Travel. Write. Live. » TWL Videos

The Art of the Interview

Devin — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 09:43:45 +0000

Sthu Zungu, the President of South African Tourism in North America, met me for a last second interview a couple of weeks back at a small-ish trade meeting in Beverly Hills. It was a last second opportunity that I wormed in between her other appointments.

Normally, I would cut down a general interview about a destination like South Africa down to 2-3 minutes, but I left this one unedited, because Sthu was such a pleasure to interview. I have always suggested to site owners to have an elevator pitch of 15-30 seconds about his or her company, products, or services memorized to rattle off at the drop of a hat. This advice comes from the numerous people I have interviewed in the past that needed a lot of “encouragement” to get information about their products out.

Not only does Sthu come prepared but she is pleasant, covers her topics both obvious and less so seamlessly, handles the loud speakers next to us well, is enthusiastic, makes her homeland sound incredible, important and exciting with good humor throughout. She also did this on short notice, in between appointments, and I had only had to ask one question. I love that!

This interview is about seven minutes, but I found it worth noting her many strengths as an interviewee.

Sunday Check-In, Singing in Honduras

Devin — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 18:33:41 +0000

CLICK HERE for me doing my best to destroy Cuando Calienta el Sol

Before the business of travel blogging begins, I wanted to share my latest performance of Cuando Calienta el Sol. There are times that a simple memory will make me cringe, produce an involuntary shudder. The embarrassments continued in Honduras as I do my darnedest to completely destroy Cuando, again (Here is the previous video of me singing in Spanish. So, it is a little over the top. I make mean singing faces and also “pump up the jam” to inspire a party atmosphere. This time I sing in a resort in La Ceiba, Honduras. Please note the colossally disinterested on-lookers as I attempt to ham it up to the point of unnecessary toward the end of the video. Still it was a lot of fun, but Luis Miguel does it better.

And just in case you want to give it a try…

As for the business of blogging, I have been slowly making changes to the site to make the experience better for the reader. I am also implementing new features that will hopefully drive a few more bucks through ITKT. Yes, making money online is still a complicated system as advertising dollars hide in deeper holes.

After some feedback from new and regular readers alike, I realize that updates twice a week is simply too many emails. I am now moving back twice a month. And still have to work out the problems with the cosmetics of the current template. I am still debating returning to the old school newsletter. It is more work, but the most well-received newsletter so far.

Making Money

I have a new game plan that hopes to focus on my success with social networking out into the corporate side of the travel industry.

I Ruin Music for All in Mexico City (video)

Devin — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 21:46:43 +0000

Travel writing is a great opportunity to take chances. Thankfully, I was wearing stripes. They are supposed to make me look less portly. The sunglasses acting as hairnet did nothing to distract from my tattered hairline. I stood next to the restaurant’s guitar player requesting a song. In a moment, I found myself reducing one of my all-time favorite songs to rubble, in public, in Mexico City during FITA 2010. Fortunately, the cameo appearance by the smooth Latin troubadour saves the day. Next time I will learn the words.

CLICK HERE for me doing my best to destroy Cuando Calienta el Sol

In order to wash the image of me (even when wearing stripes) butchering a classic song from your mind, I offer this video by the incomparable Luis Miguel combining Cuando Calienta el Sol and a Buns of Steel video that puts most 80s hair band videos to shame. The first 30 seconds are slow and almost painful, but then the pillow fighting, thong-clad lovelies, shirtless hunks in teeny panties and sun kissed beaches take over.

For the record, I have also sung a karaoke version Luis Miguel’s Cuando Calienta el Sol in a charming bar in Puerto Morelos a few years back. I am grateful there is no video evidence of this humiliation.

Video by Teresa Rodriguez of Jetset Extra
Photo by Berenice L. Gonzalez

Mexico City’s Dance (video)

Devin — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 00:26:24 +0000

The museum was nice and contained many artifacts of ancient Mexico City. The history is fascinating. However, the present is even more amazing. The show started as I left the museum and walked out into the dusk of downtown Mexico City and into one of the world largest squares. Local traditional dancers spun and twirled and drummers hammered and pulsed infectious rhythms that led about fifty dancers into the night.

Actually, I have no idea if this is traditional dance of Mexico City, but and incredible find for the evening. I would eventually crash the fashion show celebrating 200 years of Mexico’s fashion — photos coming soon.

