DISQUS

Nice list! I like a bunch of those... might steal some. :-) Here's my list: http://www.nerdynomad.com/99-things/

I've just finished a month at Finca Bona Fide and loved it so much I plan to head back at the end of my time in Nicaragua. So I can still recommend it!

Just as a side note... where are you Christine?

<abbr>Kirsty´s last blog post..May Earnings Update</abbr>

For me it used to be about the places I was going and now it's almost entirely about the things I'm doing, instead.

The idea of going to Costa Rica doesn't excite me but the idea of volunteering on a sustainable farm does. Peru seems like an interesting place and obviously has Machu Picchu but what really interests me is the opportunity to work witha group striving to rebuild Pisco, bit by bit. Northern Nicaragua and El Salvador seem interesting enough... but how much better would it be doing the journey north on shitty bikes with a crazy friend of mine?

So when the excitement of travel for the sake of travel runs out and all of your dream destinations have been tapped, be creative, look for the 'do' rather than the 'where' and that's when things will really start to get interesting.

Hey! Nice post. I haven't been yet but a couple of friend sjust got back and said it was hard going travelling there, but rewarding. If you're looking for a rewarding experience, check out http://www.hodr.org I've been in Haiti for over three months and have loved every moment. Definitely worth a detour!

<abbr>Kirsty´s last blog post..January Earnings Update</abbr>

Sounds great guys! It'll be an awesome trip. I'm heading to Buenos Aires on Jan 15th for awhile, maybe as long as a year, so get in touch if you pass through!

I went from super budget backpacker with some working thrown in to full fledged expat in the UK and now, as you say, I'm a full on flashpacker these days. My true love is the working abroad/expat thing though so I think I'll end up teetering between flashpacker and expat for many years to come. Of course with a bit of old school backpacking thrown in now and then for good measure!

Kirstys last blog post..Mobile Working in Thailand Summary

I am possibly the most irresponsible person I know. I take stupid risks all the time and have gotten myself into some ridiculous situations but have never been burned - I'm knocking on wood right now. For me the trick is to trust my instincts and to put my trust in other people as well. I think that if you expect bad things to happen, they probably will. Plus I'd rather have a couple bad things happen here and there than spend my entire life living in fear, mistrusting everyone I meet and not really experiencing the places I visit at all. I could probably stand to use a bit more common sense and caution now and then but life has been good to me so far so I guess what I'm doing is working fine.

Kirstys last blog post..The Problem With Visas

Hey! Glad to see you're on the road! I've been doing some travelling of my own and have been a bit lazy with the ol' blog reading. Learning Spanish is on my endless to do list so I'll be interested in how it all goes for you. I had given up any hope of learning Mandarin but have had a second wind on this trip and am learning a few things from Chinese friends. Languages are tough!

I think the 'assume you can do it' bit is huge. I have always figured that if someone else can do it, so can I. Within reason of course but when I hear people say 'wow, I would LOVE to be a writer', I think 'then do it!' If you're not willing to do something creative like that as a hobby, then how are you going to convince someone to give you a job at it?

I think if you do and do and do it and keep geting better and keep putting yourself out there, eventually you'll garner some attention from someone. I'm not a great writer by any stretch of the imagination but I knew I wanted to make a living from travelling. A few lucky breaks and a lot of hard work later and I'm one step better than a travel writer - I'm essentially a self employed travel writer. I don't have anyone telling me where to go, giving me deadlines or telling me what to write about. If nobody wants to hire you, create your own platforms. Do things yourself and see where it takes you.

If someone isn't giving you an opportunity, I say make your own opportunity!

I also think some people let the idea of their dream job defeat them before they even go for it. The attitude that there's so much competition, or that it is too good to be true or whatever stops people from trying sometimes. I'm of the attitude that someone has to do these jobs, so why not you?

Kirstys last blog post..Taking the Show on the Road to Southern China

I spend five years living in London and managed to do surprisingly little in my time there. I don't regret anything and I expect I'll be back there at some point, but it's easy to take your time in a place for granted.

I really love that city and miss it but there's some much more out there to experience. Plus things that have been there fore hundreds of years aren't likely to be going anywhere anytime soon so I can see them next time. I've always been more a fan of experiences than sights anyways.

I'm quite keen on check out Boston one of these days. As a massive Blue Jays and baseball fan in general, I have to go boo the Sox at Fenway.

Kirstys last blog post..Addicted to Tim Ferriss (Four Hour Work Week Guy)

Gillian I don't think people are working to survive anymore. Well, lots of people are, but many are working to consume things they don't need. I think the key is figuring out what you actually need to survive and then figure out the things you want and see what that costs you. Some people want stuff, some want travel. The key is finding something you love to do to get the money to survive and that bit extra to enjoy life. It helps if you're still enjoying life while you're working rather than dreading every second you spend there.

