Matador Member – Miguel Lasala

Photos by Miguel Lasala

Before I die, I’d like to raise donkeys. I felt the most immersed in a foreign culture when playing a guitar with Paola in Cahuita, CR.

Be sure to check out Miguel Lasala’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Journey to the end of the night, by Celine, The Patagonian Express, by Paul Theroux, The Voyage That Never Ends, By Malcolm Lowry, (reading now) The Lawless Roads, by Graham Greene

Photos courtesy of Jenny Buccos, ProjectExplorer

Sony Cybershot DSC-H9 8.1 MP Digital Camera with telephoto and wide angle lenses.

While I’m in the process of upgrading to an SLR, this camera will continue to travel with me for one reason – NightShot, which allows for shooting in complete darkness via infrared light (think night vision goggles!).

I also love the wide angle lens for this camera, and its rapid fire shooting feature. For those not ready for an SLR, or who want to travel lighter, I think this is the perfect “in between” camera.

Macbook

I’m a video editing fanatic and love to cut “quicktrips” for our student audience. I’ve loaded my Macbook with Final Cut Express for fast editing whilst on location, and this little guy is light and easy to take wherever.

It also keeps me in touch with family and friends on the road and at home with Skype, a magical program that shrinks the planet. I love this computer so much that I even have a spare at the office in the off chance one dies on the road.

FLIP HD and GoPro HD Camera

I’m all about creating “video postcards” for friends and family while I traveling, and an HD Flip camera with a mini-tripod makes simple video capturing a breeze.

While not exactly cheap, it’s a lot less expensive than my pro cameras, and lets me do crazy things like throw it in a plastic bag and float it in a river, or hand off to a stranger to get an action shot of me. (See the video friends shot of me bungee jumping in Soweto, South Africa).

I also recently got a GoPro HD Hero camera, which is even better for getting exciting – and difficult – shots. I can suction cup this to the window of a train and get time lapse of the landscape, strap it to a helmet and get a great POV while skydiving, and even take it snorkeling to get sea creatures up close. It’s powerful and practically indestructible.

Blackberry

Let’s face it – I’m addicted! Not only can I get email anywhere on the planet, Blackberry Messenger helps me stay in touch with friends around the world without the cost of international text messages.

The address book is full of all the fantastic people I’ve met so that no matter where I might have a layover, there’s always someone to take to lunch.

Rosebud Salve and a back-up pair of sunglasses

Hey, a female filmmaker also has to look great. Those big glasses conceal my total lack of sleep when working on location. Pair the glasses with a smear of Rosebud Salve on my lips and I am ready for a quick photo even on my worst of days.

Notebook, pens, rubber bands, binder clips, business cards

The business cards are a must – I never know who I’ll meet. The rest are must-have items on any shoot: to take notes about time codes, sketch out shots, hold down wayward cords, and even cinch back my presenters’ clothes so they look great on camera!

More on Jenny M. Buccos

Jenny M. Buccos, the Director, Producer, and Founder of ProjectExplorer.org, has spent the last 5 years traveling between 19 countries for film and multimedia productions.

In 2003, Jenny founded ProjectExplorer.org as a way to educate youth about the world’s cultures, histories, and people through video, photos, blogs, and other multimedia.

In 2007-2008 she directed and produced a series in South Africa which included an interview with Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

To date, she has directed and produced more than 200 short videos for children and teens.

She is currently in post-production on her 4th series – Mexico!

In 2009, Jenny received a GOLD Parents’ Choice Award for Excellence in Educational Programming.

When not on location, Jenny barely leaves the island of Manhattan, preferring the wilds of Hell’s Kitchen (Times Square West) to those of the outer boroughs.

Peek into more backpacks under our What’s In Your Backpack? series.

Matador Member – Nati 27

Photos by Nati 27

To see the buildings of Gaudi in Barcelona, smell roses in Uzbekistan, touch the coast of Norway, drink some vodka in Moscow, see stars in Honduras….that’s what I want to do

Before I die, I’d like to live my life the best I can. And when I will be dying, I would look in my past and I will think ” yes, I had great time.”

Be sure to check out Nati 27’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Andrzej Pilipiuk…all his books are fantastic.

Matador Member – TreeGuy

Photos by TreeGuy

I believe that the meaning of life is to acquire virtues. I think travel makes that process a whole lot more interesting.

I’m writing a travel blog of fishing adventures from around the country. I would like to publish articles, and even compile a book. If any kick-ass photographer wants to join me at any point and for any duration, you’re welcome. I’m headed to Alaska on June 1st.

Before I die, I’d like to live boldly!

Be sure to check out TreeGuy’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Anything by Tibor Fischer; Winter’s Tale by Mark Helprin.

Photos courtesy of Alex Jouve.

On a number of occasions, especially on a 130 degree day under the Egyptian sun, I’ve been asked by fellow crew members why I always have my bulky backpack stuck to me and what could possibly in there.

Well, some of the items usually in there include…

Panasonic HSC1UP

Purchased in 2008, this HD camera is perhaps the smallest 3CCD camera out there. Tiny and great picture quality for a camera that size.

With an audio input to plug in a wireless microphone, you’re quickly up and running to shoot any kind of independent project.

Zoom H4 Field Recorder

Purchased as an afterthought on the recommendation of a friend, this device is great for back up audio, but ideal for recording any live music and capturing local flavor to create a soundtrack for any independent documentary project.

I lent it to a friend headed to Cuba once and long story short, I’m currently helping promote an upstart Cuban music record label of some super talented musicians from Viñales in the Pinar del Rio province.

Contour HD Helmet Cam

This camera literally goes anywhere and always gets you some extra shots you can never get with any other camera. Amazing little toy that shoots full HD and also provides for some fun behind the scenes moments on a long day.

Macbook

I used to be a proud PC owner, but when my last one mysteriously died on me and I needed something new to start editing a personal documentary project, I went Mac and have never looked back.

The 4 GB of RAM are a nice feature to be able to edit video and multi-task like crazy. If I had done all the work from the last year on a PC, I would probably be on my 3rd one by now.

An insane amount of receipts…

Working on a variety of series for the History Channel, the Discovery Channel and the Travel Channel, I am always traveling and managing the budget and expenses of an international television production crew.

After a month on the road in 5 countries, it starts adding up. The fun part is always trying to figure out what a small crumpled up receipt in Greek or Russian is for a month later. Where were we and what were we doing that day again?…

Aspirin, Tums and Toilet Paper

You can never let a hangover on your down day or some super tasty spicy food ruin a good trip or shoot… which brings me to the last item [toilet paper], which is just silly to not have handy wherever you go, as well as some hand sanitizer too come to think of it.

More on Alex Jouve

Alex is a freelance TV producer working in documentary television, most recently with the History Channel and the Discovery Channel on series such as “Digging For The Truth”, “Treasure Quest” and “Solving History with Olly Steeds”.

He has shot on four continents in over 13 countries in the last 4 years.

Recently he has also been working a personal documentary project as well as trying his hand at the music business by helping promote Valle Son — a super talented traditional son and classic salsa band from Cuba.

Matador Member – S.S. Love

Photos by S.S. Love

I stumbled into travel writing a couple of years ago. I absolutely adore and love travelling and observing/absorbing everything around me while I travel. I am the staff travel writer (and I take all the photos on my sojourns) for Valley Living Magazine and am launching to bigger wider reaching publications.

I weave bits and pieces of song lyrics throughout my travel pieces. I begin all of my articles via song.

I want to make a difference by sharing my stories and inspiring a better understanding of other vibrant cultures. Take people on a word journey that leaves them feeling exhilarated, happy and intrigued.

Be sure to check out S.S.Love’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: To Kill a Mockingbird, Island of the Blue Dolphins, The Alchemist, The Grapes of Wrath, The Complete Dictionary of Symbols, The Log from the Sea of Cortez, Eat Mangos Naked.

Matador Member – Caladner

Photos by Caladner

I want to make a difference by teaching younger kids about the environment and ways to take care of it now.

I want to make a difference in the lives of animals.

Before I die, I’d like to see all 50 states if I don’t ever get to leave the country.

Be sure to check out Caladner’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Harry Potter, The Beach, The Giver, Hot Flat and Crowded.

Matador Member – Molly Freedenberg

Photos by Molly Freedenberg

I travel because it inspires and delights me. It’s the time I feel most like myself, and the most at home.

Before I die, I’d like to live in New York, publish a book, own a red pea coat, have a million dollars.

Be sure to check out Molly Freedenberg’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Dharma Bums, Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, Cunt, A Wrinkle in Time.

Matador Member – Scott Alexander Young

Photos by Scott Alexander Young

What makes me unique? My third arm. No. I’m a Travel Writer, Actor and Filmmaker, who is as happy being serious as making people laugh.

I want to make a difference by being a completely selfish hedonist.

I kid.

I want to make a difference with thought provoking books and films.

Be sure to check out Scott Alexander Young’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: The Spectator Book of Travel Writing, Holidays in Hell, Diaries of Evelyn Waugh, The Letters of Byron

Photos courtesy of Glenna Gordon

[Editor's Note] – When I first read Glenna’s post, So you want to buy a camera, I immediately reached out to her to have it republished here on Matador Goods.

Glenna Gordon is a professional photojournalist whose publication credits include New York Times Magazine, Time, Newsweek, BBC, Reuters, Guardian, UNICEF, USAID….just to name a few. She has been living in Africa (primarily Uganda and Liberia) since 2006 and maintains the blog, Scarlett Lion.

Words and photography by Glenna Gordon

A couple of friends, strangers, and blog readers have recently asked me for advice about buying cameras. Unfortunately, I actually know very little about non professional model cameras. But, I do know about cameras generally, so here’s some advice.

General Thoughts

You don’t need a million megapixels.

Anywhere from 5 – 10 will be fine – anything else is a feature you’re paying for you won’t need. It’s fine if the camera has more megapixels than that, just don’t let a sales person get you to buy a more expensive model because it has more megapixels.

Weather sealing is very, very very important.

Canon and Nikon are essentially the same and put out identical products. Which one most photographers use is usually based on which one their first photo teacher told them to buy. My first photo teacher happened to be sponsored by Canon, so I use Canon. So I don’t use it because it’s better than Nikon, just because I started with it.

However, that means all subsequent advice is related to Canon models because that’s what I know.

SLR vs point and shoot

At this point, there are now pas cameras that have the same optical abilities as SLRs.

The two models I would recommend looking at are the Canon S90 and the Canon G11 (again with Canon caveat in mind).

They do absolutely everything that a basic entry level SLR will do EXCEPT change lenses.

So, unless you plan to change lenses often or extensively make use of aperture and shutter speed controls manually, these cameras are really really great and will make excellent images.

The entry level SLR that is most similar to the s90 or the G11 but will have the ability to switch lenses and give you better manual controls is the Canon Rebel.

There are a bunch of different models of the Rebel, and they’re all basically the same. It’s a very good camera and will do everything you need – I got started on this model and even started selling images made with this camera in 2007 before upgrading.

After that, if you want something fancier, models like the Canon 7d are neat because they will also do video, though the audio quality is poor.

As far as I can tell, the Canon 50d and Canon Rebel are very similar cameras with different price tags. They have the exact same size image sensors, the same number of auto focus points, etc. The Canon 5d has more ISO expansion than the rebel, but that’s not necessarily a good thing if you don’t know how to use it sparingly.

I’d say if you want something more than the Rebel, save your money and jump from the Rebel to the 5d or the 7d.

Lenses – if you do go the SLR route

The 50 mm fixed 1.8 or 1.4 lenses are awesome and run about $100 and $350 respectively.

Much better investment than bulky cameras.

They are harder to use than zoom lenses but create really great, crisp images where you can have small parts selectively in focus.

They also force you as a photographer to work harder, which always results in better images.

Other than that lens, you might want something that covers the range of about 24 mm – 70 mm or 100 mm at most. Unless you’re doing breaking news or photos in violent situations, you will never need more zoom than that. Wildlife photography usually involves a zoom of at least 200 – 300 mm.

• Make sure you buy a UV filter to protect your lens from dust and scratches.

• Don’t buy a polarizing filter. Good camera salesmen will try and get you to buy these when you say you’re going to Africa (“It’s so sunny!”) but they’re actually horrible because they reduce detail in the shadow areas, which means in black people’s faces too.

• Use a small paint brush or soft bristled tooth brush to clean your camera.

• I also really like disposable lens cleaning tissues because then I don’t worry about cleaning my lens with an already dirty cloth. Also great for keeping my glasses clean.

• Always keep your lens hood on. This is important not just to avoid sun spots in your image, but also because if you bump into something (or someone bumps into you) they hit your cheap and easily replaceable plastic lens hood and not your lens.

  Especially in situations where you have limited personal space or things are moving quickly, this is incredibly important.

Summary

The final thing is that which camera you buy is about a million times LESS important than how you use it. And I’m not just talking about perfect exposure here – I mean getting up close to people and not being nervous about asking for their images.

It also means moving around a lot and finding unique angles rather than shooting from eye level.

And the best thing that you can do to make great images is shoot with great light – early morning and late afternoon only. I don’t even bother taking photos outdoors from about 10 am – 3 pm for the most part if there’s an option not to.

So, readers, what kind of cameras do you use? Are you happy with them? Leave your tips and recommendations in the comments section.

Matador Member – Alexandra Kram

Photos by Alexandra Kram

Striving to make roots in Croatia. Worked as a tour guide, hiked many trails here.

Working on writing about experiences here…

Before I die, I’d like to get my book published and be living abroad.

Be sure to check out Alexandra Kram’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Anything by Paul Theroux, Dirt Music by Tim Winton…

Matador Member – Samyuktha

Photos by Samyuktha

I am a student with a passion to travel, doodle, sing, and write…and know many more people and cultures.