Is Mexico Safe? part two

Devin — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 22:59:14 +0000

And for part two of my interviews about safety in Mexico.

To see my interview with Dennis In Video: Is Puerto Vallarata Safe

To see part one and my interview with Chris Calabrese about Cancun

For more about Mexico on ITKT

Is Mexico Safe? part one

Devin — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 22:54:30 +0000

Let’s face it, Mexico has had its fair share of bad press during the last year with reports of hurricanes, viruses, warring drug lords and a recent high profile murder of a reality series producer’s wife. However, are the headlines the whole story? Are there legitimate reasons to be concerned when traveling Mexico beyond a few border towns? I am not so sure, but perception is king. The news items have kept many vacationers away from Mexico’s sun and sand. Is this fair? Probably not, as it would not be fair to blame Florida for a problem in New York.

So how does an unfair perception get fixed? The folks at several of the Marriotts in Mexico came to pose this exact question to me and several other prominent travel writers in Los Angeles. The answer? Discuss traveler’s concerns head on. This is what I tried to do in my interviews with Christopher Calabrese, the Vice President and General Manager of the JW Marriott Cancun Resort and Spa and Casamagna Cancun Resort Marriott, and Dennis Whitelaw, the General Manager of Casamagna Puerto Vallarta Resort and Spa.

Please pardon my glibness during the interviews. I admit that I have traveled to many places that have had less than a savory reputation — so have many other traveling friends. I have never even heard of something that would be more than some mild irritation during all of those travels. So I have little concern about the prospect of visiting Mexico, but many others do — these interviews are for them.

To see my interview with Chris In Video: Is Cancun Safe

To see my interview with Dennis In Video: Is Puerto Vallarta Safe?

For more about Mexico on ITKT

Traditonal Tongan Dance

Devin — Wed, 05 May 2010 07:24:00 +0000

Okay, so the ambiance is not the best. Those bright florescent lights of the Los Angeles Convention Center make everything appear a little harsher than need be. Still, Miss Tonga Tourism USA, Naioka Lavulo, looked great and strutted her stuff for ITKT’s camera in this performance at the Los Angeles Times Travel Expo a couple of months back. I am hoping to visit Tonga early next year and see this kind of traditional performance on the island and not in a stuffy convention hall.

To see the video of In Video: Traditional Tongan Dance

In Video: Nepal Tourism

Devin — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 04:00:59 +0000

Two things happened when I walked up to the Nepal Tourism Board booth at the Los Angeles Times travel show. One, I was happy to finally see Nepal promoting themselves in the U.S. Two, I had a chance to meet Hikmat of the Nepal Tourism Board. He is funny, personable, and a perfect ambassador for Nepal. By the time we finished chatting (long after our interview ended), I wanted to visit Nepal for myself. Of course, I plan to make it there one of these days and do some reporting here on Travel. Write. Live. and ITKT. The end of the video is hilarious and all in good fun — enjoy!

Photo from Wikipeadia by Kim Hartford

To see the video of In Video: Nepal

In Video: Papua New Guinea

Devin — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 20:08:47 +0000

Last month, I met up with Mary Jane of Trans Niugini Tours at the LA Times travel show, for the very first time, to learn about the high- and low-lands of one of the most unique places left on planet, Papua New Guinea. I’m jealous of her travels there and her description of Papua New Guinea did not disappoint. I am still enamored with a future visit and looking forward to being someplace completely removed from anything familiar. Of course, if I make it there, I will definitely offer plenty here on Travel. Write. Live. and ITKT.

Photo from Wikipeadia by Taro Taylor

To see the video of In Video: Papua New Guinea

The Last Geisha of Kisarazu

Devin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:56:32 +0000

There are only 13 geisha left in the city of Kisarazu, making only 13 left in Chiba Prefecture. While many may symbolize the geisha with Japan, the art form is slowly disappearing. This is one of those times when being a travel writer has its advantages. This day I was part of a small group of writers that received a private show from these geisha in Kisarazu.

While the music may not be my cup of green tea, it is nice to know that someone is trying to keep this original art form alive for generations to come.

To see the video of the Geisha of Kisarazu

If you like this one, check out Rock, Paper, Scissors, Geisha