Rolf Potts's Blog, page 3
March 29, 2016
Collect moments, not things
When I was little, there were collections in my house. There were matchbox cars, Smurfs and Disney figurines. At sleep-away camp, I collected sea glass – blue was my absolute favourite. There were memories and happiness in those collections, but what I realized, was the happiness came from the experience of actually finding those things and sharing the moments with loved ones. It was a reminder of family trips to Disneyworld® and summers spent with friends while wandering along the beach. It was the act of collecting, far more than the stuff that made the biggest impression. By capturing those memories in minds, stories and photographs, the experience is relived countless times. What if we all spent more time collecting moments, memories and experiences in lieu of things? How would we (and our society) be different?
’The journal Psychological Science … expanded on the current understanding that spending money on experiences “provide[s] more enduring happiness.’ -James Hamblin, MD: Buy Experiences, Not Things
In the last few years, studies designed for small groups have made it into the mainstream media. The New York Times and The Atlantic have both run articles regarding happiness studies and experiences vs. materialism. All day long, social media explodes with jpegs and memes enticing bloggers, Instagrammers, followers and Twitter® fanatics to embrace the moment, follow their dreams and seek experiences to bring out their happy.
When I graduated from high school, two different people gave me two different books. One, Dr. Seuss’s Oh The Places You’ll Go, and the other, Barbara Ann Kipfer’s 14,000 Things to be Happy About. While one used the ever-popular classic rhyme to showcase life’s endless climbs, possibilities, experiences and motivational moments, the other took bullet points to new heights. If I remember correctly, I spent hours highlighting and starring experiences I knew which already made me happy and others I longed to try in the future. Both books are still in my possession today (along with my sea glass finds).
’Though it seems counterintuitive, it is physically permanent stuff that evaporates from our minds. It is memories in the ether of our consciousness that last a lifetime, there for us to enjoy again and again. ’ – Arthur C. Brooks: Abundance without Attachment
My husband and I would probably fall into a category of ‘experience junkies’. For birthdays, milestones and the ‘every day’ we choose experiences over things. Sometimes it’s a large-scale travel adventure while other times it’s a local beach picnic. It could be an ‘at home’ movie night, s’mores on the terrace, star-gazing, a hike, live theater, a sporting event, a memorable evening of laughter with friends and family or something as simple as reading together on the couch. Experiences are like those gifts you made your parents as kids…often they’re free, created with love, come from the heart and are recalled for a lifetime. Maybe it’s a tradition you build, a travel adventure, dessert night with your friends’ kids, an afternoon at the beach with your nephew, a day spent outside with a family member or date night with your love – these are the ‘things’ you take with you.
’You can really like your material stuff. You can even think that part of your identity is connected to those things, but nonetheless they remain separate from you. In contrast, your experiences really are part of you. We are the sum total of our experiences. We consume experiences directly with other people, (says Gilovich). And after they’re gone, they’re part of the stories that we tell to one another.’ -Jay Cassano The Science of why you should spend your money on experiences, not things
You don’t need suitcases to carry memories. Moments and photos never go over a luggage allowance, nor do they require an expensive storage unit. There are no taxes levied on memories of experiences past or on ones you’re dreaming of in the future. There’s no age limit on fun, no height requirements on laughter and no 401k plan need be drained for the afternoon or weekend you spend creating lifetime memories. It doesn’t have to be large in size or price to hold in your heart. No government entity or individual can ever take them away from you. You’ll relive them over and over again. You’ll smile each time you remember. You’ll feel as if you were standing in that magical moment more times than the original budget required. Collect moments – they’ll stay with you for a lifetime.
Original article can be found here: Collect moments, not things
March 22, 2016
10 must-see destinations inspired by books or movies
Have you ever read a book that transported you to a new destination? Where the words infused the story’s setting and brought it to life so vividly that you were this close to booking a cheap ticket there?
I’ve had this happen many times. My must-visit list of destinations grows in leaps from watching movies or reading books.
Here’s a list of 10 must-see destinations inspired by books or movies to plot your next trip.
Photo credit: beautifulplacestovisit.com
BOOKS
Florence, Italy — The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston & Mario Spezi
In 2000, author Douglas Preston moves his family to Florence — realizing a long-time dream of living in Italy — to research and write a book. Little does he know the olive grove in front of his rented 14th century farmhouse was the spot of one of the most famous double-murders in Italian history. This murder was committed by the Monster of Florence: a serial killer who still roamed free decades after the crime. Soon Preston’s embroiled personally in the investigative hunt. Think: travel memoir mixed with real life detective/thriller novel.
