All photos by Lola Akinmade

Many professional travel photographers travel light.

This means, one camera body (two if they’re on assignment), 2-3 lenses depending on what type of photography they intend to capture, and a bag of extras such as batteries, memory cards, and sometimes an external flash system.

For many travelers seriously interested in travel photography, a key deterrent is the shear amount of extra gear they may need to carry.

Figuring out what next to invest in after lenses and their camera body can be daunting.

If you’re wondering what additional gear to buy at the moment – from filters to external flash units and other peripheral devices, consider these items below:

Tripod

Photographing a city or street scene at night can be challenging because at that time of day, the light is too low for the camera’s sensor to capture adequately and there is a lot of movement as well.

This combination of low-light and movement makes for blurry photographs.

By setting your camera on a steady surface to help eliminate any type of shake, you have a better chance of capturing a crisper shot of the scene.

From basic table travel tripods and Gorillapods to larger ones, investing in a tripod can help you diversify the types of photos you capture of a particular locale by including night shots.

Cable Release

A cable release system is a lightweight remote device that allows you to control your camera’s shutter button without touching the camera body.

Why this is a valuable tool is that, when used in conjunction with a tripod or flat surface to steady your camera, it helps eliminate any additional movement that you might inadvertently cause when trying to snap a low-light scene.

When buying a cable release shutter system, always check to make sure it is compatible with the brand and version of your camera.

Extra Memory

While filters can help you control some atmospheric elements of your photographs, personally, purchasing extra memory is more important.

Having an extra set or two of memory cards allows you to better focus on snapping as many photographs of that dynamic scene as you can without having to worry about storage or deleting already captured moments.

Community Connection

For more travel photography tips, visit Matador’s Focus on Travel Photography resource.

Photos by Greencolander

More than once I’ve stuffed my hiking boots full of tampons.

When I studied abroad in Morocco, I was warned that no tampons were available outside of major cities. Female exchange students who had stuffed their boots and shoes with less essential items frantically emailed their mothers to FedEx boxes of the precious supplies as soon as possible.

In Pakistan, I found that tampons were available at upmarket department stores, but a regular-sized box can go for more than $10 and they aren’t always in stock. Several times I found myself on a hygiene hunt around the city, desperately looking for a box before the onset of the dreaded monthly flow.

A year’s supply of tampons and pads takes up a ton of space in your luggage, especially if you’re traveling with only a backpack. In some countries, customs officials may not have seen tampons before and could consider the strange tubes as objects worthy of investigation.

In Morocco, I heard about an expat who packed a huge stash of tampons in her luggage and was questioned by officials at the airport. The men inspecting her bags thought the tampons, the applicator type, were being used to transport illegal drugs. The men opened up every single tampon in search of illicit substances. All they found inside the suspicious plastic containers was cotton, but they kept opening them nonetheless.

When I couldn’t deal with hygiene hunts and shoe stuffing anymore, I resolved to find a way to live happily without tampons.

Menstrual Cups

Usually made of latex, silicone or rubber, menstrual cups are small, re-useable tampon alternatives. The cup works by sitting inside your vagina and collecting the blood that would usually get absorbed into a tampon. A cup can be worn for up to 12 hours, even during heavy flow, and when you are ready to remove it, you simply take it out, dump out the contents, wash the cup and reinsert it.

Photo by Multipassport!

When your period is over, sterilize your cup and store it for next month. It usually takes women a few trial runs to get used to inserting, wearing and removing a menstrual cup. Since a cup doesn’t put you at risk for toxic shock like a tampon does, you can try it out when you’re not having your period and get used to wearing it.

A variety of brands are available, including the American-made Keeper and the Canadian DivaCup. International brands include LadyCup (Czech Republic), Fleurcup (France), Miacup (South Africa) and Lunette (Finland). Before buying a menstrual cup, check out pictures and read reviews at Menstrualcups.org. Personally, I have the LadyCup, although I must admit I was swayed by the variety of colors and cute cloth bags that come with the cups.

Menstrual cups are usually good for 10 years of use and cost between $30 and $50. If you are traveling in an area where it is not possible to properly wash your menstrual cup, have a backup and some plastic zip-locks with you. Dump out the first cup, rinse it with some water from your canteen, and store it in a plastic bag until you get a chance to sterilize it.

Washable Pads

If you prefer pads to tampons or aren’t yet ready to try a menstrual cup, washable pads are another alternative. They come in a variety of sizes and colors and can be reused for three to five years. For a lighter flow, get washable pantyliners, and for a heavier flow go for larger maxi pads. One brand that is popular is Luna Pads; the company also offers washable underwear with built in pads.

A single maxi pad runs around $15 – $20, but most women will spend much more than that during a single year on disposable maxi pads. You can expect to get at least three years of use out of a washable pad, so in the long run Luna Pads are a cheaper, greener alternative.

The pads can be washed by machine or by hand, although it’s best to pre-soak the pads as soon as you take them off. Washable pads are light, easy to travel with, and don’t leave you with any waste while backpacking or traveling. If you can’t wash your pads right away, put them in a plastic bag and then soak them in hot water when you get the opportunity.

Going with reusable menstrual cups and washable pads instead of regular hygiene products will free up space in your luggage, save you money and cut down considerably on the amount of waste you produce during your period. I keep a LadyCup in my purse or travel bag even when I’m not expecting to use it.

In Gracia Burnham’s book, In the Presence of My Enemies, the author shares the story of being kidnapped and held hostage long-term in the Philippines. One of the major concerns among the women hostages was a lack of tampons and other hygiene products; their male captors were not exactly understanding and cardboard was the only viable alternative.

You won’t always be able to stuff your boots and bags full of tampons, but you can always have a menstrual cup and some washable pads on you just in case.

It’s been awhile since I’ve had the opportunity to brush up on my French skills, or lack thereof. So when offered a chance to review some software by TELL ME MORE®, I jumped on the idea.

TELL ME MORE® is a global leader in language learning software, and their products are often used in academic institutions, government agencies, and Fortune 500 companies. The program is divided into lessons, and the lessons into activities. TELL ME MORE® recommends doing the activities in order (and so do I).

Before You Start

Before beginning, you can opt to take an online test to determine your skill level, or select the level manually. I highly recommend taking the online test: it’s a tedious process that takes about 45 minutes, but it accurately assessed my level to be Beginner Intermediate. Not bad, for ten years of trying to learn the language.

You can also choose to do the lessons in order, or you can be “Free-to-Roam” about all the different topics and activities. In my opinion, it’s best to go with the former. The learning process feels much more structured when it’s mapped out in front of you.

However, there are benefits to doing each, which I will explain in the next section.

The Learning Process

The lessons cover four learning areas: writing, speaking, reading, and listening. The activities in these lessons vary, including Discovery Dialogue, Picture-Word Association, Crossword Puzzles, Sentence Transformation and Words and Functions. If you falter during an activity, you can listen to translations or use Additional Tools to help with Grammar and Conjunction, and other problem areas. The tools also allow you to listen to the dialogue or practice speech recognition.

You also have access to a variety of other resources, like language explanations, a glossary, an atlas with physical, historical, political maps and more. Another section offers tons of information about French culture to better understand the language you’re learning.

If you recognize your weaknesses when learning a specific language, the “Free-to-Roam” option is a fun part of the software. Here, you can choose how you want to learn from listening, speaking, or writing activities.

I spent some time going through the speaking activities, which were more fast-paced and interesting than the structured lessons. This option also allows you to move more freely between themes, ranging from “faire les boutiques” (shopping) to “choisir des habits” (choosing clothes).

Thoughts

The range of activities and in-depth material of TELL ME MORE®’s software is impressive. Initially I was annoyed with the repetitiveness of some of the activities. However, when I revisited the software a day or two later after taking a break from a lesson, I was surprised to find myself breezing through a few activities because the material really stuck with me.

It works, and it’s addictive!

I also genuinely found myself having fun with many of the activities. After spending a great deal of time on one or two activities that had me stumped, the crosswords and picture-word associations were a pleasure. There’s something incredibly satisfying about completing an activity correctly (mostly).

Problem Areas

My biggest issue with the software was that I should have started from the beginner’s level to really refresh my memory. A lot of minor language rules have escaped me over the years, and I had a difficult time with some grammar like “present subjunctives” and “present indicatives.” The lessons launch right into the activities without giving much instruction beforehand.

That being said, there’s enough resources to keep you occupied for a very long time, and no topic goes uncovered.

Bonus

Another unique aspect about the software: you can “learn on the go” by printing out vocabulary and grammar lists or by listening to the material on an MP3 player or audio CD.

Conclusion

If you have a lot of time to devote to learning a language, TELL ME MORE® comes recommended. The material is so persistent, it will get hammered into your mind quickly. On the other hand, if you’re a novice or have not studied the language in awhile, start from the beginning and work upwards.

At a price of $529 USD, the software is cheap in comparison to other language learning software and offers 24/7 online support to keep the learning process smooth and enjoyable.

Community Connection

For more language program reviews, check out our ultimate guide to Language Learning.

Photo by Lola Akinmade

SanDisk Solid State Drive

When I think of SanDisk, I think of solid flash memory cards for digital SLR cameras and to a lesser extent, affordable MP3 players around the $40 range.

Now, the storage powerhouse has revealed its new 2.5-inch G3 solid state hard drives, available in 60GB and 120GB versions.

According to Engadget:

You’ll also be thrilled to know that the G3 range supports the newest Windows 7 TRIM feature, which enables the drive to “continuously manage its resources and retain optimized performance throughout its lifespan.”

The drive will cost you around $229.99 for the 60GB version ($399.99 for 120GB).

New Asus Eee Netbooks

Photo courtesy of Blogeee

Ultralight netbooks at just 0.7-inches thick with a purported battery life of 14 hours?

While no release date has been set yet, Asus is planning on releasing three new models of netbooks.

Both the Eee PC 1015P and 1016P will have up to 14 hours of battery lufe (with WI-FI turned off) while the 0.7-inch superthin Eee PC 1018P will have an integrated fingerprint reader and 10 hours of battery life.

Panasonic’s 3MOS HD Camcorders

Panasonic loyalists swear by their products’ topnotch Leica lens optical quality.

Hence, why photographers Uncornered Market, Pam Mandel of Nerd’s Eye View, and myself all carry backup Panasonic Lumix digital cameras in addition to our main DSLR cameras.

Panasonic has now released a range of handheld High Definition (HD) camcorders for shooting professional-quality video – the HDC-HS700, HDC-TM700 and HDC-SD700.

They come with 35mm Wide-Angle Leica Lenses (sweet!), 18x Intelligent Zoom, SD card slots, and 240GB hard drive in the HDC-HS700. All three snap still photos with 14.1 pixels and support Full-HD 1920 x 1080pixel resolution recording – the highest resolution for handheld camcorders currently available.

Panasonic plans on releasing the camcorders in March and prices are rumored to be within the $1,100 – $1,800 range.

Community Connection

For more nifty technology, check out Top Gadgets To Travel With In 2010 and our lineup of cool gadgets in Technology Bytes.

Know of any new, practical, and cool gadgets coming out soon? Please share with us below.

Feature photo by Pink Sherbet Photography. Photo above by Yogma.

Arguably more important that your toothbrush, dental floss is a handy tool that will help you quickly remove uncomfortably wedged pieces of street food and other local delicacies from between your teeth; one of the root causes of stinky traveler breath (besides dehydration).

In addition to threading floss through teeth to remove remnants of that juicy Argentinean steak, here are a few ways you can leverage its minty goodness during semi-emergency situations while traveling.

Sew Clothes

A little piece of floss and a sewing needle can go a long way in fixing popped buttons and small tears. Granted, the stark white textured property of dental floss does make it less than ideal for top notch hemming and pattern work. However, you can use it as a temporary fix for wardrobe malfunctions till you find a proper sewing kit.

Makeshift Clothesline

Doubled (or tripled) up lengths of floss work great as a makeshift clothesline for drying off panties, socks, and smaller clothing items. String your minty fresh clothesline across your window or bunk bed support beams to create an instant laundry room.

Tie Up Gifts

Find a piece of brown paper or newspaper even and use some floss to wrap up that book , candle set, or gift you’ve purchased for your host family. The probability of them examining your gift and asking, “Hmm, is this dental floss?” is pretty low.

Tie Hair

In lieu of rubberbands or missing hair bands, double up some floss and use it to tie hair away from your face as needed. Unless you’re trying to usher in a new fashion trend, use floss until you get yourself a proper high-fashion rubberband.

Replace Broken Shoelaces

Maybe a stretch, but picture this – The morning of your group-hike up a volcano, one of your shoelaces mysteriously turns up missing and the group isn’t too keen on stopping by a convenience store en route. You might want to triple up a couple cords of dental floss and use it till you’re back down from the volcano.

Looking for more ways of using dental floss, how about 30 Unique Uses for Dental Floss?

Community Connection

Did you know you could also use shampoo as laundry detergent? Check out 10 Multi-Use Items You Should Consider Packing.

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.

All photos courtesy of Joyce Major

In the introduction to her CD-based PDF, On the Road to Voluntourism: Inexpensive Voluntourism Around the World, Joyce Major explains that this comprehensive 88 page voluntourism resource is the result of her own experiences as a voluntourist and her extensive online research, which earned her the nickname “Queen Google” among friends.

On the Road to Voluntourism is an exceptional resource for the traveler who is serious about making a commitment to volunteering.

In addition to compiling hundreds of volunteer opportunities around the world (listed both by country and by type of experience), Major’s PDF includes tips and resources for topics as diverse as insurance (Bottom line? You need it.), hostels and free places to stay (There’s a lot more to life than just Couchsurfing), packing (Prepared, but light), and grants and fundraising (You CAN get someone else to pay for your travel).

In addition, she offers book and movie recommendations about voluntourism and about specific regions, as well as a special chapter on voluntourism for seniors.

You could easily look up any of this information yourself, but you don’t need to, as Major has done it for you.

She earned the Queen Google title.

What makes On the Road to Voluntourism more than a simple round up of voluntourism resources, though, and what gives it credibility is the fact that Major curated the entries carefully using her insight and experience from volunteering at dozens of programs around the world.

The writing is highly conversational and the overuse of non-specific adjectives like “great” detracts a bit from helping the reader understand exactly what to expect from a voluntourism opportunity.

Another concern is how this PDF will hold up over time; it’s possible that websites like Voluntourism.org and Idealist.org may be more comprehensive and current, though Major plans to update On the Road to Voluntourism each year.

Those factors taken into consideration, I still think On the Road to Voluntourism is a highly useful resource for people interested in spending time volunteering while traveling. The $10.00 spent on this PDF guide will save you hours of Googling.

Let Major keep the title; she deserves it.

Price: $10.00 | BUY from Inexpensive Global Volunteering

Community Connection:

Visit Matador’s Volunteering Abroad Focus Page for all of our archived resources related to voluntourism.

Here’s Your Chance to Win

We will be giving away three (3) copies of the CD!

1) Make sure you follow us @MatadorNetwork so we can get in touch if you win.

2) Post the tweet below to your own Twitter account to help us spread the word about the contest.

3) Leave your @twitter_user_name in the comments section below and tell us where and how you’d like to volunteer .

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

Feature Photo by stuartpilbrow. Photo above by ndanger

Hard won and filled with spending potential, your rupees – dollars – Euros – pounds – dinars are an essential part of any trip.

But that overloaded wallet you are carrying – with phone numbers, business cards, and photographs – is a rather insecure basket to store your cash. A few carefully stashed bills can be the insurance policy that gets you that train ticket, that hospital bed stay, that bottle of red wine, or that emergency call home.

Here are ten places you can stash some cash…

Storm flaps on backpack zippers

Most nylon backpacks have a piece of fabric protecting the zipper from rain and dirt, often built in such a way that you can slit it open with a razor, and slide in a few rolled up notes.

Backpack frames

Modern backpacks have elaborate frames of plastic and metal. Sometimes, you can access the plastic stiffening backboard sheet through a pocket, or by making a slit.

You can hide larger documents and large amounts of money in this area. But if you put too much you might feel it uncomfortably poking your back.

Trouser waist seam

The waistband of trousers is often a folded piece of cloth secured at the bottom to the fabric that makes up the leg. You don’t need to buy a fancy money belt: A quick slice with a razor and you can put several rolled up notes into this unexpected hiding spot.

Don’t push them around to the back; it will be noticeably bumpy between you and your pack. Rather, if you have the slit and the notes towards the front, they’ll be not only more comfortable, but accessible without being too noticeable.

Photo by ArchiM

In your shoes

My brother swears by this one, but you’ll have to be careful to not only place the notes somewhere that doesn’t interfere with your walking, but also doesn’t get ground down to a pulp by your sweaty feet pounding down on them.

This obviously won’t work while wearing sandals.

In your hat

The same razor trick applies here. Many brimmed hats are built with a hat band that is actually two layers of fabric. Give it a quick slit and you can hide in some rolled bills.

In your toiletries/first aid bag

It’s unlikely that any thief rifling through your belongings would be that interested in your toothbrush and band-aids. The bag or box protecting these essentials can be used in your financial security policy.

Shirt collar

Not so long ago, formal shirts were made with stiff collars, and even now you can find some with plastic or cardboard tabs inserted to add structure to the collar points. Get out your trusty razor blade, make a slit or two, and stash some cash.

You might try for comfort and camouflage pushing the notes around to the back of your neck, or putting paired notes in the very front sides of the collar.

And you’ll still have that starched-formal look.

The back of a travel notebook

You can make a simple pocket in the back of a notebook using some paper and tape. Some, like those now-ubiquitous Moleskines, are built with a pocket already.

Notebooks can be small and portable, and if you’ve invested some soul into your writing, then you’ll always remember to take care of it. A notebook can be, literally, priceless and it’s a good habit to keep it in your pocket.

In your wallet…with a string tied to it!

Photo by Mike Schmid

Maybe you have a leather BIG CHAIN hanging off your wallet or maybe you have a big hand wallet with lots of pockets and cards and junk.

You can still carry these, but why not get a spare small wallet, simple nylon, and put your truly essential cards and cash in it.

Two wallets equal two baskets. You can tie or stitch a string to and then put it in your front pocket. It will be handy still, but much less likely to be stolen.

Or let’s face it, much less likely to be left behind after a night at the beach pub.

In your PayPal account

Like a bank, it is an odd thing to consider such an electronic backup as a financial insurance policy in case you are mugged.

But a Paypal account can be especially handy.

It requires less paperwork, and is less tied to the physical offices of the banks throughout the world. Leave the account details with a friend, and arrange with them to use a service such as Western Union to send you your own money via Paypal.

Using a bit of rigorous creativity and with the help of such simple tools as a razor blade or a notebook, you can create these ten extra baskets for your travel-eggs easily, quickly, and discreetly.

Distribute your eggs in many baskets, and it just might save the day.

Photo by dannysullivan, feature photo by robertnelson

The smartphone craze is still going strong, and growing app stores for most operating systems have opened yet another door for travelers looking for ways to live a mobile lifestyle.

From blogging on the road to maintaining your social media ninja-hood, the possibilities for apps are plentiful. But even for an experienced programmer, designing smartphone apps requires taking a few things into consideration.

It’s not your key to riches.

Many play the app development game, few make what could even pass as part-time income from it. You actually might have a better shot at striking it rich as a freelance writer. Hell, just play the lottery instead – better odds.

Designing smartphone apps is a great side project for those who have a experience with programming and a lot of creativity. Like a writing career, it takes the right combination of skill, practice, and some luck to turn it into real income.

There IS an app for that.

You have a killer idea for an app. Sweet. Now it’s time to check out the competition, because oh yes, with thousands of Blackberry and Android apps, and the iTunes App Store closing in on infinity, there is something similar out there already. What does your app have to offer that the others don’t? How is it truly innovative?

Just as writers must be readers first, app developers must be app fanatics. Download and play with as many apps in your category as possible. Hey, it’s research.

Photo by dougbelshaw

Pick a platform

Many developers with successful apps started out on one platform, then spread to others when the app sold well.

The iPhone clearly has the most apps by far, although some of them are…well, crap. And plenty of iPhone app developers have some not-so-nice things to say about how Apple runs the store.

However, now might be the time to jump on the iPad development bandwagon while it’s popular – according to CrunchGear, you might help make or break the device.

Blackberry also has a rapidly growing app store, and if you don’t own one yourself, I’ll bet you know at least three people who do. Blackberry users are devoted – they call it CrackBerry for a reason.

And with the release of the shiny new Nexus One, it’s not a bad idea to get in on some Andoid app development either.

The best and most obvious choice is to pick whichever phone you use. Go with what’s comfortable and familiar, not with what you think will sell – because if your app is that bad ass, all three markets will welcome it.

iPhone App Development

First things first: Spend a few days or weeks poking around the iPhone Development Center. Next, hit the books. A few suggested resources:

Beginning iPhone 3 Development

“Assuming only a minimal working knowledge of Objective-C, and written in a friendly, easy-to-follow style, this book offers a complete soup-to-nuts course in iPhone and iPod touch programming.

The book starts with the basics, walking you through the process of downloading and installing Apple’s free iPhone SDK, and then stepping you though the creation of your first simple iPhone application.

From there, you’ll learn to integrate all the interface elements iPhone users have come to know and love, such as buttons, switches, pickers, toolbars, and sliders.”

The Business of iPhone App Development

“The Business of iPhone App Development is a developer’s guide to achieving and managing success right from the start of the design and development process.

This book includes the information to help you, the developer, plan every aspect of your app with an eye toward business success—from design, to implementation, to the importance of early and continued market analysis, and on past launch into support and updates.

And let’s not forget the business of the iTunes App Store itself! This is the book you wish you had read before you launched your first app!”

Blackberry App Development

First things first: Dive into the Blackberry Developer Zone. Next, hit the books. A few suggested resources:

Blackberry Development Fundamentals

“The BlackBerry smartphone is today’s #1 mobile platform for the enterprise and also a huge hit with consumers. Until now, it’s been difficult for programmers to find everything they need to begin developing new applications for BlackBerry devices.

BlackBerry Development Fundamentals is the solution: the first single-source guide to all aspects of development for the BlackBerry platform.

This book thoroughly reviews the BlackBerry’s unique capabilities and limitations, helps you optimize your upfront design choices, and covers native rich-client applications and Web-based mobile applications for both business and consumer environments.”

Advanced Blackberry Development

“With Advanced BlackBerry Development, you’ll learn you how to take advantage of BlackBerry media capabilities, including the camera and video playback.

The book also shows you how to send and receive text and multimedia messages, use powerful cryptography libraries, and connect with the user’s personal and business contacts and calendar.

Not only will you be learning how to use these APIs, but you’ll also be building a program that takes full advantage of them: a wireless media-sharing app. Each chapter’s lessons will be applied by enhancing the app from a prototype to a fully polished program.”

Android App Development

First things first: Study up on The Developer’s Guide for Android. Next, hit the books. A few suggested resources:

Professional Android Application Development

“A hands-on guide to building mobile applications, Professional Android Application Development features concise and compelling examples that show you how to quickly construct real-world mobile applications for Android phones.

Fully up-to-date for version 1.0 of the Android software development kit, it covers all the essential features, and explores the advanced capabilities of Android (including GPS, accelerometers, and background Services) to help you construct increasingly complex, useful, and innovative mobile applications for Android phones.”

Android Application Development: Programming with the Google SDK

“This practical book provides the concepts and code you need to develop software with Android, the open-source platform for cell phones and mobile devices that’s generating enthusiasm across the industry.

Based on the Linux operating system and developed by Google and the Open Handset Alliance, Android has the potential to unite a fragmented mobile market.

Android Application Development introduces this programming environment, and offers you a complete working example that demonstrates Android architectural features and APIs.”

Consider the aftermath

There’s more to this than just designing the app. You need a website, you need a well-written description that will convince people to become customers, you need promotion, you need a good support system.

And as someone who practically downloads an app a day, I’m begging you: be reachable. Discovering there is no website for the developer, or worse, that the website is simply a page with a link back to the app store with nary a contact form or email to be seen…ugh. That dev is off my list.

Your app will probably have bugs the first time around – make sure customers can contact you when there’s a problem.

Photo by Core Force

Figure out the workload

A bigger team doesn’t necessarily mean a better app. I have a few high quality apps I love that I know for a fact were designed by a one-man show.

It’s more about what the app does – some ideas just require a lot more work to carry out effectively. To get your app going, you might need to collaborate.

And if you can handle the app yourself, don’t forget the website, promotional videos and ads, and all-important support I mentioned earlier. If that doesn’t sound like your thing, hire someone that can manage it.

Make sure the price is right

The best advice I can give you is to check out appsfire. In short:

1. $0.99 is not the key to success.
2. Quality apps with a comparably high price range make the real money.
3. If no one complains about the price, it’s probably too low.

So how do you price an app? Fuel Your Apps has a round-up of 9 Must Read Sources on Pricing Your App that you…well, must read.

Like any new business venture, designing smartphone apps takes time and preparation with little to no expectation for financial gain, at least in the beginning. Your time, energy, and creativity will be better spent coming up with something clever and useful than an app so awful it makes news headlines.

Feature photo by Max Braun. Photo above by akeg

Write your details

Using a permanent marker, inscribe your name, email, phone number and address. If it gets lost, you never know, but someone might find it and take the effort to get it back to you.

Slice off the extra straps

You can take a lesson from the obsessive ultra-light mountain climbers. Do you really need that extra 50 cm of nylon webbing for your waist belt? Do you really need those ice axe loops hanging from the bottom? Do you have a use and idea for every single bit of nylon hanging off the pack?

Modern packs are over-engineered, and you’d be amazed at the amount of weight and tangle-straps you can remove with a sharp pair of scissors. Use a lighter to melt the plastic to keep it from fraying.

Be careful not to cut anything critical!

Fold-stitch the carrying handles

Nowadays, many packs have a handle between the shoulder straps and the top, and this grip handle is important for moving the pack around. Flat nylon webbing can be harsh on the hand, but if you fold it in half, you’ll find it’s much easier to grip. Just stitch it to keep it folded.

If you want to be really fancy, find a plastic tube to slip over the handle- your fingers will be happy!

Photo by keepwaddling1

Sew on a patch, and make it a pocket

It seems that after a certain point you’ll have more patches than places to put them, but one simple thing to remember is that sewing three quarters of a patch onto a backpack panel can reveal a small, unexpected new pocket!

Rectangular patches work best. You can even add a bit of velcro to keep things inside secure.

