Rolf Potts's Blog, page 109

Take your dog vagabonding

Vagablogging :: Rolf Potts Vagabonding Blog

Globe-trotting with your dog is totally possible! With appropriate paperwork, a microchip, and some forethought, taking your animal traveling can help break down cultural barriers and spark conversations. My border collie, Trinity, ushered me into far more conversations in Paris than I ever would have attempted with my meager French vocabulary.

There are a few key things to take into consideration before striking off with your canine pal. First, it's all about the paperwork. Most countries require a microchip, health certificate and proof of rabies vaccine. The Pet Travel has up-to-date information about entry laws and quarantine laws, as well as bilingual passports for purchase. Make sure to follow the steps in the fine print! Before booking flights, check into the airline's pet rules about crate sizing, prices, and cold temperature cut-offs.  An important note: many airlines no longer permit snub-nosed breeds for the animal's own safety.

Photo credit: Lindsey Rue

Before you go, look into Fido Friendly accommodations around the world. I'm also a fan of Couchsurfing , which has several group threads of hosts who welcome you and your pets. Over the years, I've camped in back yards, rented rooms and flats, and occupied a couch for a night or two with my dogs. Just make sure y'all are well behaved guests.

Some pets, dogs especially, can carry their own things in a pack, and I recommend a dehydrated pet food diet because it's conveniently lightweight.

photo credit: Lindsey Rue

As Dwight Eisenhower once said, "The friendship of a dog is precious. It becomes even more so when one is so far removed from home…"

Have you ever traveled with a dog? Please share your stories in the comments section.

 

Original article can be found here: Take your dog vagabonding

Vagabonding Case Study: Maurizio Pedrazzoli

Vagablogging :: Rolf Potts Vagabonding Blog

Maurizio Pedrazzoli

toomanymao.tumblr.com

Age: 33

Hometown: Born in Sondrio, Italy. Currently lives in London, UK

Quote: "I believe that a vagabond is a searcher who is looking for answers."

How did you find out about Vagabonding, and how did you find it useful before and during the trip?

- My brother told me about Vagabonding. Yes, absolutely.

How long were you on the road?

- I'm still on it -since 2007-

Where all did you go?

- Ireland ( 12 months )

- Netherland ( 5 months )

- UK ( 3 years )

- China ( 1 year )

- Korea & Japan ( weeks )

What was your job or source of travel funding for this journey?

- Creative Art Worker

Did you work or volunteer on the road?

- Unfortunately not

Of all the places you visited, which was your favorite ?

- Beauty is everywhere, every journey has his own flavour.

Was there a place that was your least favorite, or most disappointing, or most challenging?

- The biggest challenging it was in China -it's not easy to survive with English over there-

Did any of your pre-trip worries or concerns come true ?

- I had loads probably a few, yes.

Did you run into any problems or obstacles that you hadn't anticipated ?

- Yes, everyday. The obstacle is the path.

Which travel gear proved most useful ?

- My Sleeping Bag

Least useful?

- My Watch

What are the rewards of the vagabonding lifestyle?

- While travelling around you will understand a lot about yourself, the longest journey in life is the one between the heart and the soul ( a wise man once said )

What are the challenges and sacrifices of the vagabonding lifestyle ?

- You have to leave everything behind, you family, your culture, your belonging

What lessons did you learn on the road ?

- Nothing stays the same, everything is temporary.

How did your personal definition of "vagabonding" develop over the course of the trip ?

- My dictionary says: A person who wanders from place to place without a job. I believe that a vagabond is a searcher who is looking for answers.

If there was one thing you could have told yourself before the trip, what would it be?

- Don't worry, be happy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long, and in the end, it's only with yourself.

Any advice or tips for someone hoping to embark on a similar adventure ?

- Pack light and travel as much as you can

When and where do you think you'll take your next long-term journey ?

- I'm still on it

Website: toomanymao.tumblr.com

Are you a Vagabonding reader planning, in the middle of, or returning from a journey? Would you like your travel blog or website to be featured on Vagabonding Case Studies? If so, drop us a line at casestudies@vagabonding.net and tell us a little about yourself.

Original article can be found here: Vagabonding Case Study: Maurizio Pedrazzoli

Questioning safety in Guatemala – at the last minute

Vagablogging :: Rolf Potts Vagabonding Blog

Just three weeks before I'd planned to leave for Guatemala, the first country on my itinerary for my first long-term trip, a friend forwarded an email from her Guatemalan friend regarding my upcoming travels:

"My advice is that if she has her heart set on going to Guate, do the volunteering thing and keep travel limited to Lake Atitlan and Antigua … If her heart can be persuaded to go to Nicaragua and Costa Rica, I would highly recommend that … Guatemala is in a sort of state of war where human life is very poorly regarded and that is why if you get mugged it is VERY dangerous …"

She also referenced a recent New York Times story explaining that the Peace Corps recently decided not to send new volunteers to Guatemala as it is assessing safety.

Ok, I knew Guatemala was a developing country and that there would be dangers, and I'd been armed and ready to explain to my family and friends that I'd be ok. I'd read tons of forums about safety in Guatemala. I'd read numerous blogs about female solo travel. I knew all the places to avoid, all the things to do and things not to do.

But the Peace Corps backing away and a Guatemalan resident recommending against coming? This was enough to give me major pause.

I spent the entire weekend researching other options. I narrowed it down based on volunteer opportunities I'd found in Argentina, Ecuador, Peru and Paraguay. I was all set to completely change my flight and my entire plan.

And then I talked to more people: A 23-year-old woman who recently arrived at the volunteer organization in Xela, Guatemala, where I'd be going, said she had the same concerns as me – especially after hearing the news about the Peace Corps – but once she got there, she felt safe overall. I heard from another female volunteer coordinator who confirmed that Xela has a large foreign community and that the majority of volunteers are single female travelers. She said, "You should definitely take precautions and use common sense at all times, however there is no need to be afraid or alarmed all the time."

I also talked to my friend who lived in Guatemala for a year, who could connect me with many contacts if needed. And I talked to my uncle, who has done missionary work there for many years, who said as long as I'm with others, I will be ok.

It's tough to know who to listen to, but I decided to stick with my original plan.

Dealing with the safety concerns brought up by others has been one of the most unexpected aspects of my trip planning so far, and has certainly spun me in circles several times. But what it comes down to is that there's no guarantee of safety anywhere, and as long as I take all the precautions and remain aware of my surroundings, I'll be doing the best I can to avoid problems.

Here are some articles I found helpful in my research about Guatemala safety and female solo travel safety:

Is Guatemala safe?
Safety in Guatemala
Check yo-self (safety tips)
3 safety do's and 3 don'ts for women travelers
Safety tips for solo women travelers – note there are numerous other articles about women traveling alone and safety in the Women Travel Portal on this site.

Original article can be found here: Questioning safety in Guatemala – at the last minute

It's a dog eat dog world in Southeast Asia

Vagablogging :: Rolf Potts Vagabonding Blog

Media has been abuzz lately about the infamous dealings of dog trafficking. It's not the purebred puppy mill business they're describing, but the smuggling of dogs for dinner in Southeast Asia's Mekong Delta. Street dogs, purebreds and even stolen pets with collars on are making their way via small wire cages to restaurants and dinner tables around the region. The business is thriving, and people are beginning to notice.

Canine cuisine in Vietnam, Korea and parts of China is nothing new; people have been feasting on man's best friend in Asian countries and beyond for thousands of years. Why, then, is it making a splash in international news?

Street puppies at Kathmandu's KAT center

For starters, it's the wrong season to be a dog in Southeast Asia. The cold months around Chinese New Year already increase the demands of the dog trade, since the delicacy is said to "warm" those who are eating it, help with metabolism, and even bring good luck.

Flooding in Thailand in late 2011 has also enabled business to thrive, as rising street dog numbers turn Bangkok into a dog catching free-for-all. Animal rescue groups are still working to find homes for the displaced animals, but smugglers often find them first.

Dogs in Bangkok after the floods

Perhaps what is most alarming, however, is the newfound attention on domesticated pets. Thailand's Soi Dog Foundation suggests that captured street dogs simply do not fill the demand in a season when dog meat reigns supreme. What to do when street dogs are in short supply? Stolen pets become a dog trafficker's target.

Of course not everyone sides with the PETA activists and animal lovers. As perverse as it seems to feast on fido, (whether street dog or pet,) this business has been thriving for years and doesn't seem to be going anywhere. Roasted dog in parts of Vietnam is as common as roasted chicken in the states. It's not even the animal cruelty that's illegal, but the underground trade business which generates millions of dollars each year. For as long as the meat remains popular and lucky, there will definitely be dog for dinner.

What can you do? Aside from not dining in dog restaurants, there are several organizations around the world that focus on street dog welfare and putting an end to the illegal trade. The Soi Dog Foundation and the Kathmandu Animal Treatment center are just a few. Lastly? Don't bring your dog on your backpacking trip around Vietnam this winter!

Original article can be found here: It's a dog eat dog world in Southeast Asia

Vagabonding with kids? Are you serious?

Vagablogging :: Rolf Potts Vagabonding Blog

"You can't go vagabonding with kids! Just a two week vacation with the little ones is hard enough."

If you're a parent, you've probably heard these words. You may have even said them.

Playing with children from other countries is a great way for children to learn to respect other cultures

Conventional wisdom seems to say that doing anything with kids is hard work. Going to the grocery store, sending a package from the post office. It's a miracle if we survive driving fifty miles to Grandma's house, let alone climbing on to an airplane to travel to the other side of the country.

 

A quick check around the internet will tell you that travel with kids is hard work. Maybe going somewhere that offers an all inclusive meal plan plus kids club so that you get a break from the 24/7 job of being a parent is a good idea.

But long term travel? Vagabonding with kids? No way. Uh uh. Not possible.

Or is it?

CNNGo published an article a while ago with some tips for traveling with children. Let's examine their advice.

1.  The younger the child, the bigger the suitcase

According to CNNGo, parents will need to pack their child's "favorite stuffed giraffe that takes up a third of the suitcase" as well as "an entire library of  Dr Seuss and Eric Carle books, not to mention the space-consuming nappies, wet wipes and milk bottles."

OK, if your child is young, the nappies and wet wipes are essential, but the enormous stuffed giraffe and a whole bunch of books? What happened to common sense?

Contrary to popular belief, kids will survive without the stuffed giraffe. They'll be just fine with cardboard boxes, pinecones, and sticks. Pack a tiny toy or two for good measure, but your children's stuff doesn't have to overwhelm the suitcase.

In fact, kids don't need much at all. Pack a couple of pairs of clothes, a few toys, and you're good to go.

2.  The younger the child, the harder it is to get over jet lag

They're right on here. Our children had a very difficult time with jet lag and couldn't understand why they weren't sleeping in the middle of the night.

Of course, when you're traveling long term, you won't be taking all that many long-haul flights. Travel slowly and you won't need to deal with jet lag very often.

3.  Travel to a destination that serves French fries

Allowing children to eat a wide range of food helps them understand the world

CNNGo was downright wrong on this one.

They said, "Unless your kid has an abnormally educated palate, hold off on that culinary tour of India. Do not attempt to travel to a place where there isn't kid-friendly food."

What?! That's downright crazy.

"This seemingly small detail is essential for a successful holiday with young children. French fries, nuggets, pizza and the like will save your holiday."

I say take that culinary tour of India specifically so your child can learn to develop that abnormally educated palate! Kids learn to like what they grow up with, so pampering them with Micky D's when they're in Paris and Tokyo and New York means depriving your child of a wonderful opportunity to learn about the cultures they are traveling in.

Remember there are kids living wherever you'll travel, and those kids need to eat something. Your child won't let himself starve.

4. You can't have too much inflight entertainment for young children

Children are capable of much more than we give them credit for

This is where I have to say, "What were you thinking CNNGo?"

"If you wonder why parents of young kids travel with five pieces of luggage, it's because three of those five bulging bags are filled with toys, books, games and gadgets lest junior gets bored for more than a second and all hell breaks loose."

If all hell breaks loose when junior gets bored for more than a second, then you've done a piss poor job of raising your child in the first place. Don't blame it on the travel.

5. Strollers are as much a bane as a boon

They got it right here: "Your exotic destination is likely to be non-stroller friendly so your buggy sits folded up in your hotel room for most of the trip."

But terribly wrong here: "So you end up only going as far as your young child can walk (to the nearest restaurant that serves French fries and back); or as far as you can carry them in your strap-on carrier (yes the Wat-of-500-steep-steps is too much); or you spend most of your holiday by the hotel's baby pool."

Kids are way more capable than many parents think. Just take the little ones and go. It's not as hard as you think. Or as CNNGo says it is.

Original article can be found here: Vagabonding with kids? Are you serious?

Locations as lovers

Vagablogging :: Rolf Potts Vagabonding Blog

Locations are like lovers;  sometimes we're in the mood for the type of grand romance that only Paris and the Champs-Élysées can provide whereas other times it's the exotic promise of Tahiti or the gritty resolve and urban brilliance of Istanbul that attracts us.  The neon tawdriness of the Las Vegas strip is a cheap date, literally and figuratively, yet after we've danced and courted the city we eventually move on.  After each sojourn we travel onto the next location and, in sticking with the metaphor, onto the next lover.  That's part and parcel of the beauty of travel – we can flirt with, understand, and love the world one person, one neighborhood, one city, and one nation at a time.  For the vagabonding soul this is somewhat of a fait accompli for our relationships are destined to be fleeting.  We love, often briefly, intensely, and then we move on.  Even if we elect to go the ex-pat route and stay long-term it would be impossible to deny the lust in our hearts. While in the August humidity and perpetual hustle of Seoul would not our minds at times turn towards thoughts of other locations, back to the classic beauty of Greece or the ancient appeal of Egypt?  No matter where we are, would we not at some point give in to Baudelairean thinking – "anywhere, anywhere, as long as it be out of this world"?  We are destined to be flirts, to tease and be teased by each lover as is dictated by our intrepid and innate curiosity. We are driven to know what's around the corner, over the hill, under the bridge, and, most importantly, within us.  The serial monogamy that is long-term travel affords us an ideal opportunity for such growth and exploration. And in a landscape that is littered with our past relationships, it's only too easy to be driven forward by the nagging notion that personal growth is just around the corner in the arms of the next lover.

A final thought: when a love grows stale and the dull flame of passion begins to flicker and die out, you're free to pack your bags and board the next plane or train or bus out of that proverbial Siam. No harm, no fuss, no messy divorce (And, perhaps best of all, future dalliances remain an option); in this way travel itself is the ultimate open relationship and each location becomes the ultimate lover.

Who have been your past loves and what future conquests are you eying in 2012?

Original article can be found here: Locations as lovers

Vagablogging Contributors

Vagablogging :: Rolf Potts Vagabonding Blog

Born with the soul of an adventurer, Ted Beatie is happiest when he's off the beaten track. His favorite places include the Sahara desert, 100 feet underwater among the coral reefs of Fiji, and Burning Man. While he calls himself a diver, firedancer, aerial acrobat, actor, technologist and cyclist, his true passion is showing people a side of the world that they didn't realize was there, through photography and writing. He is active on Facebook and Twitter, and maintains a travel blog and photo gallery at The Pocket Explorer . His email is ted |at| tedbeatie.com.



Chris Carruth is a vagabonding, camera-toting, moleskine carrying, freelance photographer and writer who moonlights as a sinner while consulting as a saint.  He splits time between the open road and Boulder, Colorado where he is completing graduate studies in International Development.  He enjoys both Pico Iyer and Paul Theroux, though never at the same time.   He's on a long-term quest to run a marathon in each state in the Union as well as one on each continent (and celebrates his conquests through beer, chocolate, and ¼lb cheeseburgers).  In addition to English, Chris speaks Spanish and Korean, although the latter two quite poorly even though it's not for a lack of trying.  He firmly believes that Zappa was right when he quipped, "You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline," and is enthusiastically exploring the merits of this theory.  Chris is a lifelong ambassador for travel as he views it as an ideal vehicle to reach what Maslow called "self-actualization".  You can view his images and words online at www.chriscarruth.com or, should you wish, may contact him directly at cmc at chriscarruth dot com.



Marco Ferrarese started vagabonding as a punk rock guitarist in Europe and the United States, hitting the most famous and infamous stages across the two continents. He has visited 40 countries and lived in Italy, the United States, China, Australia and presently in Penang, Malaysia. After one year spent teaching Italian and English in China, he overlanded from Mongolia to Melbourne, Australia, hopping on only one short flight. However, Southeast Asia is where his heart beats faster. An expert on the region, he has picked up an MA in English Linguistics along the way. He has written in Italian and English about travelling, the vagabonding lifesyle, and extreme rock music for his own blog www.monkeyrockworld.com , CnAdventure Blog, China Files, and most recently the Southeast Asia Globe. He is also the web editor for record labels Cruz del Sur Music and FOAD Records. He will soon start a PhD research on the antrophology of punk and metal in Southeast Asia at Monash University. In year 2012, Marco is overlanding from Asia to Europe. Contact him at info (at) monkeyrockworld.com.



Angela Fornelli is new to the world of long-term travel, leaving for her first trip in February at age 29, after having dreamt about it since fifth grade. A writer, editor and PR professional from Chicago, Angela is leaving behind a great job and an established home base to explore her wanderlust in Latin America – beginning with a volunteering experience in Guatemala. She can be reached at angelafornelli (at) gmail (dot) com.



Born in Portland Oregon, raised in Portland Maine, and now vagabonding through Southeast Asia, Sarah Muir is hooked on travel. She graduated from Trinity College and worked in search engine marketing in New York City before taking to the road in September 2011. Favorite places in the world include Plaza Dorrego in Buenos Aires, Bangkok's Soi 11 and Manhattan's Alphabet City. She doesn't plan too far ahead, but with one hour massages under 10 dollars and incredible Thai street food on every block, she may stay in this area of the world for longer than expected!



An audacious map fanatic, Lindsey Rue gained her love for the open road through the windshield of a '87 Winnebago motorhome. She is usually surrounded by animals and off the grid, and has worked as an adventure guide in Alaska, Montana, Costa Rica, and North Carolina. Along with her critters — two horses and three dogs — they've explored the back roads and woods of America, dipping toes, paws and hooves into the life blood of the earth. Between extracting porcupine quills from her curious dog's nose and practicing Mongolian horse archery, she enjoys seeking out used bookstores to gather literary treasures. If she's lingered in one place too long, Lindsey starts re-arranging furniture and gets an itch for wide open spaces, and off she goes again. To find out more about her adventures visit ( lindseyrue.com ) and you can contact her wandering spirit at: gypsytraveller3 [at] gmail.com.



