Chris Christensen on the Internet

2009-03-15T09:15:00.001-07:00

Amateur Traveler is closing the gap in the votes in Lonely Planet Blog contest, will time will run out first? http://budurl.com/8n2x

2009-03-07T08:30:00.003-08:00

Travel to Moscow, Russia - Amateur Traveler Episode 175 (best places to travel) - http://budurl.com/h8qk

Travel to Moscow, Russia - Amateur Traveler Episode 175

2009-03-07T08:30:00.001-08:00

Episode 175 at Amateur Traveler

The Amateur Traveler talks to John from Dallas about traveling to Moscow. We talk about red square, the Kremlin, the towers of Saint Basil’s cathedral, night life, the National History Museum, Cold War Museum and Russian women in mini-skirts. John who knows only two words of Russian still finds it easy enough to both get around in and fall in love with this somewhat mysterious city. Just think how much much he would like it if he visited Moscow in Summer.

Amateur Traveler podcast - the best places to travel

2009-03-02T11:52:00.001-08:00

On the way home from Mexico, one last stop in Guadalajara. Should I tell my mother I accepted a ride from a stranger? I think not.

2009-02-25T20:10:00.001-08:00

Apparently if you like the Amateur Traveler (my travel show) you can vote for it in the Lonely Planet awards at http://budurl.com/8n2x

2009-02-20T10:09:00.001-08:00

A friend of my daughter at Lehigh University (information systems engineering and finance double major) is looking for a Summer internship.

2009-02-20T09:12:00.001-08:00

http://budurl.com/rrul - This is the first episode of a new travel gear/gadget show for the Amateur Traveler, this one shot in San Francisco

2009-02-16T15:16:00.001-08:00

I know (and raised) a very smart marketing major at Lehigh University who is looking for a Summer internship in marketing/pr/advertising.

Travel to Nashville, Tennessee - Amateur Traveler Episode 173

2009-02-14T10:23:00.001-08:00

Episode 173 at Amateur Traveler

The Amateur Traveler talks to Geoff Smith about his boyhood home of Nashville that he recently moved back to. What would bring a musician back to Nashville after he has lived all of the world? Geoff talks about the things that tourists come to see: the Grand Ole Opry, Honky Tonk Row (including his own piano bar the Big Bang Bar), the Country Music Hall of Fame, The Musicians Hall of Fame, The Opryland Hotel. Then Geoff tells us what he really loves about Nashville. Nashville is a place where creative and artistic people can live among the beautiful rolling hills of Tennessee in one of the USA’s big three music cities.

Amateur Traveler podcast - the best places to travel

2009-02-14T10:22:00.001-08:00

Travel to Nashville, Tennessee with @GeoffSmith - Amateur Traveler Episode 173 http://budurl.com/xhsf

Travel to Liverpool - Beatles Magical Mystery Tour - Amateur Traveler Video Episode 45

2009-02-10T07:38:00.001-08:00

Video Episode 45 at Amateur Traveler

Visit Liverpool with the Amateur Traveler. This video shows part of the Liverpool's wonderful Beatles Magical Mystery Tour. When John Lennon died Beatles fans started to come to Liverpool as a kind of pilgrimage. The city of Liverpool organized a tour that is a treat for fans but you can also enjoy this tour even if you are not a rabid fan. It is informative and entertaining.

Amateur Traveler podcast - the best places to travel

2009-02-10T07:37:00.001-08:00

http://budurl.com/m5mj - Travel to Liverpool - Beatles Magical Mystery Tour - Amateur Traveler Video Episode 45 - iMovie '09 & new HD camera

Bike Travel in Central Asia (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan) - Amateur Traveler Episode 172

2009-02-07T09:26:00.001-08:00

Bike Travel in Central Asia (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan) at Amateur Traveler

The Amateur Traveler talks to Friedel from TravellingTwo.com about their continuing bike tour around the world. Friedel was on previously talking about travel to Iran and has come back to talk about the Central Asian countries of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. This region of the world offers adventure travelers deserts, tea houses, camels, wild horses, yurts, tea houses, spectacular mountains, friendly locals and fermented mares milk.

