Ever cringed and declined when offered a strange looking dish in a new country? Gawked when you saw someone dressed strangely in a different nation? If so, then you are not being culturally responsible and respectable. Preparing for your adventure travels by learning the customs and traditions of your host country can help you avoid awkward situations. After living in Shanghai for 4 years, I’m here to give you a few tips on being culturally responsible while on China tours.

If you empathize at all with my new must-get-to-Turkey-now plan, you’ll have no problem understanding what drew me to Anil of FoXnoMad.com (He’s traveled there extensively). Even if you aren’t, the fact that he is sponsoring a contest that could get you 6 nights stay and airfare to almost anywhere of your choosing, is enough reason to read on. Beyond that, Anil earns the proud distinction of “Best in Travel Blogs” because he’s serious about blogging and it shows. Not to mention, that fact that he is a formally educated anthropologist and self proclaimed former computer hacker (the good kind) gives a nifty twist to his travel insights.

Global Basecamps: When and how did you get hooked on travel?

FoXnoMad: I’ve been traveling my entire life and suppose my curiosity to do so is strongly influenced by my parents, both of whom are journalists.

Global Basecamps: You are running an amazing “Live the Backpacker Life” contest. Can you tell us a bit more about it?

FoXnoMad: I want to give the opportunity for one of my readers to take a backpacking trip to most anywhere they want in the world. It’s a bit of a role-reversal. [Before October 5th] create a 3-5 minute travel video guide about a specific aspect of a given city and be the one traveling.

If you love to travel, which if you are reading this I assume you do, the standard 9 to 5 and two week vacation a year job can definitely cramp your style. The good news is: winning the lottery isn’t your only way out of the rat race. In our search for the best in travel blogs, we’ve found someone who will not only inspire you to follow your vagabond dreams, but who can help you plan your escape and become a successful digital nomad. Christine Gilbert, creator of AlmostFearless.com ditched her Fortune 500 corporate job in 2008 and has been traveling and working as a freelance writer ever since. With the tagline "Work Wirelessly. Travel the World. Do Anything." it isn’t surprising that her site has become one of the most popular travel blogs on the web. She is currently living in Bogotá, Colombia and will be on her way to Thailand in September. What we admire most about her is her passion for empowering others to follow in her footsteps and make their long-term travel fantasies a reality.

At the end of your Indonesia tours in Southeast Asia, you gaze longingly at the the deep, cerulean horizon. The real world seems impossibly far away, and you'd give anything for one more day in this paradise...

A sure way to soak in the culture of a destination is to head straight to the local market. There you'll get a visceral snap shot of daily life that includes everything from what's on the butcher's block to indigenous art. The markets also often provide the cheapest, most authentic eats and an enormous selection of souvenirs. So, here's a look at Global Basecamps' favorite markets around the world.

1. Oltavalo Market, Ecuador

cc licensed flickr photo shared by *D a r i n k a*