wanderlist - a list to inspire wanderlust • 42 comments • We're inspired by John Goddard who, at 15, wrote a list of 127 goals to accomplish during his lifetime. Although we're not interested in making a 'bucket list' at this time, we thought that a 'wanderlist', a list to inspire wanderlust, would be more appropriate. These are all things that we hope to accomplish during our travels. Our list, in no particular order, is: 1. Learn to Scuba Dive 2. Climb Mount Kilimanjaro 3. Walk Across Spain 4. Visit all 7 continents 5. Skydive 6. Drive around a country in a campervan 7. Sing Karaoke in Japan 8. Learn 'Hello' in as many languages as possible 9. Take Dance Lessons 10. Go on an African Safari 11. Volunteer Abroad 12. Study Yoga in an Ashram 13. Whitewater Rafting 14. Ride an Elephant* 15. Go on a cruise in the Galapagos Islands 16. Participate in a flash mob 17. Hike the Inca Trail up to Machu Picchu 18. Try Shark Cage Diving 19. Learn to Surf (sort of...) 20. Attend Burning Man 21. Be an extra in a Bollywood movie 22. Eat an insect (by accident while eating dates. GROSS) 23. Go Zorbing 24. Join a huge choreographed dance (See here &; here) 25. Try CouchSurfing, at least once 26. Learn to ride motorcycle 27. Go Sailing 28. Swim with dolphins 29. Explore a cave 30. Run a Marathon in another country 31. Climb a volcano 32. See one of the remaining Beatles live 33. Go Zip-lining 34. Volunteer with the Let's Colour Project (thanks Katie!) *We've seen several travel photos of people riding elephants and it looks like fun. However, elephants at some tourist destinations are treated quite cruelly. We would like to make sure that we don't indirectly contribute to animal abuse, and would rather support an organization that promotes conservation or forgo the experience completely. Any recommendations? Speaking of suggestions, we'd like you to tell us what you think we should add to our list. If your idea makes it onto our list we will send you a postcard during our travels.
travel books • 5 comments • During the past few months I've read a variety of books that have given me motivation for our trip. Some have been travelogues (Ghost Train... by Paul Theroux), or challenging adventures documented by those who survived (Paddle to the Amazon by Don Starkell*, Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer). Banker to the Poor by Muhammad Yunnus made me think about solutions (in this case micro-lending) to economic problems in other countries and inspired me to consider ways that I could help others while we travel. I'd really like to be able to participate in a project to assist others while traveling. I had considered this before, but after I read Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson** I felt guilty for not having done enough already. Greg Mortenson is a climber who lost his way during a climb of K2 and was saved by the hospitality of the people in a remote part of Pakistan. After seeing how the village lacked the resources to provide their children with a proper school he made it his mission to fund and build a school in the village. He returned and after some stumbles he was able to finally complete his vision. Since then he has built many schools in the region, with a heavy focus on educating girls (apparently women are more likely than men to return to their villages and provide benefit to the community receiving an education). I tend to hold a cynical view towards charities that seem indistinguishable from Fortune 500 companies. Greg himself lived in (by Western standards) poverty so that he could use every dollar he saved to benefit the villagers. He seems to have a genuine concern for the people of the region and no ulterior motive other than helping fellow humans. The personal sacrifices that he made to help improve the quality of life for others is really quite astounding. I can only hope that I can someday become half the global citizen that he is. -Alex * Don Starkell is a fellow Winnipeg resident and acquaintance of Mina who was kind enough to autograph a copy for us. ** UPDATE 04/2011: Three Cups of Deceit
