But the good new is, you don’t have to spend years studying another language in order to communicate. With English being the third most commonly spoken language in the world (second if you are only counting those who learn it as a second  language) you would be surprised at how quickly you can usually find someone nearby to help you out.. In the event that you do find yourself in some of the more remote locations, here are 5 ways to overcome those language barriers, no matter where you are in the world.

1. Buy a picture dictionary (it doesn’t matter what language it’s in.) Having a visual reference to point and say “This, Please” can work much faster and easier than a game of charades or slaughtering words of a language you don’t know. I once used this tactic while dining out in Spain. I was with a man from Italy, who spoke no English (and of course I didn’t speak any Spanish or Italian) and we were in a Japanese restuarant! Of course, the handy pictures on the sushi menus came in handy when it was time to order, but we were able to overcome other language barriers by looking up pictures in my French visual dictionary.

2. Learn the 4 words that got you buy as a toddler; please, thank-you, hello, goodbye, and maybe add the phrase, “Do you speak English” in their language. It shows an interest in the culture, they will be surprised to hear it, and in my experience, much more willing to help you out. You can go to www.livemocha.com to join their language community, and learn the basics of any language for FREE, including access to native speakers.

You can also check out my language vocabulary page if you want to learn on a smaller scale (feel free to scroll up or down or look through the whole month if you want to.) While many people speak at least a little English, they are just as nervous at making mistakes, but seem to be more willing if you aren’t afraid to sound foolish yourself. Of course, remember to smile. It’s universal in almost any language.

3. Meet up with a local. Thanks to the internet, there are many resources available online to put you in touch with native speakers. I’ve already given you one, but you can also head to www.couchsurfing.org . Even if you aren’t planning on “surfing” yourself, you can always meet up with a local for a coffee, and many times they are happy to show you around their city for free. If they are a native of that country, then you have a friend who fluently speaks the language, and an interpreter can easily help you overcome some of those language barriers! You might be able to teach them something about your own culture.

4. See if they speak any other languages. Even though they might not speak English, they might know a little Spanish or one of the other romance languages, and you will find some of the root words to be similar or very close. My French, though not completely fluent, still got me by in many other countries when I was having trouble communicating with English. And remember that your accent can make a difference in how they understand the language. If they have trouble understanding it, try writing it down.

5. Worse case scenerio, get creative. Take along a sketch pad (could be handy if they are giving you directions to draw, or write it out on a map for you) and don’t be afraid to use sign language or pantomime, or even make sounds. It might seem a little embarrassing, but it will help you get your point across. If you still have trouble, try and locate a teenager or someone who appears to be from a younger generation. They should have at least some English skills fresh in their mind since many schools and universities have made English a required language.

Try not to get too frustrated and remember to have fun. Only 7% of communication is made up of the actual words we speak, which means there are plenty of ways to communicate, even if you aren’t a multi-linguist.

These are ideas that have helped me in my own travels but of course there are many others. What ways have you learned to get by in a country where you don’t speak the language?  What is your favorite language learning trick or favorite website, or how have you been able to overcome language barriers? Don’t be shy! Let’s see what else we can come up with. In the meantime, here’s a few other helpful links if you’re ready to dive in and get serious.

From “Fluent in 3 Months: Unconventional Language Hacking Tips from Benny the Irish Polygot” A great Blog and website with a forum, resources, and his popular “3 month language hacking guide.” Follow him on his own mission to learn the language in every country he visits.

Rosetta Stone Language learning system, a bit expensive for the software, but efficient, effective, and definitely cheaper than enrolling in a university class. Could be worthwhile if you are planning on living abroad somewhere.

Deviled Eggs….a traditional snack we make from the leftover hardboiled eggs

A “deviled egg,” yes, I could use a food break and I haven’t eaten one in years.  Tomorrow I am sure I will get my fill of jelly beans and chocolates as I raid their Easter Baskets, but I don’t have the excitement that I once had in my younger years. Could it be that I am finally growing up? Or maybe I look at Easter through a little bit different colored pair of glasses.

It’s hard to believe that a year ago I was in the madness of it all, right in old town Jerusalem. The flocks of Christian tourists filled the cobbled roads as military police with their machine guns took their places along the streets to keep the order and peace. I remember my family being concerned at the fact that I was in the Middle East during such a big holiday, but honestly I don’t think there was any safer place I could have been.

The “Procession,”which follows the path that Christians believe Jesus took from where he died on the cross, to where he was placed in a tomb and was resurrected (at the site where the Holy Sepulcher Church now stands in Old Town,) could be seen from the roof of the hostel I was staying at. It was literally outside my front door.

The front entrance to the hostel I stayed at in Jerusalem. It was an old nunnery

I was awoken to the melodic chant of the Franciscan monks mixed in with the Muslim call to prayer early Easter morning. An amazing, yet bitter sweet moment as I had no-one to share it with. I decided to head up to the Mount of Olives later that morning, hoping that the crowds would be inside at a morning Easter service.

