Category Archives: Uncategorized

May 9 2012

Confessions of a Travel Addict

My name is Grant and I have a problem. I can´t stop traveling.

No matter where I go, what I see, who I meet or what I do, the longing for more is there. The undying thirst to go further lingers and strengthens by the day and at times I feel my desires are unquenchable. The more I see the more I want. The more places I go the less it seems I have seen. The more people I meet the lonelier I feel. It is a vicious cycle but I love it and wouldn´t change my ways for anything in the world.

I have lived in Mexico. Guatemala. Tanzania. New York City. Northern California. And now I live in Brazil.
I have backpacked around East and Southern Africa. Western Europe. The Middle East. Central America, Canada and the USA. Now I am about to embark upon a trip around South America.

There are days when I ask myself if this will ever stop. There are days where I pine to be home close to friends and family. There are days where I think I am crazy for becoming addicted to something as powerful as travel. The travel bug bit me hard and refused to let go. Now we live together in sweet harmony.

But the spontaneity and excitement of long-term world travel mixed with the satisfaction of meeting open and interesting people from around the globe surely outweighs the occasional bout of homesickness.

I travel not only because of the places I will see. I travel not only because of the lessons I will take with me or the languages I will learn. I travel not only to witness other cultures and different ways of life.
I travel because of the people.

This is how my love affair with hostels came about. To me there is no better place than a hostel to meet like-minded, curious and loving folks from all walks of life and because of this I have made it my goal in life to open a hostel. This will happen in Brazil and the process I am happy to report is already underway.

First things first…

After almost 5 months in Brazil I am about to set off on my first real jaunt in South America. I will travel around Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina and visit approximately 250 hostels along the way. As a traveling ambassador for inBed.me, my mission is to spread the word around South America. I can´t begin to describe how excited and happy I am to have such a wonderful opportunity. It would be like giving Michelangelo from the Ninja Turtles the chance to visit every pizza shop in New York City.

I am pleased to announce that starting next week I will be sharing articles, photos and videos from the road here on inBed.me. If our paths cross along this journey we will be able to share a lot more. I feel honored to be part of such an awesome team at inBed.me and I will do my best to bring you the best South America has to offer.

Peace, love and happy travels.

Feb 24 2012

How to Drink Like a Local: 8 Great London Pubs

In this post, Michelle Brideau of Bluenose Girl shares with us 8 great London pubs for drinking like a local.

Over the past 5 years in London I have come across some pubs that are real gems.  Here is a round-up of some of my favorite pubs in the various parts of London I have lived since moving here.  They are great places to go if you would like to experience a British pub filled with locals.

The Morgan Arms – Bow

My current local at The Morgan Arms pub in Bow is lovely. It is a gastropub, but the restaurant  bit is kept to the back which keeps the front bit feeling more like a traditional pub.  The staff are friendly; one even came out from behind the bar to help me carry my drinks to the table (you don’t get that everywhere in London!).  The food is high quality, with a rotating seasonal menu, and the ales and ciders change around so you can have an old favorite or something new to try.

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Feb 17 2012

A Breakdown of the New York City Neighborhoods

While inBed.me helps travelers find their perfect hostel, Rentenna can help movers find their perfect NYC apartment. In this guest post by Sasha Gorelik of Rentenna, we learn about the different personalities of the various New York neighborhoods and how Rentenna can help you find your perfect living space.

You did it. You packed up your few worldly possessions, said goodbye to whoever you once were at home, and bought yourself a one-way ticket to the Big Apple. Now you’re in the world’s greatest city without a clue as to where you’re actually going to live.

And it’s a big decision: if you didn’t know, people in New York take the phrase “You are where you live” to a whole other level. So while you’re camping in one of New York’s many hostels, trying to figure out where you’ll be making your home in the city that never sleeps, it pays to understand NYC’s neighborhoods and who you can expect to become depending on where you choose to live.

Note: This is not an accurate representation of the true diversity to be found in each NYC neighborhood; it’s just one native New Yorker’s tongue-in-cheek look at the personalities that make up this great city.

Upper East Side
Shopping: Barneys and Bloomingdales
Typical Vacation: Enjoying the surf and sun in their Hamptons estate
A night on the town: Black tie gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Sound like your cup of tea? Check out Upper East Side apartments here. And if you’re looking for a typical UES building, it doesn’t get any more Upper East Side than The Montery!

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