I want to make a difference by speaking out.

I travel because I want to see things. Before I die, I’d like to do a lot…

Be sure to check out Samyuktha’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: One hundred years of solitude, small steps, holes, the crane, the little prince, the god of small things, funny boy, the danish girl, the second sex….

Matador Member – smallbutgreat

Photos by smallbutgreat

I am very antsy if I have to stay one place for more than two /three years.

I believe that the world is too large and there are too many different peoples and cultures to see, for me to get stuck in one place.

I love to taste different foods and share my own cuisine.

Be sure to check out smallbutgreat’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Anything by Jane Austin.

Matador Member – Earth Journeys

Photos by Alison Perry (Earth Journeys)

I live for those awe-inspiring moments that move the heart and take the breath away.

The delight in the eyes of a child having fun…

The wag in a dog’s tail that shows he/she is happy…

The breath-taking beauty of mountains, oceans, rivers, sunrises & sunsets, waterfalls, butterflies, people of all shapes and sizes and ethnicities.

I am interested in the diversity of this place we call Earth…In the differences in culture. I want to visit indigenous people and learn from them. I experience JOY when I have a camera in my hand, taking photos. I want to perfect my images so that someday perhaps others will be taken, moved, and inspired by the beauty my lens captures.

Be sure to check out Earth Journey’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: The Mists of Avalon, The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged, The People Series by W. Michael Gear, many more…

Matador Member – Max Chapati

Photos by Max Chapati

My intellectual interests are pushing me towards grad school but my wanderlust dries at the thought of committing to one place for so long: I’m looking for a compromise.

I want to make a difference by living an examined life, experiencing all I can to make that examination more practical, and sharing my experiences with others.

Be sure to check out Max Chapati’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Travels with Charlie, The Jungle Books, The Tao of Pooh

Matador Member – themattsavage

Photos by themattsavage

2010 is shaping up to be the year changes for me where I have my sights set on the world, and all that I might experience within it.

I love to draw whatever I see, photograph and record things, observing and thinking about life and how it works fascinates me and fuels a big part who I am.

I believe in trusting your heart and my instinct, intuition and insight; They’ve never let me down before and I’m sure they’ll be my best guide to tour the world alone…

Be sure to check out themattsavage’ Matador profile.

Favorite books: The Iliad, The Odyssey, The Alchemist

Matador Member – Kate Holmes

Photos by Kate Holmes

I’m fired up on romance and road trips. I travel because I want to know about everything.

I want to make a difference by changing the world’s perception of Americans.

Be sure to check out Kate Holmes’ Matador profile.

Favorite books: Fitzgerald, Herodotus, Kesey, Kerouac, J Maarten Troost, Rough Guides, The Dalai Lama

Matador Member – travelwoman33

Photos by travelwoman33

I travel to experience, laugh, cry, connect, disengage, challenge, relax, absorb, learn, and become a better human being in this world.

I want to make a difference by connecting communities with one another in interesting and unique ways. I help nonprofits strategize in order to make the most impact with the resources they have.

Be sure to check out travelwoman33’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: “Best Travel Writing” series.

Matador Member – poubelle

Photos by poubelle

I’m fired up on feeling the grass between my toes, eating food with my fingers, sitting on a train, final year of the degree, sitting in the sun, the feeling you get when an aeroplane fires its engine, laughing so much it hurts, gin.

I want to make a difference by changing the word, piece by piece.

Be sure to check out poubelle’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Dead Poets Society, Mrs Dalloway, The Art of Travel, On The Couch.

Matador Member – K.D. Hume

Photos by K.D. Hume

About me: A consummate water babe, foodie, bookworm, and nature enthusiast with an unfortunate tendency to be chased by angry animals, my worst fear is to be stuck in Mideast America, surrounded by angry mother bears whose cubs I sold on Ebay, and without a good Thai restaurant or bookstore for miles.

I want to make a difference by convincing the thoroughly unadventurous to become just a less afraid, and a little more adventurous.

Be sure to check out K. D. Hume’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Good Omens, The Bone People, Animal Dreams, West with the Night, Tar Baby, Les Liaisons dangereuses, The Virgin Suicides, I Capture the Castle, The Years of Rice and Salt, Women Without Men, The Naked Tourist, East of Eden, Frankenstein

Matador Member – georgiep

Photos by georgiep

I’m fired up on all things creative – cooking, craft, mural painting, writing, reading (especially travel books), surfing lovely small waves and walking long distances.

I want to make a difference by being myself and carving out a unique and creative life.

Be sure to check out georgiep’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Anything by Isabel Allende

Matador Member -keet

Photos by keet

My name’s Keturah. I adore life: the ups and the downs and everything in between. I’m currently on an 11-month missions trip to 11 different countries on 4 continents. Pretty excited about all this traveling I’m doing…

Why I Travel: I want to break out of the bubble. I want real life, raw experiences, true stories to tell later.

Be sure to check out keet’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: On the Road. Crazy Love. The Screwtape Letters. The Alchemist. The Irresistible Revolution. The Kite Runner. The Bell Jar. The Bible. All kinds of CS Lewis, Kerouac, Palahniuk, Vonnegut

Matador Member – Captain Nemo

Photos by Captain Nemo

I like to travel in which ever way allows me to do so, with curiosity, open mind, and in search of that which is unknown to me.

I want to make a difference by sharing who I am, listening, and learning so I might be able to give it back.

Be sure to check out Captain Nemo’ Matador profile.

Favorite books: The Shack by William Young, Trout Fishing in America, Tolkien, The Tales of Huckleberry Fin, Robinson Crusoe, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Five Rings, Life of Pi, Blue Like Jazz, James A. Michener novels, Kon-Tiki, Tolstoy, To Kill A Mockingbird, Night.

Matador Member – Shamps

Photos by Shamps

I’m fired up on being a traveler my whole life.

I’m fired up on Anthony Bourdain and other travelers that inspire me.

I’m fired up on the ocean, I can never get enough of it.

I’m fired up on the Seattle local music scene.

I’m fired up on hiking, which works out because WA has so many beautiful places to hike.

Be sure to check out Shamps’ Matador profile.

Favorite books: Hunter S. Thompson, Elizabeth Gilbert, and anyone else with a good perspective.

Matador Member – akimbo

Photos by akimbo

I’m fired up on social justice issues and environmental conservation. Photography and writing along those lines too.

I want to make a difference by treating the world with respect, others with compassion and my dreams with diligence.

Be sure to check out akimbo’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, Life of Pi by Yann Martel, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, The Kite Runner & A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

Photo courtesy of Lara & Terence.

Editor’s Note: Lara and Terence are currently traveling the world for a year and dispatching about their experiences for HomeAway. Be sure to follow their travels on Grantourismo and follow their tweets. This article was originally written by Terence Carter on their Grantourismo blog.
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Being location independent is something we achieved long ago – as travel writers, we’ve been on the road travelling continuously for the last four years, living and working out of our suitcases as we’ve bounced around the planet from one assignment to another. Yet location independence is a topic we’ve actually devoted little attention to.

Even now, as we prepare for another year on the road, we have a lot to do – an itinerary to finalize, flights and other transport to sort out, and accommodation to decide upon – but technology is actually the least of our concerns. Sure it would be nice to upgrade some gear, try a few new gadgets out, but we have the basics pretty much sorted out.

Yet technology is a topic travel writers often get asked about, and we’re already fielding questions about the gear that enables us to be location independent, so here goes:

Laptops

We’re both Apple users, so I’ll be taking a MacBook Pro and Lara a MacBook. There is no Mac versus PC war for us. As far as we’re concerned, the Mac and the rock solid Apple software best meet our needs.

I need a pretty decent-sized screen for editing photos so the 15-inch model is the best compromise.

Both our babies have bigger hard drives than standard and have the most amount of RAM that you can put in them – one of the best investments for laptops.

Storage & Backup

I use external drives for storing my photo libraries, as well as storing final images on PhotoShelter for my clients. I’m a little bit nervous about just how much storage I’m going to burn through over the next 12 months as I usually fill a pair of hard drives every couple of months. Why a pair? Every single image has a duplicate on a second drive, updated nightly by the generally wonderful SuperDuper! software.

I also carry one of these hard drives and a back-up of my MacBook Pro hard drive with me wherever I go – you never know! I make a backup of my MacBook Pro hard drive nightly. I tried using Time Machine by Apple as well, but it has never ran reliably enough for me. What did I say about ‘rock solid Apple software’? Make that generally rock solid.

Photo Organization

I use Apple’s Aperture for sorting images (I always get asked this question) and while I have my criticisms of the software, I like it better than other offerings such as Adobe’s Photoshop Lightroom.

I also use Nikon’s horrible Capture NX2 to process images because it makes the nicest-looking files and I finish up in Photoshop.

For our website, I use BBEdit to edit HTML and CSS files and Fetch to transfer files to our website.

Lara uses iPhoto for her images and stores them on the drive in her MacBook, but she’s just about filled up her hard drive, which makes the MacBook run like a piece of cr*p slowly – another little challenge to deal with before we leave.

Camera Gear – the pro stuff

I use a stupid amount of Nikon camera gear and I’m probably going to need all of it for this trip as we could be doing everything from surfing to safaris.

Please don’t tell Lara, but at this stage I can’t see me leaving one lens or one flash unit (Nikon SB800s) behind.

I carry all my gear around in a Lowepro Rolling CompuTrekker Plus AW.

It’s a great bag but it’s rather conspicuous and is always suspected of being too big for the overhead compartments on aircraft. Sigh. I have a Manfrotto lighting bag as well that kind of resembles a golf bag, which holds my light stands and tripod.

Depending on the airport and the class we’re travelling in, it has a habit of getting lost or at least arriving late at the gate. Groan.

Camera gear – the fun stuff

For street shooting this trip, I’m thinking of trying one of the new Micro 4/3 System cameras (stupid name), which is basically a small camera with interchangeable lenses – something like an Olympus PEN E-P2 would be perfect, because some days I don’t want to be seen as ‘the photographer guy’.

And no, I never wear a photo vest. Ever. I don’t care how convenient they are!

Lara is also drooling over the PEN as she dislikes her very overrated Canon G10, which takes wonderful photos at ISO100 and progressively becomes rubbish by ISO800 – it’s more ‘point-and-pray that there’s plenty of light’ around than ‘point-and-shoot’.

Communications

As far as other communication devices go, we have several (!) mobile phones. We each have our ‘home’ mobile numbers on a couple of them and we use the others for local SIM cards, which we buy wherever we go.

We also have an iPod Touch each – which we both love whenever there is free Wi-Fi around.

And speaking of Wi-Fi, we couldn’t live without our Apple AirPort Express for creating our own network wherever we go.

We just have to learn to stop leaving them in hotel rooms…

Community Connection

Be sure to check out What’s In Your Backpack, Lara Dunston, Professional Travel Writer? and Terence’s piece on backing up your photography.

About Terence Carter

Australian-born and Dubai-based, Terence Carter is a travel and editorial photographer and travel writer.

He’s authored more than 40 guidebooks for the world’s best travel publishers, many of which he’s also photographed.

Assignments in the last twelve months have seen him making still pictures everywhere from the south of Italy to the Red Centre of Australia.

He also maintains a blog – Wide angles, wine and wanderlust.

Matador Member – Rebecca Eller

Photos by Rebecca Eller

I want to make a difference by protecting the defenseless and empowering the weakened; knocking the stools out from beneath the self-righteous and corrupt; knowing my place; meeting the connection with perfect energy; being a good life partner.

Be sure to check out Rebecca Eller’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Writers: Herman Hesse, Reinaldo Arenas, Ken Kesey, Graham Greene, John Steinbeck, Rohinton Mistry…

Matador Member – Travisty

Photos by Travisty

I was a late starter but now I am a traveler permanently. I have been traveling around the world for last 2 years and am setting up shop in Bogota, Colombia. This is the location for my newest adventure, Home Hostels Colombia.

I want to make a difference by creating a world class chain of hostels in Colombia, my new adopted home, linking them to charities that make a difference less fortunate people.

Be sure to check out Travisty’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: East of Eden, White Tiger, Screw it, Let’s Do it.

Matador Member – Indian Jim

Photos by Indian Jim

I love wilderness, wild places, and the various participatory pursuits related to wilderness and wild places. And I’m a devoted follower of Jesus Christ.

My writing is related to my passion for both.

Be sure to check out Indian Jim’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: “The Old Man and the Sea” by Hemingway, “The Old Man and the Boy” by Robert Ruark, “Goodbye to a River” by John Graves

Matador Member – Ekua Impraim (Girl Unstoppable)

Photos by Girl, Unstoppable

I travel to learn about the world firsthand and to gain strength and creativity.

The ideal place to watch the sunrise is at amazing ruins such as Angkor Wat and Machu Picchu or on the beach in Brazil after being up all night

Be sure to check out Ekua’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Kite Strings of the Southern Cross, Tales of a Female Nomad, Adventure Divas

Matador Member – Chris Vandenberg

Photos by Chris Vandenberg

I want to make a difference by helping those without voices to be heard, especially in issues dealing with homelessness, mental illness or drug addictions. I’ve worked and volunteered around Vancouver’s DTES and have blogged for various activist groups in the area.

I think the key is to start locally and begin expanding outwards, and through writing and blogging around the world, I hope to help bring serious issues into the mainstream.

Be sure to check out Chris Vandenberg’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Mostly post-war “beat” lit; Naked Lunch, On the Road, etc. Also Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, The Prophet, Burmese Days, 1984, Into The Wild, Walden and similar

Matador Member – Bridget K

Photos by Bridget K

Travel keeps me breathing, thinking, living and the more I understand, I don’t understand, Ahhh the human condition!

