World Travel Guide Online

The sheer mention of a long-term voyage immediately puts
some people on the defensive. Here are some scenarios.

• I can’t take off and travel the world. What a
  ludicrous idea! I have too many responsibilities, loans, payments, a social
  life. What if I don’t find a job when I
  return? What if a boss looks at my
  resume and says why does it have so many gaps? They’ll think I’m a flake and
  not someone who is in it for the long haul.
• I wish I could go. Wow that is so
  courageous. So daring! But I can’t. I
  just bought a new car, and it’s my parent’s thirtieth anniversary this year,
  you know how it is. Besides, I don’t have
  that kind of money to just take off. I’m
  no millionaire!
• Are you out of your mind? Travel for how long? No way. I end up dumping over five grand on a
  two-week vacation. Can you imagine
  anything longer than a month? I’ll be
  claiming bankruptcy before I even get started.
  Forget about it, besides I’ve got to save up for a down payment on this
  great studio apartment, it’s gonna hurt but that’s life buddy.
• I wish I could. It’s always been
  my dream to take off for a while. But I
  have too many responsibilities: mortgage payments, kids, a wife. I really envy
  you. You have the guts and obviously the money.

How can we explain that one of the easiest aspects is to acquire the
capital necessary to travel. I’ve
traveled for well over two years, was robbed of $1,700 and still managed to only
spend $12,000 during the entire trip. I
did everything I wanted to do. Granted I
was staying in low-low budget hotels, dining on bread and butter (special
occasions, of course), and was a bit too eager when offered free night stays and
free grub. But the bottom line: Where
there is a will there is a way.

So where does the money
come from? A rich uncle, a trust fund,
the lottery? Don’t we wish!

How many people
would classify backpackers as creative types? Not many (including most backpackers). From afar we seem to simply possess a free
will and spirit, but on closer scrutiny, our simpleton-ness is the furthest
thing from the truth. To live this
lifestyle, as with any other, requires a lot of thought, maneuvering,
creativity and perseverance.

Since we weren’t
born rich and have yet to find the tree that grows money, how do we come up
with the resources to keep us moving for as long as possible?

Travelers come from
all walks of life, so do their money management skills and acquisitions. If you
talk to most backpackers, they will grimly admit that work is part of the gig as
much as the actual trip. There are many different
folks with different strokes for acquiring the funds necessary to move on. Place yourself in anyone of these categories
and get ready to join the others to never-never lands.

The Conservatives

Also known as the
preparers – they look ahead and know the price to pay for what they want.
Tomorrow’s freedom can only be bought by today’s sacrifice: work, work, work;
sharing flats and dealing with an assortment of roommates (two or three to a
room); living with parents and obeying their rules at the age of twenty-five
and older; maintaining a minimal social life.

Their motto: A
dollar earned is a dollar saved.

There are moments when
the feelings of misery cave in and become overwhelming, numbing the senses
towards imprudent thoughts of packing it in and shipping out. Resulting in none other but travel suicide.
Don’t cut your nose off to spite your face! It’s not worth it.

How do they stay
afloat and see it through to the end?
Easy: escape the mundane. Surf the net, prepare the trip, get involved
with forums and bulletins, connect with others who feel your pain and are in
the process of planning for their trip. Do whatever
it takes to sustain yourself and refocus. View
every hour of work as a full day of travel, imaging the different
activities, beers, foods and other joys you will gladly spend this blood money
on. Renew your energy with a new attitude, as your trip nears, your bank
account swells and the taste of freedom becomes sweeter and sweeter by the
minute. Don’t give up! You’re almost there.

The Burrowers

They
burrow themselves in debt, with a swift reply to justify the cause: “I’ll worry
about it when I get back!” or “I’ll eventually get a job, no problem, why throw
away my youth for money. That’s why there are loans.”

If you are daring
enough then max out your cards, scrounge off of banks and whoever will give
you lend-outs or hand-outs, and have a blast.

The Settlers

The
lucky ones, so to speak. They’ve paid their dues: they were married to the wrong
person and got a nice settlement out of the divorce, or won a law-suit for other
reasons and are now wisely spending their riches on a low budget trip
stretching out the jackpot as far as it will take them and then some.

The Breakers

The
product of suppressed needs and appeasement of others is the inevitable
breaking down and act of pure irrationality. Without forewarning they quit
their successful jobs, sell off their assets, cash in their savings, and take
off without looking back. They’ve been
grooming and cultivating their gardens for much too long until the tentacles of
their overgrown blossoms suffocated their sensibilities and caused them to go
over the edge. At least they reap in their rewards with plenty of bucks to
cover even their wildest dreams. They can be very
generous and certainly great friends on the road

The Seasoners

Why
sacrifice precious time at dreary desk jobs in a much too familiar location? Season it!