Shine on with reflecto-strips

One of the most dangerous situations you may encounter on your adventures will involve motor-vehicles manned by distracted [often insane] drivers.

Like joggers and bicyclists, you will be much safer on the road if you have some high-reflective strips or cord visible on strategic places.

You can sew a panel of reflective material onto your pack or even facing forward on your shoulder straps.

At some outdoor equipment stores, you can get special reflective cord designed for tent guy lines; this works well and can be used for many different purposes.

Stash some cash

Have a careful look at the design of your pack. Can you open any internal frame-pockets or slice open the storm flaps protecting the zippers? You might be able to use this as a place to hide a few rolled-up bills.

Make interlacing zipper pulls

There seems to be an almost infinite variety of zipper pulls: some with bells, thermometers, whistles, compasses… But I’d put all those fancy gadgets-on-a-string somewhere safe and secure inside a pocket and replace the zipper pulls with loops simple cord. Not only is it more discreet, but you can tangle them easily to make a slightly more secure closure.

If you have twin holes for a small padlock built into the zipper, you can also put a piece of string or a paper clip through as a temporary make-shift lock. Obviously, this will not prevent theft, but it can stall the process a little longer.

Photo by Bekathwia

Find a permanent home for a large plastic bag

A plastic sheet is considered a useful survival tool by outdoor experts. After all, you really can’t seek shelter from rain under a Swiss Army knife.

One afternoon monsoon downpour while you are packing your sketchbook and laptop computer, and you’ll wish you had kept a plastic bag in your pack.

Rain covers are good options but tend to be heavier and less versatile.

Find a place, maybe inside the internal frameworks, and line it with a plastic bag to protect your gear.

Tattoo it

Why wait for someone else to embroider the perfect patch for your backpack?

You can tattoo your own design, with the help of a permanent marker or some paint. It will wear down over time, but nylon will hold the ink pretty well.

If you are heading into tiger-country, you can draw false eyes on it to scare off tigers stalking from behind.

If you are going into clear- skied wilderness, you can mark some star constellations on it. If you are joining a large group, you can write your name. If you are going into a unsettled zone, you can mark your flag or affiliation.

You can write key phrases in a foreign language, or just draw pretty pictures.

Your imagination is the limit.

Community Connection

Ever wondered what fellow travelers carry in their backpacks? Check out Matador Goods’ What’s In Your Backpack? series.

Photo courtesy of tomsun

Travel gear and technology continue to evolve exponentially with vamped-up smartphones, faster digital cameras, enhanced fabric engineering for adventure wear, and netbooks bordering on microscopic in size. While the variety of tools to pack can seem daunting, one overarching fact remains – aim for multipurpose gadgets.

Utility tools that have several uses will not only save bag space but will also provide a ton of services you’ll most likely need while on the road.

Open Travel recently rounded up Ten Smart Gadgets For Smooth Traveling, and the tools range from Swiss army knives to medical kits and the solid Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 compact point-and-shoot camera.

A staple for travelers, traditional Swiss army knives come with base utensils and toolbox items like a pair of scissors, corkscrews for wine, nail files, bottle openers, and screwdrivers.

However, the SwissArmyFlash 2 GB kicks the kit up several notches by including a 2 GB USB Flash drive and an LED flashlight.

With 10.1 megapixels, a 12x optical zoom lens, and high resolution video recording, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 does double-duty as a quality compact camera churning out pin sharp images, and a camcorder with high definition (HD) video recording capabilities.

Other multi-purpose items on their list include the Tumi Slim Universal Power Adaptor Kit which comes with a ton of adapters and stores enough energy to power your notebook while away from constant supply of electricity, and the ultralight MacBook AIR laptop which is essentially a mobile office.

Traveling with kids? Open Travel also mentions the Bag-buggy, a travel suitcase that transforms into a kid’s stroller.

Anyone who has traveled with kids knows that pushing a stroller and pulling a trolley bag at the same time is quite challenging and exhausting.

Thank God, the Castiglione Morelli team has designed a suitcase and a buggy in one.

When closed, it looks like a traditional bag.

When pulled out, it stretches over the metallic frame and turns into a comfortable and safe stroller.

Now both you and your kid can enjoy the journey.

Clearly missing from Open Travel’s list is the quintessential multi-use gadget; a smartphone such as Apple’s iPhone or a Blackberry.

From making calls, playing music, shooting video, snapping pictures, surfing the web, finding directions, storing data, and fiddling around with thousands of apps, pocket-sized smartphones practically take up no luggage space while providing most of the tools you’ll be needing on your travels; neatly rolled up into one device.

Now, all we need is a mutant Smartphone-Swiss Army knife device and we’ll be set.

Community Connection

For more multipurpose tools, check out 10 Multi-Use Items You Should Consider Packing and Matador Team’s Favorite Travel Gadgets.

Know of any other multi-purpose gadgets worth adding? Please share below.

Photo of Madrid by Lola Akinmade

Beebe Bahrami’s Historic Walking Guides Madrid offers a refreshing change to typical mainstream travel guides. While you get must-see museum and monument stops around Madrid, you also get an amazing slice of rich history.

Historic Walking Guides Madrid offers eight specific walks through Madrid’s history. These walks include historic eras such as Medieval Madrid, Hapsburg Austrian Madrid, Bourbon enlightenment, writers, artists, wine taverns, and mysteries.

Each walk includes a simple map and step by step walking directions – being a challenged map reader, I truly appreciated the directions. Additionally, Bahrami includes anecdotal historic notes for each stop on the walk that actually allowed me to visualize and imagine I was literally part of Madrid’s history.

Not being your typical tourist content with well-known pit-stops, I was thrilled to read behind-the-scenes stories of Madrid’s different ruling dynasties from Muslim influences to modern day contemporary lifestyles.

Bahrami’s stories about significant writers and artists influential to Madrid’s past give a sense of being in these people’s shoes by weaving in the day-to-day human element – a detail that many mainstream travel guides seem to lack.

Being a huge fan of the Spanish practice of eating tapas while sipping a little wine, I personally favored the historic wine taverns walk, and can’t wait to experience the walk myself when I return to Spain this summer.

Historic Walking Guides Madrid is a reasonably priced book, and for those of you who live large, glossy photographs, there are none in this book. However, the black and white photos in this book give a general idea of what Bahrami is writing about. Quite frankly, Bahrami’s vividly descriptive language is such that I didn’t miss seeing colorful photos.

Simply put, Historic Walking Guides Madrid is an easy, informative read that I am looking forward to using on my next trip to Spain.

Price: £9.99 / €10.99 / $12.99

Community Connection

Check out these articles covering Spain by author Beebe Bahrami: Eat, Pray, Love In Spain, and How to Rock a Tapas Bar When Traveling Solo.

While Apple’s celebrated iPhone has become one of the most drooled-over objects in the mobile world, its camera has always left a little to be desired . The new 3GS has pumped the megapixels up to 3 (from 2) but there’s still a spectacular lack of features: no zoom, no flash, slow shutter reaction, a lack of sharpness and no in-camera editing or post-processing options are some of the failings.

But vex not. A number of apps on the market can dramatically improve your iPhone images. While we wouldn’t claim they will turn you into a ‘pro’ (though some people are trying their best), they can certainly get you acquainted with various ‘pro’ aspects of photography such as editing, composition and post-processing.

Obviously, a lot are more for novelty than anything truly creative, so we’ve road-tested and hand-picked a bunch that we think could be particularly useful for travel snappers.

Photoshop Mobile

Before & After shots of photos edited with Photoshop Mobile by author.

Since the iPhone has no in-camera editing facilities, you’ll have to download an app that allows you to crop, rotate, color adjust, apply FX and all the rest. It took them a while, but software giants Photoshop have finally brought a version of their celebrated software to the iPhone. Photoshop Mobile has just four main controls.

The Basics icon offers Rotate, Crop and Flip; Color offers Exposure, Saturation, Tint & Black & White (all simple, one-touch adjustments); Filters has Sketch and Soft Focus while the Effects option lets you make your photo Vibrant, Border, Pop, Rainbow and Warm Vintage at the click of a button.

While the Basics and Color tools are definitely useful, the Filters and Effects are quite gimmicky, which is perhaps a surprise given Photoshop’s status as one of the leading post-production software manufacturers. The program could also do with a Contrast slider. Then again the app costs nothing, making it by far the best free photo editor app on the market.

Price: Free

PhotoForge

Before & After shots of photos edited with PhotoForge by author.

More comprehensive is the photo/painting app PhotoForge, which ironically is more of a mini-Photoshop than the Photoshop app is. All the features are displayed at the bottom and top of the screen and you can easily access things like Rotate, Flip, Crop (5 different sizes) and Straighten.

There are Filter adjustments for Levels, Curves (you can adjust for RBG, CMYK, and CIE Lab), Noise Reduction, Auto Exposure, Manual Exposure, Brightness and Contrast and Sharpening.

The editing tools include Brushes (8 of them!), Smudge, Clone Stamp, Eraser, Magnify, Eye Dropper and Fill Tools. For quick-fixes there are several preset filters (Sepia, Lomo, Blur, Television, Neon and Dreamy). Not every tool gives excellent results of course, but the sheer variety allows for many creative options, and of course you get to mix photography and painting too if that’s your thing.

Price: $4.99

Picoli

Less in-depth but very useful is Picoli which has less features but handles what is has very well. Using simple sliders you can brighten, saturate, sharpen and adjust things like contrast, color balance and illumination. There are also various filters such as Sepia, Night Vision and Colour Dithering, and “fun” stuff like Posterize and Sunburn.

The normal $4.99 price tag is a bit steep when you consider the superior Photoforge is the same price, but the company are offering the program for $2.99 while they work on a new update, making it a worthwhile investment.

Price: $2.99 *reduced until new update is done

Other Articles in Series

iPhone Travel Snapper Apps Part 1: Replacement Cameras

Disclaimer – All apps above have been reviewed on the new iPhone 3GS. Please double-check compatibility of your phone if you have an older model.

Do you know of other iPhone Apps that provide image editing? Please share in the comments below.

Photo by fimoculous

The advancements in cell phones, PDAs, and laptops over the past ten years have made it even easier for travelers to escape the cubicle. While there have definitely been a few flops, as well as a couple freaky inventions that made us wonder about the future of technology, there’s no question that the past decade has seen a major evolution in gadgets.

2000

Digital cameras weren’t invented in the past decade, but they certainly took over. The first Canon Digital IXUS was released in the summer of 2000, and at the time was the smallest, slickest digital camera available.

This was also the year when many of us got whiplash staring at the suit talking to himself in line at the bank, thanks to the Jabra bluetooth wireless headset.

2001

Despite the invention of the mp3 player in 1997, many of us still preferred lugging around clunky CD players, along with those massive binders. Maybe it was the joy of organizing the CDs alphabetically, with corresponding jackets on the reverse side that so neatly showed off our musical taste. Apple changed all that – and the company itself – with the first iPod.

High-tech convenience. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.

Steve Jobs announced you could “put 1,000 songs in your pocket,” and that was it. Maybe we don’t get to show strangers in hostels our overstuffed CD binders anymore, but I bet most travelers don’t miss them a bit.

2002

Back when having a stylus was stylish and phones had yet to develop intelligence, the Palm Pilot was the ultimate electronic organizer. The spiffy Palm Zire came out in 2002, and while it would quickly become outdated, having a portable word processor in your pocket was pretty sweet at the time.

2003

It wasn’t a cell phone, but an application that changed the way we make phone calls this year. Skype was created in 2003, letting us chat, talk, even video conference with anyone, anywhere, usually for free.

Also of note this year was the IBM ThinkPad – not because of its specs (although they were good for the time), but because it marked the first time a notebook automatically connected to your local wireless network.

2004

Once again, it wasn’t a physical gadget, but something even more powerful that changed the communication landscape this year: Gmail. Launched by invitation only, Google gave us an email service like nothing else out there, with a staggering 1GB of space – free.

Cleaning up email service. Photo courtesy of Payalnic.

Verizon also helped out travelers this year with their EV-DO network, along with the Sierra Wireless PC 4220 card. No more hunting for hotspots – we were connected on the road.

2005

Remember the days when videos of a grown Frenchman running amok in a Pac Man costume weren’t readily available? Enter YouTube. That’s right, it was created in 2005 (does anyone else feel like they’ve been watching it for a few decades?), and while it may be your go-to source for online procrastination, it’s led to even more ways for travelers to share their video adventures with others.

On a side note, possibly the Worst Gadget of 2005 goes to the Oakley Razrwire. Oaklies. Bluetooth. Fail. Apparently even yuppies didn’t want to shell out the $300.

2006

Call me biased – I am – but the MacBook and MacBook Pro stole the spotlight this year. They were sexy, light, and sported Intel’s dual core processors and magnetized power adapters and about a zillion other features that pulled die-hard PC users over to the dark side.

This may not have been a great invention for travelers necessarily, but it bears mentioning – the Nintendo Wii was also released in 2006, stepping around the Xbox and PlayStation and hardcore bloody car theft games and doing their own thing. They re-popularized the cutesy Nintendo games from the 80s, all while getting video game-addicted kids (and adults) to do something they hadn’t tried in a long time – moving.

Photo courtesy of Saquelateral.

2007

Cell phones, PDAs, laptops, mobile connectivity – it all came together in January of 2007 with the release of the Jesus phone, otherwise known as Apple’s iPhone. MG Siegler of TechCrunch sums up the iPhone’s immediate appeal nicely:

“There was no way I was getting an iPhone. But then I started to wonder why so many people were lined up for this device — what was I missing? I walked up to the iPhones out on display, picked one up, played with it for all of 10 seconds. I left the Apple store $600 poorer.”

Really, that would have been enough from Apple in one year. But just for good measure, they released the iPod Touch that September. Since 2007, we’ve hardly gone a few months without hearing about a new “iPhone killer.” Still looks pretty alive and kicking to me.

Also in 2007 – hey, it was a big year – Amazon struck fear into the hearts of publishers everywhere with the release of the Kindle.

2008

Apple secured their world smartphone domination with the iPhone 3G and, perhaps more importantly, the launch of the App Store. And just to remind us that they kind of do computers too, Steve Jobs ceremoniously pulled the MacBook Air out of a brown paper envelope at MacWorld 2008, causing the crowd to experience a unified Apple Orgasm.

Photo courtesy of Scarleth White.

In camera news, Nikon surprised photographers with the D90 – the first digital SLR camera with video capabilities. Great specs, and at a third of the cost of the Canon equivalent.

2009

After two years of smug Apple talk, critics of the iPhone needed a hero – and they got one. The HTC Hero finally brought the Android operating system to the eager masses in a well-polished package.

The Motorola Droid has its die-hard fans as well, with a great touchscreen in addition to that all important QWERTY keyboard some folks just can’t live without.

And 2010?

Without a doubt, 2010 will be a big year for gadget lovers. Two in particular have already built up quite a bit of hype.

Google and Android will continue to win smartphone owners over with the Nexus One, otherwise known as the Google Phone. I’m still an iPhone kind of girl, but even I have to admit this thing looks pretty sweet.

Meanwhile, Apple will continue its mission to stay ahead of the pack by focusing their attention on the Tablet, which is rumored to be called the iSlate. Think MacBook power in a large iPhone package.

Community Connection

For more on innovative gadgets developed over the last ten years, check out What Is The Decade’s Best Gadget?.

What was your favorite gadget in the past decade? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Shot by Photographer Cheryl Black.…Matador Goods editor Lola Akinmade with nuns in Nicaragua.

Lola Akinmade – Matador Goods Editor

While a Nikon D300 gets me those high quality, print ready travel shots, my favorite piece of equipment is a backup Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ5K point and shoot camera.

With a 10x wide angle zoom lens, 9 megapixels, video recording capability, and tons of quick access settings such as “candlelight” and “aerial” mode, this camera has captured some memorable travel photography; though it’s probably due for an upgrade to a newer Lumix model.

My “Anatomy of a Smörgåsbord” photo essay on Matador Life was shot using the Panasonic Lumix.

Michelle Schusterman – Matador Goods Associate Editor

At the risk of sounding like an Apple geek – which I am – I’d have to go with my iPod Touch.

Music, movies, Internet, Skype, plus forty applications that let me do everything from checking flights to editing, exporting, and printing documents.

Paul Sullivan – Matador Network Contributing Editor

I think the iPod touch would have to be my top gadget too. It’s just too ridiculously multifunctional and convenient to not be top of the list.

Second to that though would be a good old fashioned beer / wine bottle opener.

So many times my life has been saved and my sobriety beautifully ruined by that device.

Kate Sedgwick – Matador Nights Editor

I’m not sure if this counts as a gadget, but I can see Inspector Gadget using it, so I’m going to add the Utili-key to the list.

How many times have you needed a knife, screwdriver or bottle opener when you’ve packed light? As long as you have your keys, you’re every tool-less friend’s hero.

Though I can’t guarantee you’ll make it through without a hitch, I’ve never had mine confiscated by airline security as it’s always camouflaged by the other keys on the ring.

Won’t you feel smart when someone asks for a screwdriver and you can say, “Phillips or flathead?”

Tom Gates – Matador Nights Editor

I bought a water purification thing for $60 before I left.

It’s in the bottom of my bag, still wrapped, utterly useless (save a national emergency). I bought this all-in-one opener in Chile for $0.72 and I use it every day, for everything.

I’m pretty sure I could perform surgery with it, were it not covered with baked bean stains and rust. It really doesn’t matter which one but get yourself an all-in-one gadget.

MAKE SURE it can open cans (most don’t).

Carlo Alcos – Matador Trips Editor

For pure practicality, you can’t beat a headlamp.

Versatile, lightweight, and hands-free, the headlamp is the gift that keeps on giving.

A close second is the collapsible cup.

These come in handy with a corkscrew and a bottle of vino.

Leigh Shulman – Matador Life Editor

The Leatherman Super Tool 300.

From making peanut butter sandwiches and opening beers to light carpentry and fixing water tanks, there’s never been a time this thing couldn’t help us out.

Lindi Horton – Matador Sports Intern

While the iPod Touch would be high on my list of essential gadgets, most gadgets will not work for extended amounts of time without being charged.

My favorite gadget is the Kensington 33117 All-In-One Travel Adapter.

At a price tag of 17 US dollars, this all-in-one adapter allows me to charge up all of my electronics without taking up too much room in my backpack.

Hal Amen – Matador Trips Editor

Well, since Carlo already stole headlamp, I’ll go with my Casio PQ-10 travel alarm clock.

Exciting?

Hardly, but I love the little guy.

It’s been running on the same battery for like 3 years (that’s over a thousand mornings of multiple snoozes), and is loud enough to cut through the fog of whatever you might have been tossing back the night before.

Andy Hayes – Matador Network Twitter Ninja

I assume my iPhone does not qualify as a gadget, since it’s more of a lifestyle essential.

So… since I’m Location Independent, I’d give my vote to a Wi-Fi boosting antenna.

Christine Garvin – Brave New Traveler Editor

At the risk of sounding utterly boring and unoriginal (and probably a bit dated), my old Dell laptop was quite the little trouper.

Before it finally died because of a tragic incident involving my cat (cat is A-OK), it made it through many train rides in Europe and a week-long “Adventure tour” in Australia, along with being dragged on flights around the US, thrown next to me countless times on the BART train, and dropped on the floor of the passenger-side seat in my car because of a sudden stop or thirty.

Now, I’m testing out a refurbished Mac to see if it can take the same heat.

Candice Walsh – Matador Life Associate Editor

My Swiss Army Pen.

It writes underwater, upside down, and on glass (although I haven’t used it for those functions yet, it’s just a sweet, reliable pen).

AND it has a nail file!

Adam Roy – Matador Sports Editor

I can’t live without internet, and honestly, with all the photo editing and FTP uploading I have to do at Sports, it’s just easier to use my own laptop than to screw with internet cafes.

Mobile internet keeps me working.

In Argentina, I use a Claro USB mobile modem.

In the US, I use a Bluetooth dongle and my cell phone (a hand-me-down Katana II from Sprint).

Nancy Harder – Matador Network Intern

An earphone splitter so my husband and I only have to pack one iPod.

The best part is being able to share the same musical experience.

Photos by stuartpilbrow

Though I had a few Christian friends growing up, being brought up Hindu meant my family’s religion and festivals were more important to us. Years later, I would experience Christmas in all its splendor, and my first introduction to this tradition would come in the form of books.

Here are four books that have been instrumental in the way I perceive Christmas.

A Doll’s House- Henrik Ibsen

A Doll’s House, a play by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen is set on Christmas Eve. The playwright articulates the notion of Christmas by clearly defining the birth of one’s self and the decay of another self. In the opening scene, we are introduced to Nora Helmer, who is perceived as being “childish” by her patronizing husband.

Nora’s self-discovery and her decision to walk out on her husband was considered scandalous when the play was written.

When Nora declares that she has no home, no religion and that she wishes to travel all by herself – she wishes to discover her desires independently outside the patriarchal space, it signals the birth of the independent self and brings to light the plight of the woman masquerading in support of patriarchy, an imposition anointed by her husband.

Ibsen’s German agent said that it would not work well with audiences. In Germany, the lead actress refused to play Nora unless the ending was changed. This play is truly an inspiration because in as early as 1879, a man was talking about women’s rights. It is thus hardly surprising that the play is often referred to as “the first feminist play.”

The theme of Christmas in A Doll’s House is literal in that the setting of the play is on Christmas Eve but the exploration of the theme is largely symbolic. Her husband, for instance, promises her that if any calamities befell her, he would protect her and he would act as her Christ figure. However, when he does need to protect her, he accuses her of having slighted his honor.

Christmas is considered to be the birth of Jesus Christ and, in this case, it is the birth of the woman Nora, because she attains self-hood.

A Christmas Carol- Charles Dickens

A Christmas Carol by 19th century English writer Charles Dickens is about how a miserly man named Ebenezer Scrooge revises his notions of the world after four ghosts visit him in his dreams.

A Christmas Carol also begins on Christmas Eve when Scrooge’s deceased business partner, Jacob Marley appears in a dream and warns him about his impending misery if he does not mend his ways.

The book taps into Scrooge’s inner demons and portrays how a man has been hardened by the tryst of fate. At first, The Ghost of Christmas Past appears, taking Scrooge back down memory lane and enabling him to relive his boyhood years.

The Ghost of Christmas Present takes him to the house of his clerk, Bob Cratchit, who Scrooge pays a rather measly salary and whose son, Tiny Tim is too ill and will die unless the family receives some financial assistance. The Ghost of Christmas Present predicts that Tiny Tim will die, but Scrooge turns over a new leaf and becomes a changed man by helping everyone around him and thanks to Scrooge, Tiny Tim’s life is saved.

The book deals with moral virtues which are associated with Christmas- kindness, altruism, philanthropy and a sense of community. It captures the spirit of Christmas and resorts to an allegorical mode of storytelling rather than a didactic approach. It is worth noting that A Christmas Carol, ever since it was published, has not been out of print.

The Dead – James Joyce

The Dead is a short story written by Irish writer James Joyce. It is the final short story in his book Dubliners. The Dead is set between Christmas and New Year and tells the story of Gabriel Conroy who realizes that his wife Gretta’s deceased childhood acquaintance, Michael Furey was the Christ figure in her life.

It is a story about evaluating oneself.

While the image of Furey was in Gretta’s mind, Gabriel had constructed an image of his wife in his head where his wife could not think about anyone else apart from him.

The first character to be mentioned in this story is the caretaker’s daughter, Lily. The flower, Lily is the traditional symbol of the Blessed Virgin and is also a common sight at funerals. Gabriel’s first encounter with Lily marks the destruction of Gabriel’s fictional self and the beginning of the resurrection of Michael Furey.

The Dead is a story that tells us that Christmas is a time of both decay and regeneration.

The Journey of The Magi – T.S. Eliot

The Journey of the Magi is written in the form of a monologue – from the point of view of one of the Magi who went to Bethlehem to witness the birth of Christ.

The poem draws from one of Lancelot Andrewes’ sermons of nativity and makes use of several Christian symbols. “The Three Trees” are symbolic of the crucifixion while dealing with Eliot’s constant theme of alienation when the narrator talks about going back home to “an alien people clutching their gods.”

The Journey of The Magi deals with birth and death and how the self is fragmented in its quest for absolute knowledge.

Community Connection

To find more Christmas-related articles on Matador Network, check out our archives.

Do you have a favorite Christmas classic? Please share it below.

The new 3GS may have pumped the megapixels up to 3 (from 2) but there’s still a spectacular lack of features: no zoom, no flash, a slow shutter reaction, a relative lack of sharpness and no in-camera editing or post-processing options…these are just some of the failings.

Shot by author with ProCamera on iPhone

But vex not. A number of apps on the market can dramatically improve your iPhone images.

While we wouldn’t claim they will turn you into a ‘pro’ (though some people are trying their best) they can certainly get you acquainted with various ‘pro’ aspects of photography such as editing, composition and post-processing.

Obviously a lot of these apps are more novelty than anything truly creative, but we’ve road-tested and hand-picked a bunch that we think could be particularly useful for travel snappers.

Since there are literally dozens of apps please don’t yell at us if we missed any – but do feel free to mention your faves in the comments box below.

ProCamera

One of the ways of getting around the iPhone’s inherent limitations is to ‘replace’ it with a different system (don’t worry, your in-camera system won’t be deleted or literally replaced). There are a few on the market, but one of the best we’ve used is ProCamera (v2.5).

It has one of the best zoom systems around (5x) – one that actually feels like a zoom rather than a crop tool, and has a Steady Mode (which helps against camera shake), Composition Grids (that help you line up your shots), Timer (for self portraits, group shots etc.) and a Big Button, which turns your whole screen into a shutter.

The new features in v2.5 such as the Tilt Function (or Horizon Guide) help keep your lines straight and the video – which can be slickly initiated by shaking your phone – also help set it apart, as do the decent macro and low light / night shot results.

Price: $2.99 | BUY

Shot by author with CameraPlus on iPhone

Camera Genius

Another solid app is Code Goo’s Camera Genius (v1.7), which has similar features to ProCamera (Zoom, Timer, Anti-Shake, Big Button and Timer) as well as a selection of Composition Grids (quadrants, parallels, rule of thirds) that help with composition and alignment.

There’s also a Burst Mode that lets you fire three shots in quick succession — great for capturing fast action.

The handy Camera Manual feature offers a host of quick-tips on everything from focal points and lighting to perspective and portraits.

