Feature photo by Tiago Daniel. Photo above by nathangibbs.
Need to raise money to travel the world? Online poker might be the ace up your sleeve.
Though I knew nothing about poker when I quit my suit-and-tie desk job, I quickly picked it up on my travels around the world. Since then I’ve played hundreds of hands of Texas Hold ‘Em and met plenty of poker players, many of them fellow globetrotters.
I guess there’s something about taking a calculated risk that links both travelers and poker players because there seems to be a lot of crossover.
Although illegal in the United States, it’s quite possible to earn an income playing poker online almost everywhere else in the world as long as you have an Internet connection, knowledge of the game, and willingness to take a calculated risk.
Is it worth it? Here’s a look at some of the pros and cons:
Good News: You can play anywhere, from Bali to Siberia
Well, anywhere that you can get an Internet connection that isn’t in the United States. In today’s globalized, wi-fi world, that’s not much of a problem.
Sites like Poker Stars, Paradise Poker and Party Poker are easy to use and offer free software that you can download and use to play against hundreds of thousands of poker players all over the world. Some companies even let you play via cell phone.
Photo by -RobW-.
Good News: Anyone can learn to be a pro
While poker involves big elements of luck, so does just about anything. In the long run, skill will trump luck in poker.
Unlike most gambling games, in poker, the axiom “the house always wins” does not apply because cash flows from player to player rather than in the direction of the house. Most casinos make very little money from poker tables; instead, the most poker skilled players are the ones who rake in the dough.
This means that poker is actually something you can learn to do well, and there are plenty of books and websites devoted to teaching you just how to do that.
Bad News: You can’t pick it up in a day
The reverse side of this is that if you want to make money, you have to actually know what you are doing. That means putting the legwork in – playing lots of free or cheap poker to practice, reading poker guides and refining your strategy. Trying to jump to the big leagues too quickly is the fastest way to lose money.
Good News: You just have to win 51% of the time
Once you are able to constantly break even or turn a small profit at the virtual table, you can turn poker into a reliable source of income. You can’t expect to do it by winning a few big hands a day, though. Big hands don’t always come.
It’s a much better to aim for long-term profits by playing as many games as you can, with an expectation that you won’t win every single hand, but you’ll come out ahead more than half of the time. Fortunately, most poker sites let you play multiple tables at once, giving you lots of chances to maximize your profits.
Bad News: You have to put in the hours, just like a real job
In order to milk the most out of that 51%, you’ll be spending hours in front of the computer playing half a dozen poker tables at once. If you really love the game, that’s probably fine.
If you don’t, it can seem like a lot of number crunching, not that different from processing spreadsheets or balancing budgets. You might as well go back to the cubicle.
Good News: It doesn’t take a degree
Sure, not everyone will want to put in the legwork or be comfortable taking on some of the risks it takes to become a good poker player, but those willing to spend the time and do the work can turn poker into a reliable source of income.
You don’t need a killer resume, letters of reference or a college degree. You can set your own hours and work from a couch. And you never have to wear a tie.
Photo by stenbough.
Bad News: All you get is money — yes, that’s bad news!
So you don’t need a resume to play poker, but you can’t exactly put it on a resume either. Most “real” jobs offer some degree of professional development, career opportunities or social networking.
Some of these things do exist in the world of online poker, mostly through satellite tournaments, where players compete for a trip to play in a high-stakes game at an actual bricks-and-mortar casino, usually somewhere exotic.
The chances of winning aren’t high, though. Besides money, all you can get out of playing poker is the ability to play better poker. Considering all the other opportunities available for travelers around the world, that’s not necessarily a great investment unless you never plan on doing anything else with your life. But no one said you had to make it a career.
In the end, many globe trekkers may find it more rewarding to work their way across a country, earn their way doing volunteer work or even simply saving up for a year before taking a big trip.
On the other hand, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of turning over pocket aces.
Charles de Gaulle Airport / Photo by kulp. Feature photo by xiaming.
Traveling can be fun, but not when you’re passing through these airports.
Passing through an area of sleep deprived, jet lagged and irate people is never pleasant, especially if you feel the same way yourself. While some airports are spending millions to improve the passenger experience, it’s clear that some airports are falling well behind.
The competition for the worst airport is plentiful, but here– in no particular order– are just a few of the front-runners:
Delhi, India
Overcrowded, dirty and literally falling apart at the seams, Delhi’s terminals are full of flies and mosquitoes with an overwhelming odor of bleach and raw sewage. Add in endless lines and disorganization and you’re guaranteed a long and unpleasant experience.
Delhi International Airport
Photo by saturnism.
Baghdad International
With a high chance of planes being hit by handheld ordinance, pilots land on a ‘corkscrew’ approach. This rapid, twisting loss of altitude is stomach churning at best, but still less nerve wracking than driving the ‘highway of death’ that leads into the city.
