Oh, the places you'll go! Wait, but where?
April 9, 2015 3:24 PM Subscribe
First time in life that I have the freedom and resources to truly adventure for a while, and would like to do so without totally destroying my savings. What are the options?
Mid-thirties, enough saved to be comfortable for at least a year. For reasons too lengthy to be worth explaining, this is the first time in my life where I truly have the freedom to adventure. Office life is clearly not for me, and because I don't know what I want to do for my next career, want to seize this opportunity to explore life a bit.
About me: I love reading, learning, craftsmanship of many kinds, writing, art, butchery, physical work, farming, solitude, viticulture, cooking and baking. I have no dependents, and loosely would like to begin in October of this year. I am in Toronto, and am open to anywhere, including within Canada. I am not at all risk averse.
So far, wwoofing seems potentially the most attractive option. But the internet is such a vast landscape of potential directions, and I would love to hear your suggestions and recommendations.
What kinds of adventures (of 1 month up to a year) might I consider, while also trying to be thrifty about it all? Have you done this before, and what do you wish you had known in advance?
Mid-thirties, enough saved to be comfortable for at least a year. For reasons too lengthy to be worth explaining, this is the first time in my life where I truly have the freedom to adventure. Office life is clearly not for me, and because I don't know what I want to do for my next career, want to seize this opportunity to explore life a bit.
About me: I love reading, learning, craftsmanship of many kinds, writing, art, butchery, physical work, farming, solitude, viticulture, cooking and baking. I have no dependents, and loosely would like to begin in October of this year. I am in Toronto, and am open to anywhere, including within Canada. I am not at all risk averse.
So far, wwoofing seems potentially the most attractive option. But the internet is such a vast landscape of potential directions, and I would love to hear your suggestions and recommendations.
What kinds of adventures (of 1 month up to a year) might I consider, while also trying to be thrifty about it all? Have you done this before, and what do you wish you had known in advance?
I will suggest you read "How to Survive without a Salary." It is old. I am old and I read it in my teens, probably more than 30 years ago. It is written by a Canadian guy who wanted to have a life and not be slave to a salary. One of the things it talks about is traveling on a budget and also working while traveling to help defray the cost.
You could also look up articles and resources for couch surfing, camping and house sitting.
posted by Michele in California at 4:22 PM on April 9, 2015
You could also look up articles and resources for couch surfing, camping and house sitting.
posted by Michele in California at 4:22 PM on April 9, 2015
Travel without a motor as much as possible. You're in no hurry! Walk, bike, ride on camels or in sailboats. This is guaranteed to make you feel like you are on more of an adventure. In a good way.
No previous experience traveling this way is required, but feel free to memail me if you have questions or would like to be pointed to resources.
posted by aniola at 4:55 PM on April 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
No previous experience traveling this way is required, but feel free to memail me if you have questions or would like to be pointed to resources.
posted by aniola at 4:55 PM on April 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
butchery, physical work, farming, solitude, viticulture, cooking and baking.
The Farm Institute might interest you, and Oct. to Oct. on MV can be fun. They seem to be hiring.
posted by vrakatar at 6:39 PM on April 9, 2015
The Farm Institute might interest you, and Oct. to Oct. on MV can be fun. They seem to be hiring.
posted by vrakatar at 6:39 PM on April 9, 2015
Look into a caretaking position, such as is advertised on caretaker.org. You could potentially explore ALL of the interests you list in one place.
posted by mysterious_stranger at 6:57 PM on April 9, 2015
posted by mysterious_stranger at 6:57 PM on April 9, 2015
ATTRA lists some really cool farm stays/wwoof/internships.
posted by jrobin276 at 12:32 AM on April 10, 2015
posted by jrobin276 at 12:32 AM on April 10, 2015
You could travel to another country and work there for a limited time, using a Working Holiday Visa, if you are not yet over 35.
posted by Ardea alba at 7:15 AM on April 10, 2015
posted by Ardea alba at 7:15 AM on April 10, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
If you've got time, slow travel is the way to go! You can check out more details on her blog, though I think some of the information is probably outdated now. It's a great resource though.
But if you've never been traveling, maybe do a short trip or two in Canada or to other English-speaking countries first. :)
posted by ethidda at 4:21 PM on April 9, 2015 [1 favorite]