Get to know Momo

Posted on October 9, 2011 by WanderLustJeff

Ever wonder why the Rio Carnival is such a crazy fun celebration? Well it may have to do with who they hand the city’s key over to at the beginning of all the festivities: Momo.

The Greek god of mockery, Momo, spent his days in Mt. Olympus making fun of other gods and goddesses. Word on the street is he even made fun of the exquisite Aphrodite for being too talkative and having creaky sandals.  But Momo crossed the line when he made fun of the big man himself, Zeus, calling him a violent man who lusts form women.  Zeus wasn’t too keen on this and kicked Momo out of Mt. Olympus. According to legend, Momo decided to settle in Rio, the city of Carnival.

It’s easy to see that Rio appreciates Momo’s sense of humor more than Mt. Olympus. The Carnival officially starts with the delivery of the city’s key to King Momo.  This is the guy who gets the party started, kicking off all the major Carnival events.  Join us on our Rio Carnival trip this February and maybe you’ll catch a glimpse of King Momo! Arrive a little early and you can see him receive the key, catapulting the city into an exuberant party you won’t soon forget.

Posted in Brazil, Carnival, Cultural adventures, Music, Rio Carnival & Beyond, Rio de Janeiro | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Cultural “norms”

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Lauren

Part of what makes traveling such an adventure is the difference in culture and cultural norms. In some countries people enjoy standing close and touching while they talk, while in others there’s a need for personal space. You may travel to a destination in which being on time means appearing an hour late, while elsewhere punctuality is taken seriously.

Take a look at these six cultural norms from http://www.ediplomat.com which may not seem so normal to you. Of course, it all depends on where you’re from.

 Argentina:  So… when do we arrive?

In Argentina, it is considered impolite to arrive at a social event on time; showing up 30 to 60 minutes late means you know your Argentine etiquette. But if the social event is a lunch appointment, be on time. Punctuality is key for the theater and soccer games as well. Wouldn’t want to miss the kick-off! Learn more about Argentine etiquette.

 Belgium: Killer gift idea

If you want to get a gift for someone in Belgium, stay away from chrysanthemums. These colorful flowers symbolize death in Belgium, so unless you want to kill the mood, maybe you should stick with roses. Learn more about Belgium etiquette.

 Mexico: Some handy advice

Not knowing where to put your hands while you stand is a common problem for some people. If you’re in Mexico, whatever you do, keep your hands away from your hips and your pockets. Standing with your hands on your hips signifies anger, and it is considered rude to stand with your hands in your pockets. If you feel awkward just buy a drink—then you’ll only have one hand to worry about. Learn more about Mexican etiquette.

Learn more about Mexico by joining us in our Travel School adventure to Mexico and Guatemala this September!

 United States: Sincerely insincere

Americans love to throw around casual phrases that are merely pleasantries to them. For example, when greeting people they’ll ask, “How are you?” or, “What’s new?”  But the only acceptable answers are best kept short. Americans will expect you to answer with “fine” or “not much” rather than give your life story. Similarly, when saying good-bye Americans will say “see you later” or “we’ll have to get together”. You may not see them later, and unless plans are made then, you probably won’t get together any time in the near future.  Learn more about American etiquette.

 Brazil: Party etiquette

Brazilians take their parties seriously and have a few rules that would be considered party fouls if broken. Rule #1: When inviting others to a party, do not tell your guests to bring a dish to pass or drinks to share. Rule #2: Do not expect guests to arrive on time. Rule #3: Never indicate an “ending” time to a party. Learn more about Brazilian etiquette. Rule #4: The guest should always wait for the host to open the door when they leave- it’s their way of showing that they may invite you back!

Experience the party for yourself by joining us on our trip to Brazil for the Rio Carnival this February!

 Thailand: Heads up

In Thailand the head is considered sacred. For this reason you should never touch or pass anything over someone’s head. Speaking of passing items, never do so with your left hand. Don’t eat or touch others with your left hand either. In fact, don’t do anything with your left hand. In Thailand, the left hand is considered impure, and historically was used for cleaning up in the bathroom. Sorry, lefties. Learn more about Thai etiquette.

Want to experience Thailand for yourself? Join us on our trip to Thailand this April!