Before I die, I’d like to tour the world with purpose while meeting like minded souls.

Be sure to check out Bridget K’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: David Sedaris

Matador Member – saintnick88

Photos by saintnick88

I am a major movie buff! I see them all from foreign to funny to ridiculous. I enjoy volunteering. It’s great to spend time with people who are plugged in because they choose to, not because they have to.

Habitat for Humanity and Meals on Wheels get the bulk of my time. I am a manicurist by trade, by way of private school and pre-law.

Go figure.

What started as a creative way to meet women and and make a few easy bucks in college ended up taking me places I never imagined…from magazine layouts, to opening four salons/ spas over the years, to being the former personal manicurist to Madame Nazik Audeh Hariri (Wife of the former Lebanese Prime Minister).

I love to travel, make new friends and find something new and comical each day.

Be sure to check out saintnick88’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Four Hour Work Week, Raving Fans, Rich Dad Poor Dad Series, Where The Sidewalk Ends, Does Calvin and Hobbes count?

Editor’s Note: Yes, Calvin and Hobbes counts! Huge fan also.

Matador Member – Lysscm

Photos by Lysscm

I love writing and traveling. I can’t imagine a future without either one.

I want to make a difference by putting my experiences down on paper; Volunteering in impoverished communities; Living a consciously green and healthy lifestyle.

Be sure to check out Lysscm’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: The Broom of the System, Walden, Eat Pray Love, The Kite Runner

Matador Member – Vanessa Harris

Photos by Vanessa Harris

I love the sensation and excitement and learning from the experience of different cultures, nature, food, customs, landscapes and hearing the stories of people from a completely different world to myself.

Be sure to check out Vanessa Harris’ Matador profile.

Favorite books: Bryce Courtenay

Matador Member – AmandaH

Photos by AmandaH

I felt the most immersed in a foreign culture when I’m drinking wine and eating bratwurst at the Bad Durkheim Wine Festival or when they shut down traffic on our entire block and rocked it out Xanadu-style with people dancing on skates, skateboards, roller-blades, and bikes while a cover band jammed some early nineties music until the wee hours of the morning.

Be sure to check out AmandaH’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Jellicoe Road, A Great and Terrible Beauty, Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich, Rachel Morgan series by Kim Harrison, and so many more I would run out of space.

Matador Member – thefuturexpat

Photos by thefuturexpat

I travel because I feel wanderlust deep in my soul. The first time I left the country was for a school exchange in 5th grade and I haven’t looked back since!

Be sure to check out thefuturexpat’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Anything by Malcolm Gladwell

Matador Member – Reeti Roy

Photos by Reeti Roy

I want to make a difference by writing, fighting for my own rights and for the rights of others.

Be sure to check out Reeti Roy’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: The Bell Jar, Little Women, At the bottom of the river, In an antique Land, My name is Red, Midnight’s Children, The God of Small Things, The Jungle Book, The Steam House, Catcher in the Rye, The Great Gatsby, Pride and Prejudice, The Namesake, Atonement.

Matador Member – PeteMcKeown

Photos by PeteMcKeown

Why I Travel:
I want to gain a greater global perspective, and selfishly follow my inner urge to see as much of the Earth as I can. I want to make a difference by making people laugh and get a reprieve from responsibility with my articles.

Be sure to check out PeteMcKeown’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Gates of Fire, Lord of the Rings, The Great Gatsby, A Separate Peace, Watership Down, Azincourt.

Matador Member – LittleRaven525

Photos by LittleRaven525

About me:
I will sometimes travel light with minimum supplies but I typically like to work seasonal jobs in amazing places. 8 months here. 7 months there. There is nothing like being able to go climb a mountain and go back to your cabin all in the same day. I don’t like to just pass through.

Be sure to check out LittleRaven525’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Slaughterhouse-Five, Cat’s Cradle, Brave New World.

Matador Member – elasticfate

Photos by elasticfate

About me:
I want to make a difference by volunteering on different project wherever I go, educating people about living in harmony with the earth & their souls & inspiring people to walk their own walk.

Be sure to check out elasticfate’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Critical Path by Buckminster Fuller, The Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk, The People of Paper by Salvordor Plascencia, The Alchemist, No More Prisons and so many more.

Matador Member – Kirsten1981

Photos by Kirsten1981

About me:
A former ex-pat with a case of wanderlust. Originally from Boston, I lived and worked in Ireland from 2006-2009 and I’m back in the States now but I miss Europe and return every time I have the chance. I’ve traveled to four continents so far and hope to eventually visit all seven.

Be sure to check out Kirsten1981’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Badlands, Ruinair, On The Couch, A House in Fez

Matador Member – Giramonda

Photos by giramonda

I want to make a difference by writing, sharing, giving, volunteering, exploring, learning, discovering, developing sustainable, socially-minded projects, living…

I’m living out my dreams everyday… I’m already doing it!

Be sure to check out giramonda’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Santaram; Eat, Pray, Love; The Red Tent; Tale of Two Cities.

Matador Member – justdanny

Photos by justdanny

I want to make a difference by working hard and trying to be a credit to my god and my country.

Be sure to check out justdanny’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Anything by Kurt Vonnegut, The Kite Runner, Crime and Punishment, and of course, Into The Wild.

Matador Member – deuglish

Photos by deuglish

I feel the most immersed in a foreign culture when I take the time out to ask the locals questions, learn a bit of the language, and at best, live and work among the natives to get a sense of their wants, worries and self-proclaimed identities.

Be sure to check out deuglish’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Anything from T.C. Boyle or Haruki Murakami.

Twice named Travel Journalist of the Year, award-winning photographer Peter Guttman has traveled all seven (7) continents, exploring and photographing in over 200 (yes, 200!) countries for the likes of Conde Nast Traveler, The Los Angeles Times, National Geographic Adventure, National Geographic Traveler, Travel & Leisure, Vogue, and many more.

His photographs have also graced the covers of about a hundred Fodor’s and Frommer’s guidebooks.

To spread the word about Brazil’s natural beauty, Peter Guttman will be sharing some of his masterpieces with our Matador readers. The Brazilian photos were displayed as part of the annual meetings at the United Nations last year.

Each professionally framed 16-by 24-inch photograph is valued at $800. And the best part?

We’re giving away five (5) framed autographed photographs from Brazil. They make the perfect inspirational gift for budding photographers.

Disclaimer – This particular giveaway is limited to only US-based readers.

AND THE WINNERS ARE…

@leighfitz, @crfranke, @toneesh, @hosteldog, and @worldyking.

We’ll be contacting them directly to send them their signed photographs.

Want to win more free stuff from Matador? Follow us here @matadornetwork and keep your eyes peeled for the next contest!

Feature photo from Brazil by Paul Sullivan

Matador Member – Ms Lala

Photos by Ms Lala

I love to laugh and converse into the night with complete strangers. I cry and dance when I listen to music. I don’t let my skin color stop me from carrying a tray of brownies and crashing a party full of locals. I’m always embarrassing myself.

To me, the most attractive thing in a man is…his mind. If you can outwit me, then you got me.

Be sure to check out Ms Lala’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Alphabet of Manliness, The Lorax, The Poisonwood Bible, Everything Is Illuminated, Musicophelia, Anthropologist on Mars, The Razors Edge, The Unbearable Lightness Of Being.

Matador Member – Neha

Photos by Neha

I write because it keeps me sane. I travel because it gives me something to write about – a circle that conspires to keep me busy and broke.

Be sure to check out Neha’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: The Handmaid’s Tale, My Name is Red, City of Djinns, The Piano Tuner, Maximum City, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Atonement, The English Patient …

One of the sleekest portable speakers out on the market, the iMainGo2 not only provides high quality “room-flooding” sound when hooked to your MP3 player, its hard casing helps protect it too.

Other nifty features include:

* Premium titanium high output stereo speakers
* Tuned porting for amazing bass reproduction
* Ultra-efficient digital music amplifier
* Battery life up to 30 hours
* Includes 4 AAA Energizer alkaline batteries and a removable strap

In addition to iPods, it also supports other media players such as Zunes and iPhones, and can be used as an external sound system for cellphones, laptops, electric guitars, and a host of other portable devices.

Readily available for purchase at Eastern Mountain Sports, Target, Amazon.com, and of course, its official website.

And the best part? We’re giving away four (4) copies of the iMainGo2 Speaker!

Disclaimer – This particular giveaway is limited to only US-based readers.

AND THE WINNERS ARE…

@20_30_40, @heyijun, @worldyking, and @leyatem.

We’ll be contacting them directly to send them their iMainGo2 Portable speakers.

Want to win more free stuff from Matador? Follow us here @matadornetwork and keep your eyes peeled for the next contest!

Did you know over 2.5 million water bottles are thrown away every hour?

Aside from being wasteful, studies have also shown drinking from plastic water bottles can be harmful to your health.

Laken Classic Aluminum Water Bottles are 100% safe, BPA free bottles, reusable, dishwasher safe, and completely recyclable.

The crack-proof FDA approved Epoxy inner coating also helps prevent bacterial build-up, and the liner is resistant to temperature, external dents, acidic liquids, and alcohol or water-purifying tablets.

The lightweight aluminum exterior is coated with non-toxic powder, and features externally threaded wide mouth openings and a loop cap.

Disclaimer – The color of the giveaway gear may be different from the color featured in the photo.

AND THE WINNER IS…

@joby14 – “I would use this when walking, its invaluable having the loop cap so easy to clip onto my backpack.”

We’ll be contacting her directly to send her the Laken Classic Water Bottle.

Want to win more free stuff from Matador? Follow us here @matadornetwork and keep your eyes peeled for the next contest!

Canon XH-A1 Camera

At the moment I am looking at getting a new camera, the Canon XH-A1. I like this camera because it has a 20x lens, a great optical stabilizer and despite its small size, has the same imaging sensor as the more expensive XL-H1.

For my style of filming, I like a camera that doesn’t look expensive and allows me to get candid street shots without detection. I’ve looked at reviews of various HDV 1/3 chip cameras, and all are fairly similar in picture quality. For me, the Canon wins out mainly on the strength of its class winning huge zoom lens.

I also use a hoodman for the LCD monitor, and my custom made shoulderlander, so I can rest the camera on my shoulder and get nice steady shots.

Laptop

High Definition requires quite a bit of computer grunt – at least 2 GB, preferably 4 GB of RAM. I’ve been a Mac man since 1998, when Apple revolutionized video editing by bringing out the iMac, the first computer built from the ground up to handle Firewire loading of video footage.

I have an Apple Mac Book Pro and edit with Final Cut Pro Studio.

My style of backpack filmmaking requires minimum gear which I must carry when I travel. On the ‘El Camino’ in Spain, I walked 750km with 17 kilograms of gear. On my last trip overseas, I was lugging close to 30 Kilograms including a laptop.

Microphone and Tripod

My travel kit includes one microphone (Sennheiser ME 66) and one lightweight tripod (Velbon CX-586)

This influences my filming style. I don’t have a proper fluid head tripod so I tend to avoid panoramic shots or having to take them from my shoulder.

I’m actually thinking of reducing my sound equipment even more and just getting a hardwired XLR lapel microphone, or a smaller Rode shotgun.

The Sennheiser is a great microphone but is difficult to disguise. Not something you always want to be carrying when filming in the rough end of town.

To the untrained eye, 1/3 chip mini DV or HDV cameras capture footage that looks the same as their more expensive 1/2 chip big brothers. But where they do fall down is in scenes of high contrast.

To avoid this problem, I travel with a small light kit – the Paglight C6.

Cowboy Hat

Finally, one of my most important piece of kit I travel with is my old Akubra Cowboy Hat.

Seriously, sometimes I believe wearing my Hat has saved me from being mugged, people don’t know how to take a guy traveling round the world in a huge hat!

It gives me a crocodile hunter-like mystique.

From the award-winning Indie Travel Podcast team comes its freshly minted magazine (available in both print and digital form) geared towards independent travelers.

Its decadent inaugural issue includes stories and photography from Burma, Tonga, Spain, and Nigeria.

More from ITP:

In all its forms, the Indie Travel Podcast caters for independent travellers, especially those planning or taking part in extended travel. The magazine allows themes to be treated in greater depth and beautiful photography and graphic design to be showcased in a familiar format.

New media delivery mechanisms are still going to be used in distributing the magazine; especially the seldom used PDF functionality of iTunes. With an existing global audience of podcast listeners, the digital magazine can be instantly delivered.

For those tired of reading online or wanting something to read during takeoff and landing, the print subscription delivers sharp, high quality images and thoughtful writing in a practical A5 format. Beautiful photography throughout means it will proudly grace any coffee table.

In concert with its official September 1st launch, one winner will be picked to win a year’s print subscription to the Indie Travel Podcast Magazine valued at NZ$40. The annual subscription includes four quarterly issues over the year delivered to any address across the globe.

AND THE WINNER IS…

@liamrobichaud.

We’ll be contacting him directly to start him on his free annual subscription to Indie Travel Podcast (ITP) Magazine.

Want to win more free stuff from Matador? Follow us here @matadornetwork and keep your eyes peeled for the next contest!

Matador Member – Boya

Photos by boya

I like to travel without an agenda ( or a camera) and take my time to enjoy the moment.

Be sure to check out boya’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: American Pastoral, Naked, Their Eyes Were Watching God, An Omelette and a Glass of Wine, The Bell Jar.

Weighing in at just 1lb 2 oz, the super lightweight Ama Dablam ensures portability without sacrificing warmth.

