One year ago today we met Lilan Longo and his band Lilan Sur Expres.  Here is one of their songs called “Camino Alternativo”.

The video features footage from our trip to the Galapagos Islands with Quasar.  We sailed aboard the M/V Evolution.

Check out Consider the Source tonight Saturday, April 6th at Olive’s in Nyack, New York.  Presented by Something Electric.  Arrive at 10PM  and enjoy the opening band.  This is an extremely popular show.

November 2012 was a huge month for World Winder.  We waved goodbye to Spilt, Croatia, attended the World Travel Market conference in London, and returned to Rockland after traveling for 14 months in South America and Europe.

We returned home and our friend recommended checking out the band Consider the Source at Olive’s in Nyack , New York.  The band was great and I picked up an album.  The video on this post contains footage from a sand dune tour in Huacachina, Peru.  The song in the background is called （0）and is off the album That’s What’s Up!  by Consider the Source.  You can find their music at www.ConsiderTheSourceMusic.com.

Thanks to Something Electric for introducing me to the band.  Something Electric consists of a group of musicians who are all insomniacs and committed to bringing music to Nyack.  Check out the Something Electric Facebook page to find out about upcoming shows.  Speaking of upcoming shows.  Tonight I will be going back to Olive’s to see Consider the Source, this time with my video camera.

We also have a written post about the sand dunes of Huacachina as well as a photo post on our buggy ride.  

Over the three days of SES New York, schedules are jam packed with sessions and networking opportunities.  Coffee breaks are layered in and lunch seems to slingshot attendees from morning haze into an afternoon sprint of information and research presentations.

Chatting it up on the Expo Floor

“Facts tell and stories sell” @LeeOdden

The room was packed for Lee Odden’s “Creative Content Marketing: Winning Hearts, Minds and Wallets” and the theme revolved around the humanization of marketing.  Branding should come from a diversified portfolio of strategies that tap into the human experience across platforms.  Content can be “evergreen”, curated, co-created, and repurposed.  Don’t reinvent the wheel, just refine to fit your audience.  So what begins on Youtube can evolve for WordPress then Flickr and Scribd.  And the core questions should be: What do you want to be known for?

Content marketing is about discovery through social networks including blogs; engagement via Slideshare, images, and long form interviews; then conversions.  Companies should place themselves as a leader and share creatively.  They should think about what story will excite their audience by combining their leadership power with customer empathy.  Of course, this bodes well for bloggers who consistently reach their audience through personal point of view and focus on quality writing--eclipsing even the basic blogger concerns for SEO.

Odden who says he is a “big fan of using blogs as a centerpiece” says to think like a control hub.

“Create a tribe” @dancristo

Dan Cristo explored the concept of build it and they will come by discussing social signals that Google may be considering in its search results.  The tribe as he calls it is comprises your friends, acquaintances, relatives, and personal connections in Google+ circles.  By turning personalization settings on, results from search queries will vary from when it is shut off.  The symbol of the little opaque man to the left of results are icon tags to let you know that a search result has skimmed to the top through social signals.  So for example, if you are looking for athletic socks, Nike may be at the top of your results with your personalizations turned off.  Conversely, Gold Toe may reign supreme with these settings switched on.

Taking the social network and its overlay effect into consideration, Cristo views Google as a way to build communities through the G+ system but also on its other properties such as Youtube and Blogger.

Since May 2010, Google has been tackling the issues of web content versus people content and even Eric Schmidt has said that “The true cost of anonymity is irrelevance.”   In terms of marketing and content generation, SEO is about that relevance and trust.  It’s about intimacy and relations–useful tips for even newbie bloggers.

Cristo even broke down one of his Facebook updates saying the first part is about knowing your customers and prompting your tribe with a statement of questions.  Next, layer in an image which will give a smile to your customer via meme.  Then engage in comments and conversation.  Build the tribe through likes, followers, and through interactions and Google will interpret these as social signals.

“Who here does sessions research?” @DuaneForrester

In an ah-ha moment at SES New York, Duane Forrester discussed the importance of keyword research.  It makes sense.  A content marketer should know audience and create campaigns designed for the client’s needs.  But as he pointed out, most researchers build their data research on singular keyword events when in fact people should be conducting sessions research.

