I quit my job to travel Europe! - Page 3

**VF1J** · 08-31-2011, 08:31 AM

Has he stopped updating his blog? I deleted it off my bookmarks a while ago, interesting stuff though.

**Urshulgi** · 09-01-2011, 02:03 PM

Teaching English for supplemental income isn't likely to be a great method anymore. Even people who are actually qualified to teach English as a foreign language barely make any money in Europe. As an unqualified traveler who happens to be a native speaker, you'd be lucky to even find anyone who would consider engaging your services.

If you want your money to last a long time, get the hell out of Western Europe and head East. Eastern Europe, Russia, Central Asia, and SouthEast Asia are all pretty cheap compared to Western Europe.

Hostels aren't as cheap as everyone seems to think they are, and they cost a lot more during the summer and on Friday and Saturday nights. I'd strongly recommend couch-surfing as much as possible instead of hostel-hopping. You'll meet actual locals that way.

Remember that the Europeans are nativists and some transportation options (Eurail pass) are going to be more expensive for you because you're not an EU citizen.

If you want to live a permanent travel lifestyle, get a CELTA or a TESOL and you can teach English for real in just about any country except for Western European ones.

I'm going to Europe for the first time at the end of September, to Germany and The Netherlands, so I'm curious as to how it is. Then I'm flying back to Moscow, where I've lived for the past 9 months.

**Done** · 09-03-2011, 09:43 PM

Looks like our Troll lost the smartphone, or traded it for food; or he's gotten himself in some kind of trouble, maybe he's got himself an STD and is ashamed to talk about it. *sigh*

**Still Standing** · 09-03-2011, 09:48 PM

^According to the stats, he was last online 3 days ago.

**Troll** · 09-04-2011, 05:51 PM

I'm still alive! I did log in three days ago and wrote a long ass reply only to watch it get deleted somehow... again... It was 2am and I was kinda drunk. FML. I almost put a beer bottle through the hostels computer monitor. They're lucky I'm almost broke and the last thing I'm going to do right now is waste half a beer. Now I'm writing from my phone, which is a pain in the arse. I was wondering why my blog hits spiked the other day (apparently from this thread bump). Four whole page views in a day? That's like four times my average! I haven't posted much lately because I'm in some pretty lame places, but things should pick up when I get out of Portugal. kinda just visiting family for the moment. Allow me to sum up my journey thus far: holy fucking awesome. I really don't know what else to say. Amazing food, people, sights. I'm still not done either. I think ill make the two months before I go broke mark I planned for. Not worried about it. ill figure something out - I always do. The biggest lesson this experience has taught me is that when things get really tough you gotta keep moving. Sitting on a curb moping because shit doesn't work out perfectly is a good way to end up sleeping on a curb. I don't have time to dwell on stuff that used to really bum me out. I focus way more on the good things that happen to me during the day. I've attracted a lot of really cool interesting people by sticking with that attitude. Random people have helped me way more on this trip than Google. So... yeah... not dead yet. Haven't lost the phone. Haven't had the opportunity to get some STDs, but not for a lack of effort. Here's how to get women way out of your league to laugh in your face: "excuse me, I'm from out of town... do you know any good restaurants I could take you out to tonight?". at least that's what I tried a couple times back in the UK. places where I don't know the language are pretty difficult to navigate, and I'm not as confident to approach people. I'm having a lot of fun nonetheless. Thank you all again for all your suggestions. Some of them have turned out to be very useful. It's funny. I remember when I talked to some coworkers about possibly quiting my job to travel. Much like that really hot Scottish chick who wasn't hungry - I was quickly laughed at. It wasn't so funny when I submit my resignation. I was still really doubting the idea of doing it at the time, but Now I think it was a great decision. It's 2am again (sober this time). I'll make a less ranty post when I have time with a real computer. I felt like I had to share something considering everyone else was so helpful here. Peace!

**storm eyes** · 09-04-2011, 06:10 PM

Well glad you are having fun and surviving, the hot Scottish chick probably told all her friends what you said, the chances of hearing that from a Scottish guy are as likely as a sighting of the Loch Ness Monster. A chat-up line in Scotland is "Can you lend me a fiver for the chippie".

**Les Payne** · 09-04-2011, 08:05 PM

When my father was a young man he dropped everything and toured Europe for a couple of years. He took a different approach: he travelled with a large group of guys all well armed and they made a point to shell the towns before they went into them. I don’t think he would have recommended going there all alone. But that was quite awhile back; I’m sure things have changed since then.

