Rolf Potts's Blog, page 8
July 28, 2015
Risk versus Reward…Where do you stand?
When my dad talked to me about stocks, my eyes glazed over. It didn’t matter what cost benefit analysis he gave me, I was a risk adverse kind of kid. To his dismay, I was always happy with money under the mattress or in the bank. Even though it couldn’t go up, I knew it couldn’t disappear. I’m sure the pundits would disagree with me, but it’s how I always felt. Then travel happened.
“You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore” – William Faulkner
In the early stages of my travels, there was limited risk. I was lucky enough to take Caribbean holidays at all-inclusive resorts and participate in domestic US travel. University started to expand that friendly risk factor – although I don’t believe myself and I ever had the conversation of risk versus reward. I slowly dipped my toes into international waters with a group tour to Israel and then a Western Europe backpacking journey with two friends. I wouldn’t trade those sand-filled beach holidays for anything and my time spent in Orlando, Florida with family has made me a Disney fan for life, but; I branched out.
“Never was anything great achieved without danger.” –Niccolo Machiavelli
I remember those conversations with my parents about that first trip to Israel and the backpacking abroad. I could hear their fear about global situations and understood that this wasn’t something either of them had done in their youth. There was risk. Of course, all things involve risk-the thought of air travel alone is often enough to raise blood pressure for some, yet, I find we forget how much risk is involved in just crossing the street in front of our own homes. The desire to experience new cultures came with great risk, but for me, the reward was worth it.
“Fortune sides with him who dares.” -Virgil
As my dad continued through the years to talk to me about finances, the glaze stayed steady, but; some information began to filter in and growth took place. I still wasn’t thrilled about the idea of full on risk in the stock market, but my travel risk-taking ability was changing. That first taste was enough to blow the roof off concern and allow for the thought process of wading in further to take shape. One of my best friends is the dive in headfirst kind of person, but for me, that wasn’t the case.
“To take that risk, to offer life and remain alive, open yourself like this and become whole.” –Margaret Atwood
Steadily, my fear of risk decreased as my comprehension of reward grew. The inverse graphic was apparent and the greater desire for what I believed to be ‘reward’ lessened the dreaded risk. Flying further, changing planes, solo travel, third-world destinations and longer-term travel soon became the norm. It wasn’t headfirst, but it was deeper than I’d ever gone before and each time, it got a bit more exciting and a bit less frightening.
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” –Helen Keller
I found middle ground. I stayed away from war-torn regions, I didn’t have the need to be the first person to ever explore unchartered territory and I ALWAYS took travel insurance. Soon, reward usurped trepidation. The gifts were far greater than the anxiety and the joy of conquering that fear of risk even added to the reward.
“There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long-range risks of comfortable inaction.” –John F. Kennedy
I’m still not a full on fan of the stock market. I understand its significance, I respect its possibilities and I even dabble a little. I’ve slept on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater, gone cliff diving, walked with lions and been licked by a cheetah. It seems, like everything, that little by little borders soften, boundaries grow and even the most risk adverse among us grow comfortable with some risk in order to be able to experience life’s great rewards.
“And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed)…Kid, you’ll move mountains.” –Dr. Seuss
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To find more of Stacey’s travel musings, check out her blog.
Image: flocu (shutterstock)
Original article can be found here: Risk versus Reward…Where do you stand?
July 23, 2015
A traveler’s guide to Buddhist meditation retreats in Thailand
Since I’ve traveled to (and at times lived in) Thailand every year since 1998, I’m occasionally asked to recommend a Buddhist meditation retreat for long-term travelers. I can easily recommend some specific starting points for practicing meditation in Thailand (and if you keep reading, you’ll find a few recommendations below), but over time I’ve found that it’s more instructive to just tell people this: Find your own damn Buddhist meditation retreat!
In saying this, I’m not being grumpy and standoffish — it really is good travel advice. Far too often, Western Buddhists (and prospective Buddhists) travel to Asia like it’s one big spiritual shopping mall, flitting from monastery to monastery without ever wandering out to truly experience the host country. And while I can appreciate these people’s enthusiasm, this is a very limited and superficial way to explore the Buddhist faith.
By pointing this out, I don’t mean to disparage the Thai monasteries that help instruct Western seekers. Rather, my point is that you shouldn’t pick-and-choose your spiritual quest like it was something that can be ordered from a catalogue. Religion may be divinely inspired, but it also comes into being within a socio-cultural context. Unless you allow yourself to wander away from the wats and see how normal Thais practice their Buddhism, you’ll only be “accessorizing” your own Western socio-cultural notions with convenient, smooth-edged Buddhist ones.
