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#1
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Cheap and safe around the world
Lately I've been inspired and contemplating a trip around the world. As of yet, there isn't much I know about what sort of technicalities there are.. considering my circumstance - that is why I'm posting this message, with hopes that the people on here could help me out with learning the basic obstacles that are presented right from the start. I know, maybe it is crazy.. but I'd like you all to confirm that for me; anyway, I figure some of you might be a bit more supportive than others since this is the "backpacking" node (not to mention "budget"). Okay, so I'm eighteen years old and living in my parents' home, which they have yet to retire into (somewhat like "housesitting".) The basic premise of my idea is that I'll get a job (which I have yet to find, sorry) and save up whatever money I need for the trip; I realize this could take a few years (or more?), and I'm willing to plan for such a length - luckily the parents don't have me paying rent here. Anyway, so what if I'm naive.. let's get over that. Okay, so.. I am about to consider just about any path, so as long as it is relatively safe (I realize some would be suicide.) Adventure and new experience is key.. and well I feel that would be acheived even hitting the safest places all over the world - so as long as it is indeed a "trip around the world," sufficient enough to induce culture shock of some sort and diversity. Let's skip a space just to make this easier to read, eh? Forgive me if I haven't got my questions together all so well; this post is, basically, to communicate my situation and ask you what basic complexities arise in such a simple (but difficult, no doubt) premise as "travelling the world".. and travelling cheap, relatively safe. Some things that come to mind right from the outset: How much would it cost? I would probably need to learn some the basics of many languages.. Where would I stay? Could I even gain access to the countries I wish to travel? What would be the best methods of transportation? Best way to eat, keep warm.. shelter. Of course, it all ties in together with time, safety, and budget. I have just about all the time in the world.. but I think my finances might dictate that - unless I can find temporary work in whatever country I happen to be in at that moment..? The simple fact of having to learn the languages could make this trip relatively impossibly itself. I imagine the whole thing would cost thousands of dollars.. I hope not. I have yet to come up with a basic route and plan (ie. where I want to go, what I want to see and do.) Right now I'm just concerned about just how possible any of this is - and how much of it is possible. I've considered joining the peace corps, doing some humanitarian aid, or taking a TEFL course - but all of these require some schooling, which I'm not up for at the moment - and besides, it's not a trip around the world. I'd hope for this to become a long-running topic, though perhaps you will all show me readily that the trip is not so feasible. Maybe none of us are quite sure of the possibility - if that is so, then we can learn together.. Christopher |
#2
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Cheap and safe around the world
On Fri, 12 Sep 2003 19:30:31 GMT, Christopher
wrote: I know, maybe it is crazy.. It's not crazy, it's something millions of 18yr olds do all the time, I believe it's obligatory from Australians for example. I realize this could take a few years (or more?), and I'm willing to plan for such a length - luckily the parents don't have me paying rent here. Unlikely, depending on the locations you want to visit, the local salaries available (and I'm assuming you're a USAian here, but any 1st world countries would be fine, but if you're from Bhutan and planning this maybe it'll be different), but if you don't party too much, have no rent, 6 months should be more than enough to get you the cash for a year away - many countries are very cheap to stay in. How much would it cost? It depends how much luxury and hand-holding you need, would you be prepared to hitch between A and B, or do you require a flight. Do you require Aircon and a Pool where you stay, or just clean with a shower? I would probably need to learn some the basics of many languages.. Always useful, unless you leave the backpacker trail a fair bit, all you really need is English. Where would I stay? Where everyone else does.. depending on your budget. Could I even gain access to the countries I wish to travel? There's few you can't go to if you really want to, some cost a lot of cash, and hassle to get to, but most are easy enough. Best way to eat, One mouthful at a time, chewed 40 times. unless I can find temporary work in whatever country I happen to be in at that moment..? Unlikely to be productive, without a work visa you'll struggle to get any worthwhile work (you'll waste more time looking than just moving on to a cheaper country) If you can get a work visa then you can probably do ok - not sure how easy that is for a USAian, but there's probably something you can get for Australia or similar. The simple fact of having to learn the languages could make this trip relatively impossibly itself. Not really. I imagine the whole thing would cost thousands of dollars.. Almost certainly, but McDonalds pays a few hundred a week yeah? get an evening job too, and you can easily earn the thousands you need quickly enough - just don't spend much! Treat the lack of rent as particular good fortune. and how much of it is possible. All of it's possible, thousands of people have done it. I'm somewhat unsure this question is genuine, but I've given you the benefit of the doubt - get a job and you'll be away soon enough, cash seems to be the only thing you're lacking right now. Jim. |
