The Latest News from New Mexico Tourism

Shop New Mexico
Buy New Mexico Gifts
New Mexico Apparel

Events Calendar
Activities in New Mexico

Contact Us
New Mexico Tourism Department Information

The Source - from Bellingham Whatcom County WA Tourism

A monthly newsletter from a proactive destination marketing organization. A great resource for travel writers, including press trips.

WRITE AROUND THE WORLD

By Carol Oldham O'Hara

Escape into the world and live to write about it. The travel writing life is like no other, sending you into seamy hideaways and opulent hotels around the globe, and your stories could pay for your travel -- much of the time.

To win as a traveling wordsmith, you must love new faces and places and want to write about them. You must also forget forever being a tourist. Each trip becomes a story, or even many stories, and you're always at work, no matter where you are -- investigating, interviewing, interpreting. You'll show every experience -- from dreaming upon a down pillow to dining in a local dive -- drawing upon your senses for lively words to make those moments come alive for your readers. So many times their treks are based upon your travels.

You'll also pack fewer duds -- a plus with today's airline restrictions -- and place business cards in every pocket. You'll tote more than one camera, manila envelopes to mail burdensome brochures home, pads, pencils, pens, and of course a notebook computer along with other small electronic devices of your choosing. You'll add an open mind and enough sense of adventure to deviate from a planned itinerary in pursuit of a story -- the one you didn't know existed.

And you'll never return home without anything to look forward to; for while you write your stories from where you've just been, your heart will leap as you plot your next escape.

Give travel writing a try, if you haven't already, and the world could become your home.

Percs & Comps

When a perk is not necessarily a "comp."

On a recent trip to the Copper Canyon of Chihuahua, Mexico, I visited a unique winery.

The Misión Winery and Hotel is in the small mile-high community of Cerocahui.

The trip was comped. The wine shown was bought (about $25 US). The "perk" was being able to savor this fine wine as I enjoyed the awesome experience of the Copper Canyon.








An article on this trip is now published in IFWTWA's web magazine--Global Writes.

Some of the perks (comps) on this trip were provided by AeroMexico Airline, The State of Chihuahua, Mexico and Mexico Tourism.

photos: Misión Church and Cross, Misión Rojo (Red)Wine, Sergio on Winery Tour.

All photographs © John Lamkin

John Lamkin
Freelance Travel Journalist & Photographer
Member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association
Website
Suite 101
Examiner.com

Perks of Being a Food, Wine & Travel Writer AND No Free Lunch

John Lamkin

Tequila from Las Villas de Mexico

I agree heartily with the other bloggers that the real perks are the travel, the places you see and the people and cultures you meet.

As you travel these roads least traveled (and least paid) you are bound to receive more physical perks also. For example the tequila shown in the photo--a gift of the ultra-luxe residential project, Las Villas de Mexico.

The "no free lunch" is paying the back the individuals, companies and countries presenting you with the perks. Writing honest articles about them is the best perk you can give them back.

On a recent trip I was "perked" everything except tips and souvenirs. I am now writing and blogging about these hosts. At least one of these articles should appear soon on IFWTWA, web magazine--Global Writes. Some of the perks on this trip were provided by AeroMexico Airline, The State of Chihuahua, Mexico and Mexico Tourism.

All-in-all this is a very satisfying arrangement for all concerned.

John Lamkin
Freelance Travel Journalist & Photographer
Website
Suite 101
Examiner.com