Amateur Traveler podcast - the best places to travel

2009-02-07T09:19:00.001-08:00

http://budurl.com/z7cu - Bike Travel in Central Asia (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan) - Amateur Traveler Episode 172

2009-02-06T12:01:00.001-08:00

http://budurl.com/k77n - Arcos de la Frontera, Spain - Photo Friday

2009-01-31T14:33:00.001-08:00

Travel Blog contest ends today - Favorite City - http://budurl.com/5get

2009-01-31T14:18:00.001-08:00

Heather deserves a stumble for this nice article she did for me on Bristol England - http://budurl.com/pnqt, I always love her pictures.

2009-01-31T08:42:00.003-08:00

Travel to Ukraine - Amateur Traveler Episode 171 - http://AmateurTraveler.com/2009/01/31/travel-to-ukraine-episode-171/

Travel to Ukraine - Amateur Traveler Episode 171

2009-01-31T08:42:00.001-08:00

Episode 171 at Amateur Traveler

The Amateur Traveler talks to Jessica from Williamsburg Virgina who traveled last Summer to the Ukraine with an ethnomusicologist from Villiage Harmony to learn how to sing Ukrainian folk music. Jessica travelled both to larger cities like the capital Kiev and Ivano-Frankivsk and small country villages. She also journeyed into the Carpathian mountains on the Romanian border. Jessica relates some of the stories about the people she met, the food they ate and scary public bathrooms. Learn why you should not whistle indoors or give someone a dozen roses in the Ukraine.

Amateur Traveler podcast - the best places to travel

Travel to Cuba - Amateur Traveler Episode 170

2009-01-24T08:52:00.001-08:00

Episode 170 at Amateur Traveler

The Amateur Traveler talks to Sam about his recent trip to Cuba with his brother. Sam visited Havana and Trinadad. He reveled in the local music, the warmth of the people, the beautiful and enigmatic scenery and tolerated the food. Sam who is one eighth Cuban also met family that he had not known about until recently. Sam’s highlights include walking with tourists and locals alike along the malecon on the shore of Havana. As a photographer he came back with over a thousand pictures of the people, the colonial architecture and the classic cars of Cuba. A small sample of Sam’s work can be seen in the iTunes enhanced version of the show.

Amateur Traveler podcast - the best travel destinations

2009-01-24T08:45:00.001-08:00

Travel to Cuba episode release... let the flames begin http://AmateurTraveler.com

Travel to Armenia - Amateur Traveler Episode 169

2009-01-17T09:18:00.003-08:00

Episode 169 at Amateur Traveler

The Amateur Traveler talks to David Dougherty about his recent trip to the small country of Armenia. David talks about view of Mount Ararat (just over the border in Turkey), monasteries and churches, riding the packed minivan buses (marshrutkas), meeting locals with a shared interest, the food, the legends and some of the history (the Armenian genocide).

Amateur Traveler podcast - the best places to travel

2009-01-17T09:18:00.001-08:00

Travel to Armenia - Amateur Traveler Episode 169 - http://budurl.com/ppce

2009-01-11T19:35:00.001-08:00

Lonely Planet has added a travel category to their blogging awards, feel free to nominate the Amateur Traveler - http://budurl.com/btev

2009-01-11T10:12:00.001-08:00

off to church and then training (http://cicministries.org/)

Travel to Key West, Florida - Amateur Traveler Episode 168

2009-01-10T13:37:00.001-08:00

Episode 168 at Amateur Traveler

The Amateur Traveler talks to Casey Wohl the author of the Girls Getaway Guide to Key West about Key West Florida. We will talk about how the area has changed in the last 20 years from Jimmy Buffet’s famous Margaritaville to an area with numerous nice restaurants, art galleries and hotels. We will also talk about beaches, Ernest Hemmingway and other sland characters and how to catch a spiny lobster with your tickle stick.

