votin’ time

Aside from travel, I will interject my soapbox comment about how it is our obligation as Americans to vote. The election for governor (and other local representatives) is in a week and a half. There are no excuses for not voting, including living temporarily outside of your voting district. Apply for an absentee ballot–it’s not too late!

 

Also in regards to voting, time is almost up to Be the 5th Vote to Decide Who Wins the Live Backpacker Contest, Foxnomad’s contest to award a lucky person a free backpacking trip. Voting is over October 23 at 11:59 pm. There are 3 awesome contestants with stories about really interesting places. Check it out!

Being a seafood lover and a Georgian who travels to the Gulf at least once a year has made me and many of my friends concerned about the safety of the seafood coming out of the Gulf since the oil spill. Gadling’s article From the Shores of Louisiana-Is Gulf seafood safe? explores the issue and what the FDA has done to “prevent the problem.”

I love this! Vagabond’s feature story of the week by Charlotte Halligan, Taking the Plunge: How to Conquer Your Fears Through Travel.

Globe Trooper’s HOW TO: Choose a Backpack for RTW Travel has tons of great tips for getting started and getting the right gear!

It’s always important to research where you are going (especially if it’s abroad) before you go to be educated AND to avoid embarassment. Here’s Boots’n’All’s Emily Starbuck Gersen’s First Timer’s Guide to Avoiding Embarrassment at a Turkish Bath.