Oseland, Brett Burmeister, managing editor and co-owner of Food Carts Portland, and Singapore's beloved KF Seetoh, chef, food writer, and founder of the Makansutra food centre and "foodbooks." Makansutra is also the organizer of the World Streetfood Congress.

For details and tickets, click here. Your path to enlightenment via assam laksa, kue pankong, nasi kapau, mee siam, fish tacos, and chuoi nuong awaits.

World Streetfood Congress To Be Held In Singapore, May 31-June 9 originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 17 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anthony bourdainAnthonyBourdainasian foodAsianFoodchinese foodChineseFoodculinary travelCulinaryTravelfood trucksFoodTruckshawker centresHawkerCentresindonesian foodIndonesianFoodmakansutramaylaysian foodMaylaysianFoodportland food trucksPortlandFoodTruckssingapore hawker centerssingaporean foodSingaporeanFoodSingaporeHawkerCentersstreet foodstreet food festivalsstreet food vendorsstreet foodsStreetFoodStreetFoodFestivalsStreetFoodsStreetFoodVendorsvietnamese foodVietnameseFoodFri, 17 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Concepcion: Paraguay's Pearl Of The North]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/06/concepcion-paraguays-pearl-of-the-north/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/06/concepcion-paraguays-pearl-of-the-north/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/06/concepcion-paraguays-pearl-of-the-north/#commentsI arrived at the Concepción bus terminal at 11 p.m. amid cracks of thunder so loud they would have triggered car alarms, if the town's horse-and-carts, scooters and clapped-out old junkers were equipped with them. As it was, there was no real taxi, so I just had to trust that the obese guy with the beady eyes and crappy Korean import really was a cabdriver. He considerately allowed me to carry and toss my 40-pound backpack into the car, and then we peeled out of the parking lot, radio blaring.

Fortunately, he took me straight to my destination - a "cheap" hotel I'd heard about that I immediately deduced was pulling double-duty as a brothel (it was). But it was late, I'd just landed in Paraguay at 2 a.m. that morning, and then spent 10 hours on a bus from Asunción. Theoretically, it takes seven hours, but welcome to transportation in Paraguay; the original bus broke down and we had to wait on the side of the road for a replacement vehicle. I was exhausted. I paid eight dollars for a room, trying to ignore the creepy guys chugging beers in the adjacent bar area. As I crossed the courtyard, the skies broke open and a monsoonal deluge poured down.

Soaked to the skin, I unlocked my room and discovered that it more closely resembled a prison cell. As a tidal wave of rainwater flowed from beneath the door, I frantically moved my pack to the bed (is there such a thing as crabs-to-pack transmission?), and put away my phone charger, which I had just been about to insert into an outlet. My impression of rural Paraguay was off to a bumpy start.

Gallery: Concepcion, Paraguay

Continue reading Concepcion: Paraguay's Pearl Of The North

Concepcion: Paraguay's Pearl Of The North originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 06 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asuncioncargo boatsCargoBoatscolonial architectureColonialArchitectureConcepcionGuarani cultureGuaraniCulturemarketsmatePantanalparaguayan cultureParaguayan PantanalParaguayanCultureParaguayanPantanalpassenger boatsPassengerBoatsport townsPortTownsrio paraguayRioParaguayriverboatsstreet foodStreetFoodtereretraveling in paraguayTravelingInParaguayvallemiyerba mateYerbaMateMon, 06 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Culinary Vacations Not 'Cookie-Cutter' With Destination Discoveries]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/05/culinary-vacations-not-cookie-cutter-with-destination-discover/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/05/culinary-vacations-not-cookie-cutter-with-destination-discover/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/05/culinary-vacations-not-cookie-cutter-with-destination-discover/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

cooking classAs we've continued to report at Gadling, a new generation of culinary tours is on the rise. Food-loving travelers want more than generic cooking classes that teach how to make pad thai in Thailand or risotto in Tuscany. And a few companies - such as Destination Hotels & Resorts, North America's fourth largest hotel management company - are complying by offering tours and classes that focus more on culture, locality and experiential elements.

With the launch of Destination Discoveries, hotel guests can tour the on-site apiary at Kirkland, Washington's, The Woodmark, before taking a honey-themed cooking class with Chef Dylan Giordan. On Maui, personalized farm tours enable participants to harvest ingredients for a private class in their accommodation, as well as visit producers and sample handcrafted foods from the island.

The adventures aren't just limited to food. There are also art, literature and active themes that reflect a sense of place; fly-fishing lessons in Lake Tahoe; nordic pursuits in Vail; art classes in Santa Fe; or a cultural and historic tour of Walden Pond via the Bedford Glen property in Boston. Here's to more hotel groups doing away with homogenous travel.

[Photo credit: Destination Hotels & Resorts]

Culinary Vacations Not 'Cookie-Cutter' With Destination Discoveries originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 05 May 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>art classesArtClassescooking classescooking programsCookingClassesCookingProgramsculturaldestination hotelsDestinationHotelsfarm toursFarmToursfly fishingFlyFishingfoodfood toursFoodTourshoneyhotel groupsHotelGroupslake tahoeLakeTahoelocal foodLocalFoodmauinew mexicoNewMexiconordic skiingNordicSkiingresortssanta feSantaFevailwalden pondWaldenPondwashingtonwashington stateWashingtonStatewellnessSun, 05 May 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo: A Thoroughly Befuddling Tent Tag]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/03/photo-a-thoroughly-befuddling-tent-tag/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/03/photo-a-thoroughly-befuddling-tent-tag/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/03/photo-a-thoroughly-befuddling-tent-tag/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

chinglish
If you travel, without question you've had your share of experiences with "Chinglish," or other corrupted forms of the English language. After all, there are books and websites devoted to this stuff. But while trekking in Bolivia last month, I discovered an entirely new form of linguistic weirdness, in the form of a tag on my (outfitter-supplied) tent.