Now let me just explain something a little about my spirituality. I haven’t attended Christian services for many years. I have my own beliefs about what spirituality is, and I don’t believe that I have to step inside of a church to have that feeling. Honestly with all of the different denominations in the city that Sunday, it  was a little overwhelming and confusing. I preferred the idea of being in nature instead, away from the circus of it all. Then the homesickness I often felt on holidays abroad slowly crept its way in, along with the emotion of some “boy” problems I had the night before, and I found myself weeping right there in the Garden of Gethsemine. (Well, not in the actual garden as the droves of tourists and the fences kept me from being able to sit inside.) All I wanted was some solitude, to sit for a moment and enjoy the beauty, and I was still being herded around like cattle.

Peeking my camera through the fence at the garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem

A taxi driver who I had shewed off earlier that morning trying to push a tour to Bethlehem on me approached again, but this time took his salesman hat off and put on the hat of a concerned father instead. What had happened? Why was I so upset? He offered to take me to Bethlehem at whatever price I could afford, to get away from the rest of the zoo. A little skeptical of course (and tired of unwanted attention I had been attracting there) I got into the cab in search of my reprieve. I firmly told him not to talk or flirt with me, and if there was any discrepencies in his ability to act like a professional, not only would I NOT pay him, I would do something quite violent to his male anatomy. We became friends quite quickly.

He delivered me to Bethlehem as per our agreement and I was his “V.I.P.” guest. He left me with the tour guide (who never charged me for the tour,) and then came back to pick me up. We began talking in the car and as I opened up to him, all of the sudden it became his personal mission to make sure my weekend was turned around. The next thing I knew, he was driving me down to Jericho (a few hours away) and brought me to a much more quiet place of worship, the monastary build around the Mt. of Temptation. I crawled into the cave where Jesus supposedly fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, and wept again, only this time not in sadness. An overwhelming sense of peace and happiness came over me, and I can’t even begin to describe the feeling, and the best part was I WAS alone to feel it.

The monastary Sami took me to in Jericho

People often ask me what the most peaceful place is that I have ever traveled too. I have had a lot of peaceful moments; watching the sun rise on the mediterranean without a spec of land  in sight, swimming with the fish in the crystal clear waters of the Red Sea, sitting high on a mountain top in Montenegro seeing nothing but land and sea around me, but in a country where they are fighting so hard for peace, I have to say, THAT was the most peaceful feeling I have felt in my whole life.

I  don’t know what happened to Sami the cab driver. We lost touch after that weekend, but he stayed true to his word and never once made any advances. I even went hiking alone with him to another monastery further in the canyon the next day.  Some people call me crazy and say that I was much too trusting, but somehow I felt protected in that sacred place. I couldn’t help but see the irony if he had tried anything, (we were in the desert next to the Mt of Temptation.) After all of that,  he still wouldn’t accept payment from me  and it should have cost at least a couple hundred dollars, not to mention the business he lost from other paying customers on that busy tourist weekend.

So a man who acts like a brother or father, who made a sacrifice to help me work through some of my own personal problems… I was beginning to see the lesson here. I am full of gratitude and weep even to this day thinking of the man who was “my savior” that Easter weekend, an Arab Muslim helping a Christian girl realize the true meaning of Easter.

I don’t know what denomination you are nor do I feel it matters. If I could leave you with one thought this Easter Sunday, it would be to just think about all that you have in this life, and be grateful for whatever source you feel it came from. And if you ever find your way to Israel or Palestine, be sure to say hello to my friend Sami the cab-driver.

My first canyoneering experiencing in the French Alps.

If you couldn’t tell already, I LOVE adventure. So many of the activities and tours that I choose to participate in center around getting that extra boost of adrenaline. Because I save so much money in some of the other areas I travel, tours are something I am happy spend a little more money on (especially if it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.) I have listed my top five here (so far) based on the level of adrenaline they provide as well their pricing.

1. Canyoneering in the French Alps (Moderate)

Canyoneering is basically descending through a mountain canyon by climbing, rappelling, swimming and jumping through slippery waterfalls and ravines. Depending on the height of the cliffs it can provide a fair level of adrenaline and is recommended for someone with a moderate level of fitness.  (my trip was done in the Loup Gorge in the French Alps and was arranged by the hostel.) It can be done where ever you might find a decent mountain canyon (Such as Italy, Switzerland, New Zealand, and in the U.S. Utah and Colorado) Pricing will depend on the location, but I paid about 40 Euro (around $60) for a day trip which included all gear rental, transportation and a guide. Here is an example of what it looks like (my  water proof camera was no longer working so I didn’t get my own footage from that day, but here’s an idea of what I experienced.)

2. Caving (Budapest Hungary) (Moderate)

Because of the complex system of underground thermal activity in Hungary, you can find caves underneith many parts of Budapest and surrounding cities, which leads to another great activity for those not afraid of the dark or confined spaces. Making your way through tiny crevices, rappelling down narrow ravines, and not quite knowing when you will reach the bottom is not for the claustrophobic, but there are alternate, easier paths you can take as your guide leads you through the system.