#4
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Cheap and safe around the world
On Fri, 12 Sep 2003 21:14:36 GMT, Christopher
wrote: in article , Jim Ley at wrote on 9/12/03 3:40 PM: It's not crazy, it's something millions of 18yr olds do all the time, I believe it's obligatory from Australians for example. Thanks for your reply, Jim. You're saying Australians go after this quite often? Why would that be?.. just curious. Every country does it! Being English, and living in England there's a general perception that there's more Australians in the UK, than in Oz - if you get served in a pub by anyone but an Ozzie (well Kiwi's and South Africans are allowed too), then something's wrong. I suppose the danger or "craziness" of the trip would all depend on what you plan to do around the place. No, there's virtually no danger (well not much more and possibly less than staying home) and it's not crazy, it's normal. Wait.. perhaps you meant that in relation to what sort of job I can get to raise money..? Yes, if you're in the Northeast US I assume you can work 60 hours a week at minimum wage would seem to get 8000 USD in 6months, even paying out 3 of that in food and tax and stuff, should leave you enough for a good trip - do better than minimum wage, and you'll have more money to spend. Anyway, I'd like to know what countries would probably be the easiest to travel. Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada... All are trivial, they speak your language, have a huge number of backpackers, and are reasonably cheap. Europe is easy too of course, but it's more expensive (especially the north) so eats your budget quicker. How dangerous do you think it'd be to hitch? depends on the country, it's rarely necessary if you're in "safe" countries though, it's easy enough to get lifts in hostels and stuff (I've picked up a 350 mile lift in a private plane before, just by drinking beer and asking in the hostel) so if you're flexible it's no worries. Clean with a shower sounds about right - though I am willing to "rough it".. even further? There's not much lower you can go to be honest, the unclean places can normally be avoided without too much trouble, and aren't much cheaper anyway. Hostel dorm type accommodation is available the world over and doesn't cost much difference to a tent, a few dollars maybe, but even in a tent you've generally got a shower and a kitchen etc. on hand. I am/was not sure if I would be able to really afford using the traditional lodging venues during a trip around the world.. but I guess the American dollar is worth quite a bit elsewhere? Of course you can, in South Africa for example a bed in a hostel is running at around 70rand a night so about 10 US Dollars a night, another 10dollars for food and that's your minimum for ZA without travel and fun stuff. ZA is probably reasonably middle price, so that should be a reasonable guide. Yes, of course! But I was referring to cheapest and safest methods of obtaining food in foreign countries. Generally you go up to the farmer and barter the beads you brought from USA for some local corn or a freshly slaughtered pig - no you use money, and walk into a supermarket, or go to the local market, or into the local shop, it all works pretty much the same the world over. Personally I find a nice cafe-y type place for breakfast and a read of the local papers if they're in English - a book if not, spend a few hours over that, then I cook for myself in the hostel for dinner, just simple stuff, it's not hard, no harder than at home. Someone told me that it's easy to find some work in Ireland or the UK (though he based it on English being my native language.) I have no experience of finding work in the UK without a visa, but I've not heard it's easy, we give Canadians, South Africans, Kiwis, Aussies work visas if they're young so the jobs are pretty with legal workers, illegals will find it harder I expect. You may be able to get a work visa of course. Do you think it's a worthwhile aspiration? Of course, everyone who doesn't do it, or think it's worthwhile is in my mind the weird one. I need this or if simply going to school would be better use of my time and money When you're doing it you'll meet lots of people who are in gap-years - either between high-school and university at 18, or between university and work, you'll also meet lots of other people at all ages, but a lot will be around university age taking a year travelling it's completely normal - our future King did it, although I imagine he had a bit of cash behind him. It's not unusual or crazy. What do you mean about the question being geniune? Because so many people do it, and I can't really understand how someone can not know other people who've done it, or are doing it. Start he http://www.lonelyplanet.com/index.cfm and read, there's millions to read. Hopefully Miguel will come along soon with some more advice, he's done an awful lot more than me, and knows a lot of stuff. Jim. |
#5
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Cheap and safe around the world
Christopher wrote:
Jim Ley at wrote on 9/12/03 3:40 PM: It's not crazy, it's something millions of 18yr olds do all the time, I believe it's obligatory from Australians for example. Thanks for your reply, Jim. You're saying Australians go after this quite often? Why would that be?.. just curious. What exactly do the millions of 18yr olds do, and why might that be? I suppose the danger or "craziness" of the trip would all depend on what you plan to do around the place. You are operating in a cloud because you (I assume based on your email address) grew up here in the USA. Here we are taught that foreign travel is dangerous and daring and that only the most intrepid dare stray beyond London, Paris, Venice, and Caribbean resorts. In fact almost everywhere on earth is safer than the USA. Once you cross the threshold past that handful of places (London etc.) and into the rest of the world, it'll become much clearer. I had my epiphany right after college, when I went to Australia on my own with no guidebook and $50 in my pocket. Everyone here assured me I was insane, I'd be lucky to survive, let alone enjoy myself. I'd be out on the streets, robbed and beaten, and left for dead - I was too young and inexperienced to try anything like that. Well, I showed up at a hostel and was surprised to see that it, as well as the dozens of others within a few blocks, was bursting at the seams with teenagers from Europe traveling on their own. More shocking still, they'd made their way to Australia after rolling by train, bus, and bike through such exotic and surely deadly places as India, Pakistan, Indonesia, and so on - on their own and traveling by wits and guesses. They all survived - and loved it. I stayed in the hostel for several weeks (they floated me until I could supplement my $50 by finding a job), during which time I met hundreds of people, including a grand total of two Americans. Yeah, I'm in the States (northeastern.) I don't plan on partying - mostly interested in just seeing the geography and natural everyday things that go on in large and small populated areas. What are my housing options? They vary dramatically depending on where you are. In London you'll pay $20/night for a spot on one of 20 bunk beds in a giant roach-infested hostel room. In Bali you'll pay $2/night for your own private cottage a few minutes from the beach, with breakfast carried to your porch each morning by a gentle girl in a sarong with a flower in her hair. Can you confirm for me what the 1st world countries are? I can guess.. but, you know. It's a fuzzy line. Lonely Planet's web site (www.lonelyplanet.com) can help you set reasonable budgetary expectations for each country - click on "worldguide" and then find the country you're interested in. Of course big cities are often more expensive than nearby country areas. Truly remote areas can also be expensive. Wait.. perhaps you meant that in relation to what sort of job I can get to raise money..? Anyway, I'd like to know what countries would probably be the easiest to travel. There are about 200 countries. Almost all of them are pretty easy to travel in. The USA is one of the hardest by far because of the relative unavailability of public transportation and backpacker accommodation. In general southeast Asia is the backpacker's paradise - best food, lowest prices, low crime, most beautiful surroundings, English is widely spoken by people in the tourist trade. But other areas have special things to offer - Africa's wildlife, Europe's majesty and history, south Asia's intense culture, east Asia's hectic commerciality, Australia's laid-back ease, New Zealand's natural beauty, Latin America's high crime and lousy food (with some exceptions on the food but not really on the crime). How dangerous do you think it'd be to hitch? Depends on where you are. A few years back I hitched across west Africa with a couple of friends (both female, and they'd hitched up from South Africa by the time I flew over to meet them in Ghana). We never had any problems. In a lot of places, though, the local transport is so cheap that it makes a lot more sense to just take the bus. Often you can choose between the local buses, which are tattered and bouncy and crowded, or backpacker buses, which cost 5-10 times as much but are air-conditioned and only have one person to a seat. In Europe of course you just use the same public transportation (bus, train, air) as everyone else. Ask around among your fellow backpackers for intelligence on the best deals. Would probably be more interesting than a flight.. but, yeah. Clean with a shower sounds about right - though I am willing to "rough it".. even further? Backpacking sounds tough but fun, though I think it would limit my general access.. (ie. can't pitch a tent in the city.) Perhaps backpack across rural areas.. and when in urban environment use what it has to offer? Might be a little too extreme though, do you think? "Backpacking" has a different meaning in the USA from everywhere else. In the USA it means hiking+camping. Everywhere else it means traveling on a budget with your stuff in a backpack, and has nothing to do with camping. In fact backpackers do not camp as a general rule. I would probably need to learn some the basics of many languages.. Always useful, unless you leave the backpacker trail a fair bit, all you really need is English. It would be fun and interesting to learn anyway.. Hard, though, since English works so well. One exception is Latin America, where once you get south of Mexico people just don't speak English that much. There you'll find that Spanish is both useful and easy to learn. People are friendly and patient with foreigners who speak lousy Spanish. Would you be able to give me an outline of this? Perhaps sum it up to the best of your knowledge.. and provide a web link, if you have one. There's a fairly comprehensive list maintained by the US Dept of State he http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html I see it's a little out of date (they claim you need a visa for UAE, which isn't true), but it'll give you the general gist. Yes, of course! But I was referring to cheapest and safest methods of obtaining food in foreign countries. I suppose it would not be the best idea to use restaurants at all times.. Would I even