Charleston, South Carolina — Beach Music by Pat Conroy
Food writer, Jack McCall, has sworn he’d never return to his home town, Charleston, South Carolina. Yet when his mother is diagnosed with cancer, he is pulled across the ocean from Rome to face the demons he left behind in Charleston. Pat Conroy’s spell-binding, poetic writing captures the slow majesty of Charleston’s beach beauty and Southern charm. The city’s rich history is a powerfully mute character as Jack returns to his town where, decades earlier, he and his friends committed a serious crime for which his best friend is still on the run. I wanted to rescue turtle babies on the beaches and fish for crawdads in Charleston’s rivers after reading this fictional book.
Lost city of Troy (Hissarlik) — The Greek Treasure by Irving Stone
In 1871, Heinrich Schliemann began excavations on what he believed was the lost city of Troy. At his side was Sophia, a 17 year old who later became his second wife and greatest ally. This historical novel chronicles how Heinrich methodically researched Troy, pinpointed its exact spot, and his journey to free it from earth’s clutches. His work gave credibility to the idea that Homer’s Iliad reflects historical events. More than that, it’s a true Indiana-Jones adventure story complete with golden treasures, buried cities, and a historical significance that made me want to cross the Aegean Sea to visit Troy’s ruins.
Venice, Italy — The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt
In 1996, an enormous fire destroyed Venice’s famed Opera House. Berendt — in this non-fiction that reads like captivating fiction — tells the story of what actually happened the day of the fire… and what the loss of this beloved Opera House did to the citizen of Venice. He captures the mystery and gilded decadence of Venice. And it will inspire you — like it did me — to visit the Bride of the Sea to soak in her charms.
Chicago, Illinois — Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
It’s 1893. Chicago, in its heyday, is gearing up to host the famous World’s Fair. This gripping non-fiction book tells the story of two men: Daniel H. Burnham, the architect responsible for the fair’s construction and H.H. Holmes, a doctor with a penchant for killing. You won’t be able to put this book down. And later, you’ll find yourself yearning to visit the white marble ruins of Chicago’s World’s Fair.
Photo credit: travelpast50.com
MOVIES
Bruges, Belgium — In Bruges
Two assassins (Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson) are ordered to lay low in the medieval town of Bruges. It’s a quiet town, sliced by a slow-moving river, and dotted with stone-bricked houses. Ray, the assassin played by Colin Farrell, hates the town. He can’t wait to get back to work. Brooding, tense and dramatic, this movie made me want to wander Bruges’ cobblestone streets and feel its peacefulness that was shattered in this crime drama.
Boston, Massachusetts — The Departed
Glimpse into South Boston’s seedy underbelly with this mob drama directed by Martin Scorsese that’ll keep you guessing until the end. Leo DiCaprio plays an undercover cop who infiltrates Jack Nicholson’s top-dog mob. This dark drama showcases Boston’s working class and mob history interspersed with beautifully shot images of the glittering city it’s become. A star-studded cast, stellar script and twists you’ll never see coming — after watching this movie, you’ll want to visit Boston just to see if these men do exist.
New Zealand — Lord of the Rings trilogy
Stunning vistas that seem ripped from a calendar. Impossibly green hills studded with rocky clefs that were born for sweeping panoramics. This is New Zealand: the land made famous by The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. I’ve wanted to see New Zealand since The Fellowship of the Ring came out. And you will, too, after watching an elf, man and dwarf run fearlessly over mountain spines chasing orcs.
Dubrovnik, Croatia — Game of Thrones series
This city hosts the political crimes orchestrated in HBO’s Game of Thrones series (modeled after the book series of the same name) for the fantasy country’s capital. Welcome to the medieval walled old city of Dubrovnik off the Adriatic Sea. You couldn’t ask for a more fantasy-inspired city: fortress on the hill, dark tunnels, stoned bridges, a river splitting the town, and a storied background dating back to the 7th century to satiate any history buff.
Rome, Italy — Gladiator
The Colosseum was built for these days. Sweat, blood, shouts mixed in the air of this white-marble topped open-air cathedral. The stands teemed with Rome’s citizens, hungry for a good fight. Inside the ring, two men circled, swinging their weapons. This is the movie Gladiator. When you visit this ruined architectural beauty of the first stadium, you’ll still hear the cries of the crowd, clang of weapons, and grunts of dying men. Prepare to fight for your life.
Laura Lopuch is a copywriter, incurable traveler, and blogs at Waiting To Be Read where she helps you find your next great book to read because life’s too short to read crummy books.
