Twenty-Something Travel

Crossing the Finish Line!

Steph — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:01:49 +0000

So this is it- my spending diet is basically over. The trip is a mere two weeks away. My ultimate goal back in January was to have raised $20,000 by this point. After months of frugality and nail biting, the grand total is:

$22,232.27

(This total is assuming I sell my car for exactly what I owed on it- so the actual grand total will *hopefully* be a little higher).

Creative Commons License photo credit: Identity Photogr@phy

Now keep in mind that I started in September 2008 with literally zero dollars and a credit card balance. I can attribute my success in savings to three main things:

Being fortunate enough to be able to live at home rent-free.
Taking about 60% of each paycheck and putting it directly into my savings account.
Cutting back severely on all those small things like buying clothes and books, eating out, drinking etc.

Of course I did have some splurges, mainly in the area of travel. Over the past two years I’ve taken trips to Iceland, London, San Francisco and New York. If I hadn’t done that I’m sure I could have reached my goal much earlier, but I would probably have gone insane, so it’s a fair trade-off to me.

Worth it.

Overall, hard-core saving wasn’t all that painful a process. I barely missed the money that went into my savings, and I got used to not buying tons of things I didn’t need. I didn’t beat myself up if I overspent one month. I just resolved to do better in the future and pressed on. Watching the money pile up in my savings account was a powerful motivator.

Some strategies worked for me better than others. I fell down on the selling my stuff plan, and ended up giving a lot of things away. However I made up some of that money via the advertisements on this blog. I think you need to be honest with yourself and see what works best for you.

Here’s a review of my money saving journey since January, or how I saved 12K in 8 months:

January ($10,033)- I’m Going on a Spending Diet!

February ($11,683.08)- The Biggest Money Sucks for Twenty-Somethings

March ($12,516.78)- 9 Little Ways to Sock Away Travel Money

April ($13,871.14)- Operation Clean Sweep

May ($15,137.79)- Sacrifice, Savings and the Psychology of Delayed Gratification

June ($17,460)- Adding to Your Pot of Gold

July ($18,460)- How the Internet Can Save You Money

August ($19,734.21) How to Be a Smart Splurger

I’m not telling you this to brag, but to point out that this sort of savings IS possible. I know I had an advantage living at home, but I really think that if I could pull this off, most people can. My job was entry-level but not all that high paying. I’m not the best person with money or the most disciplined saver, but a little dedication and prioritization really went a long way.

The New Era of Twenty-Something Travel

Steph — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 12:01:42 +0000

A New Attitude

This Friday is my last day of work. They are planning my goodbye party and being so nice that saying goodbye will definitely feel bittersweet. I’ve spent the last two years there, and while I may complain, the people have always been great to work with.

For the most part however, I am thrilled. As far as I’m concerned, when I walk out the door of that office park for the last time, this new phase of my life will have officially begun.

Creative Commons License photo credit: joiseyshowaa

A New Look

In honor of the big changes in my life, I am introducing an entire blog redesign. I loved the old thrilling theme, but it wasn’t very unique (I shared the look with about a dozen other travel bloggers).

It took me a long time to make the change, but now that I have I love the new set up (if you reading this on RSS, please click over and see)! The theme is a Woo Theme called Busy Bee, and I think it suits my personality much better. The entire site is more streamlined and simple to use, and I’ve updated my about page as well. I’m still doing some tinkering, but overall I just can’t stop marveling at how elegant everything is.

The best part is of course the new logo, designed for me by the brilliant team at Hop and Jaunt. I wanted something that expressed the sense of adventure and discovery that I’m experiencing, and hoping to pass on to you guys. Plus, it reminds me of Lost, which is always a plus.

Creative Commons License photo credit: rogerbarker2

New Writing

Obviously now that I’m traveling full time, the content of this blog is going to be a bit different. I won’t really know how things work until I’m on on the road, but I’m very optimistic that I will be able to update regularly

So here is what you can to see from now on:

A less rigid posting schedule- you may get 5 updates one week and only one the next. I promise not to leave you guys completely hanging though.

More location posts- Now that I’m actually traveling I can give you guys the real scoop wherever I go. I’m aiming for at least a couple updates every week on what I’ve been seeing and doing.

Of course I still want to stay true to my confessional style, so I’ll be updating you often on what’s going on with my life and feelings as well.

More pictures and shorter posts- depending on how busy I am.

I’ll just have to find my way as I go and be flexible and experimental, while still keeping relatively on top of things. Might get a little bumpy at times, but we will make it work!

Help Me: Do you like the redesign? What would you like to see from me during my travels?

Friday Postcard: Hoboken, New Jersey

Steph — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:01:53 +0000

I may owe New Jersey an apology. After years of family road trips up and down the turnpike, I may have agreed with the common “America’s Armpit” assessment. That was until I had a Jersey native offer to show me more of what his state had to offer. After spending a sunny evening sprawled on the grass in Hoboken, New Jersey, watching NYC across the river, I had to agree. Jersey’s pretty cool after all.

(Do you have a photo you’d like to see featured here? Email me at Steph@twenty-somethingtravel.com)

Train Ride Through the Tea Mountains

Steph — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:01:09 +0000

During a recent trip to Sri Lanka I had the pleasure of taking a three-day train ride through the Tea Mountains. The first leg of the trip was about two hours and went from Ella to Hepatale. A days rest in Hepatale to explore the Tea Plantations, drink the tea and enjoy the peaceful mountain setting, and I was back on the train to Colombo. This second leg lasted ten hours, and went from high in the mountains into the city. Any traveler looking to experience some of the most beautiful in the world, while enjoying the nostalgic ambiance of hanging out an old train must take the time to make this trip.

Nestled 1041 meters above sea level is the beautiful town of Ella. A five-minute stroll along the road that passes through the village you will see a few hotels and open-air restaurants. This town also serves as the first station for many travelers on their way through the scenic Sri Lankan tea mountains.

