I’ve made it my goal in life to see as much of the globe as possible. I’m generally on the road for three to four months a year. This doesn’t mean I’m rich (by US standards). I work in Alaska during the summer months in remote villages. Housing and food is paid for, hours are long and overtime is great and it’s generally 5-6 months of nonstop work with no days off. This leads to a really fantastic savings rate and being able to invest. It also brings up the possibility of not having to maintain a typical settled life in a city with rent, bills, car, etc. so, long ago I chose life on the road since I figured this type of opportunity doesn’t happen that often. And I’m too far down the rabbit hole to go back to a typical lifestyle anyhow. I did take a two year hiatus after 11 years living out of my backpack but I’ll be back on the road this winter again thankfully.
So what do I do when I travel? I don’t treat it as a “vacation”. It’s more just regular life. Trying to be as frugal as possible. Hoeing around as cheaply as possible (being late thirties I’m for sure getting to the edge of the free hookups with this body let me tell you....). I sometimes settle into a city for a month to be a regular person just wandering around, reading books, taking photos. Sometimes indulge in touristic things. Other times just enjoying the street life and local guys. That’s actually the biggest drive for me. Meeting a few incredible guys to befriend, and hopefully hook up with. Those have by far been my best experiences. And since my time isn’t constricted I don’t feel the sting of missing out. Or the need to pack everything in before I have to go back to Alaska. I spent a month in Havana a few years ago and had my daily routines. I made incredible friends and I felt a lot more connected to that place than just passing through would bring.
This winter I’m planning New Orleans for New Years. Then down to Mexico City for a week to meet up with old friends and explore more of that endless metropolis. Then off to Cuba for a month. I really want to spend a couple of weeks exploring eastern Cuba. Then I’m heading to Colombia where I’ll probably spend a month in Medellin and possibly take Spanish lessons. After that I want to be in Salvador Bahia for Carnival. Ideally I would start my Brazil trip in Manaus and finish in Iguazu via the coastline all the way down. Who knows what will happen though. I’m open for it all.
And I’m planning on reports from all these stops as well.