Comments | world_travel: Help Wanted...!!

lucialondon in world_travel

Help Wanted...!!

Jul 18, 2009 05:03

I'm new here, so...Hi, everyone... To introduce myself; I am female, 47, & desperate to leave 'all this' behind to start back-packing my way around the world. I want to start in Nepal, as I just got back from there & I LOVED it...I'm definitely NOT a beach person, prefering towns to cities - something smaller scale than, say, Hong Kong! - & the ( Read more... )

volunteering, backpacking, budget, nepal

Comments 15

twilight_tea July 18 2009, 13:52:31 UTC

Hah, I'm in Ayutthaya, Thailand right now and heading to Kanchanaburi tomorrow! :) I agree with you about Bangkok, but I've heard good things about Chiang Mai on the way around. Haven't been, though ( ... )

Budget lucialondon July 19 2009, 11:09:23 UTC

'Scuse me for asking, but what have you found to be your monthly budget? Do you have a particlar amount that you bank on (no pun intended) spending each month/week?)
I have this exact amount, thanks to renting out my flat, so I have very little lea-way...

Ta...

Re: Budget twilight_tea July 19 2009, 11:44:54 UTC

I'm really not sure yet - I've been saving my receipts and will sort them out after I return in less than 10 days :( . The cheapest so far are Cambodia and Thailand, but I hear Vietnam is also cheap. I spent way too much in the beginning (Hong Kong.. curse you!!). Malaysia is comparatively expensive... I basically had a lump sum to spend, and spend it I have! I got really low while in Laos (which is also comparatively expensive, but well worth it), but my spending has slowed considerably in Cambodia and Thailand. My average, I think, has been $1,500 a month, but that includes splurges and large purchases.

Kanchenaburi... lucialondon July 19 2009, 17:51:58 UTC

A quick P.S....It just occured to me the you said you were going to Kanchenaburi 'tomorrow' (time difference issues makes it hard to work out when that is/was)...However, two things I'd like to pass on about this wonerful place ( ... )

Thread 6

larochka173 July 18 2009, 16:58:34 UTC

Hi
I'm planning to go on a trip myself in a year or two. Here is a list of sites I have compiled on free/cheap volunteering:
http://delicious.com/larochka/volunteer

Would also recommend the message boards at bootsnall.com, they've been very helpful to me and are good with planning round the world trips.

Cheers

Volunteering... lucialondon July 20 2009, 13:57:14 UTC

Ta for the tips...

FYI - my fiance's father runs a farm in Ireland, & he has had many (mainly American) overseas volunteers over the years through an organisation called WWoff.It's an organic farming volunteeer link-up thingy; there's various registration fees & some places you'll pay a few $ for food etc, but it's always a tiny amount of money - like $6, & any charges are usually only in VERY poor countries where they can't afford to feed volunteers for free, & again it's amounts like $3-$5...
Their web address is www.woff.org

I've not had time yet, but they might be worth checking out...

lean968 July 19 2009, 15:33:51 UTC

Unfortunately I don't have a whole lot of useful advice, but I wanted to say that I'm really jealous of your travels and admire you for going at it alone ( ... )

primalfire July 19 2009, 16:49:34 UTC

I am leaving a comment so that I can find this posting later.

I am also very interested in exactly what you described: for myself, $1000 a month and I'd like to travel through Europe, staying in Ashrams, monasteries, et al.

The best of luck in your information search, I'd appreciate your sharing what you learn.

Info-Exchange... lucialondon July 19 2009, 18:04:26 UTC

Don't know much about travel in Europe, but I'll be happy to pass on anything learn...

I think a good place to start (re: ashrans/monasteries etc) for both of us might be the local Buddhist centre. Mine is Manchester, where I am going to head tomorrow before I go to work to see what they think, so I'll keep you posted...

I've also heard that the YHA (Youth Hostels Association) is great for places to stay ( at least untill one can find something a bit 'better' if you don't fancy them) & they take anyone on, for a small registration fee, no matter what your age !!

I'll pass on anything I find out...I think you're braver than me, as $1,000 a month doesn't sound like a whole lotta budget in Europe...!!

Good luck...I'll keep in touch

Re: Info-Exchange... primalfire July 20 2009, 01:37:47 UTC

Well, I live on a shoestring budget anyways, and I am intending on 'working' while I am traveling. With a computer & internet, I can earn an income from anywhere. I believe that travel writing is a great way to supplement income, as is photography.

I remember somebody telling me about a 'couch surfing' website where you can stay in people's homes as you travel. Perhaps somebody is familiar with that service and can post the link

Your idea about speaking to local buddhist groups is inspired. Unfortunately, I'm technically not a buddhist, would that be a problem? :)

The YHA sounds great. I have heard and understand that you need to make sure your stuff is under lock & key, however, because the security is nominal, at best.

I tried to friend on you Facebook (Keith M), as I do not get on LJ as often these days.

Re: Info-Exchange... lucialondon July 30 2009, 21:34:36 UTC

Wow ! Wish someone would tell me how to make money with a computer, internet & a camera ! I'd be off like a shot ( ... )

2hedgehogs July 20 2009, 17:19:33 UTC

For volunteer projects, Idealist.org is a good place to hunt around. They list volunteer opportunities around the world. :)

Lastly, does anyone know of any GENUINE projects/places that are looking for willing volunteers but don't make you PAY for the priviledge?

Something to keep in mind: There are numerous genuine projects around the world that do require a volunteer fee. I'm not saying every place that charges a fee is genuine, of course. (Likewise, places that don't charge fees aren't automatically genuine either.) I just wanted to point out that if a place requires a fee that doesn't mean they're automatically not genuine or not doing meaningful work ( ... )

lucialondon July 21 2009, 10:33:39 UTC

"Sometimes it just takes popping into a rural school (to see if they want someone to help teach English that day, for example) or stopping by a non-profit's office (to see if they want help in the office or some other such assistance) and just asking if there's anything you can do to help ( ... )