The train is divided into three classes: First class, is at the back of the train, and is considered to be the viewing car, as it is a wall of windows. The second class, has individual seats and is slightly less crowded, while the third class is bench seats and very lively with people constantly coming on and off the train.

All of the signs are hand painted in Sri Lankan, Tamil and English. This sign shows the time tables for the train, and are generally understood as reference, as every train seemed to be roughly two hours late.

As the train chugged its way through the mountains I found myself more and more lost in the beautiful scenery around every corner. Waterfalls, rivers and expansive tea fields slowly passed.

The scenery outside the train was awe-inspiring but it was the beauty and kindness of the people along the ride that make it so amazing.

Once the train had gotten to the top of this particular ridge, we wound our way around this valley for over an hour.

The colors of everything in Sri Lanka are amazing, especially the clothes that many of the woman wear.

The middle cart on the train serves as a snack cart and a hang out area. I would recommend buying enough food for your trip, as after the first hour the only thing left was white bread. But if you are in need of something, the guys were willing to run off the train at any stop and try and get it for you.

As the train pulled into higher elevations we entered a beautiful mist that added to the mystique of the passing jungle, and the excitement of entering the tunnels.

The most exciting thing of the train ride is the ability to hang out the sides of it. In between every cart are numerous boys hanging by their hands enjoying the breeze.

After Weeks of traveling alone through Sri Lanka I found myself on an old train high in the Mountains. This passing smile from a woman on another train encapsulated the unmistakable feeling of joy I had experienced during the previous three weeks.

At many stations on the ride it seemed as if the whole town would pour into the train to sell various sweets and food. It was incredible to watch the people hustle in and out of the train.

Garret Clarke is a traveler and photographer. You can view more of his work at: www.garretmclarke.com

What to Do While You’re Waiting to Travel

Steph — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:01:34 +0000

When I originally conceived the idea of this Round-the-World trip, the plan was to leave in December 2009. By the time that August had rolled around, I realized I wasn’t going to have anywhere close to the money I’d need to get things rolling, and I made the decision to postpone until September 2010. It sure wasn’t an easy on. In fact, the news that I would need to keep up this daily grind for another year was a really painful pill to swallow.

But I survived, somehow, with my dreams and plans intact and actually a hell of a lot stronger for the wait.

Here’s just a sampling of the ways I made time fly over the past year:

Explored my hometown – I live in a pretty awesome city and I don’t take anywhere near enough advantage of it. This year I was able to spend a lot of time downtown, appreciating Washington DC.

Took Day Trips- Thanks to lots of visits from friends I also had an excuse to see the sites outside of the city (not that you need an excuse to do this).

Explored New Cities- When time and budget allowed I made the splurge to visit friends in places like San Francisco (which I developed a bit of a crush on).

Met New Friends- Thanks to this blog I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many people who also have a passion for travel. Some of these people I suspect will be in my life for a long time.

Visited with Old Friends – All of this time at home was a blessing in that I had the chance to spend a lot more time with the family and friends I already love dearly.

Planned a LOT- Oh boy, I have read a LOT for this trip. I have made lists and plans and thrown them out the window and started again. At this point I’m about as ready as can be.

Threw Myself into Work- Most important of all was throwing myself into this blog, a new kind of adventure which has already taken my places I didn’t think possible. Thanks to the things I’ve learned and the people I’ve met, my trip is really going to be enriched by my work here.

For a year primarily spent waiting around, I’ve actually been pretty busy. I’ve traveled- to London, Florida, California and New York. I’ve met lots of new and significant people, and spent quality time with the ones I already knew. I’ve worked and saved, planned and plotted.

In that sense it’s been quite fortunate- I’ve been able to do a lot of things to prepare myself mentally, emotionally and financially for this trip that I wouldn’t have had time to do otherwise. Now that it’s time to go I feel way past ready to get this show on the road.

Postponing my trip was NOT easy, but it was the right decision for me. Now the stars are aligning in a way that I can truly feel good about this trip and the prospects it brings.

What I Didn’t Know I Knew

Steph — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 12:01:10 +0000

Before I had this blog, I had a blog. When I was studying abroad and again when I was working in London I maintained a lovely little blogger blog. Before this beautiful monster of a blog existed, my aims were sweet and simple. I wanted to keep in touch with the people at hone, and maybe impress the odd boy or passerby. It had the very nerdy title, “Exploring the Unreal City,” and it was a modest place to expound on my explorations of London, on literature and random bites of culture (I love TS Eliot okay?! Don’t judge).

It's easy to be a writer in London

Recently I spent some time looking back at my old blog postings. It’s kind of like reading an old diary you forgot you wrote. I really said that, thought that, felt that? It’s always fun to stumble across gems like these:

Years from now, when I look back at Christmas 2007, I will always remember it as the year of the leopard print g-string.

Some things are embarrassingly naïve, some are heartbreakingly funny, and some things are just surprisingly eloquent.

Like this post, I wrote on leaving London in December 2006. I’d just spent my first significant time abroad: studying and then backpacking around Italy. I’d gotten my first taste of freedom and clearly wasn’t ready to let that go:

Leaving is like coming down from some incredible high. It has been such a tumultuous year overall and such an amazing three months specifically, that it is hard to think what comes next. What will returning home be like? It seems like everything has changed, but practically everything will be just the same as I left it. It is going to be an adjustment, but at the same time I am so excited for whatever comes next. A few terrific weeks back at home, one more semester at Emory and then- who knows?

I would like to come back to London to live for awhile, if the stars align just right. Or maybe to live somewhere else in Europe. In any case I will definitely be doing more traveling. Next on my wish list are Spain, Morocco, Egypt and Istanbul. One of the most important things I have discovered is the immense power I have over my own fate. Whatever the next step may be I am more than ready to meet it head on.

Proof right there that travel changes you, or at least that travel changed me; from a shy and tentative girl, just starting to make her own decisions, to someone truly empowered. Little did I know, almost four years ago, how far this love of travel would ultimately take me.

