Which is why you should definitely enter our latest giveaway! As a member of the brand new Starwood Preferred Guests American Express blogging partners program (phew!), we’re thrilled to announce the giveaway of 25,000 points from Starwood/Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express!

W New York – Times Square, New York City

There are more than 30 Starwood hotels in the New York City area. All you have to do is check out the complete list and tell us via Twitter which one you’d most love to stay at!

No, seriously. That’s it!

How to Enter

As always, we’ve made it super simple for you to enter to win:

• If you haven’t already, sign up for a free Starwood Preferred Guest loyalty account (note: you do not need to be an Amex cardholder to win!)
• Tweet us (@vagabondish) with the name of your favorite Starwood hotel in New York
• Be sure to include the hashtag #SPGAMEX
• Include a link to this post (http://bit.ly/JjQ3lD)

So, for example, your Tweet might look something like this:

Hey @vagabondish! I want to visit the W New York – Times Square for just one night! #SPGAMEX http://bit.ly/JjQ3lD

That’s it! Enter as often as you like!

All Tweets posted within the Sweepstakes Period will be entered in to that Sweepstakes drawing. Individuals may win a maximum of one (1) prize.

The entry period ends May 30, 2012 at 6:00 PM (EST). One winner per participating blogger (including: @OneMileAtATime, @LoyaltyTraveler, @TheVacationGals, @JohnnyJet and @PassivePanda) will be selected on or about Monday, June 4, 2012. Good luck!

The Chatwal, New York City

Legalese

I know, I know … it’s no fun to read. But it’s a big prize, so this is important!

Sweepstakes/Drawing Date

A random drawing will be conducted by each participating Blogger on or about Monday, June 4, 2012 from all eligible entries received by each Blogger during the Sweepstakes Period. The Sweepstakes is conducted under the supervision of the Administrator.

Sweepstakes Description

The SPG AMEX Stars 25,000 Starpoint Giveaway (the “Sweepstakes”) begins on Monday, May 7, 2012 at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (“EST”) and ends on Thursday, May 31, 2012 at 11:59:59 p.m. EST (the “Sweepstakes Period”). There will be (1) drawing to award one (1) prize by each participating Blogger (six in all). Entry in the Sweepstakes does not constitute entry into any other promotion, contest or sweepstakes. By participating in the Sweepstakes, each entrant unconditionally accepts and agrees to comply with and abide by these Sweepstakes Official Rules (the “Official Rules”) and the decisions of the sponsor of the Sweepstakes, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, In., One Starpoint, Stanford, CT 06902 (the “Sponsor” or “Starwood”) and COHEN-FRIEDBERG ASSOCIATES, LLC Framingham, MA 01702 (the “Administrator”), and each participating Blogger, whose decisions shall be final and legally binding in all respects.

Eligibility

To enter the SPG AMEX Stars 25,000 Starpoint Giveaway, you must 18 years of age or older at the time of entry, or legal age to enter sweepstakes as required by each state. Employees, officers, directors, shareholders of Sponsor, Administrator, Ogilvy Public Relations, participating Bloggers, American Express and their respective parent, subsidiaries, limited liability and affiliated companies, and individuals providing services to any of the above or any of its affiliated companies through an outsourcer or temporary employment agency (collectively the “Sweepstakes Entities”) as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings, and children) and household members of such employees, officers, directors and individuals are not eligible. Void where prohibited or restricted by law or regulatory agency. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Administrator’s decisions, which are final and legally binding in all matters related to the Sweepstakes. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth in these Official Rules.

Notification of Winners

Potential winners will be contacted via Twitter and required to provide an e-mail address and phone number. The potential winner will be notified by e-mail or by phone within two (2) business days of the drawing. If, despite reasonable efforts, any potential prizewinner does not respond within (24) hours of the first notification attempt, or if the prize notification is returned as unclaimed or undeliverable such prizewinner will forfeit his or her prize and an alternate winner may be selected. If any potential prizewinner is found to be ineligible, or if he or she has not complied with these Official Rules or declines a prize for any reason prior to award, such potential prizewinner will be disqualified and an alternate winner may be selected. Each prizewinner inner will be required to sign an affidavit of eligibility/publicity and liability release, W-9 Tax payer request for identification form and return it properly executed, within (7) days of attempted notification as a condition of awarding the prize. If a potential prizewinner cannot be contacted, fails to fulfill all the requirements of the Sweepstakes, or if notices or prizes are returned as undeliverable, an alternate winner will be selected from the valid drawing pool. Winners are advised to seek independent counsel regarding the tax implications of accepting a Prize. Acceptance of any prize constitutes prizewinner’s permission for the Sponsor to use prizewinner’s name, photograph, image, likeness, voice, biographical information, statements and complete address (collectively, the “Attributes”), for advertising and/or publicity purposes worldwide and in all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, in perpetuity, without further compensation or authorization, (except where prohibited by law), and releases the Sweepstakes Entities from all claims arising out of the use of such Attributes

Once eligibility has been verified and the Administrator receives the winner’s mailing address, Sponsor will award the Prize (as defined below). Sponsor nor any of its subsidiaries or affiliates nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents be liable for any unsuccessful efforts to notify or communicate with a potential winner. Odds of winning depend upon the number of eligible entries received.

