SPECIAL PLACES - Ecuador!                                                                         
EXPLORING ECUADOR, it's not just the Galapagos!                        

Last November, three Global Sojourners took a scouting trip to Ecuador and were amazed at all the country has to offer.  Our focus was on the mainland which often gets overlooked by those traveling to the Galapagos islands.  We found it to be a jewel of a travel destination.

• is close to the US and easy to get to
• provides good value for money
• is untrodden yet easy to get around
• offers a wonderful and diverse array of landscapes and activities

• hiking... around lakes, up mountains and in the jungle
• staying at Haciendas, especially small, intimate "working" ones
• visiting the colorful and bustling local markets filled with fruits and vegetables, livestock, local wares and more (and not getting hassled!)
• horseback riding in the Andes 
• eating tropical fruits, locro (rich, thick soup) and ceviche with shrimp and popcorn
• spotting toucans, parrots, butterflies, caimen and much more in the jungle
• fishing for pirahna
• climbing to 16,000 ft. and taking in expansive views and a day later, relaxing in our hammock at the jungle lodge, soaking up the greenery and the mysterious sounds
• peacefully kayking in jungle lakes
• exploring the "old city" in Quito
  

We'd love to help you plan a trip to this special country!

SOJOURNERS' FAVORITE TRAVEL MEMORIES                                                    

Global Sojourner, Kendra Howe of Seattle, WA, recounts one of her favorite travel memories in Africa:

I was at Little Chobe (a camp in the Okavanga Delta) and we had this great guide called Charles.  His father was chief, and when he died Charles was expected to become chief, but what he really wanted to do was to be a safari guide -- which was a big disappointment to his family and his village.  He would take us out and tell us all about what it meant to be chief, why he decided to give up all of those perks (and responsibilities), how long it took him to raise the dowry for his wife, how much of a dowry I (and my friend Jane) would each command, etc.  

We talked and talked and talked. We would look up and see elephants, hippos, antelope, and wild dogs, but we kind of got lost in our conversations. Until I looked out across the horizon and saw something moving in the distance.  I pointed and asked Charles what that was, and it was a cheetah!  He was so embarrassed that I had spotted it first, but thrilled to see something so special.  He gunned the Land Rover, and we took off to track that cheetah.  We saw him one more time, and then lost him.  And that's how Charles came to dub me JT -- "Junior Tracker"!

RESPONSIBLE SOJOURNER                                                                             

WHAT SIZE ECO-SHOE ARE YOU?  Becoming a responsible traveler is more important than ever, as travel is the fastest-growing cause of global warming today.  Every time a sojourner flies, tons of carbon dioxide is released into the earth's atmosphere.  Offset your carbon emissions each time you fly, by calculating your carbon footprint at http://www.globalsojourns.com/html/whatyoucando.html.  By selecting your travel options and making your contribution, you are investing in renewable energy efficiency projects in developing countries.  Go for it!

TRAVELTIPS                                                                                                 

TIPS FOR "TRAVELING LIGHT"

Both Peter and Priscilla Macy are "carry on only" devotees.  Whether their trips are for 10 days or 3 weeks, to Africa, SE Asia or Mongolia, for formal work or adventure, they always travel with just carry on luggage.  Peter contends:  My bags NEVER get lost -- as they are always with me

I don't have to wait for my bags to arrive on the carousel and I'm the 1st out to customs/immigration

It gives me complete flexibility to change flights along the way if I need to

It allows me to use the contents of my bag at intermediate airport stops (such as showering and changing clothes)

I'm comforted knowing that no one can add/subtract from my bag when it's not in my sight

Even if "checking in" works best for you, you can't beat the benefits of at least traveling light.  So here is the first of a series of tips for traveling light:

• Tip #1:  Invest in Great Luggage

  Look for a lightweight (makes a big difference!), well built, wheeled bag.  If you want to focus on "carry on only", get a bag that is 22".  This size fits in the overhead on most international flights.   A brand that we love is Eagle Creek.  We've had a variety of their 22" models and have been happy with all of them.  You can find Eagle Creek and other good brands at REI, luggage stores and on the web. 

  For "carry on only" travelers, having a good companion piece is key.  Some people prefer a  backpack style (Peter), others (Priscilla) like a bag style.  Either way, make sure it has a  "back pocket" that lets you slip it over the handle of your wheeled luggage.  This way you don't have to carry any weight on your shoulders while traveling.