August 2010

My friends and I at Tikal National Park in Guatemala

Traveling with Others > Traveling Alone > Not Traveling At All

I know, I’m an ass for putting anything to do with math in a travel blog post. If it’s been awhile for you, the signs (>) you see in the title stand for greater than. So, this title (which is just my opinion of course) reads Traveling with Others “is greater than” Traveling Alone “which is greater than” Not Traveling At All. And after my short time in Central America, this is how I truly feel. I’ve read a lot

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Catedral de Santiago

Featured Travel Photo: Catedral de Santiago – Antigua, Guatemala

The Catedral de Santiago is lit up each night creating an awe inspiring view from the central park square in Antigua, Guatemala. The church is one of two churches on the square, and one of 20 or so churches throughout the small city.

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The Art of Bargaining While Backpacking in Central America

The “Gringo tax” is a reality that people backpacking around the world must deal with on a regular basis. When locals spot a foreigner amongst them they tend to jack up the price of whatever they are selling, be it food, clothing, or some sort of service. Sometimes this is a modest increase in price from what a local might pay for the same item, but sometimes prices can be raised as high as ten times the original amount, or

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Featured Travel Photo: Ziplining Through The Clouds

While in the Guatemalan highlands my friends and I got a chance to do some zip-lining just outside of the town of Santa Clara La Laguna on Lake Atitlan. Our first ride was through clear skies with a great view of the surrounding mountainsides but our second ride was right through the middle of a dense white cloud. A very cool and surreal experience.

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My Interview on NoPlaceToBe.com

Last week I was lucky enough to do a quick interview with Poi and Kristy from NoPlaceToBe.com. Each week they post an interview of a fellow traveler and this week it was me. If you feel so inclined, head on over to their site to check out the interview.

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Traffic Cops in Antigua

Featured Travel Photo: Traffic Cops in Antigua

There were few stop signs in Antigua, Guatemala and the ones that were there seemed to be more of a suggestion than a requirement. On busier intersections, however, you could find one or more of these traffic cops. Doesn’t hurt that these two just so happened to have a stunning volcano behind them.

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7 Tips You Need for a Healthier and Safer Trip

Traveling around the world is something I think everyone should experience. But with all of the positives of travel, there are some negatives, like health and safety issues. Below are a few basic tips that many beginning backpackers, and maybe some veterans, overlook. These tips will help keep you up and running and not missing a thing, whether you are traveling around the world or just taking a short vacation. 1. Get your damn vaccines. I met many travelers who

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Featured Travel Photo: Mayan Statue “The Old Man’s Head”

While backpacking through the town of Copan Ruinas, Honduras I took a trip to the Mayan ruins about a kilometer outside of town. The park didn’t have the giant temples of Tikal but the detail and sophistication of their artwork was stunning. This head was originally part of a much larger structure and if I remember correctly this was the head of one of two old men who were holding up a much more important figure.

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