What kind of gear is really best for the way you travel? Photo: Garrulus

Everyone has their own style when it comes to what they wear and pack on a trip. For example, Tim Patterson wears a blazer on plane rides. My dad likes to sport those vented “safari shirts.” I usually bring at least one good sheath knife whenever I travel. And the year I hiked the Appalachian Trail there was this one dude who carried a pair of nunchucks.

Over the years a definite pattern has emerged: Nearly every time I’ve packed clothing or gear purchased out of some kind of preconception about where and how I would be traveling, or worse–out of feeling that a particular piece of gear somehow reflected my ’self-image’–I’ve found that it was that exact piece gear that inevitably turned around and bit me in the ass.

The following examples illustrate how my way of packing for travel has changed over the years.

Raichle Eiger Boots

When I decided to hike the Appalachian Trail (AT) I knew that the time had come for me to get the baddest boots around.

I went to REI and bought the Raichle Eigers–the heaviest boots sold in the store except for hard-shelled mountaineering boots. I think the final selling point was when the salesman told me they were still “crampon-compatible” (as if I’d be ice-climbing).

I wore them all summer long (pre-hike) to break them in but they still tore my feet apart in the first 100 miles in Maine. I bandaged my feet, hiked in Tevas throughout the Mahoosucs, and determined to “earn” those damn boots I kept at it. 200 miles. 500 miles. 1,000 miles.

Of course I never “broke them in.”

Replacement: Skate shoes. Running shoes. Sandals. Lightweight boots, whatever the lightest footwear is that you can get away with. Mountaineering boots are for glacial travel or places where you need to use crampons or snowshoes.

Saw-vivor

I eventually caught some well-deserved shit for this from my friend Corey who I ended up hiking with on the AT. He told me later: “I saw your pack and thought ‘is that guy really carrying a saw?’”

When you’re on a long distance hike, there’s just not enough time or energy (or in many places, resources) for spending long hours around a fire. Certainly not the kind that requires sawing big chunks. I think the point here was that I ’saw myself’ needing this. It was one of the first things I sent home.

Replacement: Experience. You can cut wood into lengths with a strong knife if you know the proper technique. People in Central America do it with a machete.

“Marlboro” Mini-Fishing Kit

This also fed into my ’survivalist’ self image. It fairly screamed: I don’t fish. But it was small (about the size of hardcover book) and I figured I might use it sometime, even though I’d learned from an earlier trip to Central America that all you really need to catch fish is a baited hook and sinker tied to length of line wrapped around a plastic bottle.

I took it out once in Sayulita. It opened and assembled easily enough, but then it took about an hour to get every piece snapped back into the case. As I was putting it back I thought of how each time I’d ‘fished’ it was more or less me checking to see whether I really ‘liked’ fishing or not.

Replacement: None. You either fish or you don’t. If you don’t, then don’t bring any gimmicky mini-fishing kits.

Freestanding Mountaineering Tent

This wasn’t so much an ego thing as it was just realizing that 99% of tent designs didn’t work with the kind of traveling I liked to do, which was setting up camp for weeks at a time and living out of my tent.

Most of the tents I’d used over the years were designed for mountaineering. But for living out of for any length of time, they were totally uncomfortable. You couldn’t cook in them; you couldn’t stand up in them. You were forced to crawl around in them like a little bug.

If you’re living for weeks at a time out of a tent: get one of these.

On my first long trip to Central America I took one of these (the “walrus”) that became my home for weeks.

Only it turned into an oven in the daytime (I’d end up in my hammock) and even though it had a lot of mesh and supposedly “industry leading” ventilation, it was still too hot on a lot of nights. As far as bugs–I still ended up using an additional mosquito net (purchased at a local hardware store for a few pesos).

Replacement: The Megamid. I had this realization one day that it was all because the tent was sealed up.

In other words, it had a permanent floor. I remembered hearing about a shelter made for setting up over snow pits during winter camping and wondered how this might work over sand.

I ended up buying a megamid before my next trip back down to Mexico and realized immediately that it was a game changing move. I could set up chairs in there, stand up in there, and cook in there. It became the lounge, love nest, my own little house. Most importantly, I could roll up the walls and use it as a sun shelter.

Community Connection

How have you changed the way you’ve packed for travel? What are some of the best (or worst) things you’ve brought on a trip. Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Q: What’s better than a road trip? A: A road trip funded via scholarship. Photo: wili_hybird .

Everyone at Matador has been so amped on community member Pat the Digital Vagabond’s Roads Scholarship that we decided to sponsor the event. Look for chapters from the winning writer’s travelogue here at the Notebook.

If you haven’t yet heard about the Roads Scholarship, here’s the basic outline:

• The winner will be paid a stipend of $1,200 a month to travel North America this summer (June through September of 2009).

• The winning writer will get to share their travel articles and photo essays on Digital Vagabonding.com and here at Matador.

• The winner will also get a ticket to the Burning Man Festival, which is held during the last week of August in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada.

• Two runner up winners will also get free tickets to Burning Man.

• Winners will be chosen in May 8, 2009 and their journey will culminate the first week of September at Burning Man where the Digital Vagabonding tribe will welcome them home.

For more details, as well as how to apply for the scholarship, please check Digital Vagabonding’s Road Scholarship. And if you’ve never heard of Burning Man, that alone is worth checking out.

We can’t wait to see who gets this first scholarship. There are also rumors floating around of some kind of crazy launch party. Whoever gets this thing is going to be stoked.

As a tour guide, I receive lots of questions from passionate travelers wondering if the job is right for them. Here are some frequently asked questions…and my answers:

Tour Guide/Tour Leader: Is there any difference?

These job titles are often used interchangeably, though there are some subtle differences between the two. The skills of a tour guide and leader, though are usually required by most companies.

Generally speaking, tour guides are expected to know a city (or country) intimately and offer guests interpretive information such as history and anecdotes on all sites.

While tour leaders also need knowledge of the places they are visiting, they are also responsible for the logistics and planning of a trip, ensuring everything runs smoothly. It is not uncommon for guides and leaders from the same company to work closely together. For simplicity, the term “guides” is used in the rest of this article to refer to both positions.

Photo by Marcin Wichary

I love to travel. This must be the perfect job for me, right?

You’ll certainly be traveling, but your job is to be there for your guests. You may be visiting the same places week after week, but even when you do go somewhere new it’s unlikely you’ll have much time to yourself.

Being good with people, being a great organizer, and possessing a real interest in history and culture are more important traits than just wanting to see the world.

Do I need any qualifications?

Some cities require you to be a licensed guide to lead tours. While a relevant degree– Travel and Tourism, Art, History, Geography, Languages– can be of benefit, very few guides have any kind of formal qualifications.

What skills do I need?

• People skills- You’re spending practically every hour of every day with your guests and not all of them will be nice.

• Logistical management- A lot of aspects go into planning a holiday. Even if you’re not responsible for setting up those details, you’ll be responsible for keeping on top of them all once your group is on the road.

• Organization- You don’t want to get mixed up on where you’re supposed to be going, or what you’re doing.

• Calm under pressure- Anything could happen on a tour, and everyone will look to you when things go wrong.

• Quick learner- From “Where’s the bathroom?” to “When was that built?” you’ll need to have answers at hand.
• Good public speaker- Speaking to your group is more than half the job. You want to make sure they understand you.

• Energetic- You’ll be working almost every waking hour, often for weeks at a time- you need to be in top form at all times.

Photo by mke1963

I don’t speak any languages. Can I still be a guide?

This depends on the company you work for. If you’re looking to work in Italy, for example, it would be difficult to get by without Italian, but very few companies would expect you to speak Vietnamese to lead in Asia, for example.

Is there any job security?

Not really. Most guides work on a tour by tour basis. While you’ll be over-worked during the peak seasons (usually summer), come off-season you’ll probably be looking in the Help Wanted ads. Many guides are on the books of several companies so they can maximise their work opportunities.

Photo by marie-ll

Could I be a guide in a country that I’ve never even visited?

Absolutely. Most companies find it difficult to recruit guides in certain countries and many guides are sent to new regions. While this may sound great, imagine trying to guide 50 people around a city you’ve never even been to. And with a busy schedule, it’s unlikely you’ll get time to explore on you own.

How much do I get paid?

As a qualified city guide you could make several hundred dollars in a single day. If you’re an overland driver you could struggle to make this much in a whole month.

While pay varies hugely, it’s rarely much more than minimum wage. Depending on the guests you have, tips can be generous- if you’ve done a good job, of course.

Are all my expenses paid?

This depends very much on the company, however, most professional companies pay your expenses while you’re working- typically food, accommodation, and any work-related travel.

Photo by marie-ll

Okay, this sounds like the job for me! Where do I sign up?

There are hundreds of companies looking for guides. Some are more professional than others and you should always research any company thoroughly before taking up an offer of work. Just a few to get you started:

www.eftours.co.uk

One of the world’s largest providers of educational travel with coach trips on every continent.

www.backroads.com

One of the market leaders in luxury biking and hiking trips around the world.

www.dragoman.co.uk

Overland adventure company with long duration trips on four continents.

www.trafalgartours.com

One of the world’s most popular coach touring companies.

www.intrepidtravel.com

Guided backpacking trips across the world.

Like any job, different companies look for different traits and tasks from their employees and every position comes with a different job description. These answers are only a general guide and will vary considerably from company to company.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Looking to combine your work and your travels? Take a look at How to Travel the World by Crewing on Yachts, Join the Navy, See the World, or many more in Matador’s Travel and Adventure Jobs Archive!