3.Scuba Diving (Red Sea, Egypt)

If you want to visit an an entirely new world, try scuba-diving. There are many diving centers that will allow a “try dive” which does not require any training or certification (other than a quick lesson on and off the boat of how to use the equipment. ) You will be with a guide the entire time (who will hold your hand and be constantly checking your equipment) and you will only dive to a maximum of 10meters (around 30 feet.) Diving is not for everyone, but this is definitely a great way to decide if it’s right for you. I found myself staring a Dolphin and it’s calf right in the eye, and I can’t even describe the feeling. Places where diving is less expensive and a good place to try is Thailand, Belize, and the Red Sea in Egypt, but next on my bucket list is exploring the Great Barrier Reefs of Australia, and swimming with Whale Sharks up in the northwest corner near Darwin. My heart can’t stop racing just thinking about it!

First first dive in Hurghada Egypt, in the Red Sea

4.Camel Trekking (Sahara Dessert, Morocco) (Mild)

The idea of riding a camel through the dessert has adventure written all over it. Once we were bored with the busy, crowded markets of Marrakech, we packed up our camels and rode off into the sunset to the sahara dessert. A traditional berber tent was set up as we prepared an authentic Moroccan meal over the campfire. Trips can be arranged anywhere from an overnight stay, to a few days, to weeks trekking through the dessert. To add a little excitement from the slow camel ride, try hopping on a pair of skis or snowboard and hit the steep dunes for some sandboarding.

5. Floating in the Dead Sea (Israel and Jordan) (Mild)

Standing on the shores of the Dead Sea

There’s nothing like the feeling of NOT being able to sink while swimming in a sea of salt, or being at the lowest place on earth! You will find the drive there quite stunning, as you head through vast desert, through steep and winding roads, and descend lower and lower to what feels like the pit of the earth! There are several stops along the way, such as the beautiful city of Jericho, which is said to be the oldest city in the world with monastaries carved into mountain rocks (one around the cave of temptation) or if you keep heading south, you can continue on to Jordan to visit the ancient city of Petra (a truly spectucular and stunning site itself.)

A wonderful day trip through the ancient city of Petra, in Jordan

None of these activities will give you heart pounding adrenline unless you love taking a step back into ancient time, but they are all definitely worth a visit if you ever find yourself in the Middle East.

No matter where you decide to go, you can find adventure anywhere in the world! So what are some of your favorite adventures or trips you have taken? What have you been too afraid to do?

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I have always wanted to see the world, but one of my biggest inspirations for actually getting out there came from reading the book “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho shortly before I started my travels. The book is a fable about a shepherd who dreams of a treasure waiting for him at the Pyramids of Egypt. Realizing he can always come back to being a shephard, he decides to leave his flock behind in pursuit of his dream. At a time when I was struggling to move my own career forward, it was the exact inspiration I needed to leave my own “flock” behind for a while. With a little planning I was on a plane to Spain a few months later.

I recently came across Mr Coelho’s blog while browsing through Facebook. Funny that I had never thought of adding him as a “friend” before considering what a profound impact his book has had on my life over the past two years. So I thought what better way to show my appreciation than by dedicating an entire blog post to him, who coincidentally was paying tribute to an even more remarkable man, Albert Einstein.

So here are the first 5 lessons combined with my own life lessons I’ve learned. Stay tuned for the second half coming soon.

1. Follow Your Curiosity  “I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.”

I am surprised by how many things I discovered I liked that I had no previous interest before, and I never would have discovered them had I not at least tried. Case in point, decorating tables and flower arraignments. I don’t claim to have any special skills in that area, but dinner table center pieces became my outlet for creativity at one point, and I soon found myself passionately curious. The same thing holds true in creating this website and blog. While my true passion is writing, I have been consumed in learning more about internet marketing and social media to bring myself up to speed with the rest of the marketplace, reading articles or watching videos of how to do it and then fumbling my way through it. You could never hire me as a web-developer, but I am surprisingly addicted to learning all of the jargon and strategies that at one point was so foreign to me.

2. Perseverance is Priceless “It’s not that I’m so smart; it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”

Which brings me to my next point, which is that if I stay with something long enough, eventually I get the hang of it and gain another valuable skill that I can bring to the market place. Perseverance has always prevailed for me. You don’t know how many times I wanted to jump off that first boat I worked on, but sticking through even as I fumbled around is what allowed me the opportunity to travel independently for the next several months on my own. No matter what, stick through with your goals and don’t quit!

3. Focus on the Present “Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.”

Originally my goal was to travel to 30 countries in honor of turning 30, but I became so caught up in the goal at times that I wasn’t enjoying what was right in front of me, and although I was seeing and experiencing things many people might never have the chance or opportunity to, I was too focused on the past or future instead of enjoying what was going on right in front of me. Sometimes you have to take time to stop and smell the roses, and to savor each beautiful step along the way. Once I let go, it traveling became an even more rich and fulfilling experience..

