A Blog You Might Be Interested In:

I’ve been corresponding with a lovely young woman with a marvelous attitude towards life. She’s got a terrific blog which you should definitely check out. Here’s the link: http://heartsoldier.com/Heart_Soldier/Home.html.

 

Correspondence from people searching for paradise

Recently, I’ve gotten several emails for people searching for paradise. I thought people might be interested in a few of these. Different people need different paradises. I’ve omitted their names for privacy:

John-
Greetings! My name is [name omitted] and recently while doing some research I came upon your story. I was completely captivated by what it said, moving to somewhere like those 6 places in your book as always been a dream, but I thought it unattainable. I hope to buy your book soon, but in the meantime I thought I would contact you myself. I’ve been doing a lot of research over the past week, but I really wanted to talk to you muself. Right now I am only a junior in high school, but I know that this is something I can accomplish if I put my mind to it. I was wondering what you would recommend my doing in preparation of making a move, specifically to somewhere such as Guatemala, Almora, or Cambodia. I read that you’re currently in Almora, which would be my first choice, but is there a way for me to make a living while there, or is it more of a place I would have to retire in? No websites I found were very informative, and I thank you for any information!

Hi [name omitted],
How delightful to get your email. A Junior in high school with this crazy dream of living in paradise. I’ll certainly help in any way I can. The cheapest place is The Tranquility Inn near Almora. It wouldn’t be good in the winter though.
Actually I’m in Mumbai now after spending 6 weeks in Goa. My wife, Gail, and I are flying back to the states tonight.
Making a living so you can live in a paradise is a crucial piece of the puzzle. Some people do seasonal work in the states. For example, I had a house-painting business where I worked hard for 4 months a year then spent the remainder of the year somewhere cheap and fun. I would buy a home, then rent it when I left, then buy another one the next time I was in the US. Gradually I acquired real estate in this way which gradually appreciated in value. You have to buy real estate that gives you at least a neutral cash flow beyond your payments to the bank, taxes, maintenance fees, etc.
There are jobs like nursing that pay pretty well, where you can work for a year, live cheaply, then live somewhere like Bali for 3 or 4 years. With the right training you can study NGO management, then work on short term 3 month contracts, and take off at the end of each contract.
It is often more difficult to make money in an inexpensive paradise, though it can be done. Exporting clothes has worked for many people, for example. Of course, with the Internet, there are innumerable ways where you can “work from home.” I’m no expert on that, but you as a young person might be able to think of some possible ideas. Of course you don’t have to make too much money to support yourself.
In general, work in rich countries like Australia, America, and Japan, and spend your money in inexpensive places like Indonesia, India, and Guatemala.
I’m a slow typist (my wife is actually typing this), and it’s a big subject. If you want to call me in a week or so after I’m over the jet lag, we can go into this at greater length. My telephone number is xxx-xxx-xxxx.
Cheers,
John Linnemeier
p.s. It really would help me if you would buy my book.
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Dear Mr John Linnemeier,
I just came across your article in the “Cheapest Destinations.Blog (6 Places to Live Super Cheap)” and I was wondering, I’m 37 years old and I am receiving VA disability at a 100%. With that I can also draw my SSI now! I know I’m young but I have no family or anything really keeping me here any more. Witch place would you suggest for me to retire to in Central America that would have lots of ladies and tropical? I’ve been studying for a couple of months now and I cant make up my mind just by reading and looking at pics. I would like to have some insight from someone who has been there.
Thank you for your time!
[name omitted]

Hi [name omitted],

Very glad to hear from you. Interestingly, I’m a disabled vet myself (70% disability for gunshot wounds inflicted in Vietnam). I see you’re really in a terrific situation. There are a large number of places where you can live comfortably on those disability checks. The cheapest place where there are some other foreigners living in Central America is definitely Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. Insofar as the ladies, at least the local ladies Guatemala is probably not your best bet. A lot of people like Costa Rica, though it’s the most expensive of all the Central American countries. There are some nice beach situations on the Nicoya Peninsula that you might find interesting.

If you want to go further South, I might suggest Buenos Aires. It’s a beautiful, sophisticated city, much like Europe but far cheaper. The women are lovely and westernized.

