Protecting the Rainforest in Sarayaku, Ecuador: A Friday Photo Feature Posted on January 27, 2024July 12, 2024 By Travelworldwide During my visit to the Ecuadorian rainforest community of Sarayaku, I met a young filmmaker named Heriberto Gualinga. He was the brother of our two local guides, Ingaro and Gerado, who joined us on a week-long river journey from Puyo to Kapawi near the Peruvian border. In Heriberto’s traditionally built family home, made of wood and palm thatch and powered by solar panels, he set up his laptop and gave us an impromptu screening of his film, “Soy Defensor de la Selva” (I am the defender of the rainforest). He was sponsored by Accion Creativa, an organization that supports social change through film and other creative media. The film documents the struggle in Sarayaku against the oil companies that had been granted exploration rights by the Ecuadorian government. The community strongly opposes this exploration, which would destroy the rainforest. When oil workers moved into their territory, Heriberto was there to film their resistance. Heriberto gave us a copy of the film, which I shared with friends. Now, it’s available on YouTube, and I encourage you to watch it. The version above is 3 minutes long, but you can find links to the full 15-minute film below. Soy Defensor de la Selva (I am the defender of the rainforest) – Part 1 Soy Defensor de la Selva (I am the defender of the rainforest) – Part 2 Soy Defensor de la Selva (I am the defender of the rainforest) – Part 3 This experience taught me how crucial media is in giving a voice to remote communities and spreading their message to the wider world. I hope we bloggers can also use our platforms positively to address important issues affecting our world, so let’s spread the word! Blog
Blog Experience the Vibrant Street-Art Scene at Berlin’s Kunsthaus Tacheles Posted on June 28, 2024July 12, 2024 We were told by Berlin locals to check out Tacheles for a genuine Berlin experience. They mentioned a cafe where you could look down on a half-buried airplane in the back. They said it would be easy to spot since it was the only shabby, run-down building in an otherwise… Read More
Blog A Surprising U.S. State Becomes the Ultimate Summer Getaway Hotspot for Travelers Posted on July 5, 2024July 12, 2024 There’s one U.S. state that’s becoming a hot spot for travelers this summer, and it’s probably not what you’d expect. Wisconsin is currently setting new tourism records, making this summer the perfect time to visit. Before I went to Wisconsin, I only knew it for its cheese and cold winters…. Read More
Blog Top 5 U.S. States for a Peaceful Summer Getaway (And 5 You Might Want to Skip) Posted on May 15, 2024July 12, 2024 The only thing that can dampen the excitement of a fun summer getaway is the thought of dealing with the crazy crowds at every beach, attraction, and restaurant – basically, everywhere. While going to popular destinations can help with FOMO, if you’re like me and want to avoid the chaotic… Read More