Duane cited a keyword phrase “dog toys” and said that many people will head to the internet for an answer to a particular question.  However, our research can become more powerful and insightful if we consider the situation of the client not just the single query submitted.  So while some marketers may fixate on that one search for “dog toys”, others may want to consider how this person may be doing research on adopting a dog in general and will therefore conduct a string of related searches over a prolonged period of time.  So the “dog toys” query becomes an all out search for the best dog accessories, puppy shots, local veterinarians, pet shops, dog breeds, and more.  As Duane suggested, think about the implicit search.

Video Marketing Should Be “Powered to be Personal” @Judith David

Judith David, Account Executive from Google began her presentation by turning the marketing funnel upside down and recommending that people engage straightaway with the 5% which drive all their traffic and sales conversions.  She stated that video has the power to make marketing personalized, geographically and emotionally tailored to the viewer.

Her examples included TD Banks’ 92 videos that highlight each of their branches; employee how-to videos, client testimonials, and even Corning’s film called “A Day Made of Glass.”

“Nearby is a great Facebook feature” @Glenn Gabe

On January 15, 2013, Facebook rolled out its first formal attempt at a search engine.  While still a bit hamfisted and limited, Graph Search shows some promise especially for local marketers who can use the tools creatively.  Still in beta, Graph Search is only available to a limited number of accounts and utilizes an autocomplete funnel.  This type of query suggests popular searches to users as they input their keywords into the search field.

Gabe recommends that local businesses encourage clients to check-in to their stores and to rate places.  He says profile is imperative and that many Facebook Pages may not show up on Graph Search because of insufficient data.  Optimize your pages now, he suggests and reminded attendees at SES New York that as of now Graph Search will not be available on mobile.

“Go Home and Go into your Facebook Activity Logs” @Clayburn

Continuing the conversation on Graph Search, Clayburn Griffin stated that this feature would be a people-based search engine, favoring places and products slightly less but still prominently.  He stated the search engine allowed marketers to target audiences based on their other likes and also allows users to search themselves.  He recommends doing this immediately to see what is publicly displayed on personal profiles.  The results, he eluded might surprise you.  Similarly, Glenn Gabe added that the age when people get fired for Facebook is just the beginning.

The take away for bloggers?  Keep yourself centered firmly on your reader and what your brand, persona, or writer’s life can offer them.

While this ancient phenomenon was featured in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the Nazca Lines are beyond anything Hollywood could concoct.  In the true heart of the desert, sand drifts create the illusion of running water.  Giant monoliths of stone poke out of the desert as if gasping for air and even the locals admit “Yes, it is very hot today.”  But crusading travelers will not be swayed.  We’re made of tougher metal than that.  In the early morning before the high winds kick into gear or the sun has a chance to do its worst, you can climb into a small aircraft and jettison into the sky for a premier glimpse over the UNESCO World Heritage site.  Fourteen sand-etched caricatures stare up at the blue sky.  Giant drawings resemble a whale, astronaut, monkey, dog, condor, spider, and hummingbird.  Many archaeologists surmise that the lines are a form of calendar.  Others believe they are magical incantations.  As you sweep across the landscape, see what hypothesis you can postulate.

Ready for our flight in Nazca

Can you see the space man?

A bird? A falcon? Right by the highway!

The highway runs past the lines too

The hummingbird!

A Monkey!

Less than 30 minutes outside of Trujillo, an impressive archaeological dig uncovered a massive metropolis buried in the sand.  Called Huaca del Sol y Luna, the ancient city housed two massive religious pyramids and several clusters of domestic dwellings.  Tighten your bootstraps and make sure you have a bottle of water.  The trail is a walking history of the Mochico people who built new temples upon the old.  For mystery loving travelers, the temples are a compound structure of sacrificial altars, royal thrones, and treasuries.  On a 25-foot wall, murals depict each step of selecting and executing humans in the temple.  Stick close to your friends.  The wind whips up to a howl during the afternoon, when the sun plays tricks on your eyes and the hole where conquistadors blasted into the Fifth Temple becomes a gaping mouth.