It was a brand I'd never heard of, called Alpkit, and the tent had no information as to its origin. You can imagine my befuddlement upon reading this after a full day of trekking at 15,000 feet. I thought perhaps I was hallucinating.

Now that I'm home, I've discovered that Alpkit is a UK outfitter, and upon reviewing their site, I realize the above is entirely tongue-in-cheek. That doesn't make it any less amusing. Here's to more gear manufacturers having a sense of humor.

[Photo credit: Laurel Miller]

Photo: A Thoroughly Befuddling Tent Tag originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 03 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bolivia trekkingBoliviaTrekkingchinglishenglish languageEnglishLanguagetentstrekkingweird signsWeirdSignsFri, 03 May 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Intrepid Travel Offering 20 Percent Off All Food-Centric Trips Through August 31]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/02/intrepid-travel-offering-20-percent-off-all-food-centric-trips-t/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/02/intrepid-travel-offering-20-percent-off-all-food-centric-trips-t/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/02/intrepid-travel-offering-20-percent-off-all-food-centric-trips-t/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

vietnam
Melbourne-based Intrepid Travel - known for its cultural and food-focused trips to remote corners of the planet - is now offering 20 percent off over 350 of their trips, including the newly-launched Food Adventures. The discount is good for all trips departing before August 31, 2013.

Last fall, Intrepid partnered up with The Perennial Plate, which documents these culinary adventures in bi-weekly video clips. If that's not inspiration enough, check out these "Summer of Adventure" trips on offer: Northern Spain (Barcelona to San Sebastian), India (Delhi to Goa), and Vietnam (Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City).

The trips run from four to 14 days, and have been designed in collaboration with renowned chefs, cookbook authors and other food experts, including Susan Feniger and Tracey Lister. Trip prices include accommodation, ground transportation, a local guide, activities listed on the itinerary and, in many cases, cooking classes, meals with locals and trips to local markets.

[Photo credit: Intrepid Travel]

Intrepid Travel Offering 20 Percent Off All Food-Centric Trips Through August 31 originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 02 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barcelonabasque countryBasqueCountrycooking classesCookingClassesculinary toursculinary travelCulinaryToursCulinaryTravelcultural travelCulturalTraveldelhifarmers marketsFarmersMarketsfoodfood marketsfood toursFoodMarketsFoodToursgoahanoiHo Chi Minh CityHoChiMinhCitylocal foodLocalFoodmelbournenorthern spainNorthernSpainregional foodsRegionalFoodsstreet foodsStreetFoodstravel companiesTravelCompaniesThu, 02 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ultralight Hammocks: Your New Summer Camping Accessory]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/01/ultralight-hammocks-your-new-summer-camping-accessory/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/01/ultralight-hammocks-your-new-summer-camping-accessory/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/01/ultralight-hammocks-your-new-summer-camping-accessory/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

hammock campingCamping season is almost officially here, and that means it's a good time to take stock of your gear. Maybe it's time for an upgrade? If you live in or are planning camping trips in warm, dry climates, allow me to suggest an easy, affordable addition to your arsenal.

Hammock camping is becoming increasingly popular amongst car-campers and backpackers alike. Unless you enjoy camping in volcanic calderas, sand dunes, or similarly treeless places, ultralight hammocks are a great way to conserve weight and space. Best of all, they provide a more outdoorsy experience, yet allow you to remain high and dry, elevated from debris and critters (for those of you who are used to sleeping open-air on the ground). Many versions are enclosed, providing mosquito and rain shelter, although if you tend toward claustrophobia, you may want to stick with a traditional version.

For backpackers/campers like me, who suffer bad backs, a hammock can be either a blessing or a curse. Personally, I go for ultralight gear, and am more comfortable dealing with spinal curvature; it all depends upon your particular affliction and preferences. For my purposes, hammock camping is the ultimate for whitewater trips, because trees are abundant, ground conditions can be less than ideal, and I relish being out in the open.

Ultralight hammocks are generally made from parachute nylon; look for one that's mildew-resistant, and make sure it comes with a stuff sack so you can test its compression size. Last summer, at a street fair in Boulder, I even saw an ultralight all-in-one daypack and hammock. Check sites like REI or Backcountry.com, and be sure that whatever you buy comes with no-questions-asked return policy should you be less than thrilled.

[Photo credit: Flickr user andrewmalone]

Ultralight Hammocks: Your New Summer Camping Accessory originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 01 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bad backBadBackcamping gearCampingGearfeatherlight gearFeatherlightGearhammocksmicrolightultralight camping gearultralight weightUltralightCampingGearUltralightWeightultraportableWed, 01 May 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Visit To A Bolivian Medicine Woman]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/30/a-visit-to-a-bolivian-medicine-woman/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/30/a-visit-to-a-bolivian-medicine-woman/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/30/a-visit-to-a-bolivian-medicine-woman/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

yatiriI'd never heard of a shaman until my first class on my first day of college. I'd signed up for "Magic, Witchcraft, & Religion" as an elective on a whim. It turned out to be one of my favorite undergrad classes and has been highly inspirational to my work as a travel writer.