Charles de Gaulle (Terminal 1), Paris
As a gateway to one of the world’s most romantic cities you’d probably expect more than endless queues so disorganized that there is no start and the finish is often at the wrong check-in desk/customs point/boarding gate. This chaos is maintained in the drab interior of a terminal that hasn’t been modernized since the 70s.
JFK, New York
Despite the millions spent on rebuilding and modernization in recent years, the charm school graduates are few and far between in Kennedy. While immigration staff are notorious for their grim demeanor and rude comments even the staff at ‘Information’ has a hard time even looking in your direction without a scowl on their faces.
Lukla, Nepal
With the dubious title of one of the world’s most dangerous airports, Lukla is a domestic airport close to Mount Everest base camp. Carved out of the side of a mountain, the 527-meter runway has an incline of 20% and ends with a 700 meter drop to the valley floor. No space for error here!
Lukla Airport / Photo by chris1h1.
Simon Boliviar, Caracas
An aging terminal situated practically in the middle of the favelas of Caracas. Simply stepping outside has seen hundreds of travelers robbed or mugged and these are just the lucky ones. Kidnapping, stabbings and shootings have all occurred before passengers have even reached the taxi line. For this pleasure, a whopping $53 airport tax is charged.
Léopold Sédar Senghor International, Dakar
After battling through a three hour immigration procedure travelers are faced with an ancient terminal that is full of hawkers, touts, drifters and thieves. So many it seems that there is no space for any seating, or toilets, apart from a few select areas. With the departures area opening only two hours before flights, people leaving the city have little escape from the chaos.
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Voted world’s worst airport to sleep in by a popular website due to huge crime rates, terrible facilities and several travelers witnessing a gang shoot out that killed 7 people.
Security Officer in Ninoy Aquiano Airport / Photo by glenmcbethlaw.
Manila, Philippines
Watch your bags here, as even the airport employees are out to scam, steal or otherwise take your possessions from you. Many travelers talk of security and other airport staff asking for ‘donations’ (read: bribes) to allow you to pass through the airport ‘without incident’. The only positive side to the airport staff is that they are more desirable than many of the other characters who hang around the terminal.
Lagos, Nigeria
The odor of feces and urine abound in this airport, which no doubt attract the hoards of rats, cockroaches and other bugs that scurry around the departures and arrivals area. The stifling heat of an African summer only adds to the problems of a desperately crowded arrivals area with overflowing toilets. Several travelers have escaped the chaos only to be mugged or beaten on the tarmac.
Featured and above photo by Luz A. Villa
More and more people are visiting previously unthinkable locations in Colombia. See why they’re totally good to go.
1. President Uribe
Love him or hate him– and there appears to be no standing on the fence here– Bush’s best buddy in South America has increased security, dealt some serious blows to the guerrillas, presided over economic growth, and encouraged tourism into a “conflict zone.”
Did you know that Colombia, in stark contrast to its Latin American counterparts, has only suffered one coup d’état and one dictatorship in its history, way back in 1953…although the students hollering out there in the streets would have you believe that current boss is no better than a dictator.
2. Fading FARC Influence
Whisper it carefully and in well-chosen circles, but the FARC and ELN Guerrilla groups are possibly at their lowest ever ebb.
Controversial events such as the rescue of Ingrid Betancourt and the three American contractors from the southern jungles of Guaviare, as well as the deaths of leading FARC members Raul Reyes, Ivan Rios, and founding member Manuel “Tirofijo” Marulanda, have led many commentators to declare FARC a tired anachronism.
3. The conflict is not aimed at you.
Cocaine and kidnapping. Sure, cocaine and marijuana are regularly available, and your decision to meddle in the marching powder is what keeps Colombia’s warring factions in business.
As for kidnapping, unless you are an aid worker attached to an international NGO, a crusading journalist or just plain crazy, why would you be traveling alone through the forests of Guaviare, Vaupes, or other outlying regions where there is the very real threat of being kidnapped?
4. Reputable Bus Firms
Overland travel, even at night, with reputable bus firms between the major cities of Bogota, Cartagena, Medellin, Santa Marta and intermediary cities such as Barrancabermeja, Bucaramanga, Ibague, Manizales, Villavicencio has become acceptable and frequent.
5.US State Department Warnings
Come on! If you were to follow these to a T then you would never leave the prairie. Apply some common sense and listen to what the locals have to say; after all, this is not Baghdad.
6. Secure Urban Areas
Walk around Bogota’s Zona T and Zona G or Medellin’s El Poblado and see how lightly the Colombians themselves are taking life. Some 15 years ago you would have thought twice and then thought better of a night out here in Medellin, but now it’s how to stay in and detox that is the main concern.
7. Colonial Cities
For small perfectly preserved whitewashed and cobblestoned oases of calm, make your way to Popayan, Mompos, Villa de Leyva, and San Gil.
Cartagena is a little more frenetic and plagued with street vendors but then it’s been receiving tourists for decades.