Me. My first week in London and so marvelously happy.

After I wrote that post I went back home, finished my degree, temped for a while and raised money while I arranged a work visa to go back to London. A little less than a year later I wrote this post on the eve of my departure.

It’s difficult to describe my feelings. Leaving everything I’ve had here for the past six months is sad, and I am pretty petrified about what the next couple weeks are going to be like until I get myself established. It’s so odd not knowing where I’ll be next week, what my life will be like.

At the same time I believe that overcoming fear is a part of life. Even though this is over whelming now, I know that in the long run this is all going to be so amazing and exciting. I think change is fundamentally good, and even if things suck for a little, they will work out because, well because they just have to. It’s a new chapter, and it should be a pretty exciting one!

When I read this last week, my job just dropped. The main thing that gets me, three years later, is that I had no idea how much I already knew. I was so spot on- it was terrifying to get on that plane, but it was so so worth it in a multitude of life-altering ways. It was one of the best decisions I ever made.

Reading this, on the eve of yet another departure is comforting for me. I’ve been here before. I’ve been scared, and I’ve taken risks and come out on top. I know it will be the same when I leave in September (in about three weeks- holy crap). I will be slightly petrified I’m sure, but in the end it will be so very right.

Friday Postcard: Budapest, Hungary

Steph — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:01:51 +0000

The House of Terror in Budapest is more than just a museum, it’s a memorial to the many, many Hungarian victims of fascism and communism during the long 20th century. The building that houses it was once a prison and torture center for political dissidents. The history here is still raw and painful, but it’s clear that many Hungarians find a catharsis in visiting the memorial.

(Do you have a photo you’d like to see featured here? Email me at Steph@twenty-somethingtravel.com)

August Update and Links

Steph — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:32:20 +0000

What’s going on:

It’s really turned out to be a crazy summer. In addition to playing hostess to out-of-towners I did a fair bit of East Coast travel this month, with weekend trips to Ocean City and New Jersey. In Hoboken I got to see a prettier side of New Jersey than the turnpike I was used to. It was fun, but luckily I will be home for the remaining few weeks.

Other than that most of my time has been devoted to getting everything in order for next month. I finally gave notice at work and the reaction was much better than I could ever have hoped. Coworkers have been curious and confused, but happy for me! Furthermore Mondays are MUCH easier to take when you know you’re a short-timer.

This month I was profiled on Budget Your Trip, talking about my upcoming RTW plans: Stephanie’s Adventures at Twenty-Something Travel.

What’s Next:

If you’ve been paying absolutely no attention at all then fine: September is the big month! On September 22 I FINALLY hop on a flight to Tokyo. There will be more updates before then including a NEW site design (exciting!) so keep checking back.

What’s on the Web:

Sometimes what travel is actually about is eating really gross food as Dan from Uncornered Market graphically illustrates in Nibbles That Give Me the Shivers (or, Sh*t I Wouldn’t Eat Again).

Here’s a skill I need to work on: How to Barter Like a Pro by Diana on The Adventures of D.

A lot of my friends are applying to grad school right now, so I can identify with Adam from Travels of Adam when he states Travel is my Grad School.

Kirsten describes a different kind of education in Traveling Around the World for Love on A Pair of Panties and Boxers.

There are a lot of misconceptions about safety on the road, which Boots’n’All address in the article: Seven Solo Travel Myths Debunked.

Time and again Unbrave Girl produces hilarious and insightful stories and advice. Check out from solo to social: the unbrave girl’s guide to making friends on the road.

How Long can you Travel on $1000? A lot longer than you’d think in some places, Matador Trips reports.

I don’t have curly hair, but maybe you do! Here are some Tips for Traveling with Curly Hair from Adventurous Kate.

Planning a Round-the-World Trip: 15 Things NOT to Forget from the Traveling Canucks was certainly helpful for ME.

Also helpful: 10 Handy iPhone Apps by the Brooklyn Nomad. Loaded my iPod up with goodies!

Haters Gonna Hate

Steph — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:01:07 +0000

The internet has been making me cranky lately. I’ve been sensing this growing resentment towards travelers and it’s making my skin itch. There’s the snotty comments scattered across the interwebs, there’s some weird infighting drama going on in the travel blogosphere (which I’m not going to touch), and then there’s the Eat Pray Love backlash. That’s the one that I can’t escape and can’t agree with.

Now I haven’t seen the movie yet but I did read the book a couple of years ago when it came out. I didn’t love it, but I thought it was pretty entertaining and I liked Elizabeth Gilbert’s personality and her emotional honesty. So I’m somewhat stumped over all this criticism. On twitter, in the mainstream media, even on my favorite feminist blog Jezebel people seem positively offended by the book and movie. Why?

Some people, like my mom, just didn’t care for Gilbert’s voice and writing style, and that’s understandable. Some found her story boring, which is fine. Some people don’t like the way she glamorizes third world countries (although in my mind Bali was already pretty glamorous, so whatever). The majority of criticism seems to be about Gilbert herself. People are offended by her “rich white girl problems” and her solution, which is essentially “navel-gazing.”

Here’s where I start to get offended.

First off- there’s something hollow about that accusation. Gilbert was NOT all that rich to begin with (although I’m sure she’s doing well now). Anyone who read the book will know that her world adventures were supported by a writer’s advance. She had a dream, she figured out a way to work and make that happen. Personally, I find that admirable.

As for the “navel-gazing” accusation, maybe I’m biased due to the nature of my own writing, but in what world is insightfulness a bad thing? Who wouldn’t love to spend some time getting to know themselves better? The book is a memoir- really what else is she going to talk about?

I’m not writing this to defend Elizabeth Gilbert, because she seems like she probably doesn’t care what people on the internet think of her anyways. And I’m not writing this to defend the book because I didn’t even LOVE it all that much. The reason I’m talking about this is because when I read these criticisms about her, and about full time travelers, they are not so secretly criticisms of MY life choices as well. After all, I’m a (relatively privileged) white girl, I’m eschewing societal norms to go travel, I’m writing about it. Hell, I really love pizza too; Gilbert and I are practically twinsies.

