Engaging visitors: the important role destination marketing organizations (DMOs) play in destination marketing

In today’s tourism industry, Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) have a larger role and responsibility to go beyond their historical role of marketing and simply disseminating information to visitors but to also engage all stakeholders, including travelers, to create lasting connections that enhance the experience as well as conserve the integrity of the destination. DMOs must act as more than just the promoter of the destination but also coordinate the disparate tourism offerings and stakeholders in order to maintain a consistent destination brand.

In order to fully engage the visitor and create lasting connections, DMOs need to take full advantage of the tools at their disposal – specifically the numerous opportunities on the Internet and other new technologies to foster this relationship. Rather than only fulfilling the traditional task of disseminating information to the visitor, DMOs can use these tools to facilitate conversations between the visitor and potential visitors. By encouraging the visitor to share their experience, the DMO is in affect using word of mouth marketing, creating ‘buzz’ and allowing the visitor to do part of the DMO’s job for them, including: sharing their experience on Twitter or a status update on Facebook; posting a story on their blog; “checking-in” on Foursquare; sharing photos on Flickr; posting videos on YouTube; leaving a review on TripAdvisor or Yelp; or giving advice in travel forms like Lonely Planet’s Thorntree. By aggregating and analyzing the information shared about their destination, the DMO can conduct targeted marketing that is relevant, effective and engages market segments most likely to create higher yields and returns on investment.

Instead of only focusing on increasing the number of visitors, DMOs should focus more on improving the quality of the experience and how tourism benefits the destination with a greater emphasis on the yields and authenticity of tourists’ experiences. For the visitor, this includes respecting the destination’s inhabitants through activities such as providing resources for learning the local language, teaching proper traveler etiquette and encouraging cultural exchanges between the locals and visitors so that visitors engage rather than remain spectators. Ultimately, the interaction needs to be beneficial to both the visitor and host community.

Through the multiplier effect, tourism provides a significant contribution to the economy beyond direct tourist spending with indirect and induced impacts, for example increased employment or hotels buying linens from a local manufacturer. This puts DMOs in the unique position to not only connect visitors with information about a destination’s attractions and activities but to also influence where the economic benefit is distributed through maximizing linkages between businesses and minimizing leakages outside of the destination. While strictly speaking, a DMO should be unbiased, thus providing information so the visitor can make the most informed decision, it can also distribute information about how tourism can affect the local population through travel philanthropy. By providing tourists with this additional information and encouraging them to help benefit the local population, which, if properly managed, can encourage conservation and ownership by local stakeholders and thereby increase the sustainability of the destination.

Current trends are moving away from the old notion of a “holiday” where a tourist simply lies on the beach and goes home. Today, with an increasing emphasis on experiences, a destination must provide engaging and authentic experiences that set it apart from competitors. Increasingly transforming from CVBs to DMOs, these organizations must coordinate with the many stakeholders giving them added responsibilities as well. It isn’t sufficient to simply market the destination; the DMO must help to manage the brand by maintaining and enhancing its image and character, thereby having a more valuable and attractive product to market in the end. By seeking to engage with the visitor and create a lasting relationship, the DMO will not only succeed in promoting its destination, but it will also secure the integrity of the place and ensure that wonderful trips are being shared back home to drive further visits!

Oh, Malila...

After my marathon trip to get from Colorado to Bamako, I didn’t really leave my hotel room until it was time for lunch. Wandering down the street to The Relax, I sat down at a table in their outdoor patio. Moments after sitting down, I glanced up to see two old friends walking in. Casey and Steven had lived in Segou for about 6 months(?) until December 2007 before moving back to the States. I could hardly believe my eyes when they came walking up – with only one day in the capital – I had the chance to go to the same restaurant at the same time! Incredible. I still can’t believe it. They are back in Mali for two weeks to print some books they created for adult literacy that are being printed in Bambara, the dominant local language. Small world indeed.