From climbing cold mountain tops to backpacking along cool valley floors, the Ama Dablam’s insular Down fabric technology keeps heat in, providing you with maximum comfort.

Other features include:

* Ultra Light Down Proof Fabric
* 800 Fill Power Goose Down The Best Down Available for Maximum Warmth, Guaranteed Minimum Fill
* Attached Adjustable Down-filled Hood
* Napoleon Chest Pocket Vertical Front Chest Pocket Stores Small Items for Quick Access
* Elastic Draw Cord Hem For Adjustability in Serious Weather
* Zippered Handwarmer Pockets Soft Fabric to Warm Hands
* Adjustable Velcro®/Elastic Cuffs Combination of Velcro and Elastic for Comfort and Adjustability
* Angel-Wing Movement™ Allows Full Range of Motion in Arms so Jacket Doesn’t Ride Up

The coolest feature of this jacket? It packs itself.

A small zip pocket sewn into the jacket’s lining allows you to easily pack it away for lightweight travel.

Watch Adrian Ballinger, Marmot Athlete and owner of Alpenglow Expeditions demonstrate his Marmot Ama Dablam jacket in Alpamayo, Peru:

Disclaimer – The color of the giveaway gear may be different from the color featured in the photo.

How to Enter

Want a chance at winning the Ama Dablam Jacket by Marmot valued at $200?

Read the contest rules here.

Sure, learning a language can get you closer to a culture, but mastering its local lingo can speedtrack you right into its heart.

That’s what the Speaking Boricua! series accomplishes.

Penned by Jared Romey, an American expat who has lived in Chile, Argentina, and Puerto Rico; Jared has compiled the unique words and phrases of Puerto Rican Spanish into two books which we will be giving away.

We will pick two winners and both winners will receive copies of the following books: Speaking Boricua! (Puerto Rico) and Speaking Phrases Boricua! (Puerto Rico).

Be sure to check out Matador review’s of Speaking Boricua! (Parts One & Two) as well as Jared’s 6 Tips for Sounding Like a Local.

AND THE WINNERS ARE…

@photogjenn and @catauskali.

We’ll be contacting them directly to send them copies of the books.

Want to win more free stuff from Matador? Follow us here @matadornetwork and keep your eyes peeled for the next contest!

With Fall Out Boy. All photos courtesy of Justin Thompson.

Here’s what he cannot live without on the road.

Swiss Gear Backpack

I’ve had my backpack strapped onto my back nearly every day for the past three years of touring the world.

Its contents vary but typically it handles two Macbook Pro laptops, aNikon D60 camera and an extra lens, a Diana F+ 120mm film plastic lens camera, some sort of snack, some hair product, a spare T-shirt, and my iPod nano.

It goes everywhere with me.

It’s sturdy, dependable, and really comfortable.

iPod Nano and Nike+ Running System

I use a Nano primarily because it’s the iPod that works with the Nike+ running system.

I try to run in almost every city I can – and being on tour with Fall Out Boy, I have been to a different city almost every day for the past three years while we are on tour.

I love getting out to see a little bit of each city and the run gets me exploring.

iPhone

Awesome for traveling. Having google maps and directions at all times is great. Constant Twitter updates on our travels (follow me on Twitter: @JustinAThompson), email, text, and camera all at your fingertips at once is also great.

The built in iPod isn’t bad either. You really learn to appreciate a multipurpose tool like this when you are out traveling with limited space for a million gadgets.

Video Camera

I travel with my Panasonic DVX100B. This thing is a true road warrior.

Sure, there are many newer, fancier cameras out there but this rugged beast has traveled with me for years and has seen hundreds of hours of footage.

Very reliable.

Still Camera(s)

For still photography, I carry around a Nikon D60 with various zoom lenses.

I started out just shooting video but picked up photography when we got out of the States and into some really cool scenic stuff.

In many cases I just wanted pictures for myself. That led shooting concert photography as well since I had all the gear out with me.

Now I spend just as much time shooting photos of bands (candid and on stage) as I do shooting video of them. I also shoot film on a Diana F+ plastic lens camera for fun – I develop the film myself.

I shoot mostly color slide film and cross process it in color negative chemicals.

Supra Shoes

These are my favorite shoes on the planet.

Walking around a ton of different cities, my feet see a lot of miles. I love having these things on my feet. They are the freshest looking shoes I’ve seen. I pack as many pair of them as I can fit in my suitcase.

Not only are they comfortable but some of them look so crazy that when people see them, they ask “What the hell are THOSE things?”

I’m currently rocking the Gray Patent Leather TK’s, Army Blue Muska Skytops, Green Patent Skytops, and Gray Wool Cuban lows.

Airborne

Somebody is always sick on tour. And that shit spreads like wildfire. I always keep a pack of Airborne in my backpack and pop one every time I hear that someone around me is sick.

Macbook Pro

I am a Final Cut Pro editor primarily, and since I edit while I travel, I use a Macbook Pro laptop.

I got my first one roughly two years ago and recently got a brand new one and I travel with both. Taking out two laptops at airport security isn’t fun but the good outweighs the bad.

Skullcandy headphones

These are super stylish and sound great. I listen to a lot of music when I travel, and have tried a LOT of headphones.

Skullcandy headphones are affordable and for the price, they sound amazing. I currently use a pair of White TI’s with a faux fur headband and ear cups.

Black and Decker Power to Go

Rad.

Charge one of these up and you’ll have a portable power outlet anywhere you go, any time.

I have used this to get some extra time on my laptop, to charge my phone when an outlet isn’t available, to charge my camera batteries in emergencies.

Great to have around.

More on Justin Thompson

Justin Thompson has been traveling the world with the rock band Fall Out Boy for the past three years documenting their travels through photo and video.

He is from Chicago, but also spent some time living in LA and working on various film projects.

He directs music videos and is hoping to make a full length film in the future.

Let’s face it. Regardless of what form of yoga you practice, there are some basic essentials you should have.

According to Matador Goods contributor Austin Chu, “I’ve been practicing Bikram yoga for the last few years and it has made a profound difference in my physical and mental health.”

Here’s your chance to win this package and enjoy the rewards of practicing yoga.

prAna – Hemp Chalk Bag

* Hand-woven designs using hemp and recycled silk yarns from Nepal
* Drawcord closure
* Fleece chalk compartment
* Double belt loops for stability
* Elastic brush holder
* 100% Hemp

prAna – Hondo Pant

* Lightweight travel-friendly fabric
* Roll up snap feature on legs
* Side zip pocket
* Mesh pocket linings
* Inseam gusset

prAna – Koh Tao Shirt

* Tonal, all-over mini print
* 100 Organic Cotton
* Contrast stitch details

prAna – Embroidered Tank

* Dri-Balance™ fabric blended with a touch of organic cotton
* Quick-drying and antimicrobial properties
* Moisture wicking
* Front 2-tone logo embroidery

Disclaimer – The color of the giveaway gear may be different from the color featured in the photo.

AND THE WINNER IS…

@lovestoclimb – “Boy would I look good doing my p90x yoga in this gear! Yoga is an amazing workout for any athelete no matter what sport you’re into. A Perfect way to cross-train! I can also double this gear as climbing gear as well. I kinda need a new chalk bag anyways. I loves the prAna line! ”

We’ll be contacting him directly to send him the prAna Men’s Yoga Kit.

Want to win more free stuff from Matador? Follow us here @matadornetwork and keep your eyes peeled for the next contest!

Matador Member – phishtopher

Photos by phishtopher

Before I die, I’d like to set my heels to every nation’s soil and raise children who make a difference in the world.

Be sure to check out phishtopher’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Uncle Tom’s Cabin, The Road, On The Road, The Idiot, The Trial.

From the co-creator of Billboard’s Classical Crossover chart-topper Aria, comes Paris to Cuba. Composed and created by Mario Grigorov, the ten tracks on the CD are the embodiment of summertime.

Perfect for any travel buff, the album’s sound conjures up the feeling of sipping mid-afternoon mojitos while watching a sunset on the Seine.

Blending hints of Pink Martini and Buena Vista Social Club, it is easy for the listener to get lost in the guitar solos, mysterious accordion and nostalgic, sweeping strings.

Not your typical jazz or world record, nearly all tracks on the album are instrumental, with the exception of three songs that feature stunning vocals by Melissa Newman whose voice is reminiscent of Madeleine Peyroux.

Listen to the sample track below

AND THE WINNERS ARE….

@AshleySFlintoff, @jessicavance, and @kirstysan.

We’ll be contacting them directly to send them a copy of Paris to Cuba.

Want to win more free stuff from Matador? Follow us here @matadornetwork and keep your eyes peeled for the next contest!

Matador Member – Janet

Photos by Janet

I want to make a difference by educating people, via travel writing and photography, to appreciate the beauty of the natural world, so that people may be inspired to value and preserve it.

Be sure to check out Janet’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Lord of the Rings Trilogy

This bag may seem small in appearance, but true to its name, the Sumo will swallow whatever you toss inside!

The shoulder straps on this backpack are also used as bag compression and tote carrying handles.

Keep your watch, phone, rings, and other small items easy to find by storing them in the internal mesh pocket near the top of the bag.

Caught in a monsoon? Your gear will stay safe and dry, protected by welded seams and waterproof fabric.

The Sumo Backpack is available in apple red, black, orange, and raft blue.

AND THE WINNER IS…

@JeffMarkman – “My wife and I would use this to protect all manner of valuables from the weather while hiking, camping, and world traveling.”

We’ll be contacting him directly to send him the Sumo Backpack Satchel.

Want to win more free stuff from Matador? Follow us here @matadornetwork and keep your eyes peeled for the next contest!

Whether you’re a yoga master or just signed up for your first hatha class, these prAna items will keep you stretching in style.

Paisley Ethnic Satchel

This 100% cotton satchel features a drawcord cinch closure and interior coin pocket. The front and back panel are hand embroidered.

Bella Sport Top

With prAna’s patented Chakara performance fabric, this sport top features great moisture management and shape retention.

The Bella Sport Top has a criss-cross back design, internal shelf bra, and removable bra pads, and the material is a mix of recycled polyester and spandex.

Fleur Tank

Covered with a flower print on the front and back, this racerback style tank top is made from 100% organic cotton.

Paige Capri

Also featuring Chakara performance fabric, these capris have the same great moisture management and shape retention as the Bella Sport Top. The contoured waistband, lined gusset, and polyester/spandex fabric ensure a comfortable workout.

Disclaimer – The color of the giveaway gear may be different from the color featured in the photo.

AND THE WINNER IS…

@SharonJayneLee – “I love yoga. I have been practicing yoga for 8 years and I find myself inspired by my practice every time I am on the mat. Through yoga, I have learned to open my heart, to be truly conscious and to accept the present – and I’ve applied these lessons in my daily life, off the mat. It’s this constant inspiration that led me to start my journey as a yoga teacher and to spread this light to others. Now, I volunteer my time and offer free prenatal lessons to underserved populations that normally would not have access to yoga classes.”

We’ll be contacting her directly to send her the prAna Women’s Yoga Kit.

Want to win more free stuff from Matador? Follow us here @matadornetwork and keep your eyes peeled for the next contest!

Unleash your inner athlete with this sexy ultra-light, compressible windshell jacket from Arc’teryx.

At just 4.3 oz in weight, the Celeris is made from a feather-light textile with a mechanical stretch designed to fit the body’s contours for maximum performance.

Check out more features:

* Moisture-resistant outer face fabric
* Windproof
* Compressible and packable
* No-lift gusseted underarms
* Side stow pocket with inner cable port and attachment point
* Laminated die-cut Velcro® cuffs with elastic
* Adjustable hem drawcord

It comes in small, medium, large, and extra large sizes. Also available in women’s sizes.

Disclaimer – The color of the giveaway gear may be different from the color featured in the photo.

AND THE WINNERS ARE…

Men’s winner

@AllenPenn – “I will use this to run through the dense forests of Illinois, wearing nothing but this jacket. I plan to train for an entire marathon in dense forest, in this jacket alone. I can’t wait!”

Women’s winner

@emilyh13 – “It’s always raining here in the UK so it’s easy, I’d wear it every time I left the house (If chosen i’d like the ladies jacket please)”

We’ll be contacting them directly to send them their Celeris Jackets.

Want to win more free stuff from Matador? Follow us here @matadornetwork and keep your eyes peeled for the next contest!

Matador Member – Zuke of the North

Photos by Zuke of the North

Before I die, I’d like to set foot on all 7 continents…learn new languages, live in a place that that would make my friends say “why the hell would you want to live there?”

Be sure to check out Zuke of the North’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Desert Solitaire, Into the Wild, Into Thin Air.

Everything you need for the day, crammed into one bag.

This backpack features welded zippers and waterproof material to keep your valuables dry.

With a roomy interior, including an internal mesh pocket and external stash pocket, you’ll have all the room you need for whatever the day calls for.

This backpack is available in red, orange, black, and raft blue.

Disclaimer – The color of the giveaway gear may be different from the color featured in the photo.

AND THE WINNER IS…

@peterhartl is the winner of our Pacific Outdoor Reykjavik (RKV) Backpack!

@peterhartl – I would use the pack for day hikes while carrying my DSLR camera and my next trip over to Europe. Looks like an ideal waterproof day bag.

We’ll be contacting him directly to send him the prize.

Want to win more free stuff from Matador? Follow us here @matadornetwork and keep your eyes peeled for the next contest!

Photographs courtesy of Everything Everywhere

The perpetual nomad being the widely popular blog, Everything Everywhere, Gary Arndt has been traveling nonstop since March 2007. His global adventures have taken through 70+ countries so far, including 23 countries in Australasia/Oceania alone, and he shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.

iPod Touch

This is by far most useful thing I have on me. It is just behind my wallet and passport in importance.

