Beth Whitman wears many hats as the founder of Wanderlust and Lipstick and WanderTours. She leads small group adventures to off-the-beaten-path destinations, she's the author of the Wanderlust and Lipstick guides for women travelers and the publisher of the Wanderlust and Lipstick website.
She draws upon her nearly 25 years of travel experience to write about travel-related issues as well as to share her favorite gear, music, photos and stories. Read more...
I’ll write more about my brief visit to Haiti next week, but I wanted to add this photo today to show the beauty in these people.
The above photo was taken at the inaugural ceremony of one of the water wells that was funded by Passports with Purpose during our 2012 fundraiser.
The man (and the entire audience) was in stitches watching a performance by residents of this small (300 people) community.
The joy that day was palpable – can’t wait to share more!
Travel Well,
“You totally need to bring that bag with you.” This is Jon’s new mantra every time I go on a trip. It’s not the type of bag he’d use, but he thinks the Ethnotek Wayu bag is so “me” that he seems a bit disappointed if I take a different bag with me on a trip.
First, allow me to tell you a bit about the Ethnotek story. The company, based in Minnesota, manufacturers backpacks, messenger and laptop bags as well as accessories that feature textiles sourced from around the world including some of my favorite destinations: Vietnam, India, and Indonesia. The co-founders work directly with villagers to produce panels (the woven front that Ethnotek calls the THREAD) which can be swapped out so that if you tire of one style (or simply like a change), you can do so without buying an entirely new bag.
Buying directly from the source and working with the villagers means that Ethnotek is not only supporting families and communities in these countries but they are also keeping traditional crafts alive.
The bags themselves are very sturdy, constructed from materials that hold their shape. Most backpacks/laptop bags that I’ve tested tip over when I set them down, or they compress when they aren’t full. Not so with the Ethnotek. The Wayu stands up straight and stays stiff (but still quite pliable) all around.
In the main compartment, the Wayu has a padded sleeve for my laptop and an interior 
zippered pouch – this is where I store a few snacks (mainly protein bars) and my house keys. The front exterior has a zippered pocket that’s roomy enough for several items such as a cell phone, small camera, and a couple of pockets perfect for business cards and pens.
There are also two smallish, zippered side pockets. These are just large enough to hold a small packet of tissues in one pocket and my XShot camera extender in the other.
What I Love
• The story of Ethnotek has really won me over. I’ve met the co-founders and appreciate their love and commitment to working directly with villagers. These guys are dedicated to creating jobs for people in these communities and to helping keep traditional weaving alive.
• The sturdiness and shape of the Wayu and the fact that it sits upright without falling over (even when not full).
• The textile front. My Wayu, with a Vietnames panel, has COLOR and life to it. It really says, “I love to travel!”
Not So Much
• The fact that there are no side panels for a water bottle. I usually carry my own water bottle when I travel and am resistant to keeping it in the same compartment where my laptop is (even if divided by a sleeve). I did inquire about this with the folks at Ethnotek and was told that this was intentional in order to keep the “design lower-profile.” Still – I could live with a bit more girth if it meant I had a holder for my water bottle. If you’re like me, the Raja Pack might be a better option as it does have room for a water bottle.
• There’s no key holder. I love key holders so that I know exactly where to find my house keys when I arrive home from a trip.
• The side pockets unzip in the back. This means I have to take the bag off completely in order to access anything in those pockets.
Even though I’ve named a few issues with this bag (more than I’ve outlined in other reviews), I still really like it. Plus, how can I argue with Jon?
The Wayu is available on the site Ethnotek for about $120.
Travel Well,
Related links:
Sherpani Prima LE bag
Timbuk2 Candybar Backpack
Mountain Khakis Duffel
Briggs & Riley Excursion Backpack
It’s the perfect time to win yourself a Horny Toad Conversion Dress!
Because if you haven’t already, it’s time to do the big closet swap. Packing up the sweaters, winter boots and long-sleeved tops and pulling out the spring and summer-wear. And this Conversion dress will be a lovely item to add.
Here’s the cool thing about the Conversion Dress:
About Horny Toad:
So… wanna win your own?
Throughout May, you can enter to win your very own Conversion Dress from Horny Toad. One 
lucky winner will be chosen on June 1, 2013.
You have TWO CHANCES TO WIN!
1) Sign up for the Wanderlust and Lipstick newsletter. This goes out just once a month and your information is never shared.
2) Sign up for the RSS email feed (see the “subscribe me” box in the upper right) to receive an email each time I post to this blog (usually no more than 3x per week).
Subscribe to both and you’ve got 2 chances to win this month!
Oh, and be a good egg… forward this along to someone whom you think might like to enter to win their very own Conversion Dress from Horny Toad.
Value: $76
This contest closes at 11:59 pm PST on May 31, 2013 and the lucky winner will be chosen on June 1. We can only ship to U.S. addresses (sorry!).
The winner will have 3 days to respond before another winner is chosen.
Good luck!
Travel Well,
© 2013 Beth Whitman. All rights reserved.