After taking care of a few random tasks in Bamako namely getting my money changed and a short meeting with SNV (Dutch version of USAID I am working with), I went to bed early before my long journey up to Pays Dogon. Originally I was getting a ride from the Peace Corps as far as Segou where I’d planned to spend a few nights. However, because I had been delayed back in the states, I had to go the full distance to Bandiagara that day. It felt really strange going through Segou and not stopping to say hello – so many people I haven’t seen in over two years! I’m eager to get back down and am hoping I can make it for the Festival sur le Niger the first week of February (looks highly likely). After getting up at 5:30am, I finally arrived about 7:15pm and that’s making good time on the bus. A PCV I’m going to work with met me at the bus and we had a good chat before I went, completely exhausted, to my bed where I soundly slept for the next 12 hours.

My apartment is coming along and I now have a bed, mattress, plastic mat and a borrowed “butt-floss” chair… hoping to get better sitting items this week. Internet is not nearly as good as I had hoped and Skype so far looks unlikely as the speed just isn’t fast enough to support a call. However, if you want to call me, my phone number is posted on my facebook profile – just remember to add the country code (223) and that I’m on the same time as London (5 hrs from DC/7 from Colorado). I should have internet most days of the week but this is still Africa – the internet was down for over two weeks because Bandiagara doesn’t officially have service yet and everyone was piggybacking off someone that worked for the provider. He was selling connections on the side and he left town for a while without paying the bill. Thus, the entire town had no internet. What does exist is fairly slow too, I can’t really download/upload pictures or attachments. Also having trouble with my yahoo mail but that seems to be better now. If you want to send me anything,  please send them to:

Yuri Horowitz, RPCV

Corps de la Paix

BP 19 Bandiagara

Mali, West Africa

Work is getting off to a good start too – first week of introductions and meetings and then catching up on things now that internet is back. I’ll update more on this next post as I’m still getting my feet under me. Since yesterday, I drove through Bandiagara, Pelini, Kinde, Melo, Some, Borko, Doentza, Sevare, etc. and am looking forward to Sangha, YougouPiri, Djigibombo, Kani-Kombole, Ouo, etc… love the names of towns out here. 

It is good to be back in Mali – something about having the red African earth beneath my feet again – it’s hard to describe but essentially Mali will always be a second home for me. Of course, I could do without the little kids screaming toubab! toubabo!, donne moi un cadeau/bic/ton vello/etc in their shrill voices and remembering to eat slowly so as not to break my teeth on the inevitable bits of dust and sand… I’m adjusting to the African pace of life little by little.

So... I’m here. Again. In Mali. Yep, I came back and what a long trip it’s been to get here.

After multiple changes, I was finally scheduled to leave on Sunday, the 9th of January. Not finished packing as of the morning of my 4:30pm flight, I was scurrying around my house finishing up when I got the call from United at 1:45pm finally canceling my flight. It had been dumping snow all day and, knowing my flight was bound to be cancelled, all I could think about was being out on the mountain for one last day of snowboarding before I leave. It was just late enough that since I’d already put all my gear away I didn’t really have time to get out. Re-booked for the same flights the next day, I finished up so I would have time on Monday before my flight. A blue-bird sky and over a foot of fresh powder greeted me as I caught the first chair at Snowmass where I did a few runs, including the Wall, before heading over to highlands to hike the bowl. A great last day in Aspen and my last run of the season was nothing but fresh turns through untouched powder and narrow glades. Quite the contrast to the next 7 months I am to spend in Mali, West Africa.

Of course, it wasn’t that easy and my flight from Colorado was delayed again – this time, I ended up missing my connection and had to stay the night in Chicago. Luckily, the airline put me up at the airport Hilton, which was nice since I had a 6am flight the next day! After some meetings in Washington D.C. going over project details, meeting my future co-workers (albeit remote as they would be from me in Mali, “co” is a relative term), I met up with Isabelle and Tim who’d been in Peace Corps with me in Mali for a quick drink. Just after nightfall, I headed off to the airport once again in a blizzard.

This time, I almost didn’t even make it to the airport. Just as we were getting near the airport, the taxi driver turned off the freeway early into a construction zone. Not heeding my calls to stop and go back, the road narrowed and narrowed and he didn’t stop until it had narrowed so much that the front left tire was hanging about 4 feet off the unfinished highway to our side. Now a raging blizzard, I got out to direct him as he attempted to reverse the couple hundred yards back towards the highway. After five minutes and about five feet later, I reached in the driver’s side window and had him control the speed while I steered us back the barely car-wide road. With about 6 inches total to spare, it was a balance between not scrapping his car against the concrete dividers on the passenger side and not letting the wheels fall off the four foot drop – all while walking the tightrope of asphalt next to the car, squinting into the dumping snow and trying not to fall myself. Averaging barely half a mile an hour, almost 20 minutes later we were back on our way and I arrived with just enough time to make my flight to Paris.