It serves as my watch, music player, communication tool, photo album, notepad, and much more. I spend a lot of time on trains and eating – listening to podcasts and audiobooks.

One of the first things I want to do when I get back to the US is to get an iPhone so I can take advantage of the other features the iPhone offers.

ExOfficio Boxer Briefs

I’ve spent 2.5 years traveling around the world and I’ve had only 4 pairs of underwear. These really are amazing. Easy to clean and they take a beating. They also double as my swimming trunks.

Mountain Hardware Convertible Travel Pants

I have used 3 pairs of travel pants. The Mountain Hardware convertibles were the first ones I purchased and are the ones I’m still wearing. Though almost worn out, they’ve lasted longer and have been more rugged than anything else I’ve used.

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Nikon D200

I do a lot of photography while traveling. I have taken over 50,000 photos with my D200 since the start of my trip.

While I’m probably ready to upgrade at this point, this camera has served me well. The 18-200mm VR lens is also a great all purpose lens if you are trying to travel light.

17″ MacBook Pro

You can’t really do serious video/photo editing from internet cafes. You have to have your own laptop. Though an heavy item, it has been well worth it. I’ve saved a lot from not having to use internet cafes plus it enables me to blog and use Photoshop no matter where I am. With this you also need to carry a cable lock for safety reasons.

A Stocking Hat

No matter where you go, it will probably get cold at some point. The simplest, lightest item you can carry with you for cold weather is a hat. I’ve used it in places you don’t normally think of as cold such as Hawaii and Easter Island.

Sandals

Unless it is really cold, I always wear sandals. I started my trip with a pair of Cachos and ended up with a pair of Tevas. Not having to wear (read “wash”) socks is very handy.

More from Gary Arndt

Gary with village kids on Rennell
in the Solomon Islands.

According to him…

The idea of traveling around the world wasn’t something that gradually dawned on me. It all rather happened in an instant. Once I had the idea, I knew it was something I had to do. That happened about two years before I left on my trip.

Follow his travels at Everything Everywhere.

Perfect for heavy outdoor activities in cold weather, the Marmot Genesis Jacket is waterproof, windproof, and highly breathable.

Marmot uses Techtonic Welded Construction, which bonds the stretch fabric as opposed to stitching.

The result? A seam-free shell that allows full range of motion without riding up.

This fabric is pretty insane. It kind of feels like what you’d imagine Batman’s suit to be made of — very comfortable and wearable, but very tough and completely wind/waterproof.

The Genesis Jacket also includes several water-repellent pockets, internal and external, as well as convenient “PitZips” for sweaty conditions.

Here’s a full list of features:

* Adjustable Velcro® Cuff Adjustable Velcro Cuff
* Angel-Wing Movement™ Allows Full Range of Motion in Arms so Jacket Doesn’t Ride Up
* Designed to Fit Over a Light Layer
* Elastic Draw Cord Hem For Adjustability in Serious Weather
* Inside Zip Pocket Secure Pocket to Store Small Items
* Internal E-Pocket Internal e-pocket
* Laser Drilled Pack Pockets™ with Water Resistant Zippers Laser Drilled Pack Pockets with Water Resistant Zippers
* Marmot M1 Softshell Water-Resistant, Breathable, Windproof, Durable, Warm, Stretch
* PitZips™ with Water Resistant Zippers PitZips with W/R Zippers
* Techtonic Welded Construction
* Windproof, Waterproof, and Breathable 4 way Stretch Fabric

AND THE WINNER IS…

Our friends at Marmot love your enthusiasm and have given us TWO of these sweet jackets, so there are actually two winners today. They are:

@shelaghbaird who said: “I’d use this so I could stop borrowing my friend’s jacket when I do alpine climbing and mountaineering. This would be perfect for Illimani in Bolivia! ”

and

@alanperlman who said: “Will field test it in every country I visit. Will wear it to Alaska in late August. Will wear it on the Presidential Range in September. Will brave the Boston winter in style. Will, cough cough, sleep with it on.”

We’ll be contacting them directly to send them their Marmot Genesis Jackets.

Want to win more free stuff from Matador? Follow us here @matadornetwork and keep your eyes peeled for the next contest!

The material for this classic bag is a mix of polyurethane, nylon, and polyester, resulting in a waterproof material perfect for protecting your gear in any weather.

A zippered slash pocket with an organized interior lines the face of the bag, and includes an office-friendly organizational space for pens, cards, cell phones, and other gadgets.

Open the bag up and you’ll find even more storage space with three vertical pockets, as well as one zippered mesh pouch.

The Messenger Bag also features long welded zippers, a carry handle, a padded shoulder strap and a Courier chest strap, and is available in black, green, and blue.

Disclaimer – The color of the giveaway gear may be different from the color featured in the photo.

AND THE WINNER IS…

@jasoncastellani is the winner of our Pacific Outdoor Vancouver Messenger Bag!

We’ll be contacting him directly to send him the prize.

Want to win more free stuff from Matador? Follow us here @matadornetwork and keep your eyes peeled for the next contest!

The Diva pack is ideal for backpacking / hiking, or mountaineering, with special features such as an Ice Axe pocket flap and Hydration Pocket.

But with its front stash pockets, light weight (Small 2 lb 10 ozs / 1.191 kgs) but ample volume (32 or 35 liters), it’s also a great choice for women wanting a comfortable, functional, and durable pack for travel.

Here’s a complete list of features:

* Compression Molded Back Panel with Air Comfort Technology
* Front Stash Pocket
* Hip Hugger Waist – Belt Waist belt contours to waist for added support.
* Hydration Pocket and Port – Designed to Hold Hydration Pouch Systems
* Ice Axe Pocket – Flap system to store multiple ice axes.
* Removable Women’s Frame Sheet
* Stretch Water Bottle Pockets
* Tuck Away Ice Axe Bungees – Bungees can be hidden to streamline the pack.
* Waist Belt Pocket
* Waist Rack – Gear attachment points on the waist belt
* Women’s Specific S-Curved Shoulder Straps – Women’s specific shoulder straps.

And here’s Liz Oakes Smart showing how the Diva pack looks and works:

AND THE WINNER IS…

@HikingLady is the winner of our Marmot Diva Pack giveaway!

We’ll be contacting her directly to send her the prize.

Want to win more free stuff from Matador? Follow us here @matadornetwork and keep your eyes peeled for the next contest!

Matador Member – bearshapedsphere

Photos by bearshapedsphere

I travel to engage my five senses, to become honest with myself, to reduce myself to the three true needs (food/drink, sleep, bathroom), and to lose contact with mirrors, appearance, egotistical trappings of home.

Be sure to check out bearshapedsphere’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, Animal Dreams.

Matador Member – steph_360

Photos by steph_360

I’m fired up on learning new things everywhere, reading anything and everything (I’ve been really into travel narratives recently), cooking for and with my closest friends, seeing new movies and re-watching favorite ones, taking pictures everywhere, spending time with my family.

Be sure to check out steph_360’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The Realm of Possibility, by David Levithan. A Year in the World, by Frances Mayes.

Matador Member – Jules Atkins

Photos by Jules Atkins

I want to make a difference by sharing myself and my life with others. Listening to their stories. Spreading peace one person at a time.

Be sure to check out Jules Atkins’ Matador profile.

Favorite books: Soldier of the Great War, Saturday, Son of the Circus, Huckleberry Finn, Still Life with Woodpecker, Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas, A Fine Balance, Behind the Scenes at the Museum.

Photo:Photo: Indie Type

This isn’t a list of the most essential accessories for overseas travel. You’re going to need a passport, money, a toothbrush, a suitable bag and a towel, but you already knew that, right? The accessories that we explore in detail below are all essential in that they will save you time, money and effort and will generally make your overseas trip a far more pleasurable experience.

1. Travel Journal

Photo: kikijames

As any seasoned traveller will no doubt tell you, a notebook is as essential as a clean pair of undies when you’re abroad. Any old jotter will do, but if you’re willing to splash the cash, you can’t do much better than a leather journal.

Italian and oilcloth covered, Moleskine were the favoured notebooks of Picasso, Matisse, Kurakin and Hemingway, and you can’t argue with the weight of that collective opinion. Oh yeah, don’t forget to bring a pen too!

2. Netbook

A netbook is a small, lightweight, portable laptop that can do almost anything a larger notebook can. Cheaper than their larger cousins, netbooks are particularly suited to web browsing and emailing.

The MSI WIND U100 is among the best on the market. Weighing in at just 4.4lb and measuring 12.3 x 8.7 x 3.4, it has an ample 120GB of memory, an Intel Atom N270 processor, Windows XP Home and an in-built high-resolution web cam, all for just $330. Perfect for staying in contact with friends and family via email, IM and Skype while you’re on the road.

3. 3G Mobile Internet Dongle

A small, inconspicuous 3G mobile internet dongle can be a lifesaver when there’s no wifi signal or internet cafe within range, and let’s face it, that’s usually the case. Although the connection speed might not be up to your usual standard, 3G coverage is very good across huge swathes of the globe.

Most cell phone operators sell 3G dongles these days, and they’re all very reasonably priced. Some are sold on a pay-as-you-go basis, while others are tied to a monthly charge and a download limit (typically 15GB per month).

You’ll just need to be wary about using data roaming on a frequent basis (especially if you are on a monthly contract) as the minutes and megabytes quickly stack up and many people have come home to staggeringly large bills.

4. Digital Camera

Photo: Panasonic

Every great trip deserves to be documented for posterity, gloating and/or boring your friends at home. Digital cameras are cheaper than ever and you can buy a very decent one online for under $200. Choose a camera that's lightweight, pocket-sized and able to take a bit of a battering.

Any of the smaller cameras from the Panasonic Lumix range will be ideal: they all come with a top-quality Leica lens and an Intelligent Auto function to guarantee great pics.

5. USB Flash Drive

A USB flash drive is essential for backing-up and storing the hundreds of photographs that you’ll no doubt be taking on your travels. You can also store music, videos, maps, documents and any other files which might be of use. With a flash drive you can easily share files with the people that you meet abroad and, more importantly, steal music from them.

6. International Cell Phone

For social and emergency reasons, a cell phone is an essential item to pack, but do not make the mistake of taking your phone away without first checking with your network operator that it can be used overseas. Your phone itself must be capable of operating on various radio frequencies (most modern phones are) and your network operator must have established a roaming agreement with an operator abroad.

Some network operators insist that you contact them before travelling to ’set up’ roaming capability. This is an ideal time to enquire about roaming charges, which can often be extortionate. If you’re going to be away for a while, it might make economic sense to buy a local pay-as-you-go handset or switch operator completely.

In the UK, Vodafone, for example, has abolished roaming charges in over 35 countries. If that’s not an option then you might want to try out an international cell phone rental whereby you get reduced international rates on calls and data.

7. Voltaic Solar Charger Bag

Photo: Voltaic

Handheld solar chargers are widely available for as little as $20. They generate free and renewable electricity from sunlight, which can then be used to charge any electronic device that you’ve brought with you. They contain in-built batteries, which store generated power for use whenever you want – perfect when you’re miles away from a plug socket.

The ultimate portable solar charger is the Voltaic Solar Bag, a rucksack covered in lightweight, waterproof solar panels. Larger bags can fully charge a laptop from one full day of sunlight, while smaller bags can power an MP3 player for three hours from just one hour of sun.

8. Hammacher Schlemmer Auto-Detecting Travel Adaptor And Converter

Assuming you can’t power everything with your solar charger alone, you’re going to need a travel adaptor for all your lovely electronic devices to work. Look no further than the 150-Country Auto-Detecting Travel Adaptor and Converter, the definitive travel adaptor by Hammacher Schlemmer. This beast of a gadget can charge two devices at once and can be used in over 150 countries. It even has an in-built USB port for charging small iPods and other USB-only devices.

9. LED Torch

Whether you’re camping out in the Amazon basin, backpacking ’round Thailand or five-starring it in San Tropez, an LED torch is an absolutely essential item to take with you. Modern LED torches are not only small and lightweight, they are super-bright and go on shining for hundreds of thousands of hours. They are really cheap, too: a good one will cost you under $10.

10. Swiss Army Knife

The Swiss Army knife has been an essential travel tool ever since the first one was made in 1897. There’s nothing quite as handy for chopping food, mending a broken suitcase and opening an ice-cold bottle of beer. The Wenger Giant Swiss Army knife has 87 implements and 141 functions, but at $1,400 and 2 pounds in weight, it might not be the most suitable for road warriors. The most basic of Swiss Army knives will do, but remember not to pack it in your hand luggage if you are flying anywhere.

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/10-travel-accessories-essential-for-any-overseas-trip/feed/ 12 http://matadorgoods.com/my-favorite-books-members-pick-for-week-062209/ http://matadorgoods.com/my-favorite-books-members-pick-for-week-062209/#comments Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:00:30 +0000 Matador Team http://matadorgoods.com/?p=1102 In a series here on Goods, we will be spotlighting various Matador community members and providing links to their favorite books.

Matador Member – Migrationology

Photos by Migrationology

I’m also fired up on meeting wonderful people, being addicted to the internet, taking lessons from cultures around the globe,

Be sure to check out Migrationology’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: The Black Swan, Made To Stick, The Consolations of Philosophy, Collapse, The 4 Hour Work Week

Matador Member – KatieHammel

Photos by KatieHammel

I’m learning to cook and am addicted to truffles. I read at least a book a week, thinks maps are the most beautiful art man has made, and survive each workweek by planning my next trip.

Be sure to check out KatieHammel’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Unaccustomed Earth, The Time Traveler’s Wife

Matador Member – YpsiJo

Photos by YpsiJo

I’m currently deciding between life as a teacher or a marine archaeologist despite the fact that my only two encounters with large bodies of water ended badly!

