In the News: Choose Your Own Adventure
Leif Pettersen, a Minneapolis-based travel writer, recently addressed how “long-term travel isn’t just for nobility, retirees and underachieving drifters.” And we were proud to contribute to the conversation!
Whenever people hear about my early-30s lifestyle reboot that led to 4 1/2 years of solo international vagabonding, their reactions are uncannily similar: Their jaws slacken, their pupils dilate and they whisper an awestruck "Wow."
How, with the meager income of a novice freelance travel writer -- a profession fractionally more lucrative than collecting beer cans under the Washington Avenue Bridge -- was I able to visit 40 countries on three continents and live in Spain, Romania and Italy?
The secret -- it's more of a poorly circulated fact -- is that travel and living abroad are nearly always cheaper than simply sitting at home.
The myth that average mortals don't have the time, money and hygienic flexibility to entertain anything more ambitious than a week in Cabo is being rapidly demystified by a slew of travel-enabling websites, like Briefcase to Backpack.
You can read more of Leif’s article on Vita.mn, including our 10 tips for planning and executing long-term travel.
1 Response to “In the News: Choose Your Own Adventure”
Other comments
9 Comments on "A Year in Paris"-
Leah on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:12 am
I really enjoyed reading your post. I am thirty-two soon and have itchy feet that are ready to try out foreign soils.
It is a fear of leaving the security of the day to day grind of paying the bills and living a safe and non-challenging way of life that has put me on hold for some time.
I hope (as it has I) your post will inspire others to go and follow their bliss – Leah 🙂 -
Patricia GW on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:54 am
Travel and experiencing a new culture really has put it into perspective, and filled that void with purpose (and joy).
In three weeks I’ll be moving to Paris myself for one month. I have the same feeling – the incredible surreal realization that I’m going to be living there…. it’s thrilling!!
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Abby on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 2:11 pm
Oh, Jenny! Escargot isn’t palatable — it’s delicious! I love your writing style; it’s so fun and energetic. Can you believe how far we’ve come? Everyone, Jenny and I were in the exact same industry and have known each other online and via work emails for years and years. But we’ve only met once, many, many years ago. And one of those jobs she was sleeping next to her BlackBerry for was one I’d just left. And now she’s 33 and living abroad, just like I was last year. Kindred spirits. Jenny, you’re a true inspiration — I can’t wait to see how your adventure unfolds!
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Debbie Beardsley on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 3:22 pm
Your life in Paris sounds ideal. It is nice to read about people who follow their dreams instead of wishing they had! Enjoy the rest of your journey.
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Terriaw on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 1:40 pm
Wow, fabulous and well said! I love your new outlook on like. After experiencing career burnout and feeling a little lost and purposeless lately, you have encouraged me. I look forward to seeing Paris someday!
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Jenny on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 6:50 pm
merci for all the sweet comments! @abby we are soooo kindred spirits! well except when it comes to our differing feelings on escargot…;) and congrats patricia on the move! thrilling indeed!
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shawna on Thu, 9th Jun 2011 1:32 am
you’ve reawakened my travel bug. must. return. to. france. (someday.) eat a croissant for me!
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Weekly Travel Blog Links — LandingStanding on Mon, 13th Jun 2011 6:16 am
[…] how badly I want to go to Paris… If only we could afford living there for an extended period of time during our travels! Any […]
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G. Michael Schneider on Sun, 19th Jun 2011 3:36 pm
I am a firm believer in living and working overseas, just as you described. However, many of us actually like our jobs and our homes and are simply looking to renew and refresh our lives, not change it. However, you can have the same type of cultural experience without having to reach into your own wallet and without having to quit your day job–by taking what I call a “working vacation.” My wife and I have done this 15 separate times, from Australia to Zimbabwe, Turket to Tibet, Mauritius to Mongolia. I describe how to do it in my blog otherguysdime.wordpress.com and via Twitter at @otherguysdime. Learn how to have fun without having to have burn any of your bridges behind you.
2010-05-26 11:28
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by BriefcasetoBackpack and Adam Seper, LandLopers. LandLopers said: RT @CareerBreakHQs: One of our favorite writers, @leifpettersen made it into our #CareerBreak news section this week - find out why! http://ow.ly/1Qa7z #travel [...]