The day a child realizes that all adults are imperfect, he becomes an adolescent; the day he forgives them, he becomes an adult; the day he forgives himself, he becomes wise. — Alden Nowlan
Tuesday, April 7, 2015 (DAY 1,128)
It seems to be a common consensus for many long-term backpackers or budget travelers that don't have a job or university to return to upon a specific date, of searching high and low for ways to extend their travels–this lifestyle of freedom that once you get a taste of it, it becomes your addiction. Well, as a long-term budget traveler or backpacker–whichever term you may prefer to title me–of more than three continuous years of global travel, I wanted to share some of the ways I've personally been able to extend my journey that began in March 2012 and continues to this day. Another read that I would also suggest is my previous blog titled, 5 Ways Replenish Funds.
It seems to be a common consensus for many long-term backpackers or budget travelers that don't have a job or university to return to upon a specific date, of searching high and low for ways to extend their travels–this lifestyle of freedom that once you get a taste of it, it becomes your addiction. Well, as a long-term budget traveler or backpacker–whichever term you may prefer to title me–of more than three continuous years of global travel, I wanted to share some of the ways I've personally been able to extend my journey that began in March 2012 and continues to this day. Another read that I would also suggest is my previous blog titled, 5 Ways Replenish Funds.
1. HOSTEL VOLUNTEER / MANAGEMENT
Generally a budget travelers largest or significant daily expense is accommodation costs, at least when traveling so-called 'Third World' countries. And as cheap as they can be, I've experienced $1 a night dorms that were about as awful as you can imagine for the price, however I've noticed that the average cost for dorms hover around $10 USD, from Central and South America and South East Asia, upwards of $15-$25 or more per night in Europe and East Asia. Therefore, one way to omit this daily cost is to seek volunteering opportunities:
● Don't expect to just walk into a hostel and be given a volunteer job, the 'good hostels' will approach you.
● At bare minimum your accommodations should be include a free bed whether in the general dorm or staff dorm, better hostels will offer things like staff pricing if they have a restaurant or bar, a free daily meal even, discounts on day trips, etc.
● If you have the freedom to be a long-term travel then you also have the freedom to go around to different hostels and stay in them for a night or two in order to get an idea of how the general operations go as well as shop around in a sense by staying at different hostels or hanging out at different ones.
● In my personal opinion from managing several hostels around the world, I think a fair amount of hours ONLY for free accommodation should be between 20-30 hours.
● Hostel Managers, Marketing, Social Media, etc. any specific title should include additional perks if not pay, once again in my opinion. Obviously you also must take in to account the typical living costs in that country, city, town, community.
● Don't expect to just walk into a hostel and be given a volunteer job, the 'good hostels' will approach you.
● At bare minimum your accommodations should be include a free bed whether in the general dorm or staff dorm, better hostels will offer things like staff pricing if they have a restaurant or bar, a free daily meal even, discounts on day trips, etc.
● If you have the freedom to be a long-term travel then you also have the freedom to go around to different hostels and stay in them for a night or two in order to get an idea of how the general operations go as well as shop around in a sense by staying at different hostels or hanging out at different ones.
● In my personal opinion from managing several hostels around the world, I think a fair amount of hours ONLY for free accommodation should be between 20-30 hours.
● Hostel Managers, Marketing, Social Media, etc. any specific title should include additional perks if not pay, once again in my opinion. Obviously you also must take in to account the typical living costs in that country, city, town, community.
2. RESTAURANT & BARTENDING
● This is pretty simple, many restaurants/bars whether owned by locals or foreigners often prefer those that are foreigners to attract tourists to their business, plus if you are bilingual this will increase your chances. This should at minimum include one or more free meals and maybe some under-the-table pay.
3. BARTER
● Use your native language to your advantage. Obviously most people use English as the common or universal language among international travel, therefore offer to re-translate a restaurants menu or other documents in exchange for free meals.
● I had a friend Steve that struck a deal with an American that owned a restaurant in Colombia and wanted his website to be updated, but because he was an older guy, Steve offered to do this in exchange for multiple free meals and drinks.
● You can ALWAYS ask, and if the answer is, no thanks, it's no problem, but not asking will always be a no.
● Also, depending upon what items you are traveling with can be a source of bartering. Maybe you have a GoProⓇ, laptop with Photoshop, Waterproof camera, etc. These can become bartering chips also.
● I had a friend Steve that struck a deal with an American that owned a restaurant in Colombia and wanted his website to be updated, but because he was an older guy, Steve offered to do this in exchange for multiple free meals and drinks.
● You can ALWAYS ask, and if the answer is, no thanks, it's no problem, but not asking will always be a no.
● Also, depending upon what items you are traveling with can be a source of bartering. Maybe you have a GoProⓇ, laptop with Photoshop, Waterproof camera, etc. These can become bartering chips also.
4. PROMOTIONS
● Passing out fliers is another way to earn free accommodation, meals, drinks, etc. because being a foreigner you are more likely to be listened–good or bad–but it's true, especially when experiencing the more aggressive touts.
5. EDUCATION / TEACHING
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● First of all, be sure to check on any necessary paperwork, visas, and what the consequences if caught might be for teaching English or even volunteering. I know of many friends that have volunteered teaching in many countries and there were no issues, but I've also heard specifically in certain countries that if you have entered the country on a tourist visa and later decide to volunteer, this can be a very big problem. Obviously, more developed or 'First World' countries have more restrictions and/or regulations. One clear example was a story I read from Chiang Mai, Thailand where 17 Foreigners were caught teaching English illegally and were all arrested. (READ MORE HERE)
6. VOLUNTEERING
● There are numerous ways to volunteer in order to save on accommodations, meals, drinks, even day trips such as surfing, lessons, etc. Once again ASK about any opportunities either at your hostel, other backpackers, and of course there are the sites that can be helpful such as WorkAway, HelpX, Backdoor Jobs, Seasonal Work, etc. Feel free to check out my LINKS PAGE that has hyperlinks to these any many other sites
7. PREVIOUS LIFE SKILLS
● As I've mentioned before, whatever previous life skills you have now become a commodity as a traveler. It doesn't matter if you were a server at a restaurant, basic computer skills, or more technical skills or education. Use this to not only help yourself, but, as the saying goes, "...teach a man to fish."
Maybe it's due to exhaustion and/or preparing for bigger plans, that will be announced next week–the week of April 20th–but I would like to end with a series of inspirational travel quotes:
"People who don't travel cannot have a global view, all they see is what's in front of them. Those people cannot accept new things because all they know is where they live." – Martin Yan
"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible." – Francis of Assisi
"In both business and personal life, I've always found that travel inspires me more than anything else I do. Evidence of the languages, cultures, scenery, food, and design sensibilities that I discover all over the world can be found in every piece of my jewelry." – Ivanka Trump
"Don't limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve." – Mary Kay Ash
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