Not
only are you working, having fun, you’re definitely enjoying life on the road.
Seasonal work is always bountiful. Of course it’s more fun to bum around and
enjoy free-time. But for a few hours a day a lot of people have realized the
fringe benefits attached to working at seasonal locales while traveling:
Economics, baby!

Samples:

Resort work – ranging from tropical
paradises to winter wonderlands.

Instruction – dive masters, ski bunnies,
lifeguards, rafting specialists, and a million more job opportunities. Find the ones that best fit your travel
goals.

The Maestros

English As A Second Language: teach the world your native tongue while earning money. Enjoy the fringe benefits of getting to know
a new part of the world and immersing yourself within it, meanwhile saving a bundle
and spending it all on travel time afterwards – guilt-free!

The Enterpreneurs

This
is the fun part. Let’s get those mental wheels a spinnin’ and creative juices a
flowin’. There are a thousand and a half
ways to make money on the road. Become an international businessperson raising
the supply and demand curve to work for your gain. With
real talent, unique designs and original works, people will be flocking to your
stalls in all parts of the world. Everyone wants something others don’t have – at
a great bargain, of course.

Accessories jewelry
is jewelry. How about: dream catchers, shot glasses, ashtrays, jewelry boxes,
pens, journals, lighters, hair pieces, hats, scarves, shawls or funky odd-shaped
bags made of seeds, coconuts, trees… Sarongs: a must
have for every traveler. An easy sale,
without the heavy investment of money, time or energy.
Ideas are limitless beckoning
you to invent and create something distinctive and definitely sellable.

We
travel to the most inspiring places in the world. I can say from personal experience (I can’t
draw to save my live), but there have been moments when I’ve been moved to whip
out a pencil or a brush and try to capture my surroundings – with no luck! If you are one step ahead of me and are
blessed with this rare talent, use it wisely.
The most unique artworks aren’t done on the typical, expensive 6×6
canvas, but on materials found that make a minimal dent in your wallet. Let your imagination run free and push your
art to the limit, with an edge.

The Jewel Keepers

Yes they are a dime a dozen, creating with seeds,
beads, gems, hemp, metals, leathers, stones and other tools of the trade to
produce the perfect piece. For the right price.
But a sad reality is that this is not the fairy tale life of the
traveling salesman, as you’ve imagined.
It is a difficult life, with few moments of reward – surrounded by
hundreds of other stalls and vendors, waiting hours upon hours for
customers to browse around and appreciate what you have worked so hard on.
Praying that a big sale will come along so that you can have enough money to
eat, sleep and hopefully, party with.

For every gray cloud there is a
silver lining. No traveler, tourist, vacationer or native leaves for home
without an exotic piece of jewelry as a token of their trip.

Tarot Reader

Are you
clairvoyant, prophetically inclined? No.
Don’t worry about it. It doesn’t matter.
No one will know the difference anyway.
Since the majority of the traveler population and overall populace are always
concerned with what their future holds: Will they be rich? Will they meet their
soul-mate? Etc… You can make a pretty penny reading the cards and bringing
hopeful news to your fellow man. Just
don’t play God with their naïveté!

Braids
and Hair Weaves

Dexterity, patience and a loud yet inviting voice
to announce your trade and expertise.

Tree Planters

Definitely
a tough job! But if you have the stamina
and strength for it, it can be extremely rewarding: monetarily and environmentally. The majority of these sites are located in
remote and out-of-the-way lands – giving you the great opportunity to travel to
a place, most likely not on your list of to-dos or to-sees. The upside: it is
good money and they are always in search of dependable help.

Fruit and
Berry Pickers

Super
hard, bone wrenching work but in constant need. It’s quite simple to
understand – what you give is what you get.
Once you’ve picked your lot, saving becomes the easy part. With no place to spend it, your trip can be
extended for long periods of time during and after the picking.

Hostel Workers

The
free-nighters and feeders – dishwashing, cooking, cleaning rooms, washing
toilets, changing sheets, taking out the garbage – can allow you those extra days
of paradise without the concerns of payment.