Eat, Drink, Sleep

Luckily I haven’t gotten a lot of push back on the issue. Most people I’ve met have been friendly, supportive and curious about my trip. Part of this may be a facet of age: it’s far easier to understand a young twenty-something traveling the world then a middle aged woman who leaves her marriage to do the same. Is it okay because I don’t know any better? Or because someday I’ll “get it out of my system” and settle down and be normal?

But that’s not really true either. It’s not just ageism, and it’s not just sexism either. Just look at the internet thrashing 29-year old Nomadic Matt is getting. Some of the comments on that piece are downright venomous criticisms of his constantly traveling lifestyle. Every long term traveler will have at least one story of encountering serious criticism. The internet now makes it easier to judge each other’s life than ever.

There is a certain self-policing aspect of society that has a real problem with people doing things outside of the norm. It’s threatening. When that someone is a major blogger, or a bestselling author, or Julia Roberts, well then it’s that much easier to want to tear them down and put them back in their place.

My major life philosophy, that I am constantly reminding myself, is to live and let live. You want to quit your job and travel the world? Right on! You’re happy with your life and career and content to stay where you are? That’s great too! More power to you. I have my own goals and desires but I am not so one track minded that I can’t see that DIFFERENT people need DIFFERENT things to make them happy.

I think that last thing is what’s hard for a lot of people to grasp. My happiness is different from your happiness. More importantly: it’s not a threat to your happiness.

There is no veiled criticism of you in my choice to quit my job. When I joyfully talk about my travel plans, I’m not implying that your life is boring. Just because I want to backpack around the world doesn’t mean I think you should (unless you want to- in which case: YOU SHOULD).

So in the end it’s probably a waste of energy to get myself worked up on the comments of anonymous internet users. I’m going to keep on doing what I’m going, and people can keep on hating if they want. And why wouldn’t they? It’s a lot easier to knock people down for their choices then it is to look at our own lives and examine whether we are living them as effectively as we can.

TGIFriday Links

Lists, Lists, Lists

Steph — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 12:01:06 +0000

I’m leaving the United States indefinitely exactly one month from today. I’ve given my notice at work and told everyone I know, so there’s no going back now. Everyone keeps asking me how excited I am and the truth is- right now not so excited. Not even nervous. Right now all I can feel is busy!

I have SO much to get done. Luckily I have a great passion for making to-do lists. I made one every morning at work and one every night when I sit down to blog. My desk is littered with half- finished to-do lists right now.

I wish! (Creative Commons License photo credit: mandiberg)

Making to-do lists is fun- actually checking a thing off of them is another story. Right now it’s pretty ridiculous as I scramble to make sense of about 5 different to-do lists. In addition to these many things I must somehow wrap up my employment, kiss everyone I love goodbye and get my entire life in tidy order before I hop on this plane to Tokyo.

Here are some of the lists I’m currently working furiously to tick things off of:

The Shopping List

Sadly most of the things I need to do involve me opening my wallet. Although I already have a backpack and most of the basic equipment, it seems like there is so much I still need.

Excerpt:

Buy and break-in walking shoes

Buy ibuprofen, Tums and all other necessary first-aid kit elements.

Stockpile passport sized photos

The Planning List

This list also seems to involve shelling out a lot of money. Although I’m only making concrete plans up until January, there are a lot of logistics to be figured out an pinned down.

Excerpt:

Apply for Chinese visa

Reserve hostels for first nights in Tokyo and in Shanghai

Buy plane tickets for Australia

The Tech List

I love you guys to pieces but running a blog from the road is sure going to add some complications to my life.

Excerpts:

Figure out how to use my damn netbook

Organize external and online storage

Download awesome travel apps for my new ipod touch (recommendations?)

The OMFG Gotta Get This Stuff Done List:

This is the most stressful of the bunch- things that absolutely must be accomplished before I can leave or there are going to be some major problems.

Excerpt:

Sell my Car (Anyone in the DC area interested in a 2006 Jetta?)

Set up new bank account

Buy Travel Insurance

The “It Sure Would Be Nice” List:

Unfortunately, this list suffers at the expense of the louder, more pressing one. There are about a million people I’d like to spend some time with before I go, and a million smaller things I’d like to get done (like maybe take some stick-shift refresher lessons). How much of this will actually be accomplished remains to be seen…

So doing all of these things, plus trying to get ahead on this blog, plus getting rid of a bunch of my belongings, yeah, I guess I’m a bit stressed out.

In the end though, I’m leaving the country September 22, whether I get everything accomplished or not. This is a stressful thought, but also a comforting one. Nothing can stop me now!

Friday Postcard: Tanzania

Steph — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:01:20 +0000

About 50 km South of Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, is a pristine coastline of white sand beaches mixed with rugged rock formations. You can rent a villa or apartment for a decent rate and enjoy the peace and quiet of the serene environment. In the morning fishermen walk the beach with their morning catch offering the freshest of seafood. Even though this Indian Ocean haven is close to the hustle and bustle of Dar Es Salaam, it’s a peaceful escape and a relaxing paradise!

Picture from Migration Mark of Migrationology

(Do you have a photo you’d like to see featured here? Email me at Steph@twenty-somethingtravel.com)

Your One Stop Post for Accommodation on a Shoe String

Steph — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:01:10 +0000

Today’s guest post comes from Anna Cleal, who knows a thing or two about finding a place to sleep that will fit your (minimal) budget.

I know I’m at the risk of sounding cliché by using the terms shoe string and travel in the same sentence, BUT hear me out on this one because I think I have a few tips for you that will allow you to stretch that shoelace so far that you’ll be tripping over yourself to book your next adventure.