have a choice though? Again, it depends on where you are. In developing countries food is usually really cheap. It would be far more expensive to prepare your own crappy spaghetti with tinned sauce in Thailand than to eat a delicious freshly-made Thai meal at a local restaurant. And restaurants in places like Thailand aren't like in the USA. There are blocks with dozens and dozens of places to eat, none for more than $2 or so per meal and often less. My personal strategy, honed by about 12 years of backpacking, is to avoid tourist restaurants like the plague and to instead eat wherever I see a lot of local people (including, without reservation, street food). Since adopting this strategy I have never been sick, in multiple trips to Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Meanwhile I have seen plenty of people get sick from eating in restaurants at all price levels that cater mainly to foreigners. The other advantage of this is that you get more authentic food and more interaction with locals, which is sort of the point of the trip in the first place. On the other hand, in Europe, eating out is expensive (basically as expensive as in the USA) so it makes sense to stay in hostels with kitchens and cook at least some of your meals. Group cooking in hostels is a social, fun thing and a great way to meet people (as well as learn or share new cooking styles and skills). Someone told me that it's easy to find some work in Ireland or the UK (though he based it on English being my native language.) You've mentioned Australia twice, so my guess is that you're from the land of Oz. Would this mean you've travelled the world? What do you mean.. I can get a work visa headed for Australia? and what would be similar? What kind of work would you predict? American backpackers have a harder time getting work visas than most Europeans. In part this is because Americans don't travel much, so not much effort has been put into cooperative programs on this end. And in part it's because the USA makes it quite difficult for backpackers from other countries to come work. Nevertheless, if you are or have recently been a student, you can get work clearance in a number of countries. Check places like www.bunac.org for some info. Do you think it's a worthwhile aspiration? Part of me wonders about whether I need this or if simply going to school would be better use of my time and money - though I've been having some trouble with myself, and a trip like this would be somewhat of a "soul-search." This is the best thing you will ever do with your life (with the possible exception of falling in love and getting married and raising happy children). You will get more memories from each day of your trip than from each year of the job you eventually settle into. You will learn more about your own country - by seeing the rest of the world and the different ways they do things - than you otherwise would in a lifetime. To be blunt, you would be a jackass not to do it. Anyone who tries to talk you out of it is either ignorant or jealous. miguel -- Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu Site remodeled 10-Sept-2003: Hundreds of new photos, easier navigation. |
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Cheap and safe around the world
Christopher wrote:
some of the places I would especially like to travel are Europe and the far east, ie. Japan. Canada and Australia are probably some of the last places I would visit - and any place that easily accomodates the English language is probably one of the least interesting.. You mean like India? miguel -- Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu Site remodeled 10-Sept-2003: Hundreds of new photos, easier navigation. |
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Cheap and safe around the world
Quick response from me this time (haven't got much of it.) Very, very nice.. thank you, Jim! There are a couple of things I would like to mention though: I don't think it's so common here in the US, but I may be isolated; I've grown up in "outlying-suburban" and rural areas throughout my childhood.. and I suppose the people I've known up until recently have not been the most sophisticated or even curious about life in general. I don't know, but I think there is probably some difference with you being in the UK and wherever else. Another thing is that it seems you may be overlooking the scope of my journey - some of the places I would especially like to travel are Europe and the far east, ie. Japan. Canada and Australia are probably some of the last places I would visit - and any place that easily accomodates the English language is probably one of the least interesting.. because it is like just an extension of the American-global culture (generally speaking, please.. don't bash me! I hope you understand.) Another concern is that I fear the most interesting things may be outside of the urban areas, into the countryside.. where people are still carrying on their old traditions much like they have for centuries; I fear these places may be the hardest to get to. Christopher in article , Jim Ley at wrote on 9/12/03 5:38 PM: On Fri, 12 Sep 2003 21:14:36 GMT, Christopher wrote: in article , Jim Ley at wrote on 9/12/03 3:40 PM: It's not crazy, it's something millions of 18yr olds do all the time, I believe it's obligatory from Australians for example. Thanks for your reply, Jim. You're saying Australians go after this quite often? Why would that be?.. just curious. Every country does it! Being English, and living in England there's a general perception that there's more Australians in the UK, than in Oz - if you get served in a pub by anyone but an Ozzie (well Kiwi's and South Africans are allowed too), then something's wrong. I suppose the danger or "craziness" of the trip would all depend on what you plan to do around the place. No, there's virtually no danger (well not much more and possibly less than staying home) and it's not crazy, it's normal. Wait.. perhaps you meant that in relation to what sort of job I can get to raise money..? Yes, if you're in the Northeast US I assume you can work 60 hours a week at minimum wage would seem to get 8000 USD in 6months, even paying out 3 of that in food and tax and stuff, should leave you enough for a good trip - do better than minimum wage, and you'll have more money to spend. Anyway, I'd like to know what countries would probably be the easiest to travel. Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada... All are trivial, they speak your language, have a huge number of backpackers, and are reasonably cheap. Europe is easy too of course, but it's more expensive (especially the north) so eats your budget quicker. How dangerous do you think it'd be to hitch? depends on the country, it's rarely necessary if you're in "safe" countries though, it's easy enough to get lifts in hostels and stuff (I've picked up a 350 mile lift in a private plane before, just by drinking beer and asking in the hostel) so if you're flexible it's no worries. Clean with a shower sounds about right - though I am willing to "rough it".. even further? There's not much lower you can go to be honest, the unclean places can normally be avoided without too much trouble, and aren't much cheaper anyway. Hostel dorm type accommodation is available the world over and doesn't cost much difference to a tent, a few dollars maybe, but even in a tent you've generally got a shower and a kitchen etc. on hand. I am/was not sure if I would be able to really afford using the traditional lodging venues during a trip around the world.. but I guess the American dollar is worth quite a bit elsewhere? Of course you can, in South Africa for example a bed in a hostel is running at around 70rand a night so about 10 US Dollars a night, another 10dollars for food and that's your minimum for ZA without travel and fun stuff. ZA is probably reasonably middle price, so that should be a reasonable guide. Yes, of course! But I was referring to cheapest and safest methods of obtaining food in foreign countries. Generally you go up to the farmer and barter the beads you brought from USA for some local corn or a freshly slaughtered pig - no you use money, and walk into a supermarket, or go to the local market, or into the local shop, it all works pretty much the same the world over. Personally I find a nice cafe-y type place for breakfast and a read of the local papers if they're in English - a book if not, spend a few hours over that, then I cook for myself in the hostel for dinner, just simple stuff, it's not hard, no harder than at home. Someone told me that it's easy to find some work in Ireland or the UK (though he based it on English being my native language.) I have no experience of finding work in the UK without a visa, but I've not heard it's easy, we give Canadians, South Africans, Kiwis, Aussies work visas if they're young so the jobs are pretty with legal workers, illegals will find it harder I expect. You may be able to get a work visa of course. Do you think it's a worthwhile aspiration? Of course, everyone who doesn't do it, or think it's worthwhile is in my mind the weird one. I need this or if simply going to school would be better use of my time and money When you're doing it you'll meet lots of people who are in gap-years - either between high-school and university at 18, or between university and work, you'll also meet lots of other people at all ages, but a lot will be around university age taking a year travelling it's completely normal - our future King did it, although I imagine he had a bit of cash behind him. It's not unusual or crazy. What do you mean about the question being geniune? Because so many people do it, and I can't really understand how someone can not know other people who've done it, or are doing it. Start he http://www.lonelyplanet.com/index.cfm and read, there's millions to read. Hopefully Miguel will come along soon with some more advice, he's done an awful lot more than me, and knows a lot of stuff. Jim. |
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Cheap and safe around the world
On Fri, 12 Sep 2003 22:31:13 GMT, Christopher
wrote: Another thing is that it seems you may be overlooking the scope of my journey - some of the places I would especially like to travel are Europe and the far east, ie. Japan. Canada and Australia are probably some of the last places I would visit - I was talking about those, simply because they are so easy to do, yet a worthwhile introduction to backpacking, and you struck me as rather inexperienced, so perhaps it would be good. I started with India, English was again easy, and I didn't find it hard, but I was talking to a guy recently who had just hitched from Ethiopa to Port Elizabeth in South Africa, and was chatting and he said that India was the hardest place he'd ever been, the stress of the poverty there was too much. I'd definately recommend starting somewhere easy to dip your toe in. Another concern is that I fear the most interesting things may be outside of the urban areas, into the countryside.. where people are still carrying on their old traditions much like they have for centuries; Pretty hard to find those, 3 years ago I was 4000m up in the himalyas sleeping with some shepherds, my mobile phone had signal... I fear these places may be the hardest to get to. Not really, just to find. Jim. |
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Cheap and safe around the world
I find the discussion quite interesting.