4. The Imagination is Powerful“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions. Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

My dream and vision mural I painted in Hollywood Florida before my travels

The vision board I painted on my wall above my bed studio in Florida is a perfect example of how powerful your imagination can be. Without knowing how I would do it at the time, I have seen or accomplished most of the things on that board. The perfect job (for that moment,) bringing my dad to Poland and going to Auschwitz together, and many other things I am still in the process of. But I will add that you can’t JUST imagine, you have to put inspired action behind it. Wow is it powerful if used appropriately.

5. Make Mistakes “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”

Broken dishes, fried laptops, broken cameras. Yes, I will admit to being mildly clumsily (some of my friends might say that I’m a little more,) and holy Toledo you should have seen the bruises on my body from trying to fit a 5’11 frame into the confines of a tiny boat. Yes, a career in yachting might not be the perfect match for me, but hey, I least I tried. And as another wise man once said, “although success is nothing sure, I’ve  cried. It’s failure that wins when nothing’s tried.” Thanks Dad!

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This is a continuation from my previous post from author Paolo Coelho’s blog .

6. Live in the Moment “I never think of the future – it comes soon enough.”

The Sea of Galilee, the Mt of Jericho, even canyoneering in the French Alps are all spontaneous things that happened as the result to little or no planning. It’s great to do a certain amount of planning, but some of my greatest memories happened by being completely spontaneous. I learned that in life, it’s great to have a plan, but to not be completely rigid in that plan, and to stay open to other possibilities.

7. Create Value “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”

Sometimes I think we lose what it really means to provide a service, make a significant difference, and actually help someone without expecting anything in return. My older brother (who I will brag on for a moment here) has lived by this principle, and as a result he has more to show for it in his life than anyone else I know. A successful businessman, an active member of the community, a loving husband, and five beautiful loving children. If you want more in life, help more people get what they want. The universe has a way of paying back the debt. What you sow, that too ye shall reap.

8. Don’t be repetitive “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

Man I feel like I’ve been through the ringer sometimes, until I realized that maybe it’s because I had to learn that lesson before I could move on. Little by little I am learning to do things a bit differently and I am finding much better results in life.

9. Knowledge Comes From Experience “Information is not knowledge. The only source of knowledge is experience.”

The “University of Life” has taught me far more than anything I ever studied in a college text book. A broken engagement, a failed business, (with piles of debt to pay off from that business) and many other wrong turns on the journey through life. Upon returning home, many have asked if I thought about returning back to school, but I would much rather spend the twenty or thirty thousand dollars continuing to travel and learning more lessons from the world instead.

10. Learn the Rules and Then Play Better “You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.”

I’m rather competitive and I don’t like losing, but all of the lessons I have learned have taught me simply that I’ve been playing by the wrong rules. As soon as you realize that and change the rules, life suddenly becomes so much easier. It almost doesn’t feel like a fair match to the rest of the competition anymore. One of my favorite ideas behind this comes from  the classic novel by Florence Shovel Shinn, The Game of Life and How to Play It. If you know the rules, you’re much more likely to win the game.

My last trip ended in Egypt, which coincidentally was the same place where the hero in The Alchemistends his journey. I had been struggling for some time in deciding when to come home, and wanted to keep traveling as I hadn’t reached my goal of thirty countries yet, but for some reason I felt that my family needed me back home. After my own strange series of dreams, I cancelled a trip through Thailand, Africa and India and booked a return ticket home instead, just in time for my grandmother to pass away and for my father to become very ill.

Throughout my travels  I had been searching for this concept of “home,” yet it took actually coming “home” for me to realize that home is not a place, it is a feeling, and can be felt and reached no matter where you are in the world. I will always have the wings to travel and don’t think I will ever grow tired of learning about new cultures and sharing in exciting adventures, but I finally realized that the “roots” I was searching for existed inside of me all along.

So what are some of the lessons you have learned, either through your own travels or through life? Please feel free to comment below. Also, as this book was the catalyst for my travels, I would highly recommend it for an inspiring read.

Click on the money to tell me your answer!

1. Fortune Cookies aren’t Chinese

According to the tour guide on a tour through ChinaTown in San Fransisco, they were actually invented in America by a Japanese immigrant.  The cookies landed on Asian shores in about 1993, but still are mostly consumed by Americans. Although the actual inventor is still under debate (there are many immigrants wanting to take credit) they did originate somewhere in California at the early part of the 19th century. One thing for sure, don’t expect to find many of them if you ever make your way to China.

2. Pizza isn’t Italian

Italy has some amazing dishes including some of the best pizza, but you might be surprised to find out that the culinary treat actually came from Greece. The first round flat breads were covered in oils, herbs, and spices, and made their way over to Italy in the 18th century, when the Italians began calling them “pizzas.” They were first sold by street vendors in Naples, who began adding additional toppings and created what we now know as pizza today.  Naples by far has some of the best “pizza” in the world, and it is definitely worth a trip just for the pizza alone!

3. Pasta isn’t Italian either!

So while we are on the subject of Italy, pasta isnt’ truly Italian either. It was believed to have been imported from China by Marco Polo, but further research traces it back to Arab cultures who had the first version of a dried noodle or dough in noodle form dating back to the 5th century, which made it’s way over to Sicily and spread to other parts of Italy. Other historians trace back to Greece with the first version of the lasagna noodle, a large flat unleavened dough (more closely related to the “pizza” dough in the since that it was baked rather than boiled.)