The instructor was a short, plump woman of a certain age. She'd lived on a Hopi reservation while working on her doctoral thesis. She looked so exotic, always bedecked with ropes of beads, silver and turquoise necklaces and rings, and dangly earrings. She wore colorful indigenous skirts and told incredible stories, some of them involving the words "peyote" and "ayuhuasca." She'd traveled all over the world. I wanted to be her.

So, it's no surprise that I developed a fascination for indigenous cultures. Perhaps one of the reasons I find them so absorbing is because I don't subscribe to any religion myself, so I find the concepts of animism, polytheism and shamanism particularly interesting. I'm spiritually bankrupt myself, although I studied holistic massage in the '90s (big mistake), and through that developed a respect for certain alternative modalities of medicine.

But fortune-telling? Soul cleansing? Killing endangered species and then ingesting their body parts in foul-tasting teas? Um, no thank you. I find this stuff interesting, but I don't believe in it, nor do I endorse anything that involves sacrificial offerings in the name of fortune, fertility or romance.

I once had my palm read on a press trip in Hong Kong. The fortune-teller, a wizened old man, examined my hand (at the time cracked and callused from my part-time jobs as a farmers market vendor and waitress), and asked my translator, "Why no marry? If no marry by 40, never marry. Health good, feet not so good." Still single at 44, that asshole may well have sealed my fate, but on the other hand, my feet are in good shape.

Gallery: A Visit To A Bolivian Medicine Woman

Continue reading A Visit To A Bolivian Medicine Woman

A Visit To A Bolivian Medicine Woman originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aymaraAymara cultureaymara peopleAymaraCultureAymaraPeopleayuhuascaBarack ObamaBarackObamacoachcoca leavesCocaLeavesel altoElAltoFortunefortune tellersFortuneTellersla pazLaPazMedicine WomanMedicineWomanmedine manMedineManmercado de hecheriaMercadoDeHecheriapalm readingPalmReadingshamanwitchwitchesyatirisTue, 30 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wanderu's Site Lets You Research And Book Bus And Rail Travel]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/24/wanderus-site-lets-you-research-and-book-bus-and-rail-travel/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/24/wanderus-site-lets-you-research-and-book-bus-and-rail-travel/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/24/wanderus-site-lets-you-research-and-book-bus-and-rail-travel/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

chicken busIf you're a traveler, then you're a Kayaker. Not a paddler, but a devotee of Kayak.com, the airline (and hotel and rental car) search engine that makes booking the lowest fares a breeze. If you're a traveler, then you've also probably cursed the fact that a similar site doesn't exist for bus and rail travel.

We can now count our blessings, thanks to Wanderu. According to Thrillist, this ingenious domestic search engine offers "hundreds of routes, operators, and schedules into a free, trip-aggregating database." You can even make bookings, which is like a giant gift from the Travel Gods.

As soon as Wanderu or a competitor makes this info available for international travel, budget travelers won't have anything left to complain about - except maybe the quality of their guesthouse banana pancakes.

[Photo credit: Flickr user DavidDennisPhotos.com]

Wanderu's Site Lets You Research And Book Bus And Rail Travel originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amtrakbusbus ticketsbus travelbusesBusTicketsBusTraveldomestic travelDomesticTravelgreyhoundkayak.comrail travelRailTraveltraintrain ticketstrain traveltrainsTrainTicketsTrainTraveltraveltravel servicestravel sitesTravelServicesTravelSitesWed, 24 Apr 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[International Budget Guide 2013: Asuncion, Paraguay]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/22/international-budget-guide-2013-asuncion-paraguay/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/22/international-budget-guide-2013-asuncion-paraguay/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/22/international-budget-guide-2013-asuncion-paraguay/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Asuncion
Why is 2013 the year to get to Asunción, Paraguay's, lovely, riverfront capital? Because this landlocked tropical nation sandwiched between Boliva, Brazil and Argentina is modernizing at warp speed. Tourism is still a rarity (expect curious looks, especially if you venture into the countryside - and you most definitely should), but the city offers enough inexpensive, low-key pleasures to make spending a few days more than worthwhile.

While not as cheap as, say, La Paz, Asunción is still ridiculously affordable, especially if you're not looking for luxury accommodations (lodging and cabs are pricey, compared to everything else). Spend your days in the laid-back downtown, or centro, visiting the shops, market stalls and restaurants; stroll La Costanera, the two-mile riverfront walkway in the centro; take a small boat to the nearby island of Chaco'i to check out the bird life; hit the town (Asuncion has quite the nightlife, because that's when things finally "cool off"); or just do as Asuncenos do: kick back in the Plaza with a refreshing tereré (cold mate tea, often spiked with fresh medicinal herbs called yuyos) and watch the world go by (empanada in hand).

Although Paraguay is reputed to be South America's second poorest country, Asunción's centro has the feel of prosperity. The country is rich in cattle ranching, soy exports and other agricultural food crops and is the continent's only officially bilingual nation, thanks to the prevalent indigenous Guarani culture. (In most places, including Asuncion, Spanish is the dominant language over Guarani; you won't, however, find English widely spoken, so bring your phrasebook.) Paraguayans are also legendarily hospitable, so don't be surprised if you find yourself getting invitations to dinner or making friends at the drop of a hat.