Photo above and feature photo by sharkbait.

I could have flown to Europe.I could have hopped a budget long-haul and touched down in Cyprus a day or two after leaving Australia.

Instead I found myself diving the Maldives, dodging pirates off Yemen and sailing up the Suez Canal. Some extreme cruise ship? Nope, this was a yacht delivery.

Sailing the seas beats being crushed into cattle-class airline seats every time, especially if you’ve got some time up your sleeve and an eye for adventure.

But hold on, I hear you say – sailboats, not to mention yachts are freaking expensive.

So here’s a little tip: the best yachts are other people’s yachts. Most private yacht owners prefer to spend their downtime anchored up in the company of wives, husbands, partners or good buddies, or day-hopping along the coast.

But for those grueling trips between continents that make up a large part of circumnavigation, more help is required.

Photo by zeandroid.

Smaller private yachts in the 25-70ft range regularly engage delivery crew for longer passages to help share the workload and for the savvy traveler, this same voyages represent a fantastic way to put some miles under your belt.

Often you’ll be asked to contribute nothing more than a keen attitude and a willingness to learn.Other captains ask for a donation toward food or fuel, but even this is pretty reasonable when compared to the cost of an airline ticket.

Some more prosperous yacht owners will even fly you to where the yacht is located and home again afterward.

The trick to picking up a trip across the ocean is to locate yourself where yachties embark from. Several destinations around the world are established jumping off points for cruising sailors, such as Panama, Phuket, Gibraltar, Fremantle, St Maarten, San Diego, Cape Town, Auckland and Darwin.

If you find yourself in such a location, head down to the local yacht club office. Each spot has established seasons each year when sailors depart, depending on the weather and they can often put you in contact with boats seeking crew.

The key to landing a successful delivery position is to make yourself a desirable crew member.
Don’t know how to sail? Yacht clubs around the world offer introductory classes and are often thrilled to have new members join their weekend races.

There’s no quicker way to learn sailing than having a captain screaming at you from the cockpit while you slip about on the bow. A couple months of racing will have you jibing the spinnaker pole like an old salt.

Photo by freefall alpha.

At the very least, learn the basics of boating online or at the library, including how to tie real knots.
Yep, your life will occasionally depend on the quality of your knots. Learn‘em.

Alternatively, offer your new crew a unique skill. Mechanics, chefs, electricians, dive instructors, masseuses, carpenters, heck, even hairdressers, will always find themselves welcome on board.

As delivery crew you’ll almost certainly be expected to knock up some meals in the galley too, so learn a few specialties.

On board, crew can expect to help out with day-to-day sailing tasks such as maintenance, navigation, cleaning, cooking and sooner or later, unblocking toilets.

Sailing’s not always pretty and those anticipating daiquiris in the cockpit at sundown everyday might be disappointed.

But what a way to travel. Riding the wind into bays you could never access overland.Diving hidden reefs, catching your dinner, navigating across entire oceans. Watching the sunrise after a night-watch with the best tea you’ve ever tasted warming your hands.

To ensure a good time is had by all, it’s important to check out your crew, because they’ll certainly be wondering about you.

Crew harmony comes above everything else on board, particularly on smaller boats. There aren’t many spots to hide on 15m of yacht when folks don’t get along.

Almost every captain would gladly hire an inexperienced sailor with a positive attitude over a know-it-all whom no one can stand to be around.

Photo by sharkbait.

The best piece of advice I have for anyone considering a yacht delivery is just learn how to get on with people.

Throw in a handful of herbal seasickness remedies and you’re away.

Get on board.

Community Connection

For available crew positions, check:

www.findacrew.net

www.crewseekers.net

www.crewfile.com

Feature photo by ky_olsen. Photo above by Steffe.

What is Busking?

Busking is the time-honored practice of performing for spare change in public – generally on the street or in a park. Most buskers are musicians, but if you have any sort of talent, you can generally make some good money by putting on an honest performance in a high traffic and relatively affluent area.

If you’re looking to get a sense of the local culture, street performance is a great way to do it. Your status as a foreigner adds to the exoticism of your act, so it can help give you a leg up on the locals.

1. Washington Square Park, New York City, USA

During the warmer months, Washington Square Park is one of the most highly trafficked areas of the city – mostly by students and relatively well-to-do creative types. Music, magic and dance crews often pull in some significant change – and even if you’re not looking for that much money, you’re sure to at least find an appreciative audience.

2. Alexanderplatz, Berlin, Germany

The Berlin Lacht International Street Theatre Festival is held a few times every year, showcasing talent from around the world on the streets of Berlin. This great city has a long, proud history of bohemian performance art.

Germans love American music – get out there and play some of your favorite hits. Don’t worry too much about keeping a tune – your accent sounds exotic enough that it doesn’t matter.

Photo by Cormac Mulhall.

3. Dublin, Ireland

Yes, the Irish may have a long-standing reputation for being dour – but at least once a year, during the summer Street Performance World Championship, Dublin becomes an absolute busking extravaganza.

Whether you want to go and perform yourself – and hopefully rake in some coin – or merely learn things from some of the best performers on the face of the earth, it’s worth checking out. The competition can get fierce. Magicians, mimes, daredevils, jugglers and musicians turn the street into an open circus.

4. Montmartre, Paris, France

The artistic center of Paris, Montmartre is where you are likely to find some of the finest mimes in the world. If you’re interested in getting more into miming – or just want to busk in an area where locals and tourists alike are accustomed to giving money to street performers – it’s certainly worth a visit.

Living statues are also popular there – if you’re planning on taking that route, make sure that you wear a colorful, unique costume to set yourself apart from the rest.

5. Covent Garden, London, United Kingdom

Covent Garden happens to be one of the most happening street performance centers in the world, with one of the longest standing histories of providing an outlet for public performance.

Unfortunately, it’s not entirely open to outsiders – the performers negotiate with one another to set schedules, and you need to pass an audition to get through. However, that should not be a significant hurdle for you to get over if you plan ahead of time, are confident in your artistic merit, and know how to charm artists.

Photo by house.

6. Marrakesh, Morocco

Marrakesh is a city that is arguably still largely in the Middle Ages, from the architecture to the culture. It’s a prime site for beggars, street vendors and performers – mostly locals.

If you think you can pull it off and mesh well with your surroundings, the street traffic in the market squares can be totally overwhelming. If you can make it here in the old markets, you can make it anywhere.

7. The Old City, Jerusalem, Israel

The Old City is one of the most fascinating places on the planet. It’s sacred ground for three major religions, making it a year-round tourist destination.

The relatively warm weather – at least, when it’s not raining – also makes it a good place to get out some street performance, so long as it’s sufficiently respectful to pilgrims filing in and out of the various synagogues, temples and churches.

Photo by steph.

8. New Delhi, India

Indians are always moving from one place to another, either on the helter-skelter roads or the marginally unsafe train system. There’s a long-established tradition of buskers playing music and dancing near transportation hubs.

Get out your instruments at a high traffic train station and start playing – you might be surprised at how much change you’ll bring in from rushing commuters.

Community Connection:

Need some cash to keep you on the road? Give 25 Ways to Earn Money When You’re Broke on the Road a read, or check out the archive of Travel and Adventure Jobs at the Traveler’s Notebook.

Feature photo and photo above by Aaron Appleton.

Robbed at gunpoint. Chased by a pack of wild dogs. Swallowed by a rioting mob. Attacked by a black mamba. These might sound like plot points for a new Indiana Jones flick, but really they are just events in a year of Aaron Appleton’s life as a self-described “avant garde ethnomusicologist”.

Aaron travels nine months of the year recording vocalists from developing countries, in hopes of creating an album that combines these sounds with those of producers from the USA, Portugal, The Netherlands and Australia.

An Ethno-What Now?

Photo by by Aaron Appleton.

Aaron is just one example of a growing number of people who have made recording world music into a career. Ethnomusicology is a relatively new field, with the official term only being coined in the 1950’s.

Loosely, it’s the anthropology of music. Most ethnomusicologists travel intensely and have a natural curiosity for how music translates as a cultural phenomenon. Music is recorded at source, in many cases creating a record of sounds that have previously never been documented.

Adventure In Sound

Most recording is done on the fly. A background in audio recording is imperative because so many variables present themselves in different environments. Skill aside, ingenuity and a duct-tape-fix-all mentality can often come in handy.

Says Appleton, “I’ve worked in very rural areas with no electricity, using a recording method called ‘binaural recording’, where I place some tiny microphones in my ears and capture the audio with a small battery operated recorder.” It’s not always Abbey Road Studios.

Study

A degree makes obtaining grants much easier and can help prepare students for a positive interaction with different cultures. There are over sixty universities offering programs worldwide.

Even if a school does not offer the specific program, some will agree to an individually tailored education program that can be designed to allow for similar experience.

Networking

Photo by by Aaron Appleton.

As connecting directly with indigenous musicians is the fastest way to find local talent, networking with other ethnomusicologists is essential to advancing a career. Several groups serve as a hub, including:

Also important are: The International Association Of Sound and Audiovisual Archives and Smithsonian Folkways.

Aaron recommends a start by “searching out national cultural councils and organizations, or just going to universities and meeting with professors from the music or anthropology department.”