Festival Carnival Followers

Keep
on truckin’ and a boppin’ while keepin’ the cash a flowin’. There are constantly art fairs, musical
shows, theatrical festivals to gather up the communities and pump some juice
into our economic system:

The Powwow Circuit – Taking place during the summer throughout the United States and the Canadian Provinces.
Powwows have been making their rounds for years, sustaining hundreds of vendors
of all varieties, who in turn are always in search of temporary help. Besides free admission, accommodations are also included. This is a great avenue to
meet others with the same interests while participating in a unique and
brilliant experience.

Theatrical Productions – All productions no matter the rank are in need of
back stage help, management, artistic designers, electricians, carpenters, set
design, etc… They might not offer pay, but will cover most expanses, travel
costs, room and board.

Renaissance Festivals and other Medieval Reenactments – Come join the fun,
sell the tickets, eat the food and intermingle with the rare crowds and
participants. Mainly a United
States exposition.

Concerts – All of us
has some intention of getting to a musical venue during our trip. Right?
So, why not work it? Besides free admission, you’ll have extra pocket
money and other freebies. And you won’t
be part of the rowdy crowd, but rather, with the real crowd backstage. Who knows, it might even open new doors for
other opportunities with more promise of travel and other fun encounters.

Rainbow Festivals –
No
matter what part of the world you are in, you’ll stumble onto a Rainbow Gathering. Either for a full moon party, Fourth of July
celebration or an international reunion. There aren’t any jobs, but the food is
free and so are the sleeping arrangements.
Great place to meet others with the same thirst for adventure and
excitement.

Carnivals
and Fairs – Have always been a source of quick spurt employment.
Not particularly the most inviting or glamorous, but still an option not to be
overlooked.

So open your mind to the possibilities
and don’t get caught up in the excuse of money problems and life’s drudgery. There is a way out and it can certainly be
fun!

Source: bootsnall.com

There are many things you’ll want to take as souvenirs from your time exploring the world – tie-dye clothing that looked cool in India, paintings created by talented elephants, novelty booze that tasted good in the right setting, or exquisite carvings that seemed like a bargain until you worked out the exchange rate. But sometimes you’re looking for a more permanent, more impressive and altogether more useful souvenir from your travels – a boyfriend you picked up along the way.

Hooking up on the road isn’t that different to trying to score back home and can often be even easier as people are in ‘anything goes’ holiday mode. At home or away, bagging the guy you have your eye on is pretty easy as long as you take care of the three Bs – boobs, beer, and ball games of some description. But the game you choose to chat about could just be the clincher, depending on the nationality of the traveller you’ve set your sights on.

Naturally there are all kinds of guys from every country on earth, but just to get you started along the right path here’s a whimsical guide to impressing guys from the main backpacking nations around the world and to keeping hold of them, just in case you’re in the market for a more permanent souvenir…

Charming a Canadian

First impressions:

Renowned for their unabashed niceness, it’s not too tough to get off on the right foot with a Canuck. In fact, all you need to impress them off the bat is 10 minutes of Wiki-research. Memorise a few names to demonstrate your knowledge of his countrymen – famous faces that are generally thought to hail from south of the border. A brief internet stint will turn up a host of singers, actors, and (above all) comedians that you never knew came from Canada – and gushing about the comedy talents of John Candy, Mike Myers, Dan Aykroyd, or Jim Carrey will certainly gain you Canuck points.

Keep him interested:

Like most men, sports and beer are common interests of the Canuck – and of course the sport in question here is hockey. If you happen to find a random bar in Bangkok or a Palau pub that is showing Canada’s unofficial national sport (on paper it’s lacrosse!), just keep in mind two golden rules and you’ll soon melt even the frostiest of Canadian hearts. Always call it hockey, not ice hockey (for a Canadian there is no other kind), and never complain about the violence (that’s the best bit). If you can throw in a pitcher of cold beer and a plate of buffalo wings, you’ll have him eating out of your hand.

Under no circumstances:

Never ask a Canadian which part of the States he is from. Nothing irks a Canuck more than the presumption he’s American – not through any hatred of their southern neighbour, but just through a desire to be recognised (hence the presence of copious amount of maple leaves generally found covering Canadian luggage).

Bagging a Brit

First impressions:

It’s pretty simple to make a decent first impression on a Brit – you just have to order a pint. OK, here comes a sweeping generalisation: British men tend to like a girl who can join in with the guys. Sure, in an ideal world they’re seeking a Pamela Anderson lookalike – but when she opens her mouth they often seek funny, crude and bloke-ish over giggly and appearance-obsessed. The first step to being a so-called geezer-bird (translation: a dude-chick) is enjoying a beer and a bit of toilet humour.

