| Most people do not get it. You can travel long term, | | | | the world too start. Most of the world is safe and |
| meaning at a minimum several weeks but preferably | | | | extremely interesting and most of the world is the |
| several months, travel in style, and not spend a lot of | | | | third world. For a first time traveler, pick somewhere |
| money. Many thousands of people do it every year. | | | | simple to travel in and inexpensive like Southeast Asia |
| It's not only for the rich, the young, or the | | | | or most of South America. Some areas, like India and |
| adventurous, but suitable for almost anyone. | | | | much of Africa, are simply tougher and you may |
| First of course you need to make the time off, and | | | | want to get your feet wet somewhere easier. Some |
| you probably can. A leave of absence from work or | | | | areas like Japan or Western Europe are on the |
| just quit, perhaps home schooling for the kids if you | | | | expensive side, although fascinating. There are lots of |
| have any (they will learn more traveling than they | | | | guidebooks for travelers, and Lonely Planet Books |
| would in school for sure), and selling off some worldly | | | | are certainly near the top of the list. You can spend a |
| possessions to fund your travel and the memories | | | | lot of time perusing in book stores as well as reading |
| and experiences you'll have forever. You can do it, | | | | online, and may even find some place you never |
| despite the millions of reasons you have why now | | | | ever would have considered visiting before is starting |
| may not be the right time! | | | | to sound fascinating and fun. |
| The first rule is that you are not a tourist, you are a | | | | Rule three is pack light. You will be carrying your |
| traveler. Most places do not have a tourist | | | | belongings a lot. Suitcases are out. Backpacks, |
| infrastructure and you won't need it. You can travel | | | | including ones that look like ordinary luggage but have |
| on local transport like everyone else and stay and | | | | hidden straps, are a great choice but not the only |
| eat where the locals do too. You will interact will | | | | one. Packing light is an art, but I managed to go to |
| locals, not just those in the "tourist industry" and | | | | New Zealand for 3 months with only 25 pounds, and |
| you'll experience and live foreign lands like a short | | | | that included a sleeping bag and fishing gear. |
| term tourist never will. | | | | There is a rule four of course, and that is do it! You |
| The second rule is too pick an appropriate area of | | | | won't regret it and your life will never be the same. |