4. French Fries arent’ French

You would think because of the large number of fast food chains in the U.S. that they were invented here, but that is also incorrect. Belgium is credited for having some of the best fries in the world, and the “frites” became a popular treat in the 18th century. When soldiers ate the tasty snack, they named them “French” because of the language spoken by the Belgian soldiers, but the first fried potatoes were consumed in the late 1600′s by poor farmers who could not fry fish when the rivers were frozen.

5. So IS corned beef Irish?

The largest production of corned beef did come from Cork. However, it was exported and eaten primarily by British soldiers during the Napoleanic wars. It was a source of great wealth for the colonial nations of Britain and France, but Irish farmers were much too poor to eat beef themselves. Since most of the cattle was owned by the colonies, natives from Ireland rarely ever ate it in it’s natural or cured form, and in fact began to look at it with disdain as cattle farms began to take over their land, eventually leading to the great famine in Ireland.  When immigrants came to America, the cured meet was readily available and affordable, which is possibly why it is eaten so much in America today on Saint Patricks Day to celebrate the holiday. In Ireland, the closest traditional dish is Bacon and cabbage.

So there you have it. I hope I didn’t ruin your holiday. If so, just go and find yourself a nice green beer to cheer you up!

It seems like only yesterday that I was in Budapest Hungary, receiving a rose shaped box with a lovely pair of thong underwear stuffed inside, (complete with the gigantic set of lips right near the you know what) from a guy I had met at a bar a few days earlier. If that doesn’t scream romance, I don’t know what does! What I failed to mention was it actually was supposed to be an apology for his rather stalker-like behavior a few days before (on Valentines Day) when I told him that I was working and couldn’t go out with him.

After accusing me of lying, hanging up, repeatedly calling back, (denying it) and then trying to guilt-trip me by telling me he had spent all day cooking for me ( I hadn’t even agreed to go out with him) I eventually shut my phone off and wrote him off as another psycho. My friend (who had been with me the night we met) ran into him again, which was when he had her bring the “rose’ back to my work and told her to have me call me him.) Classy!!  After a few more texts and phone calls in the weeks following, he eventually realized his attempts were futile and finally gave up.

As I think about the holiday, I can’t help but think of all the other interesting encounters I’ve had on my travels so far making me realize that when it comes to love, you can say that cupid hasn’t always had my best interest in mind. Let’s just take my good friend “Romeo” for example.

I think Romeo got a little confused and ended up at the wrong balcony.

In Sicily on the eve of my 30^th birthday, I decided to be a little adventurous and accepted a ride on the back of the moped back to my hotel. It was a friend of some people we were hanging out with earlier that night, and I made it very clear that he was only dropping me off near my hotel, he was NOT invited up. After a short ride (and him giving me a chance to drive for a moment) I had him stop about a block away from the hotel insisting that I would walk the rest of the way. After a little persistence, he finally let me go and I came back to my room thinking nothing more of it.

The next morning while I was upstairs in the bathroom (my friends and I had rented a two-story suite to splurge for my big day) I heard a scream coming from downstairs. “Everything okay?” I asked, heading down to investigate. When I got to the bottom of the stairs, my friend was standing with her sharp heel in one hand, ready to assault a guy who was standing in the windowsill of our 3^rd story hotel room. (Yep, you guessed it, the same guy who had dropped me off the night before.) “Romeo” had decided to scale 3 stories up the side of our hotel to wish me a “Happy Birthday.” How he knew our hotel or even our room I will never know, but after picking up the phone to call the hotel security, he quickly walked himself out the door, never to be seen or heard from again.

As if I didn’t learn my lesson from the first Italian, in Malta I met my second stalker up by the gardens. After talking for a while he seemed nice enough, so we agreed to continue the conversation over dinner. We headed out to a restaurant (he ordered clam spaghetti for me, my least favorite) and as the night wore on, I realized it wasn’t really a “love connection.” I didn’t give him my phone number, but probably through the course of conversation let out more information then I probably should have.

A few days later while I was helping the boys scrub down the boat (which was on the other side of the island and the opposite pier) one of the deck hands came up to tell me that there was a guy waiting out on the dock for me (and had been waiting there for a few hours.) He had found out where the boat was and was waiting outside the security gate! (Luckily they wouldn’t let him through.) Not wanting to be a prisoner on my own boat and having plans later that night back in town, I hid in the back of our drivers car (armed with a can of mace our chef gave me) and got myself back to the other side of the island passing by him unnoticed. Eventually I  had to face the music when I ran into him in town. I told him my “boyfriend” and I gotten back together and I couldn’t speak to him anymore. He took it surprisingly well so fortunately I didn’t have to use the mace, but he handed me his email in case I ever changed my mind. He’s still waiting.