Photo credit: socialventurepartners.org
Original article can be found here: 10 must-see destinations inspired by books or movies
March 17, 2016
Everything Everywhere: Q&A with Gary Arndt
If anybody knows how to follow through on a travel goal, it’s Gary Arndt. His: simply to travel. He’s been traveling non-stop for the past two years and he has yet to set a return date. What we do know: he’s in Amsterdam today. And soon he’ll be in England. His website, Everything Everywhere, keeps us up-to-date on his whereabouts.
Gary’s the first to admit that he caught the travel bug a little late. Growing up in Wisconsin and Minnesota, he didn’t see saltwater until he was 21 years old, when he visited Seattle. His first trip abroad was in 1999 on a business trip that took him around the world.
It’s true that he sold his house to pay for his current trip, which isn’t something that everybody can do. He figures most people spend about $15,000-20,000 per year to travel year-round. But his one luxury—staying in single rooms rather than dorms while at hostels—ups the expense a bit.
Gary was kind enough to answer a few questions recently via email:
Your blog mentions that you got the idea to do a RTW trip two years before your trip. Looking back, what was the best preparation that you did during that time? And the worst?
The time before my trip was spent tying up loose ends more than planning. Selling my house and taking care of other business took up all that time. There was actually very little planning that I did other than knowing the general direction I was going to travel. The ability to adapt is more important than the ability to plan, because your plans are always going to change no matter what you do.
You’ve been away for two years now. How have your thoughts on the trip, or your approach, changed over that time?
It has been more of a matter of adjustment. When I started the trip I had to get used to not having my own bed or a place to retreat to. Eventually you just get used to it and you come to accept wherever you are as home. The only way to get to that point is to be forced into a situation where you have no place to retreat to. The first few months were sometimes difficult, but eventually you get used to it.
Do you have any favorite budget travel tips?
For me, I always look for hotels and hostels with free wifi. Paying for internet will drive you bankrupt if you have to do it on a consistent basis. I have found that cheaper hotels and hostels usually offer better/cheaper internet access than expensive places.
Any tricks you’ve learned for blogging from the road?
You have to be dedicated to blogging. There are tens of thousands of people who try to keep a blog while traveling and almost all of them are infrequently updated and abandoned. A laptop and a good camera I think are essential to blogging from the road. Also, blogging isn’t just writing. The internet is multimedia and travel is a very visual thing. Photography and video are just as important. Also, don’t expect to make a ton of money from your travel blog.
I’ve read you’re an Eagle Scout. Have you ever put some of those skills to the test on the road?
Yes. Knots and first aid always come in handy.
What’s next? Or do you have a particular goal for future travels?
I’ll be returning to the US in about a month to take care of some business and to visit my family which I haven’t seen in two years. Later in 2009-10 I plan on doing a big tour of the Caribbean and Central America with some road trips in the United States in September/October. I intend to keep traveling as long as I can, but I don’t know if I’ll be on the road for two years straight again in the same way I have been traveling. I might do two or three multi-month trips per year to targeted destinations like China and India. I hope to do more video and podcasting in the future and find other people to travel with. After almost 30 months of solo travel, spending time with someone else will be a real change.
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Image: Skitter Photo (StockSnap.io)
Original article can be found here: Everything Everywhere: Q&A with Gary Arndt
March 10, 2016
The Art of Non-conformity: Q&A with Chris Guillebeau
Visit his website or subscribe to his semiweekly newsletters and you quickly get a feel that Chris Guillebeau is happy, inspired, and living life to the fullest. The thing is, he genuinely seems to want the same for you and me.
His website, The Art of Non-conformity, promotes unconventional ways of living, working, and traveling—with the idea that you don’t have to live your life the way that people expect you to. Refreshing, huh? I think Chris eloquently expresses an ideal that many Vagabonders aspire to.
In his travels, Chris has the running goal of visiting every country in the world (he’s well on his way already, having been to 111 of 197 countries). Many of his newsletters find him reporting from far-off countries—most recently the Cook Islands and Suriname.
I caught him by email recently at his home in Oregon, where he very kindly answered a few questions for me:
What compelled you to change things up, and follow/promote an alternative lifestyle?
It started in two places. The beginning of AONC started when I turned 30, returned from Africa after four years abroad, finished grad school, and began thinking more seriously about what I really wanted to do with my life.
But before that, the foundation for everything else definitely began with the decision I made with my wife to go to West Africa in 2002. We ended up staying until 2006, volunteering for a medical charity, and those experiences helped me define how I see the world.
What has surprised you the most about living a life of non-conformity?
I’ve been mostly surprised by how easy it is. Some people assume that the unconventional life is more difficult, but really the opposite is true. For me, travel without a backpack or checked luggage is actually easier than lugging a bag around. The same is true with my work. Once I cut out meetings and obligations that had no clear value, I found I had a lot more time to do real work that had a lasting impact.
Do you have any favorite budget travel tips?
I use round-the-world tickets to facilitate a lot of my travel, and once I arrive in hub cities I tend to head off on buses or other overland transport. I’m also very active in the pursuit of frequent flyer miles—I think I have about 600,000 right now, but that’s not really a huge amount compared with all of the travel I do. I’ve started writing more about the cost of my trips on the site, and some people seem to enjoy that. They are usually surprised by how relatively little it costs.
What advice would you give to someone just starting to think about an around-the-world trip or other unconventional way of living?
I’d like to say, “Don’t be afraid to take the leap,” but that’s a bit simplistic. Most of us are afraid of any life choice that departs from convention. The trick is to acknowledge the fear while finding a way to overcome it. Asking yourself if you’d regret NOT making the choice 20 years from now is often helpful. So is asking, “What’s the worst thing that could happen if something went wrong?” I’ve found that the world doesn’t usually end even when things go wrong. Most of the time, everything works out just fine.
You inspire me! Who are your own role models?
Thank you. I am continually inspired by all of the people who read AONC and share their thoughts with me through comments, emails, Twitter, and around the world when I travel. They are a primary motivation for why I’m enjoying this so much.
Otherwise, I’m interested in people who have overcome significant challenges in pursuit of a worthy cause or independent thinking. A few of them that come to mind immediately are Malcolm X, Ayn Rand, and Ralph Nader. My favorite novelist is Haruki Murakami.
What’s next in your travels and projects?
I’m currently gearing up for a big trip to four continents that begins at the end of June. I’ll start off in Bolivia, finish up the rest of the South American countries I haven’t been to yet, head over to the Middle East (Jordan) and Persian Gulf (Kuwait and Saudi Arabia), then come home via Hong Kong and Malaysia. I haven’t had a monster trip like this in several months, so I’m looking forward to it.
Otherwise, my biggest project is writing the book that will expand the ideas of unconventional living I write about on AONC.
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Image: Tim Gouw (StockSnap.io)
Original article can be found here: The Art of Non-conformity: Q&A with Chris Guillebeau
March 1, 2016
Changing Direction
I love Diners, Drive-Ins and Drives® on The Food Network®. With episodes filled with a constant supply of colorful food and characters, Guy Fieri travels the country meeting people who have passions for what they do. Aside from the dishes that call to my palate and the scenes in which I remark, ‘we have got to go there’, the episodes that stay with me are the ones where owners or chefs never started out in the restaurant business. Here, people who found a passion, dismissed the naysayers, forged ahead and succeeded in sharing their joy with others. Here, people change directions every day – why can’t we?
Early on I knew I never wanted solely one job, or one profession. In my twenties, there were years that I had more jobs simultaneously than I do fingers. I loved meeting people who were talented, dedicated, driven, creative, smart and worldly. The whole idea that all through high school, then university and afterwards I would have to pick ‘one thing’ and focus on it was mind-boggling to me. Could you have lots of ‘on the side gigs’ and one main focus or could you spread your wings and fly in a variety of directions? What if you found one passion for a while and then wanted to change? Could you do that? What if it wasn’t considered something lucrative but you wanted it anyway – could you do that, too?
I remember talking with one of my camp lifeguards, as she was finishing up her university degree in psychology. Every summer she made me the most fantastic birthday cake decorated in summer, beach and Disney themes. In 2009, the week we got married, she brought in a stunning, sparkly three-tiered wedding cake ready to be cut with plastic knives and eaten on plastic plates atop a weather worn picnic table by eager dripping swim instructors. She had a passion but wasn’t sure if she could switch directions. She did and the happy wedding cake designer hasn’t looked back since. It’s not a simple task to change direction, but in many cases, it is a simple decision. Something inside says leap and after trying to subdue that messenger for days, weeks, months or years – there comes a time when there’s no choice left, it’s time to change direction.