Asunción calls to mind a smaller, saner, safer Rio de Janeiro, except that it's located on the Rio Paraguay, instead of the Atlantic. Multi-colored, colonial and gothic-style buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries (both beautifully restored and in varying stages of glorious decay) make up the majority of the centro - although modern, upscale shopping malls and hotels are popping up, as well.

Continue reading International Budget Guide 2013: Asuncion, Paraguay

International Budget Guide 2013: Asuncion, Paraguay originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-travelartesaniasartisan craftsArtisanalCheeseArtisanCraftsasuncion historyasuncion hotelsasuncion museumsasuncion restaurantsasuncion shoppingAsuncionHistoryAsuncionHotelsAsuncionMuseumsAsuncionRestaurantsAsuncionShoppingbay of asuncionBayOfAsuncionblack cat hostelBlackCatHostelbotanical gardensBotanicalGardensbudget-travelchipascolonial architecturecolonial buildingsColonialArchitectureColonialBuildingscraft marketsCraftMarketsEmpanadasEmpanadafood marketsFoodMarketsGothic architectureGothicArchitecturehandicapinternational budget guide 2013InternationalBudgetGuide2013laceleatherleather craftsleather goodsLeatherCraftsLeatherGoodsmaternity leaveMaternityLeavemercado cautroMercadoCautromuseo del barroMuseoDelBarroparaguay museumsParaguayMuseumsproduce marketsProduceMarketsrio paraguayRioParaguayterence newmanTerenceNewmanterereYerbaBuenaMon, 22 Apr 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Picture Perfect: Why Bolivians Insist Upon Flawless US Dollars]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/21/picture-perfect-why-bolivians-insist-upon-flawless-us-dollars/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/21/picture-perfect-why-bolivians-insist-upon-flawless-us-dollars/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/21/picture-perfect-why-bolivians-insist-upon-flawless-us-dollars/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

moneyMy first encounter with the Bolivian mania for perfect U.S. dollars occurred at 3 a.m., as I blearily stood in line at Immigration, attempting to pay for my entry visa. I'd been in transit for over 30 hours, and was fumbling in my travel wallet for the stack of twenties I'd set aside specifically for this purpose (they want that $135 in USD, no exceptions).

The immigration agent examined each bill with an anal retentiveness surely rivaled by past appraisers of the Hope Diamond. He immediately tossed two perfectly-fine looking bills back at me.

"What's wrong with these?" I asked. "They are damaged," he snapped, and returned to closely inspecting my remaining twenties, running his fingers along each edge, and holding them up to the light. I looked at the offending bills, seeing nothing wrong. "Why can't you take this one?" I queried, holding out the bill in question. My silly question would have made my fresh-off-the-boat status obvious, even if I weren't standing in the immigration line.

"There is a crease in it," the officer said impatiently, pointing to a miniscule dent. Fortunately, the rest of my money passed muster. The final insult? Having my visa photo taken (despite the fact I'd brought passport-size photos with me for this very purpose). I now have a very special souvenir of what I'll look like in another 40 years. That cabin air is really dehydrating.

Over the next two weeks, I continued to observe the Bolivian obsession with flawless dolares de Estados Unitos. By then, I knew the reason. Counterfeit money is a big problem, but they're not nearly as concerned about the state of their bolivianos as they are our currency. Admittedly, their paper money is fairly pristine. Every trip to an ATM was an anxiety-inducing event ... what if the bills were wrinkled, or torn? What if, while in one of the godforsaken, far-flung outposts I was visiting, someone required U.S. dollars and I couldn't obtain any perfect ones? In Bolivia, you can often pay in either currency, so some travelers prefer dollars because they find them easier to use than trying to convert bolivianos.

Fortunately, it seems most Bolivian cash machines dispense quality bills. I was even able to bail out a befuddled traveler attempting to purchase a bus ticket. His dollars were simply not up to snuff, so I traded him some of my crisp Jacksons to defuse the escalating shouting match.

After I traveled on to Paraguay, I discovered that they're almost as strict about the appearance of U.S. dollars. It's a national joke, however, that this attention to detail doesn't extend to their guaranies. Never have I seen such woefully limp, bedraggled, filthy paper money. Which is ironic, given all the armed guards posted outside of banks and change houses. Then again, money is money, no matter how pretty. If only someone could tell the Bolivians that.

[Photo credit: Flickr user Unhindered by Talent]

Picture Perfect: Why Bolivians Insist Upon Flawless US Dollars originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 21 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ATMsbolivianoscash machinesCashMachinescounterfeit moneycounterfeitingCounterfeitMoneyforeign moneyForeignMoneyguaraniesguardianmoneyu.s. dollarsU.s.DollarsSun, 21 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[La Paz's Museo De Coca: A Historical And Cultural Look At Bolivia's Most Controversial Crop]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/19/la-pazs-museo-de-coca-a-historical-and-cultural-look-at-bolivi/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/19/la-pazs-museo-de-coca-a-historical-and-cultural-look-at-bolivi/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/19/la-pazs-museo-de-coca-a-historical-and-cultural-look-at-bolivi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

coca leaf"Hoja de coca no es droga." "Coca no es cocaina." You'll see these sentiments, which are indeed accurate, on T-shirts displayed throughout La Paz's tourist ghetto, which is centered on Calle Sagarnaga.

I should preface this post by saying I'm not a fan of recreational drugs (no judgement; I do live in Colorado, after all), so my recent trip to Bolivia had nothing to do with that. It's unfortunate, however, that a certain type of traveler has made Bolivia a destination to obtain cheap coke, because it's not doing the country any favors with regard to its reputation. But, if you know where to look, cocaine is available in abundance. If you know the right people, you'll also find it's the best-quality stuff available (sorry, Colombia). And yes, it's illegal.