Whatever I do though, I know it has to involve plenty of travel.

Be sure to check out YpsiJo’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: The Count of Monte Cristo, Captain Blood, The House of the Dead, and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.

Matador Member – MarquiseBrack

Photos by MarquiseBrack

I’m just a girl. I like to travel minimally, with fewer people, possessions, and plans.

Be sure to check out MarquiseBrack’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Anything by Hunter S. Thompson and Jack Kerouac.

Matador Member – MichelleS

Photos by MichelleS

I play the steel drum, a beautiful instrument native to Trinidad and Tobago. I’ve played with the Desperados steel band in Trinidad and was a member of One Credit Hour, a steel band in the DFW area, for six years. Here in Seoul, I’m in a reggae funk band and a jazz combo. I also love writing and just finished my first science fiction novel.

Be sure to check out MichelleS’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Hitchhiker’s Guide, His Dark Materials, Harry Potter, anything by Roald Dahl.

Matador Member – SierraKiloEcho

Photo by SierraKiloEcho

Before I die I’d like to live unconventionally. Travel unconventionally. Sail across an ocean.

Be sure to check out SierraKiloEcho’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Three Cups of Tea, Tuesday’s With Morrie, Maiden Voyage.

Photo of Maria Taylor courtesy of shinealightnyc

Martin Acoustic Guitar

In case I need to write a song or sing myself to sleep.

CHI Hair Straightener

Because I’m over the curls for now.

Blackberry

Because it’s crack to me.

Mac Book Laptop

Because I need to be connected to the world wherever I am.

Target Socks and Underwear (From the kids’ department)

So people around me don’t get mad.

Cargo Under-Eye Concealer and Eyeliner

So I can pretend like I’m younger.

Relpax Headache Medicine

For my hangovers or my unrelated migraines.

Emergen-C

Can never have too much Vitamin C…actually, my friend OD’d on Vitamin C once.

A bottle of Sonoma Valley Cabernet

To keep me warm and happy.

Corkscrew

To keep me warm and happy.

More on Maria Taylor

Catch her live this spring in support of her new album, LadyLuck, and be sure to check out her new video which also features REM’s Michael Stipe on vocals.

Matador Member – Tsraveling

Photo by tsraveling

I enjoy watching people and learning how communities work, and then communicating what I learn in creative ways.

Be sure to check out tsraveling’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: The Deluge, Pilgrim at Tinker’s Creek, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Endurance.

Photo courtesy of Tony Vincent

“I enjoyed the opportunity to perform live on stage 6 nights a week on Broadway and London’s West End whether it was as “Roger Davis” (RENT), “Judas Iscariot” (Jesus Christ Superstar), or “Galileo Figaro” (We Will Rock You) because it allowed me to have my days free to spend time writing songs and focusing on my own music….

“That’s where I found real creative freedom and could remain grounded in the reasons I moved to New York in the first place. Being in the public eye each night also gave me an opportunity to work with some of the city’s really strong writers and artists.”

The Pack

Tony carries a Bak2Pak hybrid laptop bag which combines the practicality of a messenger bag with the ease of a backpack. The bag can be converted from a low riding backpack to a single-strap messenger bag, and comes with tons of compartments, including a top-loading padded pocket for laptops.

Bits for the Road

MacBook Pro

This machine rarely leaves my side…used for emailing, web updates, blogging and getting down musical ideas.

Palm Treo 680

I’ve become a texting-freak…since when I was doing We Will Rock You London in 2003. I pine for an iPhone, but just can’t make the leap to AT&T.

Audio Magazines

I’ve always got 2-3 audio magazines in my bbp pack.

Lyric Sheets

I’m a big culprit of spacing on lyrics, so I’m constantly reviewing lyrics…even to my own songs!

Pulltap

I’m a bit of a wine-guy so I always have a pulltap in a bag that I check (not exactly my “backpack”… but you’ll get arrested if you start wielding one of these in the cabin).

Läkerol Pastilles

I don’t know if these help or if it’s completely psychological, but I always have one of these pastilles in my mouth when I’m singing. Many boxes accompany me while traveling.

Photo courtesy of Tony Vincent

Think Thin Bars

These protein bars are killer…..you never know what food the flight is going to be serving or how long it will be until your next meal.

Adidas Running Shoes

I have a bit of an OCD-thing about staying in shape, so I always pack my running shoes to get in a run before a show or an early morning workout.

Notes/Cards

A recent note or card from my wife – travel is really hard on relationships, so I make it a point to surround myself with things that remind me of my wife. This helps me to keep her in the loop, to pray for her daily and to love her well…even from afar.

More on Tony Vincent

Also an accomplished singer/songwriter, be sure to check out his music below:

Official home site – www.tonyvincent.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/people/Tony-Vincent/775583289
MySpace: www.myspace.com/tonyvincent
Fan Site: www.tonyvincentworld.com

Matador Member – Beth (bethdod)

Photo by bethdod

I am restless. I have always been this way, even as a child. I cannot stand to be in one place too long. I feel that the world is too large to not want to constantly explore it and see what else is out there.

Be sure to check out Beth’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Memoirs of a Geisha, I am Charlotte Simmons, Getting Stoned with Savages.

Photo Credit: Jason Mraz

Her one-of-a-kind job description is to ” keep the positivity flowing, keep our bodies clean and limber and to make our ever-changing surroundings a little more pleasing to all of the senses.”

Here are the things that she can’t live without on the road.

Fabric

A tapestry or fabric to hang in the dressing room or hotel room. It is often used to cover the “idiot box” and also to give the room a sense of home and to have some sort of grounding.

Aromatherapy

Lately I favor a diffuser and different essential oils, but an aromatic candle will do the job.

Healing stones

Black onyx (repels negative energy) and rose quartz (heals emotional wounds and opens the heart to unconditional love) are a couple of my choice ones.

iPod Stereo

So portable and easy to pop in and change the environment with your own choice of tunes for the moment. Random Dance parties and sing-a-longs are sure to follow.

Shiva Shakti Tonic

A spiritual tonic made by Ayurvedic extraordiniare, John Holmstrom of L.A. It cultivates compassion in body, mind, and soul by burning the toxic ama in the body.

It is only taken on days when it is really needed, but I bring it along everywhere.

I gave some to Jason before he left for the Grammy Awards and it kept him feeling the love all day and night long.

Wildbars

A raw, vegan superfood bar made by Ancient Sun Nutrition that picks you up, keeps you going, and gets your creative juices flowing.

Made with a full serving of cacao and wild blue green algae and it tastes like a candy bar.

You gotta try this!

Vitamineral Green

A green superfood powder from Healthforce Nutrition – 100% whole food, pure, raw vegan.

We love to make morning Green Shakes with this as the main ingredient, but a tablespoon or two in O.N.E. coconut water is a delight as well.

This product has changed the lives of more than half of our band and crew.

Yerba Mate

A South America tea that boosts immunity, cleanse and detoxifies the blood, tones the nervous system, combats fatigue, and stimulates the mind.

Without caffeine!

I love it iced on hot days too and favor the Guayaki Mint and The Mate Factor Dark Roast.

Yoga Mat

I love my Jade Harmony travel mat. It is super thin and light to carry, made from all eco products and is the perfect stickiness, even when practicing on a gravel driveway in 100 degree heat.

There is always a way to fit in some yoga anywhere, anytime.

Travel Hula Hoop

Our friend, Mandy in San Diego sent us off on this last tour with hula hoops that collapse!

She made them herself and really thinks she needs to start marketing them. They fit into our luggage and you can even sling it over your shoulder and walk about town with it folded up until you strike the fancy to hoop it up.

Best thing ever!

I’ve begun to think of my hula hoop as therapy because you really have to let go and put yourself out there – even though you know you’ll possibly look ridiculous.

Matador Member – Heather (heathercarreiro)

Photo by heathercarreiro

My ideal place to watch the sunrise is on a rooftop hotel in the Moroccan city of Fez, on the morning of Eid-al-Ftr when the Muslim fast is broken.

Be sure to check out Heather’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Afghanistan: Where God Only Comes to Weep, anything by Khuswant Singh, William Dalrymple, or Salman Rushdie

Photo courtesy of Lara Dunston.

I actually don’t use a backpack everyday, as I try not to stand out as a traveler and prefer to be mistaken for a local.

The Bags

I use a Samsonite Sahora Upright Spinner which I’ve had for 3.5 years and it’s absolutely brilliant although looking a bit battered now, as my husband, travel photographer Terence Carter, and I have been traveling constantly since January 2006, so time for an upgrade I think.

I carry a Borealis backpack by The North Face in my Samsonite so if we’re doing a trek or heading into the backcountry for a while, I whip that out and we’ll store the Samsonites with the bulk of our gear at a hotel.

For day-to-day travel around towns and cities, I carry a huge leather shoulder bag.

I’ve never found the perfect bag so I’m working with a renowned Italian family of leather-makers to create a bag that looks stylish but is also strong and super-practical with lots of pockets and inserts for all those essentials professional travelers carry with them.

So, what goes inside?

13-Inch Widescreen MacBook

I have just upgraded and the new girl is gorgeous! My last one served me well for 3 years, so it was sad to say goodbye but she was never quite the same after falling from the top of a cupboard in a hotel room in Chiang Mai.

I never travel anywhere without my laptop – I do absolutely everything on it: writing books and stories, checking email, organizing my photos, maintaining my blog, doing our accounts.

It goes absolutely everywhere with me – it even came trekking through the hill tribe villages in Thailand.

And this one is even lighter! (I also carry a bunch of USBs and portable drives for backing up data: see Terry’s post on that process.)

Motorola MOTORAZR

I carry several cell phones – one for my main number in Dubai, one for Australia (only because phones are locked there), and one which we use to pop in a local SIM card, which we’ll buy if we’re working in a place for a few weeks or longer.

We find using local SIMs to be the cheapest and easiest way to make calls by far and locals prefer to call people back on local numbers so it makes research easier.

We have quite a collection of SIMs now! I have a couple of Nokia phones but my favorite is the Motorola MOTORAZR.

iPod

I have an i-Pod mainly for recording audio interviews, but also for listening to music from my i-Tunes library (my CD collection is stored on the laptop, of course), and learning languages.

At the moment I’m using Earworms by Berlitz to improve my Italian, and it’s just brilliant – it truly is as revolutionary as they say!

Point-and-Shoot Camera

My compact camera of choice is a Canon G10 PowerShot. Terry has quite a collection of pro-Nikons of course, and I get the hand-me-downs when he upgrades, but I find myself using a compact more because I’m so busy taking notes and my photos are memory shots mainly.

I also like to have something I can sneak into restaurants! The Canon is fantastic in low-light and the picture quality is brilliant.

My only complaint is that the LCD screen cracked in the time between the guy in the store packed it away and I unpacked it at the hotel, and they wouldn’t replace it. The screen really needed to come with a protection panel.

Notebooks and Journals

I don’t go anywhere without a few notebooks. I don’t use Moleskins. I’ve used them before and tried several different types but they always fall apart. They’re not made for our kind of traveling.

I wish they were because they look so good, but they simply don’t do the job for me.

I’m probably one of the few travel writers who’ll admit that. I opt for spiral bound, pocket-size notebooks with recycled paper and recycled cardboard or plastic covers, and when I find something I like, I’ll get half a dozen.

The last lot I bought in Italy, the ones before in Amsterdam but at the moment I’m using some I picked up from a supermarket in Australia and they’re fabulous.

Spiral bound is essential because I staple business cards, receipts, tickets, tags and even serviettes with the relevant notes or review, so when the editor comes back to me to check a number, I have all the info together.

About Lara Dunston

Australian travel writer Lara Dunston has been ‘based’ in the United Arab Emirates since 1998.

Although she and husband, photographer/co-author Terence Carter, have actually been traveling the world constantly since January 2006, bouncing across the planet from one assignment to another; the closest thing they have to a ‘home’ is their storage unit in Dubai.

Lara has had scores of articles published, everywhere from National Geographic Traveler to USA Today, and has authored and updated over 40 guidebooks (most with Terry) for Rough Guides, Footprint, DK, and Lonely Planet among other publishers.

Lara and Terry have four books coming out in the next few months on Calabria, Northern Italy, Cyprus, and the Italian Lakes. They are currently in Australia writing books. Lara reflects upon the stuff she finds cool (and not so cool) about travel, the travel media, and travel industry at Cool Travel Guide.

Matador Member – Jon Brandt (jgbrandt)

Photo by jbrandt

The things I’ve seen and done, the people I’ve met in my travels, all have led me to believe that there’s something great out there worth experiencing while it’s possible. And the best part I’ll keep for myself.

Be sure to check out Jon’s Matador profile.

Favorite books: Fight Club, 1984, Catcher in the Rye, anything by Hemingway

Photo by Terence Carter

I’ve had a few comments and a number of emails from my fellow Mac-wielding travellers about backing up and not freaking out. It’s really quite simple and not techy to make sure that you don’t lose those valuable photos, emails and music.

So here is a brief rundown of how I plan for disaster.

Lacie FireWire Drive

My MacBook Pro is backed up automatically every night to a Lacie FireWire drive. Of the current range, this model sounds about right. I back up using software called SuperDuper!, which is excellent.

Why do I use FireWire? Because you can plug the backup into another computer and run the backup as if you were on your own machine. In other words, if the hard drive fails in your Mac, you can actually start up and run your Mac from your backup.

Brilliant. Unless you have a new MacBook or a MacBook Air which don’t have FireWire anymore.

Shame Apple, shame.

But wait, there is another solution.

