One year ago today, I published my first post on LandLopers, The Dogs of Santorini. It was a look at a subject near and dear to my heart, the plight of homeless dogs abroad and the role of the traveler in their protection.
The weekend before my first post was frantic as I struggled to learn the mechanics behind owning and operating a web site. I’m not a technical person by nature, much more right than left brained, but I trudged through and LandLopers was born.
I’ve been asked many times about the origin of the name LandLopers; I just wish I had a more interesting story. I knew that my web site was going to be about seeing the world affordably and comfortably and wanted a term that would be instantly identified with the travel experience. So I got out my trusty thesaurus and starting researching synonyms for traveler. Gadling was taken, as was every variation of vagabond and I didn’t think Happy Fun Travel Site would work. About three lines down was LandLopers. It was unusual and it struck a chord with me right away. I thought that the name would be easy for people to remember and the curiosity of it would resonate.
What I didn’t realize at the time is the alternate meaning of LandLopers. It seems, as many readers from the Netherlands have pointed out, that in Dutch Landloper refers to a homeless person or, more accurately a hobo. That’s right in Dutch, and Afrikaans interestingly enough, my site appears to be focused on those bag-on-a-stick rapscallions who wander the countryside aimlessly.
Who knew?
The past year has been an amazing one for me, and I have all of you to thank. There are scores of travel sites and blogs out there and yet you visit my site often and provide amazing feedback on my work. Not all of my posts have been informative or even interesting, but I hope the majority of them have. I don’t make a cent from LandLopers, instead I run the site in my spare time for the sheer love of it. The love of not just talking about travel, but hopefully encouraging others to get out there and see more of the world, all on a budget of course.
I’m not sure what the next year holds in store for me and for LandLopers. What I do know is that if the next year is even half as exciting as the last, then I am a lucky person indeed.
Wow only a year… with the way you write and do things I would have thought you had been blogging for ages. Congrats on a great 1st year & cheers to many more.
I really can’t believe you’ve only been doing this for a year, Matt. Feels like you’ve been around forever (in a good way). Congratulations! You’ve built a terrific blog.
Now get cracking on that next blog post. ;-)
I was surprised to hear you have only been blogging for one year. Excellent work! Congrats and many more.
Ha, well thank you Jaime, Gray and Charles. In some ways it feels much longer than a year, but in other ways it seems I just started. Thanks to you all for your tremendous support!
Well, congrats! Heres to many more years of stories and adventures!
Wow, congrats on the accomplishment! So many people give up on their sites after about 2-6 months. Looks like you are in it for the long haul. Hope to see you for the 2nd bday.
Happy 1 Year Anniversary!!! Hope you’re breaking out the champagne today? :)
One year. .. that is quite an accomplishment! Congratulations. Hopefully after you celebrate, you will find more stories within you that will keep us entertained, amused and educated.
Thank you! And no worries, as long as I keep traveling, I’ll always have a story to tell.
Congrats Matt I was so surprised that it’s only been a year, it seems like you’ve been here forever.
i LOVE the name Landlopers. It conjures up an image of a weathered traveler, who is streetwise and unhurried in his journey, kinda just loping along, on his way. how cool is that! great choice, and here’s to many more birthdays:)
Have enjoyed following your blog and have suggested it to many friends who love to travel. Thanks for all of the insights and Happy Birthday.
Thank you so much, I really appreciate it!