It was quite the experience flying back into Mali for the first time since leaving two and a half years earlier. Mind you, I only flew into Mali that one and only time when I arrived in August 2006 (I didn’t get on another plane until September 2008 when I flew out of Accra, Ghana). It was amazing how the Malian passengers, who had so calmly boarded the flight in Paris, all of a sudden switched back into African transport mode. I was seated about 10 rows from the back of the aircraft and, once we landed and everyone had stood up, these two Malians started squeezing past a few passengers until they got stuck since by then everyone had stood up to gather their things, get their bags down, etc. So what next? They started yelling for people to move and get going so they can get off the plane. Why were people just standing there?! This persisted for the next 10 minutes until the ramp was finally wheeled along and the door opened. Never mind you, almost 2 hours later when I finally had my bags, they still were waiting for theirs to come off the conveyor belt… Yes, I was back in Africa.

Your assignment

Anything you do from the soulful self will help

lighten the burdens of the world. Anything.

You have no idea what the smallest word,

the tiniest generosity can cause to be set in motion.

Be outrageous in forgiving.

Be dramatic in reconciling. Mistakes?

Back up and make them as right as you can, then move on.

Be off the charts in kindness.

In whatever you are called to,

strive to be devoted to it in all aspects large and small.

Fall short? Try again.

Mastery is made in increments, not in leaps.

Be brave, be fierce, be visionary.

Mend the parts of the world that are "within your reach."

To strive to live this way is the most dramatic gift

you can ever give to the world.

~Clarissa Pinkola Estes

What a wonderful life we have been given.

Let's love it. Happy New Year!!

Facebook fanpage for yurihorowitz.com

Don't forget to become a fan on my Facebook page for Yuri Horowitz Photography - my FB fan page is here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Yuri-Horowitz-Photography/141055895911425.

Leave your comments/suggestions there too!

Launching Yuri Horowitz Photography's offical website!

It has been a long road to get here but I'm finally ready to launch my photography website! While I'm sure I'll be polishing it up as time goes on, the site is ready. Please, take a moment to visit Yuri Horowitz Photography at www.yurihorowitz.com. I'd love to get some feedback too, so please send me your comments and suggestions if you have any!

Panama Photos

Here is a sampling of my photos from my time in Panama, 2009.



(Best when viewed full-screen: click on the bottom right icon)

CouchSurfing - what it's all about plus when to and when not to

This post is in response to an article titled: “Are Couchsurfing networks legitimate local travel?” (from the website Local Travel Movement) discussing the merits of CouchSurfing (CS) and how it fits into the industry. The debate was started by a few comments with negative opinions about CS and I would venture to guess that the comments on the original article against Couchsurfing are from people who have no experience Couchsurfing. Thus, my response below…

I’ve traveled extensively (to over 50 countries on six continents) and stayed in pretty much every “accommodation” imaginable from a mosquito-infested concrete floor of a rural bus station in Africa, hostels virtually everywhere, a homestay while studying at a language school in Guatemala, Couchsurfing across Asia to B&Bs in New Zealand, a holiday apartment in Buenos Aires, and a 5-star hotel in New York City.

I have met many people who CS with plenty of resources and could stay in a proper hotel. To be honest, depending on the situation, I would rather sleep on someone’s couch than the queen size bed, full amenities, room service, etc. You just don’t get the same experience. When you “Couchsurf”, the place you stay varies greatly – it doesn’t really have to be a couch. I’ve had everything from a straw mat over concrete with a cold bucket shower across the street (in Xi’an, China) to my own private guest room with queen bed, A/C, hot shower, laundry, satellite TV, kitchen, etc. (in Delhi, India) – often being given the keys to a place when the host leaves, letting you have the place to yourself (of course within limits and respecting their home).

Regarding safety, this is something that should be a concern, as it is no matter where you stay. Is it a safe neighborhood? Are the owners/hosts trustworthy? What have other guests’ experiences been – positive/negative? For traditional accommodations, there are review sites, such as TripAdvisor. However, do you always read up on past opinions about a hotel? I suspect more often than not, you just stay based on the looks of a place, its location, and perhaps a few reviews.