Grants and Funding

Ethnomusicology isn’t necessarily the job for anyone looking to make mountains of cash. Grant competition is fierce, with the The Fullbright as The Holy Grail for students looking to break into the field. Most newbies to the field work a second job in order to fund expeditions.

Appleton himself spends his summers fighting wildfires in the USA to increase his savings.

Feature photo by Tiago Daniel. Photo above by nathangibbs.

Photo by Midnight-digital.

Though I knew nothing about poker when I quit my suit-and-tie desk job, I quickly picked it up on my travels around the world. Since then I’ve played hundreds of hands of Texas Hold ‘Em and met plenty of poker players, many of them fellow globetrotters.

I guess there’s something about taking a calculated risk that links both travelers and poker players because there seems to be a lot of crossover.

Although illegal in the United States, it’s quite possible to earn an income playing poker online almost everywhere else in the world as long as you have an Internet connection, knowledge of the game, and willingness to take a calculated risk.

Is it worth it? Here’s a look at some of the pros and cons:

Good News: You can play anywhere, from Bali to Siberia

Well, anywhere that you can get an Internet connection that isn’t in the United States. In today’s globalized, wi-fi world, that’s not much of a problem.

Sites like Poker Stars, Paradise Poker and Party Poker are easy to use and offer free software that you can download and use to play against hundreds of thousands of poker players all over the world. Some companies even let you play via cell phone.

Photo by -RobW-.

Good News: Anyone can learn to be a pro

While poker involves big elements of luck, so does just about anything. In the long run, skill will trump luck in poker.

Unlike most gambling games, in poker, the axiom “the house always wins” does not apply because cash flows from player to player rather than in the direction of the house. Most casinos make very little money from poker tables; instead, the most poker skilled players are the ones who rake in the dough.

This means that poker is actually something you can learn to do well, and there are plenty of books and websites devoted to teaching you just how to do that.

Bad News: You can’t pick it up in a day

The reverse side of this is that if you want to make money, you have to actually know what you are doing. That means putting the legwork in – playing lots of free or cheap poker to practice, reading poker guides and refining your strategy. Trying to jump to the big leagues too quickly is the fastest way to lose money.

Photo by m00rango*.

Good News: You just have to win 51% of the time

Once you are able to constantly break even or turn a small profit at the virtual table, you can turn poker into a reliable source of income. You can’t expect to do it by winning a few big hands a day, though. Big hands don’t always come.

It’s a much better to aim for long-term profits by playing as many games as you can, with an expectation that you won’t win every single hand, but you’ll come out ahead more than half of the time. Fortunately, most poker sites let you play multiple tables at once, giving you lots of chances to maximize your profits.

Bad News: You have to put in the hours, just like a real job

In order to milk the most out of that 51%, you’ll be spending hours in front of the computer playing half a dozen poker tables at once. If you really love the game, that’s probably fine.

If you don’t, it can seem like a lot of number crunching, not that different from processing spreadsheets or balancing budgets. You might as well go back to the cubicle.

Good News: It doesn’t take a degree

Sure, not everyone will want to put in the legwork or be comfortable taking on some of the risks it takes to become a good poker player, but those willing to spend the time and do the work can turn poker into a reliable source of income.

You don’t need a killer resume, letters of reference or a college degree. You can set your own hours and work from a couch. And you never have to wear a tie.

Photo by stenbough.

Bad News: All you get is money — yes, that’s bad news!

So you don’t need a resume to play poker, but you can’t exactly put it on a resume either. Most “real” jobs offer some degree of professional development, career opportunities or social networking.

Some of these things do exist in the world of online poker, mostly through satellite tournaments, where players compete for a trip to play in a high-stakes game at an actual bricks-and-mortar casino, usually somewhere exotic.

The chances of winning aren’t high, though. Besides money, all you can get out of playing poker is the ability to play better poker. Considering all the other opportunities available for travelers around the world, that’s not necessarily a great investment unless you never plan on doing anything else with your life. But no one said you had to make it a career.

In the end, many globe trekkers may find it more rewarding to work their way across a country, earn their way doing volunteer work or even simply saving up for a year before taking a big trip.

On the other hand, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of turning over pocket aces.

Feature photo and photo above by Matt Scott.

Abattoir Worker

Among the various options for a fulfilling career on the US J1 visa programme, perhaps the worst is working along the ‘intestine route’: sorting innards for various other uses.

Toilet Cleaner

Never pleasant, but especially bad for Hans Dowwen, who works in the Swedish Constipation Clinic. I’ll leave it to your imagination what happens when the dam bursts……

Wrestling Opponent

Watching two guys jump on one another is a popular sport in much of Central and South America. Many bars, clubs or other arenas that have wrestling matches will offer cash to anyone who dares climb in the ring with one of the masked heroes.

Barnyard Masturbator

When you signed up for WWOOFing you imagined just a bit of picking and weeding, perhaps? In the cattle industry, nothing can be left to chance so artificial insemination is the way to go. Sadly, nature isn’t allowed to do its thing, so you have to.

Photo by Matt Scott.

Taxi Driver (in Antarctica)

The McMurdo science station in Antarctica is the continent’s largest and someone has to shuttle everyone from station to station. Marty Gilligan spent six months driving a giant people mover around the station. Unfortunately for Gilligan, there was no meter, so nobody tipped.

Bungee Jump Master

Start your day off with terror and screams by assisting those jumping into the void. AJ Hackett, the world’s largest bungee company, has many job opportunities available, but if you don’t like heights you can always help to fish people out of the river below.

Chicken Sexer

Especially popular among volunteers on Israeli Kibbutz. Seal the fate of thousands of male chicks by sorting each new hatchling onto the relevant conveyor belt. Expect to handle several hundred chicks an hour in some places.

Medical Research

Earn perhaps several hundreds dollars a day for taking a pill (or perhaps agreeing to a minor operation). Sounds like easy money until you sign a waiver that’s an inch and a half thick- they’re not really sure what that pill will do and you’re the guinea pig. If you’re lucky, you may just get the placebo.

Sex Shop Cleaner

The highlight of a summer in New York, Tony Holland worked for minimum wage mopping the floor of video booths in a sex shop close to Times Square. He made sure he had waiting and bar experience before he returned!

Sensory Deprivation Research Subject

Want to escape from it all for a while? Always wanted to earn great money for doing nothing? NASA, the CIA and various other scientific intuitions are on the look out for people to lock into a dark, soundproof box for a few days, a few weeks or even a few months, just to see what happens.

Disney World Character

The wonders of the Magic Kingdom soon wear thin when during the middle of summer you are put into a huge suit of itchy, un-breathable fabric and are then asked to act chirpy while children, high on sugar, get to meet their favourite character.

Photo by lensfodder.

Sheep Skin Factory

New Zealand is the perfect spot for a gap year if you’re into farming or the outdoors. Jasper thought just that but ended up spending his days scraping residue carcass from skins, then stretching and drying them in a small factory. The smell was almost as bad as the ‘matter’ that found its way into every part of his body.

Bollywood Extra

Wander around Mumbai for a day or two and you’re sure to be approached by a film scout. Bollywood often looks for foreigners to play tourists in street scenes, but occasionally, a more challenging position comes up, like playing a dead body or pretending to be an international film star.

Adult Video Star

A popular Australian website often recruits from hostels and backpacker bars for girls to take their clothes off ‘and perhaps more’. Pay is generous but you probably wouldn’t want to show your mum these holiday snaps.

Sewer Tour Guide

Imagine wandering around Paris translating for a professional tour guide. Sounds wonderful, right? Except that the guide is an ex-sewer worker who is giving a tour of the egouts – Paris’s sewer system. How many other translation jobs would you have to get turned down from before taking this one, I wonder?

Photo by Maxime Wojtczak.

Statue

Emma Thomas has travelled the world standing still. Dressed in starched clothes hung with price tags, she picks a busy spot and pretends to be a shop mannequin, busking for tips while kids, families and drunken stag parties all try to make her twitch or laugh.

Busboy (at an S&M Club)

One backpacker (who wishes to remain anonymous) worked at an adults only club in Jaffa, Israel. He describes clearing tables as clients were whipped, spanked, sat on and numerous other things. Tipping was good apparently, as clients were keen to get him out of their way.

Assistant at the Travelling Circus

What better way to discover a country than to go with a bunch of clowns! As well as feeding the animals, assisting with the set up and take down of the event space, there are great opportunities to meet the locals.

Portaloo Operative

Many travellers to the UK find work in hotels, restaurants or bars, but Mike Davis was hired to collect, empty and clean portable toilets from sites all over South East England. Reclaiming toilets after a weekend music festival finally made him quit.

‘Slime Line’ Worker

Fishing is big business in Alaska and teams of workers are brought in for the summer season to slice, gut, fillet, pack, clean and carry out any other general processing job. You’ll never eat sushi again!

community connection

Have your own recommendations for weird travel jobs? Share them on Matador’s Forum.

Photo by Mike Jones

Depending on what you’re looking for in a job, Asia boasts some of the best opportunities there are. Buckle down and haul in some serious cash or find that perfect beachside town and make enough to get by.

Factor in the fantastic sights, foods, people and cultures that the continent is known for and whatever your reason for seeking work in Asia may be, you’ll soon find yourself leading the good life.

1. Jobs in Japan

– http://www.jobsinjapan.com

Billing itself as “the mother lode of Japan job info”, this busy site focuses on everything from ESL jobs to modelling and IT work.

Classified ads in which employable candidates can show off their qualities can be placed free of charge, providing they stick to the following guidelines: http://www.jobsinjapan.com/site/guidelines.html.

