So the following are some introductory videos I made to explain this website. To explain my travel background and why I am taking this trip and to explain my educational and teaching background.
Hope you enjoy!
For what is arguably just a much longer version of these videos, please continue to read other posts on this blog such as "what is the plan" post, or for more on my educational background -check out the Experience and Education section.
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Friday, May 16, 2014
Pressure, Anxiety and Preparing for a Trip
First of all, I might as well give up trying to be cool, because no matter what I do, this guy will have done it better
So, now that the pressure is off. I leave in about 5 weeks. Which feels like a lot of time, but really isn't. I have been preparing for this trip for about two years, so in many ways I am just revving to go!
Of course there is also a lot of anxiety around leaving for an indefinite amount of time. One of the symptoms of this anxiety has been strange dreams in which I forget something important, or a reoccurring one I have been having has to do with leaving a mess behind.
So here are some things I have done to prepare for this trip.
Education:
A) Last fall I took Spanish classes and tried to brush up a bit using flash cards, grammar books and Rosetta Stone. I didn't exactly become fluent, but it was a nice reminder of ideas I had forgotten.
B) This spring I took classes at Hamline University to get a Certificate to Teach English as a Foreign Language. Many countries will allow native English speakers to teach or assist, but in order to be legitimate you need one of these certificates.
C) I read 4 South American History Books, and 2 South American Guide Books. Along with random articles and videos I found online.
Health:
A) I like to walk a lot when traveling. I am considering buying one of those step tracker things to let people know how much I am walking while I am there-might be interesting? But I have been dealing with a bum knee for a few years now. I don't expect my knee to get better anytime soon, but I have found regularly stretching and using it to build up the muscles really helps. So I am starting to walk a few miles every couple of days. This has been my regiment in the past and it really helps me deal with the long treks and the times I get lost. How long are these treks you ask? It really depends, but usually I would estimate I walk over 10 miles a day when I am visiting a new city. When it is raining, or when there are lots of hills, perhaps less. Many of my past traveling companions got really annoyed with me for this trait. Its also really funny because when I ask for directions people always tell me to take the bus or the train, my response is usually something like "but its only 5 miles..."
B) For a trip to certain countries in South America you need to have been vaccinated for Yellow Fever. Yellow Fever is no joke, but the bill for the vaccine isn't either. I will write about costs in a later post, but for now you should know I recently got 5 new shots -so I should be ready to go!
C) I got a nice dental cleaning a month ago and the A-ok to hold off on any fillings. Its cheaper in South America anyway.
Supplies:
A) I like a little bag. I have tried all sorts of different types of backpacker travel luggage
but as my friend Rachel recently reminded me, there is nothing fun about lugging a giant suitcase down a dirt road to the beach... there is something hilarious about it, but not fun per se.
In my small bag I will carry 1 of 2 pairs of pants, a week's worth of socks, 3-4 t-shirts, a long sleeve shirt, some underwear, a rain jacket, a sweat shirt, a towel, a swim suit (likely), basic toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, q tips, wet wipes, powder), basic meds (tylenol, antibiotics, hydrocortisone cream, bug itch stuff, bug spray, stomach meds), colored pencils, pens, iphone/ipad charger, journal and maybe a camera and a book. On the outside, flip flops, a hat, water bottle, any extras I pick up. That's about it. I will buy and throw stuff as needed.
B) I carry the basic travel stuff on me (passport, extra cash, plane ticket).
I had to get a new passport, and will need to prepare many documents such as certificates, proof of identification, resumes etc. I am also planning on having a lot of that stuff scanned and on email.
Communication networks:
A) That is what this is for!
B) Emergency contact list.
C) Lots of lists of things to do, people to see, websites to look up when I get there.
E) Networking -is difficult. A lot of online research and a few back and forths through email. Sometimes the connection really pays off and sometimes it fizzles, but I am hoping to meet some great people and see some amazing places either way.
Then there is the normal preparation to move stuff:
A) I am officially resigning June 5th after our 2014 Graduation Ceremony.
B) I am paying rent through June.
C) My Brother has been nice enough to suggest I leave some of my stuff (books, cds, dvds) at his house as storage. Much of the rest of it I have donated or am throwing away. I am hoping my Dad will let me keep my car at his house (on minimal insurance).
D) I have had to switch around bank accounts, prepare some savings for returning, update credit cards etc. I will be looking into travel insurance/regular coverage -paying out of pocket. A lot of the hassles of being an adult will just be put on hold or switched to E-statements and online accounts.
Saying Goodbye:
This is always the hardest thing to handle and I am never sure of the best way to do this. The separation process happens so unevenly, for some people it seems like an epic tear-filled goodbye, and for others it is "See ya next year!" with a wave. Many people have already talked about visiting, which is great except I don't know where or when I will be anywhere yet.
