Music to Trip To

With Labor Day fast approaching, many will plan last minute road trips to see family, friends, chill out at the beach or finish out that season pass at a beloved amusement park. These waning summer days remind me of my many trips up and down the Eastern seaboard in search of summer adventure. In addition to my trusty, multicolored (lime green and blue) backpack, I always had my MP3 player providing the soundtrack for my trip. Everything from Chris Brown to Maroon 5 to Panic at the Disco! would rock my headphones. On car trips I often played DJ, and my friends always had a very eclectic set list to set the mood.
With the release of so many mixtapes and much anticipated albums this summer *cough cough* Watch The Throne *cough cough*, what are the songs or albums you're using to create summer memories this year?

Traveling Techies

Earlier this week our friends at Tripping posted a question on their Facebook page "what's your favorite travel app?". Some responded with standards like Google Earth, Orbitz and Yelp, however, there were some cool mobile apps that weren't mentioned that I love, as well as some I wasn't too familiar with. I did a little research and came up with my top 3 mobile travel apps that will enhance any traveler's trip:

HopStop-This nifty little app is a "green" travelers dream. It maps major transit systems and walking paths for cities in the US, Canada, Europe and Russia (adding more destinations everyday). Hop Stop has its origins in NYC, which if you plan to visit, download this app, it will make getting around much easier, but has since been able to provide detailed directions for most major cities whether you're walking, taking a train, cab, biking, or skateboarding. The app provides users with train times, transit alerts, fares and distance maps. Needless to say Hop Stop will absolutely get you where you're going!

Foodspotting-I love apps like Yelp and Zagat, but most times I don't have the time nor care to read a full review of an eatery. Foodspotting takes the new tradition of taking pictures of your food, and encourages users to rate the pics and give a brief shoutout about their favorite dish. Its quick, simple, and to the point. Eating is a visual experience, so it only makes sense to see your next meal before you eat it! The app is influenced by other location based mobile applications like Foursquare and SCVNGR because it allows users to follow friends, celebrities, gain points and win badges for submiting scrumptious uploads. After using the app for a few months now, it's definitely a keeper and gets frequent use when I'm on the go!

Tour Wrist-This was one of the mobile apps that was mentioned in Tripping's post that I wasn't familiar with, but the commenter was so adamant about how great it was, so I had to check it out. Tour Wrist allows users to pick a place of interest anywhere in the world, and supplies them with a complete 360 virtual or a panoramic tour of said location. You can tour anything from a street corner, coffeeshop, museum, art gallery, you name it! Users can add their own tours, and even sell their pictures of exotic locations. The only drawback is that the app is only available for Apple products, but you can always browse the site to upload and take tours.

Next time you're on a Tripping adventure, download one (or all) of these apps, you definitely won't be disappointed.

I Need Celebrity Friends!

By now its no surprise that I've been heavily promoting Tripping International, a great start-up out of San Fransisco that wants to re-invent the way we travel. Its a bit like Couch Surfing, but with an altruistic message and mission, that's what makes it so unique. I'm vying for a coveted seat on their Board of Interns, an international think tank that searches for ways to promote and build the brand. So needless to say all this promoting is out of sheer excitement to be a part of something great.
Tripping has given me one of the toughest challenges thus far: I have to get a celebrity, with over 1 million followers, to retweet a tweet that I've tweeted about Tripping. Yikes! Needless to say I'm going for it, but who to tweet?! Anyone out there every had a celeb retweet you? How did you make it happen? Any advice would be great...the clock is ticking!

5 Tips for a Destination Wedding

I'm back! Its been about a week since I was relaxing poolside at a top resort, ordering endless drinks and watching a dear friend commit her life to her better half. Since then I've been in hypermode trying to adjust to my normal pace. Needless to say I had a great time, but I also came back with a better understanding of what it means to participate in a destination wedding. Below are a few tips and pics that might help if you're planning, or attending a wedding at an exotic location:

1. Location, Location, Location
Just like picking good real estate, picking a place to have a destination wedding is VERY important. Given that most of these types of weddings take place in warmer climates, make sure that people who plan to attend have up to date passports, aren't afraid to fly, and actually like being near the beach or water! Also, it doesn't hurt to learn a few basic phrases in the native tongue of the country you'll be visiting. I had to brush up on my Spanish to get by, but luckily I had a few bilingual friends who came as well.

2. Be Prepared
Always check the weather, travel alerts and your bank account before you travel! This will help you map out activities, help decide what to pack and how much to spend on food and souvenirs. Luckily, the American dollar is accepted most places, but if it makes sense, you can always exchange your money at the airport, or get traveler's checks from your bank.You'll also save yourself some time if you print out your itinerary of the wedding day, or special activities the bride and groom have planned for their guests throughout your stay. 

3. Pace Yourself
Just because a resort is all inclusive doesn't mean you should try to eat & drink your whole share on day one! Room service is usually included and around the clock, and they refill your fridge on command! On the same note, don't tire yourself out trying to visit every tourist trap the area has to offer, some of the best trips are spontaneous ones. Remember you're away from the hectic pace of your normal life, take a break and enjoy it!


4. Read the Fine Print & Ask Questions
When leaving the states there maybe a bit of paperwork to sign. This includes customs forms, and contracts with travel agents or hotels. Make sure you read these items carefully and ask questions. There maybe a language barrier when trying to get a correct answer, so remember to take your time and ask the right questions. Keeping everyone informed on changes, no matter how small, are pertinent to running a smooth event and having a great time.

5. Have Fun!
Once you've crossed your "t"s and dotted your "i"s, saved up your $$, and packed for the trip, remember to make the trip memorable. See things you've always wanted to see, take too many pictures (but don't lose your camera), and be spontaneous!

Greeks should start Tripping

Now that I've introduced you to my new favorite site, www.tripping.com, its time for me to elaborate on how beneficial it can be for people in the Greek community. Once you become a member of a Greek letter organization you instantly acquire a new family; one you've pledged your allegiance to until your dying day (or at least until you go inactive). The cool thing about this family is that they're spread out all over the country, so whether you want to head to Florida for a long weekend, welcome back your brother/sister from their time in Iraq at their base in Colorado, or just roadtrip to visit the newest chapter in the Midwest, you will always have a place to crash and your own personal tour guide. Imagine all that..... on a global scale.

That's exactly what Tripping provides. While you may not be members of the same organization, you are members of the same global traveling community.Tripping allows its members to interact through various networks on its site. These networks are broken down by common interests and allows members to get a feel for one another before committing to a meet up. Don't have the space to host? That's cool, you can still make a new friend and show them all the cool stuff about YOUR city that tourists would never get to see. As "meet-up" sites become popular the country over, Tripping adds a cool twist by letting its members dictate their experiences.

If you're a member of a Greek letter organization this experience will remind you of the "happier" times of pledging, the parts where you get to get far far away and experience new things. Don't forget to sign up for FREE at www.tripping.com and tell them that Jasmind sent you!

#ThingsI'llDoInCancun

The countdown to Cancun has officially begun, and in lieu of my upcoming trip all of my posts this month will be about traveling! I love to travel, try new things, and enjoy new places, and I've never been to Cancun before so I'm pretty stoked. I've been planning for this trip for nearly a year because my dear friend and line sister will be getting hitched at the Moon Palace Resort. I couldn't be happier to get away from the sticky city summer heat, and get near some water and all-inclusive beverages. As much as I enjoy a good resort, I also want to experience some of what the "real" Mexico has to offer. That's why I'm planning to venture into to town (with some Spanish speaking friends) to experience local life, eat a great meal, drink cheap tequila, who knows! The countdown to adventure has begun, and hopefully my fellow trippers will have some great advice!

To ALL my Travlers!

Summertime is perfect for traveling, whether its in your own city, state, or in a completely different country. I recently renewed my passport and I can't wait to add some stamps and travel to places I've never been (Mexico in 3 weeks will be stamp numero uno)!
If you're like me, you're not as into glitz and glamour of a resort, and you're not into paying for a bus ride around town to drop you off at every tourist trap. If you're like me, you'd like to experience something new from a local's perspective, this way you're able to truly understand the culture and lay of the land.
I recently discovered a really cool company called Tripping International, it links up travelers and locals to create a unique shared experience. Its about exchange and helping make the world a better place through understanding and appreciation of other places and cultures. You can meet up for a cup of coffee, get tips on which local record shop to visit, or arrange for a home stay with a new friend (which will save you $$$ over a hotel).
After surfing the site for a few hours I made a quick list of why I'll take full advantage of the opportunity to become a "tripper":

1. A needed service with a great mission- "A global network of travelers who believe cultural exchange makes the world a better place" 

2. Like minded travelers
3. Verification of hosts
4. Satisfied members
5. It's completely FREE

The site is clean, simple, and gets to the point. There's also no obligation to become a host, but if you can it's highly recommended. I know I wouldn't mind having a friend living in London to visit for next year's Olympics, or calling my friend in Brazil when Carnival comes around.

Check them out a www.tripping.com, check out the 30sec clip. Tell them Jasmind sent you!

Happy Travels!