So my advice is this: Travel to Thailand, but save the monasteries for last. Give yourself a month (if you have the time — and I recommend that you make the time, for example booking a Bangkok hotel room ahead of time will save you time)) to wander the country, north and south, jungles and beaches, Bangkok and Isaan. It’s dirt cheap to travel in Thailand, so knock yourself out. Go on a trek. Learn to scuba dive. Talk to everyone — Thais and travelers, rural villagers and middle-class urbanites — and listen to what they have to say. If it comes up in the conversation, ask people about Buddhism, or Buddhist meditation. Watch how people live. Enjoy the backpacker hangouts if that’s your thing — but try to get off the travel-circuit and explore small, everyday Thai towns. Learn Thai phrases and make Thai friends.
After a month of this, your visa will have expired, and you will have probably have fallen in love with Thailand. Perfect. Now pop across the border, renew your visa, and come back to Thailand. Not only will you know by then what kind of meditation center best suits your interests — you’ll also have an experience of Thailand that is far more intimate and authentic than what you’d have experienced walled up in some monastery. You’ll also have a better idea of the role Buddhism plays in the lives of the people who’ve been practicing it for thousands of years — and not just the role it can play in your California (or wherever) lifestyle.
Some more serious Western Buddhists might balk at this advice, claiming that they want to spend the entirety of their travel time studying meditation — not gallivanting around doing seemingly frivolous activities. But for these people, I think the normal experience of a Buddhist country is even more important: It will help them understand the socio-cultural context of their discipline. Even if your vacation time is short, it’s worth it to make the time to see Thailand (or any country) as a layperson as well as a seeker.
For people who are really serious about their Buddhism, I might also offer an additional challenge: While you are still in the West, seek out and spend some time with some sincere Christians and Jews. After all, if you were raised in the West, you probably have innate Judeo-Christian values (such as individualism and humanism) that don’t exactly mesh with certain Eastern values (such as duty and fatalism). Thus, unless you can appreciate the positive application of Western spiritual values, you might have trouble reconciling your old Western instincts with your new Eastern disciplines. Buddhism does not require the rejection of other religions, and many people (such as the Catholic monk and philosopher Thomas Merton, who met with the Dalai Lama back in the sixties) have found that the best way to embrace Buddhism is to use its principles to inform and expand their traditional Christian or Jewish faith. (This will obviously require a rather liberal reading of Christianity or Judaism — but just because you don’t see open-minded Judeo-Christians on the evening news doesn’t mean they don’t exist.)
OK, having said all that, I’m sure there are still a few people out there who honestly don’t have the time to sniff out their own Buddhist experience in Asia. Thus, here are three good starting points for those interested in experiencing Buddhist meditation in Thailand:
Bangkok:
International Buddhist Meditation Center
Lardprao Lane 15
Bangkok 10900
+66 (02) 511-0439
South Thailand:
Suan Mokkh (Garden of Liberation)
Amphur Chaiya
Surat Thani 84110
North Thailand:
Northern Insight Meditation Center (Wat Rampoeng)
Tambon Suthep
Amper Muang
Chiang Mai 50000
+66 (053) 278-620
For more comprehensive information about Buddhist meditation centers in Thailand, try this online guide:
Meditation Centres in Thailand
Finally, if you’re new to Theravada Buddhism and the fundamentals of Buddhist mediation, here are three books that will lend insight:
What the Buddha Taught, by Walpola Rahula
A simple and relevant introduction to Theravada Buddhism.
The Heart of Buddhist Meditation, by Nyanaponika Thera
A good introduction to the Buddha’s “Way of Mindfulness”.
Mindfulness in Plain English, by Henepola Gunaratana
Another good nuts-and-bolts manual to basic Buddhist meditation.
Image: ecodallaluna (flickr)
Original article can be found here: A traveler’s guide to Buddhist meditation retreats in Thailand
July 21, 2015
Airbnb and the evolution of travel
I am amazed how Airbnb has exploded around the world since its inception in the spring of 2009. It has morphed and grown at such a rapid rate, from a handful of listings in a few cities to thousands of hosts around the globe, hundreds of bookings to millions within its first three years!
Today, their website has surpassed one million listings, offering more lodging than any other hotel chain in the world and projections for their growth continue to be astronomically optimistic! Touted as one of the pioneers of the sharing economy, Airbnb has inspired many more peer-to-peer businesses all over the world. In fact, today sharing has never been more popular and consumer demand for local travel experiences is pervading every facet of the travel industry.
