Posts Tagged ‘travel articles’
On the Beaten Path or off it? Mostar, Bosnia. Credit: N Crisafulli
We were in Mostar, Bosnia, certainly not a town you’d say was overrun with tourists. My wife and I were walking toward a historically significant site near the center of town (Mostar was torn apart by the Bosnian War in the early 90s) and I of course was looking around for a photo opportunity, camera in hand. She was carrying a guidebook which was opened to the map page directing us to the site. At that moment a young American traveler walked by us, noticed our not-from-around-here aesthetic and muttered too loudly to his friend, “We gotta get off the beaten path, man.”
It was there, in that well-off-the-beaten-path town of Mostar in the middle of Bosnia, that I came to the conclusion that the whole idea of “the Beaten Path” is one of contention, a hypothetical notion that exists purely in the minds of those not satisfied where they are.
I officially have World Cup fever. While watching that heart-stopping match this morning between USA and Algeria, I got to thinking. The new stadiums of South Africa are stunning to say the least, massive, modern and worth seeing in person, without a doubt.
So what if I wanted to visit all the World Cup host nations around the world? Because I have a keen propensity to dream, I’ve put together a round-the-world ticket that goes to each host country to visit their beautiful cathedrals to soccer.
It’s been another big win for the bloggers this week, with posts chock full o’ nuggets (of info) and items of general usefulness.
Here’s what I’ve been reading on the web this week:
Credit: Pseejunkie
You saved for it, bypassed countless social engagements to hoard that money away, made excuses, maybe alienated a few friends along the way.
You also planned for it, spent countless hours, laptop on thighs, scouring travel sites and blogs, organizing, researching, building an itinerary you could feel good about.
You worked up to it, buttressed your decision-making skills, reassured yourself, searched for and found that inspiration you needed when your feet got cold.
You prepared, bought the best bags, jacket, shoes, camera, sunblock and good luck charm.
And then you waited, counting down the days, drumming your fingers on the table.
Finally, the evening before departure and you literally became sick with nerves. But the morning arrived and you got on that plane. And off….you….went.
Stories From Around the World is a CBS News item where journalist Steve Hartman randomly picks a person from the phone book in a randomly selected town around the world and does a story about them. Gleaned from the same idea he had several years ago when he tested the idea in towns around America, this time he ups the risk factor and sets out to meet people around the globe.
If you have some time this afternoon, 12 minutes, it’s absolutely worth the watch. These three wonderful vignettes, from India, Latvia, and Oman, are guaranteed to make your world a little smaller and your day a little brighter.
Video after the jump…
The around the world travel idea has been popping up a lot lately, and outside its admittedly tight-knit circles. More and more people are pushing the comfortable borders of Europe when not more 
than 20 years ago only the most adventurous American would consider traveling elsewhere. These days anywhere is fair game.
Yes, people are finally envisioning a vastly larger destination palate. Landscapes with hugely exotic sights and sounds are available without the extra effort that was formerly obligatory. The digital age has shown us just how small our world can be and our ability to get there is changing Disney World into Real World with an ease our parents would have been jealous of.
Delhi: Adventures in a Megacity by Sam Miller
For all its problems, 2009 was a great year for readers who love to travel. Dozens of new books hit the shelves over the last 12 months practically tailor-made for the explorer inside of us. Rory MacLean at the Guardian UK has taken it upon himself to assemble a list of books that should be on every nightstand of those who have luggage in their closets or backpacks in the hall – of those who appreciate the art of travel. Take a look at his list and think about these for your inner armchair-traveler.
Part IV of our series of guest posts from San Francisco native Susan Coss as she returns to Mexico after a year-long hiatus. Missives from Oaxaca documents her month-long stay in the southern Mexican town. Click to read part I, part II and part III.
And so it is the eve of my departure and of course the city decided to turn on its charm to the thousandth degree this last week…
The weather has been unseasonably warm, which has been fantastic, though of course it makes the return to cold that much harder. As is abundantly clear by now, from my missives this year and last year, I am head over heels in love with this place. I am blessed to have been able to return to spend yet another month discovering more, meeting more people, eating more food. It is not perfect here – I could bitch forever about the disorganization, the blatant government corruption, the stupid sidewalks, the traffic. The rose colored glasses slip from the eyes occasionally. And yet I will miss it all, the good and the bad.
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