Traval Literature Debate

So we all read travel literature of some description. Before, during or after an expedition of any kind. I have been rather skeptical towards travel books that elaborate the travel 'mindset'. I don't really understand this. What is the travel 'mindset', and should we bother to read these tales of travel in search for inspiration.

I have been really interested recently why we read about other people's experiences. For me, I can barely bring myself to look through people's photo's of their travels let alone read their online blogs or via any other medium.

Since Rusja Foster's STA WTI application video in which she mentions books by Alexander Supertramp and alike which have really inspired her to get out there and experience new and exciting things and really get out of her comfort zone. I wondered if a book or blog has ever inspired me in this way. I like to think its better to do something first. Jump before you look if you will.

My first trip two years ago to S.E.Asia I had cuttings from half a dozen Lonely Planet guide books all carefully cut out and placed in order according to my itinerary, so that every town and country I visited I could read up on and be ready for where ever the next destination may be. Looking back I can only cringe at this mindset, but hey, I was young, naive and a bit scared.

When planning a trip nowadays I just book the flight, talk to a few people and try and get the gist of a place before I go. That way, everything will be a surprise, and hopefully even the bad times will be just as memorable. After all, planning a trip is fun, doing it is up and down, and reflecting and remembering is just as good.

What I want to try and achieve, is to spark off a little debate which will hopefully educate me in what people think to travel literature. Can it really inspire you? Am I missing out on something great? And the traveler 'mindset', what is this?

Cheers x

Why Do We Travel?

Many of us have traveled. I mean backpacked that type of thing. And for those who haven't, they ask me, 'Whats the best thing about traveling?' or 'Is it not really scary?'. And I find I tend to answer completely differently depending on my mood, or the type of people who ask me.

So bare with me as I wright down why I think you should travel if you haven't already and maybe answer the question 'is it scary?'.

I travel because England is not very inspiring in the summer. We attract millions of tourists and that's cool, but they dont have to live here all year. I love England. Literally I cant imagine being away from it too long. I miss the culture, accent's, the little sayings we have, the little things in life we as Brits can only understand etc etc. But when you go far far away your mind opens up. When your on the move from A to B your mind is constantly busy with meeting new people, thinking what to do, where to go, who to talk to, what to eat, what to drink, who to chat up, who to ask if their up for a game of UNO etc etc.

When you travel 3 months go in like 3 weeks. Boom you land, you have fun, you do a hell of a lot, meet people you never forget, see things you'll never forget, do things you'll never forget, and Boom your home. I travel because its the best way to kill time while you figure stuff out. Whether what to do with your life, or what to eat for breakfast when you get back.

Just do it and get out there. There are a few lame excuses that you hear from time to time. I suppose if you want to do something you just do it. You make it happen. Those who go year to year saying 'Oooh I will travel but I just need to save money', trust me, just go and stop wasting our time.

When I got back from Asia I had no job, no money, nowhere to live. Guess what. I got a new house with my best two mates. I got offered three jobs at once, and money wise, I got it sorted!

Things will work out in the end, as long as you have family and friends who can help you out with a floor to sleep on for a while, or a couple of hundred quid stashed away for a rainy day.

Is it scary?

Hell Ya!!

I won't go into it, but my first 24hours in Bangkok, my first ever trip away backpacking. I was in tears and wanted to go home. If it wasn't for that first traumatic experience that grew a thick layer of skin, I don't think I could have made it through all the tough situations you can find yourself in. The world is a dangerous place sometimes. But even paradise has hazards. The garden of Eden had an evil talking snake for god's sake. Is England any safer?

Back your bags. Get out there. Go with a mate if it helps. Take your camera and enjoy.

Nail biting stuff

Is anyone else getting a little excited that in eight days the application deadline for STA World Traveler Internship is coming to an end?

Its been an interesting 6 weeks.

love x

A Day In My Life.....................

OK so it still might not meet the demands of the BAFTA committee, but my skills of filming and editing are developing. A day in my life was made entirely for my own film making development. It is not intended to be part of my WTI application, it is meant to be evidence of my improvement in my abilities with a camera.

There is still clear improvement to be made and with some more time and effort, I think I could become quite the little film buff. Hope you enjoy it, apologies about the little rant at the start towards Royal Mail, we love you really!!!

Pro-active response = happy times.

Feedback welcomed.

love & peace! x

A Month Goes By

A month has past since I uploaded my final STA WTI application video and its certainly been a rollercoaster ride. Since the day I uploaded the final version I have been involved in joyful laughter with friends, been spotted around town (hey your that guy off the STA thing right?), delved into the exciting world that is scandal, visited strange and expensive places (£4.70 a pint down in the big smoke), and met some brilliant people.

1,387 views and 5456 votes later, I now feel involved with this role. I think my video still carries charm, but I am now looking at the floods of other videos that are finally hitting the net. Good luck to everyone who applies. My vote goes to the lovely Sparky! I love her humour, I hope that everyone else gets it.