How do I know this if I don't partake? Let's just say that I'm a journalist, and I read a lot and talk to a lot of people. I've also spent enough time traveling in South America to understand the difference between coca leaf- the raw ingredient- and cocaine, the manufactured drug.

For thousands of years up until the present, coca leaf has been an integral part of the cultural, spiritual and economic psyches of Bolivia, Peru and Colombia. A member of the family Erythroxylaceae, coca is native to the Andean lowlands and highlands of western South America.

For aforementioned reasons, the plant is considered a high-value cash crop because it contains trace amounts of alkaloids, including cocaine. It's important to note that ingesting the alkaloid is not the same as using the synthesized, concentrated form of the drug cocaine. Synthetic cocaine is, as we all know, a powerfully addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. Since this isn't an article about "Just Say No," let's get back to coca leaf, shall we?

Continue reading La Paz's Museo De Coca: A Historical And Cultural Look At Bolivia's Most Controversial Crop

La Paz's Museo De Coca: A Historical And Cultural Look At Bolivia's Most Controversial Crop originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aymara peopleAymaraPeoplebolivian culturebolivian museumsBolivianCultureBolivianMuseumsbudget travelBudgetTravelcocacoca leafcoca leaf usecocainecocaine manufactureCocaineManufactureCocaLeafCocaLeafUseincasindigenous cultureIndigenousCulturela pazla paz museumsLaPazLaPazMuseumsMacchu PicchuMacchuPicchumate de cocaMateDeCocamedicinal plantsMedicinalPlantsmercado de hecheriaMercadoDeHecheriamuseo de cocaMuseoDeCocaQuechua peopleQuechuaPeopleFri, 19 Apr 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[International Adventure Guide 2013: La Paz And Southwest Bolivia]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/17/international-adventure-guide-2013-la-paz-and-southwest-bolivia/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/17/international-adventure-guide-2013-la-paz-and-southwest-bolivia/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/17/international-adventure-guide-2013-la-paz-and-southwest-bolivia/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

bolivia
Bolivia is the least expensive destination in South America, yet it has an increasingly efficient tourism infrastructure. Going now, especially to the remote southwestern part of the country, means faster, easier, more comfortable travel than in the past (although you'll still have to be prepared for your share of bus rides on rutted out, unpaved roads, depending upon where you're headed). In general, you won't find yourself tripping over tourists except for a handful of streets in La Paz.

In the remote Southwest (where the renown Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat, is located), you'll feel like you're in a vastly different cultural and geographic universe. Regardless of where you venture, Bolivia is a country of diverse and often harsh- yet starkly beautiful- environments; wimps and whiners need not apply.

You'll be rewarded for your efforts. Bolivia offers incomparable scenery ranging from towering Andean peaks and Amazonian jungle to crystalline lagoons, and high desert reminiscent of the American Southwest on steroids. Plus, there's world-class trekking, climbing, and mountain biking, gracious people, a thriving indigenous culture, and the kind of crazy adventure activities rarely found in industrialized nations. Bolivia is also politically stable, relatively speaking (there are frequent protests, but they're internal, and mostly in the form of roadblocks). Go now, before it becomes the next Peru and prices for guided trips hit the roof.

Continue reading International Adventure Guide 2013: La Paz And Southwest Bolivia

International Adventure Guide 2013: La Paz And Southwest Bolivia originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-travelandesandes climbingandes mountainsAndesClimbingAndesMountainsBolivia salt flatsbolivian jungleBolivianJungleBoliviaSaltFlatsbudget travelBudgetTravelclimbingclimbing schoolsClimbingSchoolscondoriri massifCondoririMassifcordillera realCordilleraRealglacier climbingGlacierClimbinghorseback ridingHorsebackRidingillimaniinternational travel guideInternationalTravelGuidela pazLaPazmountain bikingMountainBikingmountaineeringmountaineering schoolsMountaineeringSchoolssalar de uyuniSalarDeUyunisalt flatsSaltFlatssoratatrekkingtupizavolcano climbingVolcanoClimbingvolcanoesworlds most dangerous roadWorldsMostDangerousRoadyungasWed, 17 Apr 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Historical Mexican Portraiture The Subject Of New Photography Book]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/14/historical-mexican-portraiture-the-subject-of-new-photography-bo/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/14/historical-mexican-portraiture-the-subject-of-new-photography-bo/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/14/historical-mexican-portraiture-the-subject-of-new-photography-bo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

mexican portraitsSince the invention of the camera, portraiture has been an important part of the cultural history of Mexico. Now, a new book, "Mexican Portraits" (Aperture, $85) curated by photographer and editor Pablo Ortiz Monasterio, beautifully captures the essence of this complex country's people.

The goal of Monasterio's book, however, is about more than mere imagery. According to CNN, the author was also interested in focusing on recurring themes, "such as lucha libre wrestling, or occupational portraits.

For anyone interested in Latin American history, black-and-white photography, or portraiture, "Mexican Portraits" is a striking, often haunting, story of a country rich in diversity, culture and humor, as well as defined by economic, religious and political instability.

Click here for a slide show from the book.