8. Tourism is booming
But don’t let this put you off; come now before the rest of the world catches on. Cartagena and Bogota are still the most visited areas of the country, closely followed by Medellin, but what does it tell you that a country with a long running internal conflict received a little more than two million visitors in 2007?
9. Colombians
War weary and decidedly unhappy with their narco-fueled image as perceived by those only glued to Fox News will have you believe – are arguably the friendliest bunch in the Americas.
If you’re lost In Brazil, a local will show you home. But in Colombia you’ll be invited to the family cookout that day or the following!
10. Still Afraid?
In this case you are advised to head only to the Colombian Caribbean islands of San Andres and Providencia – as they say over there, “no hay guerrilla maritima,” “there’s no sea-based guerrilla!” Grab a coco loco and hit the beach.
community connection
Various matador members can vouch for Colombia as a being the next place you should travel. For local guides and experts, blogs, feature articles, and travelers you can connect with directly, check out Destination: Colombia at Matador.
Feature photo by Andre Charland.
Thought about hitting the backcountry this year? Wondering if you’re ready? Learn more with this guide and then get out there this season.
With a tinge of fall creeping into the evening air, there’s no shame in dreaming about winter’s first snowfall. And for those tired of groomers and looking to ditch local lift lines (finally), now is the time to start prepping for your first backcountry adventure.
Ask yourself the following questions:
How do I know when I’m ready for backcountry?
Maybe you clocked in over 100 days on the hill last year, mastered every double black diamond, cliff band and off-piste snow stash your local mountain has to offer and you’re ready for something new?
It’s safe to say that if you feel comfortable riding all mountain terrain in any type of conditions (moguls, ice, windblown crust, corn) you’re probably ready to explore what the highcountry has to offer.
Even if you’re not an expert level-skier / boarder, however, you can still work your way into the backcountry, starting off by venturing into terrain known as “sidecountry” or “slackcountry,” often the lower-elevation snowfields or approaches to higher peaks.
Normally, slackcountry requires less commitment than a full backcountry trip, and so is a good way to ease into the sport if you’re unsure of your skill and/or fitness level. Either way, you should still consider full backcountry safety training before heading out.
Are there safety courses I should take?
Practical knowledge and training can make the difference between an epic backcountry session and a catastrophic one.
Enroll in an avalanche safety course (most entry level courses only last a few days) and you’ll learn how to safely traverse backountry terrain, evaluate the snow pack, accurately follow weather patterns, select routes, and correctly use an avalanche beacon.
Some courses will also offer basic medical training and simulated emergency avalanche situations.
What to wear?
Comfort is the last thing you want to compromise when preparing for a backcountry trip. Invest in a jacket, pants and baselayers that keep you cool on the hike up, dry on the way down and offer you maximum mobility.
Long johns like Patagonia’s Capilene 3 baselayers do the job by wicking moisture when you start to sweat. Stay away from anything cottton.
A good pair of lightweight Gore-tex pants with leg-zippers for ventilation and a lightweight, waterproof Gore-tex jacket are essential.
Layering is the best way to keep your internal thermometer at just the right temp (and crankiness at bay). You can peel things off or put them on as you go.
It’s also a good idea to have two pairs of gloves or gloves with an insert that you can wear by itself for the hike up.
What to pack?
Getting ready to ride in the backcountry is almost like taking up a new sport; you need a lot of stuff. Take it easy on your pocket book by hitting up end of summer/Labor Day sales as well as factory outlets, and take the time to get exactly what you’re looking for.
First you’ll need a daypack that comfortably fits your frame, with enough straps for securing all gear. You’ll need a shovel, probe, and avalanche beacon (make sure the later has fully charged batteries).
Not that you’ll be running around the Aguille de Midi in Chamonix, but as you progress, you’ll want to learn how to use and carry crampons, an ice axe, harness, and rope.
It’s a good idea to have a multi-tool and spare snowboard or ski parts in your pack so you can make adjustments on the spot as well as basic medical supplies like band aids, an Ace bandage, Advil, sunscreen and lip balm with a high SPF.
CamelBaks are handy when the weather’s nice, but if it’s too cold, the water will freeze in the tube if it’s not properly insulated.
Other must haves include polarized sunglasses (for the hike), which you can swap out at the top for goggles. Even a second pair of goggles comes in handy when you wipe out and still want to see the rest of the way down.
What to ride?
You’ve got a several options when it comes to getting around in the backcountry. There’s the good old snowboard / ski boot pack if you know your hike is within 30 minutes of your car and there’s a well-established trail to follow.
Then you’ve got snowshoes, which are also handy if you find yourself breaking trail or hustling around in deep snow. If you go the snowshoe route, you’ll want to have a pair of collapsible poles. They help keep you balanced and carry stride, especially when you’re hunkered down with the weight of your board on your back.
If you’re thinking about new alpine skis this year, there’s a handy size guide for dialing in whatever types of planks you’re riding.
