Ask HN: Those who quit their jobs to travel the world, how did it go? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Those who quit their jobs to travel the world, how did it go?

#351

Post by domano » Wed, Mar 10, 2021, 5:03 PM UTC

eric4smith wrote: post #145

Etheryte wrote: post #126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As someone following your footsteps a few decades behind, this is gold, thank you. One question, how do you handle work commitments with the uncertainty of travel? One of my best adventures is being stuck on an island for the night due to unforeseen circumstances, alas without much in the way of network connectivity.

I’ve never really had a problem with internet etc. On travel days I let people know I’m offline. I stay in Airbnb’s a lot and find a coffee shop backup nearby usually. I have local SIM card when generous data plan when I arrive at the airport. This is good tor sharing with my computer in a pinch. Asia has great internet - better than Europe, Australia or North America so that is rarely a problem. Transport is general…

Well that last sentence took quite a turn haha. Thanks for the insights.

Re: Ask HN: Those who quit their jobs to travel the world, how did it go?

#352

Post by rhn_mk1 » Wed, Mar 10, 2021, 5:03 PM UTC

bfirsh wrote: post #285

When I quit my job and went travelling I used this framework: 1. Go via land. You see everything in between all the places you should see as a tourist. You immerse yourself in how a place actually feels. You meet people who aren’t just trying to extract money from you. I cycled, because I like cycling, but any form of transport works. 2. My algorithm was something like “Go east. Stay somewhere if it’s interesting, un…

Where did you find places to sleep? Hotels are not guaranteed, and camping is not allowed everywhere. Without having a pre-planned journey, it seems a bit risky.

Re: Ask HN: Those who quit their jobs to travel the world, how did it go?

#353

Post by cookieswumchorr » Wed, Mar 10, 2021, 5:03 PM UTC

chrisdhal wrote: post #210

Grustaf wrote: post #131

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree with your points, just want to add: The best way to connect with the culture and people is to get a local job, or studying at a local university or at least taking courses. EDIT: Basically become an immigrant, even if it's only for a couple of months. Ideally don't plan your return, make your journeys open ended!

In some countries, such as Costa Rica, you cannot work legally (note: "legally") as a non-resident. They take it pretty seriously there.

isn't it like most countries? there's always some kind of work permit you need to have

Re: Ask HN: Those who quit their jobs to travel the world, how did it go?

#354

Post by dougmwne » Wed, Mar 10, 2021, 5:04 PM UTC

I see a lot of highly upvoted comments that amount to something like: travel won't change you or fix you. In general, I disagree. I think most people don't have the self-awareness to even know when they are being changed. We are all products of our past environment and our current surroundings define our behavior much more strongly than most are even capable of admitting. We're talking deeply-held ego-protective defense mechanisms here. Strong stuff.

To walk outside of your native environment is to walk outside yourself. Do that long enough and often enough and you will become a new self. You can carefully bring along a bubble of your comfort zone while traveling and insulate yourself from change. With the internet that's easier than ever and I have done it. On the other hand, the longer I get immersed, the more reverse culture shock I feel when I get home and that's the feeling of having changed more than you realized.

Re: Ask HN: Those who quit their jobs to travel the world, how did it go?

#355

Post by dreamer7 » Wed, Mar 10, 2021, 5:13 PM UTC

rvba wrote: post #345

bfirsh wrote: post #285

When I quit my job and went travelling I used this framework: 1. Go via land. You see everything in between all the places you should see as a tourist. You immerse yourself in how a place actually feels. You meet people who aren’t just trying to extract money from you. I cycled, because I like cycling, but any form of transport works. 2. My algorithm was something like “Go east. Stay somewhere if it’s interesting, un…

Why did I follow him...? I don't know. Why do things happen as they do in dreams? All I know is that, when he beckoned... I had to follow him. From that moment, we traveled together, East. Always... into the East

For those curious, this is a quote from Marius in the game Diablo

Re: Ask HN: Those who quit their jobs to travel the world, how did it go?