If you get a chance to watch some movies, there are some good ones about traveling abroad. I recommend: Turistas alternate title Paradise Lost, Hostel and Hostel Part II

**Troll** · 09-05-2011, 03:40 AM

Originally Posted by Les Payne
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When my father was a young man he dropped everything and toured Europe for a couple of years. He took a different approach: he travelled with a large group of guys all well armed and they made a point to shell the towns before they went into them. I don’t think he would have recommended going there all alone. But that was quite awhile back; I’m sure things have changed since then.

If you get a chance to watch some movies, there are some good ones about traveling abroad. I recommend: Turistas alternate title Paradise Lost, Hostel and Hostel Part II

I do miss having the time to peruse the forum for posts like this gem. I'm off to a land without internet for a week. Wish me luck (as sarcastically as possible, please)!

**VF1J** · 09-05-2011, 06:01 AM

What happened after you found the cat?

**Tactical Panda** · 09-05-2011, 06:18 AM

Sounds epic. Keep us posted.

**Done** · 09-06-2011, 08:50 AM

	Originally Posted by Troll To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I'm off to a land without internet for a week. Wish me luck (as sarcastically as possible, please)!

As if it's not good enough that you're still breathing, you've gone and setup another cliffhanger... This time I wont be prodding u for an update...you're on your own
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**Troll** · 09-08-2011, 12:28 PM

	Originally Posted by VF1J To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	What happened after you found the cat?

I started rambling about nonsense until I found the street with my hostel. it was something about street lights.

So not only does the area where I'm staying have internet, they have free WiFi in the park. It's grown a lot since the last time I was here. cool beans. I've got less than a week left in Portugal. Has Amsterdam banned outsiders from the coffee shops yet? I think that's the next destination. I looove coffee.

**Bezukhov** · 09-20-2011, 09:16 AM

They're still open to tourists until the end of the year.

Safe travels!

Daoist · 09-20-2011, 10:09 AM

Hmm, how I am I going to make it out there in the next 3 months?

**Bezukhov** · 09-20-2011, 10:13 AM

Personally, I recommend
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or
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.

**Troll** · 09-20-2011, 02:26 PM

all the fairytales are true!!

**storm eyes** · 10-02-2011, 02:48 PM

Where are you now?

**Troll** · 10-03-2011, 04:19 PM

I'm back in Portugal, inland near Spain staying with family. I'm done traveling for the time being. Looking for work now. I don't really want to come back yet. I'm having too much fun.

**storm eyes** · 10-03-2011, 04:21 PM

	Originally Posted by Troll To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I'm back in Portugal, inland near Spain staying with family. I'm done traveling for the time being. Looking for work now. I don't really want to come back yet. I'm having too much fun.

So jealous
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Glad you are having fun.

**VF1J** · 10-03-2011, 10:24 PM

What a Troll.