This post will offer some advice on how to reduce those excessive accommodation expenses and free up more funds for fun! It promises to appeal to the;

a) Young and poor;

b) Old and poor;

c) Those who would just rather spend their travel budget on exploring, eating, or WHATEVER as opposed to expensive accommodation (boo).

Let’s stick with the shoe analogy for the sake of keeping this blog a bit more upbeat.

First decide if you REALLY need to pay for the shoes

Creative Commons License photo credit: Lori Greig

Ok so I’m not condoning shoplifting, or squatting for that matter, but these are new age times and technology gives us some brilliant options in terms of cost-effective accommodation options. How about Couchsurfing? This is a global database of friendly folk willing to give up a bed or a couch, and let you stay with them for FREE, yes that’s right I said FREE!

You can read reviews to make sure you’ll be staying with someone hospitable as opposed to a psycho. You can also read a bio about the host so you know if they sound like your cup of tea. If you ask me this is pure gold. The reason I like this concept is that it usually means meeting locals, instead of just fellow travellers – they may even show you around town, and give you a perspective you wouldn’t have experienced staying in a hostel. Three words – CHECK IT OUT!

There are a few lesser known sites to add to this list too;

Global Freeloaders – with a name that is a little more blatant than couch surfing, but a site offering a very similar service all the same. Be warned that you are also expected to host, as well as freeload, so make sure you are prepared to return the favour before you try this one!
Tripping.com – This is a very easy to use site, however unfortunately the user network doesn’t seem to be as extensive as couch surfing yet. Regardless – it’s well worth a look!
The list could go on and on, so I will rattle off a few more options and leave it there. Try Servas, The Hospitality Club, Place 2 Stay, or Be Lodged.

So are you wondering why you ever paid for accommodation in the past? Or feeling a little overwhelmed? I urge you to keep reading!

Work for Your Shoes

Creative Commons License photo credit: sling@flickr

Another option doing voluntary work in exchange for accommodation and food, for example; WOOFing. Not to be confused with the noise a dog makes, this is actually a concept that started in the UK in the 70s and is short for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. In my home country of New Zealand people coming from overseas can stay on a farm for free, as long as they help out around the place. So you not only get a bed (yay), but also the experience of milking cows, rounding up sheep, spreading compost and meeting the farm animals, WOOF, WOOF!

Like Couch Surfing this is a way of experiencing the ‘true’ culture and vibe of the area by staying with locals.

Additionally sites like Workaway will connect you to various worldwide volunteering opportunities, with the basic expectation of 5 hours a day, 5 days a week in exchange for food and board. Work varies from helping out on an eco project to elderly or child care.

If you DO need the shoes then for goodness sake shop at Walmart not Bloomingdales

Creative Commons License photo credit: Mzelle Biscotte

There are a heap of web sites made for helping you seek out the best rates and, in my experience, 9 times out of 10 these will be better than the walk in rates you will get in hotels (try Hostel Bookers or Hostel World). If you’re like me and are scared of making too many bookings then you can always make a list of solid looking spots, go check out the vibe and compare the walk in rate before buying. The trick of the trade is pop over to the nearest internet cafe after you have found somewhere that meets your approval, and check out if you can find a better web deal. If you want to be really cheeky then ask the hotel if they have wifi or internet and make your booking from inside the hotel. Don’t tell them I said that though!

Realise that in some countries you can get boots for the price of slippers

Creative Commons License photo credit: Hamed Saber

If you’ve spent a while living out of shoebox hostels in Europe and feel like it’s time for some nicer accommodation then you may like to try out the fair shores of the developing world. In fact this is my favourite place to travel in terms of culture, as well as implying much better deals on food and accommo, and generally just being able to travel cheaper. Putting money into a developing economy is a sure way to improve the general living conditions in the area too. So while you take advantage of slightly lower rates, you can also feel good about spending money in a country that really needs it.

Price comparison web sites such as Hotels Combined, which target slightly more luxury accommodation, can definitely be used to find great rates in areas such as South East Asia, The Central Americas, and South America. I recently used this to search for accommodation in the Philippines and found some great hotels in Boracay for as little as $11USD – a fantastic tropical destination. Complaints.. NO!

Finally, get the right fit for you!

Creative Commons License photo credit: {eclaire}

For me travel is all about finding a way to avoid being too much of a tourist and having unique and culturally-charged experiences. For you it may be different but just promise me you will have a prod around the web and see what you can dig up. Check out a few of the sites I’ve mentioned to find accommodation that suits your budget easier. Do the research and you won’t be disappointed!

So double knot those laces, make a few bookings and, excusing all puns and clichés, get those shoes tightly strung for your next great escape. It’ll be cheaper, longer and better if you do it wisely!

Take care and safe travels.

Anna Cleal is a twenty-something New Zealander who has spent time working with Kove (the local community microfinance organization) in the Phillipines and is currently spending a month in the Dominican Republic. She blogs at http://annaclealblog.wordpress.com/.

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In Rome, Past is Present

Steph — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:01:42 +0000

Rome is enormous, and that’s why I love it.

It’s not just that it’s a big city (although it is), or that it has an unmistakable frenetic energy. Rome is one of those European capitals that is truly epic. It’s history stretches two and a half thousand years back, far past the time of Jesus Christ. It was the eponymous capital of the Roman Empire, Even now, long after the empire fell, it is still the capital of Italy and one of the most visited cities in Europe.

As my travel blogger friends would say, Rome is a Big Effin’ Deal.

Rome wears it’s history like a badge of honor, with impractically old buildings set imperiously among bustling hordes. Above is the Pantheon- a temple for the gods turned Roman Catholic church built by Emperor Hadrian around 126 AD. It has the world’s largest un-reinforced concrete dome- even 2000 years later! (Incidentally, as a native Washingtonian I was impressed by how directly our classical architecture pulls from this- this exact building could exist in DC no problem).