I honestly think that you should read my book. I’ve lived a free life and visited over 125 countries, and a lot of the experience I’ve had will be very relevant to you and the life you’re considering embarking on. Here’s the book link: http://www.amazon.com/How-Average-Lived-Adventurous-Life/dp/1438912803. I think it will be helpful to you.

You’re in for a lot of fun, and I wish you well. Stay in touch.

Cheers,
John Linnemeier
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Dear John,
After working like a dog for the past 12yrs, I finally got the boot from corporate America last Friday. It’s a blessing in disguise, I must say. I am ready to embark on a year sabbatical upon turning 40 in a few months.

I read about a place you stayed, just north of Almora, in India. I very very very much want to find this place and have an extended stay there. I don’t know if it’s what I’m looking for until I get there, but if it’s anything like what you have described, then it’s perfect for me.

Please, I beg of you, share with me this town & contacts. I would be most grateful and will send my blessing energy to you everyday for one month after each daily yoga practice that I have in that place.

Here’s hoping.

Sincerely,
[name omitted]
Hi [name omitted],
So delighted to get your email. Congratulations on getting the boot. Some day you’ll bless that jackass who fired you. Get ready for a year, or a lifetime, of delightful mind expanding adventure.
Directions to the Tranquility Inn: About three miles on the main road above Almora you’ll find a large house on the right-hand side of the road where Baba Ram Das and Timothy Leary stayed when they came to India. About fifty yards beyond that is a trail, blazed with blue paint. Just follow the blue painted trail for forty minutes and you’ll arrive at Tranquility Inn. Don’t go during the winter, it’s too darn cold. It’s a paradise and by seeking it out you deserve it.
If you want to do me a favor, buy my book, I really think you’ll like it. http://www.amazon.com/How-Average-Lived-Adventurous-Life/dp/1438912803/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1302549291&sr=8-1
Definitely keep me up to date.
Cheers,
John Linnemeier
P.S. One other person asked for directions to the TI. Maybe you’ll run into them.
Say hi to Kishan, the owner, for me.

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I sa[w] your blog post and it speaks to me. My wife passed away and my son and I have $30K a year in social security benefits for the next 12 years. I’d love to start an adventure with him (and my new fiancee and our expected child) in places that are family friendly. To me, I guess this means very safe for foreigners and with a culture including modern medicine practices and knowledge. Once upon a time I was an avid mountaineer and rockclimber, but those days went the way of the dodo for me years ago. Nonetheless, I’m a sucker for mountain vistas and/or water (beach, large lake etc.) I’d want a place that had some opportunity for personal growth through interesting social opportunities and culture. Maybe some expats, especially if it’s the kind of place where people never really accept outsiders. Finally, the weather could be warm and pleasant if possible, though I’d be open to having two separate half-year homes or even moving on from place to place from time to time.
Do you have any experiences that would suggest a particular place based on these comments?
[name omitted]
It’s so generous of you to share your experiences and advice in such a thoughtful way. A genuine and heartfelt thanks. I’ve ordered your book. I’ll stay in touch on this.
[name omitted]

Hi [name omitted],
I’ve been pondering your email for the last two or three days. When my son Jacques was one years old, he, his mother, and I took off on an around the world trip. It lasted for 6.5 years, and my son returned home with reading and math skills equal to the other kids his age in America, but with the added advantage of having visited 40 countries. Most people think it’s harder to be overseas with children, but that’s not the case at all. America is actually a very child-unfriendly environment. In other countries, families will compete with each other to help you take care of your child. Traveling with a child is different than traveling on your own. Normally, rather than moving on every week or so, you’ll have a tendency to stay put for 3 months or so…get to know the local people and so forth. This saves you a lot of money incidentally. Then you can venture out on little side trips from your focal point. $30K a year should be more than sufficient to allow you to live comfortably and even pay for a cook and nanny so long as you stay out of Europe, Japan, Australia, and other wealthy countries.