08-31-2011, 08:31 AM	#51
VF1J Member [47%] MBTI: INTx Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,898	Has he stopped updating his blog? I deleted it off my bookmarks a while ago, interesting stuff though.
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09-01-2011, 02:03 PM	#52
Urshulgi Member [32%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 1,318	Teaching English for supplemental income isn't likely to be a great method anymore. Even people who are actually qualified to teach English as a foreign language barely make any money in Europe. As an unqualified traveler who happens to be a native speaker, you'd be lucky to even find anyone who would consider engaging your services. If you want your money to last a long time, get the hell out of Western Europe and head East. Eastern Europe, Russia, Central Asia, and SouthEast Asia are all pretty cheap compared to Western Europe. Hostels aren't as cheap as everyone seems to think they are, and they cost a lot more during the summer and on Friday and Saturday nights. I'd strongly recommend couch-surfing as much as possible instead of hostel-hopping. You'll meet actual locals that way. Remember that the Europeans are nativists and some transportation options (Eurail pass) are going to be more expensive for you because you're not an EU citizen. If you want to live a permanent travel lifestyle, get a CELTA or a TESOL and you can teach English for real in just about any country except for Western European ones. I'm going to Europe for the first time at the end of September, to Germany and The Netherlands, so I'm curious as to how it is. Then I'm flying back to Moscow, where I've lived for the past 9 months.
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09-03-2011, 09:43 PM	#53
Done Member [02%] MBTI: INTP Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 106	Looks like our Troll lost the smartphone, or traded it for food; or he's gotten himself in some kind of trouble, maybe he's got himself an STD and is ashamed to talk about it. sigh
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09-03-2011, 09:48 PM	#54
Still Standing Core Member [138%] MBTI: Isfp Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 5,543	^According to the stats, he was last online 3 days ago.
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09-04-2011, 05:51 PM	#55
Troll Member [04%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 162	I'm still alive! I did log in three days ago and wrote a long ass reply only to watch it get deleted somehow... again... It was 2am and I was kinda drunk. FML. I almost put a beer bottle through the hostels computer monitor. They're lucky I'm almost broke and the last thing I'm going to do right now is waste half a beer. Now I'm writing from my phone, which is a pain in the arse. I was wondering why my blog hits spiked the other day (apparently from this thread bump). Four whole page views in a day? That's like four times my average! I haven't posted much lately because I'm in some pretty lame places, but things should pick up when I get out of Portugal. kinda just visiting family for the moment. Allow me to sum up my journey thus far: holy fucking awesome. I really don't know what else to say. Amazing food, people, sights. I'm still not done either. I think ill make the two months before I go broke mark I planned for. Not worried about it. ill figure something out - I always do. The biggest lesson this experience has taught me is that when things get really tough you gotta keep moving. Sitting on a curb moping because shit doesn't work out perfectly is a good way to end up sleeping on a curb. I don't have time to dwell on stuff that used to really bum me out. I focus way more on the good things that happen to me during the day. I've attracted a lot of really cool interesting people by sticking with that attitude. Random people have helped me way more on this trip than Google. So... yeah... not dead yet. Haven't lost the phone. Haven't had the opportunity to get some STDs, but not for a lack of effort. Here's how to get women way out of your league to laugh in your face: "excuse me, I'm from out of town... do you know any good restaurants I could take you out to tonight?". at least that's what I tried a couple times back in the UK. places where I don't know the language are pretty difficult to navigate, and I'm not as confident to approach people. I'm having a lot of fun nonetheless. Thank you all again for all your suggestions. Some of them have turned out to be very useful. It's funny. I remember when I talked to some coworkers about possibly quiting my job to travel. Much like that really hot Scottish chick who wasn't hungry - I was quickly laughed at. It wasn't so funny when I submit my resignation. I was still really doubting the idea of doing it at the time, but Now I think it was a great decision. It's 2am again (sober this time). I'll make a less ranty post when I have time with a real computer. I felt like I had to share something considering everyone else was so helpful here. Peace!
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09-04-2011, 06:10 PM	#56
storm eyes Core Member [150%] MBTI: INFJ Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 6,013	Well glad you are having fun and surviving, the hot Scottish chick probably told all her friends what you said, the chances of hearing that from a Scottish guy are as likely as a sighting of the Loch Ness Monster. A chat-up line in Scotland is "Can you lend me a fiver for the chippie".
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09-04-2011, 08:05 PM	#57
Les Payne Member [02%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 85	When my father was a young man he dropped everything and toured Europe for a couple of years. He took a different approach: he travelled with a large group of guys all well armed and they made a point to shell the towns before they went into them. I don’t think he would have recommended going there all alone. But that was quite awhile back; I’m sure things have changed since then. If you get a chance to watch some movies, there are some good ones about traveling abroad. I recommend: Turistas alternate title Paradise Lost, Hostel and Hostel Part II
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09-05-2011, 06:01 AM	#59
VF1J Member [47%] MBTI: INTx Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,898	What happened after you found the cat?
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09-05-2011, 06:18 AM	#60
Tactical Panda Core Member [133%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 5,328	Sounds epic. Keep us posted.
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09-20-2011, 09:16 AM	#63
Bezukhov New Member [01%] MBTI: INTj Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 64	They're still open to tourists until the end of the year. Safe travels!
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09-20-2011, 10:09 AM	#64
Daoist Veteran Member [82%] MBTI: INTP Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 3,313	Hmm, how I am I going to make it out there in the next 3 months?
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09-20-2011, 10:13 AM	#65
Bezukhov New Member [01%] MBTI: INTj Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 64	Personally, I recommend To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. or To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. .
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09-20-2011, 02:26 PM	#66
Troll Member [04%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 162	all the fairytales are true!!
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10-02-2011, 02:48 PM	#67
storm eyes Core Member [150%] MBTI: INFJ Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 6,013	Where are you now?
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10-03-2011, 04:19 PM	#68
Troll Member [04%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 162	I'm back in Portugal, inland near Spain staying with family. I'm done traveling for the time being. Looking for work now. I don't really want to come back yet. I'm having too much fun.
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10-03-2011, 10:24 PM	#70
VF1J Member [47%] MBTI: INTx Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,898	What a Troll.
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