2. Gaijin Pot

– http://www.gaijinpot.com

The godfather of online job listings in Japan, Gaijin Pot not only offers a huge database of jobs but also provides job seekers the opportunity to place their resume online for potential employers to browse.

A daily job listing is emailed to registered user’s inboxes and the site is a very popular resource for employers and employees alike.

3. Korea Job Link

– http://www.koreajoblink.com

Though it’s not the most aesthetically pleasing site on the Internet, Korea Job Link lists jobs in numerous categories and does a good job of passing on up to date specifics on jobs offered.

There’s an advice and resources section for information on living and working in Korea, as well as message boards and a handy on site currency converter for figuring out what those wages really amount to.

4. Naukri

– http://www.naukri.com

Naukri is an excellent place to benefit from India’s title as the world’s fastest growing economy.

More than 20,000 recruiters access the database, and matches to your employment specifications can be regularly sent to your inbox. Jobs are also listed by location, so if you want to focus your search on one particular Indian city, it’s no problem.

Photo by Mike Jones

5. Job Maldives

– http://www.job-maldives.com

Looking for something different? How about a job in the Maldives?

This little site keeps ongoing, regularly updated listings of jobs, complete with job descriptions and tips for finding work in the truly idyllic paradise that is the Maldives.

6. Hong Kong Recruit

– http://hongkong.recruit.net

With 139,841 Hong Kong jobs posted from across the Internet into one easy to use and handy place, typing your career choice into the site’s search engine will yield a wealth of immediate results. Search jobs posted within the past 24 hours or jobs as old as 15 days.

7. Pacific Bridge

– http://www.pacificbridge.com

Whether you’re undecided about where exactly in Asia you want to work or you simply want to find the best paying job in your field, Pacific Bridge has got the continent covered.

Browse their lengthy list of jobs, read the monthly newsletter on job happenings across Asia, bone up on resume tips and find the answers to your questions in their FAQ’s.

8. Ajarn

– http://www.ajarn.com

Ajarn helps make a job search in Thailand that much easier with their practical and simple site. Post your resume and view the latest jobs.

Got a question regarding working in Thailand or obtaining a visa? The Visa Guru page will set you straight. If that’s not enough information for you, read the visa and work permit FAQ’s. It’s all here.

9. Malaysia Job Street

– http://my.jobstreet.com

Malaysia’s job street offers a search engine capable of narrowing down searches to specialization and location among 16,000 offered forms of employment.

Links to a list of major employers like petroleum juggernaut Petronas are only a click away, as are a list of updated work related programmes and courses. Submit your resume and join the Malaysian work force!

10. Singapore Jobs Online

– http://www.singaporejobsonline.com

This site maintains a strong focus on careers in at least twenty categories in Singapore. Aside from current reports on the job scene, the provided links to thirty different sites on life in Singapore can really help get you familiar with the city. Tips and help, including a cover letter template complete the package.

Wherever your career takes you, remember to learn and respect local customs. It’s also a great idea to make the effort to study your adopted homeland’s language or at least gain a basic working knowledge of several key words and phrases.

Lastly, work hard but don’t forget to get out once and a while and mingle with the greatest benefit of working abroad, the people.

Community Connection

Check out Matador’s destination page ASIA for hundreds of direct contacts to travelers, locals, organizations, blogs, and more, covering life, place, and travels on the continent.

The U.S. Navy hires people for a wide range of positions. Photographers, mechanics, dentists, barbers, electricians, and many other jobs exist in the Navy. Unless you pick your job with the goal of getting into the middle of the fight (Navy SEALS ), then you probably won’t be anywhere near it.

The information below comes from my seven years in the United States Navy, but the lifestyle will apply to other navies around the world.

Where Can I Go?

In the Navy you can request to serve in a variety of locations. I know many sailors that lived in Italy, Britain, Hawaii, Spain, or Japan. While I didn’t live overseas, I moved up and down the east and west coasts of the United States – experiencing a variety of cities and getting paid for moving expenses each time.

Deployments

A naval ship will take you to many parts of the world. Deployment doesn’t mean that you are necessarily going to war. The United States sends ships all over the globe. It doesn’t concentrate them all in the hot spots. My first deployment was a slow trip around the Pacific Ocean, stopping at major port cities along the way.

On deployment, I regularly visited Japan, Guam, Australia, Dubai, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Other common port visits include Bahrain, Mumbai, Hawaii, Thailand, Alaska, South Korea and many more.

Other Benefits

Sailors earn 30 days of vacation each year. This is much more than the average U.S. citizen. Of course, working for the government means there are extra rules you must follow. When requesting your vacation, you must tell your superiors where you are going.

If you want to go to a country that the United States isn’t friendly with, then you will have to answer extra questions and fill out more paperwork. This will, of course, decrease your odds of going.

Another perk is the availability of military flights. If you don’t need to keep a strict schedule, this can be a great way to fly free. After signing up, you will be placed on a standby space-available list. More information about this can be found at MilitaryHops.

What Is The Downside?

Don’t ignore the physical danger you are in by being a member of the armed forces. Events like the USS Cole bombing do happen. However, most sailors never experience anything like that. Being on a ship a hundred miles off the coast of an enemy country is very different than slinging a rifle on the front line.

When you are on a naval ship, you won’t be the one picking the next port . You just try to enjoy wherever you end up. The only way to affect this is to choose your assignments wisely. When I joined I had already traveled much of Europe, but little of Asia. So, I requested to be assigned to a ship on the west coast. This made it more likely that my ship would visit Hong Kong, Thailand, and Singapore.

Travel Restrictions

Navy travel can feel constrained. Your ship will make rules about where you can go, often limiting you to the closest big city. I have visited Japan more times than I can remember, but I have only been to one city. The karaoke bars in Sasebo get old real fast.

The U.S. Navy has a buddy system. So, find a buddy that has a compatible travel attitude. Otherwise, if everyone else plans to get wasted at the nearest bar, then that is where you are going. Being caught out on your own can get you in trouble with your superiors. Of course, being used to solo travel before I joined, I usually just risked it. On my way back to the ship, I would join up with the drunks and help them get across the quarterdeck and to their racks.

The Navy Isn’t For Everyone.

For many reasons, military service has been growing less popular in recent years. However, if you are looking for an escape from the cubicle, then you might want to consider the Navy. It can be a great way to collect a steady paycheck while traveling the world.

Photo by Robert Paetz

What are the best seasonal jobs for traveling? We asked this back in December and got dozens of great responses we remixed into this article. Since then we’ve had even more ideas and responses, so here is the follow up, round 2 of the best seasonal jobs for traveling:

1. Concierge

Lusine Stepanian writes: The best travel job I had was in London, England. I worked as the Concierge of a small hotel chain. It wasn’t really the job that made my experience so great, but the people I met every day.

We had tourists from all over the world, some speaking very limited English. It gave me the chance to brush up on my Italian, since I literally went home everyday looking up new words in the dictionary to be able to assist the guests better. I was even invited to go to Italy by one of the guests. Eventually, I was so inspired that I ended up traveling to Italy to take an intensive two week language course.

Tip: check www.swap.ca or www.bunac.org which can help you with work visa and your job search.

2. Commercial Fishing

Brad Whipple writes: fishing is a great job for traveling. You can go anywhere there’s water. You can work a one-day charter, a week-long trip, or a month-plus season. The job itself might even take you to the next place you want to go.

A shrimp boat, for example, will begin a season in Brownsville, TX, work around the Gulf Coast and down to the Florida Keys, then up to Cape Hatteras, NC. and you’re getting paid! (self-employed, no withholdings!) it’s an accessible industry around the world, and full of unique exposure to nature, both human and mother. rubber boots and strong back required.

Tip: Check out Brad’s complete guide to getting work on an Alaskan fishing boat.

3. Caretaker

Nora Dunn writes: Caretakers’ Gazette, Organic Volunteers, House Carers, and Wwoofing are great resources to find temporary positions doing anything from house or pet sitting, to organic farming, to campground management, and myriads of other seasonal jobs where rent-free living is the common denominator.

4. Dining and Lodging Services in the National Parks

Laurie Pickard writes: Working in the national parks is great. Getting a full-time position with the National Park Service is challenging, but private companies such as Xanterra continuously hire seasonal employees for dining and lodging services in the parks. The greatest part is that you get to live inside the park for a season. I did it in Acadia National Park in Maine one autumn, and it was fantastic.

5. Crewing on a Sailboat

N. Chrystine Olson writes: Crewing on sailboats is a great way to travel. In 2001 I went to help a buddy re-hab a 32 foot West Sail in La Paz, Baja; this got me onto other boats, a 42 foot vessel named Wooden Shoe (guess what she was made of), and a couple other gigs on different boats over a five month period. I sailed the Sea of Cortez and jumped over to the Mexican mainland for other adventures including taking the train into Copper Canyon.

I had offers to make the crossing to the South Pacific, but alas, responsibilities here in the States called me home. If you don’t get too seasick, I highly recommend it. If you are a decent cook, even better. A search on the Internet will direct you to all sorts of opportunities. Some great characters on the open water.

6. A Bollywood Actor

Jenny Williams writes: It’s really easy for foreigners to get jobs as extras and longer stints with speaking parts. The pay for one-time gigs is pretty low, $15 a day or so. But if you’re persistent and good at networking (or just happen to be in the right place at the right time), you can get longer positions that pay much better, $30-$60 per day.