I got several experiences travelled aroung Eastern and Central Europe/ US/ South & Central America and Asia from 2 weeks to 6 months. Superisingly I found the world much easier and safer to travel than I would hv thought before the trips. Sometimes I even found it less challenging. In fact, US is amoung the most expensive, inconvenience and dangerous place in the travel world. All your worries on languages, lodgings, foods basically are easy to handle - sometimes it is where you get the fun and inspiration. I guess all you need is some cash and an open mind. "Christopher" ... Quick response from me this time (haven't got much of it.) Very, very nice.. thank you, Jim! There are a couple of things I would like to mention though: I don't think it's so common here in the US, but I may be isolated; I've grown up in "outlying-suburban" and rural areas throughout my childhood.. and I suppose the people I've known up until recently have not been the most sophisticated or even curious about life in general. I don't know, but I think there is probably some difference with you being in the UK and wherever else. Another thing is that it seems you may be overlooking the scope of my journey - some of the places I would especially like to travel are Europe and the far east, ie. Japan. Canada and Australia are probably some of the last places I would visit - and any place that easily accomodates the English language is probably one of the least interesting.. because it is like just an extension of the American-global culture (generally speaking, please.. don't bash me! I hope you understand.) Another concern is that I fear the most interesting things may be outside of the urban areas, into the countryside.. where people are still carrying on their old traditions much like they have for centuries; I fear these places may be the hardest to get to. Christopher in article , Jim Ley at wrote on 9/12/03 5:38 PM: On Fri, 12 Sep 2003 21:14:36 GMT, Christopher wrote: in article , Jim Ley at wrote on 9/12/03 3:40 PM: It's not crazy, it's something millions of 18yr olds do all the time, I believe it's obligatory from Australians for example. Thanks for your reply, Jim. You're saying Australians go after this quite often? Why would that be?.. just curious. Every country does it! Being English, and living in England there's a general perception that there's more Australians in the UK, than in Oz - if you get served in a pub by anyone but an Ozzie (well Kiwi's and South Africans are allowed too), then something's wrong. I suppose the danger or "craziness" of the trip would all depend on what you plan to do around the place. No, there's virtually no danger (well not much more and possibly less than staying home) and it's not crazy, it's normal. Wait.. perhaps you meant that in relation to what sort of job I can get to raise money..? Yes, if you're in the Northeast US I assume you can work 60 hours a week at minimum wage would seem to get 8000 USD in 6months, even paying out 3 of that in food and tax and stuff, should leave you enough for a good trip - do better than minimum wage, and you'll have more money to spend. Anyway, I'd like to know what countries would probably be the easiest to travel. Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada... All are trivial, they speak your language, have a huge number of backpackers, and are reasonably cheap. Europe is easy too of course, but it's more expensive (especially the north) so eats your budget quicker. How dangerous do you think it'd be to hitch? depends on the country, it's rarely necessary if you're in "safe" countries though, it's easy enough to get lifts in hostels and stuff (I've picked up a 350 mile lift in a private plane before, just by drinking beer and asking in the hostel) so if you're flexible it's no worries. Clean with a shower sounds about right - though I am willing to "rough it".. even further? There's not much lower you can go to be honest, the unclean places can normally be avoided without too much trouble, and aren't much cheaper anyway. Hostel dorm type accommodation is available the world over and doesn't cost much difference to a tent, a few dollars maybe, but even in a tent you've generally got a shower and a kitchen etc. on hand. I am/was not sure if I would be able to really afford using the traditional lodging venues during a trip around the world.. but I guess the American dollar is worth quite a bit elsewhere? Of course you can, in South Africa for example a bed in a hostel is running at around 70rand a night so about 10 US Dollars a night, another 10dollars for food and that's your minimum for ZA without travel and fun stuff. ZA is probably reasonably middle price, so that should be a reasonable guide. Yes, of course! But I was referring to cheapest and safest methods of obtaining food in foreign countries. Generally you go up to the farmer and barter the beads you brought from USA for some local corn or a freshly slaughtered pig - no you use money, and walk into a supermarket, or go to the local market, or into the local shop, it all works pretty much the same the world over. Personally I find a nice cafe-y type place for breakfast and a read of the local papers if they're in English - a book if not, spend a few hours over that, then I cook for myself in the hostel for dinner, just simple stuff, it's not hard, no harder than at home. Someone told me that it's easy to find some work in Ireland or the UK (though he based it on English being my native language.) I have no experience of finding work in the UK without a visa, but I've not heard it's easy, we give Canadians, South Africans, Kiwis, Aussies work visas if they're young so the jobs are pretty with legal workers, illegals will