How You Can Go

Music Festivals

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Alex

A majority of my posts thus far have been about international travel. Today’s will be a little different.

I’d like to travel to get perspective, to meet people, and to enjoy myself. Well let me tell you, I was able to do all of the above at the Sasquatch Music Festival last weekend.

The festival spanned 4 days, and required a full day of travel on each end. My friends and I brought camping gear and spent 5 days on the venue’s nearby campground with thousands of other festival-goers.

I loved Sasquatch because I met new people from across the US and Canada, spent time with friends, and witnessed some of the best live music performances in my life. We enjoyed performances by new artists like Sylvan Esso and Jungle while jamming out to more established groups like Tame Impala. I met people at shows, at food stands, and at the campground.

I’ve been to day-long concerts in the past, as well as other festivals like Outside Lands in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. My friends and I will be returning to Sasquatch next year, and are currently discussing festivals and shows coming to Oregon and California in the coming months.

Give my favorite newly discovered track below a listen, and consider the possibility of trekking to the next music festival near you!

A Mock Itinerary

Posted on May 20, 2015 by Alex

I’ve been writing How You Can Go for several weeks now in an effort to gather my thoughts on travel and consider my possible opportunities. I’ve realized there are many, many opportunities available. In an effort to focus my intentions I decided I would try to create an itinerary for a possible trip using the ideas, programs, and tools I’ve discussed thus far on How You Can Go.

Where to go, where to go? Where not to go is really the question. I’ve always wanted to return to Western Europe, so I decided I’d look at airfare in the region using Google ITA Matrix Airfare Search. One of the first cities that came to mind was Lisbon, Portugal. I’ve never been to Portugal, but I’ve always wanted to visit. After trying a few departure cities in the west coast I found a steal of a flight from Oakland, CA to Lisbon, Portugal.

The prospect of meeting new people while sampling the local cuisine jumped to my mind instantly when considering what I’d do in Portugal, so I started thinking about WWOOFing. A quick Google search landed me on Portugal’s WWOOFing site
where I began looking at vacant host families looking for workers. One in particular caught my interest due to the vast size of the farm, and its focus on forestry.

I’ve done research on a blueberry farm before, and would love to expand my knowledge of sustainable agriculture. These are some under-ripe blueberries that likely found there way to someone’s table.

So far, I’d found my way to Lisbon and further on to a farm at a cost of maybe 800$—I rounded up for a bus ride to the farm and food on my trip. I then realized my flight would be getting in quite late in Portugal, and that I’d likely be quite tired. So I wandered over to to look for a place to rest up. After some hunting around I found a place I could hang out for the remainder of the week while I got my bearings and explored Lisbon.

Two nights in Lisbon would run me around $70, and I’d likely spend close to $40 on food while I poked around. This brings the grand total to around a thousand dollars.

For a thousand dollars I could be on a farm in Lisbon, meeting people and learning organic farming practices for the summer. From Lisbon I could move East and explore other cities while WWOOFing or spending time in Airbnb’s. Of course I’d need to budget another thousand to get home, but I wouldn’t necessarily include that in my initial itinerary—I think I’d like the flexibility during my travels.

I’m not a millionaire. You couldn’t even call me a thousand-aire. But this is in my reach.

With a little determination, a healthy dose of flexibility, and an urge to adventure I could make this possibility a reality. This is just one of the many opportunities available to me; just one of the many ways I can go. If you’ve got the travel bug I hope you’ll acknowledge it. Maybe you’ll be in Portugal for the summer:)

I’ve quite enjoyed making this mock itinerary, and I plan to make more in the future. Hopefully I’ve encouraged you to follow your urge to explore! Feel free to comment below if you have any ideas, or even requests for possible travel itineraries!

Cheers,

Alex

Getting There

Posted on May 18, 2015 by Alex

Hopefully my work so far on <em>How You Should Go</em> has inspired you to travel. If it has maybe you’ve picked a program to work with, or a hotel, apartment, or hostel to stay in. In my experience of researching travel options I’ve always found airfare to be the most limiting factor—it’s crazy expensive sometimes! Traveling on weekends sometimes comes out cheaper, but then I see weekday flights that are absolute deals to.