After the success of peer-to-peer accommodation with Airbnb, the sharing economy concept has invaded other travel sectors. Sites like Bookalokal and Eatwith, businesses that pair visitors with home cooks for a fee. Tourists become dinner guests in a local home to experience local culture and taste culinary specialties of a particular neighborhood or region. Then there are the locally led tour operations. Vayable defines their tour service as the best way to find unique, local recommended travel experiences worldwide or Guidehop, a site offering ways to find and create unique activities around the world via a peer to peer marketplace.
This diversification in the sharing economy is another indication that Airbnb’s concept has had a resounding ripple effect on the entire travel industry.
The truth is Airbnb makes travel more accessible for people
Airbnb conducts studies on the economic impact their service has had in different cities around the world. Results show travelers and local economies both benefit financially because of Airbnb. Airbnb guests stay longer than hotel guests stay and spend more money in local businesses over the course of their trips as a result.
This tells me the money travelers save staying with an Airbnb host can help them afford to spend more time in a destination, injecting more tourism dollars to support the local economy. A win/win for travelers and the cities they visit. Simply put, Airbnb is changing how people live and travel.
The value for money that Airbnb hosts provide is undeniable, so much better than hotels in many cases. I have personal experience with this as I travel full time with my family. We have been vagabonding for over a year now with half of that time staying with Airbnb hosts. Every city we’ve stayed in whole place Airbnb rentals it has cost a fraction of what it would have cost us in a hotel or even a hostel for that matter. Airbnb makes my family’s vagabond lifestyle financially possible.
Having a more authentic, local experience vacationing is a key travel trend for 2015
I can’t help thinking Airbnb is a key driver for this trend. Since its start in 2009 Airbnb has helped travelers explore and get to know cities away from tourist areas. Hosts share their local favorites for restaurants and shopping revealing hidden gems off the beaten tourist path to their guests.
Consumer demand for more authentic travel has influenced hotels to adapt and work to offer local experiences to would be guests. Many hotel chains now help guests connect and engage their local communities, working with local businesses to create options for guests seeking an authentic travel experience.
The Marriott has a program called Six Degrees, a social platform for the hotel lobby. It is an app that helps like-minded guests make connections in Marriott lobbies all over the world. Then there is Hilton’s Curio, a collection of unique Hilton hotels whose aim is to offer local discovery to travelers who seek a more authentic travel experience.
Airbnb is an impressive example of entrepreneurship and enterprise. It is amazing the entire service started with three air mattresses and free breakfast! The poster child for the sharing economy, Airbnb has influenced the travel industry for the better. I know firsthand how Airbnb makes travel more accessible for people. My family would not be able to afford our vagabond lifestyle without the accommodation choices that Airbnb provides. Travelers and local economies are benefiting and Airbnb’s service will only continue to grow as a result.
Tracey Tullis is freelance writer traveling the world with her husband and young son. You can learn about her family’s vagabonding life on her blog The Expat Experiment.com and follow her on Twitter @expatexperiment
Original article can be found here: Airbnb and the evolution of travel
July 16, 2015
Vagabonding Case Study: Alana Morgan
Alana Morgan of Paper Planes Blog
Age: 28
Hometown: Seattle
Quote:“Once in a while it really hits people that they don’t have to experience the world in the way they have been told to.” – Alan Keightley
How did you find out about Vagabonding, and how did you find it useful before and during the trip?
Before I left home I was completely oblivious to the vagabonding lifestyle…I didn’t even realize how many people thought it was normal to backpack around the world. I had lived abroad briefly and traveled a little through Europe before, but had no idea there were so many people from all backgrounds, places and ages that chose to live unconventional lifestyles with an emphasis on traveling. Realizing there was this whole community out there was a huge turning point for me in realizing I could live my life however I chose.
How long were you on the road?
I quit my ‘real’ job 3.5 years ago and have been living abroad and traveling ever since.
Where did you go?
Initially I went to Thailand thinking I would be there for maybe six months…I ended up staying three years living in the north and traveling around Southeast Asia. I’ve also gone back to visit the U.S. several times and spent about two and a half months traveling throughout Europe.
What was your job or source of travel funding for this journey?
After college I lived at home while working full-time and saving everything I could. I could have lived on my own, but knew that every rent check I’d pay I’d be thinking about the plane tickets that money could have went toward instead! I’m a natural saver and always try to make my money go as far as it can, especially while traveling.
Did you work or volunteer on the road?
I’ve been working in some form or another for most of the time since I left home. At first I tried teaching English as a second language but realized it wasn’t for me. Since then I’ve used my background in writing, communications and public relations to work with freelance clients from around the world.
Of all the places you visited, which was your favorite?
I have to say Thailand since I need up staying there for so long – there’s something about the country that just got into my soul. Of course, I love other places, but Southeast Asia is something special…I don’t think I’ll ever be able to stay away for too long.