There’s nothing like going around the world insofar as adventure goes. One possible way of going at things would be to hit my 6 paradises consecutively. Check out weather at each spot as you wouldn’t want to be in the Himalayas in winter or Goa in the monsoons, for example. The only one of the six paradises that is not totally safe is Lake Atitlan. Medical care isn’t so hot there either. In the other places, there is good medical care for Westerners…sometimes as in India it’s fantastically cheap as well as quite good. All the places I mentioned have large expat communities.
Mountain climbing in the Himalayas is unsurpassed of course. Just pick the level of difficulty you’re comfortable with. What an incredible experience to share with your son.
I know it’s self-serving but I’m going to suggest that you read my book, How an Average Man Lived an Adventurous Life. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_44?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=how+an+average+man+lived+an+adventurous+life&x=0&y=0&sprefix=how+an+average+man+lived+an+adventurous+life It’s extremely relevant to your situation.

Get a hold of some Lonely Planet guides and start dreaming. The big secret is there’s no secret. Like the sneakers ad says, “Just do it!”
Definitely stay in touch. I’ll help any way I can.
Cheers,
John

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John,
I’m reading your blog because I would like to take a year out from the world that I live in. I am a musician and would like to have a year where I write music and have quiet time with myself. I wondered if you might have some suggestions. I’d like to rent a house somewhere quiet for a year.
I would need power and the ability to access internet but can use a USB stick if necessary. And other than that I would like to be somewhere beautiful.
Would you have some suggestions? I’d welcome your thoughts.
Best Wishes,
[name omitted]

Hi [name omitted],
I’ve been pondering your email. I get requests like yours once every couple of days and I take them very seriously. People need different paradises and I believe I know the perfect one for you. It’s the town of Arambol located in the far north of Goa in India. It’s a lively little town full of artists, musicians, and various creative people of one type or another. Every Thursday night musicians congregate for a live-mic-jam-session at the Loeke Bar. I’ve heard some amazing music there over the years. Travelers begin congregating in Arambol in November and the “season” dribbles out in late February. If you arrive in mid-October you should have your pick of houses. By arriving early and agreeing to stay long term you should be able to rent a house for $150 a month or so. I would recommend the houses on the headland between the main beach and the freshwater lake. These directions will become obvious once you get there. The nicest houses are up about 50meters above the main path. From up there you’ll feel a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of Arambol. The view out onto the ocean is stupendous. Sometimes you can see dolphin.
Food in Arambol is top-notch, extremely varied (Israeli, Chinese, Japanese, Italian and of course Indian and fantastic fresh seafood). It’s also really cheap. Internet connections are everywhere and with pretty good connectivity.
I know of a few people who stay on into the monsoon season, a nice time for orchids, mangoes, etc. It’s a period in which you’ll have plenty of time on your hands, which in your case would be ideal for composing.
I know this is self serving but I’d like you to buy my book: http://www.amazon.com/How-Average-Lived-Adventurous-Life/dp/1438912803. Read the description on the amazon page and you’ll have a pretty good idea what it’s about. People embarking on new adventures have found it particularly helpful.
Buy yourself a Lonely Planet guide to India, read through it a little bit, purchase that ticket, and make it happen.
Stay in touch.
I wish you all good things,
John Linnemeier
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Hi John,

I was just reading an article you wrote on a travelling blog I tend to read and there was this one place in the Himalayas that you said you stay at but wouldn’t mention the name. I’ve honestly been at work all day trying to figure out where this place is, but I have absolutely no clue. I’m going through a tough time right now and just really want to go somewhere else. Reading up on this place you were writing about sounds amazing, can you PLEASE give me the name of this place, I promise to keep it a secret and to not tell anyone, if that is what you want, I just want to find this place to relax, clear my head and be at peace!

Thanks for your help,
[name omitted]

Hi [name omitted],
Happy to be of help. The place is called Tranquility Inn, the guy who runs it is named Kishan. There is a trail that leads there from a tiny little town just before Kasar Devi Temple, which is 8 kilometers on the road above Almora. The trail itself begins about 50 meters from the house where Ram Das and Timothy Leary stayed when they first came to India. Ask around and you’ll definitely find the place.

Don’t go there now though. It’s too darn cold up there. Wait for the Spring/Summer. If you need to get out of the states now, and believe me, I’ve been through that, you might want to consider Goa and Hampi. Your Indian Visa is good for 6 months so when things are getting hot down in southern India, you can make it up to the mountains. I like to stay in Mandrem Beach, which is just south of Arambol in northern Goa. It’s a nice place to kick back in. As a matter of fact, my wife, daughter and I will be there in 3 weeks or so, so we might even bump into each other.