For CouchSurfing, there are many ways to assess what the host/guest is like. You can read other CSers comments about their personal experiences (both about the person as a guest and a host), see if the person is verified (if they’ve confirmed their name and address), if they’ve been vouched for by other members (something that you can only start doing by being vouched for yourself multiple times), see how many and what type of friends they have (friendship type, met in person, or just online), what percentage of requests the host has replied to, how active on CS they are (e.g. when they last logged-in), generally how complete their profile is and the feeling you get about the person. Often people only think about trusting and feeling safe in the place they are going to stay. On the other hand, being a host you can have just as valid concerns about the person you are potentially going to host; importantly, there is never any obligation and you can always decline. You can see pretty quickly how much experience they have on CS and there are telltale signs to be aware of. If you follow CS safety guidelines and do the proper research/reading before you participate, you should be fine – arguably safer than you could be staying alone in an unknown hotel.

Why/when do I CS? Sure, budget comes into play and I wouldn't have been able to go to as many places as I have, or for as long. However, I do it because I love meeting the people that host me (or that I've hosted) - hearing what their lives are like, getting an insight that would be near impossible staying at any hostel/B&B/hotel. They also can give the best advice you'll ever get about the place you're visiting. While there are times when one visits a destination primarily for the “place” (architecture, monuments, nature, etc.) there are other segments of people that visit a destination for the unique culture and people that live there. It just depends on what your goals are, how much time you have, etc.

Why/when do I not CS? One drawback to CSing vs., say, staying in a hostel is that you don’t meet other travelers in the same way – sure you can and will still meet them sightseeing, at a restaurant/bar, or taking part in the same activity, but it’s not the same. Perhaps one of the travelers you meet in a hostel are going the same way and often they can become a travel buddy. Sometimes a CS host will take you around but not always and, by not staying in a hostel, you might not get the same opportunity to meet someone to go around with. Other reasons are perhaps you’re just passing through, don’t have a lot of time or just want to be free of any social obligations/interactions with a CS host. In those cases, you can opt for your own private room in a regular accommodation.

Lastly, one aspect of CSing that hasn’t been mentioned is how often the people participating aren’t even hosting – they are simply available to meet for a “coffee or a drink”. When I’m not CSing (or even when I am and my host is busy), I’ve met up with these locals who’ve given me valuable advice, shown me around, or just had unforgettable experiences in general.  Sometimes, I didn’t even get to meet them face-to-face, but our exchange was valuable for the information and hospitality they gave to a stranger (me). One time, while living in Panama City with my own apartment, I contacted the local CSers and had an instant group of friends – many of which are now my lifelong friends.

Essentially, this is what Couchsurfing is all about: meeting a total stranger - either staying with them, having them stay with you, or just meeting up for a “coffee or a drink”. One side is not necessarily benefiting more than the other. It is a symbiotic relationship where you learn from the other person and exchange ideas, values, and experiences. Both participants come away from the interaction richer – with greater understanding and empathy than they had before.

Dambé - The Mali Project documentary

When you find some time, I highly recommend watching this documentary, Dambé - The Mali Project, about two traditional Irish musicians who travel to Mali (where I spent my two and a half years in the Peace Corps).

It has some great footage depicting typical Malian life/scenes (albeit sometimes inaccurately - but that's a minor detail)... Most of the popular places are represented, many where I spent a lot of my time: the Niger River, Bamako, Djenne, Mopti, Dogon Country, Tombouctou and the Festival au Desert near Essakane (most remote music festival in the world, where I went with my family when they visited).

There is some great music throughout as well as a good bit of history and general information on the challenges the country is facing.

Utah Photo Album

Ok, so not exactly Central America but I've finally gotten around to uploading some photos from a road trip to Utah back in April of 2009.  I'd edited the photos and created an album but for some reason never got around to uploading them to share.  Pretty much all over Utah including Zion Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley, Valley of the Gods, Escalante, etc.

Click here to view my Utah Photo Album.  I've switched to photoshop.com as my photo sharing site since my picasa account is pretty much full (and I like the interface better). Make sure you're viewing them full size and I also suggest using the full-screen view mode (button at top right).