Was there a place that was your least favorite, or most disappointing, or most challenging?
All places have their own share of challenges or disappointments, however I think I’m one of the only people in the world who hasn’t fallen in love with Italy. I spent a month traveling through the country on my own and it was incredibly frustrating and disappointing. I’d definitely go back, but on different terms, and wouldn’t recommend traveling there solo.
Which travel gear proved most useful? Least useful?
I don’t actually travel with too much gear and am usually wary of items that are meant for only one purpose, though a good, sturdy backpack that fits your body and isn’t too big is key. As a backpacker, I never used the sleeping bag liner I bought to use while staying in dirtier places…it ended up being too much hassle and just took up space.
What are the rewards of the vagabonding lifestyle?
Constantly experiencing new and different things – at home I felt like I was stuck in a rut, but while traveling and living abroad I always felt that I was more mindful, present and proactive in living my life and recognizing everything around me. I also have so many fantastic relationships, experiences and stories now that I wouldn’t have if I had just stayed at home!
What are the challenges and sacrifices of the vagabonding lifestyle?
Many people encourage others to quit their jobs and travel the world – I understand the appeal, heck, that’s what I did – but at the same time there’s definitely something to be said for having a home base, a community and a sense of belonging. Vagabonding can leave you feeling disconnected and with no direction, even if in the moment you’re enjoying yourself.It also comes with a lot of doubt – I don’t know a single person who has been vagabonding and didn’t have periods of self doubt and questioning what they were doing. That’s not to say it’s not worth it but, as with anything, there are pros and cons.
What lessons did you learn on the road?
The more I see the more I realize I know and have experienced very, very little. There are infinite ways of doing things and nothing is completely right or wrong – the world isn’t clearly black and white. I also think I’m ow more patient and compassionate and am able to step back to see the big picture of things instead of being caught up in unimportant details.
How did your personal definition of “vagabonding” develop over the course of the trip?
Originally I thought I would travel consistently for about a year then head home. Now I’m constantly trying to look for ways to blend ‘real life’, travel and work on my terms. It’s not easy, but I also can’t imagine going to back to a living and working situation like I had before I left home.
If there was one thing you could have told yourself before the trip, what would it be?
That there were plenty of other people traveling and living abroad indefinitely and that it could be done. Before I started traveling long term I thought I was an anomaly and, at 24, that it was almost ‘too late’ for me to take a year off from work to travel. I was so wrong!
Any advice or tips for someone hoping to embark on a similar adventure?
Start connecting and talking to other people who are doing things similar to what you want to do – they will encourage you, get you excited and help you realize it can be done. There will be plenty of people who don’t understand what you want to do, but don’t listen to them – surround yourself with people who are reassuring and supportive.
When and where do you think you’ll take your next long-term journey? That’s a good question…
Read more about Alana on her blog, Paper Planes or follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
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.
Image: Andi Campbell-Jones (flickr)
Original article can be found here: Vagabonding Case Study: Alana Morgan
July 14, 2015
Pack a positive attitude and overcome anything
“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living”
-Miriam Beard
I still vividly remember the excitement that I had as I embarked on my first ever road trip when I was four years old. It was a long ten-hour trek, but the excitement powerfully overtrumped the boredom. That trip to Florida was fun of course, but it happened to be so much more than that, whether I knew it at that time or not. It was the beginning of my love affair with travel.
Since then I have been to fourteen countries and am head-over-heels in love with traveling, even as a wheelchair user. Sure, traveling in a wheelchair comes with a plethora of obstacles that non-wheelies don’t have to worry about, but is it worth the trouble? Definitely!
Perception can be the biggest obstacle to overcome when traveling as a wheelchair user. However, if you can turn that frown upside down then you will have a great time no matter what.
I am pretty much considered the King of Bad Luck, but I don’t let it stop me. When my wheelchair battery charger managed to blow up on my first night in Germany or even when I was trapped on a burning bus in Washington, DC, I smiled through it, found a solution to the problem, and moved on to the next adventure. I could have just as easily wept and stayed in my hotel with no charger the rest of the trip, but I wouldn’t have gotten to drink beer in the famous Hofbräuhaus, or learn that Mozart was born in Salzburg, and then go see his actual birth home.
Travel, like life, is all about how you handle the cards that you are dealt.
While disabilities can affect your life with many challenges, you must focus on the abilities that you do have.
For example:
I can’t walk, but I can dream of my next adventure.
I can’t drive a vehicle, but I can have the motivation to drive myself further.
I can’t stand, but I can stand out.
All of these things that I can do have inspired me to follow my passion, roll out of my comfort zone and see the world. By having a positive attitude and focusing on what you can do, there truly is no limit to how far you can go.
Whether you dream of hiking the Grand Canyon or swimming with dolphins, anything is possible with a bit of determination. There is too much beauty in the world to let a wheelchair, or any barrier for that matter, stop you from getting out there and rolling around the world.
Corey Lee is a world traveler who is continually inspiring others to make the most of what they have and live their dreams. You can read more about his adventures at Curb Free With Cory Lee.
Photo Credit: All photos belong to Cory Lee and cannot be reused without permission.
Original article can be found here: Pack a positive attitude and overcome anything
July 5, 2015
Vagabonding Field Report: Coasting through Philadelphia’s Tall Ship Festival
This week I spent time at a Philadelphia festival for tall ships. Walking above and below decks filled me with awe as I visited a variety of tall ships. Some of these tall ships were over a century old while others are brand new.
The festival starts with all the ships sailing into Philadelphia’s waterfront entering the city like conquering heroes to the cheers of thousands of people. I was luckily enough to get to sail in on Gazela, a century old Barkentine.
Cost/day:
Tourist can visit the Philadelphia’s tall ship festival for relatively inexpensively. The price of admission to the festival is eight dollars. However, there is an option of buying a sixteen dollar ticket that allows you to tour the decks of the ships.
There are vendors everywhere so you can buy lunch without ever leaving the festival. People can experience the whole and eat for under thirty dollars.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen lately?
I haven’t seen anything strange lately. However, one of the best things I have seen at the festival is the variety of ships from the entire world. At the festival, there were ships from all across the United States, and some from Europe including the brand new ship the La Hermione from France. She is a gorgeous ship.
Describe a typical day:
During the festival, I was living on Gazela. A typical day living on Gazela entailed waking up in the ship’s hold, woofing down breakfast quickly, and heading on deck to answer any questions from people touring the ship.
After a few hours of answering questions, I would go explore the festival and check out the other ships for the rest of the day. Tall ships are magnificent and fascinating. This is why the festival has over 15,000 visitors.
Tell us about a particularly interesting conversation.
I had so many interesting conversations this week that it is hard to choose. One conversation that was inspiring to me came from an older gentleman who was asking me about ships.
He was asking about ships, and we got to talk about my travel blog. He was so shocked that I was living my dream and traveling the world. We talked for a while about traveling, and our favorite travel quotes. His encouragement to keep following my dreams was overwhelming and heartening.
Describe a challenge you faced:
One challenge I faced this week is talking to people about ships. While I have learned a lot working on tall ships for the last three months, I have never had to explain how they work to others before.
A few times, I was stuck when certain questions were asked, but by the end of the week I became comfortable explaining my newest passion to eager listeners. I even learned some new things about them myself.
Where next?
Next I am headed to Rhode Island where I will keep building and sailing the Oliver Hazard Perry.
Stephen Schreck is an adventure travel writer and founder of www.abackpackerstale.com. For the last three years he has been following his dream of traveling the world. You can follow his adventures on Instagram and Facebook.
Original article can be found here: Vagabonding Field Report: Coasting through Philadelphia’s Tall Ship Festival
Vagabonding Field Report: coasting through Philadelphia’s Tall Ship Festival
This week I spent time at a Philadelphia festival for tall ships. Walking above and below decks filled me with awe as I visited a variety of tall ships. Some of these tall ships were over a century old while others are brand new.
The festival starts with all the ships sailing into Philadelphia’s waterfront entering the city like conquering heroes to the cheers of thousands of people. I was luckily enough to get to sail in on Gazela, a century old Barkentine.
Cost/day:
Tourist can visit the Philadelphia’s tall ship festival for relatively inexpensively. The price of admission to the festival is eight dollars. However, there is an option of buying a sixteen dollar ticket that allows you to tour the decks of the ships.
There are vendors everywhere so you can buy lunch without ever leaving the festival. People can experience the whole and eat for under thirty dollars.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen lately?
I haven’t seen anything strange lately. However, one of the best things I have seen at the festival is the variety of ships from the entire world. At the festival, there were ships from all across the United States, and some from Europe including the brand new ship the La Hermione from France. She is a gorgeous ship.
Describe a typical day:
During the festival, I was living on Gazela. A typical day living on Gazela entailed waking up in the ship’s hold, woofing down breakfast quickly, and heading on deck to answer any questions from people touring the ship.
After a few hours of answering questions, I would go explore the festival and check out the other ships for the rest of the day. Tall ships are magnificent and fascinating. This is why the festival has over 15,000 visitors.
Tell us about a particularly interesting conversation.