Keep him interested:

Once the preliminary pint-drinking is out of the way you can easily impress a Brit with your knowledge of their national sports – namely football, rugby, and cricket. Knowledge of the off-side trap is a definite winner. Master the ins, innings, overs, and outs of cricket and you could be talking wedding bells. But if he suggests an impromptu marriage, don’t take him too seriously. Sarcasm is his favourite weapon and if you hope to get anywhere with a Brit you have to take everything with a massive pinch of salt, not only to stop him hating your gullibility but also to save yourself from unintended offence!

Under no circumstances:

Don’t call it “soccer.” Most Brits are open to diluting the Queen’s English with a touch of American slang – if only to make them sound a little cooler – but to a Brit it is called football and never, ever soccer. And whatever you think of it, to most Brits its tantamount to a religion – so don’t expect to get far if you insult the beautiful game.

Scoring with a South African

First impressions:

This might seem like a ridiculous thing to say on a site frequented by independent travellers, but a good way to start with a South African is knowing where South Africa is! Considering the name of the country it seems an even more ridiculous statement, but amazingly the number of times South Africa gets confused for a continent is surpassed only by the number of times Africa get confused for a country. Find it on a map, memorise a couple of border nations, and you’ll be on the right path with the South African male.

Keep him interested:

Be Lara Croft. South Africans are fond of the outdoors and love a girl who can get down and dirty. But if you can manage to look super hot and stylish while bungee jumping or bush walking, the South African man could well be yours. Throw in some serious South Africa knowledge and you’ll be well on your way to taking home a human souvenir to meet your parents. The rules of rugby and cricket are good starters, proclaiming your love of biltong (a spicy version of jerky) will have him hooked, and then clinch it with a random fact about South Africa’s back of beyond (which, in the interests of your scoring success, is officially located in a town called Pofadder).

Under no circumstances:

Refrain from asking if there are wild animals roaming the streets. Think of all the animal-related questions you’d love to ask – and then keep them to yourself. He didn’t have a pet rhino in his childhood, he’s never seen a lion in the town square, and he never rode a zebra to school. You might well be asking in jest, but he’s most likely heard these comments a dozen times before in all seriousness, so he might just fail to see the funny side.

Enticing an Aussie

First impressions:

Admire their drinking skills. Like many beer-mad nations Aussies like to believe they down more of the amber nectar than anyone else, and an offhand comment like ‘wow, you guys can really take your ale’ is a sure-fire conversation starter (unless you find the only Aussie tee-total backpacker in the world).

Keep him interested:

Keep the admin to a minimum. The Aussie is a low maintenance kind of guy, especially when he’s travelling, so fussing over whether your thongs (flip flops) match your thong (g-string) is unlikely to impress him. Anything involving the beach probably will, though, so sharpen your Frisbee skills, give surfing a go, and grab another stubby (beer). You can worry about the state of your hair once he’s gone to bed.

Under no circumstances:

You can’t expect him to ditch the wife beater. Australian men are generally an easygoing bunch, but you will have to learn to love that saggy singlet if you’re going to get along – it’s practically national dress.

Attracting an American

First impressions:

Don’t jump on the bandwagon. Sure, in recent years it’s become cool to hate on America and all who hail from within its borders, but obviously criticising someone’s homeland is unlikely to endear you to them. Have an open mind about your American beau having an open mind. They’re not all dumb, they do know where Canada is located, they don’t all think Superman is a real guy, and they don’t take kindly to people who believe every stupid rumour they’ve heard about Americans. Ask intelligent questions and the American backpacker might just notice you.

Keep him interested:

Swot up on sports. As you can see from the entries above, this is true of guys from every country – but Brits and those from the southern hemisphere tend to have a downer on American sports, so learning a few of baseball’s basic rules is sure to keep him interested. Find the nearest American-themed bar wherever you are and settle in for a few hours of baseball, football, or basketball. Of course, you don’t want to know too much – letting him teach you his passions will keep the conversation flowing until you know each other better. But a basic knowledge is a good idea, if only to stop you asking annoying questions like ‘why do they stop and chat every couple of minutes? Why can’t they just get on with it?’

Under no circumstances:

Don’t go on a rant about American beer. Some men you meet might agree with your tirade on the King of Beers, while others might be Miller men and most offended that you consider their beer of choice something akin to urine. And anyway, the wealth of craft breweries across the States makes the ‘American beer is crap’ argument moot. Other no-nos include mocking the language or claiming that American football is just a girly version of rugby.