Enjoy!

Leaving for Panama

Well my 17 days in Costa Rica are coming to a close.  Tonight, I board a bus to make the 15-18 hour journey down the Interamericana Highway to Panama City. 

I'm only online for a bit now but will say that Costa Rica has been a great time traveling around with Ramona.  We started in Dominical for a few days on the Pacific Coast, down further south to Drake Bay and Corcovado on the Osa Peninsula before jumping back across to the north Atlantic side to Tortuguero near Nicaragua and on down to Puerto Viejo just near the border of Panama.  We were quite fortunate and had little rain apart from the evening shower even though it is technically the rainiest month of the rainy season (thanks El Nino). 

I would characterize the trip as a lot of wildlife.  Lots and lots of wildlife - whales, turtles (both moms laying and babies hatching), 3 types of monkeys, lots of lizards, snakes, frogs, otters, crocodiles, caymans, sloths, spiders and countless kinds of birds - i'm sure I'm leaving some out but that's all I can think of off the top of my head.  Needless to say, I have lots of photos which over time I'll try and get a few up once I arrive in Panama.  Till then...

Don't know if I've ever hopped around this much - next destionation: Central America

And the travels continue...

I've neglected my blog for a while and to all you eagerly awaiting an update, I apologize. 

So much going on (both present, past and future) that I won't get into too much detail but here is the short version:

I got back from traveling through Asia on my way home from Peace Corps in December.  Went home to Colorado for the holidays (with a quick trip to FL to visit my grandma and attend a good friend's wedding) and ended up spending the winter there as I continue to search for long-term gainful employment.  By April, I became restless again and slowly but surely got my travel legs back underfoot:  Short trip to Utah visiting its beautiful national parks, another out to Ventura, CA for a mini-family reunion and then out to D.C. for my sister's graduation.  And I was only warming up.

By early June I was leaving Colorado for the entire summer.  Seven weeks in Switzerland, a week in Seattle, two weeks near Montreal, back to Seattle for another week (both times for weddings), road trip out to Burning Man in Nevada and onto Idaho to visit still more family.  This brings us up to about a week and a half ago.

Since then I've been preparing for my next destination: Central America.  I'll travel through Costa Rica for two weeks before heading south to Panama where I'll be based for two months in Panama City.  Why/how so long in Panama you ask?  Finally found something to work on!! Though, not long-term and not really gainful - only two months and I'm almost working for free, but hey, it's something and it's something I think I'll like! 

Don't have too many details on the project but it is a tourism website that acts as a portal for accommodation and tours.  My main focus will be adding content (ie more accommodation and tours), though I'll do more than that...

My rough count is over 32,000 miles flown since June which doesn't even include all the driving I've done.

Lastly, I got a new camera so stay tuned for more photos...

Thailand and Cambodia photos!

Still working on the photos. Almost done... I just finished going through my photos from Northern Thailand and Cambodia. Take a look at them on my picasa album!

I should have Vietnam up by the end of this next week and then start typing up my stories... :-)

Enjoy!

China photos!

I'm gradually whittling away at my figurative stack of photos - I just finished uploading all the ones from China for your viewing pleasure...

My picasa online album

Enjoy!

Photos from India!

Sorry to have been MIA for so long. I've now been back home in Aspen for about two weeks and after the holidays been trying to go through the thousands of photos I took on my journey through Asia. I'm done editing India and have most of them online in my picasa online album. Go check them out and please leave comments!

I also have a lot of stories I plan to type up and get on here. I wrote in my journal a lot (as I think I mentioned before) and just need to type them up. For now though I'm focused on the photos. Either way, stay tuned for both many many more photos (best get a start now so you don't get too far behind! ;-) and my enthralling tales about all my adventures!

P.S. - if anyone knows of a way I can get a ski pass here in Aspen, I would love to know. I'm dying not being able to get on the slopes!

Quick update

I'm just online for a few minutes but being as I've been neglecting my blog and have a few minutes before my hour is up at this internet cafe...

A few things I find it hard to belive - I can't believe I haven't written since India! Wow. I left Mali almost 3 months ago??? Which means I've been traveling for as long... all equally unbelievable. Mali seems ages and worlds (in some ways is) away from where I am now yet also it doesn't feel like I've been traveling for that long either. Then again, if I think about all I've done and where I've been, back to seeming like a lot. Hmmm...