Amateur Traveler podcast - the best places to travel

Travel to Israel - Amateur Traveler Episode 167

2009-01-03T12:16:00.001-08:00

Episode 167 at Amateur Traveler

The Amateur Traveler talks to Douglas Duckett about his travels to Israel and his popular travel guide to Israel. Douglas has fallen in love not just with the “holy land” but with the modern nation of Israel. Douglas lays out a one or two week itinerary for Israel.

Amateur Traveler podcast - the best places to travel

2009-01-02T10:58:00.001-08:00

http://budurl.com/c8k3 - wonderful podcast episode from NPR - Coping With An Autistic Brother: A Teenager's Take

Embarcadero - San Francisco - Amateur Traveler Video Episode 44

2008-12-30T22:49:00.001-08:00

Video Episode 44 at Amateur Traveler

Visit San Francisco's Embarcadero with the Amateur Traveler: This video shows the ferry building at San Francisco's embarcadero. The ferry building was built in 1898 and survived the 1906 earthquake. In the early 1900s the pedestrian plaza outside of the ferry building was one of the busiest pedestrian areas in the world but the opening of the bay bridge caused the area to fall into disuse. The embaradero freeway cut off this area from downtown which increased its isolation. After the 1989 Loma Prieda earthquake the embaradero freeway was condemned and torn down. Since then the area has been rejuvenated. Now it is the home for restaurants and high end food stores and hosts a farmers market and arts and crafts fair.

Amateur Traveler podcast - the best places to travel

2008-12-30T22:46:00.001-08:00

http://budurl.com/xxby - Embarcadero - San Francisco - Amateur Traveler Video Episode 44

2008-12-27T15:48:00.001-08:00

Travel to Scotland - Amateur Traveler Episode 166 - http://budurl.com/dpuu

Travel to Scotland - Amateur Traveler Episode 166

2008-12-27T15:47:00.001-08:00

Episode 166 at Amateur Traveler

The Amateur Traveler talks to Eden (an ambassador for Macallan Whiskey) about his home country of Scotland. Eden lays out a tour for Amateur Traveler listeners that starts in Edinburgh with its castle, royal mile and pubs and continues up to Saint Andrews (the home of golf) and the castles of Perthshire. We make sure to stop on the Whiskey trail of Speyside before continuing to the rugged countryside of the highlands. We also talk about special events, famous scotsmen and hagis.

Amateur Traveler podcast - the best places to travel

2008-12-20T10:56:00.001-08:00

Traveling to Acadia National Park in Maine - Amateur Traveler Episode 165 - http://budurl.com/yjrx

Traveling to Acadia National Park in Maine - Amateur Traveler Episode 165

2008-12-20T10:55:00.001-08:00

Episode 165 at Amateur Traveler

The Amateur Traveler talks to Margot about Acadia National Park in Maine. Margot has been going to Acadia since she was a little girl to hike, bike, kayak, and connect with the beauty of this beautiful area. She talks about the sights, the seafood, the Maine people and why you should not go blueberry picking with her grandfather.

Amateur Traveler podcast - the best places to travel

2008-12-19T08:22:00.001-08:00

Friday morning and done with tomorrow's Amateur Traveler on Acadia National Park in Maine... one more week that I have not podfaded

2008-12-13T12:04:00.001-08:00

Travel to Zanzibar in Tanzania - Amateur Traveler #164 - http://AmateurTraveler.com/2008/12/13/travel-to-zanzibar-in-tanzania-episode/

Travel to Zanzibar in Tanzania - Amateur Traveler Episode 164

2008-12-13T12:03:00.001-08:00

Episode 164 at Amateur Traveler

The Amateur Traveler talks to Tadzio about his trip to Zanzibar in Tanzania, off the east coast of Africa. Tadzio worked as a ranger on Chumbe then toured Stonetown, the northern beaches, the Jozani forest, and Pemba. Hear about the food, the people, the snorkeling, the swimming, the beaches and the history of this tropical island paradise.

