Jobs Involving Travel

theworkingwardrobe.com

As I’ve mentioned before, travel is expensive. This kills me. I understand, of course, the huge costs of plane tickets and hotel rooms – it takes money to run such operations. But I wish, so often, that I was able to drop everything and fly away somewhere at any whim. However, this is not possible. Not only do I have responsibilities and loved ones here, I also have like, no money. (Thanks, tuition). But once I graduate, I’ll have time! I’ll have freedom from paper deadlines and classes! Oh, I’ll have a job. But what if my job allowed for my travel? Is this an unrealistic wish of a travel-deprived girl? Or is it possible? Thankfully, after a little searching on the Internet (oh, Google, what would I do without you?) I learned that this is indeed possible. If travel is what I desire, I can do that – and earn money at the same time. Perfect. What more could a girl want?

sosclassroom.org

So what are these desirable, perfect jobs? According to Matador Abroad, a website devoted to travel for “study, work, and play,” some “awesome travel jobs” are freelance writer/photographer, ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher, travel nurse, travel agent, tour guide, Navy sailor, yacht sailor, gigs on cruise ships, an au pair (a nanny or babysitter that might do some housework for a wealthy family), a geologist, a WWOOFer (a volunteer on a farm for room and board through Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms), Peace Corps volunteer, flight attendant, pilot, interpreter/translator, diplomat, missionary, ethnomusicologist, or an airline ready reserve agent.

There you have it! Tons of jobs available for travel-keen individuals! I left out some that were more temporary, but as you can see, these jobs range from permanent to short-term, depending upon your plans and your level of education or interests. Personally, the ESL teacher appealed to me! For more information on these careers (and a few more) and how to get them, check out the website! 

Unique hotels just as cool as their locations!

              When I was a kid, for some reason, hotels were the best part of traveling. It was like one big family sleepover, until I realized that being cooped with your family, as a teenager, was actually the last item on the list of fun things to do. Don’t get me wrong – I love my family. And I love spending time with them. Just not when we are travel-weary, cramped, hungry for real food, and tired. However, something about nice, fancy, hotels appealed to me (and still kind of does, I won’t lie). I like that you get fresh sheets every day; I like that everything is neat and orderly when you walk in; I like that you can get room service. Honestly, if the hotel is even somewhat upscale, it might be better than whatever place you are visiting anyway. So when I found out about unique, unconventional hotels being built all over the world, I knew I wanted to visit some one day. Since I still harbor my childhood love of hotels, traveling to get to a hotel doesn’t seem odd to me; plus just because your accommodations are your destination doesn’t mean you can’t still get out and explore! Which I would definitely not be able to resist doing, regardless of where I am. Check out some of these crazy hotels that are a vacation in themselves:

Cave Hotel, Turkey

                                                   
                                                                 Sand Hotel, England

                                                                 Floating Hotel, Sweden

                                                           Poseidon Undersea Resort, Fiji
                                                               

                                                               Jumbo Hostel, Sweden

                                                                Ice Hotel, Canada

                                                                 Tree House Hotel, India

I can’t think of anything better than being able to travel to one of these amazing places, experience their culture, see their sites, and then come back to one of these hotels. A nice hotel can make your trip, just as a bad one can break. A level of comfort is key to travel, and these hotels can provide that – along with a extraordinary experience that you’ll remember forever. Imagine being able to mesmerize your friends with travel stories involving the awesome hotel you stayed in – that doesn’t come around too often!

Information and pictures from:

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2lXayl/www.lastminutetravel.com/blog/index.php/2009/11/18/12-creative-hotels-which-one-is-your-favorite/

Travel Tip: Don't be afraid to get away from the group

When I went to Germany with my school, my best friend was in the group – my best friend that was so close to me, we were basically sisters. And by that I meant we occasionally fought like sisters. We were so comfortable with each other we weren’t afraid to entirely be ourselves, to speak whatever what was on our minds. We spent at least a few hours a day together. But, on our 10-day-long school trip together, we spent every waking hour of every day together. We were still fairly young – we still craved the approval and constant company of our peers.  Sure, we were surrounded by other friends, but if I was one place, she was there, and vice versa. And for the first few days, this was great. And then it was annoying. We were friends, so of course we still loved each other, but we also got really pissed off. It was best friend overload.

Human beings occasionally crave space. And we weren’t getting any alone time… at all. We were constantly with each other and the group. We had to share hotel rooms, bus seats, meal times. Privacy wasn’t only rare – it was unheard of. So, jetlagged and cranky, we were practically tripping over each other. And this led, slowly, to increased levels of sassiness on both of our parts. Thankfully, we were able to realize that we just needed a break from constant company. We spread out, roomed with other people. We occasionally explored towns or cities alone, or with a much smaller, different group. We expanded our boundaries, and we felt like we could breathe again. Our friendship (and our sanity!) was preserved.

Not only was my trip much improved, but I also learned a lesson from this experience that can be applied to both travel and real life. And that lesson is: it’s ok to do your own thing. Actually, it’s encouraged. Sure, we are social beings. But constant socialization, especially when you’re rushed, stressed, or tired from travel, can lead to trivial fights. So don’t be afraid to step away from a larger group or your family and explore (either cities or life J) on your own or with a few new people – you’ll get some much needed alone time and you might even have a mini adventure that you can share with your friends later on when you get a chance to catch up! After you step out on your own for an hour or two, the company of your friends will be more valued and enjoyable.  

(all pictures are my own!)