Posted by: travelthewellknownsecret | August 8, 2011

BOOK SIGNING for Travel: The Well-Known Secret

Hello everyone,

It is that time again! Summer is almost over and I want to take advantage of having lots of friends, family and fellow Class of 1991 graduates in town. I am having another book signing at MULLIGAN’S in Cheboygan on August 12th from 7pm to 9pm in the backroom.

I will be there to sign books you have already purchased, and of course sell books to those of you who have NOT bought your copy yet! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?????

Of course, if you can’t make it, let this be a reminder that you can always pick up a copy from Johnson’s Home Decorating Center (those are already signed) and Johnson’s Studio, RUSTY ANCHOR and MULLIGANS. Logmark Bookstore of Cheboygan and Saturn Booksellers of Gaylord are gracious enough to be selling copies of my book for me!

Also on-line at www.amazon.com

www.barnesandnoble.com
www.authorhouse.com

Book sales have been going well, minus the ONE stolen from Rusty Anchor last week :) ONE WORD: KARMA :)
I am loving all of your feedback, please remember if you have bought the book, love it and want to REALLY help me out…tell a friend, tell ALL of your friends and if you have an AMAZON account (even if you didnt get the book from there) you can DO A REVIEW and help my ranking so it is suggested to more readers!

Thanks again for all of you who have shown me support on this venture!

PS- I am always available for speaking engagements…have been getting my feet wet at school summer camps and will soon be speaking at a few other events this FALL…

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Posted by: travelthewellknownsecret | July 22, 2011

Travel: The Well-Known Secret is NOW for sale!

Hello everyone,

Wow, the day has finally come! I am a “published author!” Even as it is happening it all seems UNreal. I am sure once I return to Cheboygan, Michigan and start speaking to people who have read my book, it will all sink in.

Progress Report: The book is for sale on www.amazon.com www.barnesandnoble.com www.authorhouse.comActually just click on this link and it will take you right to the Athourhouse Bookstore and my book!

All 3 sites are offering the book in paperback and hardcover versions, and Authorhouse.com is offering my book in the eBook format (PDF) only at this moment! I am hoping that Amazon and Barnes will be uploading my book into Kindle and Nook formats very soon, so if this is how you LOVE TO READ, hang in there, just a few more weeks and MY book will be available in those formats.
I will send an update once the formats are live!

If you are in Cheboygan (or near us) My parents are happliy selling the paperback version of my book at their store: Johnson’s Home Decorating Center and my aunt and uncle are selling it at Johnson’s Studio & Camera Shop on Main Street

I have to say, I could write a book about “self-publishing” by now, with all I have been through in this process (and MANY have) but I am hoping as the word keeps spreading and more people buy and read my book, that the stress, timelines and mishaps will all just fade away.

I have been very blessed to have seen as much of the world as I have, and now even more blessed to be able to put it together in a BOOK and share it with my friends/family. I believe Travel is the answer to many of life’s questions, at least it was for ALL of mine.

Hope you will grab a copy of my book and read about the crazy, fun adventures I have had all over the world! ENJOY!

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Posted by: travelthewellknownsecret | July 13, 2011

SLOW & STEADY SELLS MORE BOOKS!!!!

Hello from Cheboygan!

I am home and back to work at Rusty Anchor a few nights a week! Enjoying the summer, my family and working hard to promote my book! I am still quite a ways from the break-even point, but am selling a book or two everyday! Makes me smile that people are supporting me and I am getting great feedback!

I have a few weeks to focus on the restaurant work (still selling a few books to my customers) but will hopefully attend a few local events like Concert in the Park on Thursday’s and our local RIVERFEST- the third week in August!

My 20 year reunion is Aug 13th- hard to beleive it has been 20 years! Some of my classmates already have their copies, but I am hoping to sell a few more to those coming to town!

If you have not gotten your copy yet, please do! And be sure to send me a note, email, FB, TWEET as to what you think of it!

www.amazon.com

www.barnesandnoble.com

www.authorhouse.com

Just search for Travel: The Well-Known Secret!

More travel pictures at www.mindisue.smugmug.com

Thanks again for all of your support!

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Posted by: travelthewellknownsecret | June 27, 2011

Book Signing for Travel: The Well-Known Secret

Would love to see everyone at MULLIGAN’S in CHEBOYGAN at 7pm on JUNE 30th
I will be in the back room signing books. Light refreshments will be served. Looking forward to seeing you all there.

If you can not make the event on Thursday, I will be at Johnson’s Studio & Camera Shop after the 4th of July Parade on Monday to sign/sell more books!

If you are not in the Cheboygan area, you can get your copy of my book Travel: The Well-Known Secret at

www.amazon.com
www.barnesandnoble.com
www.authorhouse.com

KINDLE/NOOK/PDF versions are available along with paperback and hardcover!

NOTE: Amazon is listing my Hardcover version as “Out of Stock” but you can still order it and they will “Print on Demand” and ship when it is ready!

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Posted in publishing, Shopping, Travel

Posted by: travelthewellknownsecret | June 6, 2011

TRAVEL: The Well-Known Secret Press Release

Hello everyone! Just wanted to share the Press release that I am using to promote the book on my friend’s recruitment website in the UK. YUMMY JOBS His audience is mainly students and candidates that are looking for working and learning expereinces overseas. Thought it a good match for his travelers to check out my travel-related book :)

*******************************************
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mindi S Johnson-Eluwole announces the release of her new book:
Travel: The Well-Known Secret

Do you want to travel the world? See new places? Experience adventure sports around the globe? I’ll let you in on a little secret… You can travel, too! Hear amazing stories of one backpacker who did just that!

Yummy Jobs Website and Blog – Mindi is pleased to announce the release of her new book and is promoting it with the help of Yummy Jobs website so all of you can have the chance to purchase a copy and at the same time support a wonderful charity chosen by the Yummy Jobs team. A portion of each book sale will be donated in honor of Yummy Jobs and the wonderful candidates they represent.

The book has been available for a little over a month now and comments are flying in about the book! Friends and family who have read the book have said it is similar to reading Eat, Pray, Love and Honeymoon with my Brother. If you are someone that gets excited about the prospects of traveling, backpacking or even just a short holiday away, this book is for you! You will hear funny stories of situations that went well and many that, well, didn’t!

Mindi shares with you a few life lessons she has learned from interacting with many different people and cultures around the world! She has an interesting take on “travel karma” and shares her best travel hints and rituals with you throughout the book. The book is a compilation of many short stories, perfect for busy students, travelers and those who can only steal away a few minutes of reading at a time.

If you have been contemplating taking a “big step” out into the traveling world, or have even just wanted to learn a different mode of travel, Mindi’s book will set you off in the right direction, while supplying a few laughs along the way. Get your copy of Travel: The Well- Known Secret today!

You can get your copy on the following sites:

www.amazon.com in Kindle, paperback or hardcover formats

www.barnesandnoble.com in Nook, paperback or hardcover

www.authorhouse.com/bookstore in PDF, paperback or hardcover formats

About the Author
Mindi S. Johnson-Eluwole was just like everyone else, until one day she sold her house, sold her car, and gave away her worldly belongings to fulfill her life’s dream to backpack around the world. Seven years and 117 countries later, she is ready to share the “secret” of travel with you! She will take you through a series of humorous travel stories and help to prepare you for what you can expect in the crazy world of backpacking. Follow her on her amazing adventures and get ready to learn how you can do it, too!

For more information about Travel: The Well-Known Secret, please visit www.travelthewellknownsecret.wordpress.com or contact Mindi S. Johnson- Eluwole via email at minditravels@yahoo.com or on Facebook and Twitter @minditravels.
###

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Posted by: travelthewellknownsecret | May 21, 2011

A NOTE TO READERS:

From my newly released book Travel: The Well-Known Secret by Mindi S. Johnson-Eluwole

A Note to Readers,

I am not sure what qualifies me to write this book. Could it be my 37 years of life, or the fact that I have visited over 100 countries? Perhaps it’s my 24 years of writing in a journal that made it possible? Or is it the lack of ambition to get back into the “corporate” world that has pushed me towards this new adventure? When I tell people that I have spent the better part of the last eight years outside of the United States, backpacking, the same questions always arise: You travel alone? Is it safe? Do you ever feel scared? What are youth hostels? What do you pack? How do you plan your trips? How do you get around? How can you afford it? No one else goes with you? You only bring one bag? How many pairs of shoes? What about the language? What do you eat? How do you know where to go? What is your favorite country? After I answer all of those questions, I always hear, “Wow! You should write a book!” So in April of 2009, as I landed in Bali, Indonesia and met my goal of 100 countries, I thought it wise to finally get this project underway!

I am writing to future travelers in the hopes that I inspire you to get out there and travel a little yourself. I have written this book with you in mind. If this type of travel is not your thing, then my wish is to be an inspiration for you to live your life’s dream, whatever that may be. I do believe, however, that the most valuable lessons about life can be learned through travel.

I am sure that current travelers (at any level) will get the most out of my crazy stories. I hope you can reminisce and/or get ideas for future trips.
Mostly I have written this book for my friends and family so they can see how I live “on the road,” and also for me to have a complete compilation of my stories (well, almost complete). I have written this book at the PG-13 level; maybe someday I will be brave and write a second one with a few more of my scandalous stories – under a pen name of course!

In the interest of ease and functionality, I have divided the book into sections covering specific travel-related topics. I love to read short stories and thought it would be nice to give you a chance to read about any or all of my adventures in the order in which you are interested in reading them. So I apologize if I seem to skip around a lot. After this many years traveling I am surprised I even remember everywhere I have been!
I have had so much fun reliving these experiences for you. I hope you enjoy my stories and if you take only one thing away from this book, I hope it is this: by traveling the world, you will be able to better see how amazing your own life is, and how fortunate we are here in America. Please don’t misuse our freedoms.

“No matter what happens, travel gives you a story to tell.”
• Jewish Proverb

And here is mine…please enjoy my take on the world!

TO PURCHASE MY BOOK:
www.amazon.com

www.barnesandnoble.com

www.authorhouse.com Go to BOOKSTORE and SEARCH TITLE: Travel: The Well-Known Secret

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Posted by: travelthewellknownsecret | May 14, 2011

Travel: The Well-Known Secret is NOW available for sale!

Hello Everyone!

WOW! The time has finally arrived! I am a “published author!” It still feels UNreal! I am sure once I return home next month to Cheboygan, Michigan and start bumping into people that have bought and read my book it will all seem more real!

My book is now available on 3 different sites: Amazon, Barnes and Noble and AuthorHouse! Actually, just click the link below and it will take you directly to the AuthorHouse Bookstore and MY BOOK!

www.amazon.com
www.barnesandnoble.com

All three sites are offering my book in paperback and hardcover versions. If you are looking for eBook format, Authorhouse is currently offering only in PDF format, but they are in the process of formatting to fit Kindle, Nook and many more! I have been told that it should be about another week or so and then you will be able to download the book in your FAVORITE eBook format (I will keep you posted, I promise)

If you are in the Cheboygan area, my parents are happily selling the paperback verison at their store Johnson’s Home Decorating Center and my aunt and uncle are selling copies at Johnson’s Studio & Camera Shop on Main Street!

I have been very blessed to have seen this much of the world, and now I am blessed once again to be able to put together all of my experiences into a BOOK and share with my friends/family! I truly believe that life’s answers can be found while traveling the world, I know it has helped me to answer ALL of mine!

I hope you will enjoy my crazy, fun adventures and will share with others.

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Posted in Adventure Sports, Animals, Beaches, HOLIDAYS, Marriage, Massages, publishing, Shopping, Travel, Uncategorized

Posted by: travelthewellknownsecret | May 7, 2011

A Sneak Preview of my BOOK COVER!

Just wanted to share the image of my book cover. I am getting so excited for it’s release. I am hoping to share the link to purchase in about 7-10 days! So be on the lookout!

Thanks again for all of you who have shared my link with others to get the word out. Selling a book is not an individual project, it takes all of you to help me be successful, and I appreciate it!

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Posted by: travelthewellknownsecret | May 5, 2011

Syrian Shop Owner

Syrian Shop Owner
I visited Syria while on a 35 day Middle East Explorer trip during the second Bush Administration. I feel this is necessary to explain as during this time tensions were (and still are) high in the Middle-East towards the Western world, namely America. Bush had said some pretty horrible things about the Syrians and their government. I was a bit worried about securing my travel visa at the border. There was only one other American on tour, Christa, and she was one of the guides, so she had arranged for her Syrian visa in advance.
I was hoping that the promise from Lonely Planet of getting get my stamp at the border would hold true. The group was given the visa application paperwork in advance so we could fill it out and make a timely crossing. That happened for everyone, everyone except me! First of all, we all had to be searched and questioned. They separated the women from the men. We were a bit nervous about that. It is just nice to have a safe male presence in case things get out of hand. I was traveling alone, but some of the women were very upset to be separated from their partners.
It turned out the only reason we were separated was for religious purposes. In the Muslim culture the women are not able to show their face or hair to men other than their husbands. This room was for security checks and passport validation. They had to be able to see the women’s faces to match to the ID’s. Also, the body check had to be performed by a female.
Crazy situation averted! We hoped now this would be the end of the border business and we would be sent on our way. Well the rest of the crew was stamped and passed through but they made me stay and fill out more paperwork because I was American. Thanks, George! The border crossing only took three and a half hours in the end, not too bad. I did apologize to a few of the border officials on the behalf of our “leader.”
We arrived in Damascus and the thing to do there was shop. During the visits to the Souks (very large shopping areas) we would hear men yelling out to us, “Hello, where are you from?” “Australia? Sydney? Melbourne? G’day Mate,” or they would try, “You are from Canada, eh?” I was nervous to tell people I was from America. It is always an internal struggle deciding whether to hide where I am from enough to be safe, but not hide it enough to feel like I am not proud to be from America. Some Americans go so far as to sew a Canadian maple leaf patch on their bag. In my opinion that is a bit unnecessary. We don’t have to be as patriotic as Uncle Sam, but we should be able to defend our Nation, or at least ourselves. Many times, however, I was with an Australian, so when they guessed we were from Australia I just went with it.
I was in a little shop on the outside of the Souk and was looking at this shop owner’s goods. We started chatting and he asked me where I was from. I almost said Canada, but looked in his eyes and said, “America!” “Welcome to my country, are you enjoying it?” I remember thinking that so many people have said that exact phrase to me – hundreds of people, actually and it never felt more sincere than at that moment. He then told me that he was very happy I did not tell a little lie like many other Americans tell him, that they are from Canada. I explained that it is not that I am ashamed to be American; it is just that my president says and does many things that I do not agree with. His response was perfect, and one I have thought about a lot on my travels: “I am not my government, and you are not your government, we are just people trying to make it in this world.” I couldn’t have said it any better myself.

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Posted by: travelthewellknownsecret | April 9, 2011

I am a better traveler than you!

I spend a lot of time thinking about other travelers and their travel styles. I have met people who were riding a bike around the world, or volunteering, or even strictly camping in a tent and think that maybe my way is not as hardcore as I thought. I want to make the point that you should not apologize for your style or make excuses. Everyone is unique and therefore should have an individual travel style.
My style is always evolving. I started as a “newbie” and very green in Western Europe, then transitioned to “hardcore” in Eastern Europe and Africa, and then to “old pro” in Central and South America, and now to my current state of “slack packer” in South East Asia and India. I went back a little “hardcore” with my last trip from Morocco to Nigeria, and booked the overland camping tour. Not really that bad since I had done a few other overland tours before, but still not cushy hotel travel! I then adapted the “holiday mode” for my Honeymoon with Femi around Malaysia. We still utilized long-haul buses, but once we got to our resort, we joined the land of “package tours” and “All-Inclusive.” Gotta mix it up a bit, right?
It is very possible to change styles throughout one trip. I try to change it up with group travel and solo travel, and when I feel brave I might even travel with friends. This always sounds like the best option, but it is similar to the advice you might receive when you start your freshman year in university: don’t be roommates with your best friend – sometimes a little space is good!
Other travelers are serious about their “travel style” and sometimes feel the need to tell me how I should travel. Almost like they are saying “I am a better traveler than you!” The most common comparison is between Tourist and Traveler. Originally, I had planned to define the difference between being a traveler or a tourist because it is a real debate on the road, but with all of my recent reading, it seems as if everyone has taken a stab at it, even as far back as Mark Twain. Although, I think Rolf Potts’ Vagabonding says it best: “Just keep it real.” So, whatever real is for you is the best answer. I hope that we, the travelers of the world (by that I mean those who leave home to go somewhere else) never define it in writing. Isn’t that the point, to define it for yourself?
Another popular debate is “to guidebook or not to guidebook?” I am a fan of Lonely Planet. I am not much of a planner, so it is comforting to know that I have the “Getting There and Away” section to help me plan my route as I go. I love using the local maps and the language section to assist me in each country. I do agree that you have to take it with a grain of salt and realize that just because the restaurant or hostel is listed in the guidebook, doesn’t mean it is the best option, but rather an opinion. I have heard other travelers calling it “Lonely Liar,” because many times the edition you are carrying is outdated and even in some of the most underdeveloped areas of the world, the tourism trail develops quickly and information changes.
When comparing travel styles with other travelers the concept of “admin days” is discussed. I classify any day that I spend most of it doing laundry, sending emails and uploading photos to my website as an admin day. I used to think of them as wasted touring days, but now I have come to realize that this time is needed to regroup, catch up, and connect to the rest of the world! My only advice here is not to spend a large amount of time in internet cafes and on Facebook. I was not a Twitterer, Blogger, or a Facebooker until this year. I had to finally cave, not because of the social pressure, but because I really wanted to sell my upcoming book! (Travel: The Well-Known Secret)So, I guess I can’t “Just Say NO to Facebook” anymore! However, I still believe that if you connect with me enough to exchange personal details, then it should be just that, a personal interaction. I would appreciate the opportunity to receive an individual email not just a post on my wall. I have heard so many other travelers talking about Facebook and comparing how many friends they have, and I notice them spending half their time updating their status rather than actually getting out there and doing things. Or worse yet, checking on what everyone else “at home” is doing. Isn’t that part of the reason we travel? To be out on the road exploring, not worrying that you are missing something at home?
Of course, this is just my opinion! All I ask is that if you are out there and meet a few unique souls that refuse to be on Facebook, don’t worry about trying to change their mind. I promise the next person you bump into will be more than happy to join your “I want to share my life in a fish bowl” group, no questions asked!
Back in the beginning when I first started traveling, there were very few internet cafes. It reminds me of the people who say they backpacked Europe in the 70’s before there were youth hostels. It is always great to relive the olden days, as well as embrace the changing world, but I think that we are now spending more time in touch with technology than in touch with people and the world. I traveled for years without an MP3 player or iPod and with only playing cards and puzzle books to entertain me on long journeys. I only shared my photos with friends and family on Smug Mug, my personal photo website. I sent group emails to my friends and family every few weeks, only sharing the important details. I have gotten so many group emails from other travelers that share a few too many details about their daily routine. In my opinion, group emails should not be the journal version of events. I don’t care what you had for breakfast unless it was a caterpillar or something culturally freaky.
So, who is really the “best traveler” of them all? The answer is YES! Get out there and travel, see the world, experience different cultures, try different foods and then come home and teach everyone you come across the importance of exploring this amazing planet!

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