AN ENTRANT IS NOT A WINNER OF ANY PRIZE, EVEN IF THE SWEEPSTAKES SHOULD SO INDICATE, UNLESS AND UNTIL ENTRANT’S ELIGIBILITY AND THE POTENTIAL WINNING ENTRY HAS BEEN VERIFIED AND ENTRANT HAS BEEN NOTIFIED THAT VERIFICATION IS COMPLETE.

Prizes / Odds of Winning

Odds of winning depend upon the number of eligible entries received.

Prizes

Only the prize listed for each drawing will be awarded in this Sweepstakes.

One (1) Grand Prize awarded by each Blogger (6 in total): 25,000 Starpoints, equal to one (1) night stay at a Category 6 property. Approximate retail value $400.

All estimated retail values are subject to change based on, among other things, normal price fluctuations associated with the consumer marketplace. No substitution or transfer of prizes or cash equivalent is permitted. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value. Each winner is responsible for any applicable federal state or local taxes on any prize received. If the Prize or the Prize notification letter is returned as undeliverable or any non-compliance with the Official Rules or failure to respond and execute and return the appropriate forms within the applicable time period, it will result in forfeiture of the Prize and an alternate winner will be randomly selected from all remaining eligible entries received.

Rhode Island’s tourism board has sponsored the latest tour to promote their state–Rhode Island as depicted by the animated TV show “Family Guy”.

Fans of the show won’t be able to find the fictional town of Quahog, R.I. on the map, but real landmarks featured in Family Guy can be found on the tour. Van Wickle Gates at Brown University, the Breakers mansion in Newport and even the real Drunken Clam are featured tour stops.

More on the “Family Guy Experience” can be found here.

At 95 years old, backpacker Keith Wright isn’t showing signs of slowing down. The native Australian only started traveling solo 10 years ago. Much like a cash-strapped college student, Wright does the full backpacking experience–hosteling included.

This summer, Wright will travel all over Europe for two months by train, bus and ferry. He’s planning to make a special trip to London to see his favorite racehorse, Black Caviar, race in the Royal Ascot.

My belief is that if you are fit and able to travel independently, it is the best way to see as much of the world as you want.

More from the inspirational backpacker can be found at The Daily Mail.

In this case, a Chinese woman was attempting to locate the proper bus heading north, while the Kiwi bus driver tried to explain that he was traveling south. What I witnessed was some of the most condescending human behavior in the history of time:

This one … going to Wanganui … over there going north. This goes this way, that goes that way, so get on this one and you’ll be fine. Go over there, oh happy day.

The driver’s words hit a sore spot for me, forcing me to recall times when I too was one of the masses back home who felt one had to “deal” with foreigners rather than sympathize with their plight. Non-English speaking people had no place in the states, and anyone who used broken speech must be of lesser intelligence.

Sadly, many around the world still believe these things to be true. Even more sadly, ten years ago, I would not have hesitated to give similar sarcastic instructions to a poorly spoken Mexican-American if he had asked directions at the bus station.

Lost in Llanddwyn, Wales © Richard0

Hard Lessons Learned Abroad

That is, of course, until I made the decision to live in a foreign country, and learned what it was like to be at the receiving end of such talk. It really makes one think about how much we take for granted.

In Austin, Texas, I know every restaurant, every bank branch, every movie theater. I can read the billboards, the menus. I can shout obscenities across the street to random people and expect to be understood (for example).

In Japan however, I was forced to start from scratch:

My education? Gone. I couldn’t even tell others what I had studied.

My cultural references? Irrelevant. Hollywood may be an unstoppable force worldwide, but I prefer political satire.

My sense of humor? It wasn’t even understood, let alone appreciated. How can I use dry humor and sarcasm in an unknown language, assuming it even exists in the same form?

Who are we as travelers in foreign countries? We’re the ones who have to be “dealt” with. Just a few among millions who chose to live a portion of their lives abroad: teaching ESL, experiencing a different culture, seeing a new perspective. Many of us have sophisticated degrees from university. We are (hopefully) familiar with the art, literature, politics, and history of our native culture.

And yet in these non-English speaking lands, we are the simpletons, the outsiders. The ones pointing to pictures in restaurants to survive day-by-day. The ones who need assistance when renting a car, renewing a visa, and the unexpected that requires a native speaker. We may be studying the language, but it takes time. As far as any locals are concerned, we may as well be illiterate, poorly spoken fools.