Amateur Traveler podcast - the best places to travel

2008-12-06T10:22:00.001-08:00

http://budurl.com/3kwc - The Amateur Traveler talks to Zora O’Neil who is one of the co-authors of the Rough Guide in the Yucatan

Travel to the Yucatan Penninsula of Mexico - Amateur Traveler Episode 163

2008-12-06T10:20:00.001-08:00

Episode 163 at Amateur Traveler

The Amateur Traveler talks to Zora O’Neil who is one of the co-authors of the Rough Guide in the Yucatan guide book. Zora talks about this very beautiful, very tropical and very isolated part of Mexico. Learn about the beach communities (Riviera Maya - Cancun, Talum, Playa del Carmen; Costa Maya - Majahual, Xcalak; Isla Holbox), getting around, the food (Xni Pec, Achiote), the colonial cities (Merida) and the Mayan ruins (the Ruta Puc, Uxmal, Calakmul).

Amateur Traveler podcast - the best places to travel

2008-12-05T20:25:00.001-08:00

I would encourage everyone to support the travel bloggers behind passports with purpose - http://budurl.com/cgwb

2008-12-05T17:53:00.001-08:00

feeling nostalgic for Acadia National Park in Maine (honeymooned there) after an interview for Amateur Traveler, show will come out Dec 20th

7 Reasons Why Paris Is Better Than Disneyland

2008-12-02T20:21:00.001-08:00

Even in this economic downturn families will take their kids in droves to Disneyland and Walt Disney World in this coming year. I am a fan of Mickey Mouse (Amateur Traveler Episode 25 - Disneyland - why I learned to love the mouse) but I want to propose that there are reasons also to take the kids to Europe when they are still young. To make the point I want to point out 7 ways that Paris France is better than Disneyland...

read 7 Reasons Why Paris Is Better Than Disneyland

from the Amateur Traveler travel podcast

2008-12-01T19:33:00.001-08:00

signing up for the new Blogger and Podcasters Media network http://budurl.com/8r54

2008-12-01T14:03:00.001-08:00

Just finished an interview about Zanzibar for the Amateur Traveler, scheduled to release on Dec 13th

2008-11-29T13:42:00.001-08:00

Getting other things done avoiding learning to program iPhone applications. Nothing quite focuses you like procrastination.

2008-11-29T11:46:00.001-08:00

Travel to Slovenia with guest Shel Holtz (@shel) - Amateur Traveler Episode 162 - http://budurl.com/q3vl

Travel to Slovenia - Amateur Traveler Episode 162

2008-11-29T11:45:00.001-08:00

Episode 162 at Amateur Traveler

The Amateur Traveler talks to Shel Holtz (from the For Immediate Release podcast) about his trip to Slovenia. Here about the food, the wine, the lake and the cake as Shel describes his visit to the capital of Ljubjana, the caves at Postojna, Portoroz castle and Lake Bled. Slovenia is one of Europe’s best kept secrets.

Amateur Traveler podcast - the best places to travel

2008-11-28T00:10:00.001-08:00

Bodie, California - Ghost Town - Amateur Traveler Video Episode 42 - http://budurl.com/945p

Bodie, California - Ghost Town - Amateur Traveler Video Episode 42

2008-11-27T23:14:00.001-08:00

Video Episode 42 at Amateur Traveler

Visit Bodie, California with the Amateur Traveler: This video shows the old gold mining ghost town of Bodie. Bodie was founded in 1861 and largely abandoned by 1932. The town is kept in a state of arrested decay. It is not restored nor is it allowed to continue to disintegrate.