If you’re a snowboarder and planning on making a long-term commitment to backcountry riding, look into purchasing a splitboard. Splitboards separate lengthwise into two skis so you can ascend / traverse cross-country style.
To complete a splitboard setup, you’ll need skins (that keep your skis from sliding backwards on the uphill) and other splitboard hardware, in addition to collapsible poles. Burton makes great splitboards for men, but they don’t offer smaller sizes for the ladies.
Voile has splitboards dialed, and ranging in size from 154cm to 171cm, but you’re looking at upwards of $850. Venture Snowboards, a small company out of Colorado, has quite a few options to choose from and offers multiple gender friendly lengths, and then there’s EBay, where I saw one board go for around $500, a killer deal.
Where and when should I go?
Start small. There’s no sense in killing your legs and getting so frustrated with the terrain you’d rather snowshoe your way back down. Most classic backcountry hot spots that have a moderate slope (no 40-50 degree pitches here), minimal avalanche danger and easy hike up.
Here’s a list of North American classics , some of which you can even get turns in right now.
Your single best resource for learning where and when to go will be local experts. If you haven’t already, befriend your local ski patrol or even better, start training to become one of them.
Backcountry forums such as turns-all-year.com also provide great resources and even connection / partners for planning out trips.
Believe me, the first time you make turns in untouched pow, it won’t matter that the run is shorter than the bunny slopes. Guaranteed, your first time in the backcountry will be some of the best riding of your life.
Community Connection
We have a bunch of backcountry skiers and riders in our community. For a classic tale about freeskiing pioneers and general big-mountain shredding, check out Feeling Gravity’s Pull, an in-depth look at Matador member Tal Fletcher and the his original crew back in Squaw Valley.
Interested in meeting and connecting with other backcountry riders? Join us.
Feature photo by Al_HikesAZ Photo above by: Wolfgang Staudt
Most of these tips are common-sense, but it helps to be reminded. Follow these guidelines and your trip will last longer, guaranteed.
1. Be realistic.
If you want to stay on budget, the most important thing you can do is to be realistic about what you’re going to spend.
While there are always those unexpected occurrences and days when you have to let loose, sticking to your daily allowance will see you sail through your journey.
Looking after the pennies, rather than looking at individual ways of saving hundreds, is the key to making your money, and your travels, last.
2. Plan Ahead
From planes, trains, and automobiles, to accommodation and day trips, booking even a few days in advance can save you hundreds.
Always ask if a ticket is cheaper on the following, or previous day; it can sometimes work out cheaper even with the cost of an extra night’s accommodation.
3. Buy an ISIC Card (Under 26 or Teachers Card)
Accommodation, transport, museums and other attractions, restaurants, coffee shops and many more establishments give discounts to the money starved. Check www.isiccard.com.
4. Always ask for discounts
If you’re staying in a hostel for a few nights, or there is a group of you, always ask for a better rate. Bartering is a valuable skill to acquire.
5. Find a good credit card.
If you’re going to resort to credit, get a card with a low (or even better–0%) rate to start you off. If you’re spending a lot if could save you a small fortune in interest repayments. ‘If you find a card with cash back,’ explains money saving expert Martin Lewis, ‘you’re earning a 1% or 2% discount on everything you buy.’
6. Check your bank.
Open a bank account that lets to withdrawal money overseas without a penalty. Many can charge transaction fees of $4 or $5. Think how many times you’ll be taking cash out while you’re abroad (now times that by ten; it’s sadly, much more than you always think) and that’s a lot of Pesos given away for nothing.
7. Use plastic.
Use your ATM card instead of changing currency and you’ll save on commission fees. Credit and ATM cards generally have a better exchange rate than at a money exchange, so you’ll be saving double.
Be careful however as ATM cards are frequently not insured if they are stolen or copied. Check your bank or insurance provider.
8. Go overnight
Travelling on overnight buses or trains can be a lot cheaper and you’ll also save on the cost of accommodation and if you’re on a tight schedule you won’t loose out on a day’s sightseeing.
www.sleepinginairports.net gives invaluable advice if you’re looking for a cheap night before you jet off.
9. Camp out.
If you want to enjoy the delights of Paris a tent isn’t the most appropriate choice, but if you’re out of the city it can be a life saver. A campsite costs next to nothing (and actually nothing if you make your own) and you don’t have to worry about curfews.
www.camptheworld.com is a good start if you’re looking to escape the city life.
10. Volunteer.
Give up some of your time and you could enjoy free food and accommodation. Willing Workers on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is one such organisation; it works in dozens of countries and asks for a days work in return for full board and lodging (this may be in a barn though). Check our First Timer’s Guide to WWOOFing.
11. Shop around.
Whatever you’re buying, from flights and insurance to a new backpack, have a look at a few options before you hand over you hard-earned cash (or not so hard-earned credit).
12. Take a book, leave a book.
No backpack would be complete without a good novel, but buying the latest bestseller before every long journey quickly adds up. Look out for book swaps at hostels and you could have free reading for the rest of your trip.
