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Everything Is As It Should Be

March 20, 2020

My latest trip taught me various things like, ‘Do not travel with stuff you don’t want lost’, and ‘Don’t leave your jacket in reach of wild boars that people keep as pets,’ and ‘If you travel with a container full of active sourdough, expect it to ooze out and onto your belongings.’ Then there’ve been other observations, like ‘Don’t hitchhike on religious holidays – cars are full, and no one stops.’ I learned that the day I left for my journey on All Saint’s Day, and I had to walk hours into the night hoping there’d be a motel at…

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Travel

Is A Van The Best Way To Travel New Zealand?

April 8, 2018

Congratulations! You made it to New Zealand. Are you already thinking about getting a van to live out of? The van is by far is the most popular way to travel the two islands, offering the mobility of going where you want, when you want, and you can sleep out of it. Just because it’s popular, is it really the best way to experience New Zealand? Whether the upkeep, the fuel costs, the limitedness of where you could park, depending on your situation, traveling by van may not be the best choice for you. TL;DR; if you’re willing to…

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Culture & Immersion, Narrative

The Māori Mindset

January 5, 2018

Travel brings many insights, by hitchhiking, many more. I decided, I’m not going to plan anything in New Zealand. Why should I need to? I’ve come with the belief that, to experience New Zealand, you don’t need to plan anything. All you need is basic preparation: a tent, a bag, a thumb, and a smile. In my first two weeks, I’ve seen countless mountain ranges, sand dunes and stunning beaches, but the most interesting experiences were with the locals, both indigenous and colonist. My first driver was a friendly racist named Peter. He worked his ass off employing a team…

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Narrative, Travel

Journey to Cape Reinga

December 20, 2017

There were no roosters to cock-a-doodle doo this morning, instead, at around six, a symphony of birds, mosquitoes and other unseen forest animals squealed out a resounding wake up call. I feel groggy; I got six hours of sleep separated by five hours of jet lag insomnia. Sleeping in a bushy forest is always mixed bag of goodies, you never know how hungry the mosquitoes are, or if you’ll find a flat spot to pitch your tent where nobody will see. I’ve had worse than this. I start the morning with my pack up and slap dance: fold my tent…

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Narrative

Discovering Socialist Living in Post Soviet Dresden

July 29, 2017 1 Comment

What an embarrassing display! I’m standing at a busy intersection with my sign, trying to get a stranger to stop and pick me up and not one car will look at me as they drive by. I had just walked 7 miles south out of Berlin so to save myself 2 euros and however many cents for a fare card. I’m one city into my odyssey around Germany and there I was, standing under a hot June sun for what felt like an eternity. I swear, I tried everything: dancing, waving my sign, hopping up & down and most importantly, I glued a big fat smile on my…

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Travel

Test Dummy Guide to Planning your Backpacking Escape

April 18, 2017 2 Comments

Have you pondered leaving all the dregs of life to go chase your pink dragons in foreign paradises. Lying I would be, if I said I wasn’t. If you’re like I was, working a full time job with hopes of escape in the future then you’re in good hands! I’ll hold your hand through the practice of planning your backpacking escape. I’m far from the first person to do this yet I’m shocked by all the people that say “I wish I could do that”. Hey you! You can do this, here’s how… Planning for Planlessness It’s taken years of planning for the future…

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Narrative, Travel

Keep your tent close, keep your passport closer

August 17, 2016

You’ve all heard the horror stories, fiction or not, of someone travelling and getting robbed blind thousands of miles from home. I’ve heard the stories and I have my own to share. I’m writing this from my cell phone because I have nothing more efficient to write with anymore. What started as a trip to Poland to find the most affordable tent turned into an adventure to the black sea to see just how far I could hitchhike in nothing but sandals. Needless to say I made it, and needless to say I got robbed. This event had such an…