Price: $1.99 | BUY

CameraPlus

The third and final recommendation is CameraPlus, which is a buck cheaper than Camera Genius but still offers Zoom (4x), Anti Shake, Big Button and Burst Mode (which can be adjusted for up to 10 rapid-fire shots).

The downside is that there are less features than those mentioned above, and those that are included have slightly less flexibility (i.e. no adjustment option for the Anti Shake and less Grids to choose from).

Still, it’s certainly not bad for less than a dollar.

Price: $0.99 | BUY

Disclaimer

All apps above have been reviewed on the new iPhone 3GS. Please double-check compatibility of your phone if you have an older model.

Photos courtesy of Theo Chocolate

The four-year-old factory plies visitors with so many samples before, during and after its hour-long tour that if you’re not careful, you’ll leave with a serious stomach ache.

When you finally recover, it’s likely you’ll never buy another kind of chocolate. Next to Theo’s environmentally and socially conscious (and delicious) chocolate, everything else seems mediocre.

Theo, which gets its name from the botanical name for cacao, Theobroma cacao, is the nation’s only bean-to-bar, fair trade, organic chocolate. In bean-to-bar chocolate production, factories make chocolate from fermented cacao beans.

“There’s a distinction in the chocolate industry between chocolate melters and chocolate makers,” said Debra Music, vice president of sales and marketing. “We actually start from the raw material. Chocolate melters don’t actually make the chocolate themselves.” Instead, they melt down already processed chocolate and add flavors, nuts, or fruit.

The bean-to-bar process is just one part of Theo’s philosophy to “commit to sustainability all the way through,” Music said. “We invest in relationships with the farmers to ensure they are paid fairly and continue to grow their cacao organically.” Theo is USDA organic and Fair Trade certified.

Photos courtesy of Theo Chocolate

Theo’s chocolate making process “harkens back to artisan chocolate making in Europe,” Music said. While other, larger chocolate makers take short cuts that make their chocolate cheaper, they also compromise on taste, quality and nutritional value.

Big factories add artificial fats or chemicals and use a short cut called dutching that ends up reducing the natural antioxidant properties in cacao.

Processes like these are “bad for the planet and bad for the body,” Music said. “Our regular, dark chocolate has only three ingredients: cocoa beans, sugar, and cocoa butter.”

It’s Theo’s other ingredients that make their chocolate even more unique—and delicious.

Theo’s line of 3400 Phinney bars (named after their address), include a Coffee Dark Chocolate, using locally roasted, organic and Fair Trade-certified coffee; Fig, Fennel and Almond Dark Chocolate, which is vegan; and a Hazelnut Crunch Milk Chocolate, with a buttery hazelnut brittle, to name a few.

Theo also makes an impressive array of confections, tiny truffle squares with fascinating flavors like Burnt Sugar, Caramel Sage, Chinese Five Spice and Pear Balsamic, each of which are artfully hand decorated in the factory. For the less adventurous, Theo has plain dark and milk chocolate and standards like orange, mint, and cherry almond bars.

Theo also sources their ingredients locally when they can. Music said the company decided to open the factory in Washington because “it’s an agricultural state. It’s so much easier to source locally here than in, say, New York or Boston.”

While cacao is grown only in tropical rainforest ecosystems, Theo uses local, organic eggs, butter and dairy products. Theo also acquires some local spices.

The factory does its best to be environmentally sustainable. “We offset our manufacturing by purchasing green power through our power company,” Music said.

Photos courtesy of Theo Chocolate

She admits the young factory can, and will, do more to reduce their chocolate’s environmental footprint. “We’re extremely mindful of that, but haven’t come up with a good system yet.” She mentioned they’re looking into opening an East Coast factory in the future.

All of their beans are imported and then shipped from the East Coast, so having a factory there would eliminate having to ship the all the beans across the country.

Theo does its best to use minimal packaging, especially around the packaging-heavy holiday season. They use sustainable ribbon, soy-based ink, and the wrappers are made from 30 percent or more post-consumer waste, are recyclable and/or compostable.

“One of our goals is to re-train consumers’ expectations for packaging,” Music said. “As a planet we need to stop buying into packaging.”

Theo Chocolate is re-training consumers on more than just packaging. In a world where environmental destruction and rural poverty are closely tied to the food we eat, Theo provides a guilt-free way to satisfy your sweet tooth.

You can learn more about Theo’s products, including where to buy them online.

Photo credits: Bob Krist

Words and photography courtesy of Bob Krist

Here’s the breakdown:

Nikon D90

Two D90 bodies, one mounted with a 70-300mm VR Nikkor and the other with the 16-85VR Nikkor. Gotta admit, they rarely come off.

Lenses & Flash

A 12-24mm f/4 AF for the tight spots, and the small, sharp 35mm f/1.8 and 85mm f/1.8 AF Nikkor primes.

These little primes are great for available light and give me the FX-style bokeh I crave at times. Also, a SB 800 with SD8A battery pack.

Audio Recorder

Olympus LS-10 Audio recorder with Sennheiser MKE 400 mini shotgun mic (with windmuff). Also, not pictured, a small Gorillapod to use as a mic stand/handle.

Other Accessories

• Mini rain umbrella and raincover for the camera
• Extra batteries for the camera headlamp for me
• A Think Tank Pixel Pocket Rocket (which clips inside the bag) filled with 8GB and 4GB fast SDHC cards
• A miscellaneous bag with cable release, PC adapter (in case I have to plug in big flashes), flash filters, model release forms, wrist brace (!), hot-shoe bubble level, IR remote for camera, hex wrench.

The Bag

A Tamrac Velocity 9x sling bag or a Lowepro Outback 300 AW belt/shoulder bag.

Which bag I pick depends on how my back is feeling at the time I’m packing for the gig (the Tamrac rides high, the Lowe is at your waist).

If I have room, I take both and alternate ( it helps to keep that spine feeling springtime fresh after a 14 hour day!).

The whole kit weighs a few pounds less than the D300s & f/2.8 zoom setup that I used to carry on travel gigs and still use on commercial assignments.

One thing I wish somebody made and that I’d pay good money for? A sharp, fast, compact, DX-format wideangle prime, like a 17mm f/1.8 or something!

Yeah, I know, fat chance on that. But I can dream, can’t I?

More on Bob Krist

Bob Krist is a freelance photographer who works regularly on assignment for magazines such as National Geographic Traveler, Smithsonian, and Islands.

These assignments have taken him to all seven continents and have won awards in the Pictures of the Year, Communication Arts, and World Press Photo competitions.

During his work, he has been stranded on a glacier in Iceland, nearly run down by charging bulls in southern India, and knighted with a cutlass during a Trinidad voodoo ceremony.

He won the title of “Travel Photographer of the Year” from the Society of American Travel Writers in 1994, 2007, and again this year at the 2008 convention.

In 2000 his work was honored at the Eisenstaedt Awards for Magazine Photography in New York City.

Read more of Bob’s biography and follow his blog, Photo Traveler.

Photo by jenny downing

This latest offering from National Geographic Books has been making a lot of buzz lately. The attractively designed anthology, The New Age of Adventure, celebrates “ten years of great writing” that have graced the pages of National Geographic Adventure magazine. I couldn’t wait to dive into the book once my review copy arrived. I wanted to get deep down into the minds of these adventure writers.

What sets them apart from other writers?

Why did they cross boundaries other writers were willing to set for themselves?

What drove them to spend months with Afghan fighters or forge deeper into Ugandan jungles to find the source of the super deadly Ebola virus?

The Stories

As editor John Rasmus noted in the introduction, as a generation, we’ve switched from old-school exploration of untouched lands and traversing unmapped terrain to an age of frontline conservation and human impact exploration.

He terms this shift the “new age” of adventure.

In a sense, tracking gorillas and going behind the scenes of rebels and guerilla fighters signals a different level of exploration.

According to Andrew Zolli, “we are moving from the age of exploration to the age of conservation.”

The book is divided into the following four sections that group similar stories: Reporting from the Edge, Sexy beasts, Personal Journeys, and Outer Limits.

Thumbing through heart-pounding stories, I was slowly introduced to a different breed of adventurers.

In Dangerous Medicine (one of my favorite stories), Tom Clynes follows a team of scientists as they run right into the epicenter of the Ebola epidemic to set up field labs while others are rightfully fleeing from it. He weaves in the gravity for the situation with humorous scenes such as the one below which I frankly thought only happened in movies.

Bob Swanepoel, a bat hunter has been called in to help the medical teams track the animal sources of the virus:

In a scene that’s vaguely reminiscent of some Great White Hunter epic, Swanepoel’s party – soldiers, hunters, porters, and scientists – trudges over the hills toward the Kalak caves, trailed by an enthusiastic swarm of village children
…..Tom Clynes, Dangerous Medicine

And within the next two paragraphs, Clynes transitions powerfully to a scene where colleagues left behind fear for the lives for Swanepoel’s team after they’d been ambushed right after their gallant ride off into the jungles.

The selected stories highlight various levels of adventure from the stupendous to the surreal to situations where man becomes prey.

Photo by timo_w2s

What would you do if you became lost?

Truly lost?

What if a 30-minute snowmobile ride out into the backwoods turned into a 3-day freezing walk in below zero temperatures back to civilization because a part malfunctioned?

How would you handle it if just one layer of comfort was stripped away from your life?

These are the types of questions the stories ask, leaving their reader reflecting for days afterwards.

In Laurence Gonzales’ Land of the Lost, he breaks down the various stages a person mentally goes through when they realize they’ve become lost in the wilderness/jungle/desert. What’s even more fascinating is the fact that in some cases, children tend to outlast adults in similar desperate situations.

How so? Page 63 hints at this as Professor of Psychology John Leach is quoted:

Establishing a definite purpose to one’s existence strengthens survival, but it must be coupled with the breaking down of the person’s aim or purpose into simple tasks so that life can be handled one step at a time.
…..John Leach, Survival Psychology

In essence, processing situations like a child. A child’s first priority is to seek their comfort, instead of panicking and trying to mentally process the gravity of the situation.

Each wholesome story in New Age of Adventure leaves the reader with a heightened sense of mortality that our technologically advanced age masks so beautifully.

Photo by appenz

In Among the Man-Eaters, Philip Caputo writes about camping with and tracking Tsavo lions, the story behind the movie The Ghost and the Darkness which stars Val Kilmer as the lead actor.

He explores how the lions turned to hunting humans because humans were “safe and convenient” to kill. This heightened sense of death around each corner makes him “mistake his wife’s breathing for a lion’s.”

He goes on to describe just how easily:

…. a lion can drag you out of your tent, and run off with you, wonderful indispensable you, apple of your mother’s eye, and you screaming and scratching and kicking and punching, all to no avail, until he releases his grip to crush your windpipe, and the last sensation you have is of his hot breath in your face.
…..Philip Caputo, Among the Man-Eaters

Area for Improvement

As intriguingly page-turning as the stories were, the excerpts at the beginning of each story really didn’t do the descriptions of the stories themselves enough justice. I easily could have skipped over Peter Lane Taylor’s Off the Face of the Earth because its excerpt didnt’ seem as engaging even though the subject was profound, but I’m glad I didn’t.

Summary

As intrepid travelers, we flirt with the “idea” of adventure – from long distance trekking to kayaking open waters and ice-climbing glaciers.

The difference in mindset these stories aim to show is that life lived one frame at a time and broken down into manageable steps can guarantee survival in any situation.

Once we can get into this base mode of thinking on a daily basis, maybe we too can endure some of these incredible tales of survival and adventure.

After gracing newsstands for 10 years, the recent news of National Geographic Adventure ceasing publication after its December issue means now is the best time to grab a copy of this anthology commemorating the best adventure writing from the iconic magazine.

BUY from National Geographic

Photo by naturegirl 78

The last thing you want to contract on a fun-filled, adventurous trip is dengue, malaria, encephalitis, or yellow fever. There is really no alternative for vaccines and those of us who are visiting or living in tropical countries, are especially vulnerable.

Apart from your typical mosquito repellent and net, here are four kinds of soaps that you can use to ward off mosquitoes.

Bug Off! Farm Soap’s Citronella Fragrance Soap

Farm Soap’s website says that its mosquito repellent soap is made from a lot of natural ingredients such as coconut oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, soybean lecithin & cottonseed oil; palm kernel,olive oil infused with chamomile, comfrey and calendula, essential oil, shea butter ,beeswax, Apricot Kernal, grapefruit seed extract and liquid silk.

Mosquitoes absolutely hate the smell of lemons or anything remotely citrus-y. The Citronella lemon soap will help ward off mosquitoes and prevent mosquito bites.

You’ll have to do is use the soap when you’re having a bath.

Cost: $4.95

Mosqui

Another soap that I personally recommend would be the Mosqui Naturveda soap. My father bought it when he was in the former French colony of Auroville, Pondicherry in India.

The French word for mosquito is mosquee and mosqui, the ayurvedic mosquito repellent from Bio Naturveda is “scented with a blend of pure essential oils and herbal extracts.”

Although, there are no price listings on their main website, you can contact them at info@bionaturveda.com for more details.

Cost: $ 2.58 (120 Rupees)

Skin Armour Deep Woods Outdoor Soap

This non-toxic soap was developed by Dr. Archibald of the Australian National Biological Laboratory. It contains glycerine, eucalyptus oil, citronella oil, lavendula, calendula and fragrance.

The Eucalyptus oil repels mosquitoes and also relieves tired muscles: the citronella oil is also used to ward off mosquitoes, and menthol is used to rejuvenate skin.

Lavendula and calendula are used to curb bacteria, while calendula is used to alleviate itching. The Skin armour anti mosquito soap has no side effects, contains herbal extracts and is 100 percent deet free.

Stop using this soap if any kind of allergies occur.

Cost: $16.99

Classique Anti-Microbial Soap

This anti-microbial soap is made from chamomile, rosemary, akapulko (a herbal medicine from the Philippines), neem leaves and aloe vera extracts. The aloe vera extracts soothe the body and alleviate pain and the mild nature of this soap helps preserve skin as well as combat any kind of bacteria as well as mosquitoes.

For more information including how to purchase, visit Classique’s website.

Cost: $19.70

Photo by ddqhu, feature photo by karindalziel

GelaSkins

Chances are someone on your list already has an iPhone, Blackberry, Kindle, iPod…

For all of these and more, GelaSkin offers an artistic way to protect the front and back from scratches. Choose from their gallery of artwork, or visit GelaSkins to customize your own skin with art or even photos.

Price: $14.95 to $17.99

IOGear WiFi Finder

This little keychain will alert users to hotspots within 500 feet, meaning there’s no need to power on the laptop to find Wi-Fi.

Four LEDs will show the signal strength and LAN service coverage. While the finder won’t tell you whether or not the network requires a password, it’s still a good deal for around $10.

Price: $9.95

 

QuikPod Handheld Convertible Tripod

Personally, I like the odd angles and in-your-face images that come from taking a real self-portrait.

But this attachment is great for those times when you actually want to see some background behind your mug, not to mention capturing some decent video.

Price: $17.37

Tavo Gloves

Touch screens are great until winter comes and you realize you’ve got to choose between using your iPhone outside, or losing the gloves (and possibly a finger).

These gloves by Tavo are designed to let you use you iPhone or Blackberry Storm while keeping your fingers free of frostbite.

Price: $29.88

iLuv Mini Portable Speakers

There’s a wide variety of mini-speakers out there that range from cheap and awful to amazing and bank-breaking.

A good option is the iLuv for mp3 Players and iPods, which users claim have great sound for such a tiny package.

Price: $21.99

USB Humping Dog

And finally, for the less mature computer geeks on your shopping list, these pointless but hilarious little pups might make a great stocking stuffer.

No function, no purpose – just plug one in and watch him show your laptop who’s boss.

Price: $8.94

Feature photo by MPD01605. Photo above via Gerrymay.com

Over at the Freelance Writing Jobs Network, they’ve rounded up a solid list of Black Friday Deals for Writers such as a variety of netbook and laptop deals from Best Buy and Dell.

The official 2009 Black Friday Deals site has begun listing some goodies on sale and stores like Circuit City are offering early deals to those of us who’d rather be sleeping off a heavy turkey dinner than lining up at 3am in the cold.

Here are just a few offerings below:

Acer Aspire 10.1 inch Netbook

Complete with a wireless mouse, lightweight external USB DVD burner, and a protective bag, nab this durable 2.79 pound netbook for $309.00.

The deal also includes free shipping to most US locations.

More specifications:

- Intel Atom processor, a full GIG of DDR2 memory
- 160Gb hard drive,
- 10.1-inch brilliant WSVGA CrystalBrite LED-backlit display.
- Powerful 6-Cell Lithium-ion battery with up to 6 hours playing time

Price: $309.99 | BUY from Circuit City

Sony Walkman 8GP MP3/MP4 Player

This 8GB video MP3 player from Sony provides up to 45 hours of continuous music and 8 hours of uninterrupted video on a single charge. 8 hours of video translates into four full length movies that can be loaded onto the player.

It includes a 2.0-inch LCD display and an obviously long-lasting and powerful battery.

Price: $69.99 | BUY from Circuit City

For more sweet deals, visit Black Friday Ads – The Official Black Friday 2009 Website.

Rosetta World™ allows you to play with your newly acquired language skills. Literally. You can play games, engage in chats, and other activities to help you apply your knowledge in everyday situations.

Brief Overview

Rosetta World ™ provides three modules – Solo, Duo, and Simbio. In Solo mode, you get to play games by yourself in your new language (in my case, Swedish). Duo mode means you get to play against another player, and in Simbio, you’ll actually share your native language (in my case, English) with other members and take turns helping each other out. TOTALe’s dashboard is intuitive and so accessing a particular Rosetta World ™ mode was just a click away.

Solo Mode

I had two game options available to me: Mengo and Gambo. Opted for Mengo since it kind of reminded me of mango, plus I couldn’t access Gambo anyways because I hadn’t reached a crucial learning milestone.

The goal of the game was to flip two cards over, find pictures and their matching words or phrases. The game seemed impossible to win or even get into since each time you flipped two cards that didn’t match, it kept saying you were wrong.

If there was some hidden sequence or way of figuring it out besides flipping two random cards, as a Solo player, I didn’t get it right away (read more on Duo mode below).

A cool aspect of the game was the fact that the words were read out in the language you were learning so, in a sense, you kept learning whether you got the concept of the game or not.

Duo Mode

In Duo mode, there were a lot more gaming options. World ™ lets you know how many people are available online to play with and you can also “Find partners” as well. Like Solo mode, some games are in lockdown until you’ve reach certain milestones.

Finding a partner to play with took two days, mostly because Swedish isn’t a popular language but I was finally able to connect with Oleg, another native English speaker learning Swedish. We first played Nimba, a word matching game, but quickly tired of it and moved on to the picture games of Tingo and Mengo.

This was where Rosetta World ™ truly shined.

Once Oleg and I got into the games which required mental mapping and matching pictures with words and phrases, our competitive juices began to flow.

I smoked Oleg while playing Tingo which required quick fingers, matching pictures to words, while Oleg left me in the dust while playing Mengo – the same flipping-of-cards game I didn’t get under Solo mode.

And I finally understood how Mengo worked after playing with a real partner.

Once we were done, I found a way of instantly messaging Oleg using the Connections manager to say thanks for playing, including asking if he was up for one more round of Mengo for the road – which he subsequently won.

Simbio Mode

Simbio mode is when you get a chance to teach others your native language (English) by speaking with them while they teach you theirs as well (Swedish). Since most Swedes already speak English pretty fluently, my Simbio mode had “0 People” available for me to chat with.

I wasn’t able to find a Swedish partner to verbally engage with mostly because of the time difference and because there weren’t too many students studying Swedish so I really couldn’t test Simbio like I wanted to.

But if it’s anything like Studio where I actually got to speak with a live person, I probably would have really liked it.

The Verdict?

I initially approached World ™ skeptically. Nowadays, finding the time to learn a new language, let alone spend hours playing games in that language seemed very unrealistic.

So Solo mode didn’t really work for me, but once I got into Duo mode, I was re-energized because of the one-on-one interaction with another player.

With Duo, I could easily spend hours just playing games with someone else.

Overall Assessment of Rosetta Stone TOTALe

After hours of reviewing TOTALe, an extremely high quality and dynamic product, where it clearly excelled was when there was some real life interaction with someone else. Rosetta Studio is rock solid as is the Duo play mode in Rosetta World.

Like I mentioned in Review 2 of Rosetta Studio, if some of the interactive aspects of the program could be packaged separately, then the pricing structure won’t be a big issue for potential customers.

If you truly are serious about learning a new language while also remotely immersing yourself in the language with native speakers, I highly recommend Rosetta Stone TOTALe.

Read Review Series: Rosetta Stone TOTALe – Part 2.
Read Review Series: Rosetta Stone TOTALe – Part 1.

Pricing information

The entire program costs $1,199 per year and this includes unlimited online access to the three modules outlined above and an accompanying audio kit to use offline for learning the courses.

Feature photo by Ken@Okinawa. Photo above by Ed Yourdon

For the majority of musicians, making music keeps us sane and grounded. Music is an extension of who we are, an aspect of our personality. Too long without music and we end up like my poor houseplants – wilted and ready to die.

Unfortunately, most instruments don’t lend themselves to travel, especially if you’re trying to keep your pack weight low. Imagine schlepping your backpack along for a mile in the rain to board a crowded train.

Now imagine doing that while carrying an acoustic guitar.

Photo by Photomish Dan

Maybe, like me, your main instruments are bass or piano. Or, maybe the thought of even letting the airlines look at your guitar gives you nightmares.

If you choose to leave your primary instrument at home, you will need to learn a new, smaller instrument for travel. Choosing a new instrument to learn is not a choice to be made lightly.

To become even mediocre will take hours and hours of practice, but this time investment will pay great dividends when you find that perfect spot for an impromptu concert.

Plus, learning to play well is a matter of common courtesy. Have you ever heard a poorly played violin? Did it remind you of a dying marmot?

In the following list, I’ve tried to avoid miniature travel versions of real instruments. With the exception of the Martin Backpacker, these are all ‘real’ instruments. For those who can sing, the first seven instruments on the list are good for accompaniment. All others are solo instruments.

Finally, in an effort to improve the quality of sleep for hostel guests around the world, I have omitted djembes and other hand drums.

Guitar

If you really have to take a guitar, the Martin Backpacker has a decent sound, a low price, and plays well. If you’re really brave, you could always take your chances with hostel guitars.

Mandolin

Mandolins require a little more care than some of the others, especially to maintain decent tuning, but gives you a good range and the ability to make chords. . Not the best choice if you have small fingers.

Accordion

These come in several shapes and sizes, and it’s possible to find small models of reasonable quality.

Autoharp

A unique, folksy instrument, the autoharp allows you to play a melody over chords while singing. Like a zither but easier to play because of the chord buttons.

Ukulele

Another good accompaniment instrument. Cheap and versatile, but can’t match the mandolin in terms of sound quality and resonance.

Violin/Fiddle

Possibly the most difficult and expressive instrument on the list. If you can play violin well, you already know how awesome your instrument is.

Erhu

The Erhu is a two string Chinese violin. This delicate instrument requires a hell of an ear but wins hand down for uniqueness. With the right case (think hard foam padding), this could be a remarkable travel instrument.

Recorders

You probably learned to play one of these in school. What this instrument lacks in range it makes up for in low-weight quirkiness.

Clarinet

Not the lightest or easiest instrument on the list, but definitely the dorkiest. Conveniently breaks down into a small package. Pads and reeds could pose a problem, especially in subtropical zones.

Flute

A pretty instrument, difficult to play well, but a little easier to play than the clarinet. Like the clarinet, pads will require extra care. As a bonus you can play along with Jethro Tull covers.

Harmonica

The harmonica is almost a travel cliché. Lightweight, cheap, durable, and reasonably easy to play. Unfortunately, anyone you play with is limited to whatever key your harp happens to be in.

Ocarina

An instrument so light and smooth it can be worn as a necklace. Against all conventions of fashion, people do just this. Cheap and easy to play, but limited in range.

Bonus Instrument – Your Own Mouth

You’re already carrying your own mouth with you, why not use it? The most lightweight instrument of all, you can both whistle and sing.

If this is going to be your main instrument, learn some songs. Pop songs, folk songs, and Irish airs are a good place to start.

Over to you. What kind of instruments have you seen or taken on your travels?

Community Connection

For more on traveling as a musician, check out Essential Gear for the Traveling Musician and 5 Things You Should Know When Traveling With Musical Instruments.

Feature Photo by Hljod Huskona. Photo Above by eflon

To me, this means curling up with a hot beverage and a travel memoir so I can live vicariously through someone else’s adventures. I’m partial to travel memoirs written by women, rather than men, because I can usually relate to both their inner and outward journeys more.

I have found a few good options beyond the ubiquitous Eat, Pray, Love. Here are some suggestions:

Tales of a Female Nomad: Living at Large in the World by Rita Golden Gelman

During an impending divorce, Rita Golden Gelman makes her first solo journey to Mexico. This trip transforms her. After her divorce is final, she decides to give up everything to become a global nomad and does not settle for observing cultures from a distance.

She finds a way to become a member of each community she visits as she travels from palaces to jungles and everywhere in between.

She shows us that as long as one’s spirit remains young and open, there is no age limit for adventure. Gelman allows us to see deep inside her evolution from a timid traveler to a confident adventurer ready to take on the world.

This is a great read for anyone needing the inspiration and courage to travel independently.

Adventure Divas: Searching the Globe for Women Who Are Changing the World by Holly Morris

In this memoir, Holly Morris recounts her story of the creation of the Adventure Divas documentary series. The Adventure Divas project highlights powerful and unconventional women around the world who are doing amazing things for their communities.

Parallel to the inspirational stories of the women interviewed in this book is the author’s own journey. Morris reveals the intimate details of the struggles and triumphs she encounters while striving to achieve her goal.

On the first Adventure Divas trip, Morris and her crew illegally venture into Cuba where she interviews female rappers, a Santeria priestess and the American activist in exile, Assata Shakur. From there, she travels to India, New Zealand, and Iran.

Most of the women interviewed are people you’ve probably never heard of, but they are all positively impacting small areas in major ways. This book will inspire you to travel and make beneficial changes in the world.

Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure by Sarah MacDonald

After Sarah MacDonald first traveled to India in her early 20s, she vowed to never return again. Several years later, her boyfriend takes a job in India and she apprehensively decides to join him. Upon her return, she still finds India to be a challenge.