I'm currently in Bangkok after leaving Cambodia this morning - I had to make an unexpected trip back into Thailand so I can get to Laos where I'll arrive tomorrow morning making three countries in less than 24 hours (odd because you really shouldn't have to travel through one to get to the other). The short version is: I couldn't get my visa for Laos at the border with Cambodia and since it has been the Water Festival in Cambodia this past week, everything, including the Laos Embassy, has been closed. Thus my detour through Bangkok.

I'm about to run out of time but I'll just add that I counted up all my photos as I just backed them up yesterday and I have 5000 and counting (this is without any editing mind you) so after some time back home I'll have plenty of albums to post. I'll see what I can do though and get you a few while I'm still on the road.

Photos from Northern India

Ladakh, India

Last days in India

Let’s see – a lot has happened since I last wrote an entry – I’ve criss-crossed this country and then some. I’m writing this off-line so may repeat a few things as I can’t remember exactly where I left off.

I had an amazing ride down the mountains from Leh in Northern India (this is back on September 16^th) – both the scenery was amazing (amazingly beautiful) and the ride itself was amazing (amazingly long and bumpy). Really though, the ride wasn’t all that bad and was far better than I’d anticipated – the views more than made up for the lack of comfort. We left Leh about 5am and drove through some great landscapes. The highest pass we drove over was actually higher than I wrote in my last post: it was over 17,500 feet! (5300+ meters) Wow. Talk about thin air. And I was just driving through, not having to walk more than a few feet from the bus – kudos to anyone who hikes up at these high altitudes! It took a full day of driving and we still only were able to descend down to 11,000 feet (Leh was almost 12,000). A nice rest at a guesthouse that even had running hot water and we were on our way again at 7am. We finally pulled into Manali around 3pm and I promptly got on another overnight bus to Delhi two hours later.

I took a couple good photos but all have that spec of dust on them so I’ll need a little Photoshop before I can be satisfied. In fact, I rushed my decent from Leh back to Delhi partly because I didn’t know how long it was going to take to get my camera cleaned (in addition to applying for my Chinese visa). Taking a full two days to handle those two simple tasks, I was on my way further south to Rajasthan and Jaipur.

First though, let me tell you how incredibly frustrating it was to get my Chinese visa! The extensive list of documents, letters, forms, copies, etc. was ridiculous: two page application, one passport photo, photo copies of my passport data and Indian visa pages, cover letter stating my purpose for visiting India (where I intended to stay, how I would financially support myself, etc.), confirmed hotel reservation for the duration of my stay (silly since who would believe I was going to stay in Beijing my entire trip), copies of my flight information with confirmed departure flight, invitation letter from a friend already residing in China, copies of her passport data, visa and residency permit pages, past three month’s history of my personal bank account (since that was insufficient I also needed a letter of financial support from a family member with copies of their past three months bank account transactions)!!! On top of that, since you need your passport to travel around India (to stay in hotels, buy train tickets, etc.) I also needed a letter from the Chinese Embassy stating they had my passport while I was applying for a visa, a letter from a travel agent explaining the same thing, extra copies of my passport data and visa pages, and the receipt from my visa application. Ahhh!!! It wouldn’t have been such a pain in the @#$ but they kept leaving things out that I needed or would then tell me that I needed to write something differently – I had keep going back all day waiting over an hour in line each time! So frustrating!

Ok for those of you from the US or Europe that just skimmed over that last paragraph – go back and read it. That experience is nothing new to many foreigners from pretty much any country other than Europe and the US who have applied for a visa to the “west”. In fact, for them it is even more complicated with marriage certificates, deeds for property, more letters, forms – the list goes on and on. Essentially, just know that is what they go through if they ever want to. I knew it was a hassle but it was a humbling experience for me in a way.

Ok, back to Jaipur. I found this great website called couchsurfing.com – something that I’ve actually been doing throughout most of my travels but now I can do it much more simply and be a little more content with going to sleep at a stranger’s house whom I’ve never met before… I stayed with a wonderful woman named Yogi up in Delhi and she connected me with numerous others since which have had great influences on my trip thus far.