Join www.bookcrossing.com and you can even find out where your latest read has got to.
13. Get Online.
Not only do you need to email home occasionally but the internet is one of the easiest and cheapest places to book your tickets and accommodation, as well as do research on your next destination.
Visit local libraries or other places with free access, and you won’t even have to pay for the time.
14. Avoid airport shops.
That goes for shops in bus and train station, hostels and hotels and while you’re on board; the prices are inevitably marked up. Buy your snacks from a local shop and it will probably taste better as well.
If you’re changing foreign currency, head into the city and avoid the airport banks.
15. Get inclusive ticktets to multiple events.
Many big cities offer some kind of combo ticket; either on transport, to the attractions or both. If you’re looking to see a lot in a city ticket prices can soon mount up.
‘When I was in New York’ explains Lina Vilus, an English Teacher in Colombia, ‘it cost me $50 to get into 4 museums, the Empire State Building, and on a cruise round Manhattan. I also brought a one day pass for the subway and saved well over $40.’
16. Get air miles.
Or a frequent flyer card. Not so good if you’re inter-railing but if you’re on a round-the-world ticket you’ll have more than enough miles for a weekend in Rome when you get back.
Collect Freenites points from YHA youth hostels and you can also get free accommodation while you’re there. Many hotel chains also have similar schemes.
17. Look after your money.
There’s no better way to lose all your money, than to actually lose it or have it taken from you. To avoid carrying wads of cash, rely on travellers cheques and ATM/credit cards. Carry a second wallet / security pouch to keep some of your cash and cards separate, so if the worse does happen, you won’t be totally stuck, or skint.
18. Double Up
If you’re in a group it can often be cheaper to get a hotel room between you than a few hostel beds. A rental car can often cost less than the price of a few tickets on a bus or train and you should never catch a cab alone.
Some day trips/ tours also offer discounts if you book together, so start chatting up the person next to you!
19. Avoid peak season.
Travelling at certain times can be considerably more expensive than others. Avoid travelling the day before a weekend (in many countries this isn’t a Friday) or public holidays.
When you’re flying avoid the beginning and end of the school holiday season. If you’re booking a round the world ticket consider when you want to leave; ‘Waiting just two weeks after the Christmas holidays could save you almost $500’says Jenna from STA: ‘A ticket worth $1, 680 for a departure at the beginning of January drops to $1, 110 after the 15th.’
20. Look up old friends.
Drop in on friends and relatives that live in those far-flung places and take up those offers of ‘you must come and stay.’ Just make sure you return the favour.
21. Have fun.
: A realistic budget it there so you can get the most out of your money, but don’t take it too seriously, if you want to treat yourself occasionally, go for it.
‘I spent my first month in Europe eating super noodles and never going out’ explains Marcelo Vidales. ‘It wasn’t exactly the highlight of my trip. You’ve got to remember why you came away in the first place.’
Better to have six months of fun filled, action packed adventure, than 18 months of low points and boredom.
Photo courtesy of Hiromy. Featured photo by Sam Garza.
Here are some simple steps to getting your travel writing off the ground.
Writing for in-flight magazines is one of the best ways of earning money as a travel writer. Most countries have a national carrier and many have an in-flight magazine to keep passengers entertained during their flights. These magazines consider articles on a wide variety of topics, such as:
Destination
Food
Entertainment
Arts
Book reviews
Spa / health
Business
Wildlife and the environment
Most in-flight magazines don’t have websites, so in many cases, the easiest way to find out about them and connect with them is by taking a sample issue on a flight. In flight magazines can also be obtained through:
Local chambers of commerce
Libraries
Travel agencies
Tour operating services
Tourism and chamber resort associations
Compared to consumer magazine publishers, in-flight magazines tend to pay a higher rate for travel writers. Some may pay as much as $5,000 for a three page feature with photographs. Typically, rates vary between $0.25-$1 per word.
The number of people reading the magazine tends to be larger than regular consumer magazines. Take for example the Los Angeles to Singapore flight on Singapore Airlines. Think about the number of passengers on every flight and the number of daily flights going to Singapore.
Not only is the book made available on the seat of every passenger on that particular flight but it is also available on every other Singapore Airlines flight. These are potentially hundreds of thousands of travelers reading your article every month.
Photo courtesy of Hyougushi.
Magazine Contacts
American Eagle Airlines
Latitudes
HCP/Aboard Publishing
One Herald Plaza, 4th Floor
Miami, FL 33132
Fax: (305) 995-8108
www.eaglelatitudes.com
For publication copies, contact:.
(305) 376-5278 or 376-5258
Topics
Music, shopping, book reviews, destination travel articles, Florida, Bahamas, Trinidad, Puerto Rico, and more.
United Airlines
Hemispheres
Pace Communications
1301 Carolina Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
letters@hemispheresmagazine.com
www.hemispheresmagazine.com
Topics
Festivals, destination travel, food, beach activities, and more
Hawaii Airlines
Hana Hou!