Changing Gears
When the world of public school teaching in America shifted to Common Core, rubrics for evaluations, test-centered everything and limited access to individual flair– it wasn’t the same thing I signed up for all those years ago. Making a difference was fabulous, advising extra-curricular activities was spectacular and working with students to find success was my passion – but the direction was shifting and it was time for a change. After marrying someone from the other side of the world, traveling internationally and meeting many whose upbringing was far different from my own, I changed. Couple that with a shift in education and it was time. How did you make the leap?
Transitions aren’t easy. Some work that ‘on the side’ hobby into a full-time revenue stream. Some falter more times than they can count, but the vision is still the focus. Some start slowly; develop while toiling at their ‘real job’ while dreaming of the day the passion takes charge. No matter your path, journey or reason – you CAN change direction.
Today’s entertainers aren’t solely singers, actors or designers – they create a brand and market themselves as such. What you studied at university in your twenties might not be your passion in your forties. Your desire to change locations geographically may enter into your choice or change of vocation or profession. Perhaps you want to write a book, go back to school, open your own business or have the ability to work from any hammock, mountain café or beachside lounge chair you choose. Failing and trying again and again is a mark of persistence, dedication and passion. The only failure comes from not trying at all. Don’t be afraid. You can do it. Ignore the naysayers. There are far more people who’d love to watch you fly than fall. If it’s what you yearn for…change direction – I believe in you.
To follow more of Stacey’s musings, check out her blog.
Photo Credit: Ben Rosett
Original article can be found here: Changing Direction
February 23, 2016
Vagabonding Case Study: Konrad Waliszewski
Name: Konrad Waliszewski
Website: World Venture Project and TripScout
Age: 29
Hometown: Washington DC
Quote: The purpose of life is a life of purpose. – Robert Byrne
How did you find out about Vagabonding, and how did you find it useful before and during the trip?
Vagabonding was my main resource to prepare me for my first long-term trip and my traveling lifestyle ever since. I found Rolf’s philosophy and mindset on minimalism, finding adventure, and maintaining the traveler mindset when you come home even more valuable than the many practical tips. I’ve read it several times and have recommended to nearly every aspiring traveler I talk to.
How long were you on the road?
My first long-term trip was approximately 1 year. However, travel is a core part of my personal and professional life. I am often on the road as I travel to approximately 10-20 countries per year, although that pace has even started to increase significantly with the launch of my latest startup, TripScout, a mobile app and offline map that provides self-guided city tours from top local guides.
Where did you go?
On my first long-term trip, I traveled throughout Africa (Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Mozambique, and South Africa), the Middle East (Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Turkey, and the UAE), and Europe (Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Spain, and Ireland). However, I have continued to travel significantly ever since and have now been to approximately 80 countries, which I document on my World Venture Project travel blog.
What was your job or source of travel funding for this journey?
It’s currently my startup and travel app, TripScout. Our entire team is distrusted remotely. However, I have always maintained remote office capabilities (although not usually full-time). Prior to TripScout, I was the COO of Speek, a venture-backed tech startup that was acquired in 2015. We offered communication tools, so working from different cities every now and then was easy. Before that, I had a consulting business for private equity funds and large companies that I usually did remotely or on international projects. Although this wasn’t the case when I started my career, I have since prioritized the opportunity to travel with my businesses or job prospects, even if it requires me to pass on some great opportunities. If significant travel is something you want to do, you have to intentionally design it into your life and career. The time, money, or opportunity will rarely just happen automatically.
Did you work or volunteer on the road?
I always work and I regularly volunteer while on the road. I like working on projects that inspire me, so I have always had at least one company or full-time job while traveling. I make it a point to find inspiring causes in every country I visit and I try to help in any way I can. With TripScout, we find a charity in every country we’re in, donate 10% of revenue to them, and find ways to promote their cause. I also regularly mentor local entrepreneurs and startup incubators throughout the world.
Of all the places you visited, which was your favorite?
That’s always a hard question, but I’d have to pick Mozambique. It was my first African country (besides South Africa and Egypt) and I traveled up the coast through their crazy system of vans and buses. It was a new frontier. I saw scenes straight out of a National Geographic magazine, I explored the most beautiful and untouched beaches and remote islands, and I navigated the cities. People are a huge part of any travel experience and I also happened to meet some of the best travel mates along that journey.
Was there a place that was your least favorite, or most disappointing, or most challenging?
Honestly, no. This might sound cliché, but every place has something unique and awesome to offer. Certainly there have been some challenging times (such as being chased out of a Hezbollah neighborhood, getting robbed, getting sick, or being physically and mentally drained), but that’s all part of the experience and creates its own memory. I’d never blame the place for those things, most of them can and do happen anywhere. It’s hard to be bored or disappointed when you’re in a new place with a different culture and a lot of new people to meet.