[Photo credit: Aperture]

Historical Mexican Portraiture The Subject Of New Photography Book originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 14 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black and white photographyBlackAndWhitePhotographycoffee table booksCoffeeTableBookshistorical photographyHistoricalPhotographymexican culturemexican historyMexicanCultureMexicanHistorynew booksNewBooksphotographyphotography booksPhotographyBooksportraitsportraitureSun, 14 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Layover Report: Where To Eat At Miami, Lima, And Bogota International Airports]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/13/layover-report-where-to-eat-at-miami-lima-and-bogota-internat/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/13/layover-report-where-to-eat-at-miami-lima-and-bogota-internat/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/13/layover-report-where-to-eat-at-miami-lima-and-bogota-internat/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

cuban foodI just returned from three weeks in Bolivia and Paraguay. In that time, I had 12 flights, five of which were required to get me from my home in Colorado to La Paz. Now why, you may ask, in this age of expedited air travel, does it take so many connections to travel 4,512 miles (or nine hours by air)? Budget, baby.

I'm also horrifically flight phobic, so for me to fly various Third World carriers from Miami to Bogota to Lima to La Paz (and then La Paz to Lima to Asuncion, and Asuncion back to Lima en route to Miami, followed by Dallas-Fort Worth to Denver), is probably the best example I can provide of just how much I love to travel. I really, really, really love it. I also really love having Xanax on hand when I fly.

One of the reasons I didn't mind my layovers too much is that I happen to adore most South American airports, especially Jorge Chavez International in Lima (so many cools shops, free snackies, great Peruvian food!). And since one of the things I most like to do in South America is eat, I used my downtime to see if there was anything worth writing about, foodwise. Indeed there was, and so I present to you my findings. Feel free to send me some Xanax in return (kidding! I'll take empanadas instead).

Miami International Airport
It's hardly a secret that the Concourse D location of Miami's beloved La Carreta chain rocks, especially in a sea of Au Bon Pain and Starbucks. Best of all, it opens at 5 a.m., so when I was rushing to make my 5:30 a.m. flight to Bogota, I was able to grab a jamon y queso sandwich en route. If time isn't an issue, sit down and feast upon Cuban-style roast pork, stuffed green plantains or fufu con masitas, or a medianoche sandwich.

Continue reading Layover Report: Where To Eat At Miami, Lima, And Bogota International Airports

Layover Report: Where To Eat At Miami, Lima, And Bogota International Airports originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 13 Apr 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-travelairport diningairport restaurantsAirportDiningAirportRestaurantsarepasasuncionbest airport diningBestAirportDiningbogotabudget-travelcellphonecoffeeempanadasla carretala pazLaCarretaLaPazlimamiamisouth american street foodSouthAmericanStreetFoodstreet foodStreetFoodsuspiro limonSuspiroLimonSat, 13 Apr 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo Gallery: The Colonials Of Asuncion, Paraguay]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/07/photo-gallery-the-colonials-of-asuncion-paraguay/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/07/photo-gallery-the-colonials-of-asuncion-paraguay/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/07/photo-gallery-the-colonials-of-asuncion-paraguay/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I've always had a deep love for decrepit colonial or colonial-style buildings; in fact, I appreciate decrepitude in many things, such as classic cars, port cities, barns and houses (but not men). Even after a week in Paraguay, I'm still constantly reaching for my camera to capture shots of Asuncion's seemingly endless restored and crumbling historic buildings (many of which are also gothic in style).

I have no idea what most of these buildings are; some are governmental or municipal, others are abandoned or private homes. In a sign of the times, some house modern shops or (god help us all) fast food joints on their bottom levels.

Asuncion is one of the oldest cities in South America, and while all of these 19th and early 20th century reproductions are treasures, there's just something about the ones that have fallen into disrepair that I find irresistible. Long may they stand, Whopper-free.

Gallery: The Colonials of Asuncion

Photo Gallery: The Colonials Of Asuncion, Paraguay originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 07 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>architechturearchitectureasusbudget-travelcolonial architecturecolonial buildingscolonial homesColonialArchitectureColonialBuildingsColonialHomescolonialscoloniesgentrificationlatin american citiesLatinAmericanCitiesSun, 07 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[La Paz's Urban Rush Introduces Rap Jumping To South America]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/03/la-pazs-urban-rush-introduces-rap-jumping-to-south-america/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/03/la-pazs-urban-rush-introduces-rap-jumping-to-south-america/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/03/la-pazs-urban-rush-introduces-rap-jumping-to-south-america/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

urban rushAustralia and New Zealand are generally accepted as having cornered the market on bizarre adventure activities, especially in urban areas. Unsurprising, then, that Alistair Matthew, the Kiwi founder of La Paz's ginormously successful, groundbreaking Gravity Assisted Mountain Biking, has brought a bit of the Antipodes to Bolivia's capital city.

A year ago, inspired by a similar enterprise in Melbourne, Matthew launched Urban Rush. The sport, also known as rap jumping, entails rappelling - preferably face-first - down the side of a 17-story building in central La Paz (the view, FYI, is spectacular; it's across the street from the colonial stunner that is the San Francisco Church), and provides views of the tenaciously perched brick houses of El Alto. The kicker, however, is that the final six stories are in free fall (that's me, above, about five stories before taking the plunge).

It's not as sketchy as it sounds. In addition to your own power (meaning you have a brake and a guide hand), there's an experienced guide belaying you from below, and another controlling you from the top. So even if you were to let go completely, you've got two ropes as backup.

The aforementioned building is the Hotel Presidente, La Paz's finest. That only makes for more fun, as costume-clad, thrill-seeking, dirtbag backpackers traipse through the stylish 15th floor restaurant and bar in order to access the small penthouse space where suiting up and training take place.