Courting a Kiwi

First impressions:

Tune your ear to the finer points of the Kiwi accent. Just like asking a Canadian which part of the States he comes from, a guaranteed way to get off on the wrong foot with a Kiwi is to ask him which part of Australia he calls home. Downloading a few episodes of “Flight of the Conchords” could help you train your ear, plus as one of New Zealand’s favourite comedy exports it’ll give you a winning conversation starter as well.

Keep him interested:

Acknowledge his nation’s rugbying prowess. Rugby is the nation’s unofficial national sport as well as its unofficial religion. A few comments noting the All Blacks’ unmatched win-loss record will get you far, and knowing the difference between rugby league and rugby union will get you further. Announcing your opinion that Kiwis play rugby better than their southern hemisphere rivals Australia and South Africa will at worst get you another date and at best get him talking honeymoon destinations.

Under no circumstances:

Do not obsessively ask him to repeat words you find comical. Yes, it’s fun to get a Kiwi to order fish and chips in a restaurant, especially if you can prompt them into ordering seven portions. And of course the Kiwi pronunciation of the word six is always hilarious to an outsider. But after being begged to repeat these words a dozen times over while fellow travellers giggle inanely at their clipped vowels, it gets kinda old.

Read more of Lucy Corne’s articles on BootsnAll, and learn more about Lucy herself in her bio.

photos, top to bottom, by: Phil Hawksworth, Kevin O’Connor (and may not be used without permission), Fritz Park, OzStryker, Lucy Corne (and may not be used without permission), Brainless Angel

Source: bootsnall.com

I’m not ashamed to admit that my travels are often planned around alcohol – trips to vineyards, distilleries and breweries are always toward the top of my travel to-do list – but I do get sick of the disparaging looks this admission generally receives. Tell someone you travel in order to taste new foods and you’re congratulated on your willingness to embrace other cultures. Tell someone you travel for booze and you’ll invariably be met with raised eyebrows and a look that suggests what a sad life you lead.

But really, a country can be understood through its alcohol just as well as its food. Top tipples tend to represent top crops, hence Russia sips vodka (potatoes), Japan knocks back the sake (rice), and Mexico downs tequila (agave). Simple things like weather dictate how a nation drinks, whether it’s escaping cool winters or dismal summers in northern Europe’s cosy pubs or soaking up the sun with an ice cold beer on an Aussie beach.

More interesting are the many rules and regulations that come with enjoying a pint or a shot in different lands. Few areas of life seem to come with as many traditions and potential cultural gaffes as going out for a drink, so here are a few rules to remember when you’re imbibing around the world.

The UK

Not many nations take their pubs as seriously as the Brits. Well, when the weather is this bad you need a refuge from the rain, so why not make it the pub? Drinking in Blighty has a few essential rules, and even western visitors have been known to make the odd faux pas when supping in the UK.

I’ll never forget the tale of a Canadian who crossed the pond and was struck by the immense hospitality of the Brits. When a fellow Canuck who was Britain-bound enquired how much a pint cost she couldn’t say, gushing about the generosity of the locals who bought every pint in every pub.

Alas, as much as I’d like to think my countrymen are that kind, drinkers aren’t apt to happily throw away their cash on charming strangers – they’re simply buying a round. If you drink with Brits, expect to buy a drink for everyone in your group and eventually they’ll each buy you one back. Skipping out on your round is one of the worst blunders you can make in Britain, but if you’re trying to save cash or cut down on the amount of drinks you consume, just opt out of the round when you arrive at the pub.

And don’t ridicule Brits for drinking warm beer, unless you want to experience that other cultural event – the bar brawl. Criticise their traditional ales and you’ll be met with a tirade on how serving beer cool rather than ice cold lets you savour the flavours and that super-chilling your drinks is a practice reserved for beer not worth tasting!

South Korea

The Far East abounds in cultural dos and don’ts, and bars are not immune from these well-ingrained rules. The Koreans are known to enjoy the odd drink or five, so you’d do well to brush up on alcoholic etiquette before setting foot in Seoul.

The national drink is soju, a smooth rice-based liquor that leaves you waiting for the ‘post-shot shudder’ when you knock it back. Drinking soju with Koreans is all about age – not just that you’re old enough to try it, but that you acknowledge the senior person at your table and treat them accordingly. Fill their glass first, keep your brim lower during the regular toasts of kombei (one shot) and never refill your own glass – it’s the height of rudeness.

The person who extends the invitation is generally the one who pays, though it’s not uncommon to move from bar to bar to give each reveller a chance to empty their pockets as you enter a new spot. Communal drinking is common, so don’t be offended if you’re expected to share one shot glass between the group – rinsing it out between users is acceptable.