Which travel gear proved most useful? Least useful?
My bag gets smaller and lighter on every trip. On my first big trip, I brought back up computer chargers for work, clothes for a variety of situations, a couple books, and a lot more unnecessary things.
Now, I only bring a small backpack (think school bag, not backpacker backpack), regardless of the length of the trip. The most useful gear I bring is: a small external battery pack for my phone (preferably with solar charge too), my iPhone and laptop (since I’m running a business and maintaining a blog), my Kindle, and zip lock bags for my clothes (separates them and keeps them fresher). I throw in a dryer sheet into your backpack too, it makes everything smell better. I recently listed a bunch of my favorite travel gear in this post: Travel Checklist.
What are the rewards of the vagabonding lifestyle?
Every trip changes me in some way. Being pushed outside my comfort zone and routine, along with the sensory bombardment of new sights, smells, sounds, tastes, and customs, invigorates my mind and creativity. There’s a warped sense of time and I become uniquely present. I never know what will happen, but I know I will come out a better person and more connected to people, the world, and my true self. The feeling has become addictive.
What are the challenges and sacrifices of the vagabonding lifestyle?
Most paths you take require you to sacrifice other things you want to do. A lifestyle on the road gives me less time with friends and family that I want to spend time with. It forces me to say no to many great professional opportunities. I often find myself working odd hours to make a call with someone on the other side of the world. While this is also a perk, I usually put on a few pounds every trip because I find it my obligation and duty to eat every local food I can find.
What lessons did you learn on the road?
Set aside time for exploration, walk more, and disconnect to think. Take hospitality seriously, it’s how we show how much we value people. Talk to strangers more. Put your position in the world into perspective. Find adventure and joy in the daily mundane (after all, that’s what life is made up of). Block off long chunks of undisturbed time for your most essential work (like what time zone changes do for you when traveling). One little action you take can make a big difference in the world. Be even more grateful for what you have purely based on the circumstances of your birth. Be much more open-minded. Be more of a minimalist. Be comfortable being uncomfortable. Live a great story.
If there was one thing you could have told yourself before the trip, what would it be?
Pack less. If you bring a “backpacker” backpack, you have too much stuff.
Any advice or tips for someone hoping to embark on a similar adventure?
We get to be the author of our own lives, so make sure to live the life you want to live. If travel is something that you dream about or desire to do, find ways to make it happen and don’t make time, money, or practicality an excuse. Creativity and hustle can usually overcome those barriers if you start being proactive about your life. Beyond that, travel is not complicated. Mistakes will be made and you will figure it out. 99% of the time, these mistakes are not a big deal and you will simply have a good story or learning experience from it. Don’t overthink it, just book a ticket and go explore.
When and where do you think you’ll take your next long-term journey?
I recently relocated my home base to Cairo, Egypt and will use it as my launching pad for more travel. I just returned from Ethiopia and Somalia, and will be traveling to Istanbul, Athens, Bucharest, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, New Orleans, and Austin (for SXSW) over the next two months.
Read more about Konrad on his website, World Venture Project and TripScout.
Original article can be found here: Vagabonding Case Study: Konrad Waliszewski
February 18, 2016
How to respond to beggars on the road
Last week, my Yahoo! News “Traveling Light” column dealt with the very complicated issue of dealing with beggars on the road. From my article, here are five principles to help navigate this sadly common and difficult travel situation:
1) Spend some time in the community before you give to beggars
Not only will a few days of immersion in the local culture give you a better sense for which beggars are and are not truly needy — it will also give you a sense for the spending power of the local currency.
Moreover, a little cultural familiarity will allow you to see how locals react to beggars: when they give money, and how much they choose to give. Most of the world’s spiritual traditions have time-honored practices for helping the needy, and following these local religious protocols is often the most culturally appropriate way to give money. In less religious societies, such as those in Western Europe, state funds are often available for the homeless and indigent, theoretically eliminating the need for hunger-based beggary.
Donations to local charities and NGOs are another solution for helping the needy in a given community — though you should research aid organizations carefully, since many such agencies are notorious for siphoning money into bloated administrative overhead.
2) Practice skepticism
Try and donate to those who truly need it (physical deformities are usually a reliable indicator of need), and try to avoid putting money into the hands of hustlers. Any able-bodied beggar who is too aggressive, charming, accusatory, persistent, melodramatic, or (in non-Anglophone countries) good at English is probably working a scam, trying to raise drug money, or avoiding legitimate work.