Also, this is the first time we met our Aussie friends Kate and Aidy!

Walking through the desert of Peru

Murals are still in tact since the Mochico always built their temples right on top of the old ones

The first temple, found when archaeologist dug below the newer ones

Narrow walkways

This is the famous wall of the Huacas del Sol Y Luna where conquistadors blasted into the temple in search of gold.

Hi Melissa:

I am a US citizen travelling to Peru for tourism, but am interested in improving my Spanish for a few weeks while I am there. I have researched the topic, and most schools want a down payment in advance to secure a spot- I certainly don’t want to be scammed and send my money to a fraudulent company. I saw you had a great experience with Mundo Antiguo, and would just like to know a bit about them before I sign up!

I was wondering if you did any of the tours, and if you stayed with a host family (if so, how was it?).

If possible, would you know the ins and outs of Spanish schools and their validity?

Thanks so much, Alan*

 *Name Changed

For over three weeks, we had private lessons together.

Qs from a Reader on his way to study Spanish in Cusco, Peru

Hi Alan!

Thanks for emailing.  My experience with Mundo Antiguo was great.  The facilities are close to the square, clean, and very welcoming. Four or five classrooms are available so several private lessons can happen at once. When I told my teacher Empe that I was a travel blogger, she even took me out for a walking lesson in Cusco.  We visited the artisanal barrio of San Blas!

When we first arrived at the school to inquire about lessons, the owners and I did not talk about money.  Instead they gave me a free half hour lesson in which they checked my comprehension and assessed my ability level–I was an intermediate.

I had a few friends who also went there who said it was wonderful as well.

On the way to class, I can buy souvenirs from the square in Cusco

Then the owners arranged the schedule and set me up with a teacher that would work with me for the duration of my course which was 3+ weeks, 5 times a week for two hour private sessions.  My teacher was perfectly matched to my learning style, very serious and task oriented.  Other teachers are more social and seem to go off the book and into what the student wants to talk about.  After my first lesson, the owners asked me several times if I thought my teacher was a good match.  I said without hesitation: Yes!

However, one of my friend’s did not speak up.  He knew that his teacher wasn’t a good fit but didn’t say anything.  Even when I advised him to switch he just “dealt” with it and in my opinion wasted everyone’s time.  You have to speak up to get what you want, especially when the owners insist that it is important for them to know about any problems in the classroom.  They want this to work too which is what I really respected.

Down this shopping arcade, you can find Mundo Antiguo!

I’d say go for Mundo Antiguo.  If you want to reserve in advance, sure.  But it’s not necessary.  In South America, you can just show up and get lessons that day which is how I started.  Neil and I checked about 4 other schools and were REALLY not happy with them.  Mundo Antiguo was best for the people, lesson plans, and price (which I don’t remember but it wasn’t much).  They are very flexible with scheduling and the workbook (included in the price) is great!

In terms of touring, we didn’t do any hiking– or even Machu Picchu!  During our time in Cusco, Neil and I were both ill. Neil’s knee was still not healed from a

Here it is!

previous injury. I unfortunately never acclimated to the altitude and was sick the whole time.   It’s rare but as my cousin who’s a doctor and extreme outdoorist says: it happens. So I really lived like a local and volunteered with Aldea Yanapay. 

For accommodations, I’d recommend staying with them!  Yuri and his mom are awesome!  If possible please use the link at the bottom of the page, I get credit for any referrals.  It was a homestay and we had a mealplan.  The food was great but remember if you geet the mealplan you have to pay for every meal when you stay there.  We ate almost all our meals at the homstay and lost weight.  The family also has a hostel which is really nice and all the volunteers stay there.  It’s more of a social scene so it’s fun!  But we stayed with Yuri’s mother and were still able to have access to the library and common areas at the family’s youth hostel.  It was great for book exchanges too.

For dining out, we’d recommend two restaurants in town that really topped the charts during our trip.  One specializes in French cuisine and is called El Soleil.  The other is modern Peruvian and has amazing alpaca steak!  It’s called Marcelo Batata.

