'ride the recession out on a beach'
A friend of mine, when asked what he was going to do for work, after he was finished backpacking around India, replied ‘I’m going to ride out the recession on a beach’. The only thing that will be crashing here will be the waves. This is the attitude I am talking about.
Many of you, I hope, still have your jobs in tact. Others that haven’t been so lucky, or for those wanting a change in lifestyle – this post is for you, and now is the time to listen.
The smart thing to do in today’s economic shit hole is to save your cash. Put it under your mattress and hope for better days. It will come in handy. Stop eating out at restaurants and staying at home away from late night partying. Don’t buy that new shirt or new pair of shoes; they can wait. Practice austerity and exhibit discipline.
Or you can book one way flight to the Philippines, Peru or India and live like a king for six months.
Welcome to the New Rich (coined by Tim Ferris, author of Four Hour Work Week), welcome to currency leveraging, welcome to adventure, welcome to a great life. Many have already been enjoying this secret lifestyle in places that most people can’t even pronounce, such as Vang Vieng, Varanasi, or Koh Phi Phi – let alone point them out on a map. But you should be able to - these places seem to be on the edge of some alternative universe and are fantastic.
It’s hard saving money and surviving in Toronto or wherever you happen to be living now, especially if you are job hunting in this already difficult market. So why not make it easier on yourself and ‘ride the recession out on a beach’, like my mate said. C’mon, I know those winter months aren’t anybody’s favourite, and haven’t you always wanted to learn how to surf in Chile or learn Muay Thai in Chang Mai? And what if I told you it’s cheaper to live out there in paradise then to be burning your bucks on burgers and beers back home.
Blowing your savings on an extended vacation may not be the responsible thing to do, but with a bit of planning and a few thousand dollars, it's the easy thing to do – and the most enjoyable. Trust me, it will be well worth it.
To make it easier, I have laid out 4 classic destinations that include great weather, beautiful beaches, flavourful food and cheap beers all for under $30/day. And no this is not schlepping it out in a hostel with 10 other bunk-beds stuffed into one room. My suggestions include your own private bungalow on the beach, 4 meals a day, taxis, tourist museums and alcohol a plenty. Sure the airfare is the most expensive, but deals are-a-plenty and with a little effort you can fly half way around the world for $600. I’ve done this many of times already. And anyways once you've arrived you can live on a fraction of what you'd spend and live on at home.
Destination #1 - Goa, India
Known for it’s outdoor parties, laid back culture and endless miles of beaches, Goa will suck all negative thoughts out of you and replace them with a cool ocean breeze. Visit the old Portuguese churches and ruins, get lost in the sub continent’s jungle, and check out one of the largest hippy market in the world. Rent a scooter for $5/day and drive around this State sans shirt and get that tan you’ve always wanted. All beach bars serve the fresh catches of the day with sides, for less than a cheeseburger at McDonalds. Your bamboo hut is thin enough to let the ocean breeze cool you down at night, yet sturdy enough to make you feel secure. This can be home for a few motnhs.
#2 Southern Thailand’s Beaches
All the rumours about this place are true. Hot bodies from Sweden, Australia, Canada and Hong Kong all come down to play in Thailand’s gorgeously landscaped beaches where volley ball games never stop during the day and the music never stops at night. Once a month there is a mass exodus of backpackers and holiday makers throughout South East Asia, and they all funnel onto one beach known as Hat Rin on a tiny little island off the West Coast, all for the famous Full Moon Party. Ticketed as the largest beach party in the world, it simply will not let you down.
Rumour has it that it was the Israeli woman whom invented the bikini. After a few days on these beaches, you’d believe it in a heart beat. Not only do they where them, they where them well.
If the party side is wearing you out, take a Muay Thai Boxing course and train for just dollars a day. A few weeks time you’ll be able to kick anyone’s ass.
#3 Essaouira, Morocco
Looking for some extreme action adventure, then this is your place. Nestled right on the ocean, the old Medina still to this day acts as the heart of the city. Just outside the old city walls you can enjoy a beach stretched out for miles out on the Atlantic. Not only is this city a UNESCO World Heritage Listed City. In the 60’s Jimi Hendrix wrote a song about the place, and other notables such as Orsen Welles and Sir Winston Churchill have wandered through this dazzling ancient city. Today the beach is filled with kite surfers, windsurfers and board surfers catching the wind and the waves swooping across the water. Take lessons and become a pro within a week for $10/day.