Buy yourself a Lonely Planet Guide to India and start dreaming. Then buy that ticket to India. When you’re going through some rough sledding, sometimes it feels good to be on the opposite side of the earth from all your problems. I wish you every good thing. Let me know if there is any more information you need or any way I can help.

Cheers,

John Linnemeier
Author of “How an Average Man Lived an Adventurous Life”

http://www.amazon.com/How-Average-Lived-Adventurous-Life/dp/1438912803

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To access my book look at this link: http://www.amazon.com/How-Average-Lived-Adventurous-Life/dp/1438912803
You can contact me directly at himalayansp@hotmail.com

 

6 Places to Live for Super Cheap

I’ve traveled to over 120 countries, and along the way, I have discovered some affordable paradises. In my book How an Average Man Lived an Adventurous Life, I included a chapter called, “Six paradises where you can retire comfortably for $500/month.” If you need a cook, a gardener, and a nanny it will cost $1000/month. I’ll tell you where these paradises are, and if you’re really serious about escaping from wherever you are, email me at himalayansp@hotmail.com, and I’ll help you any way I can.

After you look at this list, buy the appropriate Lonely Planet Guide, spend a day or two doing Google searches, and you’ll have what you need to know. Once you’ve done that, you’re ready for an exploratory visit. Or maybe just keep it in the back of your mind so that if everything goes to hell in your life sometime in the future, you don’t need to give up hope. These places can be your “get-out-of-jail free” card.

I define a paradise as somewhere that’s safe, beautiful, has a pleasant climate, good food, adequate health care, a community of foreigners to keep you company, and is, of course, cheap.

Here’s the list:

Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

It’s the only one of my paradises that you can drive to from the U.S. or Canada. For some reason, it’s comforting to know that you can load a truck up with whatever stuff you want to take with you, point it south, and in three or four days, be in one of the most beautiful places you’ve ever seen.

Lake Atitlan (pictured at the top) is twenty miles across, one thousand feet deep, and crystal clear. It’s surrounded by volcanoes, lush, green vegetation, and is elevated enough in the highlands so the temperature is always spring-like. Do a Google Image search and see what I mean; it’s gorgeous.

You’ll first arrive at the town of Panajachel, often referred to as “Gringotenango.” It’s a jakey-looking place, but very inexpensive. It has some rather pleasant little places to stay, which are tucked off of the main streets. The food is fantastic, of great variety, and real cheap. Any business you need to transact can be done here easily. This is as far as most people get, and if you want to watch CNN, smoke reefer all day, and live for peanuts, this may be your spot.

On the other hand, there’s a boat that circles the lake every day. It stops off for a few minutes at all the little villages surrounding the peripheral of the lake. Each village has its own personality from party-central to new age hippy deluxe, replete with solar warmed hot tubs. If you want to be the only gringo in town, there are tiny villages for that too. Somewhere along that continuum, you’ll find one village that will fit you to a T.

Unlike the next five spots, it can actually be a little bit dangerous in Guatemala if you don’t do the right things and go to the right places at the right times. I wouldn’t drive it at night, but a lot of people do. In general, talk with the local expats and follow their advice about what is safe and what isn’t.
Any of the many valleys that go up into the Himalayas

I’m most acquainted with the area just north of Almora, but all of the others would work as well. I stay in a little place that is a forty minute walk back from the road. The view stretched in front of you includes some of the tallest mountains in the world. Absolutely stupendous. The place I’m talking about is set on a series of terraces planted in every kind of organic fruit and vegetable. There are a dozen little cottages, mostly out of sight of each other, sprinkled around the area. You get a nice little place with a kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom/living room. You’ll also get a veranda that looks out on one of the greatest views on God’s earth. Cottages rented for $40/month the last time I was there but may be closer to $60/month now.

If you’d like, they’ll deliver milk every day and freshly baked bread every two days directly to your door. You can do your own cooking or, if you arrange ahead of time, there’s a French lady who’ll cook for practically nothing. The owner of the place walks his daughter into town every day, and if you’d like, he’ll bring back a copy of The Times of India for you.