find it harder I expect. You may be able to get a work visa of course. Do you think it's a worthwhile aspiration? Of course, everyone who doesn't do it, or think it's worthwhile is in my mind the weird one. I need this or if simply going to school would be better use of my time and money When you're doing it you'll meet lots of people who are in gap-years - either between high-school and university at 18, or between university and work, you'll also meet lots of other people at all ages, but a lot will be around university age taking a year travelling it's completely normal - our future King did it, although I imagine he had a bit of cash behind him. It's not unusual or crazy. What do you mean about the question being geniune? Because so many people do it, and I can't really understand how someone can not know other people who've done it, or are doing it. Start he http://www.lonelyplanet.com/index.cfm and read, there's millions to read. Hopefully Miguel will come along soon with some more advice, he's done an awful lot more than me, and knows a lot of stuff. Jim. |
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Cheap and safe around the world
This is the best thing you will ever do with your life (with the possible
exception of falling in love and getting married and raising happy children). You will get more memories from each day of your trip than from each year of the job you eventually settle into. I totally agree with you, Miguel. It has been 6 years since I backpacked alone to Europe, and I still remembered everything that happened and everyone I met during the trip. I was a 27 year old Singaporean Chinese woman, and though many thought that it was a crazy idea to do so, I was amazed to see many Japanese women who are younger than me doing the same thing. They also travelled alone, stayed in hostels, used public transport, and they had more problems since they spoke very little English. This is really something that every person should do at least once in their lifetime. (Miguel Cruz) wrote in message ... Christopher wrote: Jim Ley at wrote on 9/12/03 3:40 PM: It's not crazy, it's something millions of 18yr olds do all the time, I believe it's obligatory from Australians for example. Thanks for your reply, Jim. You're saying Australians go after this quite often? Why would that be?.. just curious. What exactly do the millions of 18yr olds do, and why might that be? I suppose the danger or "craziness" of the trip would all depend on what you plan to do around the place. You are operating in a cloud because you (I assume based on your email address) grew up here in the USA. Here we are taught that foreign travel is dangerous and daring and that only the most intrepid dare stray beyond London, Paris, Venice, and Caribbean resorts. In fact almost everywhere on earth is safer than the USA. Once you cross the threshold past that handful of places (London etc.) and into the rest of the world, it'll become much clearer. I had my epiphany right after college, when I went to Australia on my own with no guidebook and $50 in my pocket. Everyone here assured me I was insane, I'd be lucky to survive, let alone enjoy myself. I'd be out on the streets, robbed and beaten, and left for dead - I was too young and inexperienced to try anything like that. Well, I showed up at a hostel and was surprised to see that it, as well as the dozens of others within a few blocks, was bursting at the seams with teenagers from Europe traveling on their own. More shocking still, they'd made their way to Australia after rolling by train, bus, and bike through such exotic and surely deadly places as India, Pakistan, Indonesia, and so on - on their own and traveling by wits and guesses. They all survived - and loved it. I stayed in the hostel for several weeks (they floated me until I could supplement my $50 by finding a job), during which time I met hundreds of people, including a grand total of two Americans. Yeah, I'm in the States (northeastern.) I don't plan on partying - mostly interested in just seeing the geography and natural everyday things that go on in large and small populated areas. What are my housing options? They vary dramatically depending on where you are. In London you'll pay $20/night for a spot on one of 20 bunk beds in a giant roach-infested hostel room. In Bali you'll pay $2/night for your own private cottage a few minutes from the beach, with breakfast carried to your porch each morning by a gentle girl in a sarong with a flower in her hair. Can you confirm for me what the 1st world countries are? I can guess.. but, you know. It's a fuzzy line. Lonely Planet's web site (www.lonelyplanet.com) can help you set reasonable budgetary expectations for each country - click on "worldguide" and then find the country you're interested in. Of course big cities are often more expensive than nearby country areas. Truly remote areas can also be expensive. Wait.. perhaps you meant that in relation to what sort of job I can get to raise money..? Anyway, I'd like to know what countries would probably be the easiest to travel. There are about 200 countries. Almost all of them are pretty easy to travel in. The USA is one of the hardest by far because of the relative unavailability of public transportation and backpacker accommodation. In general southeast Asia is the backpacker's paradise - best food, lowest prices, low crime, most beautiful surroundings, English is widely spoken by people in the tourist trade. But other areas have special things to offer - Africa's wildlife, Europe's majesty and history, south Asia's intense culture, east Asia's hectic commerciality, Australia's laid-back ease, New Zealand's natural beauty, Latin America's high crime and lousy