All posts by The Beetle

Mutual Aid

Need help? Want a travelling buddy or advice about a place or country – want to share something with us – why not visit our Mutual Aid section of the Website:Mutual Aid

Can anyone help Jane? She is a retired college teacher with extensive international experience looking for a short-term volunteer opportunity in East Africa. (Her website is www.mystudybuddy.org) and she says she has no idea where to look, and would be grateful for your suggestions. If you can help, or have any suggestions, please contact Jane.

Can anyone help Mike, who has not heard from his friend for four months? His friend is sailing from the UK to Australia, and his last letter was from Fatu Hiva. He was looking for crew to sail to Fanning island. Can anyone suggest a web-site to help Mike find his friend? If you have any suggestions, please contact Mike Thorneloe:

Thomas from Munich offers up to date advice for anyone planning on going to Kazakhstan, as he has just returned. To contact Thomas, e-mail him

Deep Vein Thrombosis

DVT poses a threat to some airline travellers. In the UK, DVT used to be called economy (or coach) class syndrome, but this is very much a misnomer. DVT can happen to any one of us, whatever our style of air travel.

It is now possible to take a blood test to determine your vulnerability for blood to clot.

This test examines the number, type, form of your red and white blood cells, platelets and includes the genetic (inherited) tests including Factor V Leiden. It is estimated that 2 million people in the UK alone are at risk through the Leiden V Factor.

By identifying travellers who are predisposed to thrombosis they can be given pre-travel advice or treatment in order to reduce the risks of clot formation and it's consequences.

International AIDS Candlelight Memorial

“We must make people everywhere understand that the AIDS crisis is not over; that this is not about a few foreign countries, far away. This is a threat to an entire generation, that it is a threat to an entire civilization….” United Nations Secretary, General Kofi Annan

On May 19th, 2002, thousands of individuals in over 500 communities in 75 countries will participate in the world's largest and oldest annual grassroots HIV/AIDS event. The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is designed to honour the memory of those lost to HIV/AIDS, show support for those living with HIV/AIDS, raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, and mobilize community involvement in the fight against HIV/AIDS. There are at least three ways you can become involved in the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial. We invite you to consider participating in one or more of the following ways:

  • Organize a Candlelight Memorial
  • Become a Sponsor or Partner
  • Attend a Candlelight Memorial

Shopping Outlet in Wales

If you find yourself in South Wales or around Bristol and you feel like shopping, why not check out the McArthurGlen designer outlet just off Junction 36 of the M4. The nearest train station is at Bridgend. It’s open from 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm on Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sundays. It’s got ladieswear, menswear, jewellery, household – you name it, plus a food court. Name includeTimberland, CK Jeans, Windsmoor, Clarks, Wedgwood, Royal Worcester etc. For information, contact: 01656 665700 or visit: the website

Mutual Aid

Free accommodation in New Zealand

Land of the Lord of the Rings. A message from Yves: Hello! If you plan on passing through New Zealand, just come and pay us a visit! We will put you up for free, providing you inform us in advance. Contact details:
Monsieur Yves Héraud 17
Morningside Road, flat 4, 0101, Whangarei, New Zealand
Tel: 64 94308181
Web: Click Here.
E-mail: Send e-mail.

American Rose would like to meet UK Roses!

Can anyone in the UK help Globetrotter Rose from Seattle via New Jersey?

She says she plans on coming to England in the fall and would dearly love to know people there. If by any chance any Globetrotters members are interested in hosting people, and she in exchange would be willing to host others, let them know that I just love to travel and really don't have firm plans in mind, at this time. She says she just wants others to know that as a single woman, she is really keen on knowing people in different places. Please contact Rose on: ratterayr@aol.com

Need help? Want a travelling buddy or advice about a place or country – want to share something with us – why not visit our Mutual Aid section of the Website: Mutual Aid

News: Photo Exhibition, Suffolk, England

Owen Brown, a mad adventurer and ex-Tour Leader of good old Explore adventure travel (maybe some of you know him) is exhibiting a great collection of photos of all his journeys. If anyone happens to be in the area of Suffolk between 27APR-08MAY and fancy giving it a glimpse, the address is: CLOISTERS GALLERY St Edmundsbury Cathedral Bury St Edmunds Suffolk

More Funny Signs

In a City restaurant: OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, AND WEEKENDS TOO. One of the Mathare buildings: MENTAL HEALTH PREVENTION CENTRE. In a Pumwani maternity ward: NO CHILDREN ALLOWED. In a cemetery PERSONS ARE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING FLOWERS FROM ANY BUT THEIR OWN GRAVES.

Write in and tell us your funny sign! Drop a line to the Beetle! the Beetle

Hydro Plans in India

Arundhati Roy, the prize-winning Indian novelist, was jailed Wednesday (March 6, 2002) after the Supreme Court in India convicted her of criminal contempt for suggesting it was trying to “silence criticism” of its approval of a hydroelectric project. As about 250 supporters stood outside with banners reading “Free speech is not contempt,” the court sentenced Roy to one day in prison and a $42 fine. If she does not pay, she will spend three months in prison, the court said. The court said that in sentencing her to one day, it was “showing magnanimity of law by keeping in mind that the respondent is a woman.” Roy won the prestigious Booker Prize in 1997 for her novel “The God of Small Things.” She has written articles criticizing India's nuclear program and is a prominent campaigner against the Narmada Dam, the nation's biggest hydroelectric project.

Source: by Nirmala George / Associated Press (via Common Dreams News Center) If you want to take action, visit Amnesty International’s web site.

Have you got a tale to tell??

If you have a travellers tale that your aching to tell. Then why not visit the “Travel Sized Bites” section of the Website and share it with the world. Travel Sized Bites