Western Digital Passport Drive

The red hard drive you can see there is a Western Digital one. I do prefer Lacie, but they’re not always so easy to find. This drive also backs up my Mac using Apple’s own Time Machine software that comes with the latest operating system and with all new Macs.

It backs up every hour, but only updates what has been changed on your Mac. What is great about this is that if you accidently delete a file or folder, you can ‘turn back time’ (yes, you now have that horrible Cher song in your head, no need to thank me!) and retrieve the files.

Pretty darn simple. And it’s the kind of thing that makes Apple so much better for people who just want to get things done rather than play around with computers.

The darn software even asks you if you want to use the drive you’ve just plugged in as a Time Machine backup – couldn’t be simpler and it leaves you with no excuses for not having a backup strategy.

The other two drives on the right are for the current photography projects that I’m working on. I’ll buy two drives, one as a backup, and I get SuperDuper! to back those up every night as well.

Blank DVDs

I also burn all my photos to DVD on the road as I import them to the working drive.

This generally means me being up at ungodly hours labelling DVDs and watching far too much late-night television and occasionally lapsing into some self-hate by raiding the mini-bar.

But we all have our challenges in life.

After the photos are backed up on DVD, I then import them into Apple’s Aperture where I do all my photo sorting and much of my photo editing.

Think of it as iPhoto on steroids.

So, if you’re not currently backing up your Mac, do yourself a favour and spend $100 on a backup drive.

You can thank me later.

And no, none of the above companies pay me a dime to talk about their products.

About Terence Carter

Australian-born and Dubai-based, Terence Carter is a travel and editorial photographer and travel writer.

He’s authored more than 40 guidebooks for the world’s best travel publishers, many of which he’s also photographed.

Assignments in the last twelve months have seen him making still pictures everywhere from the south of Italy to the Red Centre of Australia.

He also maintains a blog – Wide angles, wine and wanderlust.

Chuck Klosterman doesn’t travel to the ends of the world or try to solve world hunger.

In fact, he doesn’t even leave his own country. Instead, he gets put on assignment by Spin Magazine to road-trip throughout the United States, visiting the death sites of famous musicians.

The intersection of Duane Allman’s motorcycle crash and the spot where Kurt Cobain ensured his everlasting fame are two of the more notable stops in this hilariously written book.

The main characters are the author himself, his rented Ford Taurus (nicknamed “Tauntaun“), 600 CDs riding shotgun, and the barrage of ‘normal’, everyday people he meets along the way.

Klosterman’s new-age style and ridiculously extensive knowledge of pop culture shine through as he reminisces on past relationships (like most of us would) and creates severely complex explanations for the music guiding his way.

Price: $11.90 | BUY

London to Sydney the Hard Way…This was one of the first travel books I read and after a library’s worth of reading, it still remains one of my favorites.

With pitiful funds but plenty of determination, Peter sets off on an 8 month trip overland from London to Sydney.

This journey takes him through 25 countries, meeting incredible people, partaking in (usually) risky activities and generally having a good time. He visits the front line in war-torn Bosnia, the opium fields of Laos and even manages to make his way into the heavily guarded Tibet.

By traveling as cheaply as possible, he meets locals within their element and experiences it all as a true independent traveler.

This is traveling as it should be…no sheltering in posh hotels and viewing the country through a haze of “tourist sites”. He gets into the soul of each country he passes through and allows us a glimpse in a humorous and insightful manner.

Price: $11.27 | BUY

My favorite travel book of all time would have to be Bruce Chatwin’s In Patagonia. I love Chatwin’s understated, quiet writing style…he’s the type of writer that makes you hear the silences, feel the solitude of being alone on the road.

And yet, at the same time, he draws out the particularities of a place and its people.

In Patagonia is one of the few travel books I’ve read while actually traveling through the place being described…and the descriptions were so spot on, and so poignant, that it felt like I couldn’t decide which was more real, the landscape or the book.

Chatwin manages to make his writing very real and very simple; no exaggerated descriptions or depictions of local characters.

That’s not to say that he doesn’t capture some of the oddities one finds traveling – Welsh roses and tea in Patagonia, for example – but he explores them with such respect that it leaves you with this sense of very quiet awe.

Price: $9.75 | BUY

All of British travel writer Colin Thubron’s books are well worth the read but my favorite of his and overall favorite travel book would have to be In Siberia, which was shortlisted for the Thomas Cook Travel Book Award.

It recounts his tale of traveling through the large expanses of Arctic tundra and vast empty lands that make up the region.

His descriptions evoke magical places not known to many. He turns Siberia into an enchanted land that evokes memories of J. R. R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth.

I’ve read many travel books but this one keeps me coming back for the ultimate escape.

Price: $14.65 | BUY

The Devil’s Cup is an account of the author’s travels through Africa, Europe, and South America in search for the perfect cup of coffee.

He also explains the history of the beverage and its impact on the evolution of modern culture.

It is written in such a hilarious tone with interesting (and sometimes ridiculous) stories of crossing borders and immersing one’s self in completely different cultures.

His somewhat sarcastic style is entertaining while the material remains insightful.

I enjoyed reading about someone traveling with such a specific motivation.

You also learn a lot about different parts of the world, and how various cultures influence each other.

If you’re interested in travel and hot beverages, this book is a must-read!

Price: $10.17 | BUY

This documentary film is the sequel to Endless Summer in which two surfers follow the footsteps of surf gods, Mike Hynson and Robert August.

In Endless Summer II, the goal of the trip is to find the best waves around the world in places such as South Africa, Costa Rica, France, Bali, and other exotic locations while avoiding the cold currents of winter.

Monster waves, hi jinx, attractive locals, and magnificent views of the film will “fuel” the wanderlust of any potential surfer or traveler.

Every time I feel the urge to travel, I watch Endless Summer to get my plans and ideas flowing.

Whether I plan to go surfing is negligible, but as a viewer, the movie’s direction takes you to great waves as well as through the culture of the places the guys surf.

Price: $17.99 | BUY

After I had gotten some European travel under my belt, I read this book because I was beginning to explore some areas of the world I had little experience with.

Pelton’s book not only equips travelers with practical information and tips for travel in “dangerous places” but he also includes some solid background on those regions.

His writing style is unique in that it presents a lot of potentially negative information in a humorous and frank manner.

Whether you’re stuck without water in a desert, find yourself face to face with predatory animals, or have just been kidnapped, there are tons of tips that prepare you to handle challenging situations.

This book should be read by all travelers looking to go to a distant land that (unfortunately) frequents newspaper headlines.

BUY Come Back Alive

5 countries. 300 years.

The main character, a violin, travels the world, forming intimate connections with people that crossed its path.

It adapts to their needs and holds a special place in their hearts.

In the end, though, the person who truly appreciates the journey the violin traveled wins.

As a viewer, I enjoyed seeing the places the violin traveled. The people it met along the way, their cultural differences and the sense of history emanating from each place.

The outside influences that put the violin on a path it wasn’t originally intended to travel made the movie intriguing.

Price: $9.99 | BUY

In the past two years I’ve spent seven months exploring remote areas of Cambodia, writing travel articles, learning Khmer and leading a rugged travel program for high-school students through Where There Be Dragons.

My mission was to explore beyond the tourist trail, which, in Cambodia, meant discovering places unlisted in the Lonely Planet (LP) backpacker bible.

The last Cambodia LP edition was researched in 2005. When I spotted the new 2008 edition in a Bangkok bookstore yesterday, I snapped it up and spent a pleasant afternoon reading it cover to cover.

The verdict?

Although not without mistakes and oversights, the new Cambodia LP is a fine guidebook, well-written, well-researched and a big improvement over the previous edition.

The Cardamom Mountains

The best part of the new guidebook is the comprehensive coverage of the Cardamom Mountains, one of the last pristine tropical mountain watersheds in South East Asia.

Eco-tourism is just starting to take off in the Cardamoms, and the new LP is way ahead of the curve, highlighting excellent guesthouses such as Rainbow Lodge and devoting pages to new eco-tourism ventures in the Cardamoms.

Koh Kong, Koh Rong

I’ve written several articles about the Cambodian islands, and made two trips to Koh Rong island in recent months. I was pleasantly surprised to see a comprehensive description of Koh Kong island in the new LP, but it’s painfully obvious that the authors did not visit Koh Rong, Koh Rong Samleum or other islands apart from Koh Tonsay.

Koh Rong is, in my opinion, the most gorgeous island in the whole Gulf of Thailand, and thanks to the LP’s oversight, my guide to Koh Rong remains the best resource available. The LP claims the Lazy Beach bungalows are on Koh Rong which is not true – they’re on Koh Rong Samleum.

I was happy to see Koh Sdach get a mention – I’ve spent several weeks there and it’s a pleasant little island. However, travelers should note that the Sihanoukville-Koh Kong ferry described in the new LP was no longer running all the way to Koh Kong as of July 2008.

Elephant Valley Project

The updated section on the Northeastern frontier provinces of Rattanakiri and Mondulkiri is well done. I was especially please to see my friend Jack Highwood’s Elephant Valley Project highlighted.

Photo courtesy of Elephant Valley Project

Overall Grade: A minus

I was most interested in the new sections on remote areas of Cambodia. The parts the majority of travelers will use – chapters on Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville – were solid in the last edition and have seen only minor revisions.

The history and culture sections are also relatively unchanged, but provide an excellent overview of Cambodia, and the book recommendations are right on.

I congratulate authors Nick Ray and Daniel Robinson on a job well done, and urge them to visit Koh Rong.

Price: $14.95 | BUY

Arc’Teryx Gamma MX jacket

The Gamma MX’s softshell technology will keep you warm and dry with its water resistance and breathable fabric—key for grueling ascents.

Price: $324.95 | BUY MENS | WOMENS

Merino Base Layers

Merino is the new super fabric for outdoor athletes. It stays warm even when wet, wicks incredibly well and is naturally antimicrobial—you won’t stink no matter how hard you try.

Merino wool from hardy New Zealand merino sheep, is 100% natural and renewable.

Price: $47.97-$89.95 | BUY MENS | WOMENS

MontBell Alpine Light Down Jacket

A very lightweight, packable down or synthetic down jacket is well insulated and is sure to keep you warm during extremey cold alpine ascents/descents.

Its microfleece-lined pockets keep your hands extra warm in frigid conditions.

Price: $149.95 | BUY MENS | WOMENS

Cloudveil Koven Ski Pant

These weather-resistant stretch pants with fully sealed seams, side vents, and waterproof zippers keep you warm while eliminating excessive sweating.

The latest models of Koven Ski Pants include an overflow cargo pocket for extra storage.

Price: $294.95- $394.95 | BUY MENS | WOMENS

Garmont Mega Ride and She Ride

The Garmont Rides are solid touring boots which are stiff enough to protect your ankles yet engineered to let you can turn on a dime. Its lace-up system ensures they fit better.

With an innovative Icebreaker function that breaks away frozen ice buildups, the relatively lightweight Mega Ride provides the right mix of comfort and functionality on your tours.

Price: $535.96 | BUY MENS | WOMENS

Osprey Switch 26

The sturdy Osprey Switch 26 was designed to be the optimal storage unit while on the trails. It comes with an hydration sleeve for your water, a StraightJacket compression system for your snowboard, a stretch pocket for your helmet, and a myriad of sleeves and pockets to store clothes, goggles, and other essential items you need within reach.

Price: $128.95 | BUY

Snow Study Equipment

The aluminum G3 Bonesaw with its rubberized grip handle easily cuts through mounds of snow and ice build ups.It’s also great for digging snow pits.

The blade also has measurements etched with different grid systems that help you test the size of snow crystals. Definitely a tool for professional avalanchers and climbers.

Price: $59.95 | BUY

Slope Meter

The Backcountry Access Slope Meter keeps you safe from unexpected sharp drop offs. Simply align its bottom edge with the slope and read its angle.

The Slope Meter also uses color coded tabs to indicate if there is a potential for an avalanche along a certain ascent, such as 35-40 degree slopes.

You may want to stay away from the “red” zones on the meter.

Price: $29.95 | BUY

If there is one practical habit I’ve carried on after my experience in Japan, it’s to always have a few crisp business cards in my pocket at all times.

You never know who you’ll meet and need to hurriedly pass along contact information on a daily basis.

That was my reason for getting business cards specially made with an emphasis on simplicity – displaying only my name and email address.

However, getting cards made abroad proved to be a challenge.

After extensive searching (totaling 10 minutes on Google), I discovered Vista Print – http://www.vistaprint.com.

Vista Print allows you to design your own business cards which can then be shipped to many locations in North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania.

And hey, if you want to get your name printed in foreign language characters, they can do that as well.

Look the part of a card-carrying vagabond!

Those of us who have spent significant time in the tropics know how good it makes you feel to have fresh glasses of juice–mango, papaya, pineapple, and endless blends–anytime of day.

When it’s hot, a glass of fruit juice can be the ultimate refresher and thirst quencher.

Photo by highlimitzz

Perhaps more importantly, fruit juices, like their whole counterparts, are high in nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants.

The USDA recommends that Americans consume upwards of six servings of fruits and vegetables per day. A glass of juice is a convenient and sometimes more cost-effective way to squeeze in extra servings.

Photo by citymama

In the US and other non-tropical countries however, abundant fresh juice is not readily available.

Enter juice companies such as Odwalla.

Fresh or Frozen?

To bring a juice product to market, manufacturers must ensure a consistent supply of fruits and vegetables. Some companies stockpile unprocessed or pureed produce in freezers.

Freezing may not significantly affect a fruit or vegetable’s nutrient profile, but it can impart a different taste and texture to the end product.