People have been talking to me about their ideas of making new videos to strengthen their applications. My advice would be do it, but try and be original. STA know what they want, you can't force it, just be yourself, try not to fail UNI by doing all this work on it, and enjoy yourself. After all, in the words of Chris Danner 2009 WTI winner 'be yourself because everyone else is taken.'

Peace!

Buzz About Town

So whats the crack I hear you ask. Well since my video has now miraculously achieved 5000+ votes things started to go back to normal and my life ensued with horrendous normality. That was until Francisco (a silver fox from STA Travel Buzz) invited me to attend a travel event, meet the team, other travelers and WTI hopefuls.

Before I jumped on the next megabus I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone. Why not take this opportunity to meet some really cool guys as well as practice my video making skills?! So that's what I did. I pulled myself out of bed and started shooting. If I have to make videos of my experiences this summer I'd better start practicing right? After all I'm no Spielberg yet. So any who here is the fruit of my labour. (don't know why YouTube cut the last 3 secs!)

It didn't take long to make, and I think ill be making some more soon.

Thanks again to STA Travel Buzz and the team, great hospitality, thanks for the beers and it was awesome to mingle down in sunny London! ha! x

STA Intern Blues

Having uploaded my video, achieved 400 votes (amazing!!), and now having to crack on with life. I feel a little blue. I have nothing to do now except wait and dream.

check out my application profile.

Voting begins!

I have 123 votes already people!

Thanks to all those who voted.

Good luck to everyone.

Internship video blues....

My eagerness to create my internship application video for the 2010 STA Travel Internship, is certainly not being match by the termoil world that is IT.

Terms like DV, firewire, and USB compatible connections, have become words a that are steadily becoming linked to suicidal tendencies!!

Ok maybe not that bad, but by hell the world of video shooting, uploading, and editing is slowly becoming a true test of my patience.

My experience in this type of activity is small, but I think steadily im starting to get the hang of this.

I am really trying my best to get my video up first to beat the crowds, but I have a feeling I will fail. Ive been spending hours looking at other videos from the US version of this programme with great interest. Some of the videos are truly fantastic, the majority however wont be as good as mine. I just hope those high budget films shot by film students won't over shadow mine too much. I suppose the only thing I can do, is do my best, and hope my personality can push me forward into the top 20.....!!!

I am getting VERY excitied.

STA Travel Internship = A job for me!

Ok so I was flicking through STA Travels website recently when I came acorss a link to the STA Travel Internship 2010. It's basically a huge PR stunt, but by far and away, the best PR stunt ever!

It entails a trip round the world and back for free! The coolest thing apart from having the trip of your life time is that you get to share it with a stranger who also shares a passion for travel.

The requirements are you have to be passionate about travelling, a good writer, excellent verbal skills, photography and camera skills, and a sense of adventure.

Where do I sign up?

Can't wait to apply!

April 25th draws near!!

We PR students must now put together all our hard work from the year and cleverly, aesthetically and creatively mount it.

Unfortunately this is becoming the most tasking part of the whole deal.

I'm bloody useless at this sort of thing, who thought cutting card would be so demanding.

Fly me away!

I was flicking through the latest issue of PR Week, and it seems Virgin Atlantic are now regarding Blogger's and other Internet writers in the same light as other journalists when it come to reviews and other comms related issues.

Luckily this works out fantastically for me, the summer holidays are soon approaching and I'm free as of 16Th of May guys so I look forward to hearing from you.

What The Bloody Hell Is Web 3.0?

I finally understood what Web 2.0 was, and now people are already talking about Web 3.0.

Eric Schmidt CEO of Google has said -

"Web 2.0 is a marketing term, and I think you've just invented Web 3.0"

I think what he is saying is that we the public, expect natural progression, the next best thing. If we stop thinking about the future we become in danger of losing our sense of reality, we miss opportunities and become naive.

The rich and famous predict future, who will be the next Mark Zuckerberg?

Is Web 3.0 a reality or are we just being ridiculous?

My money is on 3D graphics, some sort of AI interface that we design ourselves and talk to in order to access our internet.

All I need is a billion pounds to develop the idea and I’ll be a millionaire by Christmas.

With the New York Giants winning the superbowl last night they have now become "World Champions". Strange for a team to become world champs when the competition is only held in the US with American teams. A one hour game lasted just under four hours, with fireworks, pre-match entertainment, half-time show, and a finale of parades of mascots and celebrities.

Each advert between plays cost's £1.5 million pounds and the game was watched by over a billion people in 232 countries.

It seems as though America do everything to deflect away from the actual sport itself, which seems to lack any real excitement.

I'm not really sure what this has to do with anything related to PR, or anything at all really, it just makes me cross. I think America is quite odd, I must go back again soon to really make my mind up.