 A few more pointers:

In some countries, especially Asian countries such as Thailand and Hong Kong, pointing with one finger is considered rude. Instead, point with your entire hand.

Giving the “thumbs up” sign is considered rude in Argentina, Australia, Guatemala and many Middle Eastern countries. Avoid using the gesture unless you see a native using it… in a good way.

Giving the “okay” sign is considered vulgar in Brazil, Greece, Germany, Argentina and other countries. Just as with “thumbs up”, avoid using it unless you see it’s okay.

Want to share your opinion? Leave a comment or find us on Twitter. You can also locate us on Facebook. We’d love to hear from you!

Posted in Brazil, Cultural adventures, Mexico, Responsible travel, Rio Carnival & Beyond, Rio de Janeiro | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

6 things to think about when buying souvenirs

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Lauren

For some people, one of the most enjoyable parts about traveling is finding the best item to take home as a memory of the trip. Here’s some advice to keep in mind while searching for that perfect keepsake.

Less is more

When we travel, it’s tempting to go souvenir crazy. We have thoughts like, “Hey, when will I ever be in Iceland again?” and go on a shopping rampage. But before you go too crazy on the keepsakes, think about how much space you have in your suitcase. There’s probably not much wiggle room in the packing department, so unless you’re willing to check another bag, it’s best to stick with a few items. Going easy on consumption is also good for the environment. Win-win.

Avoid clothing

Buying clothing on your trip isn’t all bad—it helps you blend in with the locals and allows you to try new styles. But clothes become a problem when purchased as souvenirs. You might really be digging that silk kimono you try on at a shop in Thailand, but will you ever bust it out once you’re back home? It’s best to step away from the kimono and pick a souvenir that won’t spend decades in your closet.

Think twice about fragile items

You just got home from Guatemala and are really excited to show your sister her hand-painted ceramic gift, but  your excitement turns to disappointment once you see it’s no longer in one piece. This is a tragedy, although maybe you should have seen it coming. After all, putting something breakable in a suitcase that’s treated more like a sack of potatoes is just asking for trouble. So unless you want to take that gamble, make sure you can fit a fragile item in your carry-on before you make the purchase.

Buy locally and responsibly

Buying a something from Brazil that was made in Mexico ruins the fun of souvenir shopping. So don’t take the risk; buy local. Purchasing items from a local artisan guarantees that what you’re buying is authentic. It also helps preserve local culture and craftsmanship. Speaking of preservation, make sure you aren’t buying part of any endangered species. Staying away from skins and furs is simple enough, but be on the lookout for products containing materials such as ivory and black coral as well. Before your trip, update yourself on the list of endangered species by checking the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. Here’s another useful site:

Will you use it?

This is rarely thought of before buying a souvenir. Who cares what you do with that giant kiwi sculpture as long as you have it to remember your amazing trip to New Zealand, right? This way of thinking may be okay for some, but souvenirs are more fun if you can use them or have them on display. This way you’ll be reminded of your travel adventure every day, and you’ll have some great conversation starters.

 

Start a collection

Collections make souvenir shopping fun and easy, especially for avid travelers. So what can you collect? Postcards, shot glasses, currency, flags, and cookbooks are all items that can be found wherever your travel plans take you. Going somewhere more rugged? Fill a small container with soil, sand, water or whatever your heart desires. Just make sure it’s legal to take before tossing it into your bag; moving certain wildlife can disturb natural ecosystems.

Have any advice to add? Leave a comment! You can also find us on Twitter at @TravelUnraveler or on Facebook at Unravel Travel.

Posted in Adventure travel, Brazil, Destinations, Family Trips, Iceland, Responsible travel | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How to meet locals while traveling

Posted on September 1, 2011 by WanderLustJeff

Ah, the elusive local. Even the most intrepid travelers may struggle when it comes to conversing with natives. There they are in plain sight, thousands of them, but somehow it can be so challenging meeting a new friend.

It may be challenging, but what better way to get to know a travel destination than by speaking with someone who grew up there? Take a look at these five tips on how meet the locals.

