Comments on: 5 Things Everyone Asks a Travel Writer

By: james

james — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:32:59 +0000

To me #5 is a no brainer: It’s all about priorities.

My other half and I share a car, live in a normal size house, and maintain no debt (other than mortgage) by managing our wants versus our needs. This affords us extra savings, money to put into our house, (and not squander away our equity by refinancing,) and have money for travel.

When traveling I try to travel to affordable places (Munich in ‘07 and Amsterdam this March don’t count,) and live as locals do by shopping at markets, eating at coffee shops, and dining at fine places sparingly.

Also I’m fortunate that I’ve been with the same company for eight years and gave four weeks of vacation. Even better my department understands what “time off” really means, and we work automously by covering for each other and don’t tether ourselves to e-mail and blackberries. For me I travel time would be just as important as salary in any new position.

Unfortunately for many people a two week trip to South America or Europe would be a “once in a lifetime” or honeymoon trip. My goal is an overseas trip in the spring and fall.

I don’t strive for the exotic, just a different culture and experience…

james http://www.futuregringo.com

By: Amanda

Amanda — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:00:25 +0000

Great post Tim, I’m going to use some of these answers! Especially your answer to “How do I get a gig like that?” because I find this the hardest one to answer politely.

By: tim

tim — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:52:13 +0000

Shannon - Yes I do get that one too sometimes, usually in the form of "How do I land a gig like that?" To which I respond "Work for years on end for almost no money and keep pleading for editors to publish your stuff." When it comes in by e-mail though, I just send them to the Travel Writing Portal.

By: Shannon

Shannon — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 17:50:16 +0000

I just love this post. I always get the “how can I be a travel writer” question. The answer to questions about a next trip is brilliant.
-Safe travels.

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:58:20 +0000

I’m planning a trip to Indonesia for next summer and I hope it’s as beautiful as these pictures and videos:

http://www.zoomandgo.com/search/searchresults.asp?q=indonesia&x=0&y=0

By: laila

laila — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 09:50:53 +0000

like the way you have answered the questions..very humourous and good to read