"If you seek reality you must set yourself free of all backgrounds, of all cultures, of all patterns of thinking and feeling. Even the idea of being man or woman, or even human, should be discarded. The ocean of life contains all. Live in tune with things as they are and not as they are imagined."
~ Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj (via lazyyogi)
Amazing.
Getting sponsored trips as a travel blogger can seem like a foggy and convoluted business, like it is some mythical beast that is unattainable. I am going to show you that, while difficult, you CAN lasso yourself a Pegasus, if you look hard enough and in the right places, and ride that baby to some free trips!
Quit your job and travel the world! #ttot #photo #inspiration
I know the person spelled Enjoy wrong, but still a cool picture.
Are you living your dream yet?
(Source: justchuckinit.com)
Http://justchuckinit.com/travel-mojo Don’t let nonsense get to you! (Taken with instagram)
There will always be debates about the most importantly things to bring with you while traveling. My opinion has changed drastically ever since I started traveling less than two months ago, and I learned fast that sometimes the smallest things, are the most important. Here is a list of 5 small items that I feel no traveler should forget , some of the items I didn’t pack, and I paid the price.
Read the full post HERE!
Have you found any small, and easily forgettable items that have been a god send while traveling? Comment on the blog and let us know!
I finally reached Wellington, capital city of New Zealand, and with a torrential rain to greet me. As we rolled through the city on the bus dropping backpackers off at different hostels, I got to see a little bit of the city, and Wellington is like no city I have seen in New Zealand so far. A blend of vintage and modern, buildings fashioned like the 1920’s and buildings from the future sit right beside each other. Art and sculptures greet you around every turn, and every street is lined up and down with quirky little shops or bars.
Read the full post here: First Impressions Of Wellington
Does anyone have any favorite spots around Wellington to check out?
Last Thursday was another rain soaked day in Auckland. The whole week I have been cooped up inside cafés and coffee shops all over the city, blogging and avoiding the dull grey weather. I was getting restless. When you sit inside too much, staring at a computer screen with nothing to keep you company except the quiet clicking of the keyboard and a caramel latte, you start to go a little crazy. I was not seeing “REDRUM” on the walls yet, but I was getting close. What the hell else is there to do while the sky is pissing all over your sunny days? Nomads Hostels and Mad Travel helped me shake off the rainy day syndrome and invited me to check out my first aquarium, Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World. Read the full post HERE
Recently I joined the couch surfing community with hope that it would urge me to break down my barriers, meet some awesome people and stop being so damn shy! I also wanted to try to add to the community eventually, to share my experiences with other new comers and help get them comfortable surfing it up.
To couch surf at all I had to take the first and obvious step, actually do it! And to be honest, I was a tad bit nervous about asking a complete stranger if I could crash at their place, but that was the reason I needed to get that part out-of-the-way…
It can be easy, it can be hard, it can feel like something is looming over you that you keep putting off; it will be different for all of us.
For me, I made sure to get off tonight from work so I can make it to my brothers BBQ and drop the bomb there. I say bomb because I know the response will be something around the lines of:
“What the fuck?!”
(He and wife laugh hysterically)
“That is so stupid.”
Most of what I have done in life, whether it be chasing my dream if film or moving across the United States, was deemed absolutely absurd by the brother and wife tag team.
Now, even though they don’t encourage me much when it comes to my dream, it doesn’t mean they aren’t trying to look out for me. Most of the time, after questioning me about my motives, will just accept it and wait to see the outcome.
The truth is, people you are close to that discourage your “crazy” dream or disagree with how you are living are usually ones that play it safe. To them, it might seem dangerous, disastrous, and chaotic, and all they want to do is bring you back to saftey. But us dreamers and adventurers, we love the feeling of something new, uncharted and exciting.
The best way to handle family and friends that are unsure about your path in life is to reassure them. When deciding to quit your job and sell everything you own, not many people have the guts to uproot like that, and some will think it is outrageous.
When you break it to them and discuss with them while they question you, like I will be tonight, reassure them with confidence and be true to your cause. Not everyone will understand, but all you can do is tell them why and what it means to you and they will have to accept that.
If they are unyielding and relentless with negativity, take a deep breath and step away. When someone shakes the foundation of normality and goes against the flow, it needs time to settle in. After the initial shock, people tend to settle down and listen, or just decide to give up the haggling.
Stay true to yourself and your dream. Stay confident and know that you are doing what is right for you. Be calm, and if things get intense, step away for a little bit. Most importantly stay excited because you are in for some kick-ass times!
Wish me luck and good luck to you all!
Just posted an artile on my travel blog with some cameras that I think are perfect for travelers, backpackers, and adventurists that should still fit the budget!
I am building my travel blog before I embark on the first part of my world travel. I really want this to be a great resource to travelers or those of you who hope to travel one day, and maybe inspire you to go!
I have been cramping my mind with coding and design so I haven’t had a chance to write many articles, and I also haven’t left for New Zealand yet, but in the meantime I can build tips and tricks and resources.
