Blog Updates

Hi guys, just a quick note that due to a change in Google policy I have had to migrate my blog from my own server to theirs. For the moment, there are some glitches with the map that I have along the side (hope to figure that out soon!) and probably a few others. If you encounter any errors, please leave me a comment here with what page you were looking at and what the error was so I can try to sort it out. Meanwhile, I'm experimenting with some new features (described below) including a new version of the "Read More" that, if it's any good, may make this page load a LOT faster.

On the plus side, there are a few new features (and hopefully more to come) that go a little way to making up for the headaches Google has put me through. One of them is the "cloud" of labels which you can see on the sidebar. Now it's really easy to go through and look at posts about a variety of topics or more specifically places. Another is a much cleaner version of the archives. So if you want to go back and read old posts it's now nice and neatly stored in an expandable menu which is something I'd been meaning to do for a long time. Oh, and surely you've noticed the Facebook-esque "Reactions". You don't have to login or anything to click your opinion at the bottom of each post. I'm still at a loss as to what appropriate reactions would be. Suggestions welcome. Maybe "Like It" really IS the best way to go.

The final one which I'm not sure about is this Google Friend Connect. If you use gmail, twitter, or other non-Facebook social networking sites I believe this will be useful to you in keeping up to date. I believe. Let me know if you do try it and what your experience is. As of now, nobody has but I'll leave it for a month or so and if nobody's still using it (which is quite likely) then I'll just axe it.

And one new limitation. Google will no longer let me show EVERY post when you click on the topic. Say for example that you choose to view all my posts from the recent Central American leg of my tour. It will show you several but not all. At the very bottom is a link to see "Older Posts" which will bring you to the next batch following the one you're reading. This probably isn't a problem except for those that navigate with the map to areas of countries or continents but then again the map is currently out of order so...

Anyway, thanks for the patience and in advance for error reports, missing photos, etc. And a quick update to let you know that I'm crossing the equator into Quito tomorrow and had a great time here in Otavalo exploring the markets, stocking up on alpaca wool clothing, and hiking through the countryside visiting nearby indigenous towns. It was a great experience and I'm excited to share it with you.

Thanks as always for reading!