Of course let’s not forget the array of male anatomy I’ve been subjected to (not by my choice.) From the cab driver in Cairo who I first thought was making a hand gesture asking if I was married (until I looked down to see he had fully exposed himself, and was really asking me something quite different,) or the guy sitting across from me on a train in France (who was a little startled when I woke up and caught him playing his own ”fiddle,”) to the old guy at the thermal baths in Hungary who decided it was much more fun to do his business in the public showers with the curtains wide open. But the weirdest was waking up on a bus-ride on my way to Barcelona to a guy stroking my bare feet. Yes, my feet! I didn’t dare fall asleep on another train or bus ride again, ever! I’ve certainly met my fair share of frogs out in the world, and there was no way I was kissing any of them to find out if they were really prince charming.

The locks in Verona, a tradion for a couples in love

But for every dozen bad eggs, there always comes a few good ones, so for my last story I will leave you with the image of a lovely couple I met in Verona, just underneath the real Juliet’s balcony. Although we didn’t speak the same language, I was able to gather through hand gestures and pantomime that they were there for their 1 year anniversary, and were placing a lock on the fence to “lock their love.” They asked me to take their photo, and then I snuck one on my own camera to remind me of what real love should look like. So where-ever they are in the world today, (as well as the pyschos, stalkers, flashers, and the few decent guys I did manage to meet out there in the world,) here’s to hoping cupid will stop by and bring the love that everyone deserves.

The happy couple "locking their love" in Verona

ACCOMMODATIONS

1. I’ve  been blessed to keep meeting people and making connections all over the world and the more I travel the easier it becomes. I’ve stayed in touch, and ended up staying  with people from back home now living overseas, as well as people I’ve met on the road. Do you have  distant relatives somewhere in the world who might be excited to finally meet you? I found relatives in Poland, who although were poor as church mice, opened their home and their fridge to me and my dad (I’m not kidding, despite our protests they wouldn’t stop trying to feed us!) Make sure to have something to give in return (even something that you may have picked up traveling) to thank them for their generosity. Remember to always be grateful, and never have any expectations. Be open to the experience!

2.  How can a perfectly good stranger let you into their house and not ask for anything in return? Well ask Ori Bengal, a professional “couchsurfer” who has been traveling around for free by staying on strangers couches. Couchsurfing is a growing online community based on trust and donations, and I’ve met some great people from it. When I was in Holland I had my wallet stolen on the way to a couchsurfing event. I ended up staying for a week in Belgium (just over the border) with some fellow couchsurfers I met at the party while I was getting my banking details and life sorted out again. If you aren’t comfortable with a perfect stranger, the events are a great way to meet people first so you aren’t going into the situation blind, and you also get a much more cultural experience hanging out with some of the locals. Also a great way to find a free interpreter if you are in a country where you don’t speak the local language (you might learn a few words in the process.)

3. Work for your stay. Hostels, farms, and even some language immersion programs will allow you to work for a few days in exchange for free accommodation. Some cleaning or labor might be involved (or even just conversing with locals to help them become fluent in the language) but it is a great way to cut down on costs.

4. Maybe another scary concept for those thinking about trust issues, but if you own a home, a “home exchange” gives you the luxury of traveling to another location and have a home away from home. Make sure you have a good insurance policy that would cover damage or theft while you are away if someone else is occupying your home, and be sensible about leaving valuables and making yourself an easy target. Just with couchsurfing, there are online profiles where you can get to know the person in advance, and decide if they would be a compatible exchange for you. It gives you the luxury of being in a comfortable location (maybe on the beach, on a lake or in a ski chalet) without having to worry about timeshare ownership or exchange fees. If you own multiple properties and would be renting them out anyways, why not set aside a week or so of vacant time for someone to use, where you could exchange for another place for free? There are quite a few websites out there if you want to try it out for free or with very little investment, check out www.geenee.com or www.exchangeaway.com for starters.

AIRFARE

5. Become a frequent flyer mile junkie! If you have good credit, start building up those miles. Many credit cards offer bonuses when signing up which could already be enough to pay for a domestic ticket, without even using the card. If you travel a lot for work already, see if your company will allow you to book it yourself and be reimbursed. You may also be eligible for free upgrades because of your loyalty status with the airline. For a review of some of the best cards out there, the bonuses, and the associated fees check out  www.creditcards.org/airline. To talk to other “junkies” check out a few forums online such as www.pointsguy.com

TOURS

6. Of course there are many wonderful tours that you can book in advance, and to be able to afford doing even more, why not consider doing a FREE walking tour? It will help you get familiar with the lay out of the city, introduce you to other travelers, and if you haven’t planned anything in an advance, give you an idea of what you really want to spend more time exploring. The largest and most well know is Sandemans offering tip based tours in 14 countries around Europe, but there are smaller less developed companies out there if you look. You pay in tips, based on the value of what you feel they gave you on the tour.  Also, through the couchsurfing website, you can connect with people who just want to be a resource in their home town, offering to meet for coffee and show you around to all their favorite places. Some tour companies such as Kontiki have a “layaway” program, allowing you to book a tour, and then earn credit towards free tours by referring your friends.

