More Deadly Clashes in Central Bangkok

Jodi from Legal Nomads continues to update the situation in Bangkok. She simply states, “Let me reiterate: I would not be sitting here posting on this crisis if my life were in danger.”

Visit Greece despite riots, experts say

Another country in turmoil is Greece. I blogged about my time there when there were explosions in the streets. Exciting up until you realize that those explosions sometimes come with riot police and thrown bottles. And I stand out in Greece. No need to put a target on your back.

Travel Video of the Week
One Year in South America in Seven Minutes

Best Travel Deals and News – May 18, 2010 – Bangkok, Athens, Crazy Vending Machines of the World, Travel Mistakes, Approaching Strangers is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

First let me say our get together in New York City last night was incredible! Those of you who missed it, I am sorry you did.

I’ll have pictures of that over the weekend. If you were there, please send your pictures to me asap and I can incorporate them into any future blog posts.

One topic brought up last night by last by loyal reader Nicole and her friend Sylvia was staying in hostels.

The dorm room style with multiple beds is not the only option in hostels. You CAN have a single room, all to yourself, with a private bathroom in a hostel! Just depends on the hostel you pick.

Two advantages over hotels:

A single in a hostel can still be cheaper than a 3 star hotel…with the same amenities. Anywhere from 20%-60% cheaper.…even more.

The hostel has the advantage of being able to make quick friends and providing resources for cheap or even free activities and events, like tours, museums, bars, clubs, etc.

So don’t throw out hostels because you don’t want to have 5-10 people breathing your air at night. There are other ways to save costs and be COMFORTABLE in a hostel.

Some more places I’ve stayed in:

This is St. Christopher’s Inn in Paris. I stayed here for about $30US a night. A new hostel, just opened in the last year, you can tell they took the mistakes of other hostels and learned from them.

They had a bar/restaurant on the ground floor of the building and free WiFi. Free breakfast (toast, coffee) included. No kitchen for your own cooking.

The lockers that hold your valuables are under the bed and can be locked with a combination lock. They make a lot of noise when you pull them out and open them so you will disturb others if you need something when everyone else is asleep. I affectionately call them “shark cages”.

In Athens I was at a hostel called Athenstyle for about $26US a night. Very nice place and since Athens was quiet (except for the protesting farmers!) I had the 4 bed hostel room to myself for the 5 days I was there. Only thing: 5 Euro ($6.33US) to wash one load of clothes! Too, too much Athenstyle!

They provided free breakfast (toast, coffee) had a full kitchen for cooking your own meals and a rec room downstairs for playing pool and screening movies.
This type of room is called an ‘ensuite’ because the bathroom is in the room. Meaning you don’t have to walk down a cold hallway half naked with your towel and toothbrush.

Claudio, a cool Italian from Milan working at Athenstyle. You’ll find that most of the people working at hostels in Europe are not locals, but travelers who decided to stay in a foreign country and found work at hostels. Definitely adds to the international flavor when you’re in Greece and the guy who checks you in is from Italy, Argentina, Canada, etc.

If You Are Nervous About Staying in Hostels…. is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

The Dionyssos Theater at the Acropolis

These workers hand chip a marble block to replace a crumbling one. Tedious work, but necessary to preserve the look of the structure, as the original Greeks intended

The long view of the Parthenon from downhill looking up

All of this done without modern tools, bulldozers, heavy cranes or computers…

More Shots of Ancient Greece is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

We all know about Greece’s ancient history, the fantastic monuments, etc.

Let me bring you into 2009…

I ran into a protest by farmers demanding more aid from the Greek government. With the worldwide economic downturn they are hurting and they are looking for their government’s help.

Notice how the pics are from a distance. The riot police may not take kindly to me taking photographs so I discreetly did it.

One thing about Athens you’ll find is the number of dogs just running the streets. If you’re scared of dogs, you might be a little nervous. But generally they seem docile, but I’m not going up to them to find that out firsthand.

So I did a little research (Google) and found out that years ago after a videotape of inhumane conditions at a pound surfaced and the mayor of the town was arrested and sent to jail, every other mayor dissolved his or her local dog pound to sidestep PERSONAL liability. Hence dogs running wild.

I saw the dog at the entrance to the Parthenon, I saw the sign and I said “Perfect!”

This is how many of the dogs look: just laid out, sleeping. They are well-fed and taken cared up. Most of us would consider them strays because they walk around without an owner, but this is how the Greeks do it.

2009 Greece is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

I spent my first day in Greece inside. The rain was pouring down and I made myself comfortable in my hostel to plan out my next day. Greece is in the low season and the hostel is nearly empty, meaning I’ve had a 4 bed room to myself. About $27US a night with bathroom and shower in the room. Nice!

Next day I hit the major site: the Acropolis. The Acropolis rises from the Greek hills and overlooks Athens, like a shepard watching his sheep.

You buy a 12 Euro ticket ($16US) that gets you into the Acropolis, as well as 5 other sites in and around Greece. Extremely good value. Since Athens is pretty compact, you can walk almost anywhere if you have the time and inclination.

The Acropolis was the center of Greek commerce and government in ancient times, but with the wear and tear of the elements is now undergoing a major restoration project. Hence the very modern scaffolding and equipment mixed in with the ruins.

These men are hand chipping this large marble block to replace a crumbling block that is currently in place. Tedious work, but necessary.

Me at the Acropolis overlooking Athens

More on the way…

First Shots of Greece is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Today at the Acropolis

Hey, Hey, Hey!

I’m in a great mood because I am currently in Athens, Greece, checking out the land of Hercules and Mount Olympus and the Acropolis. Postcards are out by this Thursday, but click on the link on the blog that says ‘GET A *REAL* POSTCARD’, send your physical address, and you’ll get a HANDWRITTEN card from yours truly. Will wonders ever cease?

Remember you don’t have to know me, just like getting postcards.

Postcard Update – Athens is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel