Rolf Potts's Blog, page 112

Should you let friends plan your trip?

Making friends. Photo: Slava / Flickr

Seems like the ideal setup: you're about to visit a country that one of your friends has already been to. Naturally, you ask your pal for advice on where to go and what to do.  What could go wrong?

Plenty, as it turns out. The Tnooz tech travel blog had an article called Why the social travel model will never truly work.  When you entrust your trip to someone who no other qualifications besides your relationship, things can go south very quickly.

In the article, a guy named Jack describes a recent vacation to Hawaii with a buddy of his.  Both were single guys.  They followed the advice of a female friend who'd gone the year before. While the pair enjoyed the excitement and fun of Waikiki, they were thoroughly bored by another section of their trip.  The reason: two single guys might not necessarily want the same travel experience as a married woman.  This passage summed up the problem:

Your friends, no matter how well meaning, are not travel experts. They're not going to ask you the right questions or make the right assumptions about what turns you on.

They're just going to tell you what they like, which may be miles from anything you'd enjoy.

I can relate a similar anecdote.  When I was at a hostel in Malaysia, I became friends with a group of English backpackers.  In a lucky coincidence, they had just come in from Yogyakarta, Indonesia.  That was to be my next destination.  I asked for their recommendation of a good, inexpensive hotel.  Not only did they name the hotel, they even gave me the business card!  I thought I was set.

Turns out I was wrong.  The hotel was a rathole, with a weak shower and a dirty bed.  My mistake was not considering the travel style of the person giving me the advice.  I do like staying in hostels and cheap places, but I'm willing to spend a little more for the nicest one I can find.  Those English backpackers were hard-core budget types.  Neither is better than the other, but things can go wrong when you follow advice from someone with a drastically different travel style than yours. At the other extreme, an investment banker might have recommended a four-star hotel beyond my price range.

Here's a checklist of the right friend to give you destination advice:

1) They've actually been to the place.

2) They're someone you know and trust.

3) They have a similar style of travel–as in budget, trip length, interests, etc.

It's factor number 3 that I forget sometimes, especially if it's a good friend that I like a lot. How do you solicit travel tips from friends? Please share your experiences in the comments.

The people on whose behalf travelers despise America tend to adore America

"For many habitual travelers, hating America is a given. Not just America at home, but the detritus of America abroad. The States are the font of all ignorant interference, all destabilizing of delicate cultures and economies. America is the cause and the symptom of what's going wrong. Of course the people on whose behalf travel writers feel this righteous ire adore America. They may not care for its alternately tentative and strident foreign policy, its splashing about in the rest of the world like an excited toddler — but they love its baggage. Its films, its music, its clothes, the cigarettes and soft drinks: its sheer profligacy. If you're poor, the most joyous thing in the world is waste. Well, it would be, wouldn't it? When it comes to America, I'm with the poor. I just love it."

–A.A. Gill, AA Gill is Away (2003)

Vagabonding Case Study: Ken Anderberg

Ken Anderberg

2bagsandapack.wordpress.com

Age:

Hometown: Asheville, NC

Quote: "I enjoy trying to 'get by' in new countries, to navigate everyday tasks without local knowledge or local language."

How did you find out about Vagabonding, and how did you find it useful?

I was doing some Internet research for my next move and came across the site. The site was helpful in letting me know I'm not the only one out here doing this insane thing.

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

I am a full-time freelance author, supporting myself through savings and retirement income.

Do you plan to work on the road?

My road is my work, as I write about my experiences. While I've been on the road, I've published four books, including a travel book on Costa Rica, and a novel.

What was the reaction of your friends/family/colleagues as you planned your trip?

They were surprised but mostly supportive. Many said I was living their dream.

Any tips or lessons learned from the travel-preparation process?

I try to do as much Internet research as possible before a move, including looking at YouTube clips of the places I'm considering. I've also found that country-specific expat forums can be helpful. Mostly, what I've learned is to make an informed plan but be ready to go to Plan B at a moment's notice.

How long do you hope to spend on the road?

I have been on the road since June 1, 2010, visiting Costa Rica, Croatia and, now, Italy/Sicily. My plan is to spend three months in Greece next. After that, I don't know.

Which destinations do you hope to visit?

As I said, Greece will be next. Southeast Asia, specifically Thailand, could be after that.

Which experiences are you most looking forward to?

I enjoy trying to "get by" in new countries, to navigate everyday tasks without local knowledge or local language. I enjoy meeting and, hopefully, conversing with people in the countries I visit. The perspectives I gain from people outside the U.S. are enlightening.

What are you packing for the journey?

When I started, I had two suitcases and a small backpack – everything I owned. Since then, I have eliminated one suitcase. I travel with about 7-10 days of clothing and some incidentals, plus, of course, my laptop and accessories. I also pack some fishing equipment, which has been used unsuccessfully.

Do you have any worries or concerns about the journey?

My chief concern has been finding a place to live in each place I've moved to. This can be very stressful due to the lack of familiarity with the terrain, the language, the customs, or the resources available. Since I'm on low budget, it is imperative that I find an apartment to live in for three months as soon as possible once I arrive in a new location. This has proved challenging.

Website: 2bagsandapack.wordpress.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.

Behind the "tourist" label lie very different kinds of wanderers

"When some tourists accuse those other tourists of not being good enough tourists, not open enough, not interested in adventures and new challenges, they fall back on the normative ideal developed from the days of the Grand Tour and onwards. They forget that behind the tourist label there are very different kinds of explorers. Some are out to discover exotic worlds or meet new people, for others a vacation is a chance to explore the body, their senses, or sexuality or just develop the difficult art of doing nothing."

–Orvar Lofgren, On Holiday: A History of Vacationing (1999)

Vagablogging: Call for writers

Just a reminder that the deadline to apply to join the team here at Vagablogging is fast approaching. If you're been putting off submitting something, head to the nearest internet cafe and fire off an e-mail.

We're looking for a few new contributors to post once or twice a week on vagabonding-related topics of their choice — from travel tips to destination suggestions to reviews of travel media.

The ideal writer should be familiar with Vagabonding and the philosophy behind it. To get an idea what we're looking for in terms of content and style, take a look at our recent posts and archives. The best posts are informative in nature and conversational in tone. The deadline for submitting is December 31st. We'll announce our new contributors along with the new look on January 15th.

Though the positions are unpaid, it's a great opportunity to build a readership, establish contacts, and create professional opportunities in the travel-writing realm. Vagabloggers who've landed lucrative gigs after writing for us include Tim Ferriss (who wrote a little bestseller called The 4-Hour Work Week), Justin Glow (who went on to full-time editing positions at Gadling and AOL), and a number of individuals who've landed paid freelance work at World Hum, the National Post, Gadling, US Airways Magazine, Travelers' Tales, the Los Angeles Times, and other travel-writing venues. Kristin Pope even got a call from The Daily Show after her post about "staycations".

To be considered for a weekly slot at Vagablogging, please email 2-3 previously unpublished sample posts (200-600 words each) to our managing editor, Ted Beatie (ted *at* tedbeatie *dot* com). To ensure Ted gets your submission, please include the word "Vagablogging" in the subject header. Also be sure to include a little bit about yourself, like where you're from, your best travel experiences, and anything else you think we should know.

If you've already submitted your writing samples, thank you! And please be patient, we'll be announcing our picks very soon.

 

What are your favorite hostels in the world?

Common area at Albareda Youth Hostel in Barcelona. Photo: Oh-Barcelona.com / Flickr

Nomadic Matt recently posted a list called My favorite hostels in the world.  Goes to show that low prices don't always mean low quality.  You can save money and have a great time.

Matt's list spurred me to remember which hostels I've enjoyed over the years.  Here are some of my picks:

Circus (Berlin, Germany) — If every hostel was as grand as Circus, I'd never worry about staying in a hostel again. I've been in hotels that weren't as cool as Circus. Very trendy, a designer hostel.

Beijing Jade International Youth Hostel — Out of all the hostels I've seen in China, this was was the best. Huge, like a hotel, and very clean. Big restaurant and common area on the ground floor.

Yes Inn (Hong Kong) — When you absolutely have to visit Hong Kong for a visa run and don't want to stay in the Chungking Mansions. Clean, modern, and in Hong Kong Island. I've been to this hostel more often than any other because of doing visa runs from Taiwan. I've recommended this place to dozens of travelers.

K's House Tokyo Oasis — Flat-out most awesome hostel in Tokyo. Has the feel of a traditional inn, but all the modern conveniences of an up-to-date building.

Take a Nap (Bangkok, Thailand) Love this hostel. One of the few, along with Circus, that has individual beds, not bunk beds. Each dorm has its own bathroom, saving you the embarrassment of walking down the hall to take a shower. Very colorful and fun too.

Chocolate Box Backpackers (Taipei, Taiwan) — A good hostel with a super-central location across from the Shida night market. Clean and solid. What really cements the place in my memory were the friendly staff and travelers I met there. So many fun times.

Bedz KL (Kuala Lumpur) — When I was backpacking through Southeast Asia, I passed through Kuala Lumpur a lot because it's the main hub for Air Asia, a low-cost airline. Bedz KL was my favorite out of the ones I've been in. Feels like the apartment of a rich friend.

What are the best hostels you've stayed in?  Please share your recommendations and stories in the comments.

Albert Camus on how travel brings us back to ourselves

"What gives value to travel is fear. It is the fact that, at a certain moment, when we are so far from our own country…we are seized by a vague fear, and an instinctive desire to go back to the protection of old habits. This is the most obvious benefit of travel. At that moment we are feverish but also porous, so that the slightest touch makes us quiver to the depths of our being. We come across a cascade of light, and there is eternity. This is why we should not say that we travel for pleasure. There is no pleasure in traveling, and I look upon it more as an occasion for spiritual testing. If we understand by culture the exercise of our most intimate sense — that of eternity — then we travel for culture. Pleasure takes us away from ourselves in the same way as distraction, in Pascal's use of the word, takes us away from God. Travel, which is like a greater and graver science, brings us back to ourselves.

–Albert Camus, Notebooks 1935-1942 (1991)

Vagabonding Case Study: Shunit Cohen

Shunit Cohen

Age: 33

Hometown: Kibbotz Gadot Israel

Quote: "Attempting to live like a local in Salvador was the most challenging, exciting and fulfilling thing I did to date and it was anything but EASY!."

How did you find out about Vagabonding?

I was reading Tim Ferriss' book, The Four Hour Work Week.

How did you find it useful before and during the trip?

It'll be fair to admit that chances are I wouldn't have the guts to go on the trip without having Rolf's words ringing in my ears before and during the trip.

How long were you on the road? 6 months.

Where all did you go?

I've been living abroad travelling the world for over a decade. This time, there was only one destination: From NYC US à Salvador Bahia Brazil.

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

Garage Sale.

I sold all my belongings!!!

Did you work or volunteer on the road?

Absolutely!

I was working a full time job in a traveler's hostel. This allowed me to pay for my apartment, dance school and living expenses.

To reel you in for a second, we are talking about earning less than 5 US dollars a day, yet I just couldn't care less, doing so gave me the opportunity to fulfill on my biggest life dream: Study dance in Salvador and these were the means I've had to realize this dream, or it wouldn't happen.

Once I got over the mental hurdle of working for pennies it was a blessing.

Nothing would ever make me more familiar with the local's authentic culture, habits and daily life!!!

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

Itaparica. Itaparica is a Brazilian island about 10 km from the city of Salvador.

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

This will come as a surprise to you'll, BUT Salvador was all of the above.

Relax, please let me explain.

In the words of Gary Arndt, "The world is boring. Just like your neighborhood, is pretty boring. It can be amazingly interesting, but to the locals, they just go about living their lives".

NO ONE WAS JUST DANCING SAMBA IN THE STRETS , coconuts and pineapples weren't really flaying around, most do not speak English, poverty is brutal and to find an authentic samba school ya really have to be ruthless with all the "samba teachers" hanging in the streets waiting for the American/British/German/French cougars.

Attempting to live like a local in Salvador was the most challenging, exciting and fulfilling thing I did to date and it was anything but EASY!!!

Did any of your pre-trip worries or concerns come true?  Did you run into any problems or obstacles that you hadn't anticipated?

NONE!!!

As a matter of fact I was constantly amused by the travelers who would come to Salvador and barely ever leave the hostel, or go out only with a huge group of other travelers. Why spend so much cash if you plan on doing the same things you do back home???

This was both fascinating and sad for me.

Don't get me wrong, you must be smart and use your common sense all the time, however, nothing is better than being one of the locals. Letting them take you to places you'd never go as a tourist, eat foods you'd never dream of eating, all the while when you are barely speaking nor understanding their spoken language. The thing is this: these people are the masters in speaking the human language, BUT if you stay in your tourist comfort zone you'll never ever know it and you'll miss the fun!!!

Which travel gear proved most useful? My traveling bag.

Least useful? Money belt

What are the rewards of the vagabonding lifestyle?

The excitements, the self confidence, learning to creatively overcome challenges, seeing the world and most of all meeting new people and cultures.

What are the challenges and sacrifices of the vagabonding lifestyle?

Saying good bye to great people you meet along the way, missing your family and friends.

What lessons did you learn on the road?

I can do better than 5 dollars a day and unlike most of the world I'm actually lucky enough to choose from endless possibilities. At some point it was time for me to be ruthless, cut the fat go ahead and plan for a jump!!!

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

A vagabond is a state of mind. Not necessarily means you have to sleep in a tent in the forest/beach/mountains.

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

No matter what, don't leave Brazil without living in Rio de janeiro for at least 3 months.

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

Just do it, the rest of your life depends on it.

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

6/1/12, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Only this time I'll be working from my laptop and study dance.

 

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.

Travel can be an intrinsic part of how you live at home

"By going and coming, a bird weaves its nest."

–Ashanti proverb

Getting Vagabonding or Marco Polo as stocking-stuffers

It's once again winter holiday season, which means it's time to tout my books as stocking stuffers for the travel lovers on your Christmas list.

Vagabonding makes a great holiday gift for:

College or high school students nearing graduation.

Twenty- and thirtysomethings who don't like their jobs, are currently between jobs, or are considering a sabbatical from work.

Friends and family members who don't quite "get" the gift-giver's urge to travel.

Anyone who dreams of (or has talked about) long-term travel, but thinks they're too poor, busy, disorganized, afraid, uninformed, or old/young to actually do it.

And of course my newest book, Marco Polo Didn't Go There, is not just an entertaining and engrossing read for the armchair traveler; its "commentary track" makes it an offbeat travel-writing textbook for students and fans of the genre.

Both books should be available through your local bookstore — and for online ordering you can the follow the links I've set up here:

http://www.rolfpotts.com/marco/

http://vagabonding.net/

I do have a limited number of signed copies available, but since I'll be away from home for the next couple weeks this will be a last-minute undertaking.

So if you don't mind waiting for the signed copies until, like, the day before Christmas, send an email to books [at] rolfpotts [dot] com to get ordering details.