Christine I spent some time picking fruit in Australia and New Zealand and trust me, when you start thinking of things in terms of bins, spending falls drastically. We got about $25 per bin of apples, pears or whatever and those bins were MASSIVE and took a lot of effort to fill. The 425 suddenly has new meaning when you think of the sweat it took to earn it.

Kirstys last blog post..Addicted to Tim Ferriss (Four Hour Work Week Guy)

It feels like all I carry around with me is wires! So many wires...

I've got a camaera like you with three lenses, two of which are huge. Laptop is nice and small, a Thinkpad 12.1 screen. Your 220 gigs of space is making me very envious though. Ipod, microphone for Skype, cell phone, and I'm considering buying a camcorder.

God help me.

Kirstys last blog post..Finding a Good Work/Travel Balance

I love your dogs! Do you think they're ready for Spain? ...is Spain ready for them? ;-)

Kirstys last blog post..Finding a Good Work/Travel Balance

Hey Gary,

Love your blog! Been following for awhile now. I read ages ago that you bought a video camera and it seemed like you did a lot of research befor you bought it. Can you point me to that post, or even just tell me which model you bought and whether you're happy with it or not? I'm in the market for one now.

Thanks, enjoy Uluru!
Kirsty

I love the internet. But I despair when I walk into a hostel common room and everyone has a laptop propped on their lap. I suppose it's the same as having your nose in a book but there's something more uninterruptable about a laptop. Then what do I do? Get mine and do the same. Hrm.

But then again it can make it very easy to connect with more people, too. Couchsurfing, people you meet through your blog etc etc.

Nice article!

Kirstys last blog post..People on Message Boards Can Be Scary

I'm sitting here in Beijing waiting to hear if Hands On will be deploying to Sichuan or not. I had a wonderful experience with them in Bangladesh at the beginning of the year and now I'm hooked.

For me it's the best of both worlds - I get to help out in ways I normally wouldn't consider, get involved in communities in a more intimate way and meet lots of great people all while earning money.

I don't earn money with Hands On but because I earn money online whether I put in the hours or not, having my food and expenses covered means that I come out of a volunteer experience not only having had a great time, but also with more money in the bank.

I would still volunteer with Hands On even if that wasn't the case but it certainly is a pretty great bonus. It gives me more money for my future travels and I can donate more money to the organisation as well. Win win!

Feels great eh?

I'd love for you to include my site http://www.nerdynomad.com

For me renting a place and hanging around without feeling rushed is the way to go. I haven't lived in Canada for seven years now (yikes!) and I love being able to use places like London as a base for travelling to Europe and being able to move Downunder to have lots of time to see the sights. Plus working abroad for me means that you really get under the skin of a place and meet some interesting local characters.

Kirstys last blog post..Keeping Track of Link Sales

Another for volunteering is http://www.hodr.org

For working holidays check out http://www.workingholidayinfo.com (shameless plug)

Kirstys last blog post..Keeping Track of Link Sales

I can totally relate to the 'dog and pony show' thing. Once I start telling people my travel plans it seems like anytime I tell a new person it goes pretty much exactly the same way. It's like some kind of theatrical performance. I have my lines all research and the person I'm speaking to unknowingly participates in exactly the same way at the person I told two hours ago. Ah but it never gets old... one of the best feelings ever. Not as good as actually going though, of course!

Kirstys last blog post..Keeping Track of Link Sales

Congratulations! Feels great, doesn't it? I quit my job in December to work full time on my websites but as I was already earning a bit of money I can't say it was totally uncertain. I wasn't really earning enough to live on at the time but have since boosted it to a liveable income. Yay!

It feels great knowing that I've managed (so far) to make a go of a business I started from scratch and can work from anywhere. I doubt you'll find yourself looking back. Best of luck!

Hey guys, great site! I can't believe I've only just discovered it. Loved this interview because it gives an insight into the world of hostels, one that I've always been interested in. I agree with everything Carolyn says about backpacking changing. I've wanted to stay at that hostel for years and it's nice to see it has a nice owner. Ok, off to listen to more podcasts! Cheers, Kirsty

Toughen up, princess! ;-)

I'm about to head home to Canada and I'm living in fear. I think I've forgotten what true coldness really is. I'm pretty sure South Korea comes close so I feel your pain. There's certainly something to be said for following the summer around.

Enjoy the DMZ, I'm curious to read about that.

Hey, nice blog. Looks like you really are going everywhere judging by how much of Oceania you've seen. I'm off to the Philippines in January so I've been reading with interest. Thanks for the tips!