Hey Let's Go fans! We're in the business of connecting travelers to all the information they could possibly need to enjoy themselves while abroad. To that end, we've partnered with with our fellow travel bloggers at Pause the Moment.

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In recent decades, many parts of the world have become more accommodating to GLBT travel. In the Western Hemisphere, Canada, Mexico, and Argentina now all permit gay unions and host flourishing GLBT communities. Larger cities in these countries, like Buenos Aires and Montreal, often have GLBT-client based hotels, nightlife scenes, special events, and trips. Similarly in the Eastern Hemisphere, many Western European countries, including Sweden, Spain, and Iceland, have legalized gay unions. In fact despite varying statuses on the legalization of same-sex unions, many Western European countries have worked to develop GLBT resources, venues, and events. Madrid, Spain hosts an annual gay pride parade to raise awareness of gay rights and pride. Several cities, like Antwerp, Belgium, have annual GLBT sports tournaments, and Zurich, Switzerland hosts ski weeks for GLBT travelers. Many of these cities, like Paris and its fourth Arrondissement Marais, have GLBT-centered neighborhoods that are home to GLBT communities, bars, cafes, and shops.

Although Central and Eastern Europe lag behind Western Europe overall, select cities do much to accommodate GLBT travelers. Berlin, Germany is home to a vibrant GLBT community and provides an inviting space both as a home and as a travel venue. With GLBT-specific hostels and hotels and events like parades and party weeks, Berlin has become a hotspot for GLBT travel. Berlin publicizes many of its events with GLBT-specific newspapers with events and happenings in the city, and provides support hotlines in case of emergency. Prague, Czech Republic, allows same-sex partnerships and has many of the same kind of GLBT-based events and venues as Berlin other European cities. Budapest, Hungary is also known for being relatively GLBT friendly with gay bars and other venues.

Despite the increasing acceptance of GLBT travelers and members of the community, caution should still be taken when traveling. Even in the most accepting cities, some neighborhoods are not as welcoming as others. Also, many countries have yet to readily accept GLBT life and culture into their communities. In contrast to Europe, Middle Eastern countries like Morocco lack GLBT-specific clubs or venues despite increases in modernism and tourism. Many cities in the United States and Latin American countries also lack public GLBT events and meeting places. Some Asian countries, like Thailand and Japan, work with their GLBT communities without actively accepting them, while other countries have more underground GLBT scenes due to lack of government and community support. However, many of these places are still quite safe to travel in. Even with ranging support for the GLBT community across the globe, acceptance and the rise of GLBT travel opportunities is generally upward.

It's my last post for the summer and I'm sure you are all going to miss them (all meaning probably my mom and maybe, just maybe, one friend).

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I met a guy in Prague today who does not actually exist. Well, I didn't actually meet him, but rather learned about him from a painter sitting on the steps of a theater named in the man's honor (the theatre does, in fact, exist). The painter called this man in endearing broken English, the "non-existing guy." The "person" I am talking about is a character named Jára Cimrman, and while he might not exist by the laws governed by the material universe, he does exist in the hearts, minds, and culture of the Czech people. This fictional man is the brainchild of Ladislav Smoljak and Zdenek Sverak, two Czech artists who on December 23, 1966 changed Czech pop culture forever with the debut of Cimrman on a radio program called "The Spider Non-Alcoholic Wine Bar." Cimrman is meant to personify all that is ironic, hilarious, and sad in Czech history and culture and has become a fabricated national hero. He was even awarded "The Greatest Czech in History" prize in 2005 by Czech Television, which was later revoked by said television company because they realized that the award should go to real people, pshh. The theater in his name resides in Prague's Zizkov district and is perhaps the single most frequented theatre in the country—in fact, tickets are not available online and people actually post ads to hire other people to stand in line for them at the ticket counter at 2am the morning before a show. Now that I've whet your appetite like a seductress tease, I must break the bad news—a foreigner could probably never understand the Cimrmanian humor, as it draws on deeply rooted cultural sensitivities. I can suggest, though, going to a show if you like sitting in a room where you feel like everyone is laughing at an inside joke and you're the only outsider. It can make you feel oddly special and only a tiny bit lame...

I visited the statue of Franz Kafka the other day. The man wrote 23 short stories, but only 3 novels. This got me thinking; "I wonder why he devoted such little time to writing." Then I started walking. And it came to me. This is why:

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It's my second day in Prague and I've already made several acquaintances—most of whom I'll never again see in my life. There's something about the Czechs that gives them the nerve to stop you cold in the street for a quick little chat, be it about cigarettes, watermelon, or the ludicrously slow nature of pedestrian light signals in this city. I love it. Especially because I don't speak a word of Czech and most of the people with whom I've shared these momentary, yet intimate, conversations with have not spoken a word of English; you can imagine the sight of our conversations. I've traveled far and wide throughout Europe, but never have I encountered such overt thirst for human interaction. The key to the story, however, is the fact that I am living on the outskirts of what most tourists think of when they visit "Prague." These conversations of body language and gestures have not occurred on the steps leading up to Prague Castle nor in the winding throngs of Americans on Charles Bridge, nor even along the banks of the Vltava. Prague is a tiny place, but many tourists tend to minimize the poor city to an even smaller diameter, staying close to the castle and venturing away from the Old Town only as far as the adjacent Josefov Jewish neighborhood. If one pushes just a few blocks further, just a few bridges more, one becomes privy to a whole different side of this newly famous tourist trap that quickly begins to feel less like a trap and more like a treasure. Sure, the glorious medieval architecture of the more popular neighborhoods is unbeatable, but if you're looking to escape the inevitably stifling crowds and kitschy souvenir shops, venture past the National Theater toward the railway bridge. The architecture might pale in comparison, but the experience of interacting with real Czechs who actually live in the city will ensure that you get a glimpse of the real Prague, the land of the Bohemians, and not the land of a thousand vacationers.

How2 Shop: Don't. Mall clothing is gross and other stores will just sell you the cheapest of goods for the same amount as elsewhere. If you really want to chuck some cash on material possessions, consider purchasing a bottle of Tokaj dessert wine.

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