In Jaipur, I ended up staying in what has become the Jaipur Aiesec (a student group I was in back in University that helps to organize internships abroad) trainee house where I got to meet a bunch of great people. I didn’t get to spend much time with my actual host but did get to chat a fair bit with the various trainees staying there – from Colombia, Turkey, Tunisia, England, Germany, Poland, etc. Arun and his family were gracious hosts and pointed me in the right direction for my brief visit to Jaipur. I skipped some major sites so will have to do a return trip and hope to see them on my way back through whenever that may be.

On my second day, after taking a few pictures my camera just totally died! I was devastated! If you know me at all, you’ll know that photography during my trips is a big deal to me and not even being able to take photos was really hard. It is one thing to have some dust on the sensor that can at least be photoshopped out later but an entirely different story when you can’t take anything at all. I must have sat at the bottom of the Amber Fort (which was quite impressive) for almost an hour trying to figure out what to do: my next destination – literally that day – was Agra and the Taj Mahal. I couldn’t go to the Taj and not take a photo! The nearest place that could fix my camera was back in Delhi… after Agra though I would just keep going in the other direction, so if I was going to get it fixed, it had to be now. I walked around the Amber Fort, admiring the place and recording it with my eyes. In a way, it was an interesting experience since I am so used to traveling with my camera. To go somewhere so beautiful and not take any – to just appreciate it for what it was. I still prefer having my camera.

By lunch time I was back on a bus north to Delhi so I could be at the Canon place the next morning when they opened at 8am. To do this, it meant staying in Gurgoan, the tech/business park and lucky enough for me I met a nice guy on the bus up that offered me a flat dry place to sleep for the night.

I’ll leave it there as I’m going out to meet some friends for dinner in Delhi…

As always, stay tuned!! ;-D

(Oh and I have tons of photos – I just haven’t found a good place to upload them yet… don’t worry I’ll get some up eventually!)

It's snowing!

Well first, I'll bring you up to where I am and how I got here...

Writing from Leh, Ladakh, Northern India at almost 12,00o feet...

The rest of my trip out of Africa and onto my first plane in over two years (a bit of a feat for me - in fact might be the longest stretch I've ever done in my life) went well. I left Kumasi the next day (after my last post) and travelled by bus down to Accra with one of my friends from Mole Natl. Park. We crashed at her friend's place and just chilled for the next few days - went to a beach and hung out, made some friends and finished my book (Shantaram, which I highly highly highly recommend). I got a chance to see an old friend from my last trip in 2007 and went off to the airport for my flight on Friday, September 5th. I left Africa. Wow, can't believe I'd been on that continent for over two years! I still don't really know what to say... I guess the best i can come up with is that I was ready to move on. Don't know exactly what I'm moving on to but none-the-less, move on.


(Sorry I'm going to have to make this short as the power is out and I've just been told there are one a few more minutes of battery... yeah, still in a developing country)


I flew Emirates to Delhi via Dubai and having a ten hour layover, I had to leave the airport. My flight landed at 6am and my next flight wasn't until 3:30pm. I figured I would go grab breakfast somewhere and then an early lunch with a little sight-seeing before heading back to the airport. Not so simple. First it took over an hour to get from the airport to downtown and more importantly, second, it is Ramadan - nothing was open to eat! I'm used to Mali and being respectful to the Muslims who are fasting but at least there they accept that there are other people who aren't fasting and as long as you're discreet, it isn't a big deal to eat and drink. Dubai on the other hand, you can get a fine for eating or even drinking water in public. After hitting up some hotels (too expensive) and then a mall (food court closed) I found a Carrefour (a large supermarket) where I could at least guy some food (I found TimTams!!!) - anyhow, after getting this lovely food, it was by now almost noon and I was starving.

However... i couldn't eat my food! I asked around where I could hide away for a few minutes but the only suggestion I got was go sit in a bathroom stall! Eventually, I found a closed restaurant where I hid to eat. Next, I was off to the airport for my flight! And thus was my experience in Dubai! The mall I choose to go for their food court also was the one with Ski Dubai - wow, talk about something extremely out of place!

Overall, my opinion of Dubai is: not worth it. If you're en-route to somewhere else and can stop there for a day, sure. Otherwise, it is just a giant shopping mall with crazy buildings that shouldn't be there. On any undeveloped land all you have is sand - essentially, the entire place was sand and they've built this crazy city where it doesn't belong. Sure the tallest building in the world is there but really - Dubai isn't worth it. If you want to go driving on sand dunes or ride a camel, there are better places.