Nancy Sathre-Vogel is just a mom who took a little bike ride. On the longest road in the world. Together with her family, she spent three years cycling from Alaska to Argentina and another year pedaling around the USA and Mexico. Her wanderlust has led to 28 years of travel of all kinds — from backpacking to biking, volunteering and living the expat life. Now, she's happiest helping enable others to get out and live their dream. Her family's website is familyonbikes.org



Marcus Sortijas grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii, which gave him an early immersion in all things Asia. He followed his muse to California and got a degree in English Creative Writing. A semester studying abroad in England planted the vagabonding bug, which worsened after backpacking around Europe. Upon graduation, Marcus got a job in Shanghai to witness China's boom first-hand. He later explored different kinds of chaos traveling through Southeast Asia. Marcus lived for several years in Taipei, Taiwan, where he worked as a writer and editor. You can find Marcus' travel tips, stories, and photos on his blog: Marcus Goes Global . He can be e-mailed at: contact |at| marcussortijas.com.



Anna Wexler is a writer, documentary filmmaker, and adventure traveler whose trip ideas are a continual source of concern for her friends and family. She has yet to top the solo bicycle ride across Mexico, but volcano boarding in Nicaragua, motorcycling through northern Vietnam, and seal hunting in Greenland all came pretty close. When Wexler isn't on the road, she writes about science and travel from her sea view desk in Tel Aviv. Her work has appeared in a number of print and online publications; most recently, her story about becoming President of the Jury at the World Testicle Cooking Championship was published in Best Women's Travel Writing 2011. Read more about Anna's writing and film work on her website:  www.annawexler.com .

Original article can be found here: Vagablogging Contributors

Welcome our new crop of vagabonding contributors

Vagablogging :: Rolf Potts Vagabonding Blog

After over 2 years and almost 70 Vagabonding Case Studies, we've profiled many different types of long term travelers. Single people, couples, and families. Men and women, first-timers and seasoned veterans, young and old.

Two things have become very clear;

Anyone can do this. There are pros and cons to long term travel, and one does need to carefully plan, but it is a valid life choice, and there are people all over the world who make vagabonding a lifetime goal.
More people are doing this. There are over 100 case studies in the queue and more arrive every week. Travelers are coming together and reaching out and encouraging each other as never before through Facebook and Twitter. We had a record 38 submissions for our call for writers.

Vagabonding's newest contributors come from an equally diverse set of backgrounds and locations. We have a Colorado photographer studying International Development, a woman who travels the U.S. with her two horses and three dogs, and a PR professional from Chicago about to leave on her first long trip. You'll get to know a documentary filmmaker in Tel Aviv, a punk rock guitarist and linguist from Penang, a career breaker living in Bangkok, and a woman happily recovering from spending four years cycling across North and South America with her family.

These new contributors are but the first and most crucial part of what will be an exciting year here at Vagabonding, as we bring together this growing community of travelers.

Please give them a great big welcome!

Original article can be found here: Welcome our new crop of vagabonding contributors

Protected: Vagablogging Contributors [2012]

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Original article can be found here: Protected: Vagablogging Contributors [2012]

Start a business, save the world, and look good

Vagablogging :: Rolf Potts Vagabonding Blog

Revolution Apparel intro video

Sometimes it can feel like you're torn in different directions.  You'd like to start a business, make an positive impact on the world, and more.  Is it possible to fold all your passions into one project?  The fine women travelers of {r}evolution apparel are aiming to do just that.

An excerpt from their website:

We headed to Central America with no direction, no career path, and not much money. But we had an idea: a fashionable, minimalist clothing line for female travelers.

We were determined to do it right – we wanted to create a business that preserved the environment, cut down on pesticide and chemical use, and said "no" to the exploitative labor that keeps our clothing cheap in the Western world.

The star of their collection is The Versalette. Living up to the name, it's a single article of clothing that can be worn in 15 different ways–including as a handbag!  Check out the photos on the {r}evolution apparel website to see it in action.  Quite a reversal from most fashion lines, which load up a collection with many kinds of clothing.

Have you worked on a social enterprise before? Have you used your clothes in more ways than the manufacturer intended?  Please share your experiences in the comments.

Original article can be found here: Start a business, save the world, and look good