But this time, rather than letting the country exasperate her, she fully takes on the challenges India presents. She travels around the country to learn about its unique culture and experience its diverse array of religions.

She dabbles in both major and obscure faiths with a self-deprecating sense of humor and an open mind. This is a hilarious and insightful account of the two years she spent in India and how she finally learns to accept the country as it is.

Stalking the Wild Dik-Dik: One Woman’s Solo Misadventures Across Africa by Marie Javins

Marie Javins goes boldly where few travelers have gone before. In this memoir, she writes about her journey from South Africa to Egypt which was part of a year-long challenge to travel across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa without using airplanes.

On her trip, she was particularly captivated by Africa. As she treks through remote villages, wilderness, and buzzing cities, she strives to share all of what she sees, not just the typical images of war, disease and wild animals.

While this memoir was not the most poetic read, the author still managed to draw me in with unique tales of her exciting off the beaten path adventures.

Kite Strings of the Southern Cross: A Woman’s Travel Odyssey by Laurie Gough

This is a wonderfully descriptive and passionate account of traveling in the South Pacific and South East Asia. Like Gelman, Gough is not content to be a spectator. She spends time living, working, and immersing herself in the cultures of the countries she visits.

She maintains a strong sense of self while exploring different ideas and ways of thinking. Gough is a travel writer who writes for travelers. Her words beautifully express what continuously draws relentless journeyers to the open road.

Reading this memoir is a fantastic way to fill the space between your travels. Not only does Gough make you feel as though you’re alongside her on her adventures, she lets you know that your infatuation with travel is well understood.

What are your favorite travel memoirs written by women? Please share them below.

Eden Project Surfboards. Photo via Telegraph.co.uk

A gift is a small way of showing gratitude and for the environmentally conscious consumer, here are green gifts you can give to friends and family.

Gift a plant

A flowering plant can be a great gift for birthdays, anniversaries or simply for showing appreciation. You could also go a step further and gift seeds.

However, it’s a good idea to keep in mind the climate of the place so ask yourself these basic questions when deciding which bag of seeds to buy:

Which plants grow wild in the region?

What’s the average rainfall?

How warm or cold can it get?

If all goes well, who knows, next time you’re visiting, you’ll find a beautiful sapling (or tree) growing in the backyard.

Gift Green Gadgets

The Solar Power battery Pod with its solar panel, biodegradable plastics and wool felt, is a fantastic present to give to friends who love listening to music.

Gift a pretty journal made from recycled paper

Saving trees to prevent deforestation is a worthy cause. A beautiful journal goes a long way in saying thank you, and what’s more, the trees will be thanking you for not felling them.

Here is a list of some other environmentally friendly gifts and where you can find them:

Organic Cotton Toys

1. Ten Thousand Villages, a fair trade retailer, pays artisans fifty percent of the money when an order is placed and the entire amount when the product is shipped.

Beautiful earrings made from newspaper and coiled mats, also made from newspaper, are sold here.

2. For those of your friends and family who love to surf, environmentally friendly surfing boards could be a good option.

3. Soy candles are also a great way to show your love without hurting the planet.

4. Designer Bryan Parks has combined art and conservationism by coming up with a bowl made from Chopsticks.

5. For kids, toys made of organic cotton might be a good bet.

6. Internationally acclaimed authors like J.K Rowling, Ian Rankin, Günter Grass, Marlene Streeruwitz, Isabel Allende and Andrea De Carlo have all pledged to use forest friendly paper, according to Greenpeace.

7. Offer to build a house for someone- if you are using bamboo, make sure it’s not of the variety that giant pandas eat. If that’s too much for you, you can always help around the house by using non-toxic paint while painting the walls or by helping install a tank that conserves rainwater.

Green Gifts can go a long way in you doing your bit for the environment. What’s better than giving a gift that promotes a sustainable lifestyle?

Community Connection

Looking for more eco-friendly gifts? Check out Improving Your Goodprint, 6 Gadgets to Make Your Life Greener, and 12 Gadgets That Harness the Power of the Sun

Feature photo by stevendepolo. Photo above by wili_hybrid

The second little secret is to pack products which serve more than one purpose. Use an oil that is suited to your face, hands and hair, or pack a cosmetic that can put a rose in both your cheeks and lips. The more purposes an item serves, the more it earns a position in the cutthroat world of toiletry cases.

Beyond your basic toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and deodorant, here are ten of my personal favorite products; several are multipurpose, and they all come in handy travel sizes.

Now you have more room for that duty free perfume you’ve got your eye on.

Multipurpose Oil –Trilogy Rosehip Oil

This is a brilliant moisturizer that suits all skin types, and can be used on the body, face, and for dry hair. Great to use after time spent in the sun and for cracked cuticles as well. Natural, nourishing and multipurpose.

Dry Shampoo/Hair Powder – Principessa Hair Powder

If you can’t get hold of shampoo for a few days, are in seemingly endless transit, or don’t have time to wash your hair, this is your best friend.

It soaks up oil, extends your blow-dry and gives limp travel hair an instant boost.

Lip Balm – Yes to Carrots C Me Smile Lip Butter

Lip gloss doesn’t moisturize so make sure you pack a balm. This small compact balm is full of natural goodness for lips that have borne the brunt of in-flight air conditioning.

Cheek/Lip Stain – Benefit Benetint

Stains are long lasting and can be used on both lips and cheeks. Instead of packing a blush compact and a lipstick (too fiddly for traveling), go for a tint.

One handy little bottle means rosy cheeks and lip color and more room in your toiletry case.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is an absolute no-brainer and finding a travel sized product is easy, so no excuses. Go with a minimum of 30+, particularly when traveling in the Southern Hemisphere (we lost our ozone layer).

For light face coverage, try a tinted moisturizer with SPF.

Atomizer

Buy an atomizer, available at chemists and most perfume specialty stores, and fill it with your favorite perfume. Not only does it save lugging the full sized bottle around (and the risk of breaking it) but they’re small enough to take in carry-on luggage, so you’ll always have a spritz of your signature scent on hand.

Face Wipes – Garnier Fresh Complete Cleansing Wipes

Cloth wipes don’t break or leak, are easy to transport and a great pick me up after a long day of sightseeing. You can also take them on a plane for that much needed in-flight freshening up.

Hand cream – Nivea SOS Intensive Balm

If you’re flying a lot, or in a dry climate, then your paws will get dry and itchy and when your cuticles split, it’s painful. This perfectly sized handcream provides quick absorption and is uber-hydrating.

Manicure Kit – Dumpling Dynasty Beauty Kit

Manicure kits, like sewing kits are things you think you can do without but when you lose a button, a key or a splinter, these little things come in mighty handy.

Mineral Powder – Inika Mineral Powder Foundation

No one wants to be bothered with a full face of make up when traveling. This light, completely natural mineral powder acts as a concealer and foundation.

It’s the definition of no fuss.

This second review covers Rosetta Studio™ which allows you to practice what you’ve learned by engaging you in “structured conversations with learners at your level”. A way of building your confidence to verbally practice what you’ve learned.

Getting Started

The way Studio works is this: once you’ve reached a certain learning milestone, for example, you’ve completed all 35 lessons under Level 1 Unit 1, you can choose to “Schedule” a studio session.

You can always schedule sessions without reaching any recommended milestones, but once you’re in class and you begin interacting without any basics, you’ll quickly understand why milestones are important.

Each studio session is a live chat session with language learners at your level as well as a Studio Coach that facilitates the discussion for 50 minutes each session. You choose your day and time slot from a calendar and you get a reminder to log in a few minutes before it starts.

My Studio Experience

So I signed up for an 11 PM session slot, eager to find out what Rosetta Studio was all about. Right on schedule, my coach Anna was waiting for me. I could see Anna in the top left corner box and I was the only student or “elev” who’d signed up for that time slot.

This turned out to be advantageous. I had Anna’s full attention.

Easy access to one-on-one conversations with a native speaker at a time of my choosing from anywhere in the world was fantastic.

After pleasant introductions, she’d ask me questions, waiting patiently, listening, and politely correcting me when I goofed. She’d point to various visual learning elements, ask questions, and prompt me to ask follow up questions as well. She sometimes typed up the right spellings for clarification so I could see what the right words looked like in written form.

By the time we were halfway through our 50 minute session, we were laughing (mostly because of intentional nonsensical answers I gave), and….wait for it….we were actually having a ton of fun.

Jättebra! (“Very Good”) she’d exclaim when I answered correctly or kind of answered correctly by saying what the item wasn’t. For example, I’d answer “Det är inte gult” which means “It isn’t yellow” when she’d point to an odd color I didn’t quite recognize and such.

Once our session was up, I’d learned a lot in just that short time frame. After exchanging “Hej då” (goodbyes), Anna noted she’d like to see me in the Studio again and I promised to set up a new session once I reached another learning milestone.

The Verdict?

This feature alone is what makes TOTALe ™ a superb learning product. In my previous review, I addressed the pricing structure in the comments section because (let’s face it) Rosetta Stone isn’t cheap.

But its interactive TOTALe ™ Studio module and the easy access it provides to live chats and sessions with a real teacher and fellow students is such an invaluable tool.

It fosters remote learning from anywhere in the world where internet access is available so you could be learning Swedish with a live native speaker while island hopping around the South Pacific.

Rosetta Stone should consider the option of also selling Studio as a standalone subscription product.

Seriously.

What to Watch Out For

Since Studio uses Flash, make sure you’ve installed the required plug-in. You will also be reminded to do so before you start the session. Also, if your internet connection isn’t fast and reliable, your experience will be miserable.

Bonus

Though I’ve been using an existing headset to go through the audio courses, I only just discovered a free headset tucked away in a compartment behind the set of CDs in that signature yellow Rosetta Stone box. Sweet!

Read Review Series: Rosetta Stone TOTALe – Part 1.

Pricing information

The entire program costs $1,199 per year and this includes unlimited online access to the three modules outlined above and an accompanying audio kit to use offline for learning the courses.

And now as part of the launch of TOTALe, Rosetta Stone is offering an introductory price of $999. Click here for more details on how to purchase the program.

Photo courtesy of Johan Larsson

Laptops may still be number one for most travel writers, but apps like these make it more doable to accomplish some pretty thorough work from your iPhone or Touch.

iPhone Apps for Writing and Editing

TextGuru

According to Brancipater Software, TextGuru is an “advanced, desktop class, multi-function text editor.” With this app, you can read and edit Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint docs, as well as PDF files, in landscape and portrait mode. TextGuru features cut, copy, and paste, find and replace, autosave, a search funtion, web previews, and email capabilities.

Price: $4.99

Photo by motoyen

My Writing Nook

This free web app and $1.99 iPhone app use Google’s App Engine infrastructure to allow writers to write and edit documents anyplace with Internet access. The concept is pretty much like Google Docs: just sign in with your Google account and start writing.

Both apps allow you to email the document, or save to your computer as an RTF. They even include a dictionary/thesaurus feature. And with the iPhone app, you can type in landscape mode, putting your thumbs to good use.

While most people, myself included, don’t like typing much more than a text message on a phone, I’ve found this to be a really great way to sneak in a little bit of writing when I have a few minutes to spare. Those little sessions add up to a decent word count at the end of the day!

Web app: Free

iPhone app: $1.99

NumberKey

When I got my first ever laptop – a clunky Compaq – I remember buying an external numeric keypad because not having one drove me nuts.

Photo by Balmuda Design

But NumberKey by Balmuda Design turns your iPhone into a keypad! The app uses wi-fi to function as a numeric keypad for your laptop – no USB or other connections necessary, just set your iPhone next to your laptop and you’re ready to go!

Before using, you need to download NumberKey Connect. Pretty cool app, particularly for use with spreadsheets and budget docs.

Price: $1.99

iPhone Apps for Blogging

Those who blog regularly know that short and sweet posts are essential; hardly anyone writes an long essay every day for their blog. And usually the best ideas for those quick posts come while your out. These apps for bloggers help you get a post up while you’re out, including pictures.

Wordpress

For bloggers using Wordpress, this free app works great. You can enter several blogs to manage, then post, add pics, and manage all pages and comments right on your iPhone.

The Wordpress app allows you to enter all parts of a post, including tags and categories. There are two versions available, Wordpress and Wordpress 2. I tried the first, and it worked just fine. However, the second didn’t recognize my blog and crashed on me.

Judging from the reviews, a lot of folks who switched from the first to the second had this problem. However, I’d recommend giving it a try – they’re both free, and the second seems to have a lot of great updates if you can get it to work!

Price: Free

Photo by Titanas

BlogPress

This app works with several blog platforms, including WordPress, Blogger, LiveJournal, TypePad, and Joomla. For the price, you get the ability to upload video from your YourTube account to your blog, uses a visual editor, and lets you send one post to multiple blogs, even on different platforms. A little higher price, but likely worthwhile.

Price: $2.99

iPhone Apps for Printing and Exporting Docs

Print n Share

This app is a great example of something that works exactly as promised. Within minutes of downloading Print n Share, I printed an email off of my iPhone onto a printer that my laptop wasn’t even connected to in the first place.

In order to work, you need to download WePrint helper software onto your computer, which is free. Once it’s installed, you can use Print n Share to print any files, emails, web pages, contacts, and images from your iPhone. I use this one frequently – it’s incredibly easy and super helpful.

Price: $6.99

Photo by philcampbell

Google Export

Another freebie that writers who use Google Docs have no reason not to download! Simply put, Google Export lets you browse and export your Google Docs as an email attachment. It’s free. It works. Not much else to say – if you’re a big Docs user, this is one to get!

Price: Free

iPhone apps for Notes and Research

iTalk Recorder

All writers know the rule; inspiration hits when you’ve got nothing to write with. Many learn to carry a little notebook around at all times, and Notes on the iPhone works well for jotting things down. But if it’s a big idea, sometimes those thumbs just don’t type fast enough!

iTalk Recorder is an easy-to-use voice recorder for vocal notes or interviews. Download the free iTalk Sync, and you can drag and drop them as AIFF files on your laptop. There are two versions available – try the Lite for free and see how it works for you!

Lite: Free

Premium: $1.99

Wikipanion

Yes, I know – Wikipedia doesn’t count as research. But I do use it, and often, and Wikipanion is a great way to navigate the site from my Touch. With the free version, you can bookmark (including individual sections), view history, and save images to your Photo library.

Price: Free

Know of any other iPhone apps freelance writers are missing out on? Share your favorites in the comments section!

Community Connection

Photo by Wesley Fryer

My sister who has been using their Italian program for the last couple of years swears by them, and a colleague who’s currently learning Russian once took me through a walk-through of the Rosetta Stone interface.

Though intrigued by this learning program, my constant on-the-go lifestyle meant packing up and carrying along language CDs all the time wasn’t practical. So when I was approached by Rosetta Stone to test out its new TOTALe ™ online integration learning program which allows you to access the program online from any location without carrying around CDs, I was totally on board.

Photo by Lola Akinmade

My language of choice? Swedish.

Why? I currently split time between Stockholm and the US and consider myself an advanced (word loosely used) beginner .

While Swedish is a relatively easy language to learn, what makes it super challenging are those “extra” pronunciations required to differentiate between words that are written exactly alike and sound exactly alike.

Confused yet?

Read about some of my Swedish language learning woes here.

Brief Overview

The Rosetta Stone TOTALe ™ program is a collection of three learning modules that can all be accessed online as long as you’ve got a steady internet connection, a laptop/desktop computer, and a headset for voice recognition and participation.

Its flagship, Rosetta Course™ provides all the audio guidance and learning programs guaranteed to get you up and running quickly in your new language of choice.

The Rosetta Studio™ allows you to practice what you’ve learned by engaging you in “structured conversations with learners at your level”. A way of building your confidence to verbally practice what you’ve learned.

Rosetta World™ allows you to play with your newly acquired language skills. Literally. You can play games, engage in chats, and other activities to help you apply your knowledge in everyday situations.

In this three part series review, I will be testing out each of the three components above, and providing some in-depth analyses on my experiences with this new Rosetta Stone program.

Part 1 – Rosetta Course™ Review

The first time you log on, it checks your system configuration. You will be required to download a “speech component” that allows for voice recognition. You also get to select your Simbo™ language.

According to Rosetta Stone,

Simbio™ language is your native language or the one you speak most fluently. In Simbio activities, you’ll exchange languages: practice with a native speaker, and help your partner practice your Simbio language.

Setting up my system and voice was a breeze, and I couldn’t wait to start a Level 1 course.

Pros

Right off the bat, I was totally taken by the layout and approach to learning Rosetta Course applies – large pictures with native words denoting each activity, action, noun, and such.

As we all know, children are most impressionable when it comes to quickly picking up languages at an early age through recognizing pictures and associating them to words, and Rosetta Stone, with its layout, aims to tap into that base natural way of learning.

I learn best by directly immersing myself into the language and in classroom settings, not by picking up books and learning on my own. This visual-auditory approach worked great for me, and instant feedback was given when I totally messed up the pronunciation of words.

The use of pictures meant I was always wanting and anticipating what the next visual cue would be. In short, I felt like a kid again, which opened up my mind to readily absorbing the repetitive native phrases that were being fed through the program.

If internet connections drop or you’re done for the day, TOTALe™ resumes where you left off the next time you log back into the system.

Cons (Sort of)

What I found a little confusing was some of the matching sequences where the words weren’t on the screen and I wasn’t sure what to do next. I suppose if I’d actually followed their introductory video before diving right it, I would have solved my own problem.

At first, I chucked it up to a slow Internet connection not loading the words, but once I figured out how that lesson was actually structured, it was smooth sailing from there.

Summary

At the end of each lesson, you get graded and scores are displayed back to you. All in all, I really enjoyed working with Rosetta Course ™.

The interactive, graphics-heavy approach to learning meant I never got bored and boredom is one of the key reasons a lot of people quickly abandon self-learning programs.

Stay tuned for Part 2 – RosettaSTUDIO ™ in the upcoming days.

Pricing information

The entire program costs $1,199 per year and this includes unlimited online access to the three modules outlined above and an accompanying audio kit to use offline for learning the courses.

And now as part of the launch of TOTALe, Rosetta Stone is offering an introductory price of $999. Click here for more details on how to purchase the program.

Feature photo by Extra Ketchup. Photo above by georgehotelling

Unlike newspapers and plastic bottles, there isn’t a green bin to hold your old cell phone or laptop out on the curb, waiting for a truck to carry them away. However, there are several quick and simple options for recycling or reusing electronics.

Choosing the right program for you depends on the type of gadget you have, its condition, and whether or not you want a financial bonus for your efforts at being green.

Get Cash for Used Gadgets

Unless your cell phone is completely trashed or from the forgotten time known as the 90’s, you might be able to score some cash for it. Of course, there’s always Ebay or Craigslist, but if you don’t want to go through the hassle of dealing with bids, there are a few other websites worth checking out.

Gazelle and BuyMyTronics are two great organizations that offer cash in exchange for electronics. Gazelle accepts a huge variety of toys, while BuyMyTronics focuses on iPhones and iPods, gaming consoles, and cell phones.

Just submit your gadget info on one of their sites to receive an instant price quote, ship it to the address, and you’ll receive a payment via PayPal (or a mailed check) within two days. It’s worth noting that, depending on the age and/or condition of your toy, you might receive a quote of $0.00.

Both Gazelle and BuyMyTronics will still accept and recycle the worthless gadget, and the warm fuzzies you get saving the world from brominated flame retardants will surely be worth more than a few dollars.

Take It Back

Many companies offer recycling programs for their products. Dell will recycle any of their products for free, and they’ll also recycle any computer at no additional cost with purchase of a new Dell.

Apple also offers free recycling with purchase of a new Mac, and offers a 10% discount on iPods when you bring an old one in to be recycled.

When you need to recycle, a quick check of the company’s website should be enough to see if they offer similar incentives.

Donate to Charity

Consider donating your gadget to charity if you feel like you’ve outgrown it. Someone else might find it useful. Be sure to wipe your hard drive before passing your computer (or any gadget) on to someone else.

Consider Recycling for Charities; an organization that accepts electronics through the mail, recycles them, and donates the profits to the charity of your choice. These donations are tax-deductible for you, making this option a win across the board.

If you have a PC or Mac still in good condition, the National Cristina Foundation might be able to use it in their program benefiting those with disabilities, students at risk, and the economically disadvantaged.

Donations may be submitted online, and are accepted at no cost outside of shipping.

Local Recycling Options

To find an electronic recycling business in your area, EcyclingCentral provides a handy map and detailed lists complete with addresses, phone numbers, and company websites.

Visit the U.S. Environmental Protection agency’s website for more help on finding the most convenient recycling option in your area.

Community Connection

To learn more about e-waste, read Julie Schwietert’s article, The Problem with E-Waste and take in the visual mass of e-waste in photographer Chris Jordan’s photo essay – Intolerable Beauty: Chris Jordan Photographs American Mass Consumption.

Photo courtesy of Laptops Arena

Here at Matador, we’ve reviewed many laptops, guided you through picking your perfect laptop, and showcased various lightweight alternatives.

For travel writers always on the go, Netbooks are more than sufficient for your writing and blogging needs. Throw in some photojournalism work which includes heavy photo editing and other graphics-related tasks, and you may be looking for something stronger.

At the end of this month, I’m leaving the 9-5 gig and transitioning into the role of fulltime freelance photojournalist. This meant assessing what I had in terms of technological support, upgrading any outdated kits, and investing in a new workhorse laptop to serve as a mobile home office.

Outlined below is a field guide to buying a new laptop including some essential questions you need to ask yourself.

What are others in your field using?

While the laptop someone else uses may not be the best option for you, there are a range of netbooks and laptops that fellow writers and photographers have been using for months and absolutely swear by.

I perused the Matador Network archives and also I hit up Google with a quick search phrase “Best Laptops for Photographers”. Because processing photographs and RAW files take up more memory than working with mostly text, I was looking for solutions specifically geared towards photojournalists.

By reading different reviews and opinions, I was able to boil down the list to the following brands: Apple, HP, Sony, and Lenovo.

What do you need in terms of features and functionality?

With the top four brands for photographers in hand, I began developing a list of minimum functionality. While Apple brands are extremely popular among creative types, it fell off the list because of years of experience with PC platforms.

This decision was based solely on my comfort level, thus bringing the list down to: HP, Sony, and Lenovo.

During my career, compiling code and connecting to large geospatial databases meant getting used to a certain level of processing speed, RAM and memory requirements.

So my rough list had only 3 important items on it:

• Speed – Nothing less than Intel Quad processors
• DVD Rewritable drive – Because even the best laptops don’t come with DVD drives and this requirement can inadvertently slip through the cracks
• USB ports galore – With two external hard drives, a Logitech headset, a mouse, USB printer and much more, I wanted to be able to connect my peripherals all at once.

By listing out features you absolutely need, this also limits the various models left for your review.

What extras would you like?

Once the base list was written down and finalized, I started thinking of nice features to have such as amped up graphics cards, extra hard drive space, and much more.

For months, investing in a Wacom drawing graphics tablet for maintaining my comic strip – Office Supplies – The Comic, was always on the back of my mind.

By this point, my choices were down to Sony and Lenovo having already filtered out HP based on graphics technology, other nice-to-have features, and the level of Adobe RGB color gamut support I needed.

Then I discovered the Lenovo Elite ThinkPad W700.

What made this particular model attractive was its built-in Wacom digitizing tablet which would support the comic strip. This meant not having to lug around an additional peripheral device.

I was instantly hooked.

Photo courtesy of Digital Photography Review

How much are you willing to pay?

It ultimately boils down to how much are you able to dole out on a pricey new system without pulling out all your savings. With the Lenovo ThinkPad W700 starting at $1,799 (basic features only), you can easily run upwards of $4,000-$5,000 for a complete configuration customized to suit your taste.

Ouch.

With a clear budget in mind (way less than $2,000), and finally having to dip into lean savings (double ouch), I was able to customize the ideal solution for my needs while keeping the overall purchase way less than $3,000.

The order has finally been placed and I’m currently keeping my fingers crossed, hoping that the Lenovo ThinkPad would truly be the perfect mobile office for this photojournalist.

Read more reviews of the Lenovo ThinkPad W700. Lenovo also offers an online outlet store where you can purchase refurbished laptops at half the price.

What laptop do you currently have and why did you choose it? Please share with us below

Feature Photo by dreamglow. Photo above by letsputphotographsontheinternet.

Well, that’s what the Japanese manufacturers claim.

Regardless of your beauty goals, the beauty and hygiene aisle in Japanese pharmacies and department shops will never bore you.

Whitening creams

I’ve noticed that whitening products have a big market in Asia where lighter skin is considered a sign of beauty. The Japanese Olay brand carries white radiance, a moisturizer to lighten your skin by breaking down melanin with hydroquinone ( a chemical I saw in radiology class). There are also whitening pills to make you “fairer”.

Photo credit: Hannari-Ya

Nightingale bird poop (Uguisu No Fun)

It’s reputed that the poop of the pretty Nightingale bird has an enzyme which is considered to lighten and even out your complexion.

Traditional geishas and kabuki performers have used this stuff to remove heavy makeup and nourish their complexions.

If you’re brave enough to try it, the Chidoriya brand carries it in powder form which you reconstitute with water and use as a face mask.

Face slimming

A small and slender face size is prettier than one that is huge—or so many Japanese believe. The Akaishi brand makes a face slimming roller that massages the face, rendering it free of facial edema and the double chin. Kogao Sukiri makes face slimming stickers which claim to magically slim your chubby cheeks. There’s also a Kogao Sauna mask which makes your face lose weight by sweating it out.

Eye glue

This glue creates a double eye lid or an eye lid crease. A small plastic “fork” is included in the packet to push and pull the eye lid skin until you’ve got a crease height that you like. I shudder to think of people doing this in with their rear view mirrors, while driving late to work. For those who find glue to be cumbersome, there’s also eye lid tape that does the same thing.

Feature Photo by kalandrakas.

Big eye contacts

If you find the look of baby eyes irresistible or want gigantic anime character eyes, buy some Big Eye Contacts by Acuvue.

Popular in Korea and Japan, these are designed to enlarge your irises like the baby eyes you once had.

Pore cleansing stick

If you’re obsessed with pore cleanliness, this stick made by Dahoo is for you. There’s a pocket for your index finger as you rub the abrasive surface on every single visible blackhead. .

