The Best Comments Of The Month: October 2010
The comments over the past month started strong when I asked how you swap house keys when traveling and kept on going right through deciding the winner of the Live The Backpacker Life Contest. Here are just a few of the best comments from October.
- Heather and Dee‘s suggestion on using a wall-mounted lock box to leave keys for couchsurfers really got my mind going on all clever ways to exchange small items when traveling.
- Wandering Trader asks how long it took me to research this post – the answer is a few months but the idea had been brewing for nearly 2 years.
- Sofia (and myself) are shocked people lucky enough to survive the initial impact of plane crashes often die trying to save this while forgetting these.
- Catia‘s not scared of plane crashes, which doesn’t surprise me since her gravatar looks like a photo of her jumping out of a plane – what do you think? (By the way, if you want a nifty photo to pop up next to your comments on this site (and most every other one too), you can get a free gravatar here.)
- Those of you looking for a new book to read should consider Bas‘ suggestion.
- Let’s just say you were in a temple with poisonous snakes all around like Laura was, would you have to be told not to touch them?
- Flip sees a two headed cow in Limoges, France and so does Ayngelina – now that they mention it I do too. What about you?
Thanks again for another wonderful month of your thoughts, opinions, observations, and comments. Next month I hope to have a little gift for all of you, until then, have a fantastic November.
[photo by: cwgoodroe (cows whispering)]
Halloween In Seoul, South Korea
October 28, 2010 by Anil P.
Filed under Guest Post
This is a guest post by Chris Backe who, like about 25,000 other foreigners in Korea, teaches English as a full-time job. When not teaching, however, he makes it a point to visit one new place, event, or festival every week, as well as tell you about what’s going on in the land of the morning calm. He travels, writes, and is always exploring the dynamic society that is Korea on his blog, Chris In South Korea.
Like a number of places across the world, Halloween is a great way to escape the bonds of your usual personality and become someone (or something) else, if only for a night. If you’ve looked at the calendar, you already know Halloween falls on a Sunday – meaning that a number of people will be dressing up for all the fun on Saturday. It’s worth noting that the younger generation of Koreans gets into the Halloween spirit as well. Just because it’s not a Korean holiday doesn’t mean they can’t embrace the silliness and costumes the holiday entails. In fact, don’t be surprised if some of their costumes are better or more elaborate than yours.
Where To Prepare For Halloween In Seoul
Both Namdaemun (Hoehyeon Station, line 4) and Dongdaemun (Dongdaemun Station, line 1 or 4) are excellent places to assemble your Halloween costume. You’ll find some masks and accessories, although you’ll have to bring your creativity to bear. Just like in your home country, there’s plenty of places selling stuff for your Neytiri outfit, that cute girl from Glee, or the timeless Gothic look. You’ll still have to put the pieces together on your own.
Myeongdong (Myeongdong Station, line 4) is fine for accessories or plenty of local stuff, while all the department stores will offer a seasonal selection of costumes and foam stuff. Most of it is geared towards kids, but there are a few costumes-in-a-bag waiting for you bigger kids.
Halloween Events In Seoul
You don’t need a laundry list of all the places holding Halloween events. It’s easier to head down to your personal preference of Hongdae (on line 2) or Itaewon (line 6) and check out the posters that get put up the week before. There’s bound to be plenty of good costume parties and drink specials, although walking around and seeing all the costumes is half the fun. If interested in checking out some new bands, the always excellent Battle of the Bands starts at Stompers in Itaewon on October 30th. If you just want some punk, Club Spot in Hongdae will have Whatever That Means, Kickscotch, and Rux on the 30th as well – plenty of punk to go around on a Saturday night.
I’ll throw out a special mention of Gangnam in southern Seoul – you probably won’t see as many costume-wearers there, but hey, you’re unique. Expect the clubs in Gangnam to throw a party or two – but don’t expect a break from their usually high cover charges. It is the upscale-fashionable district, after all. If you’re coming to Korea near the end of October, take a couple hours and put together a costume. You’ll find plenty of company with both the expat teachers and the locals.
Thanks very much for this timely guest post on Halloween in South Korea Chris. You can learn more about Korean culture and to keep up with Chris In South Korea on his blog by the same name.
Announcing The Winner Of The Live The Backpacker Life Contest
October 26, 2010 by Anil P.
Filed under Contests, Pictures and Video
Earlier this month I announced my most ambitious competition to date, the Live The Backpacker Life Contest. It was my first travel video contest and by far the biggest prize I’ve offered on foXnoMad. As has become fairly common in my contests the final decision was a close one and I’m happy to announce the winner of a 1 week free trip (most) anywhere is Dave Brett.
The Winning Video
Dave’s video, Mr. Satoshi’s Tour Of Tokyo, Japan took us through the streets of that country’s capital city and gave us a vivid look at the Tsukiji Fish Market. Here’s another look at Dave’s winning video.
