Gadling

Upcoming exhibition will debunk Mayan prophecy of the end of the world in 2012

Sean McLachlan — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: History, Learning, North America, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, United States, Central America

An exhibition coming to Philadelphia will tackle this year´s hottest pseudo-archaeological topic: the Mayan prophecy that the world will end in 2012.

"Maya 2012: Lords of Time" at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology will explain the Mayan civilization's complex interlocking calendar systems through interactive displays and a rich collection of art and artifacts. These calendars developed out of an advanced knowledge of astronomy and an obsession with the cyclical nature of astronomical events such as the solar and lunar years, eclipses, and the movements of the planets.

One of these calendar systems is the so-called Long Count, which starts a new cycle every 1,872,000 days, or approximately 5,125 solar years. The current cycle ends on December 21 or 23, depending on which scholar you believe. Most scholars say the Long Count doesn't actually end on this date, it merely starts another cycle. The other Mayan calendars keep going too. No Mayan text says the world is supposed to end this year. In fact, some Mayan inscriptions actually mention dates later than 2012. They don't mention anything about cosmic vibrations, visiting UFOs, or any of the other bullshit theories being bandied about either.

Dr. Sandra Noble, executive director of the Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies, said in an interview that the ancient Maya felt the end of a cycle was cause for celebration. Anthropologist and Maya specialist Dr. Judith Maxwell did what the New Agers didn't bother to do and actually asked the Maya what they thought. While the ancient civilization is gone, the Mayan culture is alive and well in Mesoamerica and Mayan shamans, called daykeepers, told Maxwell that the end is not coming.

Apparently the exhibition organizers agree there's nothing to fear. The exhibition runs from May 5, 2012 to January 13, 2013.

So the world isn't going to end in 2012.

This ranks top on my list of "unsurprising news of the week." I'm 42, and I have a hard time remembering a year that the world wasn't supposed to end. Some hack writer or religious conman is always trying to scare us into thinking the world is going to end. The sad thing is, people embrace this nonsense. The world is not ending this year. You still have to deal with the consequences of your actions and you still have to shoulder your responsibilities. Chances are you will have to do that for many years to come. Chances are you will grow old and live through many more of life's ups and downs.

That's not a bad thing.

Upcoming exhibition will debunk Mayan prophecy of the end of the world in 2012 originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 04 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Vagabond Tales: How to roast marshmallows over an active volcano

Kyle Ellison — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Stories, South America, Guatemala, Ecotourism, Budget Travel

This may sound strange, but one of my favorite aspects of international travel has to do with liability, or rather, the lack of it.

Although the age of personal responsibility seems to have gone the way of the cassette tape and litigation is now just another part of business, believe it or not, there are still a refreshing amount of countries out there where common sense and an acceptance of the risks involved are all that are required for most activities.

This is why you won't see many people roasting marshmallows over slow-moving lava at Kilauea National Park in Hawaii, but you certainly might see the same at a place such as Volcan Pacaya, an active volcano in central Guatemala where I once dined over the 1500 degree Earth.

Set just outside the colonial outpost of Antigua, a town whose cobblestone streets bustle with Spanish language immersion students feasting on flan and savoring fresh local coffee, Volcan Pacaya has been actively erupting for the past 47 years. The undisputed highlight of the Pacaya Volcano National Park, roasting marshmallows over the active eruption has for years been a cheap thrill of travelers scaling the side of the mountain, and seeing as you could never get away with something like that back home in the US I was understandably keen to try it.

Continue reading Vagabond Tales: How to roast marshmallows over an active volcano

Vagabond Tales: How to roast marshmallows over an active volcano originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

10 unique modes of transportation around the world

Jessica Festa — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Biking, Arts and Culture, Learning, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Cambodia, India, Israel, Japan, Laos, Mongolia, Singapore, Thailand, Portugal, United Kingdom, Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Transportation, Ecotourism, Budget Travel, Travel Health, Consumer Activism, Middle East, Central America, Women's Travel

Cars, trains, buses, and planes aren't the only way to get around a country. From the Bamboo Train in Cambodia to the Rail Cart in the the Philippines to the Couch Bike in Canada, here are ten unique modes of transportation from around the world.

Chicken Bus
Guatemala, Central America

While variations of the chicken bus can be found in many different countries (this reminds me a lot of taking the tro-tro in Ghana, Africa), this vehicle is used not only to transport people but also livestock, hence the name. These U.S. school buses are very eye-catching as they are colorfully painted and decorated. When taking one expect cramped conditions, as chicken buses tend to be packed to capacity, and hectic driving at Nascar speeds.

