gdp's Comments

Matador Change : The Increasing Cost Of Volunteering Abroad

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 01:25:26 +0000

$20,000! And I'm assuming that was only for a few weeks. If an organization is "charging" you that much to volunteer, rest assured the money is NOT going where it's needed. I mean, if you opt to pay that much as a donation, more power to you. But if that's the org's standard fee...put that money towards a grad degree and start your own nonprofit.

Matador Life : Tea v. Coffee: Which One is Better for You?

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 19:15:22 +0000

I think the fact that tea is less addictive is what makes it less appealing. I don't NEED my morning tea, but when I get that first coffee sip of the day...ahhhhhh. Coffee for life!

Matador Goods : Timeless Classics at Planet eBook

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 04:07:37 +0000

Very nice, gotta love that public domain law. This is a great idea.

Matador Trips : 4 St. Patrick's Day Celebrations You May Not Have Heard Of

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:16:42 +0000

It's funny how some traditions gain a global following, isn't it? In this case, I think all the beer helps. :)

Matador Pulse : The Battle for Pascua Lama

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 13:39:53 +0000

Related article recently in the NYT about the relationship between climate, privatized water, and mining in the Atacama...a shocking read: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/15/world/americas/...

Matador Goods : Essential Gear for Your Patagonia Trip

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 17:47:21 +0000

Wow, comprehensive list!

Matador Nights : This is the most creative use of youtube I've ever seen.

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 13:31:44 +0000

Very, very cool. I'd have to agree with the title of this post.

Matador Nights : World's Best Barbecue

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 04:11:12 +0000

I can vouch for the uniqueness of the Mongolian tradition. Picture holding a scalding, greasy rock in one hand while shoveling scalding, greasy meat into your mouth with the other. Delicious but a little frightening.

Matador Change : 6 Ecological Disasters You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 22:35:20 +0000

Title is right on--I'd only heard of 2 of these. The SE Asia picture brings back memories of the terrible "yellow haze" of Gobi sand and Chinese pollution that drifts over Korea each April. Shocking stuff!

Travelers Notebook : Notes On Receiving Contributor's Copy of Fodor's Patagonia

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:47:12 +0000

Very cool that you both got to contribute to this. I have to get my hands on a copy before I head down there in June!

Matador Nights : What People are Listening to in… Brazil

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:19:29 +0000

"Charque Side of the Moon"! Must get a hold of that.

Matador Abroad : Best Places to Learn Latin America's Indigenous Languages

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:03:29 +0000

Great idea for an article! This is something that many people simply don't think about. I'm volunteering through Sustainable Bolivia now, and the Spanish teacher they've provided me with (yep, I need to learn that one first) is also fluent in Quechua. I've been able to pick up a few words here and there, but really wish I had time to devote to intensive study.

Matador Pulse : "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night...

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:16:43 +0000

Visiting post offices abroad is such a surreal experience...Audrey captures it so well in her article. I remember stepping into a post office in Pakse, Laos, to ship home an assortment of unnecessary items and Christmas presents. Everything was so informal (the box made up on the spot, the guestimated weight) I was sure I'd never see any of those things again. But lo and behold, a short 3 months later (and just a couple days before Christmas, to boot), there they were on my doorstep in Texas!

Matador Change : Voluntourism 101

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 19:00:28 +0000

These are 3 great places to start your search for a volunteer org. Another site I found useful (I believe it's how I came in contact with my current opportunity in Bolivia) is http://www.volunteerabroad.com/search.cfm. I found it useful to search by country and then view the results starting at the end of the list, as this is where the small-scale, local orgs were more likely to turn up. There's a volunteer spot out there for everyone. It just takes a little effort to find sometimes. Good luck!

Brave New Traveler : A Taste Of The Anarchist's Cookbook

Fri, 6 Mar 2009 00:41:55 +0000

Great thoughts, written well. Is rent in Berlin really so cheap?

Matador Abroad : Confessions of a Serial Couchsurfer

Wed, 4 Mar 2009 18:53:19 +0000

Wow, I've never couchsurfed, but this makes me want to give it a try!

Matador Trips : Make It a Black History Year: 7 Spots to Keep Learning Year-Round

Mon, 2 Mar 2009 20:43:46 +0000

Very cool list. I doubt there's any other site on the web where you can find such valuable info on the topic. A great resource.

Matador Goods : Armchair Travel: The Carnaval Spirit

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 02:41:30 +0000

Yay for Carnaval! Even as we speak, those crazy Bolivians are still at it. Students from the university just across the plaza from my home are busy getting in some last-minute dance practice before Cochabamba's big parade kicks off tomorrow morning. Me? I'm trying to invoke my inner water balloon warrior.

Matador Nights : Bolivian Carnaval

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 18:06:16 +0000

Yikes! Call me culturally insensitive if you want...but that's disgusting!

Brave New Traveler : Back in 1848? A Closer Look at the US / Mexico Border

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 01:06:50 +0000

Nice interview, and great to hear about a San Antonio boy who's made it big. Fascinating stuff.