Costumes? Si. In addition to the standard bright orange jumpsuits, you can leap out of the hotel dressed as Spiderman, Captain America, Santa Claus or Cat Woman, masks included. Why? Who cares?

Continue reading La Paz's Urban Rush Introduces Rap Jumping To South America

La Paz's Urban Rush Introduces Rap Jumping To South America originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abercrombie and fitchAbercrombieAndFitchbolivia adventure sportsbolivia mountain bikingBoliviaAdventureSportsBoliviaMountainBikinghotel presidenteHotelPresidentela pazla paz travel companiesLaPazLaPazTravelCompanieslawsuitMicrosoftmountain biking bolviaMountainBikingBolviaraprap jumpingRapJumpingurban adventuresUrbanAdventuresWed, 03 Apr 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Whereaguay? First impressions Of Paraguay, South America's Most Underrated Country]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/03/whereaguay-first-impressions-of-paraguay-south-americas-most/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/03/whereaguay-first-impressions-of-paraguay-south-americas-most/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/03/whereaguay-first-impressions-of-paraguay-south-americas-most/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

terereEver notice how die-hard travelers tend to compare places to other places? Like, constantly? It may be annoying, but it goes beyond mere aesthetics. It's often a reference point; a way to describe not only the feel of a destination, but the spirit of its people.

I arrived in Paraguay (yes, you'll need a map) at 4 a.m. yesterday. Despite having traveled much of South America over the past decade, I confess that until six weeks ago, the only things I knew about Paraguay were that it's often confused with vacation hot-spot Uruguay, and that no one appears to go there.

The question of why Paraguay gets dissed by travelers is one our Gadling editor, Grant Martin, wanted me to explore. And while I've only been in the country for roughly 36 hours, I've already been asking myself the same thing. What on earth is keeping Paraguay from being the new Brazil? This place is amazing.

Paraguay is roughly the size of California and is sandwiched between Brazil and Argentina. To the north lies Bolivia. The country is divided into departments, and the Rio Paraguay snakes up the central half of the country (its waist, if you will). The river has traditionally been crucial to economic trade and transportation, given the country's monsoonal climate. Now, however, new roads are being created or paved, and it seems the era of the riverboat may eventually come to an end in Paraguay. Based upon my brief experiences traveling here, however, let's just say the age of modern transportation hasn't yet arrived. One sees many horse carts in the streets of Concepcion, besides cars (although scooters are the main form of transit).

Given its location, comparisons to parts of Brazil are inevitable. Paraguay is very flat, and has a similar sweltering climate and verdant tropical countryside that includes plantations and cattle ranches. The lively capital of Asuncion, with its flowering trees and crumbling colonial decadence bring to mind both Rio and Hanoi.

Many of the villages I passed during an 11-hour bus ride yesterday reminded me of Thailand, because of the late-night buzz of scooters and street food vendors. Every Paraguayan drinks bottomless quantities of yerba mate and tereré (cold mate tea, often spiked with medicinal herbs, above), more familiar to those who have spent time in Argentina. Yet the empanadas, a staple here, make that country's version look woefully anemic.

Continue reading Whereaguay? First impressions Of Paraguay, South America's Most Underrated Country

Whereaguay? First impressions Of Paraguay, South America's Most Underrated Country originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-travelasuncionbudget-travelchipacolonial buildingsColonialBuildingscolonialismconcepcionguaraniesmaterio paraguayRioParaguaytereretropicsyerba mateYerbaMateWed, 03 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[How To Eat Bolivian Street Food (Without Shame)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/02/how-to-eat-bolivian-street-food-without-shame/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/02/how-to-eat-bolivian-street-food-without-shame/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/02/how-to-eat-bolivian-street-food-without-shame/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

street foodThere's a certain breed of traveler who will, often to their detriment, go to extreme lengths to avoid looking like a tourist. I know, because I'm one of them. Whatever spawned this phobia is anyone's guess, but I really, really, really dislike standing out in a crowd, especially if that crowd is foreign, and I'm eating.

While I also sneak looks at maps and guidebooks on the DL when I'm lost, the thing that really troubles me is being clueless about local or national etiquette while dining, especially when it comes to street food (my raison d'être). I always research beforehand - learning, for example, that in Thailand the spoon is the primary eating utensil; it's abhorrent to insert a fork into your mouth and chopsticks are only used for noodle dishes and primarily in the North. But it's sometimes impossible to know local custom until you're actually in the moment (above, Bolivian lustrabotas, or shoe shine men, eat on the street)

I'm pretty sure it was a long-ago trip to Vietnam that scarred me. I'd been in the country all of a couple of hours, and was eating my first meal. I was sitting at a miniscule table on the sidewalk in coastal Nha Trang, happily wolfing down báhn cuon. That is, until the young Vietnamese guy next to me, who unfortunately spoke some English, informed me that I was eating it the wrong way, and making something of an ass of myself (yet providing entertainment for our less vocal tablemates). I was mortified, and sure enough, I noticed the snickers and giggles due to how the silly round-eye was eating her rice noodle roll. To be honest, I can't even remember how to eat bánh cuon, but at the time, it was clearly emotionally challenging.

Continue reading How To Eat Bolivian Street Food (Without Shame)

How To Eat Bolivian Street Food (Without Shame) originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When I left my hotel yesterday morning to go investigate La Paz's famous Mercado de Herchería (also know as the Mercado las Brujas, or Witch's Market), I didn't know what to expect. Would it be covered, dank and creepy, like the one in Quito? Would it sell freaky and endangered animal parts (please, god, no)? Would anyone kick my ass if I took stealth photos?