Ancient ruins are literally everywhere, like this minor excavation which sat largely unnoticed on near a traffic circle:

Of course the most famous reminder of Rome’s ancient greatness is the Colosseum, an epic building in it’s own right. While some iconic sites can disappoint in person, I can assure you the Colosseum does not:

It’s worth the price of admission to wander inside this remarkably well preserved Roman amphitheater. Even now you can easily imagine the 50,000 spectators cheering the gladiators on in the arena. On an uncrowded day it’s a transcendent experience.

The ancient Romans thoughtfully built the Colosseum right across the street from the equally impressive remains of the Roman Forum. This was the heart of Ancient Rome, where all of the most important temples and structures were built. Many of the temples here were constructed hundreds of years BC. What remains now is ruins, but my goodness, they are beautiful ruins:

The Forum is free to visit, and the nearby Palatine is free with admission to the Colosseum, making the entire area pretty easy on the budget. Palatine Hill is one of the very oldest parts of Rome- supposedly Romulus was born and decided to found Rome on this ancient hill. Later on it evolved into an upper class neighborhood where many of the emperors built their palaces. It’s now a sprawling open air museum of palace ruins. It gets less traffic than the forum and has a quiet, garden-like beauty to it.

I only spent four days in Rome and left feeling like I’d seen everything and nothing. The many layers of history, art and culture give Rome a rich texture I only associate with a few other cities I’ve visited (London is one). This is why Rome was my favorite part of Italy and why I can’t wait to return and explore it deeper.

Friday Postcard: Florence, Italy

Steph — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:01:58 +0000

Italian grafitti in Florence near the Ponte Vecchio.

(Do you have a photo you’d like to see featured here? Email me at Steph@twenty-somethingtravel.com)

The Great African Road Trip

Steph — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:01:01 +0000

I know we are all fans of independent travel around here, but there are times when nothing but a tour will cut it. Today’s guest post describes an adventurous, budget, African safari.

“This is not a holiday, it’s an adventure,” Michel, our Mozambican guide, informed us. Excited and a little nervous, we settled into our seats. Over the next eight days we would be travelling through Botswana, sneaking up on herds of impala, watching elephants bathe themselves in the Chobe River, and taking in the beautiful African sunsets. Our chosen method for exploration: a budget camping tour.

As self-proclaimed budget travelers, we’ve certainly stayed in our share of hostels over the years and we will gladly skip a fancy restaurant in favor of a trip to the local grocery store. But riding in an un-air conditioned overland truck, setting up our own tent, and forgoing showers brought “roughing it” to a whole new level.

We also thrive on the challenge and impulsiveness of independent travel. In fact, we pride ourselves on being able to breeze into any city in the world and get our bearings before most people manage to hail a cab.

But the African wilderness is a whole different ballgame. There are dangerous animals and unsafe roads and long lonely stretches between cities. The public transportation system leaves much to be desired and getting caught in the vast and unpopulated landscape after nightfall is not recommended.

And then there is the issue of cost. Renting an all-terrain vehicle, satellite phone, and camping gear doesn’t come cheap. And neither do those luxury tours that fly you from place to place. Visiting the region can be prohibitively complicated and expensive for the budget-minded traveler.

After thorough research, we concluded that signing up for a well-priced camping safari was the best way to experience these less-explored, hard-to-reach areas of Southern Africa. Ultimately the call to see this “Africa of our dreams” as described by our Lonely Planet book prevailed over the desire to sleep in a bed or travel on our own.

By our first night in the African wilderness, the “adventure” was well under way. After racing off to set up our tents ahead of an impending rain storm and eating a superb dinner prepared by our cook, we gathered around a campfire to watch the men and women of a local bush tribe sing and dance. We’ve had some unforgettably good times as independent travelers, but not once have we ever happened across a group of native bushmen!

Our favorite part of the tour was the three-day venture we took deep into the Okavango Delta. Led by local villagers, we traveled the delicate waterways using the only method possible – by mokoro. These canoes made of dugout tree trunks are propelled forward using a long pole to push off the soft delta sands. Basically they are African gondolas.

The villagers who guided our group through the delta were more than willing to share their immense knowledge of the delicate landscape as well as their way of life. Learning from them was the ultimate in cultural experiences. These locals are intimately familiar with every plant, footprint, and pile of animal dung in this land that is their backyard. Their love and appreciation for their home really showed and our lives are all the better from having met them.

In all our travels, this was the first time we let someone else decide when we would get up and where we would go. And you know what? It wasn’t half bad! The tour made excellent use of our time, just like we would have chosen had we been on our own. We were always up early, either to go on a morning game walk or set off for the next destination. All of our meals were cooked for us. The fifteen strangers we started out with turned out to be like-minded adventure seekers from around the world, making the atmosphere of the journey feel like a nomadic hostel.

We could not have replicated these amazing experiences on our own. It’s remarkable how choosing the cheapest option can give you something priceless. And surrendering control of your trip can yield wonderful surprises.

Photography by Randy Reese

Andrea Reese and her photographer-husband, Randy, are fanatics about traveling the world and love new and exciting experiences. When they’re not wandering the globe, they devote their energy to exploring their current base of New York City. They share the best of NYC and plenty of tips for visitors on their website, Essential New York City Guide.

A Roman Holiday

Steph — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:01:57 +0000

I wasn’t actually in rome for Christmas, just until December 23rd. It sure felt festive though:

It was a great time to visit; festive and cheery, lacking in tourists and good weather. It might have been geography, or just luck but compared to chilly Venice and Florence, Rome was downright pleasant. At times it seemed less like the dead of winter and more like a crisp fall day:

One of the most exciting things about visiting Rome is all of the iconic sights scattered about the city. The Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain. Most of them are just as grand, if not MORE impressive in person:

Roman Holiday happens to be one of my favorite movies (Sigh… Gregory Peck) and as I wandered around the city I imagined I too was an escaped princess who looked like Audrey Hepburn. My companions had not seen the movie but, I still dragged them to the out of the way Bocca della Verita, the “Mouth of Truth” made famous by this scene (sorry about the Italian). The thing is actually just a pretty water drain, but I couldn’t resist…

Luckily, it let me keep my hand.