The nearest internet connection is an hour’s walk away, and it is tenuous at best. Frankly, I call this a plus. You can buy groceries in this little town, hang out at the restaurant and socialize with the wider community. I’m not going to give you the name of this place because I don’t want it overrun with people. If you’re really determined though and use the clues in what I’ve written here, you’ll surely find it, and maybe I’ll run into you.

Goa, India

This has been a hippy paradise since the ’60s. It’s a lot more crowded now but also offers infinitely more diversions, including every kind of food, yoga, Tai-chi, and meditation class imaginable. If you want to learn about singing bowl treatment or any of another billion activities, then you’ve come to the right place.

Find the beach that suits you. They all have different vibes, from five-star international la-de-da, to bare-bones little cement boxes that don’t cost much of anything. If you get there before the season starts (late October to early November), you can rent some extraordinary houses if you’re willing to stay for the whole season.

The weather is near perfect until late January when it starts to warm up a little too much. It’s the dry season, so you most likely won’t see a cloud while you’re there. A few hardcore expats stay straight through the monsoon season. Just about everything is closed down by then, but a few people like it that way because everything is green, and it’s mango season.

I’ve seen an awful lot of ruins in my life, but the ruins of Hampi are my favorite. See them by the full moon, and you’ll never forget them. Hampi is a one day train ride through beautiful jungle with waterfalls, monkeys, and gorgeous birds. Incidentally, both Hampi and Goa have full moon rave parties that set the standard for world class craziness.

Pokhara, Nepal

Nepal is not dangerous, no matter what the press says or what you may think. It’s where I started the Jomsom trail, one of the great experiences of my life. Pokhara is picture perfect, a tiny little town surrounding a lovely lake with Machupuchari in the background. Again, do a Google Image search and be prepared to be wowed. The Nepalese are wonderful cooks and innkeepers, and they will treat you right. Everything is cheap as can be.

Lake Toba, Indonesia

Sumatra is the sixth largest island in the world. In the midst of it is Lake Toba, and in the center of this is a lovely little tropical island. Accommodations are more than comfortable and the architecture is very unique. People play chess a lot, and the loser normally has to give the winner a back rub. The food is good, and everything is super cheap. The locals have a fascinating culture. Just a few generations back, they were cannibals. If they’re really sore at someone, they’ll say “I pick the flesh of your ancestors from between my teeth.” These days though, the place is safe as can be.

Bali

Even though westerners have been coming here since the thirties, the Balinese are still gracious to strangers. There’s a tradition of art, music, puppetry, and dance that is truly unique. Everyone seems to be an artist of some kind, and people care deeply about beauty. You’ll be amazed by how gorgeous your little rented house or hotel room is. Prices are ultra cheap, so as long as you stay away from the international style hotels, you can get by for very little.

The town of Ubud in the highlands is a nice choice. The food is out of this world and very inexpensive. If the main street in town is too busy for you, just do an about face, pace off 300 yards through the rice patties, and you’ll be surrounded by tranquility. Some people have moved on from Bali to the next island, Lombak. Parts are as beautiful as Bali and less crowded, but it doesn’t have the lovely Balinese culture. Stay out of Kuta Beach, which is awful anyway, and you’ll be safer than you would be living in a little town in Nebraska.

 