History buffs can be rewarded too, as you will learn of the Berber tribes which once ruled the land, to the Arab conquer to the subsequent battles against France, Netherlands, Spain and England. Every nook and 1.5 foot width walkway will lead you to another treasure of discovery within the walls of this immaculate town.
Take an Arabic class and learn from the locals, enjoy Berber Tea and desert trips on a camel out to the Bedouin tribes whilst climbing up dunes of sand bigger than you can imagine – all for dollars a day.
#4 Kullu Region, Himachal Pradesh, India (the Himalayas)
Want more challenge and a change of scenery? All those beaches taught you 1001 ways to do nothing – now it’s time for something new! Hiking the Himalayas will bring an unforgettable experience. The clean crisp air, the scenery and the challenge are all things that will make and force you humble again - you are great, yes; but these mountains are stronger, harder, older and more impressive than you will ever be.
Hiking village to village (usually 4-6 hours to the next village) will provide you with a sense of accomplishment, whip your butt into shape and along the way you will meet some of the friendliest and most incredible people you will ever come across. More Chinese looking than Indian, these people are originally from Tibet/Nepal who have since moved Eastward for safety sake.
Be sure to smoke and finish all your hash at each village, as the police roam the foothills watching for smugglers with pounds of some of the finest and purest Himalayan Hashish you will ever come across, stuffed down their pants. It’s no worries though, as you can get your next supply higher up in the next village, where it will be smoother than butter. One village in particular holds the men who cultivate the cannabis as living gods, becoming not only Chiefs but living deities within the village.
A sturdy pair of shoes from the city prior to departing for the mountains will run you $20, with food becoming more expansive ($2/meal versus 50 cents) the higher and further in you go.
Read a book, write a book, do whatever you want. You will have all the time in the world.
----
All these globetrotter getaways are safer than the streets of your home town at night, even for woman travelling alone. A money belt is a great idea to secure your passport and money, and you can always lock up your luggage at the Hotels. But don’t worry about fitting in or finding other people to learn to surf with – you’ll be surrounded by people just like you, in a surrounding that can’t the difference between a recession to a recess – and simply doesn’t care too.
So what are you waiting for – go out there and enjoy what this world can offer. I guarantee you it will open up your mind to ideas and ideals you never once imagined. The easy part is just doing it. The hard part will come six months later when it’s time to go home.
For those naysayers out there, continue with that attitude. Stay at home. It leaves the beaches cleaner, trails less beaten and the experiences more unique for me and the others. But hey, you are always welcome.
Many of you, I hope, still have your jobs in tact. Others that haven’t been so lucky, or for those wanting a change in lifestyle – this post is for you, and now is the time to listen.
The smart thing to do in today’s economic shit hole is to save your cash. Put it under your mattress and hope for better days. It will come in handy. Stop eating out at restaurants and staying at home away from late night partying. Don’t buy that new shirt or new pair of shoes; they can wait. Practice austerity and exhibit discipline.
Or you can book one way flight to the Philippines, Peru or India and live like a king for six months.
Welcome to the New Rich (coined by Tim Ferris, author of Four Hour Work Week), welcome to currency leveraging, welcome to adventure, welcome to a great life. Many have already been enjoying this secret lifestyle in places that most people can’t even pronounce, such as Vang Vieng, Varanasi, or Koh Phi Phi – let alone point them out on a map. But you should be able to - these places seem to be on the edge of some alternative universe and are fantastic.
It’s hard saving money and surviving in Toronto or wherever you happen to be living now, especially if you are job hunting in this already difficult market. So why not make it easier on yourself and ‘ride the recession out on a beach’, like my mate said. C’mon, I know those winter months aren’t anybody’s favourite, and haven’t you always wanted to learn how to surf in Chile or learn Muay Thai in Chang Mai? And what if I told you it’s cheaper to live out there in paradise then to be burning your bucks on burgers and beers back home.
Blowing your savings on an extended vacation may not be the responsible thing to do, but with a bit of planning and a few thousand dollars, it's the easy thing to do – and the most enjoyable. Trust me, it will be well worth it.
To make it easier, I have laid out 4 classic destinations that include great weather, beautiful beaches, flavourful food and cheap beers all for under $30/day. And no this is not schlepping it out in a hostel with 10 other bunk-beds stuffed into one room. My suggestions include your own private bungalow on the beach, 4 meals a day, taxis, tourist museums and alcohol a plenty. Sure the airfare is the most expensive, but deals are-a-plenty and with a little effort you can fly half way around the world for $600. I’ve done this many of times already. And anyways once you've arrived you can live on a fraction of what you'd spend and live on at home.
