Best of the Blogosphere: May 2011

Posted on 26. May, 2011 by Steph in Links

I stopped doing my monthly links round-up when I started traveling in September. Mostly I just didn’t have time to read as much as I used to, so I let it slide.

Now that I have slightly more time on my hands, I’ve been looking around and seeing how much awesome travel writing is going on out there on the web. People aren’t just writing “what I did on my vacation pieces” but real, creative, useful things.

But first, a slight update on what’s going on with me:

Everywhere Connection- My next big project, is off to a good start! If you haven’t checked it out yet- please do!

Travel Writing and Growing Your Readership- I will be speaking at a FREE webinar hosted by Art of Travel Blogging (link) on Tuesday the 31^st. If you’re interested in hearing what I have to say about why travel writing is important, and how to improve your own, go sign up. Did I mention it’s free?

June Travel Plans- I’m posting this from Hong Kong- yes, my second visit to Hong Kong this month. I just love it!  I have roughly two more weeks in China, then I’m headed to Vancouver for TBEX where I’m really looking forward to seeing old friends and connecting with new people. On June 14th I will be back at home in Arlington- I can hardly believe it! I’m then immediately driving to Ocean City, Maryland with some friends. Hopefully after that I can relax for a couple weeks before the summer travel plans really starts up!

Now that is taken care of, here are some of the really interesting things going around the web this month:

Finders, Weepers- Nerds Eye View- The execution of Osama Bin Laden after so many years has been on everybody’s mind of late. I think being a travel gives you a unique perspective of how this actually changes the world we live in (probably not much). I really dug Pam’s perspective on things.

Serendipity: A Legal Nomads Love Story- Legal Nomads- Part “it’s a small world,” part love story, this article gave me chills.

photo credit: Ken_Mayer

6 Things I Learned From Getting Deported- Expat in Germany- I’d never seen this blog before but I got totally swept up in this story of invalid visas and crooked customs agents. Pretty scary stuff!

China, What You Should Expect- Shanghai Novice- As I’ve learned first hand, there is a lot of craziness that goes on in China on a daily basis. It’s pretty impossible to prepare yourself but here are a few tips (from various bloggers) to start of with.

How a Vegetarian Survived China- A Little Adrift- On a related note, tips for being a vegetarian in China, a feat which seems nearly impossible to me. Shannon managed to pull it off!

Is Gluttony Really A Sin?- Bacon is Magic- on the opposite end of the spectrum, a peak at haute cuisine in Buenos Aires. I can. not. wait. to go there.

photo credit: elif ayse

Central Asia Travel: A Beginner’s Guide- Uncornered Market- I don’t know why, but I have this weird fascination with visiting Central Asia. It’s just so foreign from anything I can imagine. The pictures in this article only confirm my determination.

Reservations About Eating Alone? 5 Tips to Get Over It!- Single Occupancy- Traveling solo I’ve become quite skilled at eating all by myself, but the first couple times can be really hard! Here are some tips for getting past it.

You Put Your Left Foot In… The Travel Closet- Globetrotter Girls- Gay travelers have to face unique issues when travelling abroad. Here’s an article on the tribulations of having to decide when it’s safe to be yourself.

What’s Changed, 1 Year After Returning from RTW Travel?-Around the World “L”- What happens when you come home from a year off? Here’s one story.

Goodbye Southeast Asia- Lonely Girl Travels- I love this bittersweet almost-a-poem recounting of all the things that make SE Asia so unique.

What stories did you enjoy this month?

Tags: links