Four years around the world

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searchinglifestudent
searchinglifestudent

I am leaving to travel around the world. To experience life and beauty of nature. I plan to be gone for 4 years. I wanted to ask the people out there for recommendations on places to go see, short term reliable work (does not matter what), and places to meet people.

In my several years journey the plan is simple.
Travel Europe, all of it, backpacking. Work as much as i can in some areas to gain cash. Before leaving Europe i would like to work with shipping or fishing vessels along the coasts of Europe. Then travel to Asia to do the some but instead i want to be able to find a place to become a Buddhist monk and take a vow of silence. Working with the communities in the area, doing whatever i can to help. Then travel through Australia and the surrounding countries, work is always good. After Australia i would go to the middle east for a short while to see and learn the culture and beauty. Then travel through Africa, maybe serving some time in the UN to help protect areas under land disputes. After traveling through Africa i would choose a place and use the money saved the work around the world to build a school. Teach everything i could and give a chance to those who may not have it. After teaching in Africa i might explore south America and central America but i am uncertain. People to meet and friends to make along the path are always welcome. I wish to take this journey once in my youth then again as an older man with my children as they make there own journey.

Places of nature and natural beauty is the main goal to SEE. I want to be able to say i traveled mother earth and saw the meaning of it all in life.

I know this may not seem a great goal or just stupid but it's my plan. I am not the best in choosing a path but i hope that many have traveled and seen places they could recommend or people they could direct me to.
Thank you

P.S don't think it stupid to point out obvious locations. help is welcome to make this possible

Edited by: searchinglifestudent

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james2020
james2020

It's a nice plan, but maybe not as feasible as you think.

Finding short term reliable work is not easy. Firstly you are going to need a visa. Then there are the language barriers to overcome, most jobs are going to require you to speak the local language. Plus with unemployment so high you are likely to have a lot of competition for any position. If you manage to earn enough to live off you are going to be doing well, let alone saving money.

Regarding working for the UN, unless you have some kind of skills/qualifications specific for that job, there is very little chance of it happening.

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vasenka
vasenka

Perhaps volunteering would lead to more job opportunities...?

Four years on the road is a major lifestyle change...essentially going ExPat...

The world is a small place...and everyone is more or less the same... Often the indigenous culture is found only in the countryside...

I would just rent a house or room in a suitable place ...and stay for a very long time in one spot... Constant travel for four years could be exhausting...and you'll tire of tourist places eventually...

The best place to become a Buddhist would be Thailand...very much open to outsiders...

Generally, I think your plans are way too expansive and idealistic... Try to focus on one area or one project at a time... Take lots of photos...they will be of value to you later... Memory fades fast...

http://vasenka.tumblr.com/

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bashomatsuo
bashomatsuo

I recommend WOOFing (with caveats: Kangaroo Island WWOOFing) in Australia and NZ

"Becoming a Buddhist monk and take a vow of silence" - not an easy thing to do at all. However, you can try it in Chiang Mai Thailand @ Doi Suthep for a week or two. Making the vow however requires not least of all understanding the vow. (The day I met the Buddha, and killed him )

Other than that good luck. I met people on mega journeys that must have seamed crazy to those they spoke to about them. Have no fear it can be done. Also: India... don't miss out especially as this is the home of Buddhism ( Bodh Gaya and the Tree of Enlightenment)

Regards,

Basho

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travelinstyle46
travelinstyle46

Bashomatsuo, the link you gave for WWOOFing does not have any caveats that I can see other than don't expect a free bed for nothing. The caveat it should have is that it is not legal for a traveller on a tourist visa to WWOOF or the like in many countries.

Is the link your own site? If so you need to correct it to advise the reader that just because WWOOF exists in a country does not mean they are legally allowed to participate. The statement, "is a way of getting around the fact that one may not have a work visa.", is absolutely INCORRECT.

In many countries such as the UK, Spain, the USA, etc. WWOOFing and the like cannot be done be a foreigner without a work permit or visa. WWOOF and the like often do not mention this on their websites. They are in the business of selling memberships and it is not in their interest to tell you that it is illegal to participate. They argue it is 'volunteering', not 'working' but Immigration in many countries do not agree.

So correct your blog to reflect the reality. Many people entering countries have been refused entry when they said they planned to WWOOF or the like. This misconception that you can WWOOF anywhere it exists needs to be stamped out. http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=WWOOF<i>illegal&oq=WWOOF</i>illegal&gs_l=serp.3..0i22i30.4704.7480.0.8082.13.10.0.3.3.1.155.1140.3j7.10.0.les%3B..0.0...1c.1.5.serp.vioivQh5BLc

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neverwinter
neverwinter

yes, well, nice plan OP. Now start looking into your work visas.

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toadoftoadhall
toadoftoadhall
blog

The cynic in me smells a troll. If it's not a troll it is incredibly naive. sorry.

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lucapal
lucapal

Interesting for sure.Naive and idealistic certainly.....the OP has got every cliche possible going on in that itinerary ;-)

Good luck anyway OP...let us know how it goes.

Remember that even a journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step...so take it slowly,don't get ahead of yourself.........

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searchinglifestudent
searchinglifestudent

It appears many do not believe this can be done and it see it as naive. Viewing life's challenges and never even trying because you defeated yourself don't mean its not possible. There are ways around everything, life is a demand. Follow that and you can get your answer.

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neverwinter
neverwinter

all the hippy-dippy babble in the world doesn't negate the need for visas.

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