Flight costs vary wildly, it seems, so I’ve come to rely primarily on three services. StudentUniverse, Google Flights, and Matrix Airfare Search powered by Google. They have their respective advantages and disadvantages, but this is usually how my process of research works:

(1) I use Google Flights to get a basic idea of availability, prices, and flight times to and from a destination.

(2) I then use Matrix Airfare Search powered by Google to find the cheapest, cheapest flight possible—usually meaning a 30 hour flight with multiple layovers. Sometime’s I’ve seen great deals on here, but booking means visiting airline sites and booking listed flights. The Matrix Airfare Search powered by Google doesn’t book flights, but instead offers a compilation of publicly available flight times and costs.

(3) I then realize the flights on StudentUniverse are the best deal.

StudentUniverse seems to offer the best flight deals for students, and since I am still a student I expect to use the website to book future travels. If you’re not student I’d recommend some combination of the other two search sites with a bit of extra time; I’ve found the best way to find a cheap flight is to look on several websites.

In the future I’d like to research credit cards with flight mile rewards so I can start racking up points—my mom has done this for years and she has rewards including free flights for my dad when he joins her.

Where could this plane take you?

Airbnb

Posted on May 12, 2015 by Alex

If you read last weeks post you’ll know I spent this past weekend in Bend, Oregon. Finding a place near downtown on a college budget required some investigation, and luckily we were able to find a place on airbnb within walking distance to Bend’s many restaurants, breweries, and bars.

On a hike near our Bend airbnb.

If you’re unfamiliar with airbnb I’ll give you the basics.The company was started in California’s Bay Area in 2008 and operates as a go-between for people with some extra living space and people looking to travel without relying on hotels. Hosts can provide spaces ranging from their living room couch to their spare castle.

Seriously, a castle. Look a it!

Prices vary wildly, and you can travel on the cheap or you can splurge. If you decide to go the airbnb route I suggest you look at the total rental costs including charges for extra guests, pets, cleaning, and the company’s service charge. If you’re looking for extended stays these are offered as well—usually at their own reduced price. Also, if you decide airbnb interests you I’d urge you to book at least a week or two in advance as calendars do fill up in popular locations.

Now that I’ve filled you in on the basics of airbnb I’ll provide you some words of caution based on my experience and the experience of people I know.

(1) Do your research! Read past reviews, contact the host, and look at the location on google maps to get an idea of the neighborhood.

(2) Keep in contact with your host. Let them know your plans for arrival and for departure, and ask them any pertinent questions before you’re on their front doorstep. They’re there to help, but they have their own schedules too.

(3) You get what you pay for; these aren’t hotels! It’s likely you’ll have the same towels throughout your stay, and that nobody will be making you breakfast—though I’ve seen exceptions.

These are things to keep in mind before, during, and after your stay. I look forward to using airbnb in my future local and international travels. I find the prospect of staying with locals in a foreign country fascinating. Travel excites me because it provides opportunities to meet new people with new perspectives, and I think airbnb could be a catalyst for me to do so.

Where will you stay? Will it be a vineyard in Southern France? A couch in a Canada? A treehouse in New Zealand?

These opportunities all exist, you just need to chase them! 🙂

Keeping Your Urge to Travel Satisfied

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Alex

I’ve been writing “How You Can Go” for a little over a month now, and it is safe to say the process of researching so many opportunities has me itching to travel.

While I am fortunate enough to be enrolled in school this also means I must postpone any international travel until after graduation. In the meantime I have satisfied my urge to travel in a few different ways:

(1) I leave town to visit other cities like Portland and Eugene, Oregon where I can explore new places, try new foods, and meet people.

(2) I go on weekend adventures and camping trips with friends to explore the many, many outdoor attractions in the states of Oregon and California.

(3) I ask friends and family to visit me whenever possible. Although I can’t leave Oregon for extended periods of time sometimes my family and friends can visit me.