Iconic in an entirely different way is Vatican City; the tiny enclave that is the home of the pope and Roman Catholicism. There were preparing for Christmas as well:

I’m a but if a lapsed Catholic, and most of my knowledge of the vatican actually comes from Art History 102, not Sunday school. But Saint Peter’s Basilia is an awe inspiring piece of Renaissance architecture and excess, no matter what your background.

Saint Peter’s is the largest Christian Church in the entire world- it can hold up to 60,000 people. The dome which towers over the church is the tallest dome in the world. The wealth of detail is just dizzying.

The Vatican museums are also impressive; they showcase just some of the massive amounts of treasures compiled by the church over the years- mainly sculpture and painting. They rival only the British Museum in their collection of re-appropriated cultural relics. Yes, this is where you will find the Sistine Chapel (smaller than you’d imagine), but I was more impressed by the sheer volume of stuff hoarded here.

Returning from the Holy See you will pass over the Ponte Sant’Angelo below, adorned with beautiful sculptures crafted by Bernini. Truthfully, Rome itself is really one large scale, living museum. You can’t go a block without stumbling over a beautiful fountain, church or sculpture.

I haven’t even mentioned the classical ruins which adorn modern Rome (more on this next week). This intertwinement between modern life, art, culture and history is what made Rome so special for me.

What I’m Taking With Me: Memories From Ocean City

Steph — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 12:01:57 +0000

I spent last weekend out of town at the least glamorous beach on earth. No palm trees or glistening white sand for me. I barely left the tri-state area. I went on holiday to Ocean City, Maryland. And it was glorious.

If you’ve never been to Ocean City, you really aren’t missing all that much. I know I lobbied to spend a summer there, but honestly, the place is pretty trashy. Rough crowded beaches, liquor stores and ads plastered almost everywhere the eye can see. The people aren’t much better- it’s impossible to be a woman over 12 and walk down Ocean Highway without being honked and hollered at upwards of a dozen times. The nicest thing I can say about Ocean City as a place is that it has more incarnations of mini-golf than you could possibly ever imagine.

Still, I’ve spent at least one weekend there every summer for the past 5 years. I make the four-hour drive from DC with a car full of my closest friends from high school. Just us, Mike’s grandparent’s tiny beach condo and a truly excessive amount of alcohol. We call this Beach Week, although we never stay more than a few nights, and it’s our friendship’s greatest tradition.

Cool Guys

The initial group has grown and shrunk as relationships and friendships come and go. We still have our original core, but the party has ballooned up around us. This year we crammed 14 people into a three-bedroom condo. Now it may seem unlikely to you that anyone could like each other enough to sleep 6 to a room, but I assure you, somehow we do.

As we struggle through unemployment, crappy jobs, and generally early–twenties suckiness, Beach Week has kept us together and kept us going. All year long we tell stories of Beach Week lore: the year Carolyn and I tried to swim in a hurricane, the time the cops caught us skinny-dipping (okay, that happened twice), the time Mattie almost got in a fight defending our honor. Not all of the stories involve us getting in trouble or almost killed, I promise.

this is totally innocent

So, is this travel? We’re not exploring new locations, or actively seeking learning or adventure. There are approximately zero museum visits; cultural experiences or sunrise hikes undertaken during this weekend. I’m a total fan of all that high brow stuff- don’t get me wrong, but I think there is a subtler experience and value that comes from revisiting the same old place, with the same old people, time and again.

In fact, I would say that because things are the same, it is easier to see the subtle changes. Travel serves a lot of functions in our lives. Discovering new places teaches us about ourselves sure, but sometimes it’s seeing your reflection against the same comforting backdrop that lets you realize your own evolution.

Five years we’ve been doing this. That’s like a lifetime when you’re my age. Over that span of time I’ve gotten boyfriends, lost boyfriends, graduated from college, moved to London and back (twice) and yet, somehow I’ve never missed a year. It keeps me grounded and it reminds me what’s at my core.

Unfortunately, this year was probably the last beach week, at least for a while, at least for me. After several years at home, most of us are rallying to move up and onwards with our lives. People are off to grad school, off to California, off to conquer the world. Can’t even fathom where I’ll be a year from now.

Progress is exciting, but it’s bittersweet as well. My friends are very important to me. They know who I am, where I’ve come from, and the support me where I’m going. They are reading this right now, right alongside you. As I go out into the world, independent lady that I am, I carry them and this history with me.

And I always carry pictures. On cold backpacker nights, I can look back on the sunny days of Beach Week, and remind myself who I am.

Friday Postcard: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Steph — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:01:54 +0000

Today’s postcard of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge in Philadelphia was contributed by Christian Carollo. Christian showcases a Philadelphia photo a day on the website Picture Philly.

(Do you have a photo you’d like to see featured here? Email me at Steph@twenty-somethingtravel.com)

The Secret Veggie Meals of London

Steph — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 12:01:12 +0000

I’m not a vegetarian but I do love food and I LOVE London. Today’s guest post highlights some fabulous budget finds in this expensive city.

Two years ago I studied abroad in what would grow to be my all-time favorite city in the world, London. Seriously… Greatest. City. Ever.

While I was crazy excited about my year-long adventure, I tentatively walked off that plane, worried about the infamous sausage and mash and eel pie. I’ve been a vegetarian on and off for a good portion of my life and at the time of my move had been hard out for nearly a year. Hence, worried about blood sausage and whatnot.

And as a student, the worry got progressively worse. The problem with strictly vegetarian restaurants is you often pay for the ease of eating meatless. As gourmet vegetables were never on my list of splurges, us veggies end up back at square one: ordering pasta and salads when eating out with friends, usually just going home and cooking. However, once I figured out where to go, turns out London has some incredible (and cheap!) vegetarian treasures.