1144 10th Avenue, Suite 401
Honolulu, HI 96816
Phone: 808.733.3333
Toll free: 888.733.3336
Fax: 808.733.3340
www.hanahou.com
Topics
Include dance, music, tropical fruits, destination pieces on Hawaii, green living, diving, and more
Southwest Airlines
Spirit Magazine
Pace Communications, Inc.
Suite 360
2811 McKinney Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75204
Fax: (214) 580-2491
Phone: (214) 580-8070
www.spiritmag.com
Topics
Inlcude destination travel (Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arizona etc), book reviews, food, profiles, and more
American Airlines
American Way Magazine
4333 Amon Carter Blvd. MD 5374
Fort Worth, TX 76155
Phone: 817-967-1804
editor@americanwaymag.com
www.americanwaymag.com
Topics
Destination pieces, food, sports, music, entertainment, and more.
Delta Airlines
Delta-Sky
www.delta-sky.com
Topics
Destination travel (Spain, Mexico York, Paris, Montreal, Florida, Texas, Boston, etc), food, sports, celebrity life, and more.
Airtran Airways
GO
Editor-in-Chief: Orion Ray-Jones
Managing Editor: Alexandra Karplus
editorial@airtranmagazine.com
www.airtranmagazine.com
Topics
Destination travel (Mexico, Texas, Arizona, New Orleans, Iowa City, Seattle, Georgia, D.C., San Francisco, Chicago etc), music, and entertainment.
Emirates Airline
Open Skies
Motivate Publishing
PO Box 2331
Dubai, UAE
Tel. +971-4-282-4060
Fax. +971-4-282-4436
Editor: guido@motivate.ae
www.motivatepublishing.com
Topics
Destination travel (Dubai, Sri Lanka, London, Switzerland, Maldives, Indonesia, India, and more).
Feature photo and photo above by Matt Scott.
Having trouble finding work in the slumping economy? Then check out these hot, and odd, jobs.
Abattoir Worker
Among the various options for a fulfilling career on the US J1 visa programme, perhaps the worst is working along the ‘intestine route’: sorting innards for various other uses.
Toilet Cleaner
Never pleasant, but especially bad for Hans Dowwen, who works in the Swedish Constipation Clinic. I’ll leave it to your imagination what happens when the dam bursts……
Wrestling Opponent
Watching two guys jump on one another is a popular sport in much of Central and South America. Many bars, clubs or other arenas that have wrestling matches will offer cash to anyone who dares climb in the ring with one of the masked heroes.
Barnyard Masturbator
When you signed up for WWOOFing you imagined just a bit of picking and weeding, perhaps? In the cattle industry, nothing can be left to chance so artificial insemination is the way to go. Sadly, nature isn’t allowed to do its thing, so you have to.
Photo by Matt Scott.
Taxi Driver (in Antarctica)
The McMurdo science station in Antarctica is the continent’s largest and someone has to shuttle everyone from station to station. Marty Gilligan spent six months driving a giant people mover around the station. Unfortunately for Gilligan, there was no meter, so nobody tipped.
Bungee Jump Master
Start your day off with terror and screams by assisting those jumping into the void. AJ Hackett, the world’s largest bungee company, has many job opportunities available, but if you don’t like heights you can always help to fish people out of the river below.
Chicken Sexer
Especially popular among volunteers on Israeli Kibbutz. Seal the fate of thousands of male chicks by sorting each new hatchling onto the relevant conveyor belt. Expect to handle several hundred chicks an hour in some places.
Medical Research
Earn perhaps several hundreds dollars a day for taking a pill (or perhaps agreeing to a minor operation). Sounds like easy money until you sign a waiver that’s an inch and a half thick- they’re not really sure what that pill will do and you’re the guinea pig. If you’re lucky, you may just get the placebo.
Sex Shop Cleaner
The highlight of a summer in New York, Tony Holland worked for minimum wage mopping the floor of video booths in a sex shop close to Times Square. He made sure he had waiting and bar experience before he returned!
Sensory Deprivation Research Subject
Want to escape from it all for a while? Always wanted to earn great money for doing nothing? NASA, the CIA and various other scientific intuitions are on the look out for people to lock into a dark, soundproof box for a few days, a few weeks or even a few months, just to see what happens.
Disney World Character
The wonders of the Magic Kingdom soon wear thin when during the middle of summer you are put into a huge suit of itchy, un-breathable fabric and are then asked to act chirpy while children, high on sugar, get to meet their favourite character.
Photo by lensfodder.
Sheep Skin Factory
New Zealand is the perfect spot for a gap year if you’re into farming or the outdoors. Jasper thought just that but ended up spending his days scraping residue carcass from skins, then stretching and drying them in a small factory. The smell was almost as bad as the ‘matter’ that found its way into every part of his body.