Continue reading 10 unique modes of transportation around the world

10 unique modes of transportation around the world originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Frommer's reveals top destinations for 2012

Libby Zay — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Photos, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Ghana, China, Turkey, Albania, Norway, Spain, United Kingdom, Belize, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, United States, Australia, Chile, Peru, Venezuela, News, Middle East, Central America, Caribbean

What destination are you dreaming of for 2012? The staff at Frommer's have just unveiled their list of top travel destinations for the coming year. Included in the list is a little something for everyone: large metropolises, secluded beach towns, colorful riverside villas, and more.

But Frommer's didn't just rely on their expert editors and author's for this years list--they also polled readers to find out where they wanted to visit in 2012. Click through the gallery below to see Frommer's (and their reader's) picks--including one surprising midwestern city that is the only spot in the United States to make the cut.

Continue reading Frommer's reveals top destinations for 2012

Frommer's reveals top destinations for 2012 originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Photo of the day - Cathedral dome, Antigua, Guatemala

Alex Robertson Textor — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Guatemala, Photo of the Day, Central America

Ponder today's Photo of the Day, by BaboMike. What looks at first glance like some sort of space-age cushion is in fact the interior of a cathedral cupola dome in Antigua, Guatemala. That this stark simplicity depicts a cupola dome seems improbable at first glance; after a sustained gaze, however, the surprise fades. What else, one wonders, looks simultaneously like itself and like something utterly different?

Optical illusion isn't really a common Photo of the Day theme. But why shouldn't it be? Upload your favorite image of an optical illusion to the Gadling Group Pool on Flickr. If we like it, we might just choose it as a future Photo of the Day.

Photo of the day - Cathedral dome, Antigua, Guatemala originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Photo of the Day- Lago de Atitlán

Chris Owen — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: South America, Guatemala, Photo of the Day

Lake Atitlán (Lago de Atitlán) is a large endorheic lake (one that does not flow to the sea) in the Guatemalan Highlands. Flickr user AlphaTangoBravo/Adam Baker tells us "I spent a good hour watching a few of the locals fishing in the early morning. As they disappeared into the mist, I couldn't help but think how many hundreds of years that the local fisherman had repeated this scene. I felt privileged to watch."

Submit your favorite images to the Gadling Group pool on Flickr. If you're lucky, your favorite photograph might be chosen as a future Photo of the Day.

Photo of the day - Blue volcanoes of Guatemala

Alex Robertson Textor — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: North America, Guatemala, Photo of the Day

Today's Photo of the Day was taken by Flickr contributor AlphaTangoBravo. His image of volcanoes in Guatemala wrapped in the early morning's blue haze is a mesmerizing reminder of the intensity of a tropical dawn.

Submit your favorite images to the Gadling Group pool on Flickr. If you're lucky, your favorite photograph might be chosen as a future Photo of the Day.

Photo of the day - Blue volcanoes of Guatemala originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ancient Mayan city discovered in Guatemala

Kraig Becker — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Learning, Guatemala, News, Central America

Archaeologists have used modern technology to uncover an ancient Mayan city buried deep in the jungles of Guatemala. More than two millennia ago, the city was home to 2000 people, but in the centuries since it was abandoned, it has been reclaimed by the jungle, and now sits beneath several feet of dirt and plant life. It is for that reason that it has remained undiscovered for so long.

The city, known as Holtun, was completely unknown to archaeologists until the 1990's. It was at that time that they trailed treasure hunters and looters to the region for the first time. But because of the thick jungle growth, they didn't even recognize that a city once existed at the site, although the locals were aware that something large was hidden there.

Recently, researchers used a combination of satellite imagery, GPS coordinates, and 3D mapping software to explore the area, and what they discovered was startling. The decidedly 21st century technology was able to help them identify more than 100 buildings, including several homes, a sports arena, an astronomical observatory, and a pyramid that is more than seven stories in height. The structures are believed to date back to between 600 and 300 BC.

For now, the site remains shrouded in mystery and covered by the dense Guatemalan rainforest. But this summer, the archaeology team that discovered Holtun hopes to begin the painstakingly slow excavation process that will roll back centuries of jungle growth that have consumed the city. When they do, they will have the opportunity to get a glimpse of what life was like in Mayan city more than 2000 years ago.

Stories like these never cease to fascinate me. I'm always amazed that we can still find such great archaeological discoveries in this day and age. It truly makes you wonder what else is out there, hidden in plain sight, just waiting for us to stumble across it.

