The world didn't end and we knew it wouldn't. Here we all are on this planet and it's still spinning the way it should spin and we're all still online with working Internet connections, just as we should be. Cue Radiohead's "Everything In Its Right Place."
Now that ...Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Consumer Activism
Failed Doomsday Prophecies From Around The US
The world didn't end and we knew it wouldn't. Here we all are on this planet and it's still spinning the way it should spin and we're all still online with working Internet connections, just as we should be. Cue Radiohead's "Everything In Its Right Place."
Now that ...What Hotels Have Free Wi-Fi Or Free Wired Internet Access?
I hate paying for Wi-Fi or wired Internet access in hotels. If it were up to me, I'd add an amendment to our constitution guarantying free Wi-Fi in all hotels. The only thing I hate more than paying for Internet at hotels is forking over the money and then enduring ...Business Fuels Doomsday Prophecies In Mexico
Every other billboard seemed to mention 2012 as I drove along that famously flat stretch of road from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. I was on my way to spend a couple of days relaxing at Grand Velas Riviera Maya, but the easiest way to reach Riviera Maya is via Carretera ...December 21, 2012: An Introduction To The End Of The World
A charismatic and talkative man of Maya descent approached me one lively Friday evening just outside of La Plaza Grande in Merida, Mexico. With infectious enthusiasm, he discussed the history of the Maya in the Yucatan and Merida with me; his face gained color and ...Conscious Consumption In Cuba: How To Have A More Authentic Trip While Supporting Private Businesses
Flower stand in Old Havana
Until very recently, nearly every entity in Cuba was owned and operated by the government.
But in the past few years, the Cuban government has tried to promote private businesses in hopes that the shift will provide a much-needed boost to ...Important Warning For Anyone Using Airbnb
When I first heard of Airbnb it sounded like Couchsurfing but without the creepiness.
Now don't get me wrong, I love the concept of couchsurfing, but for some people the idea of crashing on someone's couch/bed/floor/kitchen for completely free sounds a little too good to ...Why A Cash-Back Card Is Better Than An Airline Miles Card
For frequent travelers, it's the Holy Grail: a free flight, a free upgrade, the ability to say, "Oh, this? I got it with my airline miles."
But when push comes to shove, are credit cards that give you airline miles really worth it?
Let's go point by point.
Value For ...Is There A Perfect Way To Board A Plane? Researchers Say Yes
It's little surprise that China is crowded. Given a booming population that can afford to fly – and without an equally booming plane population – researchers in Beijing have been examining ways to make boarding planes most efficient.
The idea is to accommodate ...Canadian Hotel Rooms Test High For Bacteria, Investigation Shows
Oh, Canada. You've got national healthcare and spectacular scenery, but your hotel rooms ... those need work.
According to a recent CBC Marketplace investigation conducted by a microbiologist, six diverse chain hotels ranging from budget to high-end had, "high levels of ...Airbnb Offers Free Housing For Victims Of Hurricane Sandy
Last week, thousands of residents along the East Coast had their homes destroyed or were left without electricity and heat by Hurricane Sandy. This week brought yet another injustice as a vicious Nor'easter storm bearing snow and frigid temperatures left victims scrambling ...Planning An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Dinner, Portlandia-Style
About four years ago, I wrote an Edible Aspen story on Brook LeVan, a farmer friend of mine who lives in western Colorado's Roaring Fork Valley. Brook and his wife, Rose (that's them, in the photo), raise heritage turkeys, among other things, and part of my assignment was ...Outdoor Adaptive Sports Programs: Where To Find The Nation's Best
Like most of us, I didn't fully realize the extent of the daily hassles and challenges faced by those who use a wheelchair, prosthetic, or other mobility aid until it became somewhat personal. I'm fortunate to have two people in my life who've been an enormous source of both ...10 Farm-To-Table Restaurants In Vancouver, Canada
During a recent visit to Vancouver, Canada, it was apparent many restaurants are trying to create sustainable, farm-to-table menus. It's a great city if you're an eco-conscious traveler due to the many options for any price level. To help guide you, here are some top picks ...Video Of The Day: 'Half The Sky' Visits Cambodia's Toul Kork Road
Watch Meg Ryan Visits Cambodia's Toul Kork Road on PBS. See more from Independent Lens.
"Half the Sky" is more than a four-hour PBS documentary series; it is a movement to turn oppression into opportunity for women worldwide.
The documentary, which premiered earlier ...
'Crap Souvenirs': New Book Explores Souvenirs So Bad They're Good
Admit it. We've all bought terrible souvenirs while traveling. Even worse, occasionally even though we know it's tacky, inauthentic, cheap, or just plain useless, we end up buying them anyway.
Why?
Because the human mind is a really weird thing. Oftentimes, ...Two Travelers Are Making Their Way Around The World ... In A Tuk Tuk?
In possibly the slowest form of transportation known to man, backpackers Rich Sears and Nick Gough have recently set out on an interesting journey. Their goal is to break the world record for longest ride in a tuk tuk (shown above).
Beginning in France, they're ...Infographic: How Your Travel Habits Influence Your Social Media Persona
We love this new infographic from Expedia Media Solutions that shows what types of social media you're most likely to use based on your travel personality. Are you a "Sunset Explorer" who barely uses social media or an "Elitist" who updates frequently with every device ...Travel Troubles: What To Do When You Lose Your Passport Abroad
Some people are accident-prone. Others attract bad relationships. Me, I get into travel trouble. I once broke a piece off a plane mid flight – luckily not one crucial for flying. I've been robbed and swindled – in Bolivia, both in the same morning. There are ...Woman Claims United Airlines Killed Her Golden Retriever
A California woman claims that United Airlines killed her 2-year-old Golden Retriever, Bea, on a flight from New York to California two weeks ago.
The accusation appears on her beamakesthree blog, which prominently featured her puppy.
"I'm writing this with my anger ...Woman Pays Ryanair $390 To Print Boarding Passes, CEO Calls Her 'Stupid'
Travelers taking issue with budget airline Ryanair is nothing new. In fact, it now seems to simply be commonplace.
First, there was the Norwegian man who was arrested after complaining that the in-flight sandwich he purchased tasted like rubber. Then, of course, there ...
