What about medical issues while traveling abroad?

I was talking with a friend the other day when she blurted out her biggest fear of traveling abroad. “What about medical issues? What do you do when something happens overseas?”

And I responded, “I go the hospital. They have doctors overseas too.”

Medical concerns are a huge issue for sure. Nobody wants to face the possibility of a serious injury with no access to medical facilities.

I’ll let you in on a little secret: … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (9)  | February 21, 2012
Category: Travel Health

Defining “Home”

Literally speaking a home is a place of residence, a domicile, yet that hardly does justice to the true meaning of the word. Is anyone in the habit of believing that the two-man ultra-light tent they set up in Banff National Park’s back-country or the garish and gaudy walls of the Pink Palace in Corfu resemble what “home” actually means to them? We pass through hotels and hostels, and often cities and countries, … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (4)  | February 20, 2012
Category: General, Vagabonding Life

Travel is an ongoing exercise in humility (in a good way)

“[Travel is] humbling to the point where you have major regrets about some of the stupid things you said, some of the things you thought were right. You keep going to these countries, and it’s like, you forgot the lesson from the last time. Because the first person you encounter kind of bitch-slaps you upside the head in the most wonderful, innocent way and you realize, God, I’m still an asshole. And this guy, by … Read more »

Posted by | Comments Off on Travel is an ongoing exercise in humility (in a good way)  | February 20, 2012
Category: Travel Quote of the Day

Crafting Your Own Meaning for Life

A few weeks ago, with great assistance from Rolf Potts, BootsnAll launched the Indie Travel Manifesto. Hopefully by now you have had the chance to read through the manifesto, vote on it, sign it, discuss it, and share it. If not, the short story is that we wanted to craft a series of statements about how indie travelers view travel and the world in which we live.

As an employee of BootsnAll, the vast … Read more »

Posted by | Comments Off on Crafting Your Own Meaning for Life  | February 18, 2012
Category: Notes from the collective travel mind

Pre-trip planning: an upcoming series of posts

Eight years ago I left India and swore I’d never go back. The hassle. The beggars. The children, constantly tugging at your shirt as you walk down the street. The steadfast staring. The need to always be vigilant for potential scams.

India is a tough place to travel.

But due to a combination of free flights (using credit card miles) and a long desire to get back to the Himalayas, I booked a trip to … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (3)  | February 17, 2012
Category: General

The tech blog that digital nomads have searched for

Are you a digital nomad?  Chances are, you wrestle with dodgy Wi-Fi, electrical adapters, and figuring out what apps could help you travel more efficiently.  You don’t care which startup just had a big IPO or the latest viral meme.  What you’d like is a convenient guide to what gadgets you need.

Enter Too Many Adapters.  A site by digital nomads, for digital nomads.  They cover all the different types … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (7)  | February 17, 2012
Category: Backpacking, Travel Tech

Travelling with a guitar helps indie travel

Last week, Lindsey Rue’s post on Vagabonding inspired me to reconsider slowing down to enjoy the music from another perspective: the musician’s.

I have been a punk rock guitarist for the best part of my twenties, and I have started to love travelling because of the long, inspiring van drives linking venue A to venue B across beautiful unfolding scenery. At that time, the goal … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (8)  | February 16, 2012
Category: Backpacking, On The Road, Travel Gear, Vagabonding Advice, Vagabonding Styles

Vagablogging presents: Writing workshop with Rolf in North Carolina

Ever consider learning from the travel writing guru himself? Now’s your chance!

Here at vagablogging we all share a common appreciation for the inspiration Rolf penned into his first book. But have you gotten the chance to read his second?

Bundled within the rich collection, Marco Polo Didn’t Go There, is something more. The endnotes of each chapter give you a little taste of what it takes to craft a good … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (1)  | February 16, 2012
Category: North America, Travel Writing

Rolling with the punches: the art of flexibility in travel

“The reason vagabonding is so addictive is that, joyfully, you’ll never quite find what you dreamed. Indeed, the most vivid travel experiences usually find you by accident, and the qualities that will make you fall in love with a place are rarely the features that took you there.” – Vagabonding

Travel plans, whether for weekend trips or longterm adventures, often unfold much differently than expected. Away from creature comforts and the safety of an unchanging … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (3)  | February 15, 2012
Category: General