Manufacturers and purveyors of fresh juice must literally ‘follow the fruit’ to maintain a consistent supply. Half Moon Bay, CA-based Odwalla devotes itself to sourcing high-quality, seasonal juicing fruit from a variety of farms and vendors.

That’s why regular Odwalla juice drinkers may notice slight changes in their favorite drink’s taste throughout the year. These differences are nothing to worry about; rather they are reflections of the freshness of the fruit.

Safety & Taste

Photo by aarontait

A juice’s freshness and processing can significantly affect its flavor and nutrient profile.

In light of recent food safety incidents, it’s reassuring that major juice manufacturers adhere to stringent food safety regulations. To minimize contamination, fruits and vegetables are usually pre-washed before entering juicing facilities. After juicing, manufacturers utilize a variety of pasteurization methods to ensure juice safety while preserving taste and nutrition.

Flash Pasteurization, a process by which juice is brought to a high temperature for a short period of time, kills microorganisms and makes juice safer for consumption.

Manufacturers that utilize Flash Pasteurization, such as Odwalla and Simply, find that the procedure maintains juice color and flavor better than other pasteurization processes.

With their impressive nutrient profiles and refreshing taste, fruit and vegetable juices can be a welcome addition to a healthy diet. Just remember that all juices are not created equal – and be sure to choose one that combines great taste and nutrition.

Corporate Social Responsibility in Food & Beverage Manufacturing

With each passing day of the global economy it becomes more and more important to be aware of the environmental and social responsibility of the companies that manufacture products you consume.

Public companies must answer to shareholders and have largely adopted transparent reporting initiatives that detail their corporate responsibility. Food and drink manufacturers that depend on raw materials – like fruits and vegetables – are committed to environmental stewardship programs that ensure consistent supplies of produce.

Juice manufacturer Odwalla contributes to farmland conservation and keeps 99% of its fruit and vegetable waste out of the landfill. Operating as a closed-loop system, the company uses an anaerobic digestion system on wastewater resulting from the juicing process to reduce the amount of wastewater effluents.

Photo by thebittenword.com

In another good example of solutions-based thinking, beer producer Sierra Nevada provides feed for dairy and beef cows through the spent grain, hops and yeast collected after brewing.

While food and beverage manufacturers’ overall environmental stewardship is laudable, sometimes it’s the component of “thinking local,” which actually provides the most sustainable models for doing business and preserving the environment.

For example, by offering free land to local farmers, Odwalla is able to source much of its fruits and vegetables locally – benefiting both juice quality and the vitality of local communities. Ice cream maker Häagen Dazs recently began a honey bee conservation program.

Photo by steepways

Since many of its fresh fruit ingredients depend on honeybee pollination, it makes sound business sense to aid in the honey bees’ plight.

Environmentally and socially conscious consumers now have many sustainable options when choosing foods and beverages. Check out company websites for details on environmental and social practices. Many sites, such as Odwalla.com, are both entertaining and informative.

As more companies realize both the fiscal and intangible benefits of greener operations, we will likely see an increase in the number of eco-friendly foods and beverages – a plus for the consumer and for the planet.

Editor’s Note: The good folks at Odwalla were our partners in this post. Their sponsorship is helping us bring you free content each day by supporting our writers and photographers. On the flip side, we only partner with companies we sincerely believe in. Odwalla is one of our favorites. We respect the way they do business and urge you to try their amazing products.

Twelve hours on an overnight bus with people talking in front of you makes an iPod every bit the best investment a traveler can make.

Turn it on, tune in, and drown out voices as you drift off to sleep.

But my iPod serves another function- it helps me remember.

Music is a part of the human condition. Besides helping me pass time, it helps me remember moments on the road, moments in life, why I traveled, places, and people.

When I need some encouragement, I have a song.

When I’m forlorn, music helps me through it.

Music not only defines emotions but people and places.

Whenever I hear that Swedish song, I think of my time with a great group of Swedes and that night we played card games on Ko Phi Phi.

Whenever I hear Augustana, I remember home.

Love Generation brings back my first full moon party where I met people whose wedding I ended up attending the following year.

So turning on my iPod isn’t just about listening to my favorite bands, its about taking me back to place I haven’t been to in a long time – Nomadic Matt

Price: $241.10 | BUY

George Orwell’s account is not only a fascinating slice of life in Paris and London between the World Wars, but a gritty, witty account of poverty in any time.

What happens to travelers when they come to the end of their funds and have to take on work as a pot-washer in a hotel or (heaven forbid) review books they’ve never read for periodicals that no one reads?

Orwell, though not the first traveler to go through this trial by fire, is absolutely not the last.

His account, however, is the one that grabs me – that pulls me into the scene, impresses me with the noise and heat and dirt of the cities, the alleyways, the kitchens, and the seedy apartments inhabited by his characters.

Trust Orwell for one of the best historical travelogues ever written.

Price: $11:20 | BUY

From the first paragraph to the last word I couldn’t put this book down.

I read it back to back within a week, and I’ve read it 4 times since purchasing it 6 months ago.

It’s an absolute inspiration. As I read this book I kept thinking to myself, “Oh my gosh. This is exactly what I think! This is exactly how I feel! There are other people out there with the same passion as me!”

If you are excited by “the vivid joys of uncertainty,” or if you feel that “your travels are not an escape from your real life, but a discovery of your real life,” then you must read this book.

Filled with amazing stories, helpful tips, entertaining anecdotes, profiles of well-known vagabonders, lists of resources, and so much more!

This “guide book” is like no other guidebook I’ve ever seen.

Rolf Potts doesn’t dictate, demand or even suggest.

He simply shares.

Follow Rolf Potts on his tour promoting his new book, Marco Polo Didn’t Go There.

Price: $11.16 | BUY

First published in 1942, this memoir is so great that even Ernest Hemingway commented, “she has written so well, and marvelously well, that I was completely ashamed of myself as a writer.”

The tales in this book chronicle Beryl Markham’s life in Africa – from childhood encounters with tigers to buzzing trees as a bush pilot.

It’s told in a way that can make anyone envision Africa perfectly, even if that person has never seen a picture taken on the continent.

Just when it seems that no story can be topped, she goes on to become the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic from east to west.

West With The Night is one of those few books that can be read at different points in your life, possibly swerving your brain in a direction that it didn’t pivot upon the last pass.

It’s a benchmark book in adventure travel writing, remaining one-of-a-kind for over sixty years.

National Geographic Adventure named it #8 of all time on its 100 Greatest Adventure Books list.  It’s currently the #1 Amazon seller in World Aviation History.

Not to be missed! – theworldisgettingsmaller

Price: $10.20 | BUY

Jan Morris is quite possibly the greatest travel writer of our time – and certainly among the all-time greats.

This collection was one of the first pure “travel” books I ever read, but it hasn’t become any less relevant and fabulous in all the time (and plenty of reading I’ve done) since.

The essays in here span Morris’ entire storied career, from her big break, at Everest Base Camp for the Hillary expedition, to her thoughts on Hong Kong’s return to Chinese control at the end of the last century.

They’re organized chronologically, subdivided by decade and region, and all of them showcase her remarkable ability to key in on the character of a new city, or to bring an entire country and its people to life.

An absolute must-read for aspiring travel writers, or anyone who enjoys the finest writing about place.

Price: $11.53 | BUY

Backcountry.com is offering a special 25% discount off all its Goat Brand products to Matador members.

The sale includes essential apparel such as:

• Fleece jackets
• Soft-shell jackets
• Long-sleeved shirts
• Socks

As well as organic baseball caps, water bottles, and t-shirts to support an active, greener lifestyle.

Offer expires September 30, 2008.

Be sure to stop by and stock up on some cool gear.

Price : 25% Discount | BUY

Last month, my college buddy called me with a question about packing for his Southeast Asia trip.

“I’m going to pack real light,” he said.

“Good,” I replied.  “That’s crucial.”

“Is there anything I wouldn’t think of that will really make my travels more comfortable?” he asked.

I thought for a moment.  A light-bulb went off.

“Yes!  Buy a lightweight silk sleeping sack.  It takes up no room and is really handy for getting a good night’s sleep in Southeast Asia.”

After 2 weeks of travel in Cambodia that involved boozing in Phnom Penh, exploring deserted island beaches, crashing with a village chief and camping in the jungle, I said goodbye to my college buddy.

“Thanks,” he said.  “It was a great trip.  And thanks for suggesting that silk sleeping sack.  It really did make all the difference.”

Price: $35.95 | BUY

200 ct. Earplugs – $23.00

Try traveling without these for three nights in Platzkartny on a Russian train, or Chinese sleeper trains with the early morning ritual of locals coughing and spitting in the open communal sinks.

I’m talking about ear plugs!.

And the need for them isn’t limited to the confined spaces of trains and buses:

• Dorm rooms in hostels with fellow travelers coming and going;
• Hotels conveniently located beside markets with vendors setting up at 5 AM;
• Pensiones situated above bars and pubs.

It’s worth spending the extra cents to get some higher end ones – the cheapest brands are uncomfortable and don’t form good seals.

They’re inexpensive, small, and lightweight. Before you hit the road, make sure you stock up on these invaluable little pieces of foam…and keep ‘em handy!”

Price: $23.00 | BUY

While in Genoa a couple years ago, we had an evening flight to catch. We left our luggage at the hotel and spent the day sightseeing only to find our luggage stolen upon return.

Trying to file a police report when you speak almost no Italian is not fun!

For less than 20 bucks, the ease of mind the Doberman Bag Protector Alert gives you is priceless. Basically, it’s like a car alarm for your bags.

You place your bag down and set the alarm. If the bag is moved, it sets off a 100 decibel alarm – sure to put off any would-be thieves!.

An added bonus is that it comes with a special pull-pin feature that doubles as a panic button.

Perfect, if you’re out wondering around some dodgy streets at night.

Price: $16.99 | BUY

One of the things I always used to take with me when traveling was my headlamp.

It may look funny but it’s so useful when you need to get something out of your bag or tent in the middle of the night and you really need both hands.

Sadly, a fellow traveler thought the same thing and stole it out of my backpack.

Also, padlocks for that very reason!

Price: $42.95 | BUY

Read Matador Goods’ full review of the Petzl – Tactikka Plus Headlamp

The Solio Solar Battery Charger is a pretty nifty gadget!

It is pocket sized and comes with adaptors which fit most mobiles phones, MP3 players and other electrical items.

To be honest, it takes a LONG time to fully charge in the sun but it can also be charged via a mains plug.

It works best as a portable battery for a few days when you’re away from mains power – either camping, trekking or wherever!

Price: $88.23 | BUY

I found that one of the most useful pieces of gear when on the go is the Shammy towel.

They are relatively cheap and can be picked up at your local backpacking/outdoors/swimming store. I’ve had mine for years and it is still in good shape.

They suck up tons of moisture and dry completely after being rung out a few times. They take up a lot less space than regular towels and can be used for a number of other things in a pinch.

So in closing, and giving due justice to Douglas Adams; When traveling one must always know where their towel is, or in this case, shammy!.

Price: $14.97 | BUY

In an article titled Top 10 Gear Choices for Travel Writers, Julie mentions one of her favorite items – an Olympus Digital Voice Recorder. Here are excerpts from her article.

At a recent bull fight in Mexico, I recorded the sounds of the event that I would not have been able to put down quite the same way in writing.

I’ll definitely use these “audio notes” to write an article, but I may also transfer the files to my laptop and create an audio clip to accompany the written piece.

I use an Olympus handheld digital audio recorder that can capture up to 120 hours and which transfers files with a standard USB cable to a Mac or PC. It’s smaller than a cell phone and costs between $40 and $60.

- Julie Schwietert

I need to get me one of these puppies!

Price:$54.99 | BUY

I am sure people feel very strongly either for or against MP3 players while traveling. I get told a lot how I’m missing out when I am “plugged in and zoned out” but to me, airports and layovers are boring the world over.

When used in moderation, any MP3 player allows me to arrive at my destination in a much calmer mood.

My choice: Creative Zen 32gig with Ultimate ears buds.

Make your own travel soundtrack, just don’t miss your plane when your gate change gets announced! – Slinky

Price: $239.99 | BUY

Today’s favorite travel item is the Moleskine Pocket Journal, recommended by Ben Polansky, co-founder of Matador. Ben carries one of these around everyday, but finds them really useful when traveling.

This hard cover, pocket-sized book is a genuine Moleskine. It was developed by a small French bookbinder and was made available at many stationery stops in Paris for over 100 years. Very popular with artisans, travelers, and literary types of that time – Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, just to name a few – today, the Moleskine enjoys the same preference amongst avid travelers and writers.

Read about the Moleskine’s history, or better yet, purchase it below.

Price: $10.95 | BUY

The “mid” is the ultimate shelter and the only tent that is comfortable to live out of for extended periods of time.

Why? It is infinitely adjustable, can adapt to any terrain, and has no floor, which means you can cook in it, set up chairs in it, set it up over snow, then dig down to create an entire living room, sleeping area, etc. It can be set up high enough to fully stand up in, or half-buried in the ground for shedding snow or sandstorms. And it’s the only tent (again, because of the no-floor design) that can be set up as a sun shade and it doesn’t turn into an oven.

The one drawback is that the megamid is not a free-standing tent. It takes more skill to set up than traditional tents, sometimes involving clever knots, folds, hanging from objects, etc, especially in wet terrain. You’ll also need a mosquito net if you’re in buggy areas.

But once you get dialed in with the megamid you’ll find it’s the ultimate shelter, a true modern tipi – David Miller

Price: $179.50 | BUY

Note: – Mountain Hardwear sells a larger, 4-person tent similar to the Megamid called the Kiva Lite.

Price: $275.00 | BUY