Anyone Can be a Hero

I’ve now reached old age and realize that in 20 years, I’ll most likely be dead. Before I die though, I’d like to bear witness to a few things. I’ve spent much of my life roaming the earth and have visited over 100 countries. I’ve almost died so many times that it’s almost a joke. I’ve had a belly full of trouble. I’ve seen things as bad as they get–famines, revolutions, riots, and wars. I’ve seen people act, not like animals, but far worse. In all those situations though, there have always been heroes. When there were famines, I saw people swarming in from all over the world who wanted to feed the hungry and reduce suffering in any way they could.
I was in India in 2002(?) at the time of the terrible Hindu-Muslim riots in Gujarat. When people think they can get away with it, some people will do horrendous acts, but not everyone. I remember the story of a Hindu boy (supposedly he wasn’t much of a scholar) who broke through the line of rioters, and rescued his Muslim professor. I know of a town called Rahm Rahim Nagar where the poorest Hindus and Muslims lived together in a small neighborhood. When the rioters came pouring out of Ahmebdad, the young men of the town, Hindus and Muslims together, linked arms at the three entrances to their village and kept the rioters out.
The war in Vietnam was a stupid war. Fifty-thousand Americans and one million Vietnamese died for nothing. America entered the war out of ignorance, and Ho Chi Min’s pigheadedness and refusal to negotiate a withdrawal caused totally unnecessary mayhem as well.
Most Americans don’t have the slightest idea of the utter horror of a B-52 carpet bombing. It’s almost beyond description. I have talked to several people who have been through these bombings.
I once met a man who had been through one of these bombings. Among his unit, he and another man were the only ones to survive. Over the course of the war, this man incurred many wounds. One of the least of these was a gunshot wound to his arm. He had been crossing the river when an American helicopter caught him on a sandbar with nowhere to hide. The door gunner was toying with him, shooting behind him so that he had to run to one end of the sandbar and then shooting in front of him so that he had to run back the other way. He got pissed off and turned around, looked up at the helicopter, and gave a mock salute to the pilot. The pilot returned his salute and then peeled off down the river, leaving him alive.
Twenty years ago I met a Vietnam veteran in a bar in Mexico City. He told me a story that might have been true or might not. The point is it could have been true. The love we had for each other back then means it could have been true.
Two best friends were about to be surrounded by an NVA patrol. One of them was shot and obviously wasn’t going to make it. His guts were spilling out on the jungle floor. They were about to be cut off by the enemy, but this guy wouldn’t leave his friend, so the injured man put his rifle to his head and pulled the trigger.
Heroes don’t have to be super-men or super-women. We all have what it takes.

 

It’s a Good Time to Travel

A lot of people I talk to about traveling around the world want to know how they can get started. An around-the-world ticket can seem pretty expensive, especially if you don’t have a lot of money in the bank to begin with.

As the New York Times recently pointed out, one of the side effects of this recession is that airfare is cheaper than ever. So if you’ve been thinking of taking a trip abroad, but the initial cost has always made you hesitate, now’s the time to do it.

I saw a one-way ticket from New York to Bangkok for under $800. Once you’ve laid out the money for your flight, you’re there, and the rest is up to you. The deals abound, and not just with airfare but across the board—hotels, restaurants, everything. Why not go to Iceland, where the country’s economic collapse means it’s a great bargain for foreign tourists?¹

The global recession may be nerve-wracking, but there’s really never been a better time to travel. This economic climate isn’t going to last forever, though. We may not have hit bottom yet, but we will, and after that, we’ll start to rebuild, so if you want to travel on the cheap, go now.

 

Living More Internationally, Part 3: Money

Over the next few entries, I’m going to post some practical advice about how living more internationally can be not just a rewarding experience, but fun, safe, and financially worth your while.

OK, now let’s talk money. How do you get the wherewithal to start and continue traveling?

First an important principle: Work in rich countries, spend in developing countries. How to find out how expensive a place is? Get ahold of a Lonely Planet guide to the place you’re interested in, then page through it, checking prices for hotels, meals, etc. The cheapest countries in the world are India, Indonesia, Nepal, Guatemala, Egypt, Ecuador, and Cambodia. Most middle class Americans could probably retire to any of those places whenever they felt like it. Why knock yourself out doing something you don’t like till you’re 65 so you can live in Florida in a trailer when you could be in a villa with a cook, nanny, and gardener on the shores of magnificent Lake Atitlan in the healthful climate of the Guatemalan highlands?

So how do you put the initial bundle together? Say you’re making $40K/yr. Just pretend you just got demoted to $30K/yr. Lots of people live on that — whatever they do, do that. In a year you´ll have $10K — that´s a lot of money where you´re going.

A second principle: You have a skill that millions of people around the world are dying to learn. You are fluent in what has become the international language — English. There are schools in virtually every non-English speaking country in the world desperate for native English speakers to teach students. Pay is especially good in Korea and Taiwan but good everywhere, at least by local standards. Incidentally, wages up to $85K earned outside the US are tax-free. You should be able to get a job strictly on your status as a native English speaker. A college degree will increase your salary, as will a 3-week TESL (teaching English as a second language) course.

