Hey come on everyone and write something. I just returned from two months in Mexico and would like to hear some other takes. I was traveling alone with my black Lab in a pickup and camping but am thinking of flying in and traveling by bus next time as I don`t like to drive in the big cities.
Ran into a couple of backpackers from time to time but didn`t talk with them.
I know that anyone who has traveled at all in Mexico has some stories and there are lots of us who would like to hear them

Yeah! That´s what I´m talk´n about! EVERYONE that visits these boards should at least write ONE thing! How hard can that be?

AG,
That´s pretty brave of you to be driving through Mexico, solo, in a pickup! I´ve heard some horror stories about people doing that. I´ve only been through Tijuana a few times, Rosarito, and Mazatlan. TJ was dirty and makes you definitely feel like you´re in the arm-pit of Mexico. It´s good for a day, and on the weekends at night there are lots of students from San Diego between the ages of 18-21 because of the "18 and over" drinking law.

Rosarito on the beach was much better and the seafood(lobster) was excellent and cheap!

Then there´s Mazatlan. It´s like Anaheim, California on the beach. Very touristy, but most of the people that I spoke with were from California or Seattle, Wa. Both of my home places! The problem is, I wanted to meet people from other states, or countries. If thats what you want, don´t go there. I should have known better. Although it´s a popular resort, it´s not the kind of place for backpackers. My opinion.

Thanks for your help! B)

Yeah! That´s what I´m talk´n about! EVERYONE that visits these boards should at least write ONE thing! How hard can that be?

hehe Don't worry that day will come soon..Do you advertise this site at all? How do people find it? word of mouth? I think I saw a link for it on lonely planet.

i found it from yahoo.co.uk's link to travel ---> backpacking. it sounded cool, and turned out to be a great site!

crion

So are you getting paid to do this or is this just something you want to do? I must be the laziest person in the whole world because I can't imagine maintaining a site like this just for fun. damn it..I have my social life to maintain!! And how the heck do you learn to make a site like this (links, priority rankings etc..) Are you reading Building websites for dummies? or does this all come naturally for you.

As for contests. I would love to see all the male members submit pictures with their shirts off. And then I could be the judge on who the hottest member is. I have no clue how this would be beneficial for your site, but it would sure entertain me! And seriously don't you want your members to me happy!? :P

Great idea, but can topless photos of girl members is where it's at ;) !
Hey, I'm the webmaster so I command you to be the first one to send a photo in :P ! hahaha

Seriously, If anyone wants to send photos travel photos, crazy member pics, TOPLESS photos (in good taste of course) :blink: , etc... I'll post them! I don't care if you took pictures of yourself holding up signs that say "travelpunk.com sucks" "travelpunk.com rocks" "I hate travelpunk.com" etc...send them in :D !

As for learning how to build a site. There are programs that are very easy for anyone to learn how to build one such as Microsoft Frontpage(most popular) and Dreamweaver. There probably is a "Frontpage for dummies" that I'm sure would be easy to understand and quite helpful.
Learning how to do build and operate a website like this has been one of the best investments of time for me. It did not come natural for me and I couldn't do squat online aside from AOL chat before I learned how to do it. I am trying to build a huge database of insightful resources where budget travelers can be informed and get the help they need on all aspects of travel. I am partnered with a few companies that offer kickbacks for referrals. Enough to pay for hosting and what little advertising (yahoo, etc) that I had done. As a webmaster, you begin to learn all kinds tips and tricks such a rankings.
Travelpunk.com get anywhere from 300-1,000 visitors daily. the summer months are highest as it is prime backpacking season. In time Travelpunk will be a contender- I guarantee it.
I guess I built this site as payback to the online community that helped me on my first trip. I'm telling you, that first trip impacted me on so many levels.
Also, it's fun meeting people world wide, like my faithful board regulars ;)

A note to my faithful regulars- Thanks for all of your helpful support and online friendship. You guys RAWK(as Voyd would say/spell :lol: Our little community is like having our own little "Cheers" crew online instead of a pub!

I say build one...and they will come!