Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Recent Comments:
Confessions of a Travel Writer reviewed & rebutted {Gadling}
Aug 11th 2009 2:18PM Having gone on the same itinerary (more or less) sponsored by the same host a few weeks after this show was filmed, I can say that there was very little to complain about-- and very little to make a reality show about. It was a wonderful trip with the usual ups and downs of media tours...in short, hardly anything worth making into a show.
What is a "dangerous" travel destination? {Gadling}
Jan 7th 2009 11:23AM Brenda-
Always an interesting issue. I've written a post about supposedly dangerous countries that addresses similar concerns:
http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/tips-for-traveling-in-dangerous-places/
And as someone who lives in Mexico City for part of the year, I have to say that I agree with American expat and journalist David Lida: danger is largely about our perceptions, not facts. Statistics about Mexico City, he says, are never put into context. When examined per capita and compared to other big cities in North America, Mexico City is actually safer than most US cities.
As for Cuba, it's one of the least dangerous countries on the planet. Penalties for violent crimes are severe., and while it's not unheard of (my own stepson's sister was killed by a jealous boyfriend two years ago in Havana), the violent crime rate is among the lowest in the world.
I've been 7 or 8 times, so if you have any questions during the travel planning process, please feel free to contact me.
83-year-old woman boards wrong US Airways flight, ends up in Puerto Rico {Gadling}
Nov 21st 2008 6:54PM I actually thought this was funny. I've also gotten on the wrong flight before. I should have been landing in Newark and found myself in Houston... and didn't realize it until the pilot said "Welcome to Houston."
Talking Travel with Tim Patterson {Gadling}
Sep 30th 2008 12:24PM Tim- As much as we work together, I learned new things about you from this interview. I'm really looking forward to hearing more about the Mekong trip as it develops...and about that little patch of land back home. ;)
Peace,
Julie
5 reasons to be outraged by the Lonely Planet fraud {Gadling}
Apr 14th 2008 1:56PM In response to Matt's comment that it's impossible to visit every place in a guide book:
While your observation may be technically true, then the guide book writer and his/her employer--whether it's LP or some two bit website--has the obligation to note what places were visited and which weren't when the guide was "updated."
I met a guide book writer in Puerto Rico who wasn't skipping places because it was impossible to visit every place-- but because he CHOSE to use his allotted time in the country in such a way that he got maximum enjoyment out of the experience for himself rather than fulfilling the terms of the contract for which he was paid. He freely and gleefully admitted to me--a perfect stranger--that he was dancing and drinking his time away (and wheedling free meals out of restaurants and plush beds out of luxe hotels) because the mere thought of driving to the west coast or visiting the rainforest one more time ("Nothing could have changed there!" he said)was just too overwhelming for him to bear.
MILLIONS of people around the world are paid peanuts for work that's worth a lot more. That doesn't mean that they should be pardoned for doing a half-assed job. And they certainly shouldn't be glorified for it.