Dave wins a one week backpacking trip to the place of his choosing, including round-trip airfare and hostel accommodations. I hope Dave will keep us updated on where he decides to go and perhaps considers sending us a video from there as well.
How The Decision Was Reached – The Judge’s Decisions
The final decision came down to 5 votes – one from myself, 3 from a group of travel bloggers, and one public vote. The final results gave Dave’s video entry 3 overall votes with Barbara Weibel’s video from the Snake Temple in Penang, Malaysia coming in second with 2 votes. Here are how each of the judges determined their favorite video.
- Roni Weiss (Vote: Entry #1) – Quickly cut with vivid images, I felt like I was in the fish market, smelling the salt and seafood. The whole video transported me back to my time in Japan. Dave’s observations are genuine and based on his surroundings, allowing the viewer to feel like they are along for the ride.
Roni Weiss is a videographer, blogger, podcaster and tweeter. In addition to Roni On Location, his weekly travel web series, he can be found on Don’t Worry About The Government, a weekly political podcast.
- David Lee (Vote: Entry #2) – I picked Barbara’s entry because I felt she made good use of both the video and written summary to share her experiences and emotions touring the the Snake Temple in Penang.
David Lee is the Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking. He currently lives in Medellin, Colombia.
- Cailin O’Neil (Vote: Entry #1) – Dave’s video was full of great information with a little bit of fun thrown in on the side. I also enjoyed that he didn’t shy away from the camera and seemed to be interested in trying almost everything, from odd sushi to eating a baby squid in one bite.
Cailin O’Neil is first a traveler, then a filmmaker. She has traveled mostly solo for the past 3 years to 23 different countries blogging and filming along the way. In 2009 she fulfilled her biggest dream by producing/directing/editing/hosting and funding the filming of the first episode of her travel TV show “Travel Yourself”.
The Reader Poll Results
You (the reader!) were the 5th vote in the Live The Backpacker Life Contest and the majority of you gave your vote to Dave’s Mr. Satoshi’s Tour Video.
Which Was Your Favorite Live The Backpacker Life Video?
- Entry #1 - Mr. Satoshi’s Tour Of Tokyo, Japan by Dave Brett (51%, 69 Votes)
- Entry #2 - Snake Temple In Penang, Malaysia by Barbara Weibel (30%, 41 Votes)
- Entry #3 - Badrulchau Stone Monoliths by Dansk Santos (19%, 26 Votes)
Total Voters: 136
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My Vote And Thoughts On The Entries
Finally, my vote went to Barbara’s entry #2 from the Snake Temple in Penang. While I enjoyed all of the finalist videos, I felt that hers in particular focused on the most specific topic, something I emphasized when originally announcing the contest. I thought that Dave’s video had the right amount of action accentuated by good editing and Dansk’s entry #3 brought a fresh feel to Palau’s Stone Monoliths.
- Barbara and Dansk will each receive a $30 Amazon.com gift certificate for being finalists in the contest.
I’d like to thank everyone who entered with their wonderful travel videos, giving us a unique look at several places previously not covered on this site.
Upcoming Contests And Your Feedback Appreciated
I plan on running another major video contest sometime before early next year and would love to hear your feedback about the Live The Backpacker Life Contest. What would you like to see in an upcoming contest in terms of prizes and what might entice you to enter?
Thanks again to everyone who participated, voted, watched the videos, and left comments on the contest entries and once more, congratulations to Dave for a video well done.
Don’t worry if you missed this contest, I run several throughout the year. Subscribe to foXnoMad via email or RSS so the next one doesn’t pass you by.
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[photos by: Stuck In Customs (Tokyo streets), bloomsberries (gavel), gbarr (travel art panorama), dierk schaefer (human brain)]
A View Of Girne Harbor In The Turkish Republic Of Northern Cyprus
October 22, 2010 by Anil P.
Filed under Pictures and Video
The coastal town of Girne (Greek: Kyrenia) in the Turkish Republic on Northern Cyprus (TRNC) slows down from it’s usual bustling pace during the extremely hot afternoon hours of the Cypriot summer. The harbor is a 5 minute (~7 TL) cab ride from the main harbor where ferries from Turkey shuttle people back and forth from twice a day. Sure, it’s only a 20 minute walk but with temperatures well in the upper 30s Celsius (+100F) in the summer and bags in tow, it’s an attractive option.
The cost of eating around the harbor is very expensive and you’ll find more authentic food for a fourth of the price two blocks up toward the main circle. For a real deal there are several places serving “menemen” (Turkish omelets) with ayran (yogurt drink) and bread for 2 TL. There is one good budget-friendly option right near the harbor though and that’s the inexpensive Cyprus Dorms hostel. It’s a bit spartan with quirky staff but in a great location – just don’t count on the free wi-fi though. Fortunately there’s a reliable and free connection at Kemer Cafe right up the street where I met this guy. They also serve up a large Turkish breakfast for less than 10 TL.
You can see more of my pictures from Girne in North Cyprus, which I’ll be writing more about in the coming weeks.