MUSEUMS & ATTRACTIONS

My free tour inside the Colusseum in Rome

7. Lucky for me, the weekend I was in Rome happened to be “free museum weekend” allowing me to not only go to the Coliseum for free, but also through the Vatican museum (which happens to be the last Sunday of every month.) Check in your guidebooks for locations that offer free or half price admission on certain days of the week.  Most churches and synagoges are free (with paid guided tours around the circumfrince. ) A great website for traveling in the  U.S. is http://free-attractions.com/ For international travel, you may want to look in the community section on craigslist under events, or even on angloinfo.com. There is also a great article from Lonely Planet’s Website, “The World’s Finest freebies, suggesting the Staten Island Ferry in New York, as well as the Louvre museum in Paris. You can read the full article here.

TRANSPORTATION

8. The days of sitting on the road with your thumb outstretched are long over. Try cyber-riding instead. Several websites (along the same premise as the others before) allow you to set up a profile and find people who are driving to the locations you plan to go. Think of it like proactive hitch-hiking, only hopefully you are smart enough to at least have all the persons details (such as phone, email, etc) and to choose the right people to ride with. Some are ridesharing where you would contribute to the cost of fuel with a few people, and some will offer the ride for free. Use your best judgement and give yourself enough time that you can be comfortable with the person you are riding with (although you never really know for sure.)  Here are a few websites to check out depending on where you are going:

www.carpoolworld.com (24 countries in U.S/Europe)

www.hitchhikers.org (Europe)

www.digihitch.com (worldwide forum)

www.catchalift.com (Australila, Canada, New Zealand, U.K.

www.needaride.com.au (Australia/New Zealand)

www.craigslist.com (Rideshares for U.S., Europe, Asia, Africa, Canada, U.K, Aus.

RANDOM STUFF

9. Do you have some items you need for the trip, but don’t have (or want to spend the money to buy?) Consider signing up for www.listia.com, a free community where you list things you don’t want, earn credit, and then use that credit to exchange and bid for things that other people are giving away. You get immediate credit when you sign up to start shopping, and the more stuff you list, the more you can get in return. From electronics (such as cameras) to gift cards, even FOOD can be traded on this site. Craigslist also has a free section listed where you might be able to pick up a few useful things for your travels:

10. Well it’s not exactly free, but www.livingsocial.com has steep discounts on restaurants, spas, theaters, bars, and pretty much any other service you can think of while (you’re at home as well as on the road.) Planning before you go could save you 50% or more on some of these services, and the best part is their referral program. If you want the service for FREE simple buy first, and send the same deal to 3 friends. If they buy, you get yours for free!!!

So yes my friends, traveling without a lot of money is possible. I won’t say that you don’t need any, but there’s definitely possibililties if you are willing to think outside the box and use a little creativity.

The top of the mountain of Bachledova Dolina

When I first saw the sign on the hostel corkboard in Poland, I didn’t think it was possible myself. A day pass, plus accommodations and equipment rental for less than 35 Euros? Had I died and gone to heaven? I can’t even get a single day pass here in the states for less than 50 dollars a day, (which is about the equivilant, not including accommodation, rentals, or anything else.) So as any avid snowboarder would be in search of cheap powder, I hopped on a bus to the boarder of Poland and Slovakia and headed to the small village of Zdiar, high in the Tatra mountain range.

Once I crossed the boarder from Poland, I began to take in the stunning mountain views on my short bus ride to the small village. With several ski resorts that service the area and a host of summer activities once the

The "Ginger Monkey" Hostel I stay at

snow has melted such as rafting, horse back riding and paragliding, I started to feel right at home to the Rocky mountains I am used to back in Utah. I checked into my hostel, a traditional Slovic timber house right in the center of the village (which had dorm rooms as well as private rooms starting at 12 euros per night) and cozied up with a hot cup of tea as they began to arrange my equipment rental for my stay (for 5 euros a day, offering a cheaper rate for longer term rentals.) They also geared me up with some snow pants and gloves for a nominal price to make sure I was prepared for the elements.)

The village had a few options for dining from a great pizza joint, to more traditional Slovic cuisine starting at about 5euros, and when it came to drinking, shots started at about 1 euro for a shot. (There were also a few grocery stores in town if you wanted to buy and make your own food back in the lodge.)

The next day (with mother nature’s cooperation) we headed up to the freshly powdered slopes right outside the village and I purchased my day pass (which ranges from 12-17 Euros a day depending on the resort.) There is a more challenging and bigger resort within about a 15 minute drive from the village, which has a great bar/disco for a late night out. The conditions when I went in December were amazing, with a dumping of early winter snow, but some resorts even have snowmaking capabilities allowing you to ski late into the season even if mother nature (or global warming) doesn’t cooperate.

The front entry to our hostel after a day on the mountain

So recapping on price, 10-15 euros a night for accommodations (which there are many pensions in the village that can accommodate the single traveler as well as a family or group traveling together.)  5 euros a day for equipment rental, 15 euro for a day pass, and 5 euros for a decent meal. Not bad for a snow-boarder on a budget. I ended up staying in the quaint village for over a week, taking a break from the snow to head down to the warm thermal baths of Aqua City in the nearby city of Poprad, a water park complete with adult water slides and a cozy swim up bar all built on a gigantic thermal pool (and a great place for a cheap massage as well.)

