ekimondo – the Directory of Responsible Destinations and Traveling

Quebec’s Aboriginal People – Meeting the Wendat: by Inês Lopes

Written by ines July 02th

Here is the first entry for this series entitled “Quebec’s Aboriginal People”. Today, we will be meeting the Wendat. First, a very brief presentation of this nation, its history and culture. Then, we invite you to go visit this nation, while respecting its culture, environment and values.

Photo credit: Inês Lopes Read more.

Remembrance Tourism - So they won’t be forgotten :: by Inês Lopes

Written by ines June 18th

When memory fades, when, as a fragile cliff pounded by both the sea and time, it starts to have entire walls crumble into the abyss of loss, it is time to gather everything that remains, afterwards it shall will be too late.
(Free translation from Vercors’s book La bataille du silence)

Photo credit: Jean-Simon Chartier (Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum)

Read more.

External or Internal Quests:
Jerry Hannan’s song Society sung by Eddie Vedder :: by Inês Lopes

Written by ines June 11th

In this “Singin’ and Trippin’ ” series: we travel with the song Society. First, if you still haven’t seen the movie Into the Wild… I do encourage you to do so.  Based on a true story, this movie directed by Sean Penn presents the story of Christopher Johnson McCandless. It’s a movie that goes through a wide variety of emotions. But it is not the movie I will be talking about here, but rather the song Society, written by Jerry Hannan and sung by Eddie Vedder (if the name doesn’t ring a bell: Pearl Jam’s singer) in the movie.

 Photo credit: Inês Lopes

Read more.

Two Chords for One Horse with No Name:
Travelling to America’s Hit :: by Inês Lopes

Written by ines June 04th

Two now famous chords. A Horse with No Name, previously titled “Desert song” is America’s greatest hit.  It is also one of the only songs that I’m able to play at guitar (and the fact that it only has two chords is only a coincidence!).  Here is the song “A Horse with No Name”, as part of this series titled “Singin’ and Trippin’ “.

 Photo credit: Julien Avon

Read more.

Road Trippin’ (and still singin’):
Trippin’ with Red Hot Chili Peppers’s Song :: by Inês Lopes

Written by ines May 28th

OK, I don’t know whether the Red Hot Chilli Peppers travel responsibly or not… but their song Road Trippin’ certainly evokes travelling.  Let’s then look at road trips through their “Road Trippin’” song, in this series titled “Singin’ and Trippin’”.

 Photo credit: Julien Avon

Read more.

Following Enya’s Sails:
Orinoco Flow by Enya :: by Inês Lopes

Written by ines May 21th

Today, we follow Enya’s sails as she brings us to numerous destinations.  Are they all responsible ones, hmmm?  I guess it all depends on how we travel.  It is through the song “Orinoco Flow” that we will travel today, in this “Singin’ and Trippin’” series.

Photo credit: Inês Lopes

Read more.

Mining, Tourism and the Amazon :: by Kepri

Written by Kepri May 20th

An interview between Alyson Rodriguez, Peru CO (Creative Organizer) and ekimondo.

QUESTION: How has mining had an impact on the Amazon in Peru?

Mining was one of the main sources of labour in Peru when it was introduced by the Spanish.  Today, mining projects represent some of the largest investments in the country. Mining companies that are extracting different valuables from the mineral-rich Peruvian ground have to respect local environmental norms, invest in education and health, as pay high levels of corporate taxes. As there are many companies that follow the legal outlines mentioned, many do not. Read more.

Next trip: Hawaii’s natural beauty or a parking lot?
Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell :: by Inês Lopes

Written by ines May 08th

If you had the choice, on your next trip, would you rather go immerse yourself in Hawaii’s natural beauty or to a parking lot?  No no, go ahead, take some time to reflect, I know it’s a big dilemma.

Photo credit: Julien Avon

Read more.

Zoom in on the Outdoors - UQAM’s Outdoors Network’s Photo Contest :: by Inês Lopes

Written by ines May 01th

In this series “Travelling through photography”, this week: a students’ initiative.  It is thus UQAM’s (University of Quebec in Montreal) Outdoors Network’s turn to present us the winners of its photo contest.

 Photo credit: Marc-André Nadeau

Read more.

Zoom in on Nature Conservancy:
Photos which received an Honourable Mention at The Nature Conservancy’s Photo Contest

Written by ines April 30th

Last week, my blog showcased 5 photos among the finalists at the Nature Conservancy’s 3rd annual photo contest. This week, here are 5 more that, although they didn’t make the final list, nonetheless received honourable mentions. Once again, they remind us of all of the natural beauty that we need to conserve.

White Sands National Monument, New Mexico, USA (Photo credit : Allen Maestas, Corrales, USA)

Read more.