Children who beg are always a tough call, since it’s natural to feel sympathy for them. I almost never give to child beggars, however, because child beggary is so often tied to organized crime and familial exploitation. Moreover, even if a given kid is begging independently of opportunistic adults, I find it best not to reinforce this behavior at such a young age. Some travelers suggest giving pens or other educational supplies to child beggars, but I find this strategy a tad credulous. Better to give school supplies (or money) to an actual school or aid agency in a developing country than to presume these items will go to good use at random.
3) Don’t be afraid to say no
It’s better to give out of conviction than guilt, so don’t give if you truly don’t want to. Some travelers I know even have a policy of never giving to beggars at all (reasoning that their donation stands to create as many problems as it solves), and this is as legitimate a way as any to deal with the situation. Beggars realize that what they’re doing is a numbers game, and that not everyone who walks past is going to give them money.
4) You’re not saving the day
Giving money to a person on the street may make that person’s day a little better, but rarely will it do much to actually change his or her life. Individual travelers are rarely more than a fleeting presence in the lives of beggars, so keep things in perspective, remain humble, and don’t condemn those travelers who choose not to give.
5) Be courteous
It is perfectly normal protocol to ignore beggars in a given situation (they’re used to it), but don’t lecture them on how they should live their life or spend their money. In other words, remember the essential humanity of the needy as you travel, and don’t presume the presence of beggars is somehow an affront to your vacation. After all, as a traveler you are a mere guest in a faraway place, and they have just as much right as you to hang out at a given landmark, a public square, or tourist attraction.
Full article online here.
Photo Credit:
Steven Lewis
Original article can be found here: How to respond to beggars on the road
February 16, 2016
Top Things that Inspire Me to Travel the World
The world is a vast place filled with wondrous sites, untamed wilderness, and unlimited amounts of beauty. Even when the road gets tough the inspiration you need to keep going is never far away.
Over the years, the things that keep inspiring me has shifted a little, but many of the reasons I am still traveling are the reasons why I started in the first place.
After over three years on the road, these top things that inspire me to travel the world.
Finding the heart of the country
I love seeing the famous sites and eating at the celebrated restaurants.They are important things to do whenever visiting a new place.
Although, visiting sites no longer inspires me as much as it did at one time.
Don’t get me wrong, unforgettable experiences like wandering the temples of Angkor Wat, or hiking on the Great Wall of China still fill my body with excitement and my heart with wanderlust.
However, you can only visit so many churches, cathedrals, temples, and other sites before they begin to lose their charm and start to feel repetitive.
The longer I travel, the more I find inspiration hanging out with locals, dining at hole in the wall restaurants, and wandering non-touristy neighborhoods.
This is where you find the real heartbeat of a country.
When I started doing this it changed the way I travel. It has made my love of the road grow much more than seeing another towering church or extravagant painting.
Now as I travel I try to immerse myself in the local culture. It always makes me feel like I am actually in the country not just visiting it. It gives me a lot of inspiration, happiness, and it’s a fantastic reminded of why I started traveling.
I need to see the world, not hear about the world
By nature, I am a curious person. From the moment, my first trip to Ireland began I got a serious case of Wanderlust.
That trip was ten years ago, and I am still as curious about the world as I was then.
One reason I am continuously inspired to travel is because I am not satisfied with someone telling me what is over the next horizon. I have to see it for myself.
I have to know the feeling you get when you are hiking through the jungles of Malaysia, or looking out over Rome from the top of the Vatican.
My curiosity to actively experience the world around me is a daily inspiration that keeps me on the road even at the toughest times.
I want to experience a full life
I have an adventure quote I use for inspiration, which is, “ When I am eighty will I regret not doing this?”
A small phrase, but it is one that has a powerful effect on me.
Sometimes I am a little nervous about conquering a fear, trying that strange dish that you can’t quite tell what it is, or planning my next batch of adventures. Whenever to get a little squeamish I am all I have to do is whisper that little phrase to myself. Every single time it drives me to push past my hesitations and nervousness.
Living with no regrets is one of my biggest inspirations for traveling.
I travel because I love it more than anything.Because it is my dream, and I believe that we all should live our dreams. I travel because when I am older, I want to look back at my life and say that I lived it.
My first trip abroad made me feel alive in a way I did not know possible. From that moment my entire life has been dedicated to my biggest love in the world, traveling. These three reasons were big inspirations for me taking that first trip, and continue to inspire me daily as I explore this beautiful planet.
Stephen Shcreck – Is a continuously being inspired to travel the world. You can read more at his travel blog or follow him on Instagram.