As it turns out, the Mercado de Herchería consists of a couple of gloriously decrepit cobblestone streets (Calle Linares and Jimenez). They're lined with stalls selling folk remedies and objects designed to bring good luck; wealth; love; health; long life; or, in the case of one shop, a lasting erection. It's fascinating, but not repellent. I've thoroughly enjoyed employing my crappy Spanish to ask shopkeepers what various objets are used for. I'm also fascinated by the cholitas (indigenous women from the highlands who live and work in the city); their elaborate costumes of tall bowler hats, voluminous skirts and alpaca shawls, embellished by waist-length twin braids, are stunning.

I'm also pleased to report that I saw no nearly extinct critters, just sea urchins and starfish in need of some reconstitution. I've also read that various creatures - probably very low on the evolutionary scale - are sometimes used in potions prescribed by the local yatiris, or witch doctors. The dried llama fetuses, however, are probably single-handedly responsible for putting the market on the map. As ghoulish as they appear to us, they're used by the indigenous Aymara and other cultures as an offering to Pachamama (Mother Earth). You're supposed to bury one beneath a cornerstone of a new house to ensure good fortune.

There's nothing scary about the market, but it's one of the most lively spots in the city, due to the number of hostels, budget hotels (mine, Hotel Fuentes, is adorable, cheap, and, it turns out, in the heart of the market), cafes, boutiques and souvenir shops. It's a tourist spectacle, true, but tourism in Bolivia is of the most mellow kind. The mercado is also a true slice of daily life in La Paz. Who knows what you'll end up lugging home?

Stay tuned for an account of my forthcoming visit to a local yatiri; I'll be having my fortune told and my soul cleansed. I hope she has a sturdy scrub brush.

Gallery: Mercado de Hercheria, La Paz



[Photo Credits: Laurel Miller]

Photo Gallery: La Paz's Mercado De Hecheria originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amuletsco-articledf-mainfolk remediesFolkRemediesgood luck charmsGoodLuckCharmsherbal remediesHerbalRemediesla pazla paz budget hotelsLaPazLaPazBudgetHotelsmedicinalsmercado de hecheriamercado las brujasMercadoDeHecheriaMercadoLasBrujaswitchwitches marketWitchesMarketThu, 21 Mar 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[How To Stay Healthy On Spring Break]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/03/18/how-to-stay-healthy-on-spring-break/http://www.gadling.com/2013/03/18/how-to-stay-healthy-on-spring-break/http://www.gadling.com/2013/03/18/how-to-stay-healthy-on-spring-break/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

mezcalWhether you're a beach-bound college student or a middle-aged couple headed to the Rockies for some end-of-season snow, spring break presents the same health risks every year. Fortunately, they're all easily preventable by using common sense and following a few basic rules.

This year, here's hoping your only souvenirs are great photos and even better memories.

Hangover helpers
You could just watch your alcohol consumption, or try drinking a glass of water in between drinks, but I hear you laughing. Try to maintain, especially if you're in a foreign country, traveling alone or at altitude. If I wake up with a hangover that not even a truckload of Tylenol can cure (it's also not good for your liver when taken in combination with booze), I swear by coconut water, which is loaded with electrolytes. Don't forget to consume regular water, as well, and get something in your stomach that's full of complex carbs and protein, not grease (sorry).

Adjust for altitude
Regardless of your physical condition, altitude sickness can strike anyone. Give yourself a couple of days to acclimate, hydrate frequently and take ibuprofen, aspirin or even Diamox if you're really feeling bad. Watch your alcohol consumption! One drink has the effect of two (see above if you ignore this advice).

Prevent food- or waterborne illness
Far be it from me to tell anyone to avoid street food, unless they have a compromised immune system, or are very old or young. You can safely enjoy street eats in foreign countries, as long as you know what to look for. If a stall or vendor doesn't have a line, or their sanitation practices are poor, give it a miss; the same rule applies to restaurants (just because gringos flock there doesn't mean it's safe). As for water, I avoid ice cubes in rural areas and from street vendors, and always check bottled water in developing nations to make sure the seal isn't broken. Don't forget to travel with Imodium, because nothing is ever foolproof.

Save your skin
Yes, you need to wear sunscreen, even if it's cloudy, rainy or snowing, and you need to reapply it thoroughly every two hours. Wear a minimum SPF 30 broad spectrum product. Ask your dermatologist for referrals; not all brands are created equal.

Be self-aware
Being drunk n' sloppy is never attractive, but it can also be downright dangerous. Know your limit, stick with you friends if you're not traveling solo, and if you (ahem) get separated, maintain phone contact, let them know where you are and who you're with, and when they can expect you back. We've all had a spring fling, but safety should always come first.

[Photo credit: Flickr user dbrekke]@

How To Stay Healthy On Spring Break originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altitudeAltitudeSicknessbroad spectrumBroadSpectrumdrinking at altitudeDrinkingAtAltitudefoodborne illnessFoodborneIllnesshangoverhangovershealth tipsHealthTipsskin careSkinCarespfspring breakSpringBreakstreet foodStreetFoodsunblocksunscreentravelers diarrheaTravelersDiarrheawaterborne illnessWaterborneIllnesswomens safety issuesWomensSafetyIssuesMon, 18 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST