Essay Contest
Mad about Madagascar
"Of the lemurs, the most friendly were the ringtailed lemurs, who were not afraid of people and kept us company at breakfast at Berenty. A waiter shooed them away, but they only moved a few feet and sat in the sun. "... But my favorite lemur is the white Verreaux’s sifaka. It hops like a kangaroo, only sideways, and then just jumps up into a tree. It’s as if a string is pulling it up the tree. (excerpt from Nili Olay's essay)
Essay Contest
If you are an ITN subscriber and have been to Madagascar, pen an essay, in no more than 300 words, on the topic “Mad about Madagascar.” Express the mood
Chilling Out in Chile
"We’d left a little later than planned, and now our car was careening down a one-lane road across a remote island in the South Pacific, literally racing the Earth’s rotation. "It was Easter Day, and we’d come to Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, to watch the sun rise at Ahu Tongariki. ..." -- excerpt from Angie Cosey's essay (2nd place winner)
Hungry for Hungary
We have two ITN subscribers to thank for suggesting the topic of our last essay contest, “Hungry for Hungary”: Debbie Wenck of Carlsbad, CA, and Kathy Hatfield of Montvale, NJ. The subject elicited essays with recollections from decades past.
I see Iceland
Either lots of ITN subscribers have been to Iceland or they’ve got plenty of spare time isolating at home, because we got the most submissions ever for an essay, this time on the topic “I See Iceland.” __________ (excerpt from the winning entry) "... I smiled a lot in Iceland. "How could I not, in a land of sprites, trolls and 'hidden people'? The latter, it is claimed, may invite humans for a chat and pancakes. Road builders, fearing repercussions, divert around elf stones. 'We try to accommodate,' said one. ..."
Threading the Silk Road
We thank Debbie Wenck of Carlsbad, California, for contributing the essay topic “Threading the Silk Road,” which inspired numerous entries to our recent writing contest among subscribers. __________ "It is a whiteout. With the blinding hail and sleet, there is nothing to mark the sharp edge of this narrow path they call a road. We have crossed the world’s highest motorable pass but can see nothing. Fear has paralyzed us and disappointment followed. Will we ever get a second chance at Khardung La? Will the wind ever stop?" ... (excerpt from Maria Drumm)
I Adore Ecuador
The topic “I Adore Ecuador” was contributed by Marcia Brandes of Atlanta, Georgia, and it inspired numerous essays.
Georgia on My Mind
The essays submitted on the topic “Georgia on My Mind” left the ITN staff with some clear impressions of what a visitor might see and experience in this republic along the Caucasus Mountains and Black Sea.
I Sigh Over Dubai
ITN staff judged all the entries, and that of DAVID FOXLOW of Sarasota, Florida, won 1st Prize! "... The vendors at spice and textile stalls practiced sales skills honed over hundreds of years. I saw locals driving up to a modest storefront tea shop to order and receive their tea — in ceramic cups! — in their cars. ..."
Lens on Koblenz
Let's get right to it. ITN staff have voted and, on the topic "Lens on Koblenz," the winning essay is that of HERSCHEL V. ANDERSON of Tempe, Arizona. Herschel will receive a 3-year extension to his subscription to ITN (or he can pass his prize along to a friend).
Gaga Over Ghana
Among the essays submitted on the topic "Gaga Over Ghana," there was a clear winner, as decided by ITN staff, and it was that of CAROLE STADELBACHER of Riverside, California. Carole will receive a 3-year extension to her subscription to ITN (or she can pass her prize along to a friend).
My Trail is Australia
The last essay topic, “My Trail is Australia,” inspired a lot of subscribers to take a shot at the prize, but ITN staff narrowed the entries down to three...
I’m Sweet on Sweden
In our essay contest on the topic “I’m Sweet on Sweden,” our winner — with an unconventional submission — is Rosemary McDaniel of Trenton, Florida.
I Saw Warsaw
Warsaw was the topic of our latest essay contest, and it is notable that everyone who wrote in was struck in the same way by a particular dynamic aspect of that city.
Perusing Peru
A lot of you have been to Peru! We got a high number of essays on the subject, and the enthusiasm was inspiring. We are awarding three prizes this month.
I Go Togo
In judging the essays submitted in our ongoing series of writing contests, ITN staff take certain things into consideration when reading each composition.
Nice is Nice
In our ongoing series of essay contests, the topic for our last essay — Nice is nice — was announced in our May 2016 issue, and we began to receive submissions from travelers with clear affection for that city on the French Riviera.
I’m Bullish on Bulgaria
Did we get an idea of what we’ll find there and can we picture it? Were we given a sense of the culture or atmosphere of the place? Was there an experience or encounter described that lifted us?
Brazil Fits the Bill
The object of our recent essay contest, Brazil, inspired a number of travelers to put their impressions and ideas into words — and, from the submissions we received, it was apparent there was a lot of material to work with.
Crete Is Neat
When we print the winning entries to each essay contest every few months, it’s a pleasant reminder of ITN’s founder and original publisher, the late Armond Noble, who originated the contest and had fun coming up with alliterative essay topics.