Living Abroad vs. Backpacking Day to Day

By: Hogga

Prior to my around the world trip, while looking for ways to make money traveling, I actually found NomadicMatt.com and became even more inspired and determined as a person. People travel for a living? And make money off writing about it?
*Brain Explosion*
So, before I left on my trip, I started a travel blog.

I was moving so fast on the road that I hardly updated my blog within the first four months. (Well that and when I wasn’t moving fast, I was busy napping in a hammock, milking my hangover).

So as I plan for my next trip, I’ve been going over the benefits of staying in one place:

  • I can cook my own food – I know trying the local food is all part of travelling, but sometimes you just want to cook you’re own meal and in many places this can help you save money.
  • Which leads me to saving money! I won’t spend as much on accommodation or transportation if I stay in a specific destination. I will still travel around the country while I’m there, but no more expensive flights or horrendously long bus rides (hopefully).
  • I’ll have a hub to leave all my crap. When I do go for trips to different areas of the country, I won’t have to lug all my shit with me.
  • I will become a regular at the local bar and it will be like Cheers, only on a beach with hot, tanned dudes everywhere.
  • I can continue my Spanish lessons – I know I can practice my Spanish while travelling or continue learning online through video/audio, but I’m not disciplined enough for that. I would love to be able to continue learning, while practicing in my next destination.
  • No more burn out. When I get to the point I don’t want to see anything or talk to people, I know I’ve been on the road too long and moving too fast. Staying in one exciting destination will allow me to keep my spirits up.
  • It will be easier for me to keep up with my writing and working out.

At this point you probably want to know where I’m thinking of going, but I’m not going to tell you until I have everything in order and my plane ticket booked. This time around I need to be more organized and have an apartment to come back to in Toronto for weddings and fun camping adventures I must attend this summer.
*If I’ve discussed my possible destination with you, don’t ruin it for everyone else asshole!

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{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }

Toni December 20, 2011 at 7:55 AM

Sounds like a plan Batman (well, Batwoman) lol. Everyone had all these high hopes for me (me included) about writing about Africa as I was travelling but guess what? Not only was the internet sporadic and sketchy at best, I was too busy having fun to write in depth shit hence why I’m writing about it retrospectively (check me and my vocab!). Good for you chick!

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Hogga December 20, 2011 at 8:54 AM

Hahaha… yeah lack of good internet didn’t help either. I hope I have it this time around!

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Abi December 20, 2011 at 10:23 AM

Thanks for the smile!

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Hogga December 20, 2011 at 10:47 AM

de nadaaaaaaaaa

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Abby December 20, 2011 at 10:30 AM

This is great news!!!!! You will love long-term travel/expat living. You learn so much about yourself when you really dig in.

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Hogga December 20, 2011 at 10:47 AM

eeeep! getting me all excited!

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Tim N. December 20, 2011 at 10:45 AM

Enjoy! Living abroad and having a home base is an amazing experience. All the benefits you mentioned brought back such good memories. I’be been thinking about doing it again and reading this is only helping me make the decision!

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Hogga December 20, 2011 at 10:48 AM

Aw that’s fantastic! So many people have been inspiring me through their travels lately it’s great to hear I’ve encouraged someone else!

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Roy Marvelous December 20, 2011 at 12:09 PM

Living abroad is definitely my favorite way to travel. You get so much more out of the experience.

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Hogga December 21, 2011 at 9:08 AM

Where have you lived abroad? Tell me all wise, Roy.

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Federico December 20, 2011 at 2:23 PM

On the road again, woohoo! I am jealous this time…

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Hogga December 21, 2011 at 9:07 AM

haha… FINALLY you can be jealous of me!

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Erica December 20, 2011 at 3:16 PM

<..>

*snicker*

That is all.

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Hogga December 21, 2011 at 9:07 AM

*rekcins*

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fotoeins | Henry December 20, 2011 at 6:28 PM

My guess is your latest Instagram pix shows a slice of early-winter in Trawna. And given the timing of this present blog post, you want to get yourself to a warm place TOUT DE DAMN SUITE. Cierto? :-)

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Hogga December 21, 2011 at 9:08 AM

SI SI SI SI SI

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DTravelsRound December 20, 2011 at 6:48 PM

Great minds think alike. Announcements forthcoming. Are we meeting in Spain?

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Hogga December 21, 2011 at 9:08 AM

Let’s talk lady… let’s talk :)

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Andrea December 21, 2011 at 5:55 AM

Ooooh – excited! We’re off to a new place soon as well for the long-term and SO looking forward to it after living on the road for a year =)

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Hogga December 21, 2011 at 9:09 AM

I hear that sistah! Where you guys going?

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Stephanie - The Travel Chica December 21, 2011 at 8:13 AM

It is the way to go! I am so happy I stopped in BA for a while. Now that I’m back on the road, it is tougher to maintain my website. It is still possible though because I travel a bit slower and take time off for “work.”

I have a feeling there will be another stop in my near future.

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Hogga December 21, 2011 at 9:09 AM

BA is pretty awesome. Where you thinking about stopping?

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Camels & Chocolate December 25, 2011 at 10:07 PM

Finding the time–not to mention Internet access–to update your blog while on the road is one of the biggest feats. It was such a major point of stress for me while living on the ship that I don’t know how full-time RTWers/backpackers do it!

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Alexa Meisler February 15, 2012 at 3:13 PM

It’s definitely good to stay in one place for a while and take your time to explore that place and enjoy yourself compared to cramming all the sit seeing and food tasting all at once.

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