Musharof
musharof_hossain@yahoo.com

My name is Tamaya and I am SO happy that I stumbled upon this site…THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I was born and raised in California, and have now lived in Hawaii for almost 3 years. I made the decision to move to an island and then 2 months later, I am here. I have also lived in Osaka, Japan, and just got back from Dominican Republic…NOW, I am taking the steps to move to Florence, Italy…I am a 39 year old female, and have moved to these places on my own without a degree…I just learn as much of the local language before hand online and network,bartend or do mortgages for a living. I have learned a GREAT deal from this site. I am so thankful to meet more people like me. For sometimes I feel alone, not lonely, just alone with my ideas about traveling around and learning about different cultures and meeting new friends to be. My family and friends all think I am crazy! I traded in my BMW for a bicycle and taking more steps to simplify my life now. I just don’t need or want any of that crap over my head any longer! I am happier now than EVER! I am becoming more of a woman than I ever dreamed…I will write more soon as things unfold for my NEW adventure….glad to feel connected with you. Thank you for reading ))))

Cosmos Kango

Ghana.
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You realized your life was built on traveling. I’ve been in 9 years already, got in at 19. I saw more of the world at 21 than some douche college grad the same age jabbering on about how he lived in some hostel in Germany for 2 weeks, while mommy and daddy sent him funds through his bank account. I live the hostel life, 24/7. We call it barracks.

Best New Years I had was in an Okinawan hostel in the middle of the mountains and jungle. Owned by Japanese. Only paid 2 dollars for the tent. That was real organice farming. I’m 27 and my life was anything BUT routine. In fact, I’m thinking of getting out and taking a break for once. Too much going on for me.

Doesn’t have to be some place fantastic, head to a local micky dee’s and wash dishes.

Or if your in a country that doesn’t speak english, alot of times they’re always looking for native English speakers that will teach others.

I mean it’s not that hard you teach em first associating words with pictures like babies learn as they look about, then you go into reading and writing. Course I always thought reading and writing was stupid since if you don’t know the picture for the word how would you know that the word apple pertains to an apple.

It’s like reading and when you say apple a picture of a dog pops into your head.

Cosmos Kango

Ghana.

Karen
NYC

You don’t need a car or a house to sleep in, buy urself a rucksack. Equip it with essentials, need matches? Go to any gas station, ask and you shall receive. Slap a tent and sleeping bag in there and the skys the limit.

People put off travel saying they’ll do it later. Well I had an entire childhood to see and hear all those excuses. Let me tell you, by the time later comes, it’s usually to late. Either your to tied into a career, or maybe you’ve went and had a child that needs care and CASH for 18 years. Maybe you owe college loans, car insurance, car loans, mortgage, the list goes on and on, words that essentially mean prison.

Now either way ur gonna end up like that, it’s just a fact, BUT before that happens, you are debt free. And in the perfect position to live free and see the world in your youth.

Now some places I wouldn’t go like crazy war torn countries like anywhere near the middle east. Do you really wanna roll those odds? I sure as hell dont. Nor do you want any of those god forsaken diseases from ebola to the various strains of avian flu in asia.

However it’s always nice to wait before hand. You don’t need to rush right out, even if your 21, take a few years, get a good job and work. Work and work, it doesn’t matter if your life feals like work cause ur pulling in check after check. And in that time, do some studying on the places you will wander to. Find a free language program or just download it somewhere for free. Learn a few common languages, german, japanese, (forget spanish its only really used in SA and you don’t wanna be going down to that sick place anyway.) I find that a great deal of interesting places have english as a second or 1st language. From surrounding countries of britin, like ampsterdam and the like, to beautiful countries like ireland and scottland. Hell even japan knows a good deal of english as it’s taught in all their schools.

But you should still learn some other languages, it’ll make the trip easier and u’ll be able to accommodate yourself like a local. Find out what the people of that country wear. Find a nice blend, and walk among them.

Now after those 2 or 3 years if you have saved and lived cheaply (it’s not hard just don’t spend) you have a nice amount of money already for you to go. Probably around 30k or more depending on the job you found. Now of course the euro is about a bit less then double of what the $ is worth, other places you’ll find that your ahead by a bit cause while our economy might suck, other countries are called 3rd world for a reason.

And that’s it, you can even save more by living in a place for a time. Rent an apartment for a month or 2, find a job and work part time. Visit the sights and lore while doing so.

Now, id say it’s probably a good idea just to stay outa politics altogether. Most countries don’t like the other, and they sure as hell have different views. Stay out of danger area’s (think of it like philly, you’d never go into west or N philly, same goes for area’s in a country.) So you have a nice nest egg to fall back on if ya can’t find work, and your free to wander,

One thing though, DO NOT BUY SOUVENIRS. Seriously those things will suck your income dry. If you wanna commemorate your trip, get a digital camera and freaking ton of memory cards. If you feel like you must take something with you from that country… find something free. Something eunique, not some relic that is mass produced in every country in a shop. I mean maybe a rock, maybe a vial of sand from the deserts of egypt.

It’s free and you can say, that’s right, this stone came from the celtic ruins of ireland, this sand I scooped up from the gobi desert and placed in this vial. Plus a pictures worth a thoudand words. And those small cards can fit GIGS of em.

For the youngsters (like Raigrin) looking to get out – sure, develop skills. Want to learn a new language? Start online as there are plenty of free lessons out there. Look for bilingual kids in your community so you can learn whatever their native language is and have a speaking partner. Find people who want to learn specific skills with you and it’ll be 10x as fun. Ask adults who have the skills you want what it takes to get to their level. Who knows, maybe they’ll mentor you for free!

Hitching in places where it’s acceptable and done a lot is a good way to travel for free if you exercise enough caution. Hitching with a partner is better. Rideshares are available on Craigslist and online ride boards. Meet up with your ride before getting into their car and never go with anyone you don’t feel safe with. Flying overseas is a different obstacle. But since a lot of you are from the States, get out there! It’s a big, beautiful country with tons of stuff to see. The more people you meet, the more likely you’ll find somebody who’s going to want to go with you.

Other than Couchsurfing, you can volunteer at certain hostels for a few days and get a free bed. Meet locals who enjoy doing the same things you do (ie: hiking, cooking, making music, painting) and maybe they’ll put you up for the night.

If you’re going overseas, definitely make sure you have your visas and passport prepared. Consult a country’s consulate if you’re not sure what you need to have. Read up on the cultures of the places you’re going to get some perspective and be a responsible traveler (by that, I mean please don’t go to a poorer community and think you’re going to “help” them by taking a job a local could do or participating in an activity that is meant to make the volunteer ‘feel good’ and that’s all). Stand in solidarity and understand their struggles.

Anyways, you may have to shell out some money before you get to a place, but once you’re there, follow the above tips and most of all, trust your gut and whatever the locals tell you in terms of if a place is safe or not.