My boyfriend and I worked as extras on a major Bollywood film (google “You, Me, Aur Hum”, releasing April 10) that was being shot on a cruise, which meant: $60 a day in addition to 2 weeks on a luxury cruise liner for free. After that, we got offered some other parts for speaking roles in commercials and TV shows which we had to turn down due to our travel schedule. And we’re not particularly talented or good-looking!

The bummer is that you’re pretty much limited to Mumbai (plus a few other cities in India). The one-day jobs can also be pretty awful, long and boring. Still, if Mumbai’s part of your itinerary, and you’ve got a flexible schedule, DO IT.

7. Nursing

Ben Polansky writes: Nursing is a huge one. I have multiple friends who earned their nursing degrees and haven’t looked back. There’s always work for somebody who knows how to take care of the sick. Check TravelNursing.com or Doctors Without Borders if you’re really committed.

8. Ski Resort Employee

Eva Holland writes: Work the ski resort scene – there are foodservice jobs aplenty and many of the resorts will put you up (in dorms… I hear it’s like freshman year, without the classes! woot?) and provide perks like lift passes. I wouldn’t be surprised if I land in Whistler or Banff one of these winters, seems like a good gig.

Most of the resorts have job info on their sites – also, for non-Americans I’ve heard this is one way to get a temporary US work visa. I met a bunch of Aussies who worked ski seasons in upstate New York and down in New Mexico – the resorts hooked them up with permits.

Tip: (From David Miller, ex Parking Lot Attendant, Heavenly Valley) Being a liftee can drive you nuts. Working rentals you have to deal with rushes of customers and stinking ski boots. It might seem like the lowest job on the totem pole, but the parking lot attendants actually get the most riding time. Stack those cones man!

Stay tuned for more seasonal jobs coming soon. . .

Photo by edgeplot

A career as a wildlife biologist conjures up visions of tracking Sumatran tigers in Indonesia or climbing trees to collect data on Bald Eagle nestlings. This job appeals to those who are passionate about the outdoors, and to those who feel more than a little wild themselves. But aside from the romance, what can you really expect from this career?

There are many types of wildlife biologists. Some sit at a desk all day. If you prefer a job in the field, look into field biologist or research biologist positions.

Education

Fifty years ago if you knew the wilderness and had a passion for hunting, you could’ve walked out of high school and easily procured a job. Not anymore. Today, the educational requirements require a minimum of a bachelors degree, and many agencies won’t consider hiring you if you don’t have a masters degree for research biologist positions.

When researching specific schools, dig deep to see what they have to offer you. Do they have a strong research program where there are internship opportunities? What kind of job can you expect from a four year college degree? Some schools offer very specific programs tailored to wildlife management and wildlife biologist positions, while others offer more generalized programs such as Environmental Studies. Take a long range view of their program and what it has to offer you.

Field Experience

The key to getting a permanent position as a wildlife biologist is racking up as much diversity, or perhaps, specificity, in field experience opportunities as you can. It all depends on where your interests lie. If you are in school look into the various jobs that master’s students in your program of study might offer. Many times they need apprentices in order to help them with their research, and can pay you a small stipend. Don’t neglect volunteer positions either, you can add these work skills to your resume. Do a good job and you will have an excellent reference that you could add to your resume.

Communication Skills

While you are in school think about taking courses in writing, journalism, or education. These classes may set you ahead of the pack. Many people think that dealing with the public is a remote possibility when you have a job in a faraway place as a field biologist. Think again. The public is hungry for your knowledge and expertise, and they want to hear what you have to say. Also, many people are very opinionated when it comes to managing wildlife populations and will want you to consider their ideas. You will often be in the position to educate the public about sound scientific research and practices. If you can demonstrate that knowledge to an employer, you are golden.

How Much Will I Make?

You probably won’t get rich as a biologist, and when you’re just starting out you might not make much more then minimum wage. But it’s a passion for the work and freedom in the field that will give you the greatest job satisfaction. State agencies tend to pay the most, while the federal government’s payscale is lower. Non-profit agencies, such as The Nature Conservancy, also have limited budgets and do not pay well.

Where You Can Find Work

Competition for jobs is fierce. Yet you will be surprised to learn that there are a wide variety of places to find work. Consulting firms such as Griffith Wildlife Biology, hire wildlife biologists for specific projects. In America, look into state government job listings. The federal government also hires wildlife biologists. Don’t neglect opportunities closer to home either, such as local conservation agencies.

Another good source of job opportunities is through the Wildlife Society. Also, check out Ranger 146’s site, where you can get the lowdown on the life of a seasonal wildlife biologist along with job listings. If you want to work overseas, check into World Wildlife Fund or International Wildlife Coalition. But don’t stop there. You will have to root around like a wild boar in the muck to uncover a good position.

Feature photo by Alessandro Vannucci
Photo above by Six in the World

Wanting to secure a job that allows nearly unlimited travel options? Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (ESOL) can afford you the financial freedom to stay on the move. In this podcast episode, Craig Martin briefs you on the qualifications needed for and job opportunities available in the ESOL world.

Craig has been funding travel through teaching English as a Second Language since 2003 and has been using it to fund a two-years-and-counting world trip. It is a viable way of staying solvent whilst seeing all the places you’ve ever dreamed of.

Some companies will give you in-house training when you get a position, others will expect a University degree along with a highly recognised qualification. The two most sought-after by ESOL schools are the Trinity TESOL and the CELTA certificates. Are you just looking for work? Check out the job listings onTefl.com and at Dave’s ESL cafe. We regularly receive hundreds of volunteer and paid job opportunities a week through their RSS feeds.

Being a paid pilot is not always as romantic as the movies portray. Some pilots refer to it as being a glorified taxi driver. Many pilots flying small to medium-sized aircraft in order to log hours for jobs on the big airliners and cargo planes become bored with the monotony of prescribed routes and flight plans and give it up. Then there is the passionate pilot who loves the adventure of flying in adverse conditions. The pilot who wants a challenge, and not interested in earning a fat salary. A Bush Pilot.

Bush Pilots all over the world have earned their respect from fellow pilots. There is a reason for this. To be a Bush Pilot, you do not fly by the numbers. Most of the time you do not use registered airfields or any airfields at all! It requires seat-of-the-pants flying in adverse conditions. At first glance, it looks downright dangerous and scary. With the right training, it is neither.

Realities of being a Bush Pilot

1. You’ll be away from home for extended periods.
2. Expect to live in varying types of accommodation ranging from hotels and motels to sleeping in the back of the aircraft!
3. Don’t expect a huge salary.

Pathway to becoming a Bush Pilot

Devote the best part of a year to obtain a PPL (Private Pilots License) and subsequent CPL (Commercial Pilots License) and if you are going to ferry passengers you will need an ATPL (Air Traffic Pilots License). This is if you can do the course full time. Part time, it can take up to 5 years. The cost can vary from $10,000 up to $50,000 depending on how intensive you want to do the course and how cheap you can rent a plane and instructor.

You must be prepared to study and write exams in order to pass the theoretical tests.

You must be able to deal with abnormal conditions like removing ice from the control-surfaces of the plane, because it got frozen over night. In Africa, we had to change tires because the Lions chewed through them!

Before you will get paid for any type of flying, you must meet the minimum FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) requirements.

1. You must be at least 18 years old
2. You must be able to read, write and speak English.
3. You must have at least a PPL or higher license certificate from the FAA.
4. A minimum of 250 hours flying experience.
5. Have your logbook endorsed by a certified instructor to confirm the above-mentioned ratings and experience.
6. Pass all the practical and theoretical tests in order to hold a Commercial Pilots License. Most flight schools, that train commercial pilots, have a set program for students to obtain this type of certificate.

After you have obtained your Commercial Pilots License, you can go to a flight school that specializes in training pilots to become Bush Pilots. This normally includes training to fly airplanes equipped with floats, skis or tundra wheels. These flight schools will also train you to fly in abnormal conditions. This will include learning to land on lakes, gravel-bars on riverbanks and frozen lakes in winter.

There are a number of flight schools that offer this type of training, and depending on what type of environment, type of aircraft and type of work you will be doing, the courses run from a few hours to a week. On average a Ski Plane and Glacier Landing training course will last for 5 hours at a cost of around $1800 and will include two night’s lodging. A Sea Plane Refresher Course can cost around $180 per hour. A Bush- and Mountain flying course includes 5 hours ground- and 5 hours flight training and costs around $1400 with two nights lodging. An Advanced Bush Pilot Course can take up to 5 days, and will include 5-7 hours ground training and 5-7 hours flight training. This course will cover mountain flying, river landings and high altitude lakes. This course will challenge you, and sharpen your skills as a pilot. These courses are very helpful and necessary for any aspirant Bush Pilot who is going to fly in Alaska, Canada or operate in off-airport conditions.

You will learn to land, and take off in circumstances that conventional pilots regard impossible or very dangerous. You will learn precision flying, and would be able to get your aircraft in to very confined spaces, and out again. You will be able to do it safely and confidently. You would regard this as a normal day at the office. You will become one of “them,” a bush pilot.

More info:

www.alaskafloats.com

ebushpilot.com

Cedric Pieterse was born in Pretoria, South Africa and finished his schooling on the East coast city of Durban. He eventually became successful in business, but then did not like the whole corporate thing, and packed his old Land Rover and traveled though Africa for four years. He met the love of his life, Maria, and has decided to move to her hometown Uppsala, Sweden. Besides exploring his new home country and trying to learn Swedish, he is also starting a career in writing.