So here is a favor I ask of you lively people, dreamers and travelers: What would you like to see on a travel blog? What questions have you always wanted answering? Is there anything you like/dislike about the current site?
I would love your help, so please check out my site below and let me know!
Recently, I have been on such a high knowing that I will be leaving for New Zealand around the middle of October. Everyday I have been letting go of more and more objects that anchor me here and gaining more and more freedom. But also my positivity and desire to travel have been tested non-stop. I have always written postings talking about encountering individuals that will try to break you down or situations that will restrict you and how to deal with them. But what happens when you actually do? And what happens when these come so close in succession that it is beating you and your energetic outlook to a pulp? Well, you do what you were doing, just more resolute and with more vindication.
I wanted to write this today because I am currently dealing with this exact challenge. The past month or so after everything for this trip was going gravy, I have been suddenly hit with speed bumps, pot holes and road blocks.
First) My 2 1/2 year old court case was wrapped up and all I have to do is wait for the final check to be cut. That very check was supposed to arrive 3 weeks ago, yet here I am, with no check and getting the run around from the very people I thought were helping me. At the same time an old friend stumbled back into my life, and yes it was an old crush. Apparently she had been struggling with drugs and now she is clean and suddenly interested in a relationship. And yes I am still crushing on her but she was appalled when I told her I am moving to New Zealand. I remember she kept asking why, saying it made no sense and no matter what I said was convinced I am running from life.
Second) I went on a trip last minute to Miami Florida a week ago and thought it would be an enjoyable precursor to my trip abroad. No, it was far from that, it was Hell. I am still too pissed off to write an intelligent post on it yet, but it will come, and not with F-Bombs every other word. But at the end of this miserable trip I found myself saying, “I just want to be home”. Seriously? After posting so much about the desire I leave I am now longing to be “Home”, back in that comfort zone?!
Third) When I arrived back from Miami, I took a day off to recover my energy. That night my employer, Apple, had a quarterly meeting. But it wasn’t any ole’ meeting, it was a meeting at Dave & Busters to celebrate the employees. They gave kudos, passed out superlatives and awards and the managers sang karaoke. I was surprised when they announced my name for the coveted Credo Award, the golden apple representing growth, influence and leadership. That is where they must be using the $76 Billion we have, buying gold apples from Hercules! And as I went onto the stage and received the award I remember thinking, “Wow, this is the best company I have worked for. I could see myself staying here and moving up”. And that was a scary thought.
These are just some examples from me, but I am sure each and every one of you chasig your dream or desiring to see the world is facing different obstacles. Now the issue with the lawyers is the biggest problem I am facing, and it is out of my hands, but the only thing I can do is hope it gets done soon and stay positive. With the debating friend, well we all we meet those people who challenge us and all we have to say is, “you’re right, I am running away from this life of the American Dream which is to work until we die”.
With that vacation, I am still fuming. Yes, I did long for home after that trip but that is something we all have to fight when traveling. There is no way that you won’t encounter some type of difficulty in travels, but that is what we expect and why we are living the dream. We want the unknown, the difficult but unbelievably rewarding, and we don’t want that comfort zone just because it is easy. So fight it!
And lastly, the wonderful job. I always post about quitting your job and traveling, but it can be difficult if it isn’t that type of job you resent. I love my job and the people I work with, but right now and for a long time, it isn’t what is right for me. What is right for me is to be curling my toes in sand on far off beaches, or inhaling the fresh mountain air on top of a peak in New Zealand. It may be difficult to give up a good job and a steady flow of cash, but if you want to live and travel, you must. Do what is right for you.
Us dreamers, believers and travelers are going to be always told what we are doing is silly, irresponsible or some other nonsense. When someone asks you why, ask why not, and see what there response is. They may chuckle and say, “ok”, “good point” or “because” but no matter what the response, they won’t be able to justify their excuse for what is right for you or with a sensible answer.
Some helpful ways to keep going through some struggles:
-Stay Positive
-Hang out with people that encourage your dream
-Meet other travelers and hear their stories
-Look more into you own trip and the cultures you will experience.
-Keep the drive going. If you run into money issues, work harder. If you run into something unexpected, be proactive and think of an alternative or a solution. Being down or defeated won’t get you anywhere.
-Explore your hometown or a city close by. I can garauntee you will discover things you never knew.
-Start a travel blog and talk loads about your travels. All of us love to talk about living and adventures and we can help eachother through hard times!
Hope some of this helps, because it is helping me keep a smile and stay positive as well. Good luck, keep Chuckin it and live life!
Right now I am beginning to pack the essentials as I prepare for my trip to New Zealand then hopefully around the world. I am compiling a list of things I think are important to pack while backpacking but I was hoping to get some help!
Have you traveled the world or are you planning to? Any items you feel you could not live without on the road? How about something you think could benefit travelers of all types?
*And the only reason why I ask to reblog is in hopes that we can all share info and keep it going*
The Gloriette, Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna (by ...
very much (by On the absence of light)