Feature photo by emdot. Photo above by m. s. coleman.Five ways to make some extra cash while on the road, despite the economic downturn.THE ECONOMY SUCKS. Fancy political talk aside, that’s the plain truth. And while we’re tight on cash we’re willing to bet that, unless you’re in the world’s oldest profession (which is apparently booming at the moment), you’re hurting as well.

Matador Ambassador Nathan Myers travels with filmmaker Taylor Steele and Balinese pro surfers Marlon Gerber and Mikala Jones to surf an abandoned town in the Sahara.THERE’S SAND IN EVERY CRACK. Tiny deserts in my shoes, my cameras, my earlobes, and fingernails. Last week, “Sahara” was just a word from the movies.

Hostels are starting to pop up in Southeast Asia, an area previously dominated by guesthouses and hotels.OPEN LAST YEAR in Bangkok, Lub*d (despite the ridiculous name) continually nails 95 + customer ratings on booking sites and rave reviews. Here’s why:DesignThis is the big shocker, the amount of time that went into laying the hostel out.

So long, and thanks for all the coffee.DEAR SIRS,I regret to inform you that it is not working out.Don’t get me wrong. There are many, many things I enjoy and admire about you. Take the unlimited coffee, for instance. Unlimited coffee is nothing to be sneezed at. At my present rate of caffeine consumption, I have calculated that by providing me with free coffee, you save me at least 68 cents worth of grounds alone a day, not to mention the trouble of making it, and the savings are far greater if I consider the cost of a double-shot-mocha-cappuccino at one of the fancy coffee places down the street.

As the media levels allegations of child labor and lack of coordination at host nation India, this year’s “Friendly Games” are beginning to look less so.THE 2010 COMMONWEALTH Games began on Monday in New Delhi, India. The 10-day event, which is similar in structure to the Olympics, was first held in 1930 and pitted 11 teams from the British Empire against each other.

A group of Peace Corps volunteers in Armenia. Photo: Tommy and GeorgieIt’s said that joining the U.S. Peace Corps is the “toughest job you’ll ever love.”IF YOU’RE READY to sign up, pack your bags, and take off on a 27-month assignment, here are five things you should know before you begin the labor-intensive and heart-breaking process of joining the Peace Corps.