1. Learn about the culture

Before you leave for your travel adventure, take the time to learn about where you’re going. Read up on their culture, history, etiquette and whatever else interests you. Rent a few films from their famous directors, watch a few documentaries. Look up some fast facts on your destination’s culture. What type of clothing do they wear? What’s a common greeting? How big is their personal bubble? One thing that makes the world so interesting is how vastly cultures differ from one another. Waving and making a lot of eye contact may be the norm in one culture, but in another it could be considered weird or offensive. Here’s a site to get you started on your quest for cultural knowledge:

http://www.ediplomat.com/np/cultural_etiquette/cultural_etiquette.htm

2. Get off the beaten path

Sure, you might enjoy hitting the beach, strolling through museums or going to nightclubs where there are a bunch of other people speaking your language, but it’s most likely not what the locals are doing. Try to find restaurants and shops that are more of a hang out than a tourist trap. Look at the local newspapers, magazines and blogs of your destination to find out where everyone’s going. Using public transportation is a style of grassroots travel that will also help you bump into a native and support sustainable tourism.

One sure-fire way to meet a local is to stay with one. This is an especially great idea for those of you traveling on a budget (which is mostly everyone). Not only is staying with a local less expensive than staying in a hotel, but it’s also far more culturally fulfilling. Find someone to stay with by checking out these sites:

Couchsurfing

Homestay Booking
3. Stray from your travel group, follow your own interests

You don’t need to wander around by yourself, but it’ll be hard to meet someone new when you’re constantly surrounded by ten of your travel buddies. Once you and your group arrive at the bar, beach or destination of your choosing, separate yourself from the pack. Make yourself approachable and open for conversation. If you feel uncomfortable, grab one friend from your group and peruse the crowds together.

Following your passions and doing what interests you will inevitably lead you to others with similar interests. If you are a history buff, leave your group behind for a while and stroll through the historic center of town- who knows who you’ll bump into. If loud music and late nights are more your thing, check out the local papers or ask a music shop about the best place to go out. The further you get off the beaten path, the more likely you are to meet some true friends!

4. Know key phrases

Make an effort to speak the language by learning the lingo and actually using it! No one is ever going to be fluent in a day, a week, or even a year- but any effort you make will be greatly appreciated- and will likely lead to a good laugh or two. Start by knowing a greeting and a simple complementary phrase. And of course, no one can resist a little good old fashioned flattery. Check out some online resources such as Omniglot or pick up a Lonely Planet phrasebook for even more useful info that will surely get the conversation started!

5. Just keep smiling

Don’t get discouraged if you’re having trouble speaking with a local; the ease or difficulty of this task depends on where you travel. Make sure you stay positive and remain approachable—sulking in the corner isn’t going to help you reach your goal. Remember that at the base of things we’re all humans, so keep it real by showing your smile and you can get anywhere in this world!

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Life’s just beachy in Mexico

Posted on August 26, 2011 by WanderLustJeff

After a long work week, all anyone really wants to do is relax. And what better place to relax than on a beach? This September when we travel to Mexico and Guatemala you better believe we’ll be spending some time on those sandy shores. Get a sneak peak at where we’ll be kicking back here.

Just south of the Mayan ruins in Tulum, Mexico, the main beach allows you to explore and unwind without much travel time in between.


Also in Tulum, the Sian Ka’an Biosphere beaches are located north of the ruins. Meaning “gift from the heavens” in Mayan, Sian Ka’an is a 1.3 million acre wilderness reserve filled with a variety of unpopulated beaches. Find out more by clicking here: http://www.locogringo.com/research/beaches/siankaan.html


Agua Azul near Palenque, Mexico may lack sandy shores, but this series of waterfalls isn’t lacking in looks. These beautiful blue cascades go on for nearly one mile, with the highest of the falls reaching about 20 feet. Want to learn more? Click here: http://www.discoverymexico.com/guides/chiapas-agua-azul-waterfalls.aspx

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What have the Mayans ever done for us?

Posted on August 18, 2011 by WanderLustJeff

The Mayans were one of the most prominent civilizations in modern history, with their dominance primarily lasting from 200 B.C. to 1000 A.D.  This super civ didn’t truly fade away until the Spanish conquest in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Mayans developed magnificent art, architecture and other cultural beauties and necessities, with several of them making their way to modern society. Here’s a closer look at some of the Mayans’ major contributions.

Writing

The Mayans were one of the first civilizations to develop an advanced writing system. Instead of letters they used hieroglyphics, and they had hundreds of symbols (or glyphs) they used to communicate. These glyphs were in the form of animals, humans, objects and abstract designs. Some of the glyphs straight up stood for a word, while others were used to form sounds used to write words and sentences. It’s doubtful there was any grunting as communication going on in this civilization. The Mayans had glyphs for virtually anything they wanted to say.

Math

The Mayans were incredibly gifted mathematicians. Their numerical system is similar to that of the Romans, but instead of X’s and I’s they use dots, bars and shells. Each dot has the value of one, each bar the value of five, and each shell the value of zero. This brings us to the main mathematical contribution of the Mayans, the concept of zero. The Mayans were the first to develop the number that isn’t really a number of anything, and despite how confusing that sounds they did it all by themselves.

Astronomy

The Mayans were also incredible astronomers. Using their astronomical smarts, they deduced that a solar year was slightly more than 365 days. This calendar, which the Mayans called jaab’, is divided into 18 months consisting of 20 days. For some reason they added five unlucky days at the end of their calendar called wayeb’. The Mayans also had a more complicated system known as the long count calendar, which ultimately measures a time period of over 5,000 years. Imagine keeping track of family dentist appointments for hundreds of generations…

 

Want to know more about these Mayan contributions? Visit http://www.ancientscripts.com/maya.html. You can also explore ancient Mayan ruins with us this September when we visit Mexico and Guatemala!

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Travel Warnings: What should concern you and how to find the truth

Posted on August 11, 2011 by WanderLustJeff

Travel Warnings are common occurrences that tend to be buzz kills to travelers everywhere. But what does a travel warning really mean? And do we need to let it ruin all our fun?

Why Travel Warnings are issued
The U.S. State Department says they issue travel warnings when they believe a long term condition makes a country risky to travel in or if the embassy of a country closes, taking away the ability for the U.S. to assist American citizens.

How to interpret a Travel Warning
The current Travel Warning list issued by the U.S. includes a little over 30 countries. Afghanistan, Libya and Iran are up there—surprise, surprise. But they also threw in some wildcards such as Mexico and Columbia. This is where it gets tricky. Some of the countries on the list should be avoided all together, while others are perfectly fine to travel to if certain areas are avoided.

Luckily, other countries such as the UK can help with this dilemma. The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office breaks down the list of questionable countries, advising against all travel, all travel to parts of a given country, all but essential travel, or all but essential travel to certain areas. Reading travel advice from more than one country can help give you more information and give you a better idea of how dangerous a destination actually is.

How to further educate yourself
While government sites are incredibly helpful, it can also be beneficial to read English-written newspapers from the country where the warning has been issued. This site gives a variety of papers from around the world: http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/.  Get different perspectives from a variety of news sources such as CNN, BBC and Al Jazeera.

You can also get advice from seasoned travelers by visiting different travel blogs. Intelligent Travel, The TSA Blog and World Hum are just a few. And don’t forget about Unravel! You can drop us a line (or a comment) whenever you have traveling questions or concerns.

Why you shouldn’t break your plans
If your travel destination suddenly appears on the travel warning list, don’t cancel your flight and throw your luggage out the window. Many times conflicts are internal, so they have nothing to do with tourism. As a tourist, you’re really valuable.  Most people understand this and know deterring foreign visitors will result in stiff penalties.

In short, don’t take travel warnings lightly, but don’t let them ruin a potentially amazing trip. Government websites give detailed accounts of why a country may be dangerous and which parts are cause for concern, so make sure you actually read what they have to say. You can learn more about safe travel this September by joining us on our Travel School trip to Mexico and Guatemala!

Here’s a list of government websites to help you interpret issued travel warnings:
U.S. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html
UK http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country?action=essentialTravelParts#essentialTravelParts
Australia http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/
Canada http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/menu-eng.asp

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Traveling safely in Mexico & Guatemala

Posted on August 9, 2011 by WanderLustJeff

Everyone should be getting excited for school this September. Forget the classrooms and books, this school is for the old souls and the young at heart and is all about traveling and hands-on experience. We’re talking about Unravel’s Travel School trip to Mexico and Guatemala, where you’ll learn to get off the beaten path while being a safe, smart traveler.

