the wander project dispatches from over there

The Wander Project is Dead.

The Wander Project is Dead.

And I’m really, really happy about it. In the several months that TWP has been up and running, I’ve reached one conclusion: I don’t want to keep a travel blog. It feels forced, and the idea of having to generate content for content’s sake is slightly nauseating. As an editor friend reminded me today: if you’re writing something you’re not 100% into, it’s simply not worth the effort in the end (unless,of course, you’re paying the bills- then it’s called a job). He also pointed out the flawed mechanics of [...]

Managing Your Money on the Road

Traveling is expensive. If you’re not careful, you’ll end up dropping even more cash just for the privilege of spending your own money. Short of carrying a backpack full of bills around the world (not recommended), you’ll pay to play when you want to access your funds— the trick is to shell out as little as possible.
Debit Cards:
That $2 ATM charge from a random ATM is annoying at home. Abroad, you can add another $3-$5, then up to 5% for a “foreign currency conversion charge.” Gonna swipe your card?  You’ll pay the conversion [...]

Fitness on the Move

Your fitness routine is one of the many things you sacrifice to live out of a backpack. Fortunately, you’ll discover something that gym teachers and drill sergeants have known all along: a health club full of fancy equipment isn’t necessary to get in shape and stay that way.

TWP Gear Guide: A Rough Edit of my Packing List

It’s easily one of the top three questions asked of RTW travelers (right after “Why are you doing this?” and “How are you financing this little venture?”): What does one pack for a year-long trip?
So here’s your answer. I’m still editing this list— I’m sure I’ll ditch some stuff (like clothes) and toss in a few odds/ends, but this is pretty much it. Travelers, feel free to offer your suggestions.
Clothing
one pair of travel pants (patagonia continental pants)
three l.s. travel shirts (patagonaia/gramicci/the north face)
two synthetic s.s. T-shirts (patagonia calpilene)
two synthetic l.s. T-shirts (patagonia [...]

Travel Delays are Unavoidable, Annoying and Perhaps for the Best

Delays are an inevitable part of travel—especially when you’re planning to be on the road for a year. I’ve been forced to postpone my trip until July, and I was pretty bummed about it.
But if everything had gone as planned, I’d have landed in an ash-coated Guatemala City courtesy of Pacaya volcano, which erupted on Thursday. If that weren’t enough, my arrival would’ve coincided perfectly with tropical storm Agatha, which has dumped three feet of rain on the region and caused widespread flooding, massive mudslides and over 100 deaths in Guatemala and [...]

Protecting Valuables on the Road

Every RTW traveler has concerns about keeping their gear safe, especially when they’re lugging expensive electronics or camera equipment. TWP asked photographer Austin Mann (who’s no longer trapped in Ethiopia) to tell us how he keeps his computer, high-end camera bodies and assortment of lenses out of the hands of thieves in the field, in transit, and even when he’s not around to stand guard.

In the Field: Be Inconspicuous
“You’ve got to actively work to keep you gear (and yourself) off the radar of would-be thieves,” Mann says.  To avoid looking like a [...]

Pre-Trip Medical Checklist

Staying healthy on the road begins before you leave
Get a Pre-trip Physical
Not a cursory glance like the one you got to play ball in high school, but a thorough exam by a doctor who’ll do more than check your your vitals and send you on your way. Make sure you get a blood test, which will turn up any abnormalities with your red/white blood cell count, kidney and liver function, etc. — all of which you’d rather deal with here than halfway around the world. Ask for a chest x-ray, too, which will allow [...]

Weekly Steals: The Best Deals on Travel Gear

Chaco Hipthong Sandals
Insanely comfortable and supportive enough for the trail, Chacos are the gold standard in sport sandals. Grab the Hipthong model for a mere $48 at Sierra Trading Post, then add the 36% you’ve saved to your travel fund.
Campmor Men’s Microfleece Zip-T Neck
A super-thin fleece is invaluable when traveling: it wards off the chill while taking up little real estate in your pack. At just $16, there’s no reason not to snag Campmor’s in-house version.
GoLite Quest Backpack
If we had to recommend a RTW-able pack to a ladyfriend on a budget, the GoLite Quest would be a top contender. [...]

Finally: My RTW Itinerary

Here it is, folks— TWP’s Around-the-World Itinerary:
June/July 2010: Central America
Guatemala
Nicaragua
Costa Rica
Panama
Aug/September/October 2010: South America
Colombia
Ecuador
Peru
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile
Argentina
Nov/Dec 2010/Jan 2011: Africa
South Africa
Zimbabwe
Zambia
Tanzania
Kenya
Ethiopia
Feb/March/April 2011: Asia
India
Nepal
Thailand
Cambodia
Vietnam
China
It’s a serious understatement to call my itinerary flexible— I’ll probably change it at least a dozen times. Got any suggestions? Maybe you can make a case for Honduras, recommend a hostel in Cape Town or a bar in Bangkok. Let me know!

Weekly Steals: The Best Deals on Travel Gear

High-Capacity Roller: Osprey Space Station 100
While backpacks are the norm for the long-term travel set, sometimes you just need a hauler with wheels. The Osprey Space Station 100 holds over 6000 cubic inches of gear and is perfect for bulky stuff you’d rather not strap to your back. It’s durable, too— I tested it for Men’s Journal and it survived a toss out a window, a stint as a speed bump and being dragged behind a truck. You can get one of your own for just $160—that’s 35%off— from REI Outlet.
Double Duty: Arcteryx Envoy
Travel shirt pros: they can take a [...]