OK, that’s one way to make money as you travel — there are many, many more. I met an American guy once who made his living ($500/ night) putting on live sex shows in Japan — the mind boggles. A very wealthy man was once asked the easiest way to make a million dollars. His response — find a country where something costs $2 and another country where the same thing costs $1. Then negotiate the sale of one million of them. It’s tougher than it sounds but the principle is valid. The Economist magazine has what it calls the Big Mac Index, in which the price of a standard commodity — the Big Mac is computed in dollars for all 228 countries where our famous burger is sold. Last time I checked, it the most expensive BM in the world cost $5.79 in Norway, while the cheapest was in Malaysia for $1.52.

The gap between wages is much larger. Minimum wage in India is $1/day. For what it’s worth, I made a considerable amount of money buying Indian software companies when they first listed on the NASDAQ. I’d seen how smart, educated and motivated those guys were. I knew that with the Internet, they would be able to compete head to head with software companies in Silicon Valley and I knew the differential in wages. That kind of knowledge is worth something.

 

Living More Internationally, Part 2: Kids

Over the next few entries, I’m going to post some practical advice about how living more internationally can be not just a rewarding experience, but fun, safe, and financially worth your while.

At this point some of you reading this may be thinking, “Sounds like fun but I can’t do it because of my family/mortgage/career/age or whatever.” Also there’s the issue of money — how do you support yourself?

None of these factors are insurmountable. In fact they can be opportunities.

Let´s start with kids. Maybe your kids are in the midst of school.

By now I´ve been in about 100 countries and circled the Earth quite a few times. For one thing, circling the globe makes for a good trip since there’s no need to backtrack. In one of my favorite around-the-world trips, I left America with my wife and one-year-old son, Jacques. Six and a half years later, we arrived home with more money than when we left. By the age of seven, my son was up to speed for entering the 2nd grade. In addition, he’d gotten to know 40 cultures. He could tell you about the birds of Kenya, rug designs in Turkey, Hindu deities, Chinese ink drawing and a million other things. Raising children on the road is so much easier than at home. I know this sounds funny to anyone who’s taken a 2-week vacation with their kids in America and found it an exhausting exercise. Let me explain.

First an observation. People in the third world are crazy about kids. They can’t get enough of them. Whenever economists look at the size of families in the third world, they always look at it in economic terms — more helping hands, support in one’s old age, etc. This may have some validity, but in my opinion the main reason they have so many kids is because they like them. Besides, children aren’t so burdensome since everyone shares in childrearing. The whole village raises a kid.

For several months on the trip I was referring to, my family and I lived on the tiny island of Lamu off the coast of Kenya. For 2 or 3 hours in the morning my wife and I went through Jacques´ formal school lessons. Then he’d take off on his donkey Suzy for the rest of the day and hang out with his pals. Sometimes they’d be at our house, but more likely they’d be fishing, swimming or whatever. Walking through our little village, I found that I knew relatively few people by name, but my son knew everyone — they loved him, and he was welcomed everywhere.

When kids are real young, nannies are a tremendous help. The girls have had so much experience taking care of their little brothers and sisters that they’re experts. It just takes the strain out of having kids, which is so much a part of parenting in the US and Europe.

Let’s talk about schooling for a bit. Home schooling is not as difficult and time-consuming as you might think. I’ve used The Calvert School in Baltimore, also a secondary school program operated by Indiana University. One time I just coordinated with Jacques’ regular school in Indiana. All this requires lugging a lot of books around and sending lessons back by mail to be graded by a teacher. These are then returned with grades and comments. This was 10 years ago. By now there must be dozens of internet possibilities which would make everything much simpler.

Traveling with kids means traveling slower and seeing things in far greater depth. Children will connect you with the locals in a way that nothing else will.

 

Living More Internationally, Part 1

Over the next few entries, I’m going to post some practical advice about how living more internationally can be not just a rewarding experience, but fun, safe, and financially worth your while.

My best advice to someone who wants to live a better life is to start to think more internationally.

Would you consider buying an around-the-world ticket and traveling to new places for a few months (or years) if you thought you could afford it? Let’s think about it for a little while — dream a little.

A cheap around-the-world ticket should cost about $1,300. I’ve consistently found that the best deal on these tickets can be found in the travel section of the New York Times. Look for the tiny little ads with the almost unreadable type. In 30 years, I’ve never had a problem with any of these outfits, but if you want to be more careful, you can pay with a credit card.

