It’s time to wrap up the week now with our favourite links from around the web.

iloho has announced a new photo contest, asking you to upload unique pictures of landmarks around the world. Prizes include 1Gig USB sticks and portable iPod speakers.

Ethical Traveler is collecting photos of solidarity for the pro-democracy uprisings in Burma.

How good is your knowledge of European geography? Lingo24 has created an online game to test your skills.

Joseph Dispenza writes his 10 Tips for Spiritual Travel, including a tip for creating your own “fear box.”

Thinking of quitting the cubicle? You may want to consider How To Quite Your Day Job in Six Not So Easy Steps.

Finally, here are some great travel writing tips on keeping a journal during your journey.

Enjoy the weekend!

I’m sure many of you know about the current uprisings in Burma.

Reports are now pouring in that the military regime has begun killing the peaceful protesters, much as they did in the previous protests almost 20 years ago.

Many of us have never experienced life under a brutal dictatorship, and hopefully none of us ever will. Therefore it is our moral obligation to support the Burmese people as they reach out to us, and force as many eyeballs as possible to watch what happens next.

From the USA Campaign for Burma:

The military is now utilizing violence against monks and other non-violent protestors. They have beaten and arrested hundreds of people, and it is reported that more than a hundred have been killed. We are tired of the international communities just making statements – they must ACT

Click here to take action and sign the petition.

“After spending all that time traveling half-way around the world, what have you learned?”

I lean back in my armchair and contemplate this important inquiry that I am so often confronted with since returning back home to the US after a long journey.

Trying to come up with a coherent response to this seemingly overwhelming and complex question, my head drifts back, eyes shut, and I think back to the past eight months on the road.

All that comes to my mind is a slide-show of warm and welcoming faces from the innumerable wonderful friends that I’ve had the pleasure to cross paths with on the trip.

Many differences are quickly apparent among this unceasing stream of people: different beliefs and customs, different languages, different forms of self-expression, different temperaments and personalities.

I could go on and on, listing off the dissimilarities, but in sum, all of the differences are trumped by a unifying commonality: humanity.

Continue reading this post >>

Several years ago I spent seven months living in France. The country of baguettes, berets and brie became my new home.

One day however, I was forced to return to the United States. I was happy to go home and see my family, drink Northwest microbrews and be with my friends again.

On my flight home however, something strange happened.

As we neared the Seattle airport, the sounds of the airplane went silent; for a moment I was left only with myself and the sensation of descending.

The moment I felt the wheels touch the ground I instantly burst into tears. The woman sitting to my left glanced awkwardly in my direction.

I pulled myself together and made my way into the terminal, forcing a smile when the customs agent said “Welcome Home.”

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“No charge,” said bike shop man in Mont St. Anne, Quebec. “You’re on a long trip, you need help, it’s no problem.”

“You’re sure?” I replied. “Thanks.”

And with a new tube in my rear tire, I pedaled off along the St. Lawrence in the general direction of Halifax.

It’s not the places you go, or the things you see when traveling that are most memorable. It’s the people you meet – the helpful strangers along the way who remain in your thoughts for years to come.

Last night, I had the great pleasure of staying with Claude LeMay of Baie St. Paul, Quebec.

Claude put me up in his house overlooking Isle Aux Coudres, and we stayed up late in front of his woodstove, talking about the artists of Baie St. Paul and the mining town in Labrador where Claude grew up.

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Earlier this year, my husband and I took the plunge and left the UK to run our businesses on the move.

We struck out to find our ‘ideal world’.

What we’ve learned along the way is that we’re not ready to settle down yet. In fact, our ‘ideal world’ lies in moving from place to place, going wherever we fancy next and continue to earn a living as we go.

As long as we have an internet connection, of course.

If you daydream of becoming a Location Independent Professional (LIP), there are a few questions to consider before making the leap.

1. Can you still earn a living if you just pack up and wander off?

This is the crucial one. If the answer is “no”, then it’s something you need to work on unless you’re happy to with few options other than teaching English, picking grapes or working in a bar.

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Now almost one year old, your favourite travel web-zine is expanding!

I’ve had the privilege of hiring two new members to our team:

Tim Patterson (Co-Editor) – You may know Tim from his weekly Tales from the Road roundups and his articles in various magazines like Get Lost and now SF Chronicle.

Tim will help edit and prepare new BNT articles for publishing, which saves me from being buried under the avalanche of great content that you’re all sending in.

Laura Kammermeier (Advertising Manager) – is a bird watcher who loves to hike, find new places to explore, and thankfully for me, is now handling advertising for BNT. With a background in web editing and ad management, she’s a perfect fit.

This expansion wouldn’t have been possible without all you readers (and our wonderful sponsors). We look forward to publishing more great content in the weeks and months to come.

Also, keep an eye out for our one year anniversary celebration… announcement soon.

It’s time to wrap up the week now with our favourite links from around the web.

Robin Esrock weighs in on the 7 New Wonders of the World – offering his witty and descriptive take on each.

Two new trip sites launched recently: TripIt automatically organizes your itinerary if you email them your booking confirmations, while SimpatiGo gives you neighbourhood highlights along with regular directions.

Hostels aren’t just for dirty backpackers anymore. Benji Lanyado reveals 10 stylish sleeps that won’t break the budget.

Rob Meyer explains the benefits of making friends on the road in How To Build A Traveler’s Network.

Finally, a recent article on Dumpster Diving by Cam Karsten generated some pretty interesting discussion. Check out Pam Mandel’s rebuttal and add your own thoughts on the controversial topic.

Enjoy the weekend!