Amateur Traveler podcast - the best places to travel

2008-11-26T12:32:00.001-08:00

brownies out of the oven (will later get mint and chocolate topping), pumpkin pie in the oven, starting the lemon, then after that apple pie

2008-11-22T17:59:00.001-08:00

Spent the day changing my http://tripinator.com blog into http://blog.amateurtraveler.com with a new custom theme, more simple and fast

2008-11-22T17:41:00.001-08:00

Spent the day changing my http://tripinator blog into http://blogs.amateurtraveler.com with a new custom theme, more simple and fast

2008-11-21T21:00:00.001-08:00

Putting way too many things on my list of things to do with my week off

2008-11-21T18:08:00.001-08:00

Any recommendations for podcast transcription services?

2008-11-21T17:43:00.001-08:00

Anyone in the south San Francisco Bay area interested in forming an internet marketing mastermind group?

2008-11-21T17:38:00.001-08:00

Writing out a recipe for my niece for my mom's thumbprint cookies - "fill depression with chocolate" - a rule I live by :-)

2008-11-21T17:09:00.001-08:00

My son the film major is looking for an internship, any ideas? Either Spring or Summer, Spring would be in SoCal, Summer in SF bay area

2008-11-21T17:04:00.001-08:00

On vacation for 9 days :-) / no probably not going anywhere :-(

2008-11-21T16:00:00.001-08:00

Downloading a podcast directly to my iPhone with 2.2 software. Cool. About time.

2008-11-21T13:04:00.001-08:00

I finished this week's Amateur Traveler on Transylvania this morning, how nice to have a Friday night off

2008-11-21T12:08:00.001-08:00

Today is "World Hello Day"... hello

2008-11-21T12:02:00.001-08:00

Travel to Mexico or Guatemala for free as part of a study on Montezuma's revenge - http://budurl.com/j8j6

2008-11-20T10:39:00.001-08:00

Someone stole this car magnet from my car, http://budurl.com/kpgz I guess they really wanted the URL for the Amateur Traveler

2008-11-19T22:20:00.001-08:00

Created a media kit for the Amateur Traveler, let me know what you think - http://budurl.com/vtcg

2008-11-19T14:35:00.001-08:00

PC Magazine is folding. Have not read it in years but helped put a product on the cover in 1991 (Momenta M1 pentop computer)

2008-11-18T22:10:00.001-08:00

Editing this week's Amateur Traveler on Transylvania

2008-11-17T11:37:00.001-08:00

Waiting for a plumber to fix a broken pipe, apparent Rotto Router managed to write down both the wrong address and phone, not auspicious

2008-11-17T09:32:00.001-08:00

Recorded an episode of Amateur Traveler with Zora O'Neil, co-author of the Rough Guide to Cancun, for publication Dec 6th

2008-11-16T18:47:00.001-08:00

Just RSVPed for my 30 year class reunion - http://budurl.com/eqlt

2008-11-16T18:25:00.001-08:00

Win a Trip to South America from a contest on Wanderlust and Lipstick - http://budurl.com/vgrk

2008-11-15T13:26:00.001-08:00

Mostly done with my Christmas shopping :-)

2008-11-15T12:03:00.001-08:00

I just learned I am going flying tomorrow around the bay area in a small plane, cool. Video will follow.

Traveling to India as a Woman - Amateur Traveler Episode 160

2008-11-15T08:35:00.001-08:00

Episode 160 at Amateur Traveler

The Amateur Traveler talks to Beth Whitman, author of Wanderlust and Lipstick for Women Traveling to India, about the joys and challenges of traveling to India, especially solo travel as a woman. Learn what iconic image Beth has in her house, how she can go to the sub-continent with only the clothes on her back and how to fall in love with India.

Amateur Traveler podcast - the best places to travel

2008-11-15T08:20:00.001-08:00

Traveling to India as a Woman - Episode 160 - http://amateurtraveler.com/2008/11/15/india-as-a-woman-episode-160/

2008-11-14T23:25:00.001-08:00

Outputing this week's Amateur Traveler on traveling to India as a woman, always a relief to have put off podfading one more week

2008-11-14T21:11:00.001-08:00

Amateur Traveler has been nominated for an award at Divine Caroline, please vote for it - http://budurl.com/h6pw

2008-11-14T07:29:00.001-08:00

happy National American Teddy Bear Day

2008-11-10T17:27:00.001-08:00

in Salinas (home town) to see one of my mom's many cousins in town. I have 42 first cousins but she has more.