I was recently reading an article on the politics of speaking English abroad, which makes a convincing case for travelers and expats to speak in the tongue best suited for both, i.e. if you have a Japanese and a Finnish person who speak English better than the other’s language, then don’t get weighed down with the politics of speaking English, just let the words flow.

Unfortunately, without any kind of middle ground, neither speaker is in much of a position to offer anything. Broken sentences make it appear as though he is stupid. The fact he needs something from you means you are inconvenienced by someone who still hasn’t learned the skills necessary to survive abroad. And you can’t help but wish that such situations never arose, that this person would simply disappear and none like him return.

I certainly used to think so.

Confusing Signals, Buenos Aires © lrargerich

How to “Deal” With a Foreigner: A Little Empathy Goes a Long Way

We might bother to consider the people behind the language travesty, this illusion we put up in our minds. Where do these travelers come from? They’re obviously here for a reason, and maybe they’re trying to learn the local language. They could be fresh out of university and brimming with ideas, people perfectly capable of eloquence. But what do we associate with them? Lack of intelligence: you can’t speak properly, so I must be smarter than you. An assumption so far from the truth it’s laughable.

Nowadays, when approaching a local in a foreign land or being approached by a passing traveler, I catch myself, instinctively recalling why it is I should speak to him properly even if he can’t understand a word, and treat him with respect:

You’ve been there before

I flash back to a time in Japan when I too was dirty, hungry, tired, and in need of information. Granted, I wanted to try and resolve the situation on my own, but it’s often not possible; as travelers, we need a helping hand from time to time.

He/she is not stupid

There are plenty of rocket scientists and brain surgeons in this world of ours who don’t speak a word of English. Would you care to match your intellect with theirs, based solely on language skills?

Patience is a virtue

You know your approaching friend doesn’t speak English. It’s going to be a long, difficult conversation. Suck it up; your companion there is sacrificing just as much of his dignity reaching out to another. He’s counting on your help, and becoming impatient or frustrated will make both parties dissatisfied with the encounter, helping to further prejudices and widen the gap of internationalization.

It’s not the foreigner asking for your help

Just a person displaced in this crazy world of ours. Foreign and local alike, we all have our limits; would you think twice if someone born and raised in a neighboring city questioned you about a local attraction? Why should someone from another country, near or far, be any different?

It’s often fear that leads to anger, anger to hate, and hate to – no, not suffering, but good guess – misconception and prejudice.

While this may seem obvious to someone constantly on the move, having to negotiate in Chinese markets, talking to Russian Couchsurfing hosts, and finding the best bus across Nairobi, it’s often fear that leads to anger, anger to hate, and hate to – no, not suffering, but good guess – misconception and prejudice.

An example: you awake from your hostel in the middle of Chiang Mai with the expectation you can grab a motorcycle taxi and make that 12:04 train to Bangkok. Unfortunately, due to your location well off the beaten path, taxis are few and far between. When you finally manage to flag one down, the driver speaks only Thai, taking you to three different stops before you’re finally able to convey your intention of going to the train station. It’s now 12:12 (assuming the train actually left on time – which I might add, is a big assumption in Thailand).

You feared that you would not reach your destination, causing you to become frustrated at the driver. When you do realize the train has already left, the words have almost flowed naturally from your hidden prejudices: “bloody Thai taxi drivers … they can’t understand anything!”

The cycle is complete, and chances are you’ll be quick to share the story with others, who may well further their own prejudices based on secondhand information.

If only there had been a way to avoid this situation entirely … oh wait … don’t act like you have to “deal” with the driver in the first place, nor anyone who happens not to speak the same language as you. Remember: a little empathy goes a long way.

Have you had similar experiences traveling abroad or perhaps in your own hometown? Share them with us in the comments below!

A growing number of travelers are leaving laptops at home in favor of simply toting their iPads or other tablets. Hub Innovations is looking to make that decision more obvious and ergonomic.

Their latest Prizm tablet stand features a sleek, sexy, 2-piece aluminum construction designed to pack completely flat. Throw in a Bluetooth keyboard (or not) and you have the perfect netbook replacement.

Pricing & Availability

Available now in various colors from $29.95 (USD) directly from HubInnovations.com.

Although we’re typically backpack-before-suitcase travelers, their latest EXO Hardside cases look totally badass, particularly in Utility Truck Yellow (my words, not theirs).

So when they offered a review sample of their EXO Hardside 24″ Spinner (in yellow no less), how could we say no?

The Skinny

In eBags own words:

Our EXO Hardside 24″ Spinner is built to the highest quality standards using light weight materials, rock-solid construction, and a unique exterior sure to get noticed on the carousel.