I had so many interesting conversations this week that it is hard to choose. One conversation that was inspiring to me came from an older gentleman who was asking me about ships.
He was asking about ships, and we got to talk about my travel blog. He was so shocked that I was living my dream and traveling the world. We talked for a while about traveling, and our favorite travel quotes. His encouragement to keep following my dreams was overwhelming and heartening.
Describe a challenge you faced:
One challenge I faced this week is talking to people about ships. While I have learned a lot working on tall ships for the last three months, I have never had to explain how they work to others before.
A few times, I was stuck when certain questions were asked, but by the end of the week I became comfortable explaining my newest passion to eager listeners. I even learned some new things about them myself.
Where next?
Next I am headed to Rhode Island where I will keep building and sailing the Oliver Hazard Perry.
Stephen Schreck is an adventure travel writer and founder of www.abackpackerstale.com. For the last three years he has been following his dream of traveling the world. You can follow his adventures on Instagram and Facebook.
Original article can be found here: Vagabonding Field Report: coasting through Philadelphia’s Tall Ship Festival
Field Report: Coasting through Philadelphia’s tall ship festival
This week I spent time at a Philadelphia festival for tall ships. Walking above and below decks filled me with awe as I visited a variety of tall ships. Some of these tall ships were over a century old while others are brand new.
The festival starts with all the ships sailing into Philadelphia’s waterfront entering the city like conquering heroes to the cheers of thousands of people. I was luckily enough to get to sail in on Gazela, a century old Barkentine.
Cost/day:
Tourist can visit the Philadelphia’s tall ship festival for relatively inexpensively. The price of admission to the festival is eight dollars. However, there is an option of buying a sixteen dollar ticket that allows you to tour the decks of the ships.
There are vendors everywhere so you can buy lunch without ever leaving the festival. People can experience the whole and eat for under thirty dollars.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen lately?
I haven’t seen anything strange lately. However, one of the best things I have seen at the festival is the variety of ships from the entire world. At the festival, there were ships from all across the United States, and some from Europe including the brand new ship the La Hermione from France. She is a gorgeous ship.
Describe a typical day:
During the festival, I was living on Gazela. A typical day living on Gazela entailed waking up in the ship’s hold, woofing down breakfast quickly, and heading on deck to answer any questions from people touring the ship.
After a few hours of answering questions, I would go explore the festival and check out the other ships for the rest of the day. Tall ships are magnificent and fascinating. This is why the festival has over 15,000 visitors.
Tell us about a particularly interesting conversation.
I had so many interesting conversations this week that it is hard to choose. One conversation that was inspiring to me came from an older gentleman who was asking me about ships.
He was asking about ships, and we got to talk about my travel blog. He was so shocked that I was living my dream and traveling the world. We talked for a while about traveling, and our favorite travel quotes. His encouragement to keep following my dreams was overwhelming and heartening.
Describe a challenge you faced:
One challenge I faced this week is talking to people about ships. While I have learned a lot working on tall ships for the last three months, I have never had to explain how they work to others before.
A few times, I was stuck when certain questions were asked, but by the end of the week I became comfortable explaining my newest passion to eager listeners. I even learned some new things about them myself.
Where next?
Next I am headed to Rhode Island where I will keep building and sailing the Oliver Hazard Perry.
Stephen Schreck is an adventure travel writer and founder of www.abackpackerstale.com. For the last three years he has been following his dream of traveling the world. You can follow his adventures on Instagram and Facebook.
Original article can be found here: Field Report: Coasting through Philadelphia’s tall ship festival
July 2, 2015
Vagabonding Case Study: Dale Davies & Franca Calabretta
Dale & Franca, of AngloItalian
Age: 29 & 33
Hometown: Leamington Spa, UK & Alberobello, Italy
Quote: Never Say No – Us
How did you find out about Vagabonding, and how did you find it useful before and during the trip?
It feels like such a distant memory now but I remember that it was a link on social media. Someone shared a piece that Rolf had written and I can recall spending the following hour just going through the site.
How long were you on the road?
We’ve been on the road for over two years and will (hopefully) celebrate the end of the third this June.
Where did you go?
Initially we spent some time in Europe but when we arrived in Kiev to start our visa application for Russia we were refused entry to the building and got told we’d have to fly back to our individual countries to apply for it. In hindsight, they were just being difficult and we should have just pressed on, but we were new at this whole ‘travel’ business and had yet to build any real confidence.
We flew to Japan and had one of the most amazing months of our lives. The country is incredible, and the people make it so.