Collagen marshmallows

Perfect for combining a love of marshmallows with a collagen needle injection. Made by the Eiwa brand, a pack costs approximately 200 yen, and the marshmallows have a light grape fruit flavor and decent texture. Eiwa claims they have a similar effect of the injections without the pain.

F cup cookies

F cups seem a lofty ambition for most breast enhancement products, particularly one that comes in the form of tasty cookies. Pueraria Mirifica, a Thai herb is the magic estrogenic ingredient in these cookies which come in chocolate praline or soymilk flavors.

Directions say to eat 1-2 daily with a disclaimer that overdosing causes loose bowels. If you absolutely can’t wait to try them, they’re sold on Ebay, along with F-cup tea, to go along with the cookies.

Pink nipple cream

Its packaging is girly pink and sports a childish cartoon image of a breast with a pink round nipple. It claims to turn brown nipples peachy pink. The idea is enhanced by the addition of peach leaf extract to the product.

Foot peel pack

If you’ve never given your neglected backpacker’s feet a “facial”, the Foot Peel Pack is like a day spa for your feet. There’s a pair of pre-medicated plastic socks with a liquid to slough off all those dead skin cells that you’ve accumulated over the years.

In an hour, emerge with feet as soft as a baby’s.

Mimikaki, the ear picker

Nothing can be a better bonding experience than picking each other’s ears. Mimikaki is a skinny piece of bamboo stick with a spoon like end that scoops out the earwax.

It usually comes with a second stick with a feather pom pom end to dust away “crumbs”. Performing “mimikaki” service is quite common between husbands and wives.

These wooden devices are rather cute—the scooping stick has a small Daruma-like classical figurine, and the Hello Kitty brand makes one in pink. If you’re hooked, the more modern plastic model has spiral-like ridges on the device, for extra trapping potential.

Feature Photo by S Baker. Photo Above by respres

For travelers chronicling their journeys through words and pictures, amassing tons of data without a storage safety net to rely on is risky. There are several ways to keep your data safely tucked away in an online cubbyhole.

As you’re reviewing various options, here are some factors to consider:

Space – How much do you need?

Cost – Storing data shouldn’t mean shredding cash.

While there are sites designed specifically for hosting photos or videos, this piece covers what do you do with the rest of your data.

Photo by adria richard

E-mail

If your needs are basic, the simplest solution is to e-mail files to yourself. Most free e-mail accounts come with plenty of free storage if you just want to keep copies of critical documents.

A scan of your passport, birth certificate and other personal information can easily be organized in a folder and accessed whenever you need it.

Use it if your needs are minimal and you’re good at keeping your passwords secure (which is pretty important in any event).

Lose it if you need to store hundreds of files in a flexible, organized way.

Free File Storage

Several companies promote free file storage. Some may be around for decades, but do you really want to trust that?

File sharing sites like Megaupload and RapidShare offer great features but have speed and other restrictions for their free users. You should also be wary of any software a site asks you to install.

Fortunately, two giants in the data industry are diving into the storage business.

For a free service, Microsoft Skydrive has some great qualities. 25Gb of free storage, albeit with some limitations. While the file system is intuitive, you have to select files to upload one at a time.

No uploading of entire folders which is a deal breaker for most purposes. Another limitation is a max 50Mb file size, so uploading that HD movie of you sledding down the Spanish Steps on a piece of plywood ain’t gonna work.

The long-rumored Google storage service, Gdrive, is supposedly coming soon and may be worth the wait. As in most areas that Google has jumped into, expect them to be very competitive and probably push beyond the limits of Microsoft’s service.

Use it if you have several large files and don’t mind uploading them a few at a time

Lose it if you have huge files, like movie clips, or want to save hundreds of files at once

Full Back-ups and Syncing

If you want to be ready for catastrophic failure and keep your online storage sync’d with your computer, you need a back-up service. Most of these will automatically back-up all of your data whenever you’re connected, updating any files that are new or changed.

Some allow easy access to your files from any internet connected computer or your mobile device, some are useful only for a full restore if your computer dies or disappears.

For a full drive, the first sync could take days even with a fast connection, but you can pick and choose fewer files and folders to include.

While many of these companies offer “free” services, the free limit of 2Gb or less makes that unattractive. With a subscription, however, you have a great way to keep all your data safe in case of disaster.

Here are some of the more popular options:

• Mozy: Unlimited storage, automatic syncs. $54.45 per year
• Carbonite: It worked for Jabba the Hutt, why not you? Unlimited storage, automatic syncs, file access from any online computer; $54.95 per year
• Livedrive: In addition to data sync, it includes ftp support and individual file access, accessible from any connected mobile device. Approx. $65 per year for 100Gb
• Dropbox: Syncs your computer and allows easy access to individual files as well as easy file sharing with friends. Pricier at $120 per year for 50Gb

Use it if you want to have an online copy of everything to protect yourself

Lose it if you think spending a few bucks is too much for peace of mind or your spotty internet connection makes you weep at the thought of syncing your entire 160Gb drive

Your Web Host

If you already have a website with your own hosting account and are enough of a tech geek to set up private ftp access, it can be very cost effective to use an existing web host. One advantage here is that you’ll have your files nearby if you want to move one to your website for public download.

Use it If you’re already paying for a web host with plenty of room to spare

Lose it If programming anything beyond a microwave oven challenges you. You’ll be working without tech support in most cases.

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/remote-data-storage-options-for-travelers/feed/ 1 http://matadorgoods.com/10-gadgets-to-unleash-your-inner-james-bond/ http://matadorgoods.com/10-gadgets-to-unleash-your-inner-james-bond/#comments Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:20:51 +0000 Michelle Schusterman http://matadorgoods.com/?p=2486 Introducing real-life gadgets that trounce some of 007’s most outrageous toys.

Photo by bionicteaching.

Some of the gadgets featured in Bond films have been laughed off as ridiculous in the past.
A laser watch? Invisible cars? Please…

But this list of real-life tech goodies tops some of 007’s most outrageous toys.

Avatar Digital Spy Camera

China Vasion gives us this handy gadget which is a cross between a telescope and a digital camera and features a 2.5 inch LCD screen and a 2MP monocular lens.

The amazing 40x digital zoom lets you capture distant shots and video in great detail.

Other specs include a mini-USB port, a built-in e-book reader, a standard media player, and 1GB of internal memory.

Price: $128.06 | View Site

Flameless USB Lighter

Designed by Nathan Gabriele, this lighter uses resistance coils to generate heat, lighting cigarettes without flames or fluid.

This technology is already used in car lighters.

On the other end of this lighter is a USB port which allows data transfer with internal flash memory. Useful for those situations where you need to download files secretly while your nemesis is searching for his cigars.

The Moshi Voice Activated Alarm Clock

Chucking your alarm clock across the room isn’t very suave. Why not command it to go into snooze mode instead?

The Moshi Alarm Clock responds to voice control to set both time and alarm, and is officially endorsed by the World Blind Union.

Your Moshi can tell you (literally, it has a voice too) the current temperature of the room, the date, and can change its lighting at your request.

The Moshi alarm will turn off at the sound of your voice, no matter how incoherent, meaning you don’t need to budge to stop the sound.

Price: $50 | View Site

LG Watch Phone

The LG GD910 Touch Watch Phone is one of the slickest new gadgets out there.

If the stereo Blue-tooth technology and camera for video conferences aren’t enough, the mp3 player, 3G HSDPA technology, voice recognition, and text to speech features make this an ultra-modern device worthy of 007.

Price: € 899 ($1,290) | View Site

Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard

Despite the amazing advances in touch screen technology, typing a lengthy email on a phone or PDA can be annoying.

Imagine pulling out your bluetooth enabled Blackberry and this handy little device barely bigger than a matchbook…and having a full size standard keyboard instantly displayed on the surface in front of you.

This tiny laser virtual keyboard projects a keyboard onto any flat surface, and even provides key click sounds to accompany your typing.

With a rechargeable battery for two hours of continuous typing and its futuristic look, the laser keyboard is sure to catch the eyes of your fellow cafe patrons.

Stash Card Secret Laptop Drawer

This isn’t exactly high-tech but it is pretty clever.

Wireless Garden presents a drawer designed to fit the PC card slot in your laptop perfectly, giving you a convenient place to hide keys, credit cards, stamps, cash, and incriminating photos.

Price: $9.95 | View Site

 

Memorize Written Data with the C Pen

The C Pen looks like a fat digital highlighter, but what it actually does makes it even cooler. Push the activation button on the side and slide the pen over any line of text as if you’re highlighting.

The C Pen captures the text (up to 2,000 pages at a time) and stores it into its memory, ready for you to transfer onto your computer via an IR port. You can even paste the copied text into Word or Excel.

Not sweet enough? How about this: the C Pen has a language translator, with the ability to translate any word in English to (or from) German, French, Italian, and Swedish.

So ideally, you can scan an article from Le Monde and have it translated into English, all on this nifty little gadget.

The C Pen also allows you to edit and make changes. The plagiarism potential here is astounding, but overall this seems like it could be a very useful toy.

Prices vary based on specification: the C Pen is available in Hosted (PC, Mac, etc.) or Standalone models.

Price: $170-$250 I View Site

Solar Powered Laptop Case

Voltaic Systems has an eco-friendly and convenient way to charge your laptop.

The Generator contains a solar panel that generates up to 15 watts using 20% efficient cells, along with a custom battery pack for conversion.

The battery will charge in around five hours, and the case will also charge cell phones and many other gadgets.

The Generator is made from water resistant recycled materials, making this a great choice for environmentally conscious Bond imitators.

Check their website first to make sure your laptop will charge in the Generator; Apple, Dell, HP, IBM/Lenovo, and Panasonic laptops usually get good results.

Voltaic also offers solar powered backpacks and messenger bags.

Price: $499 | View Site

Car Key Security Camera

Snap a few stealthy photos with this clever spy camera from Brando.

This fake car key has 2GB of memory, with a color video resolution of 640 x 480 and an image resolution of 1280 x 960 pixels.

For the same price and specs, try Brando’s key chain security camera.

Price: $66 | View Site

The sQuba Car

Based on the Lotus Esprit Bond took for a dive in the 1977 classic The Spy Who Loved Me, Rinspeed’s sQuba car is a fully submersible, all-electric convertible with an onboard breathing system that enables passengers to breathe with a design similar to scuba gear.

The sQuba’s two extra engines are used to run a pair of screw drives, which, combined with jet drives that ‘breathe’ through special rotating louvers, help the car maneuver underwater.

Rinspeed had the foresight to include a salt-water resistant interior and a laser sensor system for driverless motoring.

The sQuba is a zero-emission car, making this environmentally friendly automobile, not to mention insanely cool.

Price: Not in a million years | View Site

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/10-gadgets-to-unleash-your-inner-james-bond/feed/ 5 http://matadorgoods.com/6-gadgets-to-make-your-life-greener/ http://matadorgoods.com/6-gadgets-to-make-your-life-greener/#comments Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:06:54 +0000 Michelle Schusterman http://matadorgoods.com/?p=2348 There’s been a lot of recent talk about e-waste and mass consumption, and their effect on the environment.

Photo courtesy of Chris Jordan

If you are a gadget-geek but want to reduce your carbon footprint, try these six gadgets for a greener life.

D-Link’s 8-port Switch

The DGS-2208 uses eco-friendly technology to help you reduce power consumption you may not realize you’re using. The D-Link automatically detects idle ports on your computer equipment and reduces the power usage, saving energy and money.

This device is particularly great for offices (public and home) where computers are used for over eight hours a day. In some situations, the D-Link has been able to save up to 40% of the power used in these conditions.

Installation is easy and no configuration is required.

Price: $44.99 | BUY

What’s Fresh

It’s no secret that eating local is good for your body and the planet. This handy little app will help you track down seasonal fruits anywhere in the U.S.

What’s Fresh lists in season fruits and veggies, provides a calendar and lets you know whether products are produced fresh or in a greenhouse, and is constantly updating more foods into its database.

Price: $1.99 | BUY from iTunes

Wind Powered Battery Charger

Solar power is catching on in popularity, but how about wind power? The HYmini, a hybrid universal charger, captures renewable wind and solar power and combines it with wall plug power to charge most 5V gadgets.

A breeze over 9 mph will get the battery charging in just 20-40 minutes. This charger is great for cell phones, mp3 players, iPods, and cameras.

Price: $74.98 | BUY

Light Powered Mobile Phone Charging Sleeve

The Powcell Charging Sleeve, made by MotionTouch, charges up your iPhone or Blackberry via light power. The photovoltaic cells on the back suck up energy from nearby light sources, feeding it straight to your phone.

Ideally, if a phone lives in this sleeve, it never needs charging.

Meaning there’s no more need for AC outlets, saving both energy and money on your electric bill.

Bio-Recyclable USB Drive

Designed with recycled and biodegradable material, the ATP EarthDrive is also shockproof, waterproof, and dust-proof, making it a highly durable USB drive.

Its capacities range from 1GB to 8GB, and security software is built in for password protection.

ATP has partnered with the American Forest Foundation and donates a share of their revenues to planting trees.

Price: $15.99 | BUY

 

Iqua BHS-603 SUN Bluetooth Headset by Orange

If you’re addicted to Bluetooth, Try Iqua SUN, the worlds first solar powered Bluetooth headset.

At just 14 grams, the tiny headset fits into your ear without needing a hook, and draws energy from the sun to charge.

The Iqua SUN will stay powered and ready to go through nine hours of total darkness.

Price: $34.56 | BUY

Community Connection

For more on the environmental impact of consumerism, check out Chris Jordan’s photo essay, and read up on the problem with E-waste.

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/6-gadgets-to-make-your-life-greener/feed/ 0 http://matadorgoods.com/photo-essay-taking-two-small-bags-around-world/ http://matadorgoods.com/photo-essay-taking-two-small-bags-around-world/#comments Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:21:48 +0000 Lola Akinmade http://matadorgoods.com/?p=2113 Fly Brother blog is currently on a comprehensive round the world journey that would see him trek through Cairo, Istanbul, and Alice Springs.]]> Ernest White II of the popular Fly Brother blog is currently on a comprehensive round the world journey that would see him trek through Cairo, Istanbul, and Alice Springs. Through photographs, he has shared his packing process so he never has to check in any luggage.

1.“August 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. My 15-year-old brother’s room (which I have commandeered for the two months I’ve been home). With the help of Fly Mother and some Zip-Lock bags, I’m all packed for three months on the road….”…..Fly Brother

Observe

2.That would be one dress shirt and a pair of khakis, some jeans, 6 pair of draws, four pair of socks, 3 white tees, swim trunks, gym shorts, four short-sleeve t-shirts, two long-sleeve tees, and a pair of size-13 loafers

.

3.Taking one pair of loafers…

4.…stuffed with socks for saving space.

5.Rolling up clothes significantly saves space.

7.…as well as vacuum packing clothes…

8.Ziplock bags are great for packing underwear.

9.All apparel packed. Now on to accessories….

10.Essentials for the trip include a laptop, 3 guidebooks, 2 notebooks, camera, toiletries, and other miscellaneous items..

11.…all packed into this small backpack

12.Ta-Da! Now set for a trip around the world.

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/photo-essay-taking-two-small-bags-around-world/feed/ 3 http://matadorgoods.com/how-to-access-your-home-data-while-traveling/ http://matadorgoods.com/how-to-access-your-home-data-while-traveling/#comments Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:37:20 +0000 Elmer Thomas http://matadorgoods.com/?p=2293 Reducing what you take when you travel not only saves your shoulders from having to lug them around, it also drastically minimizes the chances of loss, theft or damage.

Feature photo by **msk. Photo Above by DeclanTM

Anyone who travels frequently has probably built a lengthy list of tips and tricks to help minimize the bulk of items they need to take with them.

Nowadays, many people carry a laptop along, but even the most robust desktop replacement versions have hard drives that pale in comparison to a desktop-class external hard drive for storing data. Many technologies such as external hard drives that were developed for corporate America have seen their fruits trickle down into the home market.

While one might assume I’m suggesting you carry an external drive with you, I’m introducing a more efficient way of accessing all your files while on the road.

In a business environment, it wouldn’t make sense to attach an external hard drive to every workstation especially when sharing data is essential, so Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices were created. NAS devices are external hard drives that plug into a router via Ethernet cables, allowing authorized users on the network access to the same data.

Hard drive manufacturer Western Digital rolled out two feature-packed NAS devices called the My Book World Edition (2 terrabytes in size) and the My Book World Edition II that does everything a NAS device should do.

One of the most interesting features for travelers is the My Book’s built-in remote access technology called MioNet.

Simply load the MioNet software onto your laptop or NetBook and have instant access to everything you keep stored at home or in the office, whenever you want it, wherever you happen to be.

Installation is a breeze and using the software is extremely intuitive. Additionally, with as much as 2 terabytes (TB) of storage capacity, you can keep thousands of photos, tons of home movies, enough music to fill your ears for weeks and all the other important documents you need with instant access anywhere.

If you travel often and need to access your digital data on a regular basis, stop hauling it around with you on an external hard drive, and opt for instant remote access to your digital data, all kept securely at home.

Do you have any data related travel tips? Please share them below.

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/how-to-access-your-home-data-while-traveling/feed/ 11 http://matadorgoods.com/10-reasons-why-a-scarf-is-a-must-pack/ http://matadorgoods.com/10-reasons-why-a-scarf-is-a-must-pack/#comments Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:41:42 +0000 Luisa Sperry http://matadorgoods.com/?p=2209 There are two things I never travel without. One is a journal in which to record my thoughts while away from home. The other is a scarf.

Feature Photo by bfick. Photo above by occam

A scarf is a great multi-purpose item for when you’re trying to pack light. Here’s why.

Fashion

No doubt your clothing will not see a washing machine and iron very often on the road. A scarf can help spruce up a suffering wardrobe.

Sleeping Sheet

Lay a scarf on your bed to cover those questionable looking stains on guest house sheets. It won’t help with the bed bugs though.

Picnic Blanket/ Beach Towel

Unless you’re planning to stay at The Four Seasons in every country you visit where they supply luxurious lounge chairs, you’ll appreciate packing something to relax on.

Photo by Giorgio Montersino.

Temperature Control

A scarf in a lightweight material like linen or cotton can actually help you stay cool in warmer climates. And, of course, you can wear it as a shawl to stay warm when the temperature drops.

Perfect for chilly nights around the campfire.

Modesty

Donning a scarf instantly makes your attire more appropriate and can be especially useful if you plan on visiting religious sites. Wat Pho, home of the reclining Buddha in Bangkok, even keeps scarves on hand to lend to visitors to the temple.

Bag

Buy more at the market than will fit into your backpack? Place your treasures in the middle of a scarf and tie up the corners for a makeshift bag.

Culture

Many cultures have a distinctive scarf or sarong that epitomizes local style (think of a kanga in Tanzania or kroma in Cambodia). Pick up your own to blend in with the locals or bring one to your home-stay family as a gift.

Photo by iwantarosegarden.

Towel

It may not be as absorbent as your mini Quick Dry towel, but in a pinch, you can use a scarf to dry off after a shower. And it will really come in handy after that impromptu skinny dip in the Gulf of Thailand.

Camouflage

Although it may make you feel like a tourist instead of a traveler, wearing a camera around your neck is convenient. Draping a scarf around your neck conceals a camera hanging there.

Breathe Easy

Tie a scarf around your mouth and nose to keep yourself from inhaling dust and vehicle exhaust on those bumpy rides on dirt roads.

Bonus points for looking like a bandit from the Wild West.

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/10-reasons-why-a-scarf-is-a-must-pack/feed/ 10 http://matadorgoods.com/gift-ideas-unusual-intellectual-and-downright-scary-walking-tou%e2%80%8frs/ http://matadorgoods.com/gift-ideas-unusual-intellectual-and-downright-scary-walking-tou%e2%80%8frs/#comments Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:41:08 +0000 Michelle Schusterman http://matadorgoods.com/?p=1978 Consider treating your favorite traveler to a gift certificate for a walking tour of their next destination.

Feature Photo: Bulldog Tours. Photo above: Lola Akinmade

While some folks live for getting lost in a new place and discovering a new culture by diving in headfirst without a map or a plan, others need a bit more guidance.

With the wide range of tours available all over the world, from the philosophical to the haunted, there’s bound to be one to please any traveler.

Walking Seminars

Photo courtesy of Context Tours

For the intellectually curious traveler, Context Travel offers a wide variety of walking seminars that range from three hours to all day events.

According to their mission: “In an age of Disneyland and Club Med, we are dedicated to the experience of real places.”

Each group of no more than six people is led by a Ph.D. level scholar or historian. Tours offered include an interesting variety of topics such as archaeology, cuisine, theology, architecture, and art.

Context tours are currently available in New York, Philadelphia, Paris, London, Rome, Florence, Venice, Naples, and Istanbul.

Photography Tours

Photo courtesy of Shutter Tours

Whether a beginner or expert, any photographer would enjoy a tour aimed specifically at improving their craft.

Led by local city experts and photographers, the tours take you to the best spots in town all the while providing tips on how to get that perfect shot.

A great example is Shutter Tours in Seattle, Washington. Each guide is an award-winning photographer who teaches lessons designed to improve your skills.

This tour also focuses on a few “out of the way surprises” that many people miss out on with other tours.

Ghost Tours

Photo courtesy of Wellington Movie Tours

Almost any city will have its ghost stories and several proudly offer tours for the paranormal fanatic.

The Ghosts of Georgetown Walking Tour explores the haunts and dark alleys of DC.

The family-friendly tour guides may just lead your group in a seance, read your future with Tarot, and cast a voodoo spell on disbelievers.

Most people picture a palm tree lined coast when they think of Key West, but the tour guides for The Ghosts & Legends of Key West beg to differ.

This 90 minute tour educates the visitor on the more eerie aspects of Old Town including pirate lore, haunted mansions, and voodoo rituals.

Movie Tours

Photo courtesy of Bulldog Tours

If a movie was filmed there, you can bet there’s probably a tour available.

One of the more well-known movie tours is the Harry Potter tour led by London Walks.

Visit Platform 9 3/4, the Knight Bus Bridge, and Gringotts Banks, and all of the 23 different London settings that appear in the Harry Potter movies.

London Walks offers several other walks including their world-renowned Jack the Ripper tour.

And speaking of blockbusters, any Lord of the Rings (LOTR) geek would love to trudge the road to Mordor with Wellington Movie Tours in New Zealand.

The tour hits over a dozen spots from famous LOTR scenes, and the guides provide behind the scenes facts and information about local filming projects.

Seedy Tours

Some cities only want to showcase the polished neighborhoods, but others offer a glimpse into the gritty side that every town possesses.

The Dark Side of Charleston Walking Tour gives visitors a look at the murders and scandals that taint the past of the “Holy City”.

Brothels, prostitutes, and other sordid affairs make this tour R-rated (travelers under 17 not admitted without parental consent).

Mysteries of Paris leads visitors into the darker parts of the city. Their “Dark Tours in the City of Lights” include info on the Knights Templar, alchemists, satanic conspiracies, the last night of Jim Morrison, and medieval serial killers.

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/gift-ideas-unusual-intellectual-and-downright-scary-walking-tou%e2%80%8frs/feed/ 4 http://matadorgoods.com/choosing-the-right-sanitizer-for-you/ http://matadorgoods.com/choosing-the-right-sanitizer-for-you/#comments Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:48:47 +0000 Michelle Schusterman http://matadorgoods.com/?p=1975 Between an increase in PDA and cell phone use, more people jumping on board with public transportation, and recent flu scares, the need for a good portable sanitizer is more in demand than ever.

Photo by Muffet

But with the vast selection out there, which is best for you? Here’s our pick of some of the best sanitizing wipes, gels, and sprays.

Gels

If regular disinfectant gels dry your skin out, try Avant Instant Hand Sanitizer. This gel is as effective as Purell, killing 99.99% of germs, but thanks to vitamin A and E enrichment, your hands won’t pay the price of cleanliness with flaky, dry skin.

EO Hand Sanitizer, an organic plant-based gel, is also great for sensitive skin. The organic lavender essential oil is soothing while the non-GMO alcohol sanitizes as well as any chemical gel.

Wipes

For those with sensitive skin, Aroma Essence Towlettes are biodegradable and use no perfumes or detergents. Each towlette contains natural ingredients like tea tree oil and lavender and orange extracts that refresh and soothe your skin.

Aroma Essence Towlettes

Ever sat on a plane thinking you’d give just about anything for a shower?

These organic towelettes by Giovanni are good for an all-over body lift. Pack them in your carry-on, backpack, purse, diaper bag – so you can feel refreshed no matter where you are.

Don’t forget your cell phone! Gadgets like phones, laptops, and mp3 players are a breeding ground for bacteria.

Keep your gear clean and germ-free with these Wireless Wipes which are fast-drying to prevent moisture damage.

Sprays

For anyone looking for a greener spray, CleanWell’s Natural Hand Sanitizer is the way to go. The natural ingredients are non-toxic, alcohol-free, and made from rapidly renewable resources.

A bottle of this Organic Rosemary and Mint Hand Sanitizing Spray by EO is not just eco-friendly (and heaven scented). It’s part of the Teens Turning Green coalition; a national movement of young adults advocating for changes that will create a safer environment and a healthier lifestyle.

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/choosing-the-right-sanitizer-for-you/feed/ 4 http://matadorgoods.com/7-mountaineering-essentials/ http://matadorgoods.com/7-mountaineering-essentials/#comments Sat, 08 Aug 2009 12:42:35 +0000 David DeFranza http://matadorgoods.com/?p=1960 gear for winter camping and the essentials for backcountry travel, there are only a few additional items you need to get started mountaineering.]]> Once you have the gear for winter camping and the essentials for backcountry travel, there are only a few additional items you need to get started mountaineering.

What is all this stuff? Photo: mckaysavage

1. Plastic Double Boots

Customized plastic mountaineering boots.
Photo: ddefranza

Boots featuring a waterproof plastic shell and soft insulated inner-bootie have become the standard for mountaineers around the world.

While these boots tend to be stiff and heavy, they are very warm, provide adequate support for climbing glaciers, snow slopes, and ice walls, and allow you to dry the inner-boot in your sleeping bag at night.

When buying plastic boots, make certain that they fit comfortably in the store. Because the shell is stiff, they do not conform to your foot, or “break in,” like other boots and shoes will.

Wear the thick socks you plan to wear while mountaineering and make sure the boots do not constrict your feet or have any edges that rub or pinch uncomfortably.

