WHAT?: This is the start of a new category of places to travel around the world. Like Skydiving, traveling the world lets you see what other people are doing in other countries. By going to China (for example) you can appreciate Chinese architecture, technology, and advancements that arent in your country. Who knows? You might even make a few friends while you are there.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE: I went to visit an old college friend named Roy in Eugene, Oregon. Living in a huge city all my life (NYC), Oregon opened my life up to the wonders of the forest and mother nature. I climbed mountains, hiked around Ochoco Wayside Park, slept under the stars, and stood at a natural 300 foot cliff overlooking millions of beautiful green trees. Since then, i created an everlasting friendship with the forests of the world. An intense RESPECT for natural beauty. After camping, Roy was nice enough to let me borrow his car and travel through changing terrain to San Francisco and to the West coast of Oregon….WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!
I went back to Oregon the year later, and there i met an Aussie named James who was friends with Roy. James was a free spirit traveling the world. Studying Spanish, he lived for 6 month in Mexico with a host family and saw first hand what it was like to live amongst the Mexican culture. It’s as if he was living another life. He learned the language and was able to converse with other Mexicans. And he experienced life through a new vision, under new rules.
A few months later, James met with his other Aussie friend Dean in Los Angeles. (Similar to On the Road with Jack Kerouac [Which Roy lent me to read]) Dean and James traveled north all the way up to Eugene, Oregon where i met him. Dean had other plans to go to Canada and work, while James had plans to go to New York City and then to Europe. From Hostel to Hostel to Host families, James traveled through about 7 different countries until he ended up in Madrid, Spain, where he now resides with a host family. Living a different life in every country. I envy you James! Going with the wind!
HOW?: Of course, traveling the entire world, like James, costs ALOT of money. But there are also plenty of methods for you to travel cheaper. YOU DONT HAVE TO TRAVEL THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS GO SOMEPLACE DIFFERENT FROM YOUR NORMAL SETTING. Example: If you live in NYC, drive up, take a train to the Catskill mountains and go camping. You will love the drastic changes- going from towering skyscraper to towering green trees.
Other Ways to Save! 1) You can save money using the methods you find on the internet or through your friends. 2) As a student, you can get great benefits through different online organisations. Colleges will encourage students to travel the world in order to learn new things in different countries. An actor/director can go to England or France and study under master theater teachers. 3) Hostels or host families are cheap ways to stay in your favorite locations without the expense of crazy hotel prices. 4) Find ways to conserve your money and food so that you wont go broke all at once. (MORE TIPS WILL BE ADDED SOON!)
CONCLUSION: Experiencing new cultures, new people, and a completely new lifestyle is a way to live many lives within a lifetime! Living in a new country under new circumstances will help you learn a new language and appreciate how other people live. Also, taking a break from your normal setting, will help you escape from your normal trials and tribulations. Drive 100 miles eastward and see where you get! If theres a national park near you, GO THERE WITH YOUR FRIENDS. EXPLORE THE WORLD! EXPLORE YOURSELF WITHIN THOSE WORLDS.
