Save the planet! I think this video explains it all. Earth Hour is tonight, March 29th, from 8:00pm – 9:00pm. I will be participating, because sadly, I’m pretty dependent on energy, and it’s an easy way for me to participate. I think I’ll go for a run, or maybe draw something. If you ever find yourself asking what these posts have to do with backpackers and travellers, just realize, anything that involves the world, involves backpackers and travellers.

Cultures getting meshed together is something I favor. When East meets West you end up with products like this…A fork/chopstick. The DesignGostudio.blogspot.com brings you Choplery. So they may be a brooklyn based design team…either way, I can appreciate the work.

So many backpackers I know who care about their budget are always coming up with good eats, maybe more importantly, good eats cheaply. While most of the time it will depend on where you are travelling, and the resources available, Ramen and Tuna is a cheap and filling meal. Me and a buddy were eating this just about every other day in the Dominican Republic. We got lucky by staying in a hostel that had a microwave. After that, it’s pretty simple nuke the ramen noodles first in a bowl, then lay out on a plate and throw on your canned tuna. Heat it up quickly in the microwave and then mix. You will be full before you finish, and best of all, it’s usually no more than a $1.00 – $1.25 per meal. It’s really all about using the resources around you, find out what your hostel has, and from there, go track down ingredients. If a hostel has no refrigerator, no microwave and even more importantly, no utensils…you’re eating out. I found a very well done ramen blog created by Matt Fischer, that has numerous ramen recipes for anyone interested.

The Internet is really moving along quite fast. This online application lets you see the earth, get news, educate youself, and find out a whole lot more about Earth. It’s called earthlive, and it’s shown on the Discovery channel website. I’m not going to talk a lot about it, because it’s better to see for yourself.

I figured I better get this one in the database before someone questions me on why it’s not there. Skype is an online company allowing it’s users to talk for free to anyone else with a Skype account. It’s a free service, although you need to be registered with Skype and download their software. So theoretically, you could talk to someone across the globe for free. Either by wifi phone or by computer mics etc. This isn’t anything new for travellers, as most backpackers knew abou this a long time ago. In fact it’s one of the oldest online sites that I still know and use.

Like any good thing, the name of Itchy Feet Magazine pretty much describes the product. They write articles for those in need of travel inspiration. ItchyFeetMagazine.com does numerous things to make it worth your time. They cover all places, not just hot spots or cities. The articles are well informed from backpackers travels, all with self-taken photography…you will find photos that only those who have been there have seen. Overall, a great true, rustic magazine for travellers. Plus, they publish their 4 most current magazines online.

Sure it may not be “travel” related or within a backpacker budget, but it does have a little plane on the can…which I feel qualifies it for a post. Airforce Nutrisoda is yet another drink for those concerned about their well being. I’m still debating wether I’m in that category or not, I’m back and forth between excercising and drinking…What can I say, I like to do both when I’m not travelling, and one when I am.

I’m pretty picky when it comes to travel tees, but this one from Let’s Go definitely makes the cut. You can purchase it online at The Harvard Shop for $19.95. Don’t ask me why it’s at The Harvard Shop and not on the Let’s Go site. Harvard must have a pretty good relationship with Let’s Go, because a friend of mine who attended Harvard use to work for Let’s Go, in fact she designed some of the icons used in the book.

Woolite Travel Packs. A staple in my pack for many trips abroad. These little guys are good enough to wash a small load in the hostel sink. They are even designed to be low in suds, so that they ring clean easier. You can pick them up at amazon.com or for around $5.00.

If you have a spare $1800 laying around, then you might want to pick up one of these. Bordbar.de is reusing/reselling old beverage carts that have traveled up and down aircraft aisles for years. They have dents and scratches, but the designs are new. You can even design your own. I like any idea that involves design and recycling, but I don’t like the price. Seriously, who has that kind of money. Travellers and Backpackers don’t…I know that.