2. Mountaineering Harness

Black Diamond Alpine Bod Harness.

There may not be any technical climbing planned for your mountaineering trip, but a basic harness is still a common necessity.

Mountaineers use ropes to protect themselves on exposed sections where a gust of wind or a slip on the snow or ice could be catastrophic, and you need a harness to tie into these ropes.

A rope and harness is also necessary for any sort of glacier travel.

If you have a climbing harness, chances are you can just use that for mountaineering. If you don’t, or your normal climbing harness is missing a few important features, you can get a simple mountaineering harness for under $40.

Features to look for include adjustable leg loops and a long waistband to accommodate bulky winter layers.

Price: $37.95 | Black Diamond Alpine Bod Harness

3. Crampons

Black Diamond Sabretooth Pro Crampons.

Ice is slippery. To safely travel up a frozen mountain, you need more traction than the typical boot can provide. That’s where crampons come in.

For general mountaineering, 12-point crampons with a flexible instep are ideal.

They allow you to use every part of your boot when stepping, but bend to make walking easy.

Horizontal front points, as opposed to the vertically oriented ones used on ice-climbing crampons, are best for snow and low-angle ice travel.

Price: $159.95 | Black Diamond Sabretooth Pro

4. Piolet

Black Diamond Raven Pilet Ice Ax.

The piolet is the classic mountaineering ice ax. Climbers use it as a support on steep terrain, to self arrest in the event of a fall, and to chop steps in snow and ice.

Ice climbers have become fond of short, radically-curved, leashless ice tools, and for good reason: They are carefully engineered for the extreme demands of vertical ice climbing.

Mountaineers, however, are better off with a traditional straight-shafted ax, tethered to their wrist with a long leash to protect against dropping.

Price: $69.93 | Black Diamond Raven Pro Ice Axe

5. Helmet

Black Diamond Half Dome Helmet.

A helmet is absolutely necessary while mountaineering to protect your head from falling ice and rock, as well as dropped gear.

Because it needs to protect you from falling objects and not the force of impact, it isn’t a good idea to use your bike helmet while climbing.

Instead, look for a specialized helmet with a hard shell and adjustable suspension system that fits when you’re wearing a winter hat.

Price: $59.95 | Black Diamond Half Dome Climbing Helmet

6. Goggles and Sun Protection

Sun, wind, and reflective snow all combine to create a dangerous environment for your skin and eyes. A good pair of UV-protective goggles, matched with sunscreen and SPF lip balm are important tools to prevent snow blindness and painful sunburns.

Price: $85.00 | Around Excel Goggles by Julbo

Price: $9.78 | NO-AD Maximum Sunblock Lotion, SPF 45, 16 Ounces

Price: $9.95 | Dermatone Skin Protector Maxi Tin SPF23 (0.88oz)

7. Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills

Required reading for every mountaineer.

Though it’s probably too heavy to bring up the mountain, Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills is the ultimate reference for novice mountaineers and experts alike.

Offering over 500 double-columned pages of mountain wisdom, this book will become your go-to resource for every question that pops up along your journey towards alpine mastery.

Price: $19.77 | Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/7-mountaineering-essentials/feed/ 1 http://matadorgoods.com/10-cheap-or-free-iphone-apps-for-travelers/ http://matadorgoods.com/10-cheap-or-free-iphone-apps-for-travelers/#comments Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:22:23 +0000 Michelle Schusterman http://matadorgoods.com/?p=1885 iPhone apps for travelers article, countless more have been created. These latest travel apps range from quirky to ridiculously helpful.]]> Since we last recommended iPhone apps for travelers, countless more have been created. These latest travel apps range from quirky to ridiculously helpful.

1. Skype

All you need is a wifi hotspot to make Skype-to-Skype calls free from your iPhone. The rates for calls to mobiles and landlines (both national and international) are affordable. You can also keep track of who’s online to send and receive instant messages.

Skype offers both pay as you go credit plans or a subscription that offers unlimited calls to landlines and cell phones (in some countries).

Price: FREE

2. Cheap Gas

This app, created by OPIS (Oil Price Information Service), gives you a head start on the hunt for the best gas prices. Cheap gas uses the iPhone 3G’s GPS feature to find the ten gas stations in your area with the cheapest prices.

For the more discerning gas customer, Cheap Gas offers an advanced search function to specify zip code and type of fuel (unleaded, premium unleaded, or diesel).

Price: FREE

3. Saucy Phrasebook

This language app by SoSauce is a little different from the rest. Rather than asking where the bathroom is, the Saucy Phrasebook contains such useful phrases as “I drank too much and I’m going to puke” and “Help! I just got swindled!”

Each phrase is recorded in Mandarin, French, Hindi, Japanese, Spanish, and Russian by native speakers.

Price: FREE

4. Flight Track Pro

This app tops our list as far as price goes, but if you’re a frequent flyer, reviewers claim Flight Track Pro is well worth the price of a pizza. When you book your flight, simply forward your confirmation email to plans@tripit.com, and your itinerary will appear automatically on your iPhone.

Flight Track Pro keeps you up to date on your flight status, airport delays and closures, gate numbers, and the weather forecast for your final destination.

Price: $9.99

5. goPostal

For $1.29 in postage costs, you can send an actual personalized postcard via the U.S. Postal Service. Simply select a picture from your iPhone, add a message, and send to any address in your phone book. The postcard will arrive within 24 hours.

These postcards make for a great, affordable souvenir without taking up luggage space.

Price: FREE (plus cost of postage)

6. Find Internet Cafe

For those that need wi-fi served along with their latte, the Find Internet Cafe app…well, does this really require an explanation? The app automatically detects your location and offers a list of closest internet cafes, complete with an interactive map, driving directions, the phone number for the business, and the cafe’s website. The bookmark feature allows you to save your favorites.

Of course, you have to be in a wi-fi zone for the app to work. And for now, Find Internet Cafe only offers suggestions inside the U.S.

Price: $0.99

7. iCarPark

Never forget where you parked again! iCarPark allows you to save your parking spot on a map. It then provides walking directions back no matter where you are.

Extra features allows you to keep track of meter times, remember parking garage levels, and keep track of up to five parked vehicles.

iCarPark also gives the option of using a satellite hybrid map for even better navigation!

Price: $0.99

8. SitOrSquat

The beauty of this app is in its name. Sure, there are a few apps that will help you locate the nearest restroom. But if you’ve traveled through certain countries, you know that a Western toilet is still only really common in the West.

Using the iPhone’s GPS features, this app will tell you which of the almost 60,000 restroom locations registered with SitOrSquat is closest to you, and whether or not you need to warm up your leg muscles before entering. SitOrSquat also provides information on changing tables, handicapped facilities, and a little bit of humorous bathroom reading.

Everyone is encouraged to enter any new public restrooms they stumble across to the system; it’s all about helping each other out.

Price: FREE

9. Stanza

It’s pretty easy to see why Stanza is one of the most popular eBook readers out there. With a built-in catalog of over 100,000 books and the ability to personalize fonts, colors, and page setup, Stanza already has more than a million customers.

If you already have a few eBooks or documents, you can transfer them over to your iPhone with Stanza by using the free desktop app for Mac & PC.

Price: FREE

10. AroundMe

If you aren’t app-happy and want get as many features as possible from just one travel app, AroundMe is the way to go. This app uses the iPhone’s GPS feature to locate anything and everything you need, including banks, bars, gas stations, hospitals, hotels, theaters, restaurants, markets, and more.

You can see your destination’s location on a map, view the most direct route, and save it in your contact list. AroundMe also has a Nearby listing that uses Wikipedia to find what else is close to your location.

Price: FREE

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/10-cheap-or-free-iphone-apps-for-travelers/feed/ 8 http://matadorgoods.com/shopping-for-a-stand-up-paddle-board-size-matters/ http://matadorgoods.com/shopping-for-a-stand-up-paddle-board-size-matters/#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:14:23 +0000 Catharine Lo http://matadorgoods.com/?p=1827 Somebody mentioned the other day that it still feels like winter in Hawai‘i. He wasn’t referring to the persistent rain or the uncharacteristic north swells. He was talking about the fact that everyone’s still driving around with surfboards in tow.

All Images © Naish

He’s right—actually, they’re stand-up paddle boards, which makes sense, since summer is paddling season. On the Islands, the sport’s booming popularity is undeniable, and stand-up paddlers have become a fixture on the seascape. They’re floating around the bays, cruising the coastlines, dropping into waves, and even navigating across open ocean channels.

As the sport has evolved into more specialized disciplines, so have the boards. If you’re in the market for a new stand-up board, keep in mind that form serves function. Currently there are three general types of boards to consider: downwind boards, surfing boards, and all-purpose cruisers.

All Images © Naish

If you’ve paddled in windy conditions, you know that your body acts as a sail—one that doesn’t jibe. Rather than fight against strong gusts, stage a vehicle a reasonable distance downwind from your starting location and use nature to your advantage.

Voila, you’re a downwind paddler. If you get addicted to the speed or the surf-riding sensation that comes with gliding on the wind-generated waves, you might even become a downwind racer.

Just like you wouldn’t jump on a moped to zip down the Autobahn, it doesn’t make sense to race downwind on a fat, floaty board. Downwind boards are a little bit longer and more narrow, a design that increases hull speed.

Some advanced models feature rudders and concave decks. With names like “F16” (Sandwich Island Composites) and “Vortice” (C4 Waterman), it’s clear these boards are engineered to maximize velocity.

Southern California’s Joe Bark has crafted numerous race-winning boards. A good bet is the “BARK Stand Up Mid,” described as a “practical” distance and race board. The stylish, full-carbon or partial-carbon model can be ordered at a width of 26 to 30 inches and a length of 14 to 16 feet, and rudder and tiller set-up are optional. It retails for around $1560.

All Images © Naish

Surfing boards are generally shorter and more tapered to enhance maneuverability.

Of course, since different surf spots have different characteristics, there’s no standard surf-riding model—some designs suit small, rolling breakers, and others are intended for steeper, faster waves.

One of elite waterman Dave Kalama’s most memorable recent sessions came when the tow-in surfer and champion stand-up racer tested a new 9’5” Naish Sails surfing prototype at Maui’s Kanaha Beach.

Conventional wisdom suggested the 31” board would be too wide, but, he claims, it surfed “unreal.” (He said he had a blast, later confirmed by two different spectators who told him somewhat enviously how much fun he appeared to be having.)

One glance at the photos posted on the Paddle Surf Hawaii site proves that Blane Chambers’ 9’3” Ripper model, well, rips. (Or, if you’re not one of the world’s best surfers like Jamie Sterling, Ikaika Kalama, and the others pictured, at least has potential to.) The board measures 28 3/8” wide, and its responsiveness allows surfers to execute radical maneuvers and negotiate deep barrels.

All Images © Naish

But let’s face it. Not all stand-up paddlers have a burning desire to paddle 32 grueling miles of open ocean chop to get from one island to another, nor do we aspire to charge a heaving set at Jaws or Teahupoo.

A lot of us are perfectly content to drift along a lazy river or seek out an unoccupied corner of the coastline where we can quietly relish the lingering hours of daylight.

For these purposes, a basic cruiser is all you need. Stand-up cruisers are wide—beginners should look for something around 30 inches—which makes them more stable.

The 10’6” Wahine Model ($1,495 including deck pad, fins, and carbon/fiberglass paddle) designed by Kyle Bernhardt for Tropical Blends appeals to a gentler breed of paddlers, its description suggests: “Now here’s a board we built specifically with my wife in mind.

Looking for a more challenging workout, she wanted a board that was small enough to handle easily, agile enough to excel in flat or textured waters, and sleek enough to give her the glide and stability she found in her bigger board.” A really useful feature of this 30”-wide board is its unobtrusive, built-in handle, which makes it much less cumbersome for people with shorter arms to carry.

It’s a good idea to rent a few boards first to figure out what you’re most comfortable standing on. There’s nothing more frustrating than buying equipment that you’re unable to use. Check out www.standuppaddlesurf.net for an extensive archive of board reviews.

Community Connection

Look for Catharine’s upcoming piece on choosing the right SUP paddle. And for those interested in learning a bit more about the history behind Stand Up Paddling, as well as a look at the sport’s pioneers, please check out Stand Up Paddling: A Brief History of C4 Watermen

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/shopping-for-a-stand-up-paddle-board-size-matters/feed/ 1 http://matadorgoods.com/how-to-pack-your-camera-and-lenses-for-travel/ http://matadorgoods.com/how-to-pack-your-camera-and-lenses-for-travel/#comments Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:38:03 +0000 Luke Armstrong http://matadorgoods.com/?p=1807 There are few sights more horrific than finding the expensive camera gear you’ve packed ruined due to poor packing technique.

Feature photo: Luke Armstrong. Photo Above by Lola Akinmade

Gear costing thousands of dollars can be rendered useless quite easily. Accidents like these happen and when they do, they can tarnish trips. By putting a little forethought into how you pack your camera gear and adhering to the following suggestions, you can avoid looking at the sad sight of a cracked lens.

Checking In Camera Gear

Checking in cameras at the airport is generally a bad idea. Baggage handlers are experts at breaking even seemingly unbreakable things. If your amount of gear forces you to check in your camera gear, careful attention should be paid to how you pack it.

• Roll all items in several layers of bubble wrap. This will serve to absorb impacts that are sure to happen along the way. Additionally, you can pop the bubbles to celebrate when your gear arrives at your destination undamaged.
• Put all your camera gear in a bag specifically designed to carry expensive electronic gear. They should be packed in such a way that there is little space for your items shift around. T-shirts are perfect space fillers and offer added protection and padding.
• The camera bag should be placed away from firm and jagged objects that could knock against and damage your gear.
• Be sure all lens are covered. As some lens caps easily slip off, it is a good idea to use masking tape to secure the covers.
• If you’re old school enough to still be using film, make sure to hand-check it as X-ray machines might erase your pictures.

Loading Camera Gear In Your Bag

Constantly wrapping your gear in bubble wrap and unwrapping while traveling is inconvenient, but there are other precautions that can be taken. Keep your gear towards the top of your pack. This is handy for quick access and also shelters cameras and lens from weight that could damage them.

Price: $149.95 | BUY

The bag that you select for your camera should be waterproof. LowePro has a line of waterproof camera bags in various sizes and styles. Select a bag with enough compartments to keep your gear organized.

Overstuffing a camera bag is a great way to damage items. Lenses stored vertically tend to fare better than when stored horizontally.

Packing gear such as memory disks and batteries in Tupperware helps keep it safe and keeps out the moisture.

If you have a camera with multiple lenses, be sure to remove the lens from the camera when not shooting.

Frequently check straps for wear. A broken strap can easily lead to a broken camera. If you camera gets wet – as tempting as it is to turn it on to see if it works – don’t.

Running a current through it while wet can permanently damage the circuits. Instead, be patient. Open the battery slit and let it dry in an arid place for at least 24 hours before trying to turn it on.

By following this advice, you will be sure to have fewer headaches and heartbreaks caused by damaged gear.

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/how-to-pack-your-camera-and-lenses-for-travel/feed/ 5 http://matadorgoods.com/survival-gear-for-first-month-abroad%e2%80%8f/ http://matadorgoods.com/survival-gear-for-first-month-abroad%e2%80%8f/#comments Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:00:09 +0000 Michelle Schusterman http://matadorgoods.com/?p=1338 When in Rome, do as the Romans do…easy to say, but what if the Romans don’t think deodorant is necessary?

Feature Photo by hiddedevries. Photo Above by piermario

Often the first thing expats learn when they make that first move abroad is some everyday items aren’t so common outside of the U.S. Immersing yourself into a new culture is great, but with a little extra preparation, the transition can be much smoother.

Here are a few items to consider packing for your first month abroad.

Photo by Boris Veldhuijzen van Zanten

Toiletries

Specifically, any bathroom items of a specific brand you can’t live without.

A few examples are medicated facial soap, contact lens solution, or that Bath and Body Works mint foot scrub you can’t leave behind.

Consider bringing a few sticks or cans of deodorant unless you’re positive it’s commonly used in your new home.

Some countries in Europe and Asia don’t consider deodorant a necessity (and not just the colder countries).

Finding a stick of Secret can be impossible in those regions, and when you do, the price can be enough to make those pit stains seem bearable.

Gadgets

It goes without saying that you should look into the type of power supply you’ll be dealing with, and to pack the appropriate transformers and voltage converters. But before you pack, take a careful look around at all of your electronic gear to ensure you have as many converters as you need. If you plug the Crockpot in for a few hours, will you be able to charge your laptop at the same time?

What if your new bathroom doesn’t have an outlet? Will the oddly shaped plug for that beard shaver fit into a power strip? Aim for a variety of transformers and converters so you have as many options for charging as possible.

Photo: Lola Akinmade way up north in Sweden

Seasonal Clothes that Fit

Maybe you’re leaving in September, but what’s winter like at your final destination? Don’t forget to research the weather so you’re prepared.

Of course, you can always shop for clothes once you arrive.

However, it can be difficult to find clothes of the right size overseas. A husky gentleman may find it difficult to find a ski jacket in Tokyo.

And if size isn’t the issue, consider this: what’s “in” at home may not be fashionable overseas for both men or women.

A Brasileira (Portuguese for “The Brazilian Woman”) might look fabulous in those fluorescent colors, off-the-shoulder tops, and oversized earrings, but you could feel more like an extra in a Cyndi Lauper video.

Imports

This includes everything from electronics to regular everyday items. If you’re heading to Asia, it’s true that the latest mp3 players and cell phones are available for a great price. But if you’re looking for an iPod, the price could be inflated.

Think about things you may need that the locals might not. If you’re moving to South America, most folks there probably don’t need sunblock. Even if you find some SPF30, you can bet you’ll be paying through your burned and blistered nose to get it.

Before You Pack

About a week before your departure, start a list of everything you use on a day-to-day basis. Before you pack, review and decide for yourself which things aren’t so necessary and which you absolutely can’t live without. Of course, part of the fun of moving abroad is to break daily habits and discover a new part of yourself, so don’t be afraid to leave a few things behind.

After a few months of good Italian wine, you may learn to love those sweaty armpits!

Community Connection

For more survival tips abroad, check out 8 Items Guaranteed to Help You Survive a Big City Trek.

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/survival-gear-for-first-month-abroad%e2%80%8f/feed/ 4 http://matadorgoods.com/how-to-pack-everything-into-your-carry-on/ http://matadorgoods.com/how-to-pack-everything-into-your-carry-on/#comments Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:01:15 +0000 Lola Akinmade http://matadorgoods.com/?p=1717 With Howcast.com, learn how to pack light in a single carry-on in under 3 minutes.

Recently stumbled across Howcast.com, a source for “fun, free, and useful how-to videos.” From learning how to pick out jewelry for a woman to learning how to whiten your teeth with a strawberry, Howcast.com’s multimedia catalog is extensive and quite impressive.

With this nifty video below, you can finally learn how to fit everything you need for your travels into one carry-on bag.

In Case You Were Wondering – How to Pick Out Jewelry for a Woman

Feature photo by Sergeant Killjoy.

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/how-to-pack-everything-into-your-carry-on/feed/ 3 http://matadorgoods.com/7-essential-travel-sized-items-for-metrosexuals/ http://matadorgoods.com/7-essential-travel-sized-items-for-metrosexuals/#comments Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:04:54 +0000 Lola Akinmade http://matadorgoods.com/?p=1421 Finally, you can still look totally GQ while trekking deep within the Laotian jungle.

Feature photo by faster panda killl kill. Photo above by Martin Kingsley

Backpacking and semi-roughing it in hostels doesn’t mean your daily grooming routine should go down the drain. Here are a few travel-sized items guaranteed to help you maintain your debonair style while on the road.

  

Tie Caddy

Unpacking your neckties from your backpack only to find them wrinkled can be irritating.

Say No! to wrinkled ties with the Tie Caddy, a plastic cylinder for storing rolled up ties.

With its transparent design, you can easily spot the tie you’d like to wear out without unloading your entire backpack.

Inflatable Hangers

Face it, finding hangers for your suits in hostels can be a drag.

Why not bring your own lightweight, inflatable hangers? Made from durable vinyl, its backflow valve technology allows you to easily inflate the hangers when needed, and quickly deflate them.

Multi-Purpose Lint Brush

Forget Swiss Army knives.

The only multi-purpose tool you need is this Austin-house plastic lint brush that also morphs into a shoe horn, mirror, and comb, with a bonus sewing kit thrown in.

Laundry Pack w/ Sink Stopper

Now you can have a fresh pair of socks everyday with this handy travel laundry kit.

Included are 5 liquid Woolite sachets (to be used with cold water), a sink stopper for plug-less sinks, and a portable laundry line with suction cups for hang-drying your clothes.

Jack Black On-the-Road Travel Pack

  

TSA-friendly at 3 oz each, this all-in-one pack includes:

• A beard lube conditioning shave with jojoba and eucalyptus,
• An All-Over-Wash for face, hair, & body with wheat protein and panthenol,
• A face buff energizing scrub with Vitamin C and menthol,
• An industrial strength hand healer with vitamins A & E,
• A double duty face moisturizer with blue algae extract & sea parsley SPF 20,
• and an intense therapy lip balm.

All in a sleek looking black travel bag.

Dual Voltage Travel Clothes Steamer

  

Using a portable iron on your Hugo Boss suit while backpacking is nothing short of heresy.

This compact steamer gently removes wrinkles from your clothes by converting water into steam within a few minutes. Its handle folds away nicely, and this design makes the steamer ideal for travelers.

Magic Wand® Stain Remover

Now, red wine and pasta sauce mishaps on the road can be quickly remedied by busting out your magic wand, applying it to the stain, wetting it, and rubbing it out.

This non-toxic, biodegradable stick works seamlessly on chocolate, grass, and blood stains and is safe for double knits and synthetic fabrics.

Community Connection

Looking for more travel-sized items? Check out 10 Surprising Travel Sized Items and 10 Multi-Use Items You Should Consider Packing.

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/7-essential-travel-sized-items-for-metrosexuals/feed/ 6 http://matadorgoods.com/5-creative-ideas-for-souvenirs-set-ii/ http://matadorgoods.com/5-creative-ideas-for-souvenirs-set-ii/#comments Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:00:18 +0000 Neha Puntambekar http://matadorgoods.com/?p=944 A souvenir, traditionally speaking, holds the essence of the place it comes from; it packs in the history, the adventures, the culture and the colours of the country.

Feature Photo by Lola Akinmade. Photo Above by ddexter_free

But the more you travel, the quicker you’ll realize that the world is, in fact, made in China. Gone are the days when a little curio – the Eiffel tower on the coffee table, or the Chinese tea set in the showcase – held dreams of a distant land. But who says the romance of travel has to die with outsourcing?

With a little creative thinking and an observant eye, you can find that great souvenir to treasure.

Invest in a Future

Forget the flimsy key chains and postcards, here’s something that lasts you a lifetime and beyond. The next time you take a trip, come back with a solid investment; sponsor a child’s education in that country. Across the world, there are a number of organizations that work towards keeping kids in school.

And how can you help? By making small contributions towards building schools, or sponsoring a child’s annual fees and school materials. The options are varied, from programs funded by the United Nations, various religious organizations, to smaller grass root initiatives.

What do you get out of it? Annual report cards and progress sheets, personalized letters and drawings from the kid(s), and the opportunity to shape a future that may not have had a chance otherwise.

Besides, if you ever run into Angelina Jolie, you’ll have something to talk about.

Comics, Graphic Novels and Movie Night

Introduce Batman to the world outside Gotham City. Most cultures have their own set of masked heroes and damaged wonders.

Photo Above by mattlogelin

Those that don’t, reinvent ancient legends and colourful mythology into comic book format.

Bilingual prints are available in many places, but an exotic script or two will only enhance your collection.

If comics aren’t your thing, the world is full of great cinema with English subtitles.

What better way to revisit that trip to India, upset stomach and all, then to slip in a DVD of a Bollywood blockbuster, over a candle-lit curry dinner?

Local Newspapers

Pick up a local newspaper on your first day in the country. Once you get back, laminate the first half of the front page and refashion them as kitschy placemats, which also work as great giveaways.

The placemats work as constant reminders of your trip and it adds a little quirk to the décor.

They make a great starting point for any travel stories you might want to share, and they also remind you that there is a whole world waiting to be explored out there.

Doors

Photo Above by Steve & Jemma Copley

Welcome the world into your home through an exotic hand carved wooden door discovered during your travels.

This option could be a tad bit expensive, building a collection is pretty much out of the question, and shipping it back home could prove to be a complex process.

It also requires much research on your part to find a reliable source to ensure your front door gets home without fail.

But this is an exceptional find. It gives your home a look of elegance and a touch of the exotic.

If you have a green conscious, opt for a discarded door which can then be restored and put back into circulation.

Own a Tree, Save the World

Well, doors cost trees. And apparently so does development. Tree after tree, forest after forest and mangrove after mangrove are brought down in the name of improving facilities.

If you want to give back and save the world, spend your money on trees, instead of that predictable souvenir. Many local and international organizations are working towards rebuilding the world’s forests.

For small sums they plant a number of trees, nurturing them and allowing for a greener, safer world. So instead of wondering what to do with all the assorted tacky trinkets, you’ll smile with every breath of fresh air.

Community Connection

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out 10 Gift Ideas for Under $10 and 5 Creative Ideas for Souvenirs – Set I

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/5-creative-ideas-for-souvenirs-set-ii/feed/ 4 http://matadorgoods.com/5-creative-ideas-for-souvenirs-set-i/ http://matadorgoods.com/5-creative-ideas-for-souvenirs-set-i/#comments Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:00:20 +0000 Turner Wright http://matadorgoods.com/?p=948 Tired of postcards and country patches? Here are a few creative ideas to consider when next you go souvenir hunting.

Feature/Photo Above by Lola Akinmade

I’m reminded of the words of a philosophical character on a slightly above average sitcom that ended some time ago:

There once was a little boy in Africa who wanted to give his teacher a gift, but he had no money. So he walked two days to the ocean and he picked up a handful of sand and walked two days back, and he gave it to her. She was greatly moved by the gift. But she said, ‘it’s so far for you to walk.’ And he said, ‘teacher, the journey was part of the gift.’ – Wilson Wilson, Home Improvement

As travelers, we don’t often have the luxury of making trips for the express purpose of picking up some goods or services; although I might be tempted to fly into Kyushu for a hot springs’ bath and some quality sweet potatoes, it’s just not practical.

