spend less traveling than at home

Dave Sykes linked to a post by a fellow returned from 9 months living out of a backpack in New Zealand:

… One of the most surprising discoveries I made during my trip was that I spent much less per month traveling foreign counties (including countries more expensive than Canada) than I did as a regular working joe back home.

I had much more free time, I was visiting some of the most beautiful places in the world, I was meeting new people left and right, I was calm and peaceful and otherwise having an unforgettable time, and somehow it cost me much less than my humble 9-5 lifestyle here in one of Canada’s least expensive cities.

It seems I got much more for my dollar when I was traveling. Why? …

Raptitude – Your Lifestyle Has Already Been Designed

Rick Cape Town beach

My hostel dorn bed in Cape Town cost $9/night.

Later, for 3 nights, I splurged on a poolside single, $28/night.

related – my philosophy of voluntary simplicity

1st world problems read by 3rd world people

In case you’ve not seen this yet.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

First time I ever thought of this concept was when Mike Sissons returned to Canada after living in Cairo, Egypt.

He grew impossibly intolerant of what Canadians considered “problems”.

Richard Glaubman, Author and Public Speaker

I spent 2 days with Richard at his school in Port Townsend, WA. Tumbl Trak and the town’s Parks & Rec department provided gymnastics instruction for all Middle School classes.

After reading an article about George Dawson, a 98-year-old man just learning to read and write, Glaubman began making regular visits to Mr. Dawson. The resulting collaboration led to the book, Life Is So Good, published by Random House.

Richard Glaubman has appeared on CBS Sunday Morning, Good Morning America, The Discovery Health Channel, and numerous regional television and radio stations. His book has been reviewed by the New York Times, The Christian Science Monitor, USA Today, The Washington Post, The LA Times, The Seattle Post Intelligencer and The Dallas Morning News, as well as many other publications. It has been a selection of both the Book of the Month Club and the Literary Guild.

By the Charter of the University of the State of New York, the New School University awarded him a doctorate of Human Letters “for outstanding achievement in the service of humankind.” And, Life Is So Good won the Christopher Award for writers whose work “affirms the highest values of the human spirit.”

bio

Life

Life Is So Good:

In this remarkable book, George Dawson, a 103-year-old slave’s grandson who learned to read at age 98, reflects on his life and offers valuable lessons in living and a fresh, firsthand view of America during the twentieth century. Richard Glaubman captures Dawson’s irresistible voice and view of the world, offering insights into humanity, history, hardships and happiness. From segregation and civil rights, to the wars and the presidents, to defining moments in history, George Dawson’s description and assessment of the last century inspires readers with the message that has always sustained him: “Life is so good. I do believe it’s getting better.”

Richard is happy to make appearances. Contract him if you’d like an inspirational talk at your school, college or book festival.

RichardGlaubman.com

family of four, 22 countries …

Karin Closson:

… We saw the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Angkor Watt in Cambodia, the Taj Mahal in India, the city of Petra in Jordan, the Parthenon in Athens, the Coliseum and St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Table Mountain in South Africa, Machu Picchu in Peru to name a few.

When you ask the kids what was there favorite part, they loved the self-drive safari in Namibia. Seeing zebras, elephants, giraffes and lions in their natural habitat was unreal and sleeping in a tent on top of the truck while you listen to the lions roaring at night was definitely an awesome memory. …

I will say that this trip has been the best thing that I have done so far in this life, other than getting married and becoming a mom!

I would encourage everyone to try something like this. It doesn’t have to be for a year or a trip around the world! You could go for 2 months and stay in one country! I really think the value in this trip was the time spent with my family, going off the beaten path …

read more – The Wrap Up, the final chapter!

family

Karin, Kim, Shay and Tegan (The Closson Clan)

the myth of Career Success

A few lucky people find the career that makes them happiest. Mark and Delia Owens, Lion researchers, for example. They plan to continue studying lions for the rest of their lives.

But that’s not what happens to the majority.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Follow Your Bliss.

Thanks Andy.