I am way over budget and I’m okay with that. My budget for 10 months of travel was only $18,000. I just surpassed $20,000 and I have about two months to go. But with a nice tax refund, some additional income sources and partnerships with companies like Hostelworld.com to secure complimentary accommodations, I […]
Stretching My Travel Budget: Making the Most of $20K Read More »
My first impression of travel in the Caucasus region was a good one, arriving in sunny Batumi, Georgia to a warm welcome from the immigration officers. One night later, I was on an overnight train, sharing a couple of bottles of cognac with three new Georgian friends. It was just a taste of what was
Travel in the Caucasus: Comparing Georgia, Armenia & Azerbaijan Read More »
Ah, Armenia. So many ups. So many downs. So many great memories and a few bittersweet ones as well. I have said before that my time in Armenia wasn’t so much about the country itself as it was about the people I met and the lessons I learned. Nonetheless, certain things definitely stand out to
Five Favorite Things in Armenia Read More »
The current contents of my backpack barely resemble those when I left Chicago on August 30, 2011. They don’t even look that similar to what I was carrying back in January when I revisited my original packing list. I have ditched some things, sent some things home and have acquired quite a bit of new
After 10 Months, What’s Still in My Backpack? Read More »
I have more stamps in my passport from the Republic of Georgia (not to be confused with the state of Georgia) than from anywhere else – 10 altogether, 5 entrance and 5 exit. How did this happen? Well, let’s just say the Republic of Georgia is really convenient. It probably enjoys the best flight connections
How I Visited Georgia 5 Times in 3 Months Read More »
If all goes well, you will actually be reading this on or around my 10 month anniversary of traveling. I say that because I am writing it from the village of Shing, which is located in the Zerafshan Valley in western Tajikistan. While I have a so-called 3G mini-modem here, the coverage has been anything
Live from Tajikistan: My 10 Month Update Post Read More »
There is something incredibly comfortable about returning to a place for a second (or third or fourth) time. You know how to get around, you know where to go, and you know how things work. Things are so easy compared to arriving in a strange city for the first time. This was certainly
I spent my first thirty minutes in Baku, Azerbaijan absolutely hating it. As I got off a stuffy bus after the seven hour ride from Sheki, taxi drivers swarmed around me, the only obvious foreigner in sight. I pushed my way past them with several “nyets,” wanting instead to find the main bus
My Love-Hate Relationship with Baku Read More »
Despite the fact that my visit to Azerbaijan coincided with Eurovision 2012 in Baku, my first stop in the country was not the capital city on the Caspian Sea. Rather, I spent my first few days in Azerbaijan staying with families in the village of Lekit and the town of Sheki. What better way
Community Based Tourism in Azerbaijan Read More »
Envoy Hostel is the oldest and most well-known hostel in Yerevan, Armenia. With such a reputation, I couldn’t help but wonder if it would actually live up to the hype. I’m happy to report it did – and then some. Envoy was probably the best hostel I have stayed at during my travels through
Yerevan’s Envoy Hostel: Living Up to the Hype Read More »
