My first Big Trip that I always pinpoint as the beginning of my love of travel was organized by my favorite high school teacher, the queen of all things ceramic, Mia Pearlman. We explored Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria and Germany in ten very quick days my senior year. Actually that wasn't supposed to be my first trip. I had enrolled on a trip to Italy and the Vatican City the prior year. As the time got closer and closer I couldn't fathom getting on the airplane. I have always hated flying but to this day it was the one time that fear prevented me from getting in the air. I canceled that trip and to this day haven't been to Italy.
In the many years I've flown since then I cried on flights, screamed and vomited. I'm *that* girl. I rather fly solo because then I only drive strangers mad instead of those I love. But I digress.
My mom has been as avid traveler her whole life and when I was little I kept a journal on different places we "pretend" visited on the globe. And then there was a real journal I did when we took a train trip to St. Petersburg. If only I could find it now.
In 2002, I got a chance to study abroad in Cáceres, Spain. A tiny town on the Portuguese border where I would finally learn some Spanish (let's face it, you'll never really speak it by being in the classroom!). On weekends, we'd explore different parts of Spain and it was the first time I went to England. I still remember how it felt to be surrounded by English speakers, for the first time in months I actually knew what was going on!
More opportunities to study came about and I spent Summer of 2003 in Guanajuato, México and 2004 in Madrid. And then I got a real job. When would I travel? With what money? How?
My first few summers of adulting were spent in Michigan working on my Master's Degree. When 2007 came it was the first time ever I had a summer and nowhere to be. I've heard the name Costa Rica being thrown around and decided I was going to work at animal sanctuary for 6 weeks and travel for 2. The sanctuary was a joke and after quitting during my first 4 hour shift I was in a country with zero plans and completely solo. I checked into Hostal Pangea, where I had heard the atmosphere was nice and I could make a friend. I may have cried to my parents and asked whether I should come home. What the hell was I going to do in Costa Rica for 8 weeks?! They encouraged me to stay and looking back, the *only reason* I felt comfortable doing so was because I spoke Spanish. I knew could hold my own.
That first night I met some American girls and the next morning they were going back to Nicaragua for work. I decided I'd follow them through the border and figure out the rest later. Then I met some lady from Berkeley. Then guys from SF and Texas. Then Amsterdam. I can write pages about how I bounced around the entire Central America for the next ten weeks (that's right, I extended the trip) as my first solo travel experience was thrust upon me.
So why do I travel? Because I have an incredibly scheduled job. I can pee in seven minute opportunity window. Like a dog, I respond to a bell. Everything is predictable and the pace never changes. When students talk crap or cheat on a test they act like they are the first one to ever do so. Honey, I've been doing this for twelve years. I have seen twenty of you. Just with a different name.
I love my job and I also love breaking the pace and exploring. Student travel is a combo of everything I love in one super stress induced week long adventure. I don't get paid and it's hell of a lot easier to go to delta.com and buy a ticket anywhere than lug around teenagers and I tell the parents so. Yes, I get a free trip but always remember (as my dad taught me): there is no such thing as free lunch. I'd like to think I inspire kids to see outside of their community. My past students have backpacked Kenya, signed up for gap years and studied abroad. I'm never going to take huge credit for it but if I planted a seed then mission accomplished.
A few of my more recent trips have been dictated by student travel. When we went to Spain in 2014, I shipped the kindlings home and explored Europe. This year, I stayed near Ecuador, affording me short and cheap flights.
Speaking of money... Over the years I have slept on many couches. Guatemala in 2008? Thanks, Brianna!
I dubbed my Euro trip Tour de Couch. Dzenana in Belgium? Perfect. Brother in Moscow? Yep, I'll go there. BFF in London? Yes, please! People in Riga? Haven't been there in a while!
Never underestimate visiting friends. I am not one to shy away from favors and it has been an amazing way to travel the world. I will pay back on ANY visit to the Bay Area and gladly so!
Two years ago, my friend Yana was working in Brazil and as I started looking for flights to Brasilia I realized I couldn't afford it. But I was already on the South American map so why don't I just explore that screen for a minute. Plugging in random cities got me the best flight deal and bam, I was going to Buenos Aires.
AirBnB has changed the way I travel. I hope it will do the same for people who are reluctant to go to unfamiliar places or short on cash. Once I knew I was heading solo to Buenos Aires I decided to book a bed in the best part of town. I have long outgrown hostels (they were never my scene anyway) and hotels are quite a solitary experience. The room in Palermo had two beds and the other was occupied by none other than Luca, the amazing professional violin player from Cape Town, South Africa. A year later, I was sleeping in Luca's apartment, enjoying one of the most beautiful countries to date.
So how I do pick my places and afford them? People and Internet. I talk to people. I listen to their advice and then I consider my source. A douchey frat boy tells me about a cool hotel I'll file it under "do not pass go, do not collect $200!" When a perfectly put together Louis Vuitton carrying lady suggests a restaurant I won't do that either. But someone in between? Yeah, ok, I'll do that. I judge. I own it.
I'll ask my friends on fb. Someone has been somewhere or knows someone who has. Facebook planned my entire Asia trip this April. I had no clue what to do and where to go but other people did.
If you know where to look (ask me!) the whole Internets thing is a powerful tool. Flight from Thailand to Vietnam for $42 is normal. Paying less to go to Asia off season than my parents' house? I will visit them soon anyways. I've taken many trips recently that cost me less than living in the Bay Area for the same amount of time. By the time I add up my groceries, tanks of gas, seeing friends and such, I can, without a doubt, do a trip for cheaper. Except Europe. Forget that place.
If you have the desire, creativity and willingness to explore, this world is an amazing place. I'll visit as many places as I can, let me know if you want to join.
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