Photo by Hughes Leglise-Bataille

Cocktail parties, foreign dignitaries, expense accounts – the stereotypical life of a diplomat hardly meshes with the Matador philosophy of greener, sustainable travel and of honest interaction with the local culture.

But when you’re thinking of jobs that allow for a lifetime of travel, it’s a tough one to ignore. And as it turns out, the reality is both less glamorous and, perhaps, more in keeping with your goals and principles than you’d expect.

I recently asked Doug Holland (my dad), who is currently serving as a Canadian Foreign Service Officer in Barbados, what life in the diplomatic corps is really like. Read on to see if you have what it takes – and if the job’s for you.

What does a diplomat really do, anyway?

Most countries’ diplomatic responsibilities are divided up into three main categories: political, trade, and consular services.

So, “a political officer, in a small mission like ours in Barbados, is a generalist who reports on local developments and advocates for support for Canadian interests,” such as a Canadian-supported motion at the United Nations or a similar multilateral international effort.

“A trade officer promotes the interests of Canadian companies, by introducing them to useful contacts, making them aware of commercial opportunities, providing guidance for visits and basic information they can use.”

A consular officer deals with day-to-day travel problems like lost passports, and in an emergency, “provides essential services to Canadians in need.”

On an average day, a political officer might write a speech for a visiting high-ranking politician from back home or attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

A trade officer might put an engineering firm from their home country in touch with a local government, to help them land a contract setting up the new light rail system.

A consular officer might have to sort out the case of a visiting national accused of a crime, or contact family members back home in the case of an injury or death.

There are also more specialized roles for development experts, police or military attachés, and more, but the bulk of the work falls into these three main categories.

What are the perks?

Salaries vary across different governments and across different roles, but a rough spectrum might run from $35 000 to $100 000 per year, not including upper management. Other benefits include extra vacation time, “family reunion” flights, subsidized (and sometimes flashy) accommodation, duty-free goods, and more.

And then of course, there’s the travel, which “can range from the mundane and limited to exotic and too frequent.” For example: since arriving in Barbados, “I’ve been to Antigua twice, Dominica twice, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia twice and St. Vincent, all within less than 5 months – but I’ve not seen much of any of them,” thanks to meetings and report-writing.

Still, living and working as a diplomat, contrary to stereotype, can lead to a great deal of knowledge and insight about a country. Between invitations to cultural events and celebrations, endless briefings about local customs, and the simple immersion of everyday life, “you can get to know things about a country that few others would.”

Can diplomats ‘make a difference’ in the world?

Diplomats go where the average traveler can’t, from full-on hot zones like Iraq and Afghanistan to (marginally) more stable, impoverished places like Haiti or Chad.

While most development and aid work is done by more specialized staff, diplomats in these areas nevertheless have the opportunity to help repair a fractured economy, spread the gospel of electoral accountability, or get involved in the refugee claims process.

Even in calmer areas, there are still ample opportunities to effect positive change: “I like to think I am making a difference by promoting Canadian training for police, military, etc. and by encouraging regional institutional development so the good guys can better compete with the organized criminals.

Or making a difference by fostering Canadian standards for government procurement that will reduce corruption and old boys’ influence/control.” In other areas, “a trade officer might say she makes a difference by increasing a company’s sales so it employs more people.”

And a consular officer makes a difference for at least one stressed-out traveler when they arrange a replacement passport quickly, or, in a worst-case scenario, “when they send the body bag home promptly.”

Sounds pretty sweet – what’s the catch?

Some of the big-picture downsides can include social, cultural and linguistic isolation, or even physical danger. And of course, moving around the world every three years or so can take a heavy toll on families, as spouses are forced to sacrifice their own careers and children hop from school to school.

On a day-to-day basis, there are also the inevitable expat frustrations, when “things don’t work they way they ‘should’ like in Canada.” Then there are the financial challenges in the pricier cities of the world, “where our salaries don’t match up to what the locals get, so you’re in this really interesting place but can’t afford to go to a restaurant.”

How do I sign up?

Competition is fierce for a relatively small number of positions: baseline requirements generally include a bachelor’s degree (though a masters is increasingly an ‘unofficial’ requirement), and tough-to-quantify characteristics like judgment and intelligence. Language skills are an asset, as is prior international experience.

Expect an extended testing process rather than a straightforward resume-and-cover-letter, interview-and-offer type of scenario. You might be tested on your writing skills, your knowledge of world events, logic, or aptitude for languages.

In the latter stages, expect to have to pass a serious security screening: this may include exams relating to your physical and mental health, extensive police background checks, and the accumulation of a fair bit of your personal information in a file folder somewhere in your government’s intelligence branch.

For more information, try the US Department of State, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, or the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Feature Photo: Mikey G Ottawa

Eva Holland is a historical researcher and freelance writer living in Ottawa, Canada. She blogs about travel for World Hum and Vagablogging, and her writing has appeared in The Ottawa Citizen, The Edmonton Journal, and Matador Travel.

Photo by Patrick Smillie

For the longest time I thought my dad had the coolest job on earth – visiting oil rigs in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, taking helicopter trips around active volcanoes, collecting weird rocks, and traveling all over the world. I would later find out that as a petroleum geologist, he went exploring for oil in the deepest of oceans. Thus began my fascination with the geosciences.

Study

Geologists usually start out with a strong background in physics, chemistry, and mathematics. In actuality, an advanced degree is often required to be taken seriously in the world of geology. A Masters degree will be sufficient to start at an entry-level position but preference is usually given to PhD holders.

“It has all changed since I was a junior geologist, when a BA [Bachelor of Arts degree] was enough, and there were no helicopters or computers”, notes Stuart McColl, a consultant and a petroleum geologist for many decades. “…The field work was done with horses and the paperwork by hand. But there is still nothing that can replace hands-on experience with the rocks and techniques in the field”.

Like with many career paths, there are various areas of specialization.

If you’re interested in the origins of rocks or the physical structure of the earth, then specializing in petrology, geochemistry, or structural geology may be the route for you. If you still can’t shake off your fascination with dinosaurs, you could specialize in paleontology. Other common specialties include glaciology – study of glaciers, marine geology – study of the ocean floor and continental shelves, as well as the more popular petroleum geology, which explores the earth for oil and gas.

Specializing in one of the many aspects of geology will aid your future job search and help you secure a possible long term position in a particular industry.

Work and Travel

In addition to discipline and self reliance, a zeal for travel is one of the many traits of a geologist. Your studies will definitely take you out on field trips – from places of geological interest in your backyard to more exotic and remote locations all over the world. Since geology is an applied science, practical field experience is required at some point in your career. Most geologists spend time out in the field early on in their careers.

The biggest employers of geologists are the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries. Most of these jobs are usually on a contract basis which requires that you renew your contract every couple years or so. Other industries that hire geologists include the mining, quarrying, and engineering industries. Even though some employers provide specific training to their geologists to better suit their line of business, having some technical skills to augment your expertise will definitely make you more attractive in the workplace.

Stuart recommends getting with major integrated oil companies such as British Petroleum (BP) or Exxon for overall exposure and training. “They are the best way to see how the business really works”, he adds.

Many geologists do end up becoming professors and continuing their research in an academic environment.

Network

Attending tradeshows and conferences are just a few ways of building your professional network. Like with many niche careers just as geology, building a solid network of references and contacts will only boost and promote your visibility in the industry.

Joining professional organizations such as the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the Geological Society of America is also a great way of actively participating in the geology community. In some cases, geologists [like engineers] may need to obtain specific licenses to operate in certain states and areas.

Pay

Entry level jobs usually start at around $32,000 annually. According to the U.S. Occupational Handbook, geologists can earn from $37,700 to $130,750 per year, but this usually requires that you specialize. With advanced degrees, practical experience, and in certain industries such as oil and gas, geologists can climb into the six figure earning range.

If you want to get rich quickly, geology may not lead you there, but wealth is not totally beyond reach. Participating in startup energy and explorations companies as well as taking advantage of stock opportunities can provide the quickest route.

“Look at Lawrie Payne’s company (Ithaca Energy),” notes Stuart McColl. “He has made millions within five years by pooling his experience and drive, attracting investment money, and retaining a large share position.”

“Hard work, solid training and experience…..no substitute for it!”

Night Powder Patroller. Photo by Denny Mont

Have you skied 30 days a year for as long as you can remember? Did you ever write to Warren Miller and tell him that you were the next skiing sensation and you should be featured in his film? Have a hankering for adventure and feel that helping people on the slopes is second nature? Welcome to your new home away from home, the National Ski Patrol.

A quick read of the National Ski Patrol (NSP) website offers valuable information about the process of becoming a ski patroller.

The NSP is a U.S. based organization of approximately 27,000 members and represents the majority of paid and volunteer ski and snowboard patrollers in the United States.

PRACTICAL INFO

Basic and wilderness first aid are required and within reach of the ski enthusiast . The NSPA provides the courses necessary for your success. The Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) course is the cornerstone of the ski patrol program. The books and the course will run you upwards of $300 once all is said and done, and the course time is approximately 80-100 hours depending if you do a weekend cram session or a regularly scheduled course program.

Edward McNamara, OEC program director, states that the OEC course is “a requirement for all individuals who are National Ski Patrol members, and becoming popular with other outdoor sports programs like river rafting guides, mountain guides, mountain bikers, etc and other agencies that become Affiliates of the National Ski Patrol system.” McNamara also noted that participants receive training which “exceeds the US National requirements for First Responders.”