My fellow students knew about local soup kitchens, secret cafeterias and how to eat for a pound right in the heart of major tourist destinations. Without the resourcefulness of poor and hungry British kids, it’s entirely likely I would have starved.

So without further ado, the five places you absolutely HAVE to visit as a vegetarian in Britain. Even if you’re not a veggie, this food is cheap:

The Soup Kitchen

Food for Life

Distribution Locations, Monday thru Saturday

Kentish Town – Caversham Road (next to Barclays)

12:00pm – 12:55pm

Camden Town – Inverness Street (next to veggie market)

1:00pm – 1:50pm

Kings Cross – York Way (beside train station)

2:00pm – 2:30pm

This free food got me through most days when I couldn’t even afford a Tesco sandwich. Provided by the Hare Krishnas, every weekday a volunteer rides up on his bike with a massive yellow container of curry.

A friend in my program came across this magical delivery service and I figure word of mouth is how most hear about this deal. I think the program targets the homeless, but you’ll find tons of students queuing and the occasional nine-to-fiver from a surrounding cubicle farm. Called Prasadam, blessed food, these free meals are provided by Food for Life’s Hare Krishna Rickshaw Project whose purpose is to feed the hungry and promote a vegetarian diet.

The Tourist Trap

Camden Town

Camden Stables International Food Stalls

Open 7 days a week 9:30am – 5:30pm

Not only is Camden a great area to spend an afternoon (vintage shops, art, a plethora of weird crap you don’t need), but the food court is the best I’ve seen. You’re surrounded by every kind of food: sushi, pizza, Mexican, Chinese, Colombian, Spanish, Tex-Mex, Portuguese. There are over 50 food stalls, so your options are pretty limitless, and a very picky Italian friend says the pizza is as good as in Rome.

Not to knock the actual restaurants in the area, but the stalls are your best bet – obscenely cheap, lots of food, veggie options abound and really, really good. You can easily eat for a pound and for about £3 you’re so full you can’t even be bothered to shop.

The Student Center

Mary Ward Centre Café

42 Queen’s Square, London WC1

Monday – Thursday, 9:30AM – 9:00 PM, Friday 9:30AM – 8:30PM, Saturdays 9:30AM – 4:00PM and Sundays 9:30AM – 2:00PM

The Mary Ward Centre is London’s adult education college and has a small dining area that’s packed with students during lunch. Few outsiders know that the café is, in fact, available to everyone. Behind an inconspicuous white door, it may not look like a restaurant, but just trust me and head through the main entrance and turn left inside the hallway.

The menu is entirely vegetarian and changes often. I’ve tried everything from the Spanish tortilla to custard tarts and both are, might I add, to die for.

The Hole-in-the-Wall

Food for Thought

31 Neal Street

Monday – Saturday 12:00pm – 8:30pm

Sunday 12:00pm – 5:00pm

Food for Thought is another that’s easy to miss, but absolutely worth hunting down. The restaurant is at the bottom of a very steep staircase in what only can only be described as a hovel. The restaurant is always crowded, but filled with lovely people and delicious food. I had fabulous moussaka the last time I was there, but they serve up big batches of everything from pasta to quiche. The best part about this place is that it’s really intimate and cozy without being claustrophobic (I sat next to Jared Leto one time whilst he chatted with the common folk). Most patrons are regulars, not only because of the great food, but because everything’s less than £10.

The Chain

The Stockpot

273 Kings Road

38 Panton Street

18 Old Compton Street

The Stockpot is neither secret nor strictly vegetarian as it’s a London chain, but it was such a nice surprise that it deserves inclusion. My first 8 months in London were spent in a posh Chelsea dorm, which – while beautiful – was completely inconvenient as my student budget wouldn’t cover a pint at the local pub. Thank God for The Stockpot though, which is sort of like the British response to the American Diner. I highly recommend the gnocchi and, in the mornings, the full English breakfast.

Marian, 23, is a blogger, technically a social media “thug” (consultant is a boring word) for authors and has a bad case of the Quarterlife Crisis. She’s got the travel itch too and moved from New York to London to follow her heart and is headed to New Zealand in December. Her posts at marianlibrarian.com are usually tagged as “uncategorized” and when she’s not blogging about nonsense she helps people rock out on Twitter (but also secretly wants to be a pastry chef slash author slash farmer in the woods).

The Underground Guide to International Volunteering

Steph — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:01:00 +0000

Although I think most of us backpackers work really hard to make our dreams happen, it’s no secret that we are still a privileged bunch. This is particularly true compared to the way most of the world lives day-to-day (feeling poor? Check out your position on the Global Rich List for some perspective.

Nothing opens your eyes to this global disparity more than travel, so it’s natural that many travelers feel called to give back to the many welcoming places we visit. Luckily there are numerous volunteer opportunities for travelers all over the world. The key is finding one that suits your needs and goals.

Kirsty the Nerd behind Nerdy Nomad has become a bit of a first-hand expert on budget volunteering. She has been traveling the globe for almost 10 years now, and has volunteered in China, Bangladesh, Haiti and Indonesia. She’s written an e-book about her volunteering experience and advice.

Kirsty was nice enough to send me her eBook (disclosure: for free), and as someone who is hoping to incorporate volunteering into my upcoming travels, I read it quickly.

This book is great for both beginner and seasoned travelers. It’s 61 pages, 9 chapters which explain the basics of volunteering, mental and psychological preparation, how to choose a program, and practical considerations. There are also in depth interviews with volunteers from all walks of life.

What is probably the most helpful part, on a practical level are the lists or resources and organizations that Kirsty provides. There is a section of pay-to-volunteer opportunities as well as one of free organizations, and lots of advice on how to decide what you’re looking for.

Even the e-book itself is a bit of a charitable act. $7 of the $14 price goes directly to Hands on Disaster, the author’s favorite volunteer organization. With its low price and wealth of information, it’s a sensible purchase for anyone who is seriously interested in volunteering abroad but doesn’t know how to get started.