Oh and if you hope to avoid soju’s inexplicably evil hangover, remember one crucial point – when you fill someone’s glass, they’re meant to return the favour, so if you get a little over zealous with the bottle, it will come back to bite you in the ass later.

Spain

The first thing travellers from those nations with strict alcohol laws will notice in Spain is the massive measures generally dished up in bars. Once the tower of ice and the generous free pour are in your glass, there’s only an inch or so for a mixer of any sort.

But what you should watch out for more are Spain’s rules on who foots the bill, or you could end up fresh out of cash after the first bar. The Spanish phrase ‘te invito’ means ‘I’m buying,’ rather than ‘I’m inviting you to join me,’ so be careful how you ask people to go drinking.

And while you might expect a free night out on your birthday, in Spain it’s the guest of honour who buys everyone else’s drinks – incentive to enjoy a quiet birthday at home! At other times of year buying in rounds just isn’t done, so if you fork out for everyone’s drinks you’ll likely get little more than a grin and a hearty gracias in return.

Australia

You might expect a country with such a dedicated drinking culture to be awash with rules and regulations, but the Aussies are pretty easygoing in every area of life and the pub is no exception. There are, of course, a few golden rules to remember when you’re dealing with grog down under.

If you’re offering a beer to an Aussie the crucial thing to remember is that it must, without exception, be icy cold – tepid beer is tantamount to treason (probably worse since the amber fluid is more highly thought of than the Queen by many).

As in Britain the round, known here as the ’shout,’ plays a significant role in Aussie pub life and is essential if you want to be well thought of when drinking with Australians. Nothing will lose you popularity points quicker than failing to buy for your drinking buddies when it’s your shout.

In fact, the shout itself comes with a list of dos and don’ts – keeping up with your peers is expected as slow drinkers mess up the crucial timing of the round, offering to delay your shout until next week doesn’t cut it. And be careful what you order – treating everyone to a pint, schooner, middy, or pot (Australia abounds in genres of glass) of the cheapest draft beer then ordering a pricey cocktail in return will not make you any friends.

South Africa

Like the Aussies, the South Africans are fond of fine local wine and ice-cold lager, though if you’re lucky you might stumble on the chance to sample something a little more traditional.

Everyday drinking is pretty standard stuff – keep it chilled, keep it flowing, and don’t try to order wine that isn’t South African unless you’re out to make enemies. But should you be lucky enough to join in a traditional beer drinking ceremony then there’s a list of rules you’d do well to remember.

While women are generally the brewmasters (or mistresses) in traditional South African culture, they’re at the back of the queue when it comes to drinking, so put your feminist beliefs to the side and wait patiently until it’s your turn to drink (if you’re allowed to drink with men at all, that is).

The beer in question is neither fizzy nor clear, so don’t expect an amber pint in an icy glass. Sorghum beer is an opaque, pinkish brew with a bitter taste and a low alcohol content. Passed around in a bucket-sized pot, you should squat or kneel, blow away the bubbles and sip before passing the pot around until it’s empty. Rubbing your stomach charades style compliments the brewer, passing the bucket without sipping certainly does not. Refusing to drink is frowned upon, though if you don’t fancy letting the often-lumpy liquid pass your lips no-one will notice you faking it.

The idea of living and working in distant, ancient lands is an alluring one; leading many to the world of teaching abroad. Surf any travel oriented website and you’re bound to quickly come across articles rejoicing in the opportunities teaching abroad offers. Just as easily, you will find forums exploding with complaints and nightmare stories of their time.

However, what research, and recruiters often shy away from bringing up, are the intangibles that can make or break an experience abroad. Recently, at a gathering of twenty ESL teachers, with ranging experiences in Korea, I was compelled to ask the questions, “What the difference is, between what you were told teaching abroad would be and the reality of it? What truths do you wish you had known before making your decision?”

Everyone agreed the experience is incredible… and, at times, incredibly difficult. With valuable information from those in the trenches, I’ve found seven common threads to be aware of regarding the world of teaching English abroad.

1 – For Better or Worse, You’re a Foreigner

Simply put, ‘you are different.’ Despite the obvious nature of this, it has real life implications. Not only were incidences outside the classroom discussed, but those in the work environment, as well. It’s a ‘two sides of a coin’ scenario.

Heads

Many teachers talked about being treated by the majority of their coworkers as “overly wonderful.” Co-teachers, or the native teachers paired with foreign teachers for assistance, can take pride in the role. Many shower their foreign teacher with an abundance of food, drink, or presents, in apparent hope they are the sole reason you enjoy their country, and choose to return for another contract.

