Embedding Trip Pictures and Data to a Blog

I have always been interested in the different ways you can embed outside data to your blog or website through various APIs. I've decided that I will use a mixture of three different providers offerings to track my trip.

They are:

Google Latitude
Google Latitude allows you to see where your friends are and what they are up to, quickly contact them with SMS, IM, or a phone call and control what your location is and who gets to see it. My interest is in the location tracking. As I move from city to city, I'd like to track where I am going, train's I am taking and most of all cities and landmarks I am visiting.

Twitter
I know there are a lot of twitter haters out there, but for a trip like this, I think their offering works best. I can easily link my twitter account to my other social networking sites and save the hassle of replicating everything out.

SmugMug
I am opting to purchase an account through SmugMug for a few reasons. First, they have upload through email. Most places have this, but SmugMug also has customizable galleries, an application for iPhones with GeoTag uploading, high definition video uploads and from what I have been told, good customer service because of the relatively small company size.


Blogger also allows remote posting through email in case you find yourself in a bind.

The data that I post to these sites, will in turn be replicated to my facebook page and other social networking sites via RSS, as they are now. Right now, it is simply a matter of pressing the activate button and embedding the widgets.

Passport has arrived!

My passport is here! Time to start getting things in order. I've also noticed that airfare is dropping the longer you hold off. As much as I hate waiting, I will probably purchase airfare 2.5-3 weeks out.

Initial thoughts on what to pack.

Well, I have finally put some thought into what to pack. Two weeks in Europe has to be done on one backpack in order to be manageable. I initially thought a 60 liter backpack was the way to go but after checking several forums and talking with other backpackers, I am confident that the 40 liter is the way to go. Anybody I have talked to that gives me advice says over packing was their biggest problem on their first trip.

I have decided to go with the North Face Terra 60 as my backpack. I tried on several different backpacks at Gander Mountain and Dicks Sporting Goods. I found that the shoulder straps are the weak point in many packs. The suspension on the Terra 60 is incredible, and the waist belt is made of a really soft almost gel like material. It can expand as needed and has lots of adjustments so you can get that perfect fit on your back.

So enough about the backpack. Here is my initial list of what I am packing. Any advice?

* One pair of khaki north face pants/zipoff to shorts
* One pair cargo shorts
* 3-4 north face/under armor moisture wicking shirts
* 3-4 boxers
* 3-4 pairs of socks
* Sandals
* Light shell, one long sleeve shirt
* Sneakers (will purchase new and wear in one week prior)
* Small thin towel
* Camera and iphone, small headphones, ipod. (possibly netbook/high def camcorder)
* Lightweight daypack, padlock.
* Toiletries, toothbrush and paste, chapstick, tanning lotion, deodorant, shampoo, soap, asprin, antacid, ear plugs. (I plan to pack very light on all of this and pick them up over there. That way I can discard them before I board the plane to come home.)
* Sunglasses, money belt
* One credit card, one atm, some cash, two id's, passport, plane tickets.
* Guidebook and .pdf cheat sheet (which I am currently writing, will post later)

Ryan

Passport should be here shortly.

Well, my passport is now en route. It should be here in about two weeks. I went to the local US post office to order one. For those of you who are interested in international travel, you better plan at least 4-6 weeks in advance.

Here is what you'll need for a first time applicant:

* A completed DS-11 application form.
* One of the following: Previously issued and undamaged U.S. Passport, Certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state, Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth Naturalization Certificate or a Certificate of Citizenship.
* If you apply in person, you will also need 2 photos, a drivers license, military or government ID.
* You will also have to pay a fee, which is about $100.00.

Europe 2009: The Weather Map

For those of you looking to travel to Europe, I found a great site that uses the Google Maps API and overlays information about current weather statistics. I have posted an embedded map below. If you want to generate your own code, please check out this page.