While some people certainly do spend years living the vagabond life, many of them traveling with no definite plans to “settle down,” others set out on their adventures knowing that one day they’ll probably be back in what other people might call a normal routine. If you’re one of the people in that latter category, that may seem like a harsh reality – and it’s one you’ll have to face sooner or later.

Instead of … Read more »

The adventure of tasting local foods– exotic fruits, spicy street food, fresh juices, unrecognizable dishes– every meal is a new surprise. For me though, eating is just the beginning. I want to know the entire process from start to finish in order to bring the knowledge (and the good eats) home to share with my friends and family. I like to go to the local markets and learn about vegetables and spices that are unfamiliar … Read more »

Looks like trains could make a big comeback, according to this Associated Press report.  It’s a long article covering the different ways rail transit might be boosted in the United States in the future.  Some of the highlights:

–California is proposing a high-speed rail system to connect San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and other cities.

–State governments in the Midwest are going to try to link those states’ major cities into a regional … Read more »

Now that telecommuting is gaining popularity, more and more people are seeing that long term travel isn’t as distant and far-fetched as they thought.  After all, you can go on the trip of your dreams and still make money.  Location-independent freelancers, such as former Vagablogging writer Lea Woodward, travel the world while earning online.  Other professionals such as archeologists and travel writers go on trips as a part of their job.  On … Read more »

Rory MacLean’s ‘The Oatmeal Ark‘ is part travel memoir, part historical fiction. Or maybe it’s part history book, and part travel fiction. It’s hard to pin this book down: it blurs the line between fact and fiction, past and present.

The book follows the fictional Beagan Gillean as he travels the world in search of a family history: from his great-grandfather’s homeland in Scotland’s Western Isles, and then in his family’s footsteps across … Read more »

Yahoo news reports that Cuba recently welcomed its 2 millionth tourist of 2008, which is notable primarily for the fact that almost none of those tourists were Americans. Sadly, even in this day and age, Americans are not legally allowed to visit Cuba.

The interesting, and very good news, for U.S. vagabonds is that that may be changing. There’s no telling whether President Elect Obama … Read more »

I remember cutting out a magazine ad years ago. It showed an elderly couple, in their robes in recliners, with a quote: “Remember that time we almost went to Europe?”

My question to you: What will it take for you to go on your dream trip?

I’m as guilty as the next. My dream destination is Tibet, but I figure it should be visited at the same time as India and Nepal, which quickly takes … Read more »

Couchsurfing.com is nothing short of a vagabonding phenomenon, and, as we recently noted, it might even be catching on with corporate travelers. On the surface it has obvious appeal — free accommodations on the road can extend your travel budget by weeks, if not months, and you’ll get to meet locals everywhere you go.

But not every couchsurfing experience is a great one. While … Read more »

Last week I summed-up thoughts behind leaving Spain and moving back to Dubai. I want to continue that theme by ranting about all those people who have said to me “welcome back to reality”. (I’m not refering to readers of this site, but to those family and friends who have never understood why I moved to Spain).

So people, do you have any idea what you are saying? Where do you think I’ve been … Read more »

The unfortunate other side of my previous post (about sex on the road): getting dumped.  A nomadic lifestyle leads you to meeting and getting attached to lots of new people, many of whom are specifically drawn by your wandering ways and seemingly romantic presence.  You’re in and out of their lives like a fairytale hero(ine), with your rugged jawline and backpack full of grubby, mysterious possessions…

My friend Christine told me her dad ran away … Read more »