Following that we hopped around from South Korea to Taiwan, from there to Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Laos, before we unfortunately had to return home due to a death in the family. Since that period we’ve spent the following 18 months hopping around Europe and house sitting as much as possible so that we take things slow, and immersed.
What was your job or source of travel funding for this journey?
Franca spent her working life in marketing and advertising prior to our travels, whilst Dale spent his time working in retail stores on the shop floor. Much of the money we saved came from money made from those jobs prior to our hitting the road.
Did you work or volunteer on the road?
The only ‘work’ we’ve ever done during our travels has been on our travel blog. We write articles highlighting the things we enjoy most about travel – people, culture, food.
Our volunteering has been some of the most enjoyable and rewarding work we’ve done in our lives. Volunteering at two dog shelters in Thailand led us to not only help street dogs have better and news lives, but it also taught us more about the animal world and how many animals never have their voice heard, going without the bare minimum of care or necessities of life.
All of those lessons led us to go vegetarian in the days following our volunteering, then vegan in 2014 – one of the best decisions not just of our travels, but from our lives.
Of all the places you visited, which was your favorite?
Though it’s becoming quite a cliche; Thailand.
Volunteering in Thailand changed the course of our lives altogether and has put us in a direction that we love.
Was there a place that was your least favorite, or most disappointing, or most challenging?
Laos. Lovely country, beautiful scenery, worst possible timing.
We crossed the border into Laos from the north of Thailand as our visa was running out. We needed to go somewhere and had heard so many great things about the country that we thought we’d be fools not to take at least a few weeks to travel around it. Unfortunately, our minds were elsewhere.
At the very same time that we headed into Laos we learned that we’d be able to volunteer in Thailand for the first time (this was prior to the volunteering mentioned above). There was an opportunity to return to Thailand and start our first volunteering experience at Care for Dogs in Chiang Mai.
Walking around Vientiane and our minds were with the dogs. We tried our best to enjoy and engage with the local culture in the city, but nothing seemed to compare to the excitement we had in our heads at that moment.
We wanted out.
To make things worse, when we went to apply for return visas to Thailand we learned that there was to be a prolonged holiday weekend for a national holiday in celebration of women. Much like Women’s Day in Italy. It compounded our misery and urgency to leave. We felt that things were just getting in the way of our desperate need to head to the shelter, and unfortunately we let that spoil our remaining time in the country.
It’s sad really that we left the country feeling so down about it as we did, but at that moment we were so keen to make a difference elsewhere that we couldn’t see anything but our main objective.
One day we’ll return and give Laos the time it clearly deserves as almost every article we read showcases a beautiful country with beautiful people.
Which travel gear proved most useful? Least useful?
Purchasing the right backpack was paramount to us both.
Almost three years down the line and our backpacks are look as good as new, and our backs have not suffered for a second. It was really important for us that we picked out packs that would be hard wearing, yet comfortable.
We made sure to purchase our backpacks in person, making sure to not just try them on empty, but filled to the brim with a heavier weight than we’d be planning for. It’s important to test out your bag AND your back prior to choosing to backpack long term, because the last thing you want to do is find yourself in pain in the middle of nowhere, unable to pick up your pack.
What are the rewards of the vagabonding lifestyle?
People.
Sure we could say that the freedom of movement and ability to say, “you know what, I’d like to change the scenery” is the best thing about vagabonding, but the reality is that people make the biggest impression, they craft and shape the best experiences we have around the world. They make you laugh, they make you cry. They stare at you because you’re different, they talk with you to know about those differences. They invite you into their homes and make you feel like you’re a member of the family who became separated a long time ago, but are welcomed home with smiles, stories, and great food regardless.
What are the challenges and sacrifices of the vagabonding lifestyle?
The biggest challenge is keeping the lifestyle going.
We set off with about $30,000 for the both of us, hoping that we’d make it to a year of travel around the year. Almost three years later and that fund is almost near empty. We don’t work or make a solid income from anywhere and always avoided the #digitalnomad lifestyle of freelance working because it was work we were trying to leave behind us in the first place.
Now we’re starting to see that as a challenge we need to face. To make our lifestyle really that – a style for the rest of our lives.
What lessons did you learn on the road?
That nothing is as bad as it seems. You’ll have good days and bad days. Learn from them.
Don’t let something as silly as a delayed train upset you. If you get robbed (as we did), you have to just pick up the pieces and move on. Don’t dwell. Bad things happen to everyone and the moment you start to let them interfere with your mentality, the harder and less enjoyable your travels will be.
How did your personal definition of “vagabonding” develop over the course of the trip?