Destination #1 - Goa, India
Known for it’s outdoor parties, laid back culture and endless miles of beaches, Goa will suck all negative thoughts out of you and replace them with a cool ocean breeze. Visit the old Portuguese churches and ruins, get lost in the sub continent’s jungle, and check out one of the largest hippy market in the world. Rent a scooter for $5/day and drive around this State sans shirt and get that tan you’ve always wanted. All beach bars serve the fresh catches of the day with sides, for less than a cheeseburger at McDonalds. Your bamboo hut is thin enough to let the ocean breeze cool you down at night, yet sturdy enough to make you feel secure. This can be home for a few motnhs.
#2 Southern Thailand’s Beaches
All the rumours about this place are true. Hot bodies from Sweden, Australia, Canada and Hong Kong all come down to play in Thailand’s gorgeously landscaped beaches where volley ball games never stop during the day and the music never stops at night. Once a month there is a mass exodus of backpackers and holiday makers throughout South East Asia, and they all funnel onto one beach known as Hat Rin on a tiny little island off the West Coast, all for the famous Full Moon Party. Ticketed as the largest beach party in the world, it simply will not let you down.
Rumour has it that it was the Israeli woman whom invented the bikini. After a few days on these beaches, you’d believe it in a heart beat. Not only do they where them, they where them well.
If the party side is wearing you out, take a Muay Thai Boxing course and train for just dollars a day. A few weeks time you’ll be able to kick anyone’s ass.
#3 Essaouira, Morocco
Looking for some extreme action adventure, then this is your place. Nestled right on the ocean, the old Medina still to this day acts as the heart of the city. Just outside the old city walls you can enjoy a beach stretched out for miles out on the Atlantic. Not only is this city a UNESCO World Heritage Listed City. In the 60’s Jimi Hendrix wrote a song about the place, and other notables such as Orsen Welles and Sir Winston Churchill have wandered through this dazzling ancient city. Today the beach is filled with kite surfers, windsurfers and board surfers catching the wind and the waves swooping across the water. Take lessons and become a pro within a week for $10/day.
History buffs can be rewarded too, as you will learn of the Berber tribes which once ruled the land, to the Arab conquer to the subsequent battles against France, Netherlands, Spain and England. Every nook and 1.5 foot width walkway will lead you to another treasure of discovery within the walls of this immaculate town.
Take an Arabic class and learn from the locals, enjoy Berber Tea and desert trips on a camel out to the Bedouin tribes whilst climbing up dunes of sand bigger than you can imagine – all for dollars a day.
#4 Kullu Region, Himachal Pradesh, India (the Himalayas)
Want more challenge and a change of scenery? All those beaches taught you 1001 ways to do nothing – now it’s time for something new! Hiking the Himalayas will bring an unforgettable experience. The clean crisp air, the scenery and the challenge are all things that will make and force you humble again - you are great, yes; but these mountains are stronger, harder, older and more impressive than you will ever be.
Hiking village to village (usually 4-6 hours to the next village) will provide you with a sense of accomplishment, whip your butt into shape and along the way you will meet some of the friendliest and most incredible people you will ever come across. More Chinese looking than Indian, these people are originally from Tibet/Nepal who have since moved Eastward for safety sake.
Be sure to smoke and finish all your hash at each village, as the police roam the foothills watching for smugglers with pounds of some of the finest and purest Himalayan Hashish you will ever come across, stuffed down their pants. It’s no worries though, as you can get your next supply higher up in the next village, where it will be smoother than butter. One village in particular holds the men who cultivate the cannabis as living gods, becoming not only Chiefs but living deities within the village.
A sturdy pair of shoes from the city prior to departing for the mountains will run you $20, with food becoming more expansive ($2/meal versus 50 cents) the higher and further in you go.
Read a book, write a book, do whatever you want. You will have all the time in the world.
----
All these globetrotter getaways are safer than the streets of your home town at night, even for woman travelling alone. A money belt is a great idea to secure your passport and money, and you can always lock up your luggage at the Hotels. But don’t worry about fitting in or finding other people to learn to surf with – you’ll be surrounded by people just like you, in a surrounding that can’t the difference between a recession to a recess – and simply doesn’t care too.
So what are you waiting for – go out there and enjoy what this world can offer. I guarantee you it will open up your mind to ideas and ideals you never once imagined. The easy part is just doing it. The hard part will come six months later when it’s time to go home.
For those naysayers out there, continue with that attitude. Stay at home. It leaves the beaches cleaner, trails less beaten and the experiences more unique for me and the others. But hey, you are always welcome.
posted by Matt Switzer at 11:56 AM
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