Candidates for the Ski Patrol begin working with veteran patrollers to master skiing proficiency, Toboggan handling, mountain travel and rescue, plus avalanche identification skills. You choose to develop your skills depending where you are and the various ski resort standards. Ideally, you are able to ski, snowboard, telemark or cross country ski at an intermediate to advance level.

JOB PLACEMENT

There isn’t a central hiring process. People sign up during the fall months. Most training sessions have off hill and on hill components and patrollers are ready for the post Thanksgiving ski season. Contact information can be found on the NSP website or by sifting through the yellow pages to call local ski area management. Larger ski resorts have ski patrol websites or write ups in local papers.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?

It all starts with free ski passes, which is a main draw for skiers and snowboarders out there. You get to sport a cool outfit with the emblem that ski lift operators and resorts recognize nationwide. There are opportunities to ski at resorts right across the country, whether it’s Lake Placid in NY, Arapahoe Basin in CO, or Sugar Bowl in Nevada. Other benefits include promo-deals on ski and snowboarding equipment, professional development, and sports-related magazine offers., and community involvement, such as new ski run opening celebrations, booth-hosting at winter festivals, and days on the mountain with local community groups and public school students.

Andy Miller, an 11-year patrol veteran of Sugar Bowl near Lake Tahoe, spoke about the broader benefits, “being the first one on and the last one off the mountain; watching the sun go down in the west as I’m waiting to do sweep; feeling the genuine gratitude that so many accident victims express when you’re helping them; the friendships that I’ve developed with my fellow patrollers, and the trust that I have in them if I were hurt and in need.”

Many ski patrollers are volunteers that have regular day jobs. They ski or snowboard on the weekends or any other time they can squeeze in a few extra runs during the ski season. Resorts also look for dependable full-timers that want to take their love of skiing to the next level and will hire on paid patrollers. According to the latest statistics from the U.S Department of Labour, a paid ski patroller could expect to earn 10 to 12 dollars an hour or an annual average income of $20,000 depending on their skill level, position held and extra perks of the job.

Miller feels that new patrollers should dig in for the season: “If you’re doing it just to get a free lift pass, you’re doing it for the wrong reasons, and you’ll probably be a short-timer.” You may not always get to ski at your favorite locations, the hours are long and you may find yourself digging out snow fences for the better part of an afternoon but the friends and connections that you will establish make all the difference.

Peter Davison packed up his bags, left his really cool apartment in Toronto and is an emerging freelance writer based out of Shanghai, China. He enjoys a good cup of coffee, North Korean propaganda posters and hanging out with friends over a few solid drinks.

Photo by Lars Kristian Flem

I became a licensed captain because I wanted to charter my family’s sailing schooner. My Dad is a 30-year veteran but refuses to adhere to the standards of a Federal license.

As a result, I’m the captain aboard my father’s ship, he is the skipper. I am ‘in command’ while he is ‘in charge,’ and legally it’s my ass on the line if anything happens to our passengers or the vessel.

Being a boat captain has its perks. You are the Top Dog, The Man in charge, the alpha-chicken in the boat world’s pecking order. You can work anywhere on the coast, you aren’t held to the same social standards of a regular boss, and occasionally you get to wear a great hat.

The downside is that work hours and free-time are highly irregular. Your social perspective may be skewed by seamen-like shore leave. And relationships suffer because you can’t just call home from sea.

Furthermore, unless you get a gig on a private mega yacht, or racing in the America Cup, chances are you’ll end up working on a ferry or tug boat. Small boat captains don’t make that much money, though it is more lucrative than being a deckhand.

There are two ways to achieve the title of “Boat Captain.” one of them is to buy a boat, take it on the water, and declare yourself ‘captain.’ The other is to apply for a license through the U.S. Coast Guard. Commercial fishing boat skippers don’t need licenses, neither do pleasure yachters, but to become a captain, and be paid under that title, mariners must be licensed.

The irony of this is that applicants don’t have to actually prove they can drive, sail, or dock a boat. Driving tests remain a landlubber’s milestone.

Time is the most discerning prerequisite to becoming a boat captain. Applicants need 360 days on the water, at four hours each day, documented within the last five years. If your sea-time was spent under the command of another captain (licensed or not), you will need their signature on the documentation.

If you are a cook, a deckhand, or a maid aboard a vessel, you are getting sea-time regardless of actual boat-related duties. Yes, you may work as a blackjack dealer aboard a cruise ship and be getting all the sea-time you need to become a captain.

Applicants also need three character references, from boat captains or others, but note the importance of appropriate references, especially since all materials are filtered through a Federal Government bureaucracy. My references were from a licensed captain and former boss, an uncle who is a commercial fisherman, and a friend who participates in sail racing, all three owned their own boats.

Requirements beyond these two are either physical or legal. You need to pass a five-substance drug test, a physical exam, and have CPR/First Aid certification. Most boat companies require these physical marks anyway and will likely pay for the test and certification.

A thorough background check and finger printing are also required, and don’t forget to bring your Social Security card to the licensing office. This process is not for the bureaucratically squeamish. Check out this site for the top 10 reasons an application might be delayed.

Finally, there are the tests—60 multiple choice questions on deck and safety procedures; 20 questions on general navigation; 10 navigation problems, complete with triangulation and slide ruler; and another 30 multiple choice questions on “rules of the road.”

I paid $1,100 for a six-week course in the basement of the local yacht club; otherwise the Coast Guard licensing fees are about $255, including the application, exam and processing fee. In a room of 20-odd men I was the only girl and the second youngest student.

Since I was fresh out of college I realized within a couple of weeks that I could have studied on my own and passed the tests. This was not the case for my older peers and I don’t recommend taking the exam without some tutorial. Check out exam questions here. You can also take the test at a regional exam center located through the Coast Guard licensing website.

For job opportunities go to www.boatcaptainsonline.com. Or just start walking the docks. Remember, having your license doesn’t guarantee your qualifications, and nothing speaks louder than experience on the water.

Darcey Maher grew up migrating between three coastal cities on the Pacific rim and picks up local jargon way too fast. She is a sometime editor, freelance writer, and a restless boat captain. Her writing has appeared in the Sitka Sentinel, Bellingham Weekly and Planet Magazine. When not shirking landlubber responsibilities, she is running her charter business, SailMycia, on trips through the Inside Passage of the Northwest coast.

Feature photo by Just B Cuz. Photo above by Xa’at.

Fifteen or twenty years ago, thousands upon thousands of college-age kids migrated to Bristol Bay and Cook Inlet in the late spring, pitched tents in parking lots, and beat the docks until they secured a site on a drift boat or seiner. In those days the salmon runs were incredibly strong, the ex-vessel price was over $3.00/lb., and work abounded.

Photo by pinprick.

If you couldn’t find a site, then the tender vessel or the cannery certainly had a position for you – a less lucrative one to be sure, but good work nonetheless. Crab fishing in the wintertime offered similar opportunity. A young man could get on a plane in Anchorage and have a job before he landed in Dutch Harbor.

Boats made so much money they could hire an extra guy on a half-share basis just to make life a little easier for everyone. It was relatively easy for an able-bodied guy to get a site, even if he didn’t have any fishing experience.

Things are quite different today. Regulations, oil spills, an economic emphasis on imports, the crash of the Japanese economy in the mid-90s – all of these factors have drastically changed the fabric of the industry over the last two decades. But the romantic allure persists and the risk/reward factor is still intense.

The job can still be quite lucrative for the right person, and the best way for you to land your site is still to simply SHOW UP! Skippers don’t troll for employees on Monster. There are websites dedicated to finding “fishing” jobs in Alaska, like Alaskafishingjobs.com, alaskajobfinder.com, and others.

Some of these charge a membership fee though, and most of the positions are on factory processors owned by giant seafood corporations like Trident or Peter Pan. This might be a good place to start, but in truth, the chances of getting hired on a proper fishing boat, sight unseen, especially if you’re “green”, are about zero.

There is no application process, we’re going straight to the interviews. So if you’re starting a career or just taking a sabbatical from the cubicle, here’s how to go about it.

Photo by Piero Sierra.

1. Do your research first

You want to be in the right place at the right time. Herring season kicks off in Togiak in April. The salmon run in Kenai starts in July.

Last year I worked with a guy who flew into Kodiak in mid-May, went to the city employment office (hint, hint), and had a site on a seiner the next day. He said he made $25,000.00 in ten weeks. Now that was a fortunate scenario, but he made his own luck by showing up at the right time, just a week or so before the season opened.

An e-visit to the city in question should provide you a timetable, provided it’s a big enough place like Homer. A smaller burg like Naknek will require some extended effort. National Fisherman publishes monthly articles, filled with tons of data on the volume and value of almost every fishery.

Visit NationalFisherman.com and check the dates. There’s even a small classifieds page there. Local and regional newspapers always carry a story or two as well. Be creative with your search.

Photo by kqedquest.

2. Pack appropriately

Functionality is key. Even in the summer months the weather will be unpleasant at times, and you’re there to work. Go with some sweatpants, hooded sweatshirts, comfortable, durable socks, and some rugged footwear. Bring a light, rain-resistant jacket.

You want layers of versatility stuffed into one semi-large pack. Remember, you want to be mobile, and the vessel on which you land your site isn’t going to have a lot of extra space for storage.

