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Bullets And Backpackers: Political Tourism Hits The West Bank

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Bullets And Backpackers: Political Tourism Hits The West Bank

All photos by ssrashid84

Checkpoints, soldiers, and guns: take a political tour of this controversial territory.

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“Are you carrying a weapon on you?” the young Israeli soldier asked as we approached the middle of the Jewish settlement in Hebron.

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Rolf Potts: Backpacker Culture Is Not Destroying Civilization

.post .storycontent .subtitle { width: 52%; float: left; margin-right: 3%;} In an excerpt from his new book, Rolf Potts believes backpacking today has more soul than most jaded boomers believe.

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Rolf Potts: Backpacker Culture Is Not Destroying Civilization

Photo Sissyboystud

One of the more unusual features of my new book is its “commentary track” endnotes, which comment on the ragged edges behind the creation of each tale.

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7 MORE Common Mistakes Of First-Time Backpackers

Having fallen into every one of these traps at least once, here are 7 mistakes to avoid for the newbies on the road.

7 MORE Common Mistakes Of First-Time Backpackers

Photo by elle_rigby

I’m writing from behind the reception desk here at El Diablo Tranquilo hostel in Punta del Diablo, Uruguay.

Every day a new group of travelers arrives in this chill little beach town. Some are seasoned solo travelers, like the sea captain who cleaned out a group of earnest Swedes in Texas Hold ‘Em last night, or the Alaskan mountain guide who winters in South America. Others are backpackers, traveling in groups, red-faced under their massive mochillas.

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How Did The Backpacker Cross The Road?

How Did The Backpacker Cross The Road?

How did the backpacker cross the road? Care, Caution and Confidence are key. Follow the tips in this traveler’s guide to pedestrian safety and you’ll get to the other side in one piece.

Crossing streets in foreign countries is often a daunting task. In big cities like Bangkok or Delhi, it can seem as if stop signs, red lights and crosswalks all mean GO FASTER!

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How Did The Backpacker Cross The Road? With These 6 Easy Tips

How Did The Backpacker Cross The Road? With These 6 Easy Tips

How did the backpacker cross the road? Care, Caution and Confidence are key. Follow the tips in this traveler’s guide to pedestrian safety and you’ll get to the other side in one piece.

Crossing streets in foreign countries is often a daunting task. In big cities like Bangkok or Delhi, it can seem as if stop signs, red lights and crosswalks all mean GO FASTER!

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What Every Backpacker Should Know About Self-Catering

What Every Backpacker Should Know About Self-Catering

Self-catering is an essential element in any backpacker’s budget strategy.

You can control how often you move from city to city and where you stay en route, and of course you can restrict the cost and number of your daytime activities as needed.

But you have to eat, and that’s not going to change no matter how much cash is left in your account.

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Hostel Sex: A Practical Guide For Backpackers

Hostel Sex: A Practical Guide For Backpackers

The Brave New Traveler Guide To Hostel Sex will get you out of the dorms and into sweaty, awkward bliss faster than you can say ???light my fire???.

What do you get when you drop a few dozen backpackers into a hostel, soak with beer and mix in a healthy dose of liberation from social norms?

A tidal wave of hormones??and one major problem: where to go to get it on?

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Why Smart Backpackers Bring Their Dancing Shoes

Why Smart Backpackers Bring Their Dancing Shoes

You’re packed and ready to go, prepared for every conceivable travel scenario. You have malaria and stomach tablets, enough DEET to eradicate the Panamanian mosquito population, and more waterproof gear than an Alaskan king crab fisherman.

Yet lo and behold, you’re in country no more than six hours before being invited out to a popping new night club and realizing you have absolutely nothing to wear.

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5 Common Mistakes Of First-Time Backpackers

5 Common Mistakes Of First-Time Backpackers

I spent my first long term backpacking trip making backpacker mistakes that seem all too obvious in retrospect.

Yet judging by many other travelers I’ve met on the road, I wasn??t the only one learning the hard way.

Now that I??m older and wiser (ok, just older) I??ve learned the error of my ways and feel the need to pass on some sage advice.

These 5 mistakes may seem like pretty basic stuff but can make a huge difference in the quality of your trip.

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