[Photo courtesy Michael G. Callaghan]

Ancient Mayan city discovered in Guatemala originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 30 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Latin America on a budget: Antigua, Guatemala

Alex Robertson Textor — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Guatemala, Central America

My first Latin America budget adventure, to Antigua, Guatemala, got off to a bad start. My flight from New York to Atlanta was cancelled due to bad weather and I was rebooked via Los Angeles. I finally arrived in Guatemala City a day late, and two days of activities suddenly needed to be compressed into one. In the spirit of the assignment, however, I didn't inflate my budget. $75 was my limit for accommodations, transportation from the airport, all food, and all activities.

Antigua is Guatemala's top tourist draw. Famous for its language schools, its new age aura, and its nightlife, Antigua is a major tourist center, and it is undeniably cute. The town is a very pleasant place to loll about, with its particular hybrid of colonial, expat, new age, and contemporary Guatemalan influences, though it's also easy for more action-oriented travelers to fill days here visiting the town's churches, museums, and convents.

Antigua is also known as a jumping-off point for adventure activities, especially volcano climbing. One of these excursions would have made for a perfect second day's activity.

Antigua is chock-full of visit-worthy spots. Some essential stops that also happen to be free include the Church of San Francisco, the Santa Catarina Arch, La Merced Church, and Antigua's central park.

The Church of San Francisco dates back to the 16th century, though it has been rebuilt many times. A service was underway when I visited. The Arco de Santa Catarina is probably the most iconic sight in all of Antigua. It's an arch across 5 Avenida North, one of the town's busiest blocks. Its golden yellow hue is matched by the exterior of La Merced church one block away.

La Merced itself boasts a beautifully ornate stucco exterior of golden yellow and snaking white symmetrical vines that look from a distance like icing on a big yellow cake. Next to La Merced is a fountain which can be visited for 5 quetzales (65 cents.) The fountain was not running during my visit; apparently this is the normal state of affairs. Rounding out the town's top free sights is Antigua's Parque Central, located at the nerve center of Antigua. The fountain in the center of the park dates to the 18th century.

Continue reading Latin America on a budget: Antigua, Guatemala

Latin America on a budget: Antigua, Guatemala originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Latin America on a budget: How to plan a budget-friendly adventure

Alex Robertson Textor — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: El Salvador, Guatemala, Colombia, Central America

Latin America is one of the world's most budget-friendly regions for visitors. There are very cheap places to stay across the region--most notably across Central America--where a few dollars will get you a bed for the night and dinner.

But in a budget-friendly region like Latin America there are also huge divides in terms of quality. How do you do your research to make sure that you come up with decent accommodations and an itinerary that delivers the best value for your money?

There's a big difference between a guesthouse that's cheap, clean, and cheerful and one that's filthy and barely fit for a hedgehog. There's a big difference between good cheap restaurants and bad cheap grub, too. How do you make the right planning decisions to make sure that you end up pinching pennies in a manner that's both high-value and high-quality?

In the video below I discuss how I planned my budget-friendly adventure to Antigua, Guatemala.

Check back tomorrow for my story and video on Antigua, Guatemala. On April 12 I'll extend the same treatment to Suchitoto, El Salvador. All my videos were shot by Gadling's own Stephen Greenwood. On April 19 Jeremy Kressmann will apply the Latin American budget magic to Bogotá, Colombia.

Latin America on a Budget is proudly sponsored by Delta Air Lines.

Latin America on a budget: How to plan a budget-friendly adventure originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Video of the Day - Sunsets around the world

Stephen Greenwood — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 22:30:00 EST

Filed under: Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, China, India, Mongolia, Russian Federation, Thailand, Vietnam, Belgium, France, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, United States, Australia, Colombia, Photo of the Day

Seeing the sun set over a foreign land can lead to some of the most memorable moments on any given trip. Even though it's an event we witness every day of our lives, watching it dip over a new horizon always feels like a completely new experience. Today's Video of the Day is a collection of one backpacker's best sunsets from a 365 day trip around the world.

Romain Corraze decided to travel around the world for one year after finishing his studies in 2009. Starting in France, he managed to venture through the USA, India, Cambodia, Colombia, China, Russia, Thailand, Argentina, Chile, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Mexico, Hong-Kong, Australia, Vietnam, Guatemala, Belgium & France - and captured some of these sunsets along the way.

If you like it, then be sure to check out Romain's full length documentary - "Backpacker, the movie". The video was shot with a Sony HDR-SR11 and edited in Final Cut Pro - which just goes to show that anyone can create an inspiring video with today's simple tools. If you have an inspiring piece to share, drop a comment below and it could be our next Photo/Video of the Day!

Video of the Day - Sunsets around the world originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Flip winter the bird with a great adventure travel contest!

Kraig Becker — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Biking, Arts and Culture, South America, Guatemala, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Central America

The holidays are long past, you're back at the daily grind, and the country has been dumped on with way to much snow. Admit it, you're sick of winter already and could use an adventurous escape. Fortunately, I've got just what you need in the form of a travel contest that will let you flip the bird at winter.

Adventure travel company Sacred Rides has joined forces with GoPro Cameras, to send one lucky winner, and a companion, on a week long mountain biking holiday through Central or South America. The winner of the Flip Winter The Bird Contest gets to choose between Mexico, Guatemala, Chile, or Argentina as their destination, and then they'll be off to explore the many great singletrack options that the country has to offer. The various options include mountain biking of course, but in Mexico the trip will also offer regular yoga workouts as well. In Guatemala, the riders will get a taste of Mayan culture, while a visit to Chile gives them a chance to surf the Pacific Coast. Argentina makes it a multi-sport adventure by adding whitewater rafting to the itinerary as well.

To enter the contest, simply go to this page and fill out the form. Those entering must be at least 18 years of age and entries are being accepted until the end of the day on February 11th.

Sacred Rides is a travel company that specializes in organizing mountain biking excursions across the globe. Besides offering rides at the destination in this contest, they also offer trips to Peru, Canada, Eastern Europe, and more. If you're looking for a unique cycling adventure for your next vacation, perhaps a sacred ride might be in order.

[Photo credit: Andy Armstrong via WikiMedia]

Flip winter the bird with a great adventure travel contest! originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 15 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Guatemala travel alert: road to Lake Atitlan closed until year's end due to mudslides

Laurel Miller — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Guatemala, Transportation, Budget Travel, Central America, Travel Security

The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City is asking that travelers defer visiting Lake Atitlan until January for safety reasons, due to an increase of crime during the holiday season, and closure of the main road due to mudslides. The stunning volcanic lake in Guatemala's Highlands is a popular destination for travelers in search of a low-key, off-the-beaten-path holiday.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the road from the Department of Solola to the lakeside town of Panajachel will be closed until the end of the year, and that "alternate routes to Panajachel by road or boat involve risk."

For updates, go the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website.

[Photo credit: Flickr user alq666]

Guatemala travel alert: road to Lake Atitlan closed until year's end due to mudslides originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 15 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

12 historic sites in danger of disappearing

Kraig Becker — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Hiking, Learning, Africa, Asia, Europe, Kenya, Bangladesh, Iraq, Pakistan, Philippines, Turkey, Ukraine, Guatemala, Haiti, Ecotourism, News, Middle East, Central America

The Global Heritage Fund has released a new report that lists 200 World Heritage Sites around the globe that are in danger from a variety of threats, turning the spotlight on 12 in particular that could disappear altogether due to a lack of funds, neglect, and mismanagement.

The 12 sites listed in the report include Palestine's Hisham's Palace, Turkey's Ani, and Iraq's Nineveh. Hisham's Palace, the remains of a royal winter retreat built in 747 AD and the ancient city of Nineveh are both under threat from encroaching urban development, while Ani, an 11th century city on Turkey's border with Armenia, finds many of it's ancient structures literally falling apart on their foundations.

Other Heritage Sites that make the list of "most threatened" include Mahansrhangarh, the oldest archeological site in all of Bangladesh and Mirador in Guatemala, which is a pre-Columbian Mayan ruin which sits in a remote jungle location. Haiti's Sans Souci Palace suffered damage during the recent earthquakes that hit the country, while the Maluti Temples in India suffer from years of neglect. Kenya's Lamu Village, Famagusta, located in Cyprus, Pakistan's Taxila, Intramuros and Fort Santiago in the Philippines, and Chersonesos in the Ukraine round out the list.

The GHF's report recommends that the countries in which these historic sites are located invest in restoring and preserving the ancient places. While those repairs could cost millions of dollars to complete, the sites could potentially generate that income back through tourist dollars, although UNESCO representatives say that caution should be taken when going down that road, as sustainable tourism is not always an easy thing to accomplish and there are a lot of factors to consider before proceeding.

One thing that everyone agrees on however is that these amazing sites need to be preserved for future generations to visit and explore. Just how that will be accomplished remains to be seen.