Tails

For every ‘heads’ offered up, an equal number of the contrary rings true. Tales of isolation, tenuous interactions with fellow teachers, cold exchanges, or even avoidance of English class altogether and their required share of teaching responsibilities (as in many situations was required). The unanimous conclusion was an apathetic feeling toward ESL as an unnecessary burden in schools, and ‘babysitting’ an ignorant Native English teacher not worthy of their ever dwindling time.

2 – Student Relations can be Challenging

Teaching is a profession that touches not only on the intellect, but also the emotional side of people. Although communication can be achieved in the majority of situations, unfortunately, conversations dig little further than the superficial.

Regardless of political or cultural boundaries, people of all ages, go through difficulties in their life. As a teacher and role model, you want to be there for your students, but often this simply can’t happen, and no one is at fault.

One teacher summarized this wonderfully saying, “I wish I had known how hard it is being unable to comfort and talk on a real level with my students. It doesn’t matter who you’re working with, my students are teenagers. They go through so much, and I want to help…but I can’t. It’s hard; heart wrenching at times.”

3 – The Undefined Role of the ESL Teacher

The feelings of newfound direction and purpose from your new job can sometimes vanish rather quickly once you are placed in front of forty children little to no training. Schools assumed much of the teachers we talked with, from knowing where teaching materials are, to discipline, school customs, and even believing the foreign teacher is already a competent teacher. On the other hand, schools, themselves, have gone through a rigorous process to fill their position, so getting you into the classroom quickly, is a long anticipated goal now fulfilled.

“There is nothing about me that says ‘teacher.’ We get put in front of these kids and are told to teach,” one teacher said. “Even, something as little as observing what a lesson should look like would help tremendously.”

The provincial English programs operating in Korea are still relatively young, and many improvements are on their way, but this couldn’t come fast enough. There is what was described as, a “gross lack of communication that covered job expectations.” This ambiguous role leads many teachers to describe themselves as something between a “performer, teacher, and simply a foreign person.”

4 – Your Motivation Becomes Money and Travel

Reasons attracting many to the field of education are often found beyond monetary compensation; a smile from a student, a raised hand from the silent child in the back row, or simply having engaged and interested classes. The motivation you tap everyday is quite fluid, but of all the reasons our teachers offered, two distinct words seemed to always surface: money, and travel.

It is hard to put a finger on the reasons, but at some point, the teaching ideals people begin with, seem to give way to those of money and the resulting travel opportunities. The incredible opportunity to travel while saving money is well known, but is a concept unrealized.

Seeing parts of the world only previously seen through television ads, and magazine articles, is an irreplaceable and invaluable experience. Teaching abroad can easily give you the means to do this. Besides, who wouldn’t be refreshed after a long day of unruly students, with the prospects of planning your next foray into, let’s say, the jungles of northern Vietnam.

5 – Contract Inconsistencies

Let’s face it, we all know each job has its own set of rules to play by, but here, inconsistency may be the only one true constant.

All the teachers on hand were under the same contract, yet every experience was uniquely individual. The interpretation of the contract falls on the school officials. A language barrier, a rigid hierarchical society, different interpretations, and expectations, and you have yourself a recipe for frustration. The number of days, working hours, school and living situations, teaching requirements, all of which are spelled out in the contract, varied greatly. “I have all of the responsibilities of a teacher at my school, and none of the benefits,” one teacher said, “I often feel I am a voiceless pawn to the illogical whims of the administration.”

Adequately summarized as, “there are pros and cons to the inconsistency and the spectrum is indeed broad, but before coming here I am not sure if I understood just how circumstantial nearly everything could be.”

6 – Hardships Bring Teachers Together

Although each experience is defined by its uniqueness, it is that uniqueness which becomes the source of camaraderie among those in the field, even described as a “saving grace.”

No matter what problem or issue one is having, there are other people with similar problems or experiences. This lends itself to a support group-like gathering. “We are all going through this radical challenge to our cultural, job, and emotional senses at the same time. Invariably this leads to group gathering, in search of some semblance of continuity with our previous lives.”

Regardless of the varied demographics of this community, many common themes exist. Foremost, the choice each person made to leave their native land to live and work on the other side of the globe. The concept of ‘community,’ is a union of people that have taken this opportunity to learn, grow, and meet people one otherwise would never have.

7 – The Resulting Self Discovery

With all of the inevitable undercurrents flowing through the world of teaching English abroad, one thing remains true; you will learn more about yourself than any other time in your life.

