Travel Tips

The UN was orginally established to uphold the principles outlined below. Since the USA has recently failed to honor these principles , I have taken it on as my personal mission to establish an alternative virtual version of the UN. However, I regret to inform the world that due to both intellectual and financial limitations my virtual UN has stalled somewhat after the initial start-up ceremonal party. In the interest of world proliferation and in the truest spirit of world peace I am currently accepting internship applications - a volunteer position reserved for qualified candidates. Forward CV / Resume to Richmond@virtualtourist.com

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PREAMBLE <original>

WE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS DETERMINED
to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and
to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and

to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and

to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

AND FOR THESE ENDS
to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours, and

to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security, and

to ensure, by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest, and

to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples,

HAVE RESOLVED TO COMBINE OUR EFFORTS TO ACCOMPLISH THESE AIMS
Accordingly, our respective Governments,, have agreed to the present Charter of the United Nations and do hereby establish an international organization to be known as the United Nations.

THE VIKING HAS LANDED

" One small step for man and one GIANT step for VT humankind"

Encinitas parents locked up their children in hopes of protecting them from the wrath of solo invader, Mr. Claus Andersen, aka. The " Biking Viking" also known in VT circles as " cachaseiro".

It was part-i central at the Encinitas 101 ARTIST'S COLONY , but when locals soon realized that Claus had been outside his country for some time and was most likely feeling homesick for his Viking ways, it was apparent that something had to be done. So in the true spirit of VT camaraderie, Claus was offered-up full Viking regalia, which once properly dressed helped carry him back to the warmth of his more familiar everyday Danish culture.

After some grazing , imbibing and much chitchat, there was the serious business of presentating an " Official Award of Recognition" issued by the Mayor of Carlsbad, who in his absence was represented by municipal employee and VT extraordinaire, William Richmond. Acknowledged was Claus' s exemplary service as a volunteer who took time from his travels to help fight the devastating fires of San Diego County. His actions were highly appreciated and serve as an inspirational example to others of higher world traveler values.

The reception was followed by dinner at an exquisite local French bistro complete with more socializing and worldly philosophizing ( i.e. drinks were really kicking-in by then ).

The late evening was topped off by attending a dive bar 'indie fest' , at which time Claus had to be held back from diving headfirst into the " "mosh pit" during an especially awe inspiring punk rock performance.

CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION presented to Claus Andersen

"In recongnition of the exemploary true spirit of worldwide goodwill he recently demonstrated by serving as a volunteer to help fight the devastating San Diego County wildfire in October 2003. A world adventure bike traveler from Denmark and a distinguished member in good standing of the Virtualtourist and Travellers Guild of Denmark, Mr. Claus recongixed the importance of helping others and selflessly took a break from his epic cycling trip and provided desperately needed firefighting assistance. Mr. Andersen is to commended for his actions and the people of San Diego County will be forever grateful for his thoughtful act of compassion. ....... signed by the honorable Mayor of Carlsbad , Budy Lewis , November 15 , 2003.

DENMARK MAN HAS VIRTUAL CONNECTIONS
Web site offers travelers information, advice and a chance to make new friends

By Lisa Kovach
"COAST NEWS" Staff Writer

CARLSBAD – Through the use of modern technology, Claus Andersen, a native of Denmark, has been able to meet people from all over the world.
As a member of virtual tourist, or VT, a Web site service offering travelers insight on tourist locations, traveling tips and an instant connection with community members, Andersen was able to use the Web site to find fellow members when he arrived in the San Diego area in late October.
Named by Time Magazine as one of the three top travel forum sites, www.virtualtourist.com offers members free use of travel tips and timely information from fellow travelers who might still be on the road.
“Information is absolutely critical to the world traveler,” said Bill Richmond, Dove library employee and fellow VT member. “VT is a cleverly designed, free Web site that is a fantastic source of up-to-the-minute information and advice for the independent traveler. Because of the immediacy of the information and the ability to keep in touch with others via e-mail anywhere in the world, it is an ideal travel resource.”
Virtualtourist.com originally was meant to solely provide free information to travelers. Now it has evolved into a Web site where members have become friends.
“It personally brings to us something that wasn’t there before,” said Tilman Reissfelder, founder and chief technology officer of VT. “If you tried to find anyone at a place you were going to, it was pretty much impossible. Now you can. It just took off on its own. That’s pretty unique.”
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Richmond, a three-year member of VT, met Andersen after seeing his postings on the Web site.
“When I logged onto the Virtual Tourist Web site I noticed that Claus was biking down the 101 from Oregon and was going to camp in Carlsbad on his way to Ocean Beach,” Richmond said. “Since he posted the day he was going to be at the campground, I stopped by after work and welcomed him to the community.”
Richmond not only helped welcome him to the community, but also helped set up a VT meeting where Claus was able to meet other fellow VT members.
“I have found VT to be the best travel site on the Web, because it helps me to connect with people in the areas I intend to visit. For me, meeting the locals in the areas I visit is very important,” Andersen said. “I have met lots of people through VT and have formed some very strong friendships. Quite a few people actually got married after meeting on VT – not me though – at least not yet.”
Right now, VT has more than 400,000 members, many like Andersen who are looking to meet up with locals and truly experience the community they are visiting.
“One of the most important things is the instant connection and the trust between fellow travelers,” said Reissfelder.
That instant connection has led many members including Andersen to really get involved with the community.
While visiting the San Diego area, Andersen was staying in Ocean Beach and became landlocked because of the local wildfires.
He decided to volunteer to help fight the fires, truly making his experience memorable.
“I was getting a bit stuck on my bike trip because of the fires. The air was just too bad to keep moving. I’m not the type that enjoys sitting in front of the TV and watching what is going on in the world. I would rather be out there,” Andersen said. “I thought that if I could be of any help it would just be a bonus. I have received so much help from strangers around the world in my years of traveling that it’s only nice to be able to give something back.”
Mayor Bud Lewis of Carlsbad presented Andersen with an Award of Recognition for his service to the community as a volunteer firefighter.
Andersen was presented with the award at the VT meeting held in his honor at the 101 Artists’ Colony in Encinitas on Nov. 15. Andersen has been traveling and working abroad since he was 18 years old. He has traveled the Amazon by cargo boat, cycled through the Middle East, hiked through Cape Verde and mountain biked through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.
Traveling is something that allows him to see the world and live at his own pace.
“I enjoy the freedom you have when you are on the road by yourself with minimum commitment,” he said. Andersen said he also enjoys “the chance to meet people from around the world and the nice feeling that I am getting wiser and wiser about the world.”
Andersen’s visit to San Diego was his first, and he said it was a place he was glad he had the opportunity to see.
“I think that Southern California is a very interesting area to explore, especially because it’s a nice place that you hear so much about in the news, the movies, etc.,” Andersen said. “It’s nice to see what it’s like in real life.”
Like Andersen, fellow VT member Richmond said traveling allows him to really discover himself.
“Travel is not only a way of seeing and experiencing the world, it’s also an opportunity to broaden your own perceptions, insights and appreciations,” Richmond said. “It makes life more meaningful in the truest sense and it’s a way to discover yourself in the process.”