[Photo credit: Christian Koehn via WikiMedia]

12 historic sites in danger of disappearing originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ten hot backpacker destinations

Catherine Bodry — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Asia, Europe, Oceania, South America, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Greece, Netherlands, Guatemala, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Budget Travel, Central America

Though the backpacker scene feels more hipster than hippie these days, the same formula remains: young travelers plus a small budget plus a long trip. While individuals certainly differ, the stereotype of a budget traveler toting a bedraggled pack to cheap destinations is there for a reason.

So where are the kids congregating these days? Here are our top ten backpacker locations (in no particular order):

Thailand A long-time favorite, Thailand's low costs, relative ease of travel, and scenic beaches are obvious draws. Add to those hill tribes, jungle and elephant trekking, and some awesome grub, and you have a nearly perfect combination - which is probably why the country also hosts a number of expats.

Amsterdam Need we say anything more? Laws are loose, and for those American kids who never had the chance to experiment, the freedom is heavenly. Oh, and there are sex shows.

Guatemala Travelers learning Spanish flock to Antigua, where language schools and home stays are offered in the picturesque colonial town. Jungles, volcanoes, lakes and Mayan ruins round out the offerings.

Goa "Buddha Lounge" music drifts across Palolem Beach, an impossibly cheap swoop of sand on India's west coast. It's easy to drop out for a while here, renting out some small, rickety beach hut and bobbing around in the warm sea.

Continue reading Ten hot backpacker destinations

Ten hot backpacker destinations originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Women adventurers heed the Call of the Wild

Kraig Becker — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Climbing, Hiking, Food and Drink, Asia, North America, South America, Nepal, Guatemala, United States, Peru, Camping, Ecotourism, What's in Your Pack?, Women's Travel

With the adventure travel market continuing to grow at an astonishing rate, women only adventures have become an increasingly popular option as well.These trips generally offer all the same wild and challenging options that any other adventure vacation would, with perhaps a few creature comforts added in for good measure.

One of the top travel companies that specializes in women's only travel is Call of the Wild, based out of Mountain View, California. The company first began organizing adventure vacations back in 1978 when founder Carole Laitmer was unceremoniously fired from her secretarial job. In order to make ends meet, she soon began organizing guided trips for women into the High Sierra Mountains of California, and the rest is, as they say, history.

Now in its 32nd year of business, Call of the Wild continues to organize some of the best adventurous getaways both domestically and abroad. For instance, some of their upcoming trips include hiking around Lake Tahoe to enjoy the Indian Summer, trekking in the the shadow of Mt. Everest in Nepal, and a weekend of snowshoeing in Sequoia National Park. Other trips will take clients to Peru, New Zealand, Guatemala, and beyond.

But just because you're traveling to remote corners of the globe doesn't mean you can't pamper yourself at the same time. One of the hallmarks of any Call of the Wild trip is the gourmet cuisine and the company puts a great deal of thought, and effort, into planning a wide variety of healthy and delicious meals on all of their trips. Even their backpacking excursions offer fantastic meals on the trail thanks to fresh ingredients that are dehydrated prior to departure, and combined to make surprisingly tasty backwoods offerings. The ladies on these trips all agree, an amazing meal after a long and challenging day of trekking, can make everything feel better.

Many of Call of the Wild's clients return for multiple trips, and often report making good, life-long friends on their journeys. These vacations allow them to get closer to nature and escape the daily grind, while putting some much needed adventure into their lives. For a complete list of Call of the Wild adventures and to choose one that best fits your style of travel, click here.

[Photo credit: Call of the Wild]

Women adventurers heed the Call of the Wild originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 12 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Photo of the Day (7.31.2010)

Catherine Bodry — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Guatemala, Photo of the Day, Central America

Ruh-roh. Luks like sombodeez in twubble! Seriously, though? How nice is it to see a happy dog, rather than the usual developing-country stray, take off with one of those plastic stools I always eat my lunch on? True, this picture was taken in Guatemala, where I've never been, so maybe there are fewer stray dogs there than in Asia. Regardless, well-fed dogs make me happy. Thanks, Flickr user BaboMike, for sharing this photo with Gadling.

Have any photos from your travels that make you feel better about the state of dogs in developing countries? Or just any cool pics from your trip? Upload them to Gadling's Flickr pool and we just might choose one for our Photo of the Day feature.

