TTB 040: the peace corps in africa
Show Notes
Rick Hammond discusses his experiences as a volunteer with the Peace Corps in Zambia, and what two years living in Zambia was like as an American.
Inside the Episode:
- Rick applied for the Peace Corps back in 2015 with a few different programs around the world. Zambia is the one that stuck out to him and so he jumped on the opportunity.
- Rick’s programs revolved around conservation farming
- We hear about healthy cooking techniques utilizing the local plants and spices
- Rick informs us on the beauty of the Zambian National Parks and his morning tracking Leopards.
- We hear what it’s like to live with a polygamist family
- Rick gives us insight on how he performed daily tasks like getting water and staying connected to the internet
- Rick then breaks down the steps needed to get through the Peace Corps application process so you can start your own journey!
TTB 039: Skydiving, mountain biking, and more
Show Notes
Peter Hayes has spent his life chasing adventures throughout the world. From skydiving around the world through the 1980’s and 90’s to skiing and scuba diving, Peter continued to keep his travel experiences active as he traveled. Now, coming off of a seven week camper van journey through the Swiss Alps for a mountain biking event, Peter sits down with us to share some of his favorite moments on the road.
Inside the Episode:
- Peter’s introduction to skydiving and some of his experiences as he toured the world jumping out of airplanes!
- We get insightful information on the logistics of skydiving
- Peter shares some of the scarier times in the air, including a lucky incident with a great pilot
- We shift gears and discuss Peter’s mountain biking experiences
- We hear about Peter’s seven week camper van journey through the Swiss Alps
- Peter tells us about his stop in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland (somewhere we have dreamed of visiting)
- Peter shows no signs of slowing down, continuing to mountain bike and see as much of the world as he can!
TTB 038: peru part 4 - Planning peru (2 of 2)
Show Notes
This week’s episode is Part Two of a two part series of your favorite travel podcast hosts and their good friend Brian Driscoll breaking down the travel logistics and planning for Peru. We get into the details of our AirBNB accommodations, restaurant reviews, and budgeting. We also provide insightful information on how to get from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo and then Cusco to Lima. We break down where we chose to eat and what we saw in the towns within the Sacred Valley, and general information on what you can expect to experience while in this region of Peru!
Inside the Episode:
- Ticketing information on entering and touring Machu Picchu
- How to hike Huayna Picchu and what to expect while in Machu Picchu
- Information on the Inca Bridge and Sun Gate at Machu Picchu
- We break down our time in Ollantaytambo
- We discuss our ATV tour to Moras and the Inca Salt Pans
- We include information on our ride back to Cusco and our last day there
- Our impromptu food tour through the Barranco district of Lima
- Finally we break down our entire budget for this trip!
Contact Info:
Follow us on Instagram
Subscribe on YouTube
Join our Facebook Group
Previous Peru Episodes:
3 - TTB 032: EthnoCo
TTB 037: peru part 4 - Planning peru (1 of 2)
Show Notes
This week’s episode is Part One of a two part series of your favorite travel podcast hosts and their good friend Brian Driscoll breaking down the travel logistics and planning for Peru. We get into the details of our Airbnb accommodations, restaurant reviews, and budgeting. We also provide insightful information on how to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu, information on where to eat and what to see in the towns within the Sacred Valley, and general information on what you can expect to experience while in this region of Peru!
Inside the Episode:
- We discuss the kickoff for our trip to Peru in April, 2019!
- Our experiences driving through the chaotic traffic of Lima from the airport to Miraflores.
- Our walk through Miraflores and our tour of the Pullucana Ruins.
- From the coastal city of Lima we flew to the infamous Cusco.
- We break down our eventful “lazy day” in Cusco seeing the sights and touring the entire city on foot.
- We discuss our taxi ride from Cusco to Pisac, then Chinchero and Ollantaytambo.
- We were blown away by the beauty of our train ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.
- Finally we finish it off our reaction to landing in Aguas Calientes (AKA Machu Picchu village) the night before our trek to Machu Picchu.