2008-11-10T12:19:00.001-08:00

OS X Snow Leopard vs. Windows 7 according to the Onion - http://budurl.com/dslf :-)

2008-11-10T09:42:00.001-08:00

Aniakchak National Monument - You Will Probably Never See It - Monument Monday - http://budurl.com/l8ut

2008-11-10T09:41:00.001-08:00

Costa Rica Rain Forrest - Amateur Traveler Video Episode 41 - http://budurl.com/nv9f

2008-11-09T23:08:00.001-08:00

Costa Rica Rain Forrest - Amateur Traveler Video Episode 41 - http://budurl.com/nv9f

2008-11-09T15:38:00.001-08:00

In the pre-show for the Podcast Awards (with no expectation that I will win) http://www.podcastawards.com/

2008-11-09T15:19:00.001-08:00

Wish I had time to get to Corte Madera tonight to hear Vagabonding author Rolf Potts speak http://budurl.com/agw8

San Francisco, California - Amateur Traveler Episode 159

2008-11-08T10:20:00.003-08:00

Episode 159 at Amateur Traveler

The Amateur Traveler talks to Richard Miller of the SparkleTack podcast (about San Francisco history) about San Francisco. Richard guides us in a driving/walking tour from west to east. We start at lands end and end up near fisherman's wharf while talking about the sites and history of many of the places in between. This is a great companion episode with the 2 part soundseeing walking tour of San Francisco.

Amateur Traveler podcast - the best places to travel

2008-11-08T10:20:00.001-08:00

San Francisco, California - Amateur Traveler Episode 159 - http://budurl.com/29tn

2008-11-07T14:45:00.001-08:00

Just had lunch with a friend from 3rd grade though high school that I had not seen in 19 years (Mary Lou), what a cool thing facebook can be

2008-11-07T09:06:00.001-08:00

Picture of Myself - Photo Friday - http://budurl.com/x65s

2008-11-06T15:21:00.001-08:00

New logo idea for the Amateur Traveler podcast - http://budurl.com/dugy, what do you think? Too similar? Too different?

2008-11-06T07:07:00.001-08:00

Last day to vote for your favorite podcasts at http://PodcastAwards.com (don't forget the Amateur Traveler)

2008-11-04T17:41:00.001-08:00

My prediction is that we will know Obama is president by the time the polls close in California at 8pm PT.

2008-11-04T17:12:00.001-08:00

Glued to CNN, this is the part of the campaign that I find facinating

2008-11-04T14:16:00.001-08:00

Just think, tomorrow at this time... we start the 2012 presidential campaign

2008-11-04T08:41:00.001-08:00

It is "National Use Your Common Sense Day", seems like a good thing to use on election day (Also "National Chicken Lady Day", say what?)

2008-11-03T11:07:00.001-08:00

Seems to have been some problem with the iTunes version of Amateur Traveler #158 on Zimbabwe this weekend, re-download now to get the fix

2008-11-03T09:02:00.001-08:00

Lower Antelope (Slot) Canyon - Monument Monday - http://budurl.com/gnl4

2008-11-03T09:01:00.001-08:00

Travel News - Germany Rejects Scanners, UNESCO list grows, Travel Trends, United door to door luggage delivery, etc - http://budurl.com/prym

2008-11-02T08:18:00.001-08:00

Only a few more days to vote (every day) for your favorite podcasts (like the Amateur Traveler) for a podcast award - http://budurl.com/ddtp

2008-11-01T18:17:00.001-07:00

Finished listening to the "12 Byzantine Rulers" podcast series (17 parts), a must hear for all history buffs - http://budurl.com/gev2

2008-11-01T10:03:00.001-07:00

My wife just read that there are fewer heart attacks this week that we change the clocks back and more in the Spring when we turn them ahead