Love Travelling? Love Pinterest? Here's good news then!

Pinterest is the newest hype on the internet.

An online pinboard, which lets you keep track of Websites, photos, recipes and whatever else you fancy by "pinning" them on your virtual board.

It's a great place to keep photos of places on your bucket list or where you have been.

But can you use Pinterest for travel planning? According to Gadling, you can!

Shoestring editor Conny Kaufmann is keeping a board there is well for her travel inspirations. Check it out here!

Shoestring needs your translation help!

Hey guys!

I'm hoping you can help me. I'm looking for people who are fluent in other languages who could translate 12 sentences for small-talk. This is for the Language Lessons section of the magazine.

So far, I have translations for German, French, Spanish and Swedish. All languages (even more obscure ones) are very welcome. If your language uses a different script, I would need the actual spelling (with the correct characters) and then a phonetic guide to pronouncing it all correctly.

The sentences are short and just along the lines of "Where is the station?" and "I booked a room for tonight" to help travellers ask their way around town. Knowing a bit of the local language can go a long way, and can determine how friendly and helpful the locals are towards you.

If you would like to help out, please send an email to editor@shoestring-magazine.com requesting the list of sentences for translation.

Thank you very much and Happy Travels!

Cover selection

Issue # 6: February 2012

Issue #5: August 2011

Issue # 4: April 2011

Issue # 3: January / February 2011

Issue #2: October 2010

Issue # 1: May 2010

TEFL Online Deal

Shoestring issue # 6 features a story by Neil Bennion about Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL).

UK residents interested in getting this qualification should check out www.groupon.co.uk today - a 120 hour online course is on offer today in the National Deals section!!

Shoestring issue # 6 out now!

The new issue of Shoestring is out now!

Among the stories featured in this issue are: Mount Everest off the beaten track, Teaching English as a foreign language, Exploring Cuba, Aboriginal Australia and Travelling through the 'Stans!

Go on, have a look!

An apology

I know it has been pretty quiet on Shoestring lately.

Some of you even wondered whether it is ever coming back.

Let me assure you, it took a while, but Shoestring is back!

First of all, I would like to tell you that a new issue of Shoestring will be published very soon. I am just putting the finishing touches on it!

Secondly, this website will undergo a revamp and relaunch in 2012, and I am busy working on this behind the scenes. I apologise for the lack of updates.

As you know, Shoestring is completely voluntary. To be able to publish anything, I need you, the readers, to share their stories. Otherwise this would soon turn into a magazine that features only my own travel memories, and even though I do have travel experience, even I would run out of things to say eventually.

So sometimes, it does take a little longer than intended to get the pages together.

32 pages is not that much, you might argue. It is, if you put them together by yourself, from scratch. It takes time and consideration, both things, I have not had much of. Once I receive a story, the rest of the editorial responsibilities are mine. Sourcing photos, proof reading, layout, fact checking, and spreading the word about Shoestring, all this is currently a one woman job. A daunting task at times.

Imagine sitting in front of a blank page and having to fill it, make it look so good everybody will stop and read it. Now imagine staring at 32 blank pages.

I pride myself in the fact that Shoestring has come as far as it has for free! That means it is a free publication, free of paid advertising, and its reputation is built on word-of-mouth. The first issue was only ever meant to be read by a select handful of people at my university. Instead, it has gone global!

As much as I would love to, I am currently not in a position to turn Shoestring into a full-time job, even though this would be my dream job.

I hope you can understand, that Shoestring is a hobby. A very much loved but time-consuming hobby. So if an issue is published late, or the website is not updated on a daily basis, I apologise. I would like you to know though that I am always working on making the next issue of Shoestring the best yet! A magazine you are proud to be seen reading, and proud to be published in.

If I achieve that, then I have achieved my goal.

I hope you understand, and I also hope that you are looking forward to the next issue of Shoestring just as much as I am!

Happy Travels,

Conny

Editor-in-chief

Summer issue of Shoestring

G'Day guys!!

Shoestring issue # 5 is finally here!

Go on, have a look!

Open publication - Free publishing - More 5 summer

Fun, Freedom And Festivals

Shoestring's fifth issue will be out soon! Watch this space for info on Costa Rica, Kendal Calling and Burning Man and many more!

10 items you should not travel without

Deciding on what to take along when you go backpacking can be really difficult. You’ll find yourself sitting in front of a pile of clothes that you really want to take with you but can’t fit into your backpack. No matter how much you decide to take along, make sure you’ve got room for these 10 items you should not leave home without!

1.) Passport
When you travel outside of your home country, you have to take your passport along. Make sure you’ve got all the visas you need for your trip and always know where your passport is! Your passport has to be valid for the entire length of your trip.

2.) Pocket knife
Although you’re not supposed to carry a pocket knife in your hand luggage when you fly, it makes sense to take one along on your travels. You might feel safer with it. Every pocket knife has tweezers, a toothpick and a bottle-opener built into it, so it’s perfect!

3.) Toothbrush
Personal hygiene is extremely important, and a toothbrush does not take up a lot of space. You can even use it when you run out of toothpaste.

4.) Toilet paper
How often do you go to public restrooms only to find that there’s no paper left? Take a roll of tissue paper around with you, just in case.

5.) Cotton sleep sheet
Basically, this is a thin cotton sleeping bag. It does not take up a lot of space and is light weight. It can serve as a sleeping bag or extra sheet, as well as a blanket. Besides, you never know who slept in that dorm bed before you.

6.) Hand sanitizer
Take it from me – there is never any soap when you need it! A drop of hand sanitizer is enough to kill 99.9% of all germs, so a small bottle should last you for a while. It’s also useful when you can’t get your campfire started – hand sanitizer is alcohol-based and therefore burns quite well. Tip for the ladies: when starting a campfire, you might also try burning tampons.

7.) Sarong
This is the most practical and useful thing you can take along on your travels! You can use sarongs as skirts, dresses, beach towels, scarves, blankets, sleep sheets, roll them up as a pillow or use it to cover up bare shoulders when you step into churches or temples. I’m sure you can think of even more uses for it, so take one along.

8.) Torch
Whether you decide to camp or stay in a dorm room, a torch always comes in handy. Your camp site might not have lights everywhere, and finding your way to the showers and toilets after dark can be tricky, especially when you have to navigate around other tents as well as rain-tarp ropes. And switching on the main light in your dorm at night will wake up all your fellow travellers.

9.) Comfortable shoes
Let’s face it: blisters on your feet are the last thing you need. Consider where you are going – you do not want to run through cobblestone streets in high heels. Chucks should do the trick just fine and you can go hiking in them or stroll through the big city. Alternatively, pack Flip Flops, as you can wear them nearly everywhere.

10.) Camera
You don’t have to be a professional photographer to get some great holiday photos. It does not have to be a very good and high-tech camera, throw-away cameras or point-and-shoots are fine for snapshots. Make your friends jealous and show them what a blast you had on your travels.

These essential items all fit into the corners and side pockets of your backpack, and they don’t take up a lot of space. Some of these items may be really obvious like the passport, others might sound a bit ridiculous to you, but you’d be amazed how often you find yourself in situations in which you really need them but don’t have them because you didn’t bring them along. So have them handy when you travel– it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Be a Shoestring contributor!

G'Day!!

Fancy yourself a travel writer or photographer? Have you had a Gap Year / Career break or backpacking experience that opened your eyes and you'd love to share it? Then you're in the right place!

I'm always looking for contributors and reviewers for Shoestring! Next to features about your experiences and sound advice, I am also looking for reviews of travel books and gear, as well as simple but tasty local recipes!

I'm currently looking for stories to go into issues #5 and #6. The July issue will deal with all things festival, hippie/alternative and generally outdoors, so if you have a summer story, I'd like to hear about it.

Please have a look at the contributor guidelines before you send story proposals! Please come up with a specific topic or angle, not just a country. Please also state whether you would have photos to go along with your story - you have been there and know what it looks like, while I might have to search for photos online without exactly knowing what they should look like.

Contribution is voluntary, as Shoestring is a free and ad-free magazine. But you will get to share your experience with like-minded travellers and maybe even inspire someone else's Gap Year!

Interested? Send an email with your story idea to editor@shoestring-magazine.com

I'm looking forward to hearing about your travel stories soon.

Happy Travels, everybody!

Shoestring Language Lesson in French

The latest language lesson from Shoestring issue #4!

Have fun in France, people!

Shoestring Issue #4

Today is a very special day.

Prince William has just married Kate Middleton in Westminster Abbey. The Royal Wedding has been a massive cause for celebration in Britain and I am chipping in with the latest issue of Shoestring as a wedding gift.

But Shoestring itself has a reason to celebrate today as well! Today one year ago, the very first issue of Shoestring was published. One year of support from contributors and readers alike means that I am now able to give you the fourth issue of Shoestring, on its first anniversary!

Open publication - Free publishing - More backpacker

GioSafari on the Eagles and Snowbirds tour

Check out Gio Andollo performing "Yoshimi" on his Eagles & Snowbirds tour!

You will be able to read more about Gio, his music and how he goes about funding his tours with Kickstarter in the upcoming Shoestring issue # 4!




For more of Gio's music, check out his Youtube Playlist!

Something for the note takers

While strolling around Lancaster today, I came across this little clever thing.

It's a notebook, but the cover is actually a ziplock bag! For somebody taking notes as meticulously as I do, this will probably be a lifesaver.

First of all, your notebook is in a waterproof cover, which means that you'll still be able to read your notes even if you splash your drink over the cover.

Secondly, the bag wraps all the way around, so it's big enough to keep a map and pens in. And the inside covers has holders for business cards and other documents, as well as a hoop for an extra pen!

But the best thing is, that you can use the cover over and over again, when you change notebooks!

So far, I've seen this cover in various bright colours (easy to spot in a bag) and in sizes A6 and A5.

They might not be the cheapest, but if you like keeping your notes, entry tickets, and maps together they will come in handy and valuable. I wish I had one of these while I was on my gap year... You would not believe the amount of tickets I threw away because I thought they were receipts from newsagents etc collecting at the bottom of my bag!

Check out www.unboxshop.co.uk

Christchurch earthquake update

It's confirmed that iconic and historic Christchurch Cathedral (above, photographed in 2003) and the YHA hostel are among the buildings destroyed! People died when buildings collapsed on them, including when debris fell on two buses. Shop fronts collapsed on shoppers and throughout the city water pipes burst.

The Anglican cathedral (above) lost its spire, while the Catholic cathedral half collapsed. Many public buildings in Christchurch were still being repared or strengthened after an earthquake hit the city 6 months ago. Now, they are in ruins, because they were weakend by the first shake.

Rescue efforts continue throughout the night and there are fears that the death toll will rise further by daybreak. New Zealand media reports that people can be heard shouting for help from underneath the rubble, and the Prime Minister has remarked that today's quake is New Zealand's darkest day. The worst earthquake to ever hit the island nation destroyed the city of Napier on the North Island in 1931.

The earthquake in Christchurch struck at lunchtime, when the city centre was busy with workers on lunchbreak, school children and shoppers.

Apparently, the epicentrum was located close to the city in Lyttelton Harbour, only 5km under the earth's surface. Although this quake was less powerful than the earthquake that hit Christchurch in September 2010, it was much closer to the city centre and at the busiest time of the day, which probably contributed greatly to the loss of lives. The September earthquake happened around 4am, when the streets were deserted.

Christchurch airport has been closed except for emergency transport. Already, hundreds of Kiwis are planning to travel to Christchurch by any means necessary - some even coming from Auckland on the North Island - to offer their support and help with the rescue efforts.

UPDATE on travellers in Christchurch:

Scott T. informed that his parents, visiting Christchurch from the UK, have gotten in contact with him and are safe.

Aucklander Simon B. is still trying to track down is uncle Gerry. Gerry has been in contact with the family after the initial shock but is now missing. Gerry is described as a diabetic, living by himself and not in the best of health. If anyone has heard about a man called Gerry living on Cowes Street, Avondale, Christchurch, or knows where he is, please get in touch, as his family is very worried!

Christchurch earthquake

A devastating earthquake has hit the city of Christchurch on New Zealand's south island today, registering over 6.0 on the Richter scale.

The death toll has risen to 65 so far, with many buildings destroyed and people trapped under the debris. One New Zealander commented that the images on TV strongly remind him of 9/11, with all the dust and debris in the air.

For the full story, please see Stuff.co.nz

Are you or someone you know living or travelling in Christchurch? How is the situation there now? What's being done to help? What's been destroyed?

Please get in touch if you have any news or made it out of Christchurch just in time. We just want to know you're all safe!!

Language Lesson in... German

Here is the first of hopefully many Shoestring Language Lessons!
Issue #3 featured editor Conny Kaufmann's native language German. This podcast will help you pronounce these basic sentences correctly, so you will be able to check in, ask your way around and interact with the locals!



Check out the new PODCAST section for more recordings and clips!

Have your say!

Shoestring is a travel magazine from backpackers for backpackers and those taking Gap Years and Sabbaticals. And as such, you, the readers and contributors, should have say in what you want to write about. After all, this magazine is meant to inspire as well as share advice and experiences.

With the third issue out in late January, it is time for a bit of feedback.

What do you like about Shoestring?

Are there any topics/sections you would like to see included? If so, what would you like to read more about?

Do you find the advice/info handy and useful?

Your feedback will help shape Shoestring, and provide you with the one-stop travel magazine you want. So please leave a comment below, every response will be appreciated!

Thank you.


Conny Kaufmann - Editor in chief

Shoestring issue #3 OUT NOW!!

The third issue of Shoestring is online now, and packed full with travel experiences and advice from backpackers like you!

Check it out!

Open publication - Free publishing - More travel

Publicity for Shoestring in Germany!

This article is available on http://www.mein-karl.de/ and will be published in the Solinger Tageblatt, on Karl. youth page on Saturday 22.January 2011