For those on not as tight of a budget, packages can be purchased for hotels and spas located right in the resorts, and the nearby boarder town of Zakopane in Poland has additional ski resorts as well.

The High Tatras can be reached easily by train and a short busride, either from Krakow Poland through the resort town of Zakopane (3hrs) or coming from the south,  Bratislava or Budapest (6hrs), taking a bus from Poprad to the boarder town of Lysa Polana. Be sure to check bus times and train schedules as times vary throughout the season.

When a local woman I met on the ferry insisted that her father drive me to my hostel after we arrived, it reconfirmed the warm Irish hospitality, but I was unprepared for the shockingly cold weather. Granted it was January and I know the weather there is unpredictable,  but a snow-jacket and boots? Where were all these green rolling hills full of four-leaf clovers? (They were there, just covered in a haze of cold, wet, white stuff.)

Clear weather right before the storm at the bridge

Despite the bad weather, I decided to make the most of my trip, so I did a short tour through Belfast the next morning and then headed up to the North of Ireland to find the Carricks Rope Bridge, and the Giants Causeway. It was a rather small group of us (myself, another American guy there on business, and a husband and wife with two grumpy teenagers from England.) The driver pointed out all of the haunted castles and hotels as we made our way along the coastline, (which the stories seemed quite suiting for the gray weather and the less than cheery disposition of the teenagers riding with us.)

Finally, we made it to our first stop near Ballintoy. The suspension bridge connects a cliff to a neighboring island and was originally built for fishermen to get to the island.  Obviously for safety reasons, they close it down to tourists  if there are icy conditions but luckily to that point the weather had cooperated with us. And then as soon as we got out of the car, a flurry of snow and sleet began pelting down on us. “You’re lucky” the driver said in his lovely Irish accent. “If it had been snowing like this earlier, they would have already shut it down.”

2hPmmeF6oIA

Yes, how lucky we were!  About to cross a narrow foot bridge over sharp jagged cliffs with snow pelting in our faces. One slip and we could have fallen to the icy waters below and I’m sure become another character in one of his creepy ghosts stories, (mostly of souls who had lost their lives by falling off those very cliffs.)  Where was that damn Leprechaun when I needed him?  Aren’t they supposed to grant you a wish or something? Eventually I decided that as long as they were going to let me on it, it must be safe enough (rain, snow or shine.) After making my way cautiously over the rickety bridge to the island and back, the snow immediately stopped (of course!) We made our way to the Giants Causeway, stopped for a hot whiskey at the Bushman’s distillery, and then we all went our separate ways again.

I decided to keep heading south, thinking maybe I would find some warmer weather. I joined up with another tour  for the next few days in Dublin, which took me through Killarney, over the Dingle Peninsula, up on the west side to Glasgow, and stopping at the Cliffs of Mohr. Another opportunity for a dramatic vista shot and the possibility of falling off a sheer cliff and being swept out to sea.

And of course mother nature decided to work her magic again. Fog as thick as molasses had rolled in that morning and hadn’t managed to burn off yet. We decided to head into the visitors center to wait it out. After about an hour, we came back out to find that the visibility had become even worse.  Me and a friend  decided to head out anyway, thinking maybe with a combination of my positive attitude, and her determination to see the cliffs, we might be able to lift it. As the afternoon grew later and the fog thicker, we finally accepted that all we were going to see was the “Fog of Mohr” (and I still hadn’t seen that damn Leprechaun.) We went back into the visitors center and I  bought a postcard so at least I knew what they could have looked like.

What the cliffs of Mohr would have looked like

As unpredictable as the weather can be in Ireland, isn’t life sort of the some way? We never know when obstacles and challenges are going to be thrown at us, nor do we get to wait around for the “weather” to improve.  We have to take what we can get, keep moving forward and hope that maybe the sun will shine tomorrow.

Fast forward to today, far away from Ireland, but somehow my body clock seems to  still be on the same time zone. This is the second all-nighter I have had in a 2 nights because I can’t seem to get my thoughts to slow down long enough for my fingers to even type. Hell, I think I even forgot to eat today, (which I finally remembered to do around 4 a.m. this morning.) Multiple projects and books being written, (with plenty more forming in my head.) What I can’t understand is why I couldn’t seem to formulate any of these thoughts into ink before Ireland? Then I remembered my visit to the Blarney castle while I was in Cork, and kissing that slimey wet stone.  The legend says that when you kiss the stone. “you will be struck with eternal eloquence  and never be at a loss for words.”  I didn’t catch mono or a cold as everyone warned me (because of the millions of people who kiss that very same stone,) but was it possible I had caught the “gift of the gab?”

I’m not sure about the eloquence part, but I definitely haven’t been at a loss for words, and things seem to be flowing more smoothly now than they ever were before. If that’s what I gained on my visit through Ireland, despite the chilly weather and the disappointments, that is far better than any picture I could have ever taken, leprechaun I could have caught, or lucky 4-leaf clover.

Learn more about Ireland here.