There is no better place to gain the grit to travel on your own than in Mexico and Guatemala. They’ve got it all from beaches to cities, mountains and ruins…  and even some banging tacos! Let Unravel get you off the beaten path and enable you to travel safely and smartly.

Some people may be weary of traveling ‘South of the Border,’ but despite the real threats of drug cartel violence in Mexico, Unravel takes to areas unaffected and will show that you have to make the most out of your journey. Stay out of harm’s way by traveling in small groups, avoiding areas of contention, and supporting local businesses—all things Unravel Travel does to travel sustainably and responsibly!

The United States Department of State says there’s no reason to believe that any of the violence in Mexico is targeted toward tourists, but as with any travel destination you should always be aware of your surroundings. We can teach you how to do this and more if you choose to join us on our travel school adventure!

If you want more information on the safety of traveling to Mexico, visit these government websites:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5440.html

http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Mexico

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/north-central-america/mexico1

Posted in Adventure travel, Cultural adventures, Destinations, Guatemala, Mexico, Responsible travel, Sustainable travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Iceland Airwaves: The hottest music in the coolest country

Posted on August 5, 2011 by WanderLustJeff

Despite the name, Iceland isn’t just frozen water. When we venture there this October, we’ll be exploring Iceland’s breathtaking countryside and taking in Iceland Airwaves, one of the hippest music festivals in the world.

Iceland Airwaves has been introducing the world to new music since 1999 and showcases amazing acts such as Björk, Bon Iver, Sigur Rós, The Shins, Flaming Lips, The Antlers and Fatboy Slim. All of the musical festivities take place in downtown Reykjavík, a small city on the Southwestern coast of Iceland. Bands will be performing in their natural habitats of clubs and bars, with a few random venues such as art galleries thrown into the mix.

Here are a few out of over 60 artists set to rock out at this year’s festival:

JD McPherson of the United States. McPherson is bringing back that ‘50s American rock ‘n roll vibe made famous by “the King” himself.


Dope D.O.D. of the Netherlands. This is a hardcore English hip-hop trio that lays out some sick beats with just the right amount of dubstep to give their music that futuristic feel.
Retro Stefson of Iceland. These guys are already rock stars in Iceland, having made their Airwaves debut in 2006. While they’re officially categorized under pop, they’ve been called Latin, blues and afro as well.


The Violet May of the United Kingdom. This band of rockers is said to be one of the most exciting new bands to emerge out of the UK.


Young Galaxy of Canada. After starting out as a duo, this indie rock band later added a third member to complete their quirky sound.


Oy of China. Categorized as Chinese pop, electronic and blues, this one-woman band has a sound like no other. Joy Frempong uses childhood memories as inspiration for her music, so don’t be surprised if you hear an occasional toy in the background of her songs.

Want to see the complete list of 2011 artists? Check out this link:  http://www.icelandairwaves.is/artists–schedule/artist-page-2011/

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East meets West at the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival

Posted on July 28, 2011 by WanderLustJeff

Craving a trip to Asia that your travel budget just won’t allow? Find a Dragon Boat Festival near you for a quick dose of Asian culture. This celebration, which involves racing boats that are 40 feet long and shaped like dragons, originated over 2,000 years ago in Southern China. Today the sport of Dragon Boat racing and the celebration of Dragon Boat festivals can be seen around the world.

The 2011 Colorado Dragon Boat Festival is a free event and family-friendly cultural adventure in Denver. Join thousands of revelers July 30-31, 2011 at Sloan’s Lake Park to be a part of the cultural! There will be traditional Asian performances, cuisine, unique arts and crafts- all influenced from the broad reaches of Asia- China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, India, Malaysia, Indonesia the Philippines, and Polynesia. But of course, the most exciting part is the races!

Reaching for the win!

Each boat contains 18 paddlers, a drummer and a steersman. So you get to watch 18 people sit inside an intricately designed Chinese dragon and row to a drum beat, while 18 people inside a just as intricately designed dragon next to them try to do the same, but faster. How could you not have fun?

Learn more about the 2011 Colorado Dragon Boat Festival by visiting http://www.cdbf.org/.

Even if only a staycation is in the cards for you this season, there is still probably a cultural adventure to be had right in your back yard! What’s going on in your area?

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