A little anxiety and a lot of excitement!
There are a few more topics I would like to write about be before I leave (and then it will be all travel). Future posts:
-Costs
-About Me Video
-Fear and Xenophobia
So, now that the pressure is off. I leave in about 5 weeks. Which feels like a lot of time, but really isn't. I have been preparing for this trip for about two years, so in many ways I am just revving to go!
Of course there is also a lot of anxiety around leaving for an indefinite amount of time. One of the symptoms of this anxiety has been strange dreams in which I forget something important, or a reoccurring one I have been having has to do with leaving a mess behind.
So here are some things I have done to prepare for this trip.
Education:
A) Last fall I took Spanish classes and tried to brush up a bit using flash cards, grammar books and Rosetta Stone. I didn't exactly become fluent, but it was a nice reminder of ideas I had forgotten.
B) This spring I took classes at Hamline University to get a Certificate to Teach English as a Foreign Language. Many countries will allow native English speakers to teach or assist, but in order to be legitimate you need one of these certificates.
C) I read 4 South American History Books, and 2 South American Guide Books. Along with random articles and videos I found online.
Health:
A) I like to walk a lot when traveling. I am considering buying one of those step tracker things to let people know how much I am walking while I am there-might be interesting? But I have been dealing with a bum knee for a few years now. I don't expect my knee to get better anytime soon, but I have found regularly stretching and using it to build up the muscles really helps. So I am starting to walk a few miles every couple of days. This has been my regiment in the past and it really helps me deal with the long treks and the times I get lost. How long are these treks you ask? It really depends, but usually I would estimate I walk over 10 miles a day when I am visiting a new city. When it is raining, or when there are lots of hills, perhaps less. Many of my past traveling companions got really annoyed with me for this trait. Its also really funny because when I ask for directions people always tell me to take the bus or the train, my response is usually something like "but its only 5 miles..."
B) For a trip to certain countries in South America you need to have been vaccinated for Yellow Fever. Yellow Fever is no joke, but the bill for the vaccine isn't either. I will write about costs in a later post, but for now you should know I recently got 5 new shots -so I should be ready to go!
C) I got a nice dental cleaning a month ago and the A-ok to hold off on any fillings. Its cheaper in South America anyway.
 |
| Mike in 2002 |
A) I like a little bag. I have tried all sorts of different types of backpacker travel luggage
but as my friend Rachel recently reminded me, there is nothing fun about lugging a giant suitcase down a dirt road to the beach... there is something hilarious about it, but not fun per se.
In my small bag I will carry 1 of 2 pairs of pants, a week's worth of socks, 3-4 t-shirts, a long sleeve shirt, some underwear, a rain jacket, a sweat shirt, a towel, a swim suit (likely), basic toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, q tips, wet wipes, powder), basic meds (tylenol, antibiotics, hydrocortisone cream, bug itch stuff, bug spray, stomach meds), colored pencils, pens, iphone/ipad charger, journal and maybe a camera and a book. On the outside, flip flops, a hat, water bottle, any extras I pick up. That's about it. I will buy and throw stuff as needed.
B) I carry the basic travel stuff on me (passport, extra cash, plane ticket).
I had to get a new passport, and will need to prepare many documents such as certificates, proof of identification, resumes etc. I am also planning on having a lot of that stuff scanned and on email.
Communication networks:
A) That is what this is for!
B) Emergency contact list.
C) Lots of lists of things to do, people to see, websites to look up when I get there.
E) Networking -is difficult. A lot of online research and a few back and forths through email. Sometimes the connection really pays off and sometimes it fizzles, but I am hoping to meet some great people and see some amazing places either way.
Then there is the normal preparation to move stuff:
A) I am officially resigning June 5th after our 2014 Graduation Ceremony.
B) I am paying rent through June.
C) My Brother has been nice enough to suggest I leave some of my stuff (books, cds, dvds) at his house as storage. Much of the rest of it I have donated or am throwing away. I am hoping my Dad will let me keep my car at his house (on minimal insurance).
D) I have had to switch around bank accounts, prepare some savings for returning, update credit cards etc. I will be looking into travel insurance/regular coverage -paying out of pocket. A lot of the hassles of being an adult will just be put on hold or switched to E-statements and online accounts.
Saying Goodbye:
This is always the hardest thing to handle and I am never sure of the best way to do this. The separation process happens so unevenly, for some people it seems like an epic tear-filled goodbye, and for others it is "See ya next year!" with a wave. Many people have already talked about visiting, which is great except I don't know where or when I will be anywhere yet.
A little anxiety and a lot of excitement!
There are a few more topics I would like to write about be before I leave (and then it will be all travel). Future posts:
-Costs
-About Me Video
-Fear and Xenophobia
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