You can easily get your slickers and gloves after you’ve landed your site. In most cases the boat will even charge it, then just take it out of your first check.

Under Armor is great stuff, too. (Make sure to keep every single receipt for ANY related purchase. Find an accountant familiar with the maritime industry, there are all sorts of deductions for commercial guys.)

Photo by jillig.

3. Be professional

You’re ready to swashbuckle like Captain Jack Sparrow, but this is still a business. The number one issue for boat owners and captains is the dependability of their crewmen. Beat the docks early, and without a hangover.

You want to stress your reliability and your eagerness to respond to a good opportunity. If the man asks you if you have any experience, just say “No” or “Not yet.” Do not tell him how you went sailing on your uncle’s yacht one summer. Do not tell him that you are a hard worker and a fast learner, he’s heard it a million times. He’ll be more impressed with directness and honesty.

Do you have any relevant skills? Maybe you can “turn a wrench” or you’re familiar with electronics. If you’re not mechanically inclined yet, don’t sweat it. The number one attribute for fresh hires? Cooking. If you can whip up a nice meal for three or four or five guys on short order, your prospects just improved significantly.

Now if the boss listens to what you have to say and still tells you to ease on down the dock, don’t take it personally, some skippers wouldn’t hire Superman if he hadn’t been on a boat before. But I’ve worked for a lot of skippers who liked to hire “clean and green,” because they knew the guy was going to be trouble-free and they could train him up how they wanted.

Photo by pinprick.

4. Adapt

You might not land a site right away just by beating the docks, so you’ll need to utilize your resourcefulness. Check the fishhouses and canneries, a lot of skippers will post their “want-ads” in the offices there. Talk to people. You need to drum up as many leads as possible.

I worked with a guy who made his contact in line at the post office. Another guy put up his “resume” on the bulletin board at the coffee shop and had calls within 24 hours. Their combined previous experience: 0.

If you’re not getting any breaks, maybe you need a change of scenery. Another guy I worked with beat the docks of Cordova for two weeks and couldn’t get any action. He finally jumped on the ferry to Kodiak and found a site on his third day in town.

Persevere. There are tens of thousands of commercial fishing boats and hundreds of thousands of sites in Alaska. But they aren’t going to come to you.

Once you’re in, your performance will propel you wherever you want to go. Maybe you’ll settle in on a big ship that works year-round. Maybe you’ll network to different sites in different fisheries for different seasons.

Just like any other business, the owners and captains all know each other and who needs crew, and when. Build a good name for yourself and you’ll have it made in the industry for as long as you want.

So now you’re ready! It takes a lot of confidence and determination to find substantive employment in this manner. You need to be alert, assertive, and flexible. If you can’t handle what it takes to get the job then the job isn’t for you. Good luck.

Photo By: hllewellyn

A job as a wildland firefighter with the US Forest Service sounds like the perfect fit, but how do you get into this elite corps? It may not be as hard, or as easy as you think.

Four-year veteran and “Hotshot” Dan Pool says the most difficult part of becoming a wildland firefighter is the application process. For most, this means logging on to the Forest Service’s AVUE Digital Services (ADS) website to create a personnel profile.

“The AVUE is a huge pain in the you know where,” says Pool, “but it is useful for people who want to get a job and can’t make a personal appearance before they get hired.”

No experience is necessary for the job, but accuracy is key as the ADS matrix will narrow down the applicants. Then they send paper applications tailored to the specific location you have applied for and whether you’re applying for Type 2 (regular fire crew) or Type 1 (smoke jumper or “hotshot.”) Pool suggests prospective applicants also contact the administrators in charge of fire crews in that location non-stop until they get a response.

Photo By: hllewellyn

Once the Forest Service selects you as a candidate you must complete the pack test–the only universal requirement to fight fire–carrying a 45 pound pack three miles in under forty-five minutes. “It doesn’t sound too tough, but you have to keep a pretty brisk pace,” Pool says. Type 1 minimums are higher: 7 pull ups, 25 push-ups, and 45 sit-ups, and running a mile and a half in under 11 min.

The “pack test” has no gender bias, and neither, it seems, does the Forest Service. Pool says the women firefighters do the same work as the men. “Don’t be intimidated,” Pool says to female applicants. “If you want to do it, you can, but don’t expect special treatment. The most consistent rule for everyone is that you always do as much as you possibly can so no one else is carrying your load of work.”

After the pack test, the reality of firefighting settles in. “I was pushed to my physical limits a few times but I didn’t expect that the hardest part of “Fire” would be getting along with 19 other crew members in extremely close and stressful situations.” Pool goes on to say, “We shortly became family with an unconditional ability to love and hate the person next to you and have your life in their hands and theirs in yours. The friends I have made through “Fire” are the strongest and deepest you can make.”

Social burdens come up again when asked about what expectations other people had before working on fire crews.

“Many people think that fighting fire is a glamorous job,” Pool says, “fighting the evil fire, saving babies from burning cabins and other Hollywood images and they become disenfranchised by the huge slow moving machine of the government and disappointed by not being pushed hard enough physically and pushed too hard socially.”

To work well as a firefighter, one has to lose all of his or her expectations. “Some days you will work 16 hours non-stop without any breaks, eating your lunch on the go and ‘runnin’ and gunnin” with fire actively pushing you at every moment, hiking up and down steep and dangerous slopes while carrying all your gear (any where from 30 -60 lb) while trees are falling around you, helicopters and planes are dropping retardant and water all around you, while you are trying to accomplish the day’s task.

Photo By: hllewellyn

Then the next day the fire will be too hot to work near, or some other issue will make your entire crew wait all day to get to work, sitting in the hot sun for 16 hours with nothing to do but guess when they will be called to work. Sometimes you don’t get called. Sitting for 18 hours is much worse than working for 16 hours.”

The working conditions are intense and dangerous. “I was surrounded by fire with no way out; we got lucky and found an area that wasn’t burning so hot and we ran through it to safety,” Pool says.

Fear plays an active role. “Being scared is a life-saving feeling. I would feel scared most of the day on a big fire. It’s ok to feel scared but you have to have situational awareness, to know what kind of danger you are in and if you can mitigate the danger and if you can’t, then know what you can do to stay alive.”

For more information:
This was one of the original posts at the Traveler’s Notebook. Since this post was up we’ve moved travel and adventure jobs to Matador Abroad

www.wildlandfirefighter.com is a magazine for and by wildland firefighters.

Women in the Fire Service or WFS has a particularly informative website for those interested in becoming wildland firefighters.

In the Matador Community, Andris Bjornson has worked as a Wildland Firefighter.

Wither Hills Vineyard. Photo by Phillip Capper

In New Zealand, a framework of industry standards was developed over 10 years ago to ensure that winegrowers focus on improving and maintaining the environmental integrity and ‘clean-green’ image of their wine production.

Most wineries and vineyards around New Zealand now have accredited vineyard status which allows them to display the Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand emblem. A list of these accredited wineries and website.

The Harvest Trail

There are hundreds of vineyards and wineries in New Zealand and most are on the lookout for seasonal workers to prune and help with the harvests.

Remember, seasons are reversed in the southern hemisphere, with harvesting occurring in between February and April and pruning from June to August.

Workers are also needed from November to March for general tidy up and vineyard maintenance.

Because New Zealand’s ten wine regions are spread from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South Island, it’s possible, with careful planning, to follow the ‘harvest trail’ and pick up vineyard jobs in different parts of the country.

For example, chardonnay grapes are harvested in the warmer and more humid northern regions (Northland, Auckland, and Gisborne) in late February and early March, whereas further south (Central Otago), these grapes are often not harvested until mid to late April.

Wine ready for harvesting. Photo by Rae Allen.

Online and Offline Resources

To help decide when and where to go, your first port of call should be the Horticulture New Zealand website to look at the Seasonal Work Brochure.

This brochure provides a comprehensive calendar that highlights what seasonal work is available each month of the year.

It also has a list of contacts that can help with your search for work and accommodation.

Other useful websites include Seasonal Work NZ, which maintains a Harvest Trail list where you can type in the location and month to get current job openings, Wine Jobs Online, a database of viticulture jobs ranging from winemaking to harvesting, Seasonal Jobs in New Zealand, and Backpackerboard.co.nz , which maintains a list of seasonal jobs, as well as providing everything you need to know about transport and accommodation.

But not all resources are online. Once you are in the country, a great way of finding seasonal work is by checking out noticeboards.

Target your wine region and once you’re there, head for the local New Zealand Employment Service and eyeball the noticeboard. At harvest time there should be plenty of jobs to choose from. Noticeboards can also be found at supermarkets, shopping centers, and backpacker hostels.

Other effective ways of finding seasonal work include looking for signs on local winery roads, reading local newspapers, and knocking on doors. Many of the areas will also have a Seasonal Work Coordinator – just ask at the local tourist information center.

Visa Information

The Working Holiday Visa is a necessity for anyone considering seasonal work in New Zealand. No one will employ you without it. The visa is available to those between the ages 18 and 30 and lets you live and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months.

The specific requirements vary depending on your citizenship. The New Zealand Immigration Departmentwebsite has an easy to follow page dedicated to the Working Holiday Scheme outlining these requirements.

Click on your home country for instructions. It’s also important to note that you will need a New Zealand income tax number in order to be employed.

So what are you waiting for?

Community Connection

For New Zealand contacts, including local experts and fellow travelers, plus organizations, blogs, and more, check out the New Zealand page here at Matador.