Bollywood Extra
Wander around Mumbai for a day or two and you’re sure to be approached by a film scout. Bollywood often looks for foreigners to play tourists in street scenes, but occasionally, a more challenging position comes up, like playing a dead body or pretending to be an international film star.
Adult Video Star
A popular Australian website often recruits from hostels and backpacker bars for girls to take their clothes off ‘and perhaps more’. Pay is generous but you probably wouldn’t want to show your mum these holiday snaps.
Sewer Tour Guide
Imagine wandering around Paris translating for a professional tour guide. Sounds wonderful, right? Except that the guide is an ex-sewer worker who is giving a tour of the egouts – Paris’s sewer system. How many other translation jobs would you have to get turned down from before taking this one, I wonder?
Statue
Emma Thomas has travelled the world standing still. Dressed in starched clothes hung with price tags, she picks a busy spot and pretends to be a shop mannequin, busking for tips while kids, families and drunken stag parties all try to make her twitch or laugh.
Busboy (at an S&M Club)
One backpacker (who wishes to remain anonymous) worked at an adults only club in Jaffa, Israel. He describes clearing tables as clients were whipped, spanked, sat on and numerous other things. Tipping was good apparently, as clients were keen to get him out of their way.
Assistant at the Travelling Circus
What better way to discover a country than to go with a bunch of clowns! As well as feeding the animals, assisting with the set up and take down of the event space, there are great opportunities to meet the locals.
Portaloo Operative
Many travellers to the UK find work in hotels, restaurants or bars, but Mike Davis was hired to collect, empty and clean portable toilets from sites all over South East England. Reclaiming toilets after a weekend music festival finally made him quit.
‘Slime Line’ Worker
Fishing is big business in Alaska and teams of workers are brought in for the summer season to slice, gut, fillet, pack, clean and carry out any other general processing job. You’ll never eat sushi again!
community connection
Have your own recommendations for weird travel jobs? Share them on Matador’s Forum.
At the heart of every wilderness is a river, and the way to get there is by paddling.
Most people who don’t paddle associate kayaking with adrenaline sports.
And while there is undoubtedly that thrill-seeking element, once you really get into paddling, you’ll find that it’s more about gaining access to places you couldn’t get to otherwise.
This might be an isolated gorge like the one pictured here, a campsite on the bend of a high-desert river 50 miles from any trail, or even on the green face of a wave pumping right through the middle of your town.
And you’ll also learn how friendships and communities are built up around certain rivers and whitewater centers, and that extended families have created entire lifestyles around time spent on the water.
Beyond the quick rush of running a drop, paddling is something that unfolds over a lifetime.
Here’s how to get started:
1. Find a local paddling club.
Start local. The Internet works for initial inquires, but nothing is better than talking to folks close to home to get an idea of what the local runs are, who is paddling them, and what’s required to be safe and happy in the water.
It can be intimidating coming up to a new group as a total novice, but remember that paddling clubs often tend to focus on bringing beginners “up through the ranks.” It’s one of the main reasons why they exist, and often you’ll find a few core members of each group who love nothing more than taking first-timers down the river.
Paddle clubs can be found in most cities throughout the US and Canada. Most universities have paddle clubs. Your local paddle shop may also be able to steer you towards a club.
Slalom Racing
In addition to straight-up whitewater clubs, there are also whitewater racing clubs nationwide. These clubs focus on coaching slalom racing technique, using race-courses built (usually) on very mild whitewater or even flatwater, up through courses on powerful whitewater.
Italian National C-2 team racing in the 2004 Olympics in Athens. One of the least well-known sports, whitewater slalom racing has been part of the Olympics since 1936. Photo by David Ian Roberts.
Because of their dedication to technique and training, slalom racers (and coaches) are usually among the best paddlers in the country, and great resources for learning how to paddle.
Getting started with a race-club may or may not require an investment in special equipment (a race boat), in addition to any club dues, but either way, getting coached on proper paddling technique will jumpstart your skills on the river.
2. Take lessons with an American Canoeing Association (ACA) or other qualified instructor.
Many people have their first paddling experience sitting in the kayak of a friend in a lake or pool. This can work fine in many cases, however, a certified ACA instructor may be a better option, especially if you’re uncomfortable in the water.
Look for group lessons that have a student to teacher ratio of 5 to 1 or less, or take a private lesson for your first time.
Typical first lessons include learning to wet-exit, learning to roll, and basically just getting comfortable in a craft that may seem, at first, too tight and confining (to properly fit in a boat it should feel like you’re “wearing” it).
3. Don’t buy gear, rent from local paddleshop or borrow from a club.
One of the most common mistakes people make (and one of the reasons for the great number of cheap “kayak packages” on craigslist) is going out and buying all new gear before they’ve really gotten hooked on paddling.
Then after initial setbacks or frustrations–with the roll, or perhaps an early scare on the river–they have second thoughts about paddling.
These doubts and negative feelings may be compounded if they’ve just dropped $1,000 on all new gear and now feel as they must prove they can paddle.