(4) I am slated to work in another Oregon town this summer—one I’ve only driven through. This opportunity will allow me to see another part of Oregon while exploring the small town and its nearby natural destinations.

I would love to buy tickets to New Zealand right now, so I could WWOOF for weeks on end while exploring the region. However, I don’t view my schooling or upcoming job in Oregon as responsibilities that hold me back, but rather as opportunities to prepare myself for my future travels.

If you’re feeling held back at the moment I’d take a minute to think about your choices and your responsibilities. If you can’t go now then hopefully you can find a way to go in the near future!

If you’re like me, keep enjoying current opportunities to travel and adventure. A few weeks ago my girlfriend and I took a trip to the Oregon Coast to enjoy the unusually warm weather—see our picture below! 🙂

Mia and I at the Oregon Coast on a weekend adventure.

This weekend we’re headed east to explore what Bend, Oregon has to offer!

I encourage you to get out and explore your local region this weekend 🙂

WWOOFing

Posted on April 29, 2015 by Alex

As you may have realized at this point I love researching about ways to travel on the cheap. Today I’d like to discuss the prospect of WWOOFing with you. It’s not just for dogs anymore: WWOOF stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, and is an organization thats been around since the 1970’s. The program pairs open-minded individuals with farmers around the globe to educate individuals on farming, support organic farmers, and foster a community of sustainably-minded people.

If you’re interested about reading the specifics of WWOOFing they have an excellent “how it works” section on their website—I’ll let you investigate on your own, but I’ll give you the basics.

(1) Work 4-6 hours a day in return for food and housing

(2) Register weeks or months in advance to stay with farmers for periods of time ranging from days to weeks to months

(3) Gain knowledge of organic farming techniques while simultaneously broadening your perspective of the country or region you’re staying in

I’m fascinated with sustainability, and feel an opportunity to WWOOF would be beneficial to my development as an environmental scientist as a human being. I am particularly drawn to WWOOF because they have a database of farmers in dozens of countries with the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada leading the pack (in numbers of hosts/volunteers). When I WWOOF I feel I will likely end up in a place like New Zealand (pictured) or Australia, though I may check out a farm closer to home before traveling to WWOOF.

Lake Pukaki and Mt. Cook in New Zealand

If you aren’t already hooked on the idea of WWOOFing I highly reccomend you check out the following video or investigate their website.

Teaching English Abroad

Posted on April 23, 2015 by Alex

Before I began school in Oregon I attended a high school in San Jose, CA. I took your standard array of classes, and met many fabulous teachers along the way. I’ve always had a great deal of respect for teachers—and have always been drawn to the idea of sharing knowledge with others.

Near the end of my sophomore year one of my favorite teachers in high school, lets call him Mr. F, announced he would be leaving the country in a few weeks. He was headed for a position as an English instructor at an American school in Taiwan. I was fascinated—I had no idea people could do that.

Since Mr. F’s departure I have stayed in touch, and in his own words, “Taiwan has been an amazing adventure… It’s easier than you think, and lots of expatriates find their way here through working in language schools.”

So what programs exist? What are they like, and what do I need to do?

Well, it varies. The three programs I come across again and again are Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), and Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA). The first two are of greatest interest to me, as I have enjoyed working with youth in the past.

Requirements vary between programs but generally follow the following theme:

(1) Must be a native English speaker

(2) Must be older than 21

(3) Must have completed a Bachelors degree—any field is usually acceptable

(4) Complete a certificate course prior to immersion as an English teacher—these usually have a fee attached prior to getting paid for work

There are requirements within each program, and I’m sure individual schools and regions have their own rules, but these programs seem to be very flexible. As time goes by the prospect of immersing myself in another culture while sharing my own is becoming more and more alluring.

The idea of visiting a place like Taroko National Park (below) while teaching in Taiwan entices me.

Chang Chun Shrine in Taroko National Park, Taiwan.

If Mr. F has made it happen then I’m sure someone like you, or myself, could too 🙂

To find more info about Teaching English Abroad check out blogs like Kate’s,
or turn to your handy dandy Google search bar to find the most up to date opportunities!