Most of these tickets have to be completed within a year, so you might just want to buy a one way ticket to Bangkok and put the rest of the trip together later. Thailand is, for some reason or other, the cheapest place in the world to buy air tickets. This will give you more flexibility, too. Trust me, you’ll want as much of that as possible.

Probably your first major stop will be in Europe. My advice — keep it short. A couple of days in London cost about the same as a month on the beaches of Goa. You`ll kick yourself for blowing so much early on in the trip.

Next stop – let’s say Bombay. OK, the pollution is horrific, jet lag has got you down. Just chill out for a day or two – it’s going to get better. Try to stay in the Colaba section — the sea breeze will help. Here let me mention the importance in India (but everywhere really) of going in the right season. Go during the hot season and you will not enjoy yourself.

Let’s backtrack a little; when planning your trip, check on the weather for the time you plan on visiting. I get out my well-worn National Geographic Atlas and check out the 2 pages devoted to temperature and rainfall at some 400 cities around the world. Don’t ignore what you learn there — monsoon season in Lake Toba in Indonesia will be a bigger factor than you imagine.

So, you’re over your jet lag, you’ve discovered Leopold’s Cafe and things are looking up. Notice the prices? Like about 1/5 what they were in London. That’s only the beginning.

One of my favorite things to do in Bombay is to attend a meeting of the Laughing Club of India. It meets every morning at 7:30 in the little park down by the Gateway to India. I won’t spoil it for you. Just prepare to have your spirits raised.

So let’s start paying for this trip. Do you take any medications? Go into any drugstore and do some sticker comparisons. The same drug you pay $1,200 for in the States costs $40 here. A doctor’s appointment, including prescription, should set you back $2. How about a new suit? India is known for its extraordinary textiles. Go to a gentleman’ store (I’m partial to Raymond’s) and have a suit made up that is tailored perfectly to your body, full silk lining, the works. Should cost about $100.

Getting tired of the city? Take the train to Rajasthan — Indian trains are one of the great ways of traveling. Second class sleeper gives you a comfortable bunk so you can take a nap whenever you feel like it while you watch the fascinating scenery slide by. You can travel all the way across India like this for $20. The train serves good curry but every stop has vendors selling whatever you need.

 

Places that are dangerous

Since I talked in my last post about not being afraid of travel, I should probably add a few words about places I do consider dangerous.

Colombia used to be near the top of the list, but I hear it’s better now.

In Afghanistan (all the “stans,” for that matter), you’ll have no trouble getting into all kinds of dicey situations.

Also, no one should underestimate the problems and real dangers of travel in Sub-Saharan Africa. Problems in this part of the world are under reported – 5.4 million people have died in the Congo since the war began in 1998¹ and it has hardly appeared on the world’s radar screen. These places are not for the first-time traveler.

Most of the rest of the world, though, is at least as safe, if not safer, than America. If you want to be scared of anything, be scared of third-world traffic.

 

Don’t be afraid of travel

So many Americans have a totally irrational fear of traveling.

Let’s put things into perspective.  Statistically, you’re much more likely to come to a violent end in America than the average world citizen is — lots of people have guns here and we have quite a high murder rate.  The streets of Boston are far more dangerous than Shanghai, Calcutta, Damascus, or practically anyplace else you want to mention.

People tend to be afraid of the wrong things.  SARS, which everyone was so worried about a few years ago, has killed fewer than 800 people, while AIDS is killing millions upon millions. Even swine flu is relatively unlikely to kill you: you have less than a one in a million chance of contracting swine flu – and only about a one percent chance of dying from it, if you did catch it.  Ironically, you’d probably be better off if you were overseas right now, since the majority of the cases have been reported in North America.¹ You could fly around the world 200,000 times before you stood a 50-50 chance of dying in a plane crash.² Simply walking is many thousands of times more dangerous — in fact, it’s far and away the most dangerous way to travel. How many of the millions of American expatriates abroad have died at the hands of terrorists? A handful. More people die of bee stings.

I’m not saying there isn’t some danger overseas. There is. It’s just not what’s portrayed in the media, and there are simple solutions. The traffic in India is murderous — take a train. The Indian Railway System has the same safety record as Europe – also, it’s super cheap and great fun. Malaria and AIDS are terrible problems in Africa — take your pills and be mighty selective of your sex partners. No problem.