Vagabonding to us now is about immersion and putting ourselves into a country not as tourist, but as locals. We try our best to do as locals do, stay in the same types of houses, buy the same groceries, and to do the same fun activities that locals do. We’re by no means perfect, but the best thing about vagabonding is that there’s no perfect method. No set checklist of rules which we must follow to be a vagabond. Anyone can be one. You, us. Anyone.
If there was one thing you could have told yourself before the trip, what would it be?
Take things slowly. Trust people. And always be open to anything. You never know where the next invitation or path will lead you.
Any advice or tips for someone hoping to embark on a similar adventure?
Take things slowly. Spend a minimum of a month in each country (if you can) and immerse yourself in the local culture. Meet with as many locals as you can and listen. You don’t always have to talk to learn something. Let people tell you about their lives and see what makes them tick.
When and where do you think you’ll take your next long-term journey?
Hopefully this one we’re already on will always continue!
Read more about Dale and Franco on their blog, Angloitalian or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
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.
Image: Andi Campbell-Jones (flickr)
Original article can be found here: Vagabonding Case Study: Dale Davies & Franca Calabretta
June 30, 2015
A vagabond’s relationship with work
Perhaps you’ve found yourself, sitting in a cubicle pecking out reports for your boss, longing to be on a secluded beach in some far corner of the world. You go home from work and pull out your atlas and dream of Mai Thais and the sound of waves crashing on the shore. You turn the page and can almost smell the aromas of the market as you look at photos from foreign lands.
Daydreaming about travel is an almost universally shared experience. Southwest Airlines tapped into this with their popular tagline, “Wanna get away?” The answer, almost universally, is yes. Yes, we want to get away.
Picture that secluded beach. Imagine yourself meandering through that market, smelling new smells and tasting new tastes. Think about this life of travel that you so desperately desire.
You’re not thinking about work, are you?
Unless you find yourself in possession of a winning lottery ticket, work is intrinsically tied to your goals for long-term travel. What, then, is a vagabonders relationship with work? Begrudging? A necessary evil?
Vagabonders need not view work in such a negative light. Instead, we can take the high road, viewing our time at work as being a “happy warrior,” or even fulfilling our life calling.
Happy warrior
In 2009 I set off on a six month road trip across the United States with my wife and one-year-old son. At the time, I viewed the the trip as an anomaly in my life. At the end of the trip when we returned home my wife and I would get respectable jobs, serve on the right boards, send our kids to the right schools and live happily ever after. The problem is that vagabonding is sort of like crack. Once you get a taste, you just have to figure out a way to keep it going.
One of the ways I “keep it going” is as a fundraising consultant to non-profit organizations. This work requires me to travel frequently and I often batch my work between our family’s adventures.
On a recent work trip I faced one problem after another. I set off with a rough flight itinerary then flight delays and missed connections made things even worse. On the ground with my client things did not get better. Our meetings were not going as well as we hoped. We were driving around all day with long distances in between meetings and staying at nondescript hotels in what I’d describe as less than exciting places.
Yet my spirit never dampened. I knew that with the money I was making on this trip that I would be able to purchase round-trip airfare to Guatemala for my family. With this in mind, it was easy to approach my work as a happy warrior.
This is what separates that vagabonder from the daydreamer. A vagabonder knows what she’s working for and can go to work as a happy warrior knowing that her work is funding her travel dreams. A daydreamer is only escaping for a moment and will soon go back to work without ever really knowing what he is working toward.
Life calling
Near the end of that United States road-trip with my family in 2009 I started to feel that something was missing. I was seeing and experiencing new things on a daily basis, yet I realized for the first time that a life of leisure was not a worthy goal. I had something in me, unique to me, that only I could give to the world. I needed to give it. Even if I had a winning lottery ticket, without work I realized my life would be incomplete.
The world is poorer, collectively, than it should be to the extent that people have settled for work that’s less than work they love. As children we dream, but as we grow into adults we are told to stop dreaming and instead be practical.
A vagabonder will at times be the happy warrior; thankful for work that he may not be passionate about yet grateful to make money to fund traveling adventures. We shouldn’t stop there, though. We should simultaneously pursue work we are passionate about. Perhaps that work may someday help fund our traveling adventures, but we also pursue this work because each of us has something in us that only we can give.
At it’s worst, work is an opportunity to be a happy warrior in achieving our travel goals. At it’s best, work is an opportunity to become a best version of ourselves while enriching the world around us.
Clark Vandeventer is the author of unWorking: Exit the Rat Race, Live Like a Millionaire, and Be Happy Now. You can learn more about his book at unWorkingBook.com and read his blog about travel and lifestyle design at FamilyTrek.org. Follow him on Twitter @ClarkVand.
Photo credits: Ditty_about_summer
Original article can be found here: A vagabond’s relationship with work
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