When you get in with a local crew or club you’ll find that most people have spare boats and gear that they’re happy to lend you. Playboater having fun in the foam pile. Photo by Wausaublog.
Through a combination of renting and borrowing gear (most paddlers are famous for having extra gear, holding onto old boats and sprayskirts for decades) you can eliminate that extra pressure of feeling like you have something to prove.
In addition, it also gives you a chance to try out lots of different types of gear and see what works for you.
Once you get truly hooked, and know exactly the boat/ gear you want, that’s the time to go and get your own.
4. Find your “training ground.” Pt. 1. Flatwater
Once you’ve had a few lessons, and are comfortable entering and exiting a boat, team up with a friend and take your borrowed / rented kayak or canoe to a lake or the flatwater section of a river, and just work on what your instructors have taught you.
It may take several hours just to make the boat go in a straight line, but simply being out there, soaking up the view and the feel of being on the water–this is what paddling is all about.
5. Learn to Roll.
For all paddlers, learning to roll is the first big challenge.
Clubs throughout the country typically run “pool-practice,” especially in the winter time, to concentrate on just this.
Each person learns it in his or her own time: it can take minutes or days or even weeks to hit your first roll, depending on your athletic ability and flexibility and comfort level being upside down in the water.
The main thing is not to let your immediate success or failure with the roll determine whether or not you’ll continue learning how to paddle. Even if you don’t have a roll yet, you can still enjoy your “training ground” (flatwater or easy class I and II rivers) with experienced paddlers.
Once you get the roll however, (and later, your “combat roll” or roll in the whitewater) you’ll open up a new level of confidence and ability to paddle more dynamic water.
One tip for pool classes: bring a pair of swim goggles. Eventually you’ll be able to roll by feel, but in the beginning, it helps to be able to see your hands, the paddle, the boat, and the top of the water, while upside down.
6. Training ground Pt. 2: A pair of eddies
Once you can paddle in a straight line on flatwater and are feeling confident and totally comfortable in your boat, the key now is to find another training ground. Growing up, I was lucky. I had the Chattahoochee River right by my house with miles of water perfect for this.
You don’t need to run a river to find this. All you need is a single set of shoals or chutes with a channel of current and an eddy, or ideally, a pair of eddies, one on either side of the flow.
Great Falls of the Potomac, a classic class V-VI mega-drop. Whether you’re running stuff like this or taking your first paddle strokes in a class II riffle, it’s all about respect. Photo by Guy Incognito.
You’ll probably learn about these spots from others in your paddle clubs, or from being taken there on lessons from an instructor. You can also learn where these spots are by studying the American Whitewater Association database .
Whether you paddle here with instructors, friends, or you’ll find that the real teacher is the river itself–the dynamics of the flow and how you can work with it or get worked by it. As you practice over and over—eddying out, ferrying, catching eddies, surfing–you’ll build the foundation of running whitewater on any scale.
The more time you spend learning here and the more confident you become–(Got your roll in the pool? Ok, try it there in the moving water, or in the eddy-line)–the more fun you’ll have when you take your first true river trip.
7. Your first River Trip
Once you’re comfortable at your training ground and at the pool, you’re ready for your first paddle trip. An ideal first trip should be with a group of paddlers with whom you feel comfortable and safe, with plenty of extra gear and warm clothes kept in drybags for inevitable swims.
Don’t forget to check out the beauty around you. The perspective from the water changes everything, including your sense of time. When you finally get to the takeout you’ll see the world differently.
The definition of a river trip: Wondering what’s around the bend. Floodstage on the Crystal River, Colorado. It took two days of driving, a night of camping, a two-mile hike, and a bottle of Jaegermeister (the night before) to get us to this sublime 15 minute stretch of whitewater. Photo by Alex Harvey.
8. Gear up.
Once you’re fully hooked, one of the most exciting moments is looking for and buying your first boat and paddle, plus other gear: PFD (Personal Floatation Device), helmet, spray skirt, dry-top or paddle jacket, booties / water shoes, and a dry bag.
A great place to find everything cheap is to look for used gear on Craigslist , and also the gear swap pages on Boater Talk, as well as used gear closeouts at your local whitewater shop.
Final thoughts
Above all, remember that paddling is a lifelong progression. The river teaches you lessons that are hard to learn anywhere else.
One of them: 90% of your success in running a rapid is determined in the approach, the set-up, which, translated here, means: if you’re just getting into whitewater paddling and want to keep at it for decades, start slow, enjoy the learning curve, keep it safe, and always stay in the flow.
community connection
Your number one resource in the US is the American Whitewater Association, which not only has a comprehensive list of most major whitewater runs nationwide, but also fights for river conservation, access issues, promotes safe paddling practices, and produces a top-quality monthly magazine.
Stay tuned for an upcoming companion article at MatadorTrips.com on the top 20 whitewater trips for beginning paddlers across N. America.