Although we do buy plenty of local trinkets for ourselves at times, we’re more often than not thinking of friends and family back home, seeking gifts that embody the spirit of these strange lands in which we find ourselves wandering.

A Picture AND A Thousand Words

Living in Japan tended to drain my funds from time to time, and before Christmas a few years ago, I found myself with $50 for gifts for my family of nine.

The solution?

Miyajima, Japan; given to my grandfather,
a wildlife artist

Whenever I had discovered any sight or experience that caused me to think of one person in particular, I would always take notes in my Moleskin journal and snap a quality picture.

When it came time to present the gift to my family member, I would print out the photo on glossy paper and weave them a tale of how much I missed them and thought of them as I was in that place at that moment.

Or, if you like, you could just Photoshop them in: “Look! You were there, too!”

Straight From The Earth

Just like the boy with a handful of sand, you too can choose gifts that don’t come from a store or street vendor.

A seashell tells the story of your snorkeling adventures in Thailand. A piece of the Berlin Wall is testament to your being part of history.

I’m not advocating you go take pieces of ash and stone from dilapidated Pompeii, but if nature can replenish it (sand, rocks, palm fronds, leaves, etc.), or if no one really minds you helping yourself to the landscape (ruins of cites, pieces of structures), then these reminders of places traveled also have stories to tell.

Be careful with this idea so as to not adversely affect the environment.

Find A Theme

Choose something you may not necessarily find too easily in certain countries, something that’s going to take you across the globe in a series of wacky adventures and negotiation antics: Buddha statues, native artwork featuring cats, Kit-Kat bars, certain sex toys, even the receipts from McDonald’s in seven different languages might be right for a given person.

“I am in the habit of looking not so much to the nature of the gift as to the spirit in which it is given.”
- Robert Louis Stevenson

Consider the recipients and what you’d think they’d appreciate the most or if they would just burst out laughing at the sight of some souvenirs.

With this idea, you not only have a unique gift, but a unique story to tell (“It wasn’t easy tracking down a stuffed Pikachu in the middle of the Burmese jungle, I tell you…”).

Find That Face

This is more of a one-in-a-million shot, but when the opportunity comes along, take it.

Photo by wetwebwork

We come across so many different faces in airports, cities, even distant villages that statistically, there would have to be some resemblance to a friend, family member, or coworker.

“Have you seen the Japanese/Australian/Norwegian/etc. version of you?”

If you do happen to spot a lookalike in a sea of pedestrians, ask if you could trouble them for a few moments of travel talk and a picture.

Soon enough, your friends will find they know some of the “best looking” people across the world.

A Trail To Follow

What better way to give a gift than to encourage those left behind to follow in your footsteps?

Photo by roblisameehan

Split a coin into two (if you have access to coin-splitting tools); toss one half in the Trevi Fountain and give the other to your friend.

He or she will have no choice but to hop the next plane to Italy.

Compose a prayer for the Western Wall. Put one half in for yourself, and give the rest to someone back home.

This can be as creative as you like, from “I’ve opened a Swiss account in your name with a $50,000 balance; the account number is the same as the number of sheep on this farm in New Zealand on a Tuesday” to creating a kind of international scavenger hunt with your expat friends: “See this Couchsurfer in Thailand and he will give you the next gift.”

Community Connection

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out 10 Gift Ideas for Under $10 and 5 More Creative Ideas for Souvenirs – Set II

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/5-creative-ideas-for-souvenirs-set-i/feed/ 7 http://matadorgoods.com/8-items-to-help-you-survive-a-big-city-trek/ http://matadorgoods.com/8-items-to-help-you-survive-a-big-city-trek/#comments Sat, 20 Jun 2009 12:00:04 +0000 Michelle Schusterman http://matadorgoods.com/?p=955 A day out in Paris can be just as exhausting as a few hours hiking through the Pyrenees. Here are eight items to bring on your day out in a foreign city.

Feature Photo by Lola Akinmade. Photo Above by Panorama

1. Tissue

A lack of toilet paper is common in most public restrooms, in some countries more than others. (I’m looking at you, Korea!)

Keep a small pack of tissue in your bag just to be safe.

A quick word of advice for the ladies: Girls, practice your squats now. Western toilets aren’t that common everywhere, and there are plenty of urban places where the word “toilet” still means “hole in the ground”.

2. Money Belt

Pickpocketing is common in any area with crowds, from subways and buses to all major tourist attractions. There’s a variety of money belts out there, from the bulky belts that hold your passport, cards, and the kitchen sink, to the unnoticeable that work great for a few bills.

Don’t confuse these with fanny packs, which scream “tourist”; money belts are to be worn under your clothes, with the zipper flat against your body.

If you’re really adverse to the money belt, at least consider keeping a little cash in your shoe. That way, in the worst-case scenario, you won’t be stuck somewhere without a way to pay for a cab.

3. Reusable Shopping Bags

A good reusable shopping bag folds into its own little pouch to slip in your pocket or purse, but holds tons of stuff when you pull it out.

Check out these ACME bags, made from unrippable nylon material, for less than $6.

I have two, and I’m always surprised at how much they hold, from a few days worth of clothes to a pineapple spending spree at a Brazilian market.

Save yourself all the plastic and paper shopping bags with one of these.

They’re also great for a day at the beach, picnics, or emergency situations when your shampoo bottle starts leaking in your suitcase. (The material is super easy to wash.)

4. Water Bottle

I’m a water bottle addict, but I always feel guilty going through so much plastic. For a day out, bring along a reusable bottle that you can fill up at fountains and in cafes.

If the local water is a little sour or you’re picky about drinking filtered water, try this BPA-free bottle from New Wave. It looks like a regular plastic bottle, but with a built-in filter that you can remove to use in other bottles.

Most reviews say the bottle doesn’t last longer than a few months, but for $8, you’ll surely get your money’s worth. Just make sure not to leave it in a hot car; several users have reported finding a plastic blob in the backseat after a few hours.

5. Pocket Flashlight

Forget camping; a pocket flashlight really comes in handing when you’re searching for your wallet in a dark bar or desperately fumbling around a port-o-potty at 2am.

For a bright light that truly is pocket-sized, check out Pak-Lites.

The tiny LED light resembles a Leggo, and snaps on top of a 9 volt battery. Pak-Lites have been used by the U.S. Air Force, the American Red Cross, and FEMA. Prices range from $10 to $30.

6. Band-Aids

Blisters hurt, particularly when you’re wearing shoes made for style and not comfort (which is why I stick to Havaianas).

But if you’re out to look good, you’ll need a band-aid or two on those toes before the night’s over.

7. Snacks

Nuts and/or dried fruit (should we call it “city mix”?) are great for a quick source of calories. Plus when your $75 entree arrives looking like something that would scare Anthony Bourdain, you’ll have something to accompany your side salad.

8. Cab and Hotel Information

It’s easy to feel excited about tackling that foreign subway system first thing in the morning, but by the end of the day (or maybe in the wee hours of the next morning) you might not feel so energetic.

Before heading out for the day, jot down the number of a cab service and the address of your hotel so you’re sure to find your way back.

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/8-items-to-help-you-survive-a-big-city-trek/feed/ 8 http://matadorgoods.com/5-unique-gift-ideas-for-fathers-day/ http://matadorgoods.com/5-unique-gift-ideas-for-fathers-day/#comments Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:00:11 +0000 Sarah Park http://matadorgoods.com/?p=967 Looking for out-of-the-ordinary gifts for extraordinary dads?

Feature Photo by Zitona. Photo Above by chany

Father’s Day can be tough. Let’s face it, not all of our Dads fit into the usual aftershave/cufflink/universal remote control mold. Their colorful personalities deserve a little bit of extra thought and care when it comes to the ideal Father’s Day gift.

Photo by DJRiegel

If you’re panicking when June 21 rolls around this year, be sure to check out these unique gift ideas selected specifically for the Dad in your life who deserves so much more than a musical necktie:

Personalized Tools

For the outdoorsy father, these hand-engraved pocket knives are both elegant and rugged.

Dennis Riegel’s vintage-inspired designs are sure to bring that always welcome cowboy touch to any tackle-box.

Dad’s Mini-Me

Photo by j/f/photo

If the dad in your life is more of a jokester than an adventurer, you can’t go wrong with creating a miniature likeness of him in bobblehead form.

Custom Bobble can hand sculpt an exact replica of Pops all the way down to his embarrassing tattoos and his favorite shoes.

Tours and Excursions

Is your father not too into material possessions?

Excitations.com offers experiences ranging from secret agent driving lessons to sushi rolling lessons.

Tours and excursions are offered in several locations across the United States, and range in price from the affordable – Wolf Watching at a wildlife reserve or park to the ultra fancy – Formula 1 Racecar Driving.

They even offer gift packages for recipients to choose their own adventures, grouped by price point and location.

Pocket Compasses

For the travel-lover who can’t bring himself to ever stop and ask for directions, Stanley London sells a variety of pocket compasses like this brass reproduction of an antique Mariner’s Compass.

While it may not help him find his way any quicker, it’s sure to make him feel pretty darn sophisticated as he stands bewildered on a street corner.

Beer Soap

For the beer-lover in your life, encourage personal hygiene with beer soap!

The Beer Soap Company makes soaps that double as shampoo or shave cream from a plentiful variety of ales, lagers, pilsners and stouts.

Nothing says “I love you, Dad” quite like a Guinness, right?

If these ideas don’t quite mesh with your father or baby’s daddy, share your own thoughtful gifts in the comments below!

Community Connection

Get a jumpstart on shopping for Mother’s Day with 5 Unique Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day.

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/5-unique-gift-ideas-for-fathers-day/feed/ 6 http://matadorgoods.com/10-essential-items-for-backcountry-travel/ http://matadorgoods.com/10-essential-items-for-backcountry-travel/#comments Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:45:10 +0000 Eric Warren http://matadorgoods.com/?p=767 Former Summit Steward of Alpine Meadows, Shannon Belt, highlights the essentials you need to enjoy the backcountry and avoid becoming a statistic.

Photo by Sustainablefarm79

1. Map and compass

Even for day hikes, a good map and compass can save your life when weather or trails deteriorate in the backcountry. “They’re light and if you don’t bring them, you know you’ll need them,” Belt says. He also stresses that knowing how to use them is just as important as keeping them with you.

Your local gear shop should be able to hook you up with a compass. Good topographical maps are available from the Forest Service and gear shops in the town nearest the trails you plan on exploring.

2. Plenty of water and water filter/purifier

“If you don’t know why you need this, you should seriously question why you’re heading into the backcountry,” Belt says. “It’s also a good idea to carry some way of getting more water, whether for one day or a week.” Several companies offer either filters or purification tablets.

Tablets are great in a pinch or if you’re going ultra-light, but filters are the top choice for keeping the crystal taste in that clear mountain stream.

Photo by trekkyandy

3. Food

This is the heaviest thing you’ll be carrying, but it’s one of the most important.

“I always take more than I think I’ll need,” Belt says. “I’d rather bring some home than go hungry.”

4. Clothing

Layer up.

No matter which season it is, weather can change quickly in the backcountry. Bring plenty of non-cotton layers to make sure your body heat is regulated.

One of the most overlooked pieces of equipment is a good rain jacket. Belt says that soft shells and wind-breakers are nice during a shower or when it gets windy but only a good rain jacket will keep you dry and warm during a downpour.

Belt also suggests that sunglasses find their way into your pack. “Depending on the conditions, they can save your eyes from lasting damage.”

5. Fifty feet of light duty rope, plus a couple of carabiners

Belt emphasizes the utility of rope and carbiners in the backcountry. “It’s essential for most stream-crossings, belaying down or up steep scrambles and tying up food from animals.”

He adds that rope comes in handy for making a sling for an injured arm or a fashionable and functional belt.

6. Whistle

Whistles are great for scaring bears and mountain lions away as well as alerting rescue crews to your exact location.

They also work to scare and annoy your camping buddies when necessary.

Photo by A.A.

7. Emergency blanket

This light-weight item, also known as a solar blanket, can be found at most gear shops for a few dollars.

The shiny material is excellent for reflecting your body heat back onto you, keeping you warm in desperate situations.

Belt notes it can also be used as a giant reflector to signal search pilots.

8. Paper notebook and pencil

According to Belt, “paper is good for both emergency and pleasure. You can write a note to other hikers or rangers and you can use the paper to start fires.

“It’s nice to have, to draw or write thoughts about the day.” You’ll wish you had it if you’re stuck in the tent on a rainy day.

Photo bydolfindans

9. Camera

Bringing home photos of your backpacking trip will keep the memories of finding that secret waterfall fresh in your mind. It will also get your friends stoked on donning their own backpacks and joining you for your next trip.

From cheap, light-weight point-and-shoots to pro-level SLRs, there are dozens of different cameras on the market.

Consider one of the many waterproof models to beat bad weather and maybe catch a picture under the surface of your favorite fishing hole.

10. Positive attitude

Belt is adamant about bringing along a positive attitude. “A negative attitude [in the backcountry] is your worst enemy.”

Backcountry experts often site instances where fatal mistakes were fueled by anger, frustration and fear. “You need to be able to make good decisions. Your life could depend on it.”

Community Connection

Thinking of heading out camping in the backcountry but don’t know how to start? Check out the piece, How to Get Started Backpacking. There’s also a free book up for grabs.

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/10-essential-items-for-backcountry-travel/feed/ 1 http://matadorgoods.com/essential-gear-for-the-traveling-musician/ http://matadorgoods.com/essential-gear-for-the-traveling-musician/#comments Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:47:20 +0000 Michelle Schusterman http://matadorgoods.com/?p=644 Packing for long-term travel overseas is tough as it is, but for musicians there’s even more to think about. If you’re taking your guitar, bass, drums, digeridoo, or any other instrument abroad, check out these helpful travel gear.

Feature Photo by Lola Akinmade. Photo Above by drummerchris

Soft and Hard Cases

Gator Cases has a line of flight cases for guitar and bass made of durable plywood and zinc plated hardware. They also feature twin flight cases for electric guitar, one which holds two strat style guitars, the other one strat and one LP.

Prices range from upwards of $250 to $350 for single cases (including acoustic guitar and keyboard), to over $450 for the doubles. Not cheap, but certainly a worthwhile investment if you’re going to be doing a lot of serious traveling.

Don’t forget to loosen the strings when you pack so the neck won’t crack or bend.

Guitar and bass players should probably consider bringing along soft gig bags as well. Flight cases tend to be pretty heavy, and you don’t want to lug one around the subway station!

For drummers, hard cases are a must for flying, although for hardware I don’t think it’s as vital. But definitely protect the shells with a few flight cases (check out this combination case featuring a divider so your 10″ tom can rest on top of your 12″, cutting down on how many cases you bring.)

Photo by Ed Yourdon

If you’re moving to a fairly big city, chances are the clubs will provide a basic kit, so soft gig bags aren’t as necessary.

Custom Cases

For the more serious musician, check out Hiscox Cases.

These custom made cases might run a little higher in price, but are also lighter, more durable, and feature thermal insulation. Considering cargo typically isn’t climate controlled, this is important.

And if you really do play the digeridoo, try New World Cases, Inc. They specialize in custom shipping cases for pretty much anything.

Amplifiers

Clubs usually provide guitar/bass amps as well, but if you need a small one for personal use, take a look at this amplifier, which features a removable head.

Tuners

Got an iPhone? Check out this metronome/tuner webapp, created by musicalscientist.com.

The tempo range is 40-240 BPM, and the tuning pitches include A440, B flat, A417, 6 string Guitar EADGBE, 4 string Bass EADG, and 5 string Bass BEADG.

For the best prices for instruments and gear, I usually have the most luck with music123.com and musiciansfriend.com.

Community Connection

Be sure to check out 5 Things You Should Know When Traveling With Musical Instruments before you hit the road with your instruments.

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/essential-gear-for-the-traveling-musician/feed/ 3 http://matadorgoods.com/5-essential-gadgets-for-telecommuting/ http://matadorgoods.com/5-essential-gadgets-for-telecommuting/#comments Wed, 03 Jun 2009 09:13:34 +0000 Lola Akinmade http://matadorgoods.com/?p=860 A look at various gadgets that hardcore telecommuters depend on.

Photo by DDFic

The TSA lady looks at me with pursed lips as I start unraveling two laptops, two external hard drives, a gargantuan Maxtor drive (which on many occasions has raised security concerns), and other peripheral devices – headsets, mouse, webcam, adapters – from a single laptop bag.

“I’ve got this down to a science,” I assure her. Seriously.

There are telecommuters who usually work from a single location such as a tricked-out home office complete with VoIP and a Transformers-like scanner/printer/fax/copier combo, and then there are telecommuters who work from multiple locations, constantly shifting base much more like location independent professionals (LIPs).

The last three months alone have seen me commute from Stockholm, Washington D.C., Baltimore, London, and now back from Stockholm.

While most companies set up their telecommuters with technologies such as Virtual Private Network (VPN) access and blackberries/iPhones, there are some additional tools you personally need to seek out that will enhance your experience.

Here are the daily essentials that help sustain my location independent lifestyle.

High Speed Internet Access

Definitely a no-brainer but if I can’t pick up a strong signal, I’m pretty much done working for the day and might as well just a take a vacation day. Not just a meager 36 Mbps cable line but a network that can support connecting through VPNs and streaming large files (couple gigabytes) back and forth.

Skype Online Number & Forwarding

At this point, you’re already using either Skype or one of many international phone plans for telecommuters.

Photo by re-ality

In fact, you may already be pimping your Skype experience with add-ons such as the Belkin WiFi phone to receive calls when you’re not online.

Beyond internet access, the most important tool for me is a personalized Skype telephone number.

For just $18.00 for 3 months, you’re hooked up with a local area code number from whichever country you choose.

So friends and family without Skype software can call my online number.

The best part? – I can forward calls from my office extension number (say, extension 222) to my Skype number (222-222-2222) which rings on my laptop. So technically, I never miss calls while away from my desk back in the US.

Taking it one step further, if I’m offline or busy, Skype then forwards the call on to my cell phone.

Instant Messaging

There’s no quicker way to access colleagues while working from another continent than sending them a quick instant message via Spark, Google Talk, or any one of the many instant messaging applications out there.

Photo by Wesley Fryer

Telecommuters can quickly feel excluded but with instant messaging tools, you can seamlessly chat with a colleague in San Francisco while working from Scandinavia.

Web Conferencing

Another perk of Skype is that you can initiate conference calls, dialing in the various key players of the call.

But there are more advanced (and more stable) web conferencing solutions designed specifically for this purpose.

Tools such as Microsoft Live Meeting, eMeeting by WebEx, and Citrix’s GoToMeeting allow you to not only initiate calls but also connect remotely to other machines for demos or to help troubleshoot problems.

External Hard Drives

Since you’ll be off your company’s WAN grid for extended periods of time, chances are tech support isn’t backing up your laptop, and you’re pretty much on your own. Investing in at least one external hard drive such as the Western Digital HD Passport can be a lifesaver.

Sooner or later, you will drop your laptop as you constantly shift bases. Be sure to read professional photographer Terence Carter’s article, Back Up. And Running: How to Back Up Your Digital Goods on the Road.

I always travel with two external drives. My backup needs a backup.

And the third drive sits at home….wherever it may be at the moment.

Additional Resources

For more telecommuting tools to fit your particular lifestyle, check out Tools that Telecommuters and Remote Workers Can’t Live Without , and 5 Tools for Successful Telecommuting.

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/5-essential-gadgets-for-telecommuting/feed/ 4 http://matadorgoods.com/5-things-you-should-know-when-traveling-with-musical-instruments/ http://matadorgoods.com/5-things-you-should-know-when-traveling-with-musical-instruments/#comments Tue, 02 Jun 2009 09:16:25 +0000 Michelle Schusterman http://matadorgoods.com/?p=816 Planning on schlepping that guitar or bass overseas? Here are five things you need to know to get prepared.

Feature Photo by ericmcgregor. Photo above by hamron

1. Know Your Airline’s Regulations

Extra baggage fees and weight restrictions differ from airline to airline, and depend heavily on where you’re traveling.

When you’re shopping for the lowest ticket price, don’t forget to factor in how much you may have to pay for that overweight keyboard case into the total cost.

Photo by Foxtongue.

The size limitation is around 62 inches (length + width + height), and the price for oversized luggage can be over $100.

Generally, the weight limit for checked items is 50lbs before the extra fees kick in.

For an extra bag under 50lbs, the price in usually around $50, but if it’s over the weight limit, the price can quickly go up.

Check out the baggage allowance info at American Airlines, Delta, and British Airways to get an idea of the typical fees.

A word of advice: don’t guesstimate that weight limit.

Each item you check will be weighed, and even if a box or case is just a few pounds over fifty, unless you want to pay that fee you’ll have to open it up and redistribute a few items to make it work. Not something you want to be doing at 5:30AM before you’ve had a chance to hit up that airport Starbucks.

Weigh all luggage a few days before your flight.

Even if your instrument is more than the carry-on limit allows, most airlines will accommodate musicians.

Ask a flight attendant if you can store it in the garment bag closet in the cabin or gate check it.

2. Know How to Pack

Be creative! Most drum, guitar, bass, and other cases allow for some extra packing room, not to mention extra padding for your instrument.

Photo by greggoconnell.

Stuff your socks in your acoustic guitar. Line your snare drum case with rolled up shirts.

I brought three steel drums and a full drumset (including hardware) to Brazil, and thanks to the extra space in the cases, managed to fit all remaining clothes and toiletries for two people in one duffel bag.

Also, make your packing job as neat as possible.

Unusual cases are often opened and searched in customs, so help the airline employees (and everyone in line behind you) by making the process as painless as possible.

3. Know What to Pack It In

If your bass is your baby, by all means invest in a flight case.

But don’t forget all those nights you’ll spend lugging that thing through the subway or the bus from club to club.

Pack a gig bag, preferably a soft one, for day to day use.

For custom made travel cases that are light but durable, check out Hiscox Cases, a UK company. If you’ve got more unusual items, check out New World Case, Inc. And regardless of whether you’re checking or carrying on, it never hurts to slap on the fragile stickers (available at most post offices and UPS stores).

Editor’s Note: For more on packing instruments, look out for an upcoming article spotlighting various gear cases for traveling.

4. Know What Is (And Isn’t) Available

Depending on your situation, you may want to consider buying your instrument overseas. While American brands will have import prices, you may be able to find something local that’s high quality for a good price.

Photo by francenphi.

Make a list of items you’re picky about (specific strings, sticks, effects processors, etc) and bring a decent supply in case you have a hard time hunting them down.

Also, bring enough of the small stuff (cables, screws, wire) to cover yourself for the first few months until you’ve found your way around.

A quest for a distortion pedal in Tokyo when you haven’t even figured out how to read the subway map makes for a frustrating day.

And remember, if you’re only planning a temporary move, you can always sell any instruments and hardware before you head home to lighten your load and fill your wallet.

5. Should I Just Ship It?

Personally, I’d no sooner ship my drums then I would my dog. So unless you’re not too attached to your instrument and feel you can live without it in the worst case scenario, I’d say no. Some shipping companies are notoriously unreliable.

A package I shipped to Brazil took six months rather than the guaranteed six weeks, and the box was badly damaged and falling apart when it arrived. Luckily, I hadn’t packed any instruments in it (but life was tough without my espresso machine!). However, shipping to Asia and Europe tends to be much more consistent.

If you’re moving someplace with a record of reliable shipping, feel free to take the risk, but I would recommend using that box for something less precious than instruments.

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/5-things-you-should-know-when-traveling-with-musical-instruments/feed/ 2 http://matadorgoods.com/armchair-travel-embrace-the-bizarre/ http://matadorgoods.com/armchair-travel-embrace-the-bizarre/#comments Sat, 23 May 2009 03:09:36 +0000 Lola Akinmade http://matadorgoods.com/?p=650 Across the network this week, we’ve been bringing you entertaining articles that spotlight the offbeat nature of man – from the bizarre to the just plain fascinating.

Feature Photo by Melody.loves.you | Photo above by Editor B

Head over to Matador Trips to read about the Annual Mooning of Amtrak and other head-scratching traditions and competitions from around the world compiled by Ruth Stokes.

Why not swap your grilled chicken dinner for savory goat brain curry? Tom Gates shares this delectable recipe plus four others over at Matador Life.

Auctioning off one’s virginity is odd enough, but paying taxes on your earnings? The Romanian Government definitely wants in on the action as Christine Garvin discusses over at Brave New Traveler.

As a nation of extremes, if we aren’t supersizing cars and meals, we’re making mini-me versions of everything else. You never know when you’ll need that snack sized cigarette or white zinfandel harvati cheese. So head over to Matador Goods to grab your mini duct tape and other surprising travel sized items.

Still looking for love? If you’ve exhausted all your Craigslist.org and Match.com options, why not hop aboard an Air New Zealand flight? As Kate Sedgwick points out over at Matador Nights, the airline will now offer matchmaking flights to “help single Americans find New Zealand dates with a themed flight headed toward a dual hemisphere singles party.” Ouch.

Looking for more bizarre stories? Check out these compilations.

      

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/armchair-travel-embrace-the-bizarre/feed/ 3 http://matadorgoods.com/highway-blues-essential-tunes-for-a-delta-roadtrip/ http://matadorgoods.com/highway-blues-essential-tunes-for-a-delta-roadtrip/#comments Tue, 12 May 2009 12:30:29 +0000 Eva Holland http://matadorgoods.com/?p=517 Headed out on the road for a Delta blues adventure? Don’t forget these tunes from Mississippi boys who made good.

Photo of Muddy Waters – © Paul Natkin / Morrison Hotel Gallery

Rough Guide to Delta Blues

This is an evocative sampler of the raw, ragged blues that came out of the Delta in the pre-war years, from the likes of Charley Patton, Tommy Johnson and– of course– Robert Johnson, who so famously sold his soul at the crossroads.

Some later artists, including Muddy Waters and R.L. Burnside, are also represented.

A fantastic starting point, and an eerie accompaniment to any drive along Highway 61.

 

Muddy Waters: His Best, 1947-1955

Admittedly, Muddy Waters is most closely associated with the Chicago blues scene, and in fact this album is a collection of his finest from the early Chess years.

But there’s no denying where he came from, or where he got the sounds that he made so famous.

 

 

 

Ike Turner and His Kings of Rhythm: Rhythm Rockin’ Blues

Before Ike & Tina, and everything that came after, there were the Kings of Rhythm.

