Chris Guillebeau's Blog, page 58

Kid President Is Coming to WDS! Here’s How You Can Join Us.

We’re super excited to announce that Kid President will be joining us in Portland this summer for WDS 2015. Final ticket sales for this special five-year anniversary event go live next week.

In case you haven’t used the internet in the past couple of years, Kid President (Robby Novak), is the popular web series featured on Rainn Wilson’s SoulPancake YouTube channel.

Here are a few awesome KP videos:

A Pep Talk from Kid President to You

20 Things We Should Say More Often

Kid President Meet...

Taking an Upright Piano Around the United States: Dotan Negrin’s Story

This is a reader story. ( Read others or tell us yours .)

Dotan Negrin likes a challenge. Three years ago, he started taking his upright piano with him everywhere he went. Here’s how he tells the story:

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Home is New York City, but in 2011 I impulsively quit my job to discover a new way of looking at my life: through the lens of music around the world. I usedall my savings to buy an upright piano and box truck, and I hit the road. It’s actually cheaper to live this way than to pay rent in NYC.

...

Visiting the Hidden Speakeasy in Downtown Sydney, Australia

Searching for a great cocktail in Australia is a quest of its own. For most Australians, a cocktail means “gin and tonic” or “margarita”—they have great wines in this part of the world, but legit mixed drinks are hard to come by.

That just means you have to look harder, of course.

Last week I found a modern-day speakeasy hidden away in the Central Business District of Sydney. Locating the general area wasn’t difficult, but there was a trick to finding the speakeasy itself: I had to avoid an i...

Can You Visit Bora Bora on a Budget? Sort of—Here’s How.

This is a free excerpt from Upgrade Unlocked: The Unconventional Guide to Luxury Travel on a Budget by Stephanie Zito.

Bora Bora is a dream destination smack in the middle of the South Pacific. The French Polynesian island is famous for its crystal waters in 50 shades of blue, and luxury accommodation in over-the-ocean bungalows that come complete with a private balcony stepping straight into the sea.

It’s a popular destination for honeymooners and just about anyone who likes to be pampered on...

First Notice: WDS 2015 Tickets on Sale Wednesday, March 18

For five years now, our volunteer team has produced a global adventure that takes place every year in Portland. This year will be our best event yet—and you should be there!

Here’s what you need to know:

*We’ll begin the FINAL ROUND of ticket sales for WDS 2015 on Wednesday, March 18 starting at 9am PST. We offer all tickets on a first-come, first-served basis, and we don’t hold back any tickets for sale at the event itself.

*The first chance to register always goes to our alumni attendees and...

Building a Global Community One Beach at a Time: On the Road with Mirva Lempiäinen

This is a traveler case study. ( Read others or nominate yourself . )

Mirva Lempiäinen fell in love with beaches of all kinds during college. Her passion caused her to build a career and friend base that allows her to travel to sandy destinations almost as often as she’d like.

Tell us about yourself.

I’m a 33-year-old freelance journalist from Finland. I’ve been actively roaming the globe for almost 15 years, and have visited around 70 countries (so far). Currently, I’m spending the winter on the...

Been to Asia in the Past 15 Years? Get Free Money from an Airline Settlement

Did you fly from the U.S. to Asia, Australia, or New Zealand at any point between January 1, 2000 and now?

If so, you may be entitled to free money. Fill out this form to receive part of the distribution from a class-action legal settlement.

As the headline of this website that looks like it was designed well before January 1, 2000 says:

“If You Bought an Airline Ticket Between the U.S. and Asia, Australia, New Zealand, or the Pacific Islands, You Could Receive Money from Class Action Settlemen...

There’s Always Time to Write a Book

From Laura Vanderkam’s busy year:

“I have never believed that book writing needs to be all-consuming. It wasn’t for Toni Morrison writing The Bluest Eye at night after her kids went to bed and let’s face it, we’re not likely to produce anything like The Bluest Eye no matter how much time we spend writing. Books are projects like any other.

Incidentally, you can make time for the rest of your life too. I’m always amused by the lines in book acknowledgements in which authors (generally, male aut...

When Next in Australia, Don’t Pay for Those Expensive Domestic Flights

Greetings from my favorite country! I’m in Australia for a few days (no public events this time—I’m just writing and enjoying paradise).

And here’s a tip: my favorite country can be a little expensive. Consider it a tax on paradise, but just about everything you purchase may seem a tad high if you’re coming from the states. Oh, and many parts of the country are still waiting for the internet to arrive—but presumably that’s improving.

Domestic flights within Australia can be pricey too, but th...

6 Discoveries from Near and Far: Volume XXXVI

I. Around the World

Things I found on long walks in foreign cities, or perhaps when someone posted them on Twitter.

28 (Better) Things No One Tells You About Publishing — My favorites are #15 and #17. I disagree with #13
Buy a Monopoly Set and Get Real Money — Everyone’s childhood dream comes true (at least in France)
If It Doesn’t Serve a Purpose, Get Rid of It — Advice for industrial design and life
I’ll Just Put This Here, Where No One Will Read It — On allowing people to make mistakes (or even...