Perhaps, it stems from overcoming several layers placed on your shoulders; unfamiliar responsibilities and expectations, cross cultural relationships, fighting for yourself, and even surviving in a foreign land. As one teacher said, “you have to go to bat for yourself at school, and even running simple errands around town can turn into a nightmare. It’s exhausting at times, but if you look at us, we’ve all survived.”
It is a bumpy road all ESL teachers travel, one in which they emerge a more understanding, networked, educated, and experienced person. It takes a special individual to seek and accept a position that places you in, “the most vulnerable position of your life.”

“It’s hard to explain to some people why I chose to do this. It’s difficult, it’s lonely at times, and I get frustrated, but, at the same time, I am the one that has taken it upon myself to do this. I made the decision and it’s up to me if I am successful or not.”

It is the personal growth that happens as a result of the humbling, the first hand experience, the uncomfortable job and life, when you start to realize living and working in a different country may have just been the best decision of your life.

Photos by Jon Wick

There are many things you’ll want to take as souvenirs from your time exploring the world – tie-dye clothing that looked cool in India, paintings created by talented elephants, novelty booze that tasted good in the right setting, or exquisite carvings that seemed like a bargain until you worked out the exchange rate. But sometimes you’re looking for a more permanent, more impressive and altogether more useful souvenir from your travels – a boyfriend you picked up along the way.

Hooking up on the road isn’t that different to trying to score back home and can often be even easier as people are in ‘anything goes’ holiday mode. At home or away, bagging the guy you have your eye on is pretty easy as long as you take care of the three Bs – boobs, beer, and ball games of some description. But the game you choose to chat about could just be the clincher, depending on the nationality of the traveller you’ve set your sights on.

Naturally there are all kinds of guys from every country on earth, but just to get you started along the right path here’s a whimsical guide to impressing guys from the main backpacking nations around the world and to keeping hold of them, just in case you’re in the market for a more permanent souvenir…

Charming a Canadian

First impressions:

Renowned for their unabashed niceness, it’s not too tough to get off on the right foot with a Canuck. In fact, all you need to impress them off the bat is 10 minutes of Wiki-research. Memorise a few names to demonstrate your knowledge of his countrymen – famous faces that are generally thought to hail from south of the border. A brief internet stint will turn up a host of singers, actors, and (above all) comedians that you never knew came from Canada – and gushing about the comedy talents of John Candy, Mike Myers, Dan Aykroyd, or Jim Carrey will certainly gain you Canuck points.

Keep him interested:

Like most men, sports and beer are common interests of the Canuck – and of course the sport in question here is hockey. If you happen to find a random bar in Bangkok or a Palau pub that is showing Canada’s unofficial national sport (on paper it’s lacrosse!), just keep in mind two golden rules and you’ll soon melt even the frostiest of Canadian hearts. Always call it hockey, not ice hockey (for a Canadian there is no other kind), and never complain about the violence (that’s the best bit). If you can throw in a pitcher of cold beer and a plate of buffalo wings, you’ll have him eating out of your hand.

Under no circumstances:

Never ask a Canadian which part of the States he is from. Nothing irks a Canuck more than the presumption he’s American – not through any hatred of their southern neighbour, but just through a desire to be recognised (hence the presence of copious amount of maple leaves generally found covering Canadian luggage).

Bagging a Brit

First impressions:

It’s pretty simple to make a decent first impression on a Brit – you just have to order a pint. OK, here comes a sweeping generalisation: British men tend to like a girl who can join in with the guys. Sure, in an ideal world they’re seeking a Pamela Anderson lookalike – but when she opens her mouth they often seek funny, crude and bloke-ish over giggly and appearance-obsessed. The first step to being a so-called geezer-bird (translation: a dude-chick) is enjoying a beer and a bit of toilet humour.

Keep him interested:

Once the preliminary pint-drinking is out of the way you can easily impress a Brit with your knowledge of their national sports – namely football, rugby, and cricket. Knowledge of the off-side trap is a definite winner. Master the ins, innings, overs, and outs of cricket and you could be talking wedding bells. But if he suggests an impromptu marriage, don’t take him too seriously. Sarcasm is his favourite weapon and if you hope to get anywhere with a Brit you have to take everything with a massive pinch of salt, not only to stop him hating your gullibility but also to save yourself from unintended offence!

Under no circumstances:

Don’t call it “soccer.” Most Brits are open to diluting the Queen’s English with a touch of American slang – if only to make them sound a little cooler – but to a Brit it is called football and never, ever soccer. And whatever