We wanted to create a lightweight checkable spinner that wouldn’t easily exceed the 50 pound limit. Careful study of cubic volume & clothing weight lead us to what we believe is the right size for most travelers. Superior grade 100% polycarb for optimum shatter/crack free performance, an efficient divided interior that includes our much-acclaimed moveable shelf system for slump-free packing. Finally, exterior colors that are rich, vibrant, and spotted instantly on the carousel.

Features of note include:

• 100% Pure Polycarbonate shell – the most durable material choice for hardside luggage
• Polished/Debossed Diamond Pattern reduces visible abrasion
• Packing compartment is divided into two sections: Full-mesh zip-around cover for the perfect combination of containment and visibility / Open compartment with our innovative removable/adjustable shelf AND 5-point tie straps
• Grey nylon lining – because who needs another black interior in a suitcase?
• Large #10 self-healing coil zipper – the strongest available
• Travel Sentry ® TSA recognized 3-dial combination lock for safe/secure packing

In Detail

We can’t overlook the color – we absolutely love this thing in Yellow (along with Green and Red). Love it or hate it, you won’t lose it on the luggage carousel. And no one else is going to mistake it for theirs. For the more stealth traveler, opt for Black, Blue, or Grey.

Although the specs rate the Spinner at a hair over nine pounds, it doesn’t feel it. We had no problem lifting it with a pinky finger (empty of course).

It’s not technically “bulletproof”, but the polycarbonate shell is still extremely sturdy. Not that we put it through a crush test per se, but we’d have no problem trusting our valuables to the horrors of the TSA checked bag screeners.

One great thing about traveling with just a backpack is the freedom to throw it over your shoulder and go. Unfortunately, that’s also the downside – you have no choice but to carry it. If there’s one thing that could make me a rolling luggage convert, it’s … well … the wheels. Sliding the Spinner along on the double-wheel casters is a breeze – almost makes you wish you could ride it through the airport.

One particular design feature we love is the adjustable interior shelf. It goes a long way towards ensuring that your shirts and underthings don’t wind up in a wrinkled heap at the bottom of the bag.

Last but not least, eBags lives by their Lifetime “Whatever It Takes” Warranty. They assure me that this is a no-ifs-and-or-buts policy. Problems with your bag? They’ll fix or replace it – no questions asked.

OK, so really last but not least … Outside magazine dubbed it “the most durable and versatile spinner we’ve ever tested … protects like Fort Knox. A killer value.” And, unlike us, they really beat the bajeesus out of their gear.

Pricing & Availability

Available now. Retails for $179.99 in six colors directly from eBags.com. Carry-on conscious travelers: don’t miss eBags EXO Hardside Spinner Carry-On.

Bottom Line

Between the extremely durable polycarbonate shell, the lifetime warranty and a price-point at just under $180 USD, the EXO Spinner 24″ is a steal. Frankly, it’d be worth it at twice the price.

Reds, blues and purples are among the most popular colors in Holi.

The young boy spies the pretty girl in the red scarf laughing and chatting with her friends. He doesn’t know her – yet – but he has a plan. Cautiously he approaches her, a smile on his lips. As he gets closer, she turns, sensing somebody behind her. She is just about to open her mouth to say something when he upturns the small pail of colored water over her head, drenching her instantly.

Yet instead of reacting with anger as she would any other day, the girl screams with laughter, and so do her friends. Today is Holi, when getting soaked to the skin in all manner of colors by total strangers is all part of the fun. That many people also indulge in intoxicating drinks like the marijuana-laced “bhang” only adds to the atmosphere of wild abandon.

Check out the full, colorful gallery of India’s Holi festival at Environmental Graffiti.

Although the family may shed some tears over the remains of their loved ones, crying soon turns to smiles.

It’s a little like a party, but one where the guests of honor are corpses. There is a definite festive atmosphere in the crowd as the tomb is opened. By the light of candles, close relatives enter the dark, earthy-smelling crypt to retrieve the remains of their ancestors. The dead emerge wearing their shrouds, known as lambas, and are laid out on the ground ready to be unwrapped — the bones lovingly cleaned, and the remains rewrapped in their new burial cloths, ready to join in the celebrations.

Check out the entire gallery of Madagascar’s Macabre Dance of the Dead (via Environmental Graffiti).

Kurt Wenner has astonished people all over the world with his 3D street art. His most recent piece is on display at Singapore’s Changi airport. “The Millionaire Life” is tied into the airport’s “Be A Changi Millionaire” promotion.

Wenner’s work is stretched across Changi’s Terminal 3 Departure Hall in a nine-by-nine-meter canvas. The image appears to be of a chalk texture, but that, along with the spiral stairs and furniture in the image, are all illusions. “The Millionaire Life” will be at Changi until November 11.

More on Wenner’s works can be seen at CNNGO.com