This is my experience of course and others will have their two-cents as well!  Anyone?

Where’s the coolest place you’ve ever had a beer?

Companies and even government regulations are taking beer to new levels of seriousness.  When I was a kid, a backyard BBQ wasn’t complete without a red and white case of Budweiser beer.  I even went to “dry” wedding once when a group of friends snuck in two cases of budget beer under the table.  Now, beer palates have changed.  Celebrity companies like Samuel Adams and Rogue, the little guys are edging into the market and swaying connoisseurs.  Beautiful weddings along the St. Lawrence River have beer trucks serving craft and local brews and even townie bars have rebranded themselves as alehouses and even beer markets.  This means that around the world, we are never too far from a good beer.

When Neil wrote about 3 ironic places where beer is not served, I though to myself about all the pints we’ve had on our travels.  So here’s my list: 10 cool places to catch a beer!  Do you have any to add to the list?

At a Wedding inside the Chateau Frontenac, Quebec

High city walls square off the Old Town and the symbol of its beauty can be represented by the facade of the Chateau Frontenac, a Fairmont Hotel where rooms can cost $400 a night.  Neil and I attended a beautiful wedding here and drank La Fin du Monde to our hearts’ content.  If black tie isn’t in your future, check out the cafe or lounge where a bottle can be enjoyed with a view of the bay.

Craft beer in Ecuador? Absolutely!

In the Bathroom?

My favorite small town in Ecuador, Baños is surrounded by waterfalls and is famed for its mineral pools and live music scene.  In the heart of town, the Stray Dog Brewery uses water from the springs to brew their small batch beer.

Kayaking in La Lesse, Belgium

With three Belgian friends we headed south into the Francophone region of Belgium for a kayaking day in the great outdoors.  We paddled passed a castle and down two waterfalls, finding ourselves at a waterside cafe with delicious Trappist beer… No Westvleteren 12 though!

From a Tub during Fiesta Mama Negra in Ecuador

What’s better than a $1 beer?  One that’s in a liter bottle from a tub and enjoyed during the famous parade at La Fiesta Mama Negra.

Plenty of Seats at the Munich Beer Garden

In Munich Airport, Germany

It’s the only beer garden located in an airport.  During long layovers, ask for the “hofbrauhaus” and scurry over for a large beer.  Pretzel, spaetzel, and kraut are all on the menu.  Enjoy a few hours under the Munich sun but leave time to pass through security once more.

Under the Seagulls in San Francisco

Fresh seafood and cold beer are the highlights of a day on the piers.  We recommend fish and chips with an Anchor Steam.  If you want to walk off lunch, head to the old fashion arcade at the end of the road.

Inside a Pittsburgh Church

Holy water indeed!  Church Brew Works in Pittsburgh is a great destination if your in town for a Steeler game or a heavy metal concert weekend, like us.

A 40-oz beer flight from Church Brew Works, Pittsburgh

In the Shadow of an Emperor’s Palace

Karlsruhe is translated as Karl’s Retreat and in the heart of this underrated city, the castle acts as a public ground for summer beer festivals.  After a game at the stadium (where we could not buy beer), we headed over to Karl’s gardens for an afternoon spent with locals.  Some advice: brews from around the world are sold here.  But drink them knowing that locals may scoff.

By the Hague Close to the Ocean

The Dutch take their beer seriously and travelers shouldn’t be fooled into thinking Heineken is the end-all be-all of the Netherlands.  In the seaside retreat of Scheveningen, grab a table on the pier and watch the sunset over a glass of brown ale at the Brouwerij Eetcafe. If you’re hungry, head toward the pier for a seafood feast at Simonis Vis Restaurant.

Hogshead Ale is on tap! Hagrid would be proud.

In the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

People may love Disney but Universal nailed it with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  Hogwarts looms on the horizon.  Screams rise from the rollercoasters and the Three Broomsticks serves great red ale on a sunny terrace.  There’s plenty of butterbeer for the kids too.