#356

Post by vitorbaptistaa » Wed, Mar 10, 2021, 5:14 PM UTC

marcyb5st wrote: post #80

My girlfriend and I took a 9 months sabbatical back in 2019 so we didn't quit our jobs, but hopefully you'll find this useful anyway. I bought an used RV and did some modifications ourselves to be truly independent (more water storage, 500w of solar panels, ...) As we didn't want to be constrained to campsites. It was a glorious experience. Very tempted to do it again to be honest. We traveled in Italy and Spain for…

My wife and I rented an RV in Portugal a while ago for only a week -- it was one of the best travel experiences I had!

I'm curious about how you found and prepared the RV, and how was living in it for a few months.

Re: Ask HN: Those who quit their jobs to travel the world, how did it go?

#357

Post by batmaniam » Wed, Mar 10, 2021, 5:14 PM UTC

bfirsh wrote: post #285

When I quit my job and went travelling I used this framework: 1. Go via land. You see everything in between all the places you should see as a tourist. You immerse yourself in how a place actually feels. You meet people who aren’t just trying to extract money from you. I cycled, because I like cycling, but any form of transport works. 2. My algorithm was something like “Go east. Stay somewhere if it’s interesting, un…

How old were you when you did the trip? How long was the trip, 3 months/1 year? Did you work before to finance the trip? What was the total cost?

Re: Ask HN: Those who quit their jobs to travel the world, how did it go?

#358

Post by batmaniam » Wed, Mar 10, 2021, 5:18 PM UTC

devoutsalsa wrote: post #96

superbcarrot wrote: post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> My better memories were all from places I stayed for over 2 months, and all have more to do with people I met than the place itself. How did you go about meeting people in the first place?

Dating apps, couch surfing, and getting out of the house & going where the people are. Expat groups on Facebook and WhatsApp, too.

How do you avoid getting mugged or murdered from people you couch surf with? Basically avoiding the scammers...? I feel like in Europe, there are so many street scams and that if police aren't even willing to curb that issue, what recourse would you have if someone were to harm you while couch surfing at some random place? The risk feels pretty high to me. I guess you would have to travel really light in these situations?

Re: Ask HN: Those who quit their jobs to travel the world, how did it go?

#359

Post by TheMagicHorsey » Wed, Mar 10, 2021, 5:19 PM UTC

bfirsh wrote: post #285

When I quit my job and went travelling I used this framework: 1. Go via land. You see everything in between all the places you should see as a tourist. You immerse yourself in how a place actually feels. You meet people who aren’t just trying to extract money from you. I cycled, because I like cycling, but any form of transport works. 2. My algorithm was something like “Go east. Stay somewhere if it’s interesting, un…

What was it like cycling in India? Did you feel safe? I mean from both the traffic and crime.

I'm thinking about doing this at some point, but I get nervous sometimes when I see the traffic in the cities there. Maybe its not as bad on the roads outside the cities?

Re: Ask HN: Those who quit their jobs to travel the world, how did it go?

#360

Post by extrapeppery » Wed, Mar 10, 2021, 5:19 PM UTC

I quit my job in 2014. I was burnt out, exhausted and not thrilled with my life and the direction I was going. I ended up buying a touring bike (bicycle) and spent the summer riding across Canada. Those 3 months were immensely valuable. I saw the country in minute detail and was floored by the generosity and friendliness of all the people I met along the way. There was a lot of time to think and reflect and it didn't take long for my burnt out attitude to be replaced by inspiration and excitement for what was to come next (although I still had no idea what that was going to be). One I hit the far coast, I ditched the bike and flew to Munich. I spent the next few months loosely based in Germany, visiting friends and doing some short trips out to Austria, Italy and Switzerland. I picked up some contract work that allowed me to work remotely from anywhere with an internet connection. I considered staying in Europe, possibly moving to the Alps in France. But after 8 months away I finally realized that I wanted to go 'home' and, more importantly, I knew where 'home' was for me. I moved back to Canada and now live less than an hour away from where I was before I left. This massive country feels a lot smaller now (in a good way). Contract work keeps flowing in the door and I'm living a lifestyle that is far more suited to my personality and interests. Never been happier.