My time in Dubai did have a highlight though: when I was back at the airport and went to sit down to wait for my flight, I sat down and looked up to find none other than a Cinnabon! Talk about fortuitous! That totally made my day. Remember, I'd been living in Africa for more than two years - Cinnabon was one of those things I dreamed of having... not something I really ever went to in the states, but live in Africa for two years and you'll understand.

Well, the batteries seem to be lasting (no fast high pitched beeping yet) so I'll keep typing...

I arrived in Delhi about 9pm on the 6th, a day and a half after I left Ghana. My wonderful aunt arranged to have someone pick me up and I'd found a place to stay using couchsurfing.com. Really a great introduction mostly because it let me ease into India. Sure it is my first time here, but it wasn't as much of a shock as it would have been for someone coming from Europe or America - Africa is different sure, but it wasn't as in my face as it could have been I suppose.

I took it easy in Delhi and only really got out to sight-see my third day there (my second was a monday when everything is closed). I didn't really have any plans upon arrival as to what I would do with my next month in India. In fact, I hadn't even opened the outdated lonely planet from 2003 I got just before leaving Mali. Some people might be shocked to hear that I didn't really have a plan (whatsoever) but really, some of my best trips have been ones where I just figured it out when I got there... and I did just that. The woman that so graciously offered me here hospitality and a place to stay when i arrived took me to a friend's house the next day. That friend used to write for guide books in India and lead trips in the Ladakh region of Northern India - needless to say, she was a bit inclined to suggest traveling up there and the next day I bought a ticket north to Leh.

Little did I realize what I was getting into! For starters the airport I flew into is the highest commercial airport in the world at almost 12000 feet! I would have to adjust to the altitude, ok I'm from 8000 feet in Colorado, shouldn't be too big a deal... oh wait, I've been living at sea level for the past two years - nope, I arrived a little after 6 am, was checked into a hotel and lying in bed by 7 where I stayed for the next 12 hours! Wow. I have never been away from altitude for so long that I really felt the effects - sure I've had a small headache or a tiny shortness of breath but this was a whole nother level. Now I know, and can really sympathize with all those tourists coming to Aspen. (I will say that 12000 feet is a little different though...) :-p The view out the window was magnificent by the way - I'll try and get some photos up when I head south and internet isn't so expensive.

Next, I had to borrow some clothes so I didn't freeze when I got here. 12000 feet means pretty cold - I wasn't planning on coming up here (remember, I didn't have a plan and even when did think about what I might do, going north where it's cold was pretty far down my list). When we landed, the pilot annonced the local weather: 3 degrees! (37 F) It was a bit of a shock to say the least. Delhi was 40 (104 F) and I'd just come from Mali where during the hot season, it got up to 52 (125.6). I'm now about to leave tomorrow morning and I've asked for additional blankets just about every night since I arrived - I'm up to at least 7 and I'm still cold in the morning! I'm going to have some adjusting to do when i get back home to colorado, but at least there I'll have some proper warm clothes...

Leh feels like Tibet. It is nestled in-between Pakistan and China in the Himalayas and there are lots of beautiful monasteries perched on the sides of mountains. Amazing. Again, I'll try and get some pictures up another time. Part of the reason I came here right away was there has been a festival here with lots of traditional dances and other various activities. The other, and more important one is the later I waited, the colder it would be.

I'll just say that it was great and I'm really happy I came. I'm ready to get going though as it snowed a bit today and as we'll be driving south over some of the highest motor-able passes in the world (over 5000meters/16400feet) - it is time to go. I don't want to be stuck here for the winter! Of course, I'm really just ready to see more of India!

Ok, the beeping started on the batteries... Oooo! Before I forget, I saw the Dalai Lama today! (No time to proof-read so sorry for any errors!)

I'm not in Delhi

Just a quick post to let you all know I'm alright and was not in Delhi today. I'm up northern India in Leh in the Ladakh region and should be heading south in a day or two.

I don't know many details, but there were a series of bombings around Delhi today. Click here to read an article.

My trip is going well and will try and put up a full post about my travels before I head south.