The Peace Corps

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Alex

As I begin to discuss travel options I feel I should start with one of the most highly regarded and well-known programs: the Peace Corps.

I’ve been interested in the idea of the Peace Corps for some time, and have done independent research and met with local Peace Corps representatives in the past year or so. The idea of pursuing a placement with the Peace Corps was introduced to me by a mentor of mine who served a few decades ago. Although the specifics of the PeaceCorps program have changed in recent years—namely the application process—the mission has stayed the same: to promote world peace and friendship.

I think the Peace Corps provide a fulfilling experience to volunteers, and I feel their programs tied in with graduate schools around the United States could prove very beneficial to me in both personal and professional ways.

If you’ve every been interested in the PeaceCorps, or would like to know more about them I encourage you to check out their website at http://www.peacecorps.gov/.

A Little About My Travels—Past, Present, and Future

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Alex

My name is Alex, and I am an American citizen living in Corvallis, Oregon where I attend Oregon State University. I study Environmental Science, which is truly based in global issues. I believe my background in science has allowed me to see the world in a way I wouldn’t otherwise, and it has encouraged me explore our Earth.

My previous travel experiences took place in Puerto Rico and Western Europe. My time in Puerto Rico was brief, and although I interacted with many local people I didn’t see as much of the island as I had hoped. Soon after my stay in Puerto Rico I found myself visiting Italy for two weeks with family members. I saw sights, and ate foods I didn’t know existed—I was quickly becoming hooked on travel. Fast forward a few years, after my high school graduation, and I found myself visiting France, Spain, Switzerland, and the Netherlands with my parents and sister. My desire to travel continued to grow as I saw street art in Paris, churchgoers in Barcelona, mountaineers in Interlaken, and bikers in Amsterdam. Upon returning home I realized a new life goal had been founded within me—to see more of the world.

I am currently completing my degree at school, and I am considering numerous possibilities for my years immediately following college. Throughout the next few months I will be digging into details about the PeaceCorps, WWOOFing, and TEFL travel. For now camping and road trips have scratched my itch to travel, but I know I must, and will, go further. Stick with me as I explore how people like you and I can travel the world! 🙂

The Beginning

Posted on April 7, 2015 by Alex

You’ve landed on “How You Can Go,” a blog about long-term travel. Chances are, you already have a desire to go—maybe you’re like me and international destinations hold the greatest appeal. Maybe you’re looking to embark on a road trip across the country, or an indefinite bike ride to span many states. Wherever you desire to adventure, I hope I can convince you to get up and go. My mission is to convince you to explore the world, and therefore I likely won’t be posting travel tips or itineraries. Travel tips and ideas can be found at sites and blogs like http://global-goose.com/ or http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blog/.

If you’re reading this you’re likely someplace familiar. Maybe you’re in the neighborhood coffee shop, or your school library. Perhaps you’ve just gotten out of bed, or are about to retire for the night. These are the places I often find myself retreating to the Internet in hunt of a new perspective or new ideas. Time and time again I find myself in front of my computer looking for something, anything, with which I can broaden my perspective of this great big Earth.

I’m a student well on his way to completing an Undergraduate degree, and like many I feel I have so much more to learn. I’m looking to further my education. Yes, I would like to attend graduate school in the future, and yes I’d like to master the bass guitar—but I’m talking about a living education. I need to push myself out of complacency, out of the local coffee shops and into the world. The little window you’re reading this on gives us a snapshot of the planet waiting to be explored, and I know I must go. Will you?

Now I’ve asked myself these questions time and time again. Where will I go? When? Why? I find these questions easy to answer, and often I can’t keep my mind from sprinting through possibilities. I tend to hit a wall at the “how.” Traveling great distances for long stretches of time requires a consideration of responsibilities. It means saying goodbye to your family and friends for a time, and it means taking a break from work or school. It also means opportunities to meet new friends, and new family. It means a greater perspective. To me, travel is education. I want to go, and I hope you do too. Now lets talk about how we can make it happen, for me, and for YOU.