They left Clarksdale for Memphis and released “Rocket 88″ — which many folks would call the first ever pure rock ‘n’ roll song– in 1951 and continued recording, with a rotating cast of vocalists (and Ike on piano or guitar, and calling most of the shots) through the early to mid 50s.

This compilation rounds up Ike’s early work and shows the inarguable links between rock’n'roll and the blues.

 

Sam Cooke at the Copa

Alright, alright. Sam Cooke’s no bluesman (and yeah, my soul bias is showing).

But he is yet another huge talent who came out of tiny Clarksdale, and hey, you can’t listen to the blues for an entire roadtrip, right?

This live album from the Copa mixes everything from gospel to soul, country standards to pure pop — even a Bob Dylan cover! — in a consummate performance and, tragically, one of Cooke’s final recordings before his death at age 33.

Community Connection

Heading down south soon? Why not roll your own adventure with our handy blues guide.

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/highway-blues-essential-tunes-for-a-delta-roadtrip/feed/ 2 http://matadorgoods.com/book-review-giveaway-nepal-25-classic-treks-and-12-climbing-peaks/ http://matadorgoods.com/book-review-giveaway-nepal-25-classic-treks-and-12-climbing-peaks/#comments Wed, 06 May 2009 13:06:13 +0000 David DeFranza http://matadorgoods.com/?p=454 A journey to Nepal to walk among the world’s highest mountains is a dream for many travelers.

Photo by Eric Lon

And, upon arriving in Kathmandu, many realize that such a trip really is like a dream: Disorienting, chaotic, confusing, and dizzying. Sorting out itineraries, finding the best gear, acquiring the necessary permits, and hiring a trustworthy guide or porter are difficult tasks to complete on the busy streets of Thamel.

Distractions from touts and other travelers abound, and rumors of weather conditions, permit situations, Maoist activity, and thefts circulate continuously.

It quickly becomes clear that simply getting to Nepal is the easy part. Organizing your trek and pulling it off safely and successfully requires foresight, planning, and preparation.

Nepal: Trekking and Climbing, 25 Classic Treks and 12 Climbing Peaks is an excellent resource for that planning stage.

With beautiful photographs, color maps, and detailed information about Nepal’s most popular and least traveled trekking routes, the book helps would-be trekkers prepare for their dream trip.

From adequate albeit brief introductory sections on Nepal’s history and culture, to special features on low-impact trekking and mountain photography, Nepal: Trekking and Climbing has all the requisite introductory information in addition to detailed overviews of 25 outstanding treks.

The best part of this book, however, is the treatment it gives to less-traveled routes and regions.

Of the nearly 100,000 people that apply for a trekking permit in Nepal each year, most of these people, as many as 60 percent, head into the Annapurna region to complete the classic Annapurna Circuit, the trek into the Annapurna Sanctuary, or any number of other shorter treks in the area.

Of the remaining trekkers, 17 percent visit the Everest region and 13 percent visit the Lantang region.

This means that only 10 percent trek in all other parts of the country.

Photo by Eric Lon

While Nepal: Trekking and Climbing covers the classic Annapurna, Everest, and Lantang treks extensively, it also details treks like the Mount Kangchenjunga circuit and those in the Mustang and Dhaulagiri Himal regions.

This makes the book appealing to both first-time visitors to Nepal and hardened trekkers who have already completed the popular classics.

Summary

While the book does a superb job providing background and information to trekkers, it falls short when it comes to climbing.

Though brief profiles of 12 of Nepal’s most popular “trekking peaks” are provided, they are really too superficial to be of value in planning a mountaineering trip.

Ultimately, a book like Nepal: Trekking and Climbing should do two things: Provide the basic information needed for the early planning of a trek and inspire travelers to pursue the trip of their dreams. This book does both, making it a valuable resource and an excellent addition to any trekker’s library.

Price: $13.60 | Buy

Giveaway: Win A Copy of The Andes: Trekking + Climbing!

Have a favorite photo that captures a memorable trek or climb you’ve taken? We want to see it!

In fact, we will be publishing our favorite shots provided in a photo essay on Matador Trips.

To win a copy of The Andes: Trekking + Climbing book which spotlights 26 classic treks and 18 classic climbs in the region,

1) Submit a link to one of your trekking or climbing photos in the comments below. You can upload your photos via Flickr.

2) Leave a short caption telling us the location and a little about your experience.

3) Complete this by Monday, May 11th, 11:59 PM EST

The Matador editors will pick their favorites for the photo essay and the standout shot will win the free book.

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/book-review-giveaway-nepal-25-classic-treks-and-12-climbing-peaks/feed/ 10 http://matadorgoods.com/book-review-fuera-de-cautiverio-out-of-captivity/ http://matadorgoods.com/book-review-fuera-de-cautiverio-out-of-captivity/#comments Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:03:09 +0000 Richard McColl http://matadorgoods.com/?p=387 Out of Captivity provides an insight into the horrendous conditions that “prisoners of war” in Colombia are subjected to, the illnesses they suffer, their struggle for sanity, comprehension of events and some information about their captors.]]> I continue to be astonished at the alacrity at which the visible underworld of forgery fastens itself parasite-like to the newest publication in the Colombian marketplace.

Photo by George Donnelly

Over the past few years of living here in Colombia, I have seen all of the Harry Potter novels presented to me at intersections and stop lights in major cities, but last week, remained surprised when the vendor approached our window with a copy of Fuera de Cautiverio (Out of Captivity) translated into Spanish just a week and a half after it was shipped here in English.

I guess it should not be too much of a shock really as the book – put together by Gary Brozek and three Americans (Marc Gonsalves, Keith Stansell, and Tom Howes) who were kidnapped by Colombia’s notorious FARC guerrillas and held for 5 years and 4 months – is presumed to offer so much in the way of answers and shed some light on various questions surrounding their captivity and the captivity of other notable figures.

To a casual reader, Out of Captivity provides an insight into the horrendous conditions that “prisoners of war” in Colombia are subjected to, the illnesses they suffer, their struggle for sanity, comprehension of events and some information about their captors.

To a Colombian, and therefore revealing why it needed to be translated so fast, the book serves to try and unravel some of the great questions about the enigma that is former Colombian Presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, her character, her politics, her survival.

Of course, the whole story is not revealed in the slightest and the book takes the form of three separate narrations from each of the protagonists during similar and eventful periods of their captivity.

Great emphasis is placed upon their own thoughts and spirituality as it should be, in particular their thoughts for their families.

Perhaps there are two great gaping holes in this body of work and these come in the form of lack of information about the Dutch FARC guerrilla who the three contractors met early on during their stay in the jungle and whose diary was discovered after a bombing raid on a FARC encampment in the southern jungles.

Photo of Ingrid Betancourt courtesy of Wikipedia.org

In addition to this, there is no firm speculation about who the father of Clara Rojas’ child Emmanuel is.

For those who are in the dark as to who Clara Rojas is, she was Ingrid Betancourt’s campaign manager who became pregnant while in captivity. The saga of her son Emanuel – born in captivity, taken from his mother and then after months, delivered to Colombian social services – became a cause followed all over Colombia.

Not for genuine interest in the humanity of the situation, but rather, it became a somewhat farcical soap opera in which the only thing people seemed to really care about was the identity of the boy’s father.

Could it be a high ranking FARC official, was she raped, was it one of the Americans?

Operation Check Mate (Operacion Jaque), the daring and now legendary rescue of the Americans, Ingrid Betancourt and other politicians, is addressed as the closing finale to their Colombian sojourn. It makes compelling reading but ultimately leaves one wanting…as it should and as we should expect from the very beginning.

After all, there is a long running civil war in Colombia and the present government will have done everything in its power to stifle the distribution of any classified information.

Classic literature Out of Captivity is not, but a riveting and compelling read it surely is – entailing the personal struggles of the three hostages, the politics and conniving nature of the FARC and the struggles of the guerrilla themselves.

This is a book that can be read cover to cover within a sitting and will leave the reader astonished at the hardships endured by those who have undergone similar experiences.

Keep this work circulating as it will serve to remind the authorities in Colombia that there are an estimated 2,000 people still in captivity in this country.

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/book-review-fuera-de-cautiverio-out-of-captivity/feed/ 4 http://matadorgoods.com/whats-in-your-backpack-jason-mraz-joyologist/ http://matadorgoods.com/whats-in-your-backpack-jason-mraz-joyologist/#comments Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:04:29 +0000 Matador Team http://matadorgoods.com/?p=264 Tricia has one of the coolest gigs on the planet, touring the world with Jason Mraz as the first ever ‘joyologist’.

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.

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/whats-in-your-backpack-jason-mraz-joyologist/feed/ 19 http://matadorgoods.com/dslr-camera-owners-3-lenses-you-need/ http://matadorgoods.com/dslr-camera-owners-3-lenses-you-need/#comments Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:39:11 +0000 Lola Akinmade http://matadorgoods.com/?p=236 Having these lenses handy will net you some versatile travel photography.

Photo by Lola Akinmade

Sure, a solid point-and-shoot camera such as the Panasonic Lumix can more than cover your photography needs. However, if you’ve purchased a digital single-lens reflex camera (digital SLR or DSLR), be sure to pick up at least two of the three lenses listed below to get more mileage from your gear.

Telephoto Zoom Lens

 

Your new DSLR camera usually comes with a 18-55 mm kit lens.

While sufficient for most portrait photography situations, within a few months, you’ll notice a hankering for something that can zoom out much further – a zoom lens of sorts.

Lenses such as the 55-200mm pick up where the 18-55 mm lens stops, but a better option is the 18-200 mm telephoto zoom lens which combines both into a single body.

So instead of dragging along two telephoto lenses, you pack only one.

Wide Angle Lens

 

Most professional travel photographers use wide angle lenses and you’ll see why once you try it out.

Wide angle lenses capture everything within your peripheral vision and much more, pulling you right into the midst of the scenery – whether it’s a concert, market scene, or festival.

An affordable ultra wide angle lens is the Sigma 10-20mm, which is at least 60% cheaper equivalent than its Nikkor 14-24mm equivalent.

Can’t tout the benefits of an ultra wide angle lens enough.

Fixed Lens

 

A fixed lens means it doesn’t allow you to zoom in or out. What you see through the viewfinder is what you get.

At under $150, the Nikkor 50mm F/1.8 is the perfect lens for low light situations which do not require flash, such as night photography and dimly lit rooms.

So if you’re heading out at dusk or night, this is the only lens you’ll need to ensure great night photos without using a tripod.

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/dslr-camera-owners-3-lenses-you-need/feed/ 15 http://matadorgoods.com/whats-in-your-backpack-lara-dunston-professional-travel-writer/ http://matadorgoods.com/whats-in-your-backpack-lara-dunston-professional-travel-writer/#comments Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:22:38 +0000 Matador Team http://matadorgoods.com/?p=225 From a couple different cellphones and SIM cards to various day bags which help her blend in as a local, writer Lara Dunston shares her gear with us.

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.

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/whats-in-your-backpack-lara-dunston-professional-travel-writer/feed/ 7 http://matadorgoods.com/5-montana-coffeetable-books/ http://matadorgoods.com/5-montana-coffeetable-books/#comments Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:49:53 +0000 Lola Akinmade http://matadorgoods.com/?p=223 Sweeping backcountry vistas. Rugged cowboys on dusty, vast plains. Endangered wildlife. If you can’t check out Montana’s natural beauty in person, here are five photography books that bring it to you.

Library of Congress Photo retouched by 20after4

Montana: Portrait of a State

This catalog of vivid photographs shot by musician-turned-photographer Vasapolli covers rustic landscapes of the state including Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks.

Price: $11.53 | BUY

The Montana Cowboy

A powerful photographic essay that takes us behind the scenes of life as a cowboy on the range and the century old history behind this iconic slice of Americana. This collaborative effort pairs photographs taken by David R. Stoecklein with narrative text written by Pat Dawson, a native of Montana, and illustrations from renown artist, Buckeye Blake.

Price: $42.00 | BUY

Montana: A Scenic Treasure

In Scenic Treasure, Photographers John Lambing and Wayne Mumford go in search of hidden Montana – its remote lakes and scenery, historic monuments, and “elusive wildlife”.

Price: $16.47 | BUY

Montana Wildlife Portfolio

Wildlife photography requires an inordinate amount of patience and for photographer Donald M. Jones, it pays off in this collection of over 140 color photographs spotlighting Montana’s varied wild animals in their habitats.

Price: $18.96 | BUY

Photographing Montana 1894-1928

For vintage shots of early Montana, this book with more than 150 of Evelyn Cameron’s photographs shows early pioneer settlements within the state. The shots include landscapes, farms, cattle and horses, and other glimpses into turn-of-the-century lifestyle.

Price: $25.55 | BUY

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/5-montana-coffeetable-books/feed/ 3 http://matadorgoods.com/book-review-backpacking-with-brian/ http://matadorgoods.com/book-review-backpacking-with-brian/#comments Tue, 31 Mar 2009 21:46:51 +0000 David DeFranza http://matadorgoods.com/?p=218 Matador Contributor David DeFranza gives a raw, honest review of this travel journal-turned-paperback.

Photo by garryknight

This review will not begin with a description of the book’s cover, the title page, or the table of contents, and it will not end with an evaluation of the index.

I will not start by telling you I received the envelope in the mail and I will not end by illustrating the room from which I now type. This would be tantamount to beginning a travel narrative with the plane’s takeoff and finishing with a description of returning home.

Avoiding this kind of narrative arc is a classic first lesson of travel writing, one that the author of Backpacking with Brian has unfortunately not learned.

Instead of telling you about how the book was packaged for mailing, I will begin with a question: What is the value of a travel journal?

We know that keeping a journal while traveling is important. Documenting the details of your trip, from the clothing of people you see to the food you eat for each meal, allows you to relive the experience years later.

Photo by swimparallel

By writing your thoughts you can gain perspective. It creates an opportunity for otherwise obscured connections to arise. Beyond helping you remember your travels, a journal helps you understand them.

So, if it is important to keep a journal, what do we do with these personal tomes once they are completed?

The first impulse, I believe, is to share it with others. Lending your journal to family and close friends is one way. Using it to tell stories at the pub is another. You can put it online.

You can even use it as an archive of information that could be transformed into more polished articles and narratives. You could also publish the journal in whole and, if an editor takes an interest, join the ranks of some great authors.

If an editor does not take an interest, there is the option of self-publishing, and it is this that finally brings us back to Bryn Parry’s Backpacking with Brian.

The journal of Parry’s travels through Europe is intriguing mostly for all it does wrong. It begins with a trip on a bus from the author’s hometown and takes us, hour by hour, day by day, through the rest of the journey.

It lacks real character development in a way that, at the end of the 319 pages, we are left still wondering who Brian even is.

It suffers from awkward and elliptical writing…”the inverted image which I was thereby treated to was of the salivating jaws of a ‘highly conditioned’ Jack Russell Terrier.”

The manuscript uses non-standard formatting, misuses quotations to the point of confusing the story, and has an overabundance of ellipses “I NEEDED a treat (of the highly sugar-rich, comfort-fodder kind)!…….”

That said, there is much to admire.

The simple fact that Parry got the story, all 300-plus pages of it, onto paper is certainly one. The way he portrays himself in the narrative is honest and self-effacing in a way that is reminiscent of Bill Bryson’s at his best. The one-sided correspondences with Cathy, a love left at home, are tender and the highlight of every chapter in which they appear.

If you find yourself ripping through online travel journals and wishing you could take one along when away from the computer, Backpacking with Brian will be a quirky delight. It is, perhaps by virtue of the text’s raw nature, an intensely personal account.

It may not illuminate new corners of Europe, or win a great award, but it does give the reader the feeling that the author, a close friend, has invited her to read his personal journal.

For what it’s worth, I am grateful.

Thank you Bryn, keep writing.

Price: $17.99 | BUY

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/book-review-backpacking-with-brian/feed/ 0 http://matadorgoods.com/improving-your-goodprint/ http://matadorgoods.com/improving-your-goodprint/#comments Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:03:59 +0000 Lola Akinmade http://matadorgoods.com/?p=217 ….And feeling 100% good about your purchases.

Images from WorldOfGood.com

Goodprint – is how sellers display the positive imprint you leave when you purchase a product on WorldofGood.com.

Your one stop shop for all things “green” and eco-friendly, World Of Good by eBay is dedicated to selling environmentally conscious goods which curb unnecessary waste.

From organic toothpaste and refurbished electronics to handcrafted musical instruments and Fair Trade food items, you can choose from over 15,000 unique products online in its marketplace.

You can also shop by a “Goodprint” category – selecting by People Positive, Eco Positive, Animal Friendly, or Supports a Cause.

Each product page includes information about its seller, the story of its producer, its trust verification status, and its goodprint

Photo by Lola Akinmade

People Positive products like handmade crafts and jewelry aim to improve quality of life through empowerment and preservation of communities and individuals alike. Eco Positive products such as organic clothing and environmentally safe lotions and soaps aim to conserve resources.

Animal Friendly products are usually free of dyes and chemicals that could be harmful to your pets, while proceeds from the sale of products that “Support a Cause” go to their beneficiaries.

Articles covering a host of sustainable living and ethical shopping topics are readily accessible via its vibrant online community which includes a mix of media partners, sellers, buyers, and trust providers.

Be sure to stop by and peek in through the window of a more conscious lifestyle.

Price: Various | Visit World of Good

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/improving-your-goodprint/feed/ 3 http://matadorgoods.com/is-it-safe-to-drink-the-water/ http://matadorgoods.com/is-it-safe-to-drink-the-water/#comments Fri, 27 Mar 2009 08:45:55 +0000 Micah Jayne http://matadorgoods.com/?p=215 From leaky taps in Queens to crusty ladles in the Sinai, this question is largely answered by chance.

You may have heard that your health is at risk every time you open your mouth, but the planet is suffering too. Drinkers of bottled water worldwide contribute to the looming ecological catastrophe in the form of discarded PET bottles.

Photo by Candice_Lee

To protect myself, my tried and true method of avoiding bacterial invasion is to gulp down a glass of local tap water immediately upon arriving in a strange land.

Insane? Perhaps, but it introduces my refined euro-belly to the various little organisms that will, inevitably, find their way indoors. Better still, it all happens in the comfort of my three-day hotel buffer where a relatively clean toilet is close at hand.

In ten years of travel, drinking well water in Egypt and brewing tea from the Mekong’s waters, this method has never once failed me.

Price: $129.99 | MSR Miox Water Purifier
with Batteries

After this inoculation, I am comfortable ordering the salad and crunching the ice cubes at the bottom of my glass of single malt.

However, there’s the rest of the planet to consider and here’s an alternative.

The MIOX purifier from MSR is a tiny, incredibly reliable and dead simple little gadget that will guarantee you fresh drinking and cooking water for the duration of your traveling life.

It works by creating a highly acidic brine of mixed oxidants using local water and salt, which is then dumped into the water you wish to treat.

Put a thimbleful of water in the cap, shake it up, open the cap, press the button and voila! One shot from the MIOX spells death to 99.9% of all bad guys, even the much-maligned Cryptosporidium.

Given the staggering environmental impact store-bought PET bottles have, especially in less developed countries, a MIOX purifier paired with a nice water bottle like the snazzy Black Panther aluminum bottle ($29.99) from Swiss manufacturer SIGG, can turn your mountain of refuse into a molehill.

Plus, you don’t get Delhi belly – Traveler’s Diarrhea. Everyone wins.

Community Connection

Want an in-depth review of various water purification options? Check out Plastic or Pills? Choosing an option for treating your water.

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/is-it-safe-to-drink-the-water/feed/ 3 http://matadorgoods.com/back-up-and-running/ http://matadorgoods.com/back-up-and-running/#comments Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:59:11 +0000 Matador Team http://matadorgoods.com/?p=214  

Ever wonder how the pros back up their photography? Professional travel and editorial photographer Terence Carter shares his backup plans with us.

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.

]]> http://matadorgoods.com/back-up-and-running/feed/ 2 http://matadorgoods.com/music-review-no-line-on-the-horizon/ http://matadorgoods.com/music-review-no-line-on-the-horizon/#comments Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:36:34 +0000 Lola Akinmade http://matadorgoods.com/?p=213 Can a self-proclaimed, biased U2 fan be truly objective?

It debuted at #1 in over 30 countries during its first week. Rolling Stones gave it 5 stars in an almost borderline worship of the band in its review. Early reviews coming in are already naming No Line as one of the best albums of the year.

Photo courtesy of U2.com

With the release of their last project, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (HTDAAB), a lot of people (U2 fans alike) were left scratching their heads.

We didn’t fully get it. It felt incomplete.

Sure, there were tracks like “Original of the Species” and “Crumbs from Your Table” that showcased the band’s lyrical depth, HTDAAB was one of those albums you kept skipping tracks to get to your 2-3 favorite tunes.

So why such high marks for No Line?

Were we fans looking for something so different from HTDAAB that maybe we’re lavishing inordinate amounts of praise on this latest effort?

Pluses

No Line’s retro-hip sound easily slides somewhere in between the edgy Achtung Baby and the more contemporary All That You Can’t Leave Behind albums, but with a distinct spiritual undercurrent to it.

You get the sense that despite being a pop-rock band, you’re listening to experience, profound depth, and multi-layered individuals urging us to introspectively examine ourselves and how we’ve each contributed – both negatively and positively – to the world as it stands today.

With lyrics such as “How can you stand next to the truth and not see it” on the track, “I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight” and “Hear me, cease to speak that I may speak… Shush now” on “Unknown Caller”, each track’s lyrical content is solid…

Photo courtesy of U2.com

There are obvious standouts such as the energetic “Breathe” with its powerful aesthetics, but already an early contender for Song of the Year is the overly melodic “Magnificent”.

At first, you think it’s just Bono wailing almost gratuitously (which as a die-hard U2 fan, is my staple), but then you strip back the driving harmonics and guitar riffs, and read its lyrics:

I was born to sing for you, I didn’t have a choice but to lift you up, And sing whatever song you wanted me to, I give you back my voice, From the womb my first cry, it was a joyful noise……

And Bono’s wails take on a whole new, more somber feel, which left me saying, “this song is pretty magnificent”.

No Line on The Horizon feels complete and wholesome, and the high praise it’s been garnering all over the world has been for its lyrics.

It’s been all about the lyrics.

Minuses

On the first pass-through of this album, you get the feeling U2 tried really hard to produce a totally opposite sound from HTDAAB. They didn’t need to. This may actually be a plus for fans of U2’s earlier sounds from say, Joshua Tree and War, in terms of the musical composition of the songs.

Overall: A

They get an A, not A+ for actually releasing the politically charged “Get on Your Boots” as their first single – one of the weaker songs on the album. Considering Boots is a sort of political anthem with a strong voice, that says a lot about the album’s strength.

Eleven albums later, and over 30 years together still producing socially, politically, and culturally relevant songs, U2’s staying power is hard-earned and truly deserved.

No Line is no doubt one of their best albums lyrically.

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]]> http://matadorgoods.com/music-review-no-line-on-the-horizon/feed/ 2 http://matadorgoods.com/whats-in-your-backpack-samantha-brown-travel-channel-host/ http://matadorgoods.com/whats-in-your-backpack-samantha-brown-travel-channel-host/#comments Mon, 23 Mar 2009 11:31:33 +0000 Juliane Huang http://matadorgoods.com/?p=212 For Matador’s “What’s In Your Backpack?” series, Travel Channel’s wildly entertaining host Samantha Brown graciously opened up her bag and let us get a peak into what she carries when jetting around the world.

Photo courtesy of Travel Channel

From pastoral dirt roads in Nicaragua to the busy streets of India, without fail, these are the items Samantha Brown needs to bring with her while she shoots take after take of her ever popular travel show.

Two “Pinky” balls

These are sold in just about every toy store. Are you ready to feel the best you’ve have felt on the road?

Place two balls next to each other on the floor. Lie down on the balls so that they are at the base of your neck and aligned with your spine.

Bend your knees and push so that the balls roll down your back, over your buttocks, and down your legs.

For deep knots, just hang out putting all your weight on the balls – pure bliss.

Now where’s that Enya CD?

A Jar of Peanut Butter

I’ve been traveling with peanut butter for years.

With my empty stomach, I can go from a grown, mature woman to a grumpy six year old in 10 minutes.

Armed with peanut butter, I can easily buy pretzels, crackers, or carrots (and in emergency cases, just dip my finger in the jar).

Peanut Butter is not only healthy, but also keeps you satiated.

I’ve just stumbled on a company called P.B. Loco where you can order online flavors like European Café Mocha, Sumatra Cinnamon and Raisin, and CoCo Banana!

 

A Sweater or Sweatshirt

Even if you are going to Hawai’i, I recommend bringing one.

We over air-condition everything.

When I’m in a 55 degree restaurant, I’m always wondering, ”Isn’t this the cool weather I was trying to escape?”

 

Earplugs

You don’t need $250 noise canceling headphones worn by the band members of Fortune 500.

Just the run-of-the-mill, bright orange, foamy kind will do.

They won’t shut out all the noise, but just enough to take the edge off of listening to your three-year-old’s favorite children’s CD for the 700th time.

It also allows you to psychologically be in your own private space, even if that is only in a two foot wide seat of a mini-van or airplane.

Melotonin Supplements (For Adults)

This is a completely natural sleep aid.

Melatonin is produced in your body, but we lose it as we get older.

There are no side effects like with prescription or over-the-counter sleeping pills.

I take them because many nights I find myself in a different hotel bed, plane seat, or time zone.

How does it make you feel? Your muscles totally relax like you just took a long hot bath.

 

Swiss Army Knife with Corkscrew Opener

Anything that’s issued as standard equipment to NASA astronauts has to be good for your family’s summer “Liftoff”.

I recommend the model with the corkscrew.

You have spent an entire day traveling with the kids.

You’ll really need that glass of wine.

 

Soap

I don’t like anti-bacteria gel.

The high number of times I need and use it, my hands are so completely dried out by all the alcohol.

Good ol’ soap is still better than anything.

Remember to wash your hands for 15 seconds to kill all the germs.

Pick a fun song so you know when those fifteen seconds are up. Mine is “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine”.

 

Disposable Wipes

These days, doesn’t it seem like every brand makes their product in a “wipable” form?

Nowadays, wet wipes are travel essentials and not just for cleaning up baby bums and children’s faces!

A good anti-bacterial wipe is perfect for hotel rooms, air