On a Train going 200km an hour

Giving the Hogwarts Express some true competition, Japan’s high speed Shinkansen train zips up and down the coast, connecting cities like Tokyo, Nagasaki, Hiroshima and Kyoto.  Trolley service is available so you can grab a bento box lunch and a cold Asahi beer on your way to see grand sumo wrestling in Nagoya.

Tell us your beer story!

Neil and I have recently returned from 14 months of travel on a career break from the field of ecucation.  I didn’t take a career break from teaching because I was unhappy or hated my job.  In fact, part of me realizes that I was a fool for walking away from a great school with a supportive administration and peers, where the money was good and a pension was assured.  I imagine some people thought I was childish for “wanting more” when my former life should have been more than enough for any person.  I was 32 years old with a master’s degree in education and a desperate hankering to write and travel.

We started off with a goal to teach and travel together.

After receiving tenure at my middle school and working as a community technology leader, I had changed.  I’d grown and learned, and I wanted more.  I looked at my teenaged students and observed the beautiful unpredictability in their lives.  I could see how much they would learn and how far they would explore the modern world.  Things have changed since I was in middle school.  Unique opportunities which would have been unfathomable when I was my students’ age are now commonplace.  I just decided that I wanted that for myself too.  And then I shifted my entire life in an instant.  This wasn’t the first time that Neil and I uprooted ourselves and went overseas.

How we took a gap year to teach 10 years ago

Ten years ago we took a gap year to teach English and travel in Japan.  It’s always a gamble, leaving one job and taking some time off for personal growth.  In Europe, the concept of a gap year in which students take time off (usually) when they are in their 20’s to travel and volunteer is popular.  Neil and I traveled and lived in Japan when we were 24 so we had this experience despite the fact that most people from the US hadn’t even heard of a gap year.  We both felt the need to take a gamble and alter our lives.  We had to figure out how to be teachers with no training and how to make friends in a new culture.  It was the perfect storm.

How we took a career break to blog

Fast forward ten years later and we decided we needed another life change.  Since Neil wanted to teach overseas again, he was in total agreement when I said I’d like to take some time off and travel.  In fact, he encouraged me to leave a year before he left his school so we’d have insurance and one salary as I weighed options for our time away from New York State.

While I had goals to continue building my skill set, I’m not going to lie.  We had a lot of fun!  We traveled to 14 countries in 14 months and celebrated 14 years of couplehood!  Neil jokes that we hit “Mel’s top 10 country list” but how could I resist Iceland in the summer or an autumn in Croatia.  The winter in Bolivia was tough but smart budgeting made a career break easier to manage.

And all along I continued to explore writing.

I blogged.  I wrote science fiction.  I sketched urban fantasy.  Then after a great workshop at Manhattanville College, I dabbled in freelancing as a copy editor.  Eventually I stumbled into a great group of mentors that had penchants for SEO (search engine optimization).  They changed my life completely.

This is when the path to a new career began.  Simultaneously, the global economy began to falter or rather “shift”.  People were skeptical about my ability to get a new job especially as younger generations were coming out of college and companies were downsizing.  But Neil and I had a belief that we were investing in new talents, diversifying our skill sets, and launching into a unique age–where digital domains were the new workplace.

We built up our skill sets and followed our professional goals

A Career Change that Led Me Back to Education

I learned WordPress and social networking.  I attended conferences and press trips.  We began a blogging partnership and treated our travels like a business.  Then just as our travel budget began to flat line, I walked into an interview–the first one in many years.  Dressed in my old “teaching” clothes, I sat with the VP of a local college.  It was the most relaxed that I’d ever been in any job hunt.  I felt prepared and knowledgeable yet eager to puzzle out new ways to help this educational institution.

Of course afterwards, I felt as if I’d been too casual, doubting myself through the rest of the week that I wouldn’t get an offer.

But Friday at 4:45, the call came in.  The offer was made and I’d officially stepped into a new realm of education and social networking.  I was back on a campus and working with a staff that wanted to prepare students for the real world with modern day skills.  As the social media coordinator, I can work with the administration and the student body.  I can teach others just like my mentors taught me.

So while my job title may suggest that I have made a career change, have I?