food (with some exceptions on the food but not really on the crime). How dangerous do you think it'd be to hitch? Depends on where you are. A few years back I hitched across west Africa with a couple of friends (both female, and they'd hitched up from South Africa by the time I flew over to meet them in Ghana). We never had any problems. In a lot of places, though, the local transport is so cheap that it makes a lot more sense to just take the bus. Often you can choose between the local buses, which are tattered and bouncy and crowded, or backpacker buses, which cost 5-10 times as much but are air-conditioned and only have one person to a seat. In Europe of course you just use the same public transportation (bus, train, air) as everyone else. Ask around among your fellow backpackers for intelligence on the best deals. Would probably be more interesting than a flight.. but, yeah. Clean with a shower sounds about right - though I am willing to "rough it".. even further? Backpacking sounds tough but fun, though I think it would limit my general access.. (ie. can't pitch a tent in the city.) Perhaps backpack across rural areas.. and when in urban environment use what it has to offer? Might be a little too extreme though, do you think? "Backpacking" has a different meaning in the USA from everywhere else. In the USA it means hiking+camping. Everywhere else it means traveling on a budget with your stuff in a backpack, and has nothing to do with camping. In fact backpackers do not camp as a general rule. I would probably need to learn some the basics of many languages.. Always useful, unless you leave the backpacker trail a fair bit, all you really need is English. It would be fun and interesting to learn anyway.. Hard, though, since English works so well. One exception is Latin America, where once you get south of Mexico people just don't speak English that much. There you'll find that Spanish is both useful and easy to learn. People are friendly and patient with foreigners who speak lousy Spanish. Would you be able to give me an outline of this? Perhaps sum it up to the best of your knowledge.. and provide a web link, if you have one. There's a fairly comprehensive list maintained by the US Dept of State he http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html I see it's a little out of date (they claim you need a visa for UAE, which isn't true), but it'll give you the general gist. Yes, of course! But I was referring to cheapest and safest methods of obtaining food in foreign countries. I suppose it would not be the best idea to use restaurants at all times.. Would I even have a choice though? Again, it depends on where you are. In developing countries food is usually really cheap. It would be far more expensive to prepare your own crappy spaghetti with tinned sauce in Thailand than to eat a delicious freshly-made Thai meal at a local restaurant. And restaurants in places like Thailand aren't like in the USA. There are blocks with dozens and dozens of places to eat, none for more than $2 or so per meal and often less. My personal strategy, honed by about 12 years of backpacking, is to avoid tourist restaurants like the plague and to instead eat wherever I see a lot of local people (including, without reservation, street food). Since adopting this strategy I have never been sick, in multiple trips to Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Meanwhile I have seen plenty of people get sick from eating in restaurants at all price levels that cater mainly to foreigners. The other advantage of this is that you get more authentic food and more interaction with locals, which is sort of the point of the trip in the first place. On the other hand, in Europe, eating out is expensive (basically as expensive as in the USA) so it makes sense to stay in hostels with kitchens and cook at least some of your meals. Group cooking in hostels is a social, fun thing and a great way to meet people (as well as learn or share new cooking styles and skills). Someone told me that it's easy to find some work in Ireland or the UK (though he based it on English being my native language.) You've mentioned Australia twice, so my guess is that you're from the land of Oz. Would this mean you've travelled the world? What do you mean.. I can get a work visa headed for Australia? and what would be similar? What kind of work would you predict? American backpackers have a harder time getting work visas than most Europeans. In part this is because Americans don't travel much, so not much effort has been put into cooperative programs on this end. And in part it's because the USA makes it quite difficult for backpackers from other countries to come work. Nevertheless, if you are or have recently been a student, you can get work clearance in a number of countries. Check places like www.bunac.org for some info. Do you think it's a worthwhile aspiration? Part of me wonders about whether I need this or if simply going to school would be better use of my time and money - though I've been having some trouble with myself, and a trip like this would be somewhat of a "soul-search." This is the best thing you will ever do with your life (with the possible exception of falling in love and getting married and raising happy children). You will get more memories from each day of your trip than from each year of the job you eventually settle into. You will learn more about your own country - by seeing the rest of the world and the different ways they do things - than you otherwise would in a lifetime. To be blunt, you would be a jackass not to do it. Anyone who tries to talk you out of it is either ignorant or jealous. miguel |
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