At Home In The Wasteland Travel Blog

In exactly one month I’ll arrive in Beijing and then theoretically proceed onwards to Pyongyang a few days later. I’ve booked my accommodations in Beijing and purchased my travel insurance policy. While the policy covers up to $1 million for emergency medical evacuation, it does not cover a former U.S. President hopping on a plane [...]

Things are slowly coming together for a potential trip to North Korea in September to attend the Mass Games. I’ve submitted the necessary documents for my North Korean visa, put down a deposit for the trip, and booked a flight to Beijing (using frequent flyer miles, thank god). So, uh, I guess I’m going, unless [...]

Iraq is officially welcoming tourists: Well, here she was in the lobby of a Baghdad hotel, ending a 17-day tour around one of the world’s ultimate danger destinations. “It had always been on my list,” said Ms. Gilbert, wearing a sweatshirt emblazoned with a cartoon cat and the phrase “Life Is Good.” “If it opened [...]

I have never been on a cruise and I have absolutely no desire to go on one. I imagine a huge boat filled with drunk people gorging themselves on boring food, playing slot machines, laying by a pool, and occasionally getting off the boat to visit random bars in some port city. Aside from the [...]

Dudes, I’ve got a serious case of wanderlust right now. As such, I’ve spent way too much time researching possible travel destinations. I’d love to go to Turkmenistan…maybe in 2010. According to the WSJ, Turkmenistan is becoming more “tourist friendly”: Since Mr. Niyazov died in 2006, the country has tentatively begun to open up. Regular [...]

When the new year rolls around, I don’t make resolutions. Rather, I design an elaborate spreadsheet involving vacation days, frequent flier miles, and Marriott Rewards points. It’s got multiple tabs and everything. One of the few disappointing things about 2008 was that I didn’t have a chance to travel abroad. I had about a month’s [...]

7 Abandoned Wonders of the Former Soviet Union: Deserted Cities, Buildings, Bases and More and 7 (More) Abandoned Wonders of the Former Soviet Union: From Mining Towns to Oil Rig Cities. I’d really like to visit Neft Daşları (Oil Rocks), located in the Caspian Sea about 45km offshore of Baku, but apparently getting permission from [...]

In particular, this email I received in reference to tomorrow’s flight to Houston: Continental Airlines is pleased to advise you that you have received your complimentary OnePass Elite upgrade to First Class or Business Class. But really, who am I to deny this upgrade? After all, this presents an excellent opportunity to continue my research [...]

“Where are you going next? And DON’T say North Korea.” “Uh, China, I think, and maybe a weekend in Pyongyang.” Despite my dad’s wishes otherwise, I’m still determined to get to North Korea by 2010, as I mentioned a few years ago. For a limited time this year, the North Korean government issued visas to [...]

I couldn’t fall asleep last night so I started making a mental list of trips I’d like to go on soon (as in…over a 5-10 year period). If you know me well, you’re aware that at any given time I am probably thinking about someplace I’d rather be than where I currently am. Here’s a [...]