Tune in to Peru Planning: Part 2 for information on:
- Travel logistics for Machu Picchu
- Our ATV tour to Moras and the Inca Salt Pans
- Our trip back to Cusco
- Our impromptu food tour through the Barranco district of Lima
Contact Info:
Follow us on Instagram
Subscribe on YouTube
Join our Facebook Group
Previous Peru Episodes:
3 - TTB 032: EthnoCo
TTB 036: A SOLDIER'S JOURNEY INTO WAR
Show Notes
Mike Maggio signed his initial enlistment contract on August 8, 2007 and was quickly shipped off to basic training. Enlisted as an Infantryman Military occupational speciality (MOS) 11B, Mike attended basic training at Fort Benning, GA and was later assigned to a stryker brigade combat team. He spent 30 days in Germany during Cooperative Spirit 2008, were he trained with German, Australian, British, New Zealand, and Canadian NATO allies. Mike was deployed to Iraq 2009 through 2010 and Afghanistan 2011 through 2012. His time of serviced totaled 10 and half years, and we discuss the physical and psychological aspects of entering active war zones.
Inside the Episode:
- Mike starts with the reasons behind his decision to join the United States Army.
- We get insight on the air travel associated with flying to the middle east, including a unique way of landing in order to avoid surface-to-air-missiles.
- Mike discusses his preparation for visiting the Middle East, including his review of Muslim culture and history.
- Mike discusses his interactions with the local population while visiting markets and trying the local dishes in Iraq.
- Mike’s experience within Afghanistan was drastically different from Iraq, and he breaks down the intense combat situations he had to deal with.
- We finish off with the lighter sides of Mike’s experience meeting the military of other nations while in Germany...and almost got to experience Octoberfest.
TTB 035: Game of Thrones Filming Locations
Show Notes
What a special episode we have here! With the aid of Marleah DiMenna (Bob's wife) we discuss the planning, preparation, and logistics for finding Game of Thrones filming locations in Croatia. In September, 2018 TTB Co-Host Bob and Marleah rented a car while on their honeymoon in order to travel to “off the beaten path” GoT filming locations. Starting in the capital of Zagreb, they drove through the various cities and natural landscapes of this beautiful Adriatic country in order to retrace the footsteps of their favorite Westerosian cast members!
Inside the Episode:
- We break down the initial planning process, including how we identified which scenes would be easily recognizable while in Croatia.
- Bob discussed the preparation needed prior to his departure, including how we tracked which scenes they would be locating.
- We break it down by location and include tibits on the real history of the area, the scene the location is associated with, and then ultimately how each picture was taken.
- We talk about the additions the show added in CGI compared to the actual location.
- We discuss what it was like touring Croatia (highly recommended) and give insight on some of our favorite stops.
- We top it off with a few honorable mentions of filming locations we were unable to see (and highly recommend them to any fellow GOT fan to see for themselves!!).
Contact Info:
If you want help planning your own GOT experience in Croatia send us an email at Thetravelersblueprint@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram and join our Facebook Group!!
TTB 034: TRAVEL AND FINANCE
Show Notes
Grant Cross, who after graduating from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Finance and Investments, went on to be a Hedge Fund Credit Analyst and eventually a Equity Research Associate covering stocks in the Building Products and Materials Sector as well as Recreational Vehicles. After realizing how miserable he was doing the office grind, Grant decided to leave his job and travel around to every state in the United States, sharing his journey on Instagram. Since his departure from the traditional workforce, Grant started his own blogging platform crosstraveling.com. The goal behind Grant’s inspiration is to not only encourage people to travel, but to give them the opportunity to learn about personal finance and investing, too.
Inside the Episode:
- Grant tells us about the idea of traveling full time came to fruition and the steps he took to quit his job and hit the road.
- We get tips on how you should build upon your idea to leave your 9-5 and build money to do it.
- Grant tells us how to dial in on your “money dial” as a method for budgeting and financial planning.
- Grant gives us great insight on how you should stay motivated and ambitious with your side hustle. Stay focused and put in the work.
- We talk about Grant’s goal to see every NBA stadium and every state within the United States.
Contact Info:
Blog: www.crosstraveling.com
Podcast: https://www.crosstraveling.com/the-good-morning-podcast/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/crosstravels
TTB 033: The wonderful world of disney
Show Notes
Brianna Driscoll is an experienced and avid Disney World trip planner who visits The Most Magical Place on Earth at least one time per year! When she visited Disney for the first time during her senior year of high school, she fell in love. Now with two kids, it’s an experience she craves to give them over and over again. With Disney being an expensive trip, she has begun to gather tips and tricks to try to save as much money as possible. Through her own research and experiences, she has come to know how to navigate the Disney parks to get the most out of her family's time!
Inside the Episode:
- Brianna tells us what inspired her to fall in love with Disney and why she makes it a point to visit once a year.
- We break down each of the parks and the types of attractions within each area.
- Brianna tells us about the best time to visit Disney.
- We get incredible insight on Brianna’s unique airfare booking method.
- We break down the cost/benefit of the meal plan service.
- Brianna breaks down the utilization of the Fast Pass process and how to maximize your time while in the parks.
- Brianna makes an incredible argument for why Disney might be an “appetizer” to real world travel.
TTB 032: Peru Part III - Psychoactive flora of peru
Show Notes
Scott Lite is an ethnobotanist, herbalist, adventurer, seed-saver, plant hunter, explorer and apprentice to the shaman of the world. He was trained as an herbalist at the Appalachia School of Holistic Herbalism in September 2011. Scott is an associate of the Botanical Preservation Corps and was on the 2010 expedition to Peru collecting seeds and information on medicinal, edible, and sacred plants throughout the Andes. In 2010 Scott opened the Ethnobotanical Conservation Organization or EthnoCO which is a company based in Peru that leads expeditions and sell cultural wares.
Inside the Episode:
- What is Ethnobotany and why is it useful for understanding culture?
- Scott explains the Ayahuasca vine’s significance to Peruvian culture and history.
- Scott tells us about his personal experience taking Ayahuasca and the variable effects it can have on your consciousness.
- Scott discussed the legality of these plants within Peru and the United States.
- We find out where we can purchase Ayahuasca in Peru and the safety concerns of purchasing this brew without fully knowing its ingredients.
- We discuss how some of the Peruvian flora can help aid in altitude sickness.
- Scott tells us about some of the people who live within the Amazon and Andes of Peru, including their agricultural practices and how their culture ties into the use of these psychoactive plants.
- Scott provides us information on his company, EthnoCo, which organizes tours throughout areas within Peru.
Contact Info & References
TTB 031: The Triple Crown of Hiking
Show Notes
Jacob Gilliland recently completed The Triple Crown of hiking. This feat, which only about 450 people have ever done, consists of completing the Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and the Pacific Crest Trail totaling close to 8,000 miles. Jacob has also spent time in Alaska to pursuing a career in guiding in which he still does today.Jacob currently work as an Outdoor Adventure Specialist at Appalachian Ski and Outdoors Inc. and guide people fishing in Alaska during the summer months.
Be sure to check out his presentation on April 3, 2019 at Appalachian Outdoors at downtown State College, PA.
Inside the Episode:
- Jacob starts us off with his inspiration for taking on such a monumental challenge.
- We hear about Jacob’s encounter with a Mountain Lion on the Continental Divide Trail.
- Jacob tells us about his decision to hike the Appalachian Trail from north to south, an uncommon route for most people who tackle this challenging hike.
- Food was a big part of planning these extensive hikes, and Jacob gives us great insight on what works for the long haul.
- Jacob gives us some of his preferred methods for finding drinking water and how he was able to play it safe.
- Jacob breaks gets into the various pieces of gear needed to complete these hikes, including backpacks and hiking boots.
- Jacob tells us about some the highlight of his trips
Contact Info & References
Contact:
The article on Jacob’s achievement can be found here
References
Cotopaxi 35L Backpack that I (Bob) personally purchased for my upcoming trips, including Machu Picchu
Life Straw this is the straw we were referring to that allows you to drink water straight from the source by filtering the contaminants of concern.
Osprey 65L Backpack This is trusty backpack Jacob used for the initial trek
Osprey 58L Backpack This is the backpack Jacob transitioned to for later hikes
La Sportiva hiking shoes that Jacob used for most of his hiking
Guthook - Check out the app here