Photo of the Day (7.31.2010) originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Photo of the Day (04.17.10)

Mike Barish — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Guatemala, Photo of the Day, Central America

I have an unusually small head. It makes buying hats quite difficult. Hats, you see, rarely look good on me. I always look like a child wearing daddy's cap. It's embarrassing. From fedoras to Stetsons, I almost always struggle to find my size in head wear. So I can sympathize with the young man in the background of this photo taken by Flickr user ³²¹. Taken in Guatemala, his problem is not unique to Central America. No, sir. Right here in New York City, I find myself surrounded by people with larger heads than mine. It's infuriating. I can see the consternation on this poor man's face and I understand. I, too, am all-to-often left to wonder, "why?" Why must I suffer from such a tiny head? Be brave, my Guatemalan compatriot. Be brave.

Have a picture of an unusually small (or large) body part? Or, even better, just some great travel photos? Submit your images to Gadling's Flickr group right now and we might use it for a future Photo of the Day

Photo of the Day (04.17.10) originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 17 Apr 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Join a trek study, travel for free!

Kraig Becker — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Learning, North America, Guatemala, Mexico, Budget Travel, Travel Deals, Central America

Have you ever wanted to travel to an exotic, tropical locale, while taking part in an important study that could end a scourge that has plagued travelers for centuries? If you answered yes to that run-on question, then we have a travel tip for you.

TrekStudy.com is currently seeking travelers to take part in a clinical research study to test an experimental new patch designed to prevent Travelers' Diarrhea. In fact, they're even willing to pay for all travel expenses for the men and women who join the study, provided they are willing to go to one of nine different destinations in Mexico or Guatemala and stay for at least seven days. The destination cities in Mexico include Guadalajara, Oaxaca, San Miguel de Allende, and Mexico City. Those interested in visiting Guatemala instead, are asked to visit Antigua, Quetzaltenango, Panajachel, or Guatemala City instead.

Eligible travelers must be between the ages of 18-64, in good overall health, and be willing to maintain a diary of their usage of the new patch for up to 17 days. To remain eligible, you must also meet some other criteria, such as not having received a diarrhea or cholera vaccine before you travel. To view the complete list of requirements, click here. You can also find answers to many other questions on the research studies' FAQ which is found here.

Unfortunately, this study, and therefore the travel deal, are not open to just everyone. There are also a list of departure cities with clinics which will be conducting the research, and all participants will have to travel through those cities. That list includes Belfast, Glasgow, London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Reading in the U.K., and Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and Potsdam in Germany.

Interested travelers who meet the requirements and would like to join the study are encouraged to apply online.

Continue reading Join a trek study, travel for free!

Join a trek study, travel for free! originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ultimate recyling project: Building a soda bottle classroom

Jamie Rhein — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:35:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Arts and Culture, Learning, Stories, Guatemala, Mexico, Video, Ecotourism, Central America

What happens when Peace Corps volunteers, the non-profit organization, Hug it Forward and a bevvy of school children and teachers in Guatemala recycle plastic bottles and trash? A school classroom.

The collected bottles were stuffed with trash and used to form the walls for a classroom addition at a school in Granados, a small mountain town in the Baja Verapaz region of the country. Amazing.

This video shows how the project was done. The music is a fitting addition to a project that brought the widest smiles to dozens of faces.

Imagine what might happen if similar projects happened on a massive scale world wide. There are a lot of plastic bottles on the planet.

For another version of a building project that fits into travel and activism, check out this gallery on house building with teens, college students and adults in Mexico through Amor Ministries, another non-profit that welcomes volunteers.

Gallery: Building houses in Mexico

Ultimate recyling project: Building a soda bottle classroom originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gadling

Upcoming exhibition will debunk Mayan prophecy of the end of the world in 2012

Vagabond Tales: How to roast marshmallows over an active volcano

10 unique modes of transportation around the world

Frommer's reveals top destinations for 2012

Photo of the day - Cathedral dome, Antigua, Guatemala

Photo of the Day- Lago de Atitlán

Related Stories

Photo of the day - Blue volcanoes of Guatemala

Ancient Mayan city discovered in Guatemala

Latin America on a budget: Antigua, Guatemala

Latin America on a budget: How to plan a budget-friendly adventure

Video of the Day - Sunsets around the world

Flip winter the bird with a great adventure travel contest!

Guatemala travel alert: road to Lake Atitlan closed until year's end due to mudslides

12 historic sites in danger of disappearing

Ten hot backpacker destinations

Women adventurers heed the Call of the Wild

Photo of the Day (7.31.2010)

Photo of the Day (04.17.10)

Join a trek study, travel for free!

Ultimate recyling project: Building a soda bottle classroom