Photo Credit: Luis Llerena
Original article can be found here: Top Things that Inspire Me to Travel the World
February 9, 2016
Group travel without the organizational nightmare
Some of the potential drawbacks of group travel are often the very perks of a solo trip: no arguments over where or when to go, no mismatched food tastes, unbalanced fitness levels or clashing differences in hygiene habits. When you’re alone, you’re free to make any and every decision without worry of offending one of your travel mates. But solo trips, while often liberating, can also be quite lonely.
For those of you more inclined to hit the road with a travel partner, there’s a new website to help simplify the process of planning your group trip. So grab your friends, and meet Triporama.
According to the site’s development blog, the idea surfaced after a group of friends struggled to organize a summer trip to Mexico. “As anyone who has ever planned a detailed group trip can tell you, the phone calls and emails are fun at first … But quickly they become less enjoyable by having to decide on things like, ‘Where’s the best place to stay for the budget?’”
Triporama is the end result – an astonishingly easy, wiki-like website to get you and your friends on the same wavelength before the big trip.
The site – which requires (free) registration – has four main sections, each editable by the group members who have accepted the invite to your particular Triporama page. These sections include a rudimentary message board, a place to share related links and travel details, as well as a handy poll generator for a democratic approach to choosing the more important options of the trip.
While there’s plenty of room for more advanced features, the sites simplistic approach is refreshing. This makes it extremely easy to use, even for those who might not be as Internet-savvy as yourself.
Photo Credit: RachelH
Original article can be found here: Group travel without the organizational nightmare
Notes from the 9th month
I’ve been on a journey these last nine months. Yet I don’t have a tally of how many miles I’ve traveled, countries visited, or new foods eaten.
My journey has taken a different path. Where at journey’s end, I’ll emerge member of a special group of travelers: those who have gone before and now dispense their wisdom on me.
It’s a journey unlike any I’ve ever been on before. While I haven’t left the country of my native language these past months, I’ve gone far.
This journey is pregnancy. And it’s made me analyze my notions about travel and its role in my life — specifically why I travel and if I should continue post-baby.
In the beginning, I didn’t look pregnant. Yet it was obvious my body had veered off its normal course into uncharted territory. As months passed, my secret became obvious. It felt like we’d pushed off the dock of the known world, striking west for new lands.
Along the way, not only did my body change, but my thoughts did, too. For the first time, I examined what travel meant to me and the role it played in my life.
Why do I need to travel?
The answer lay in the lines comprising state boundaries or dots marking cities on a map. How my finger felt as it traced ocean currents circling the globe. Excitement in my veins when I considered how a new city smells and feels upon arrival.
Travel gave me life and curiosity. It blew open the windows of my mind to new thoughts, ideas, and experiences.
I needed to travel the way I needed to breathe: to sustain my life. When I traveled, I was a better human: more patient, kind, and open-minded.
To not introduce travel into my baby’s life would severely handicap my child’s growth and development. Travel had to be an important part of my baby’s education — an education that was not confined to schoolhouse walls or textbooks. When I think of all the lessons that travel has taught me, being a good parent means I ensure my child has every opportunity to learn those lessons.
To do otherwise would be to disadvantage my child’s growth. Travel has given me love of knowledge, a blooming self-confidence, and courage to face adversity.
Raising a world traveler
The nay-sayers proclaim that: traveling with kids is hard. Once you have kids, say goodbye to travel, much less striking out beyond your home city’s borders. Road trips are pushing your luck, but air travel is nigh impossible.
To you I say, being uncomfortable is part of travel. It pushes your boundaries, forces you to be independent, and extracts valuable ore from your nature that you didn’t know you had.
I want to raise a human who is curious, patient and self-reliant. A human who tackles problems head-on without allowing fear to cripple them. I want my child to love rip-roaring adventures for they know the experience will strengthen them and later serve as priceless fodder for unforgettable stories.
I want to raise a human who is a globetrotter and avid learner of this world.
Travel will be my smelter in fashioning that person. It will aid me in creating a person who benefits and changes the lives around them — not twiddling their thumbs waiting on the world to change or blaming others for their incompleteness.
In a few short weeks, my body will complete its journey through pregnancy. But the bigger journey of introducing this new life to an amazing, bustling world will have just begun.
Laura Lopuch is a copywriter, incurable traveler, and blogs at Waiting To Be Read where she helps you find your next great book to read because life’s too short to read crummy books.
Photo credit: Laura Lopuch
Original article can be found here: Notes from the 9th month
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