Admittedly we have a lot of content on this blog, that’s why when we were invited to participate in the seven links project, we jumped at the opportunity. The seven links project asks travel bloggers to name seven superlative posts. Reading over the submissions of other bloggers really opened a door into their world, I hope our links do the same for you!
Your most beautiful post
I think we captured the “why” of travel with our post on travel as a political act. Politics aside, I think most people travel to explore new places and cultures and to meet new people. Our readers responded well and it helped me express how important I think cultural exchange can be. Click here to read the article.
Your most popular post
This is surprising to me, but our most popular post has nothing to do with travel- it’s on barefoot running. I guess we have a lot of readers who are runners and/or interested in barefoot running. Click here to read our most popular post on barefoot running.
Your most controversial post
None of our posts are controversial per se, but I think our Hunger Porn series really opened our readers eyes into the world of non-profits. It generated a good discussion among our friends and family and we’ve had several people tell us they never thought about aid like that before. Hunger Porn #1 – Stop Donating. Hunger Porn #2 – Engage and Help.
Your most helpful post
I think posts on the logistics of travel are the most helpful to other travelers. We chose to be completely transparent about our spending on the trip. Although we updated our spending chart per country and posted a per-continent budget reflection, I think our overall spending post is the most helpful. Real numbers and a breakdown of our spending.
A post whose success surprised you
We were really surprised by the popularity of our six months back post. We didn’t realize so many people who had been following all along were still closely following our blog. I guess everyone was interested in a where are they now update!
A post you feel didn’t get the attention it deserved
We wrote in depth about our decision to take anti-malarial drugs and which drug we chose. At the time, it was hard to find first hand information on people taking Lariam (or mefloquine), all we read about were the bad effects. Although some people thought we were crazy to take Lariam, we were happy to lay out our reasoning and our results. In the end, I hope the information helped provide others with food for thought to help them make their own decisions.
The post that you are most proud of
We wrote a post on the effects of travel on our marriage. It’s probably the most genuine and raw post that I’ve ever written. It captures, in an honest way, the true ups and down of traveling on the road.
Ayngelina says
I am so glad you posted this, I just watched a TED talk on barefoot running and it’s fascinating. Heading to that post now.
Jillian says
Actually, I’m even more of a believer now. Last week I tripped over a piece of coconut (no, seriously) and sprained my ankle badly. Yesterday the orthopaedist told me my ligaments were in really good shape and not torn, despite the popping noise I heard. Ayngelina, I was on crutches- how can the ligament not be torn? I 100% credit barefoot running.
Barbara says
Great bunch of links.
Your marriage post resonated with me a lot, just back from 10 days with Darling Man and we had some testing times. Co-sleeping with a toddler means no one wakes up in a good mood.
Jillian says
We’ll find out that challenge when we have kids, but for not I can only imagine. 10 days may be the worst amount of time, not short enough to say to yourself, its only a week, but not long enough to have to figure out even ground. Glad you three survived!
Jeremy Branham says
I have to admit -hunger porn is at the top of my list to read! I have a lot of catching up to do on these posts but some great links here!
Jillian says
Let us know what you think, it was written in response to what we were seeing in Africa.
The Travel Chica says
You’ve captured my interest with a few of these I have not read yet.
Jillian says
Great! I thought the same thing about the 7 links project, a really interesting look at what other bloggers think!
Mark Wiens says
Nice to see this great round-up of articles.
Living in central Africa for much of my life, I’ve taken a number of different malarial prophylaxis and treatments. I used to take mefloquine as well and I’ve never had bad side-effects. My parents who both still live in Africa each do differently, my mom takes Doxycycline, and my dad quit taking anything altogether.
Years ago when I had a case of severe malaria I took Fansidar, not sure if they recommend it anymore, but it wiped out the malaria pretty fast – and hopefully didn’t do too much damage to my body.
Jillian says
So glad to get your first hand perspective. I assume you’re not taking anything in Bangkok? I’ve never heard of Fansidar. Even if it did damage your body, it may have saved your life, so the trade off seems worth it!
Grace says
Your overall spending post tops my chart. I agree it was very helpful and should I say one of the reasons that finally made me take the first step to planning my RTW!
Jillian says
Wow, that’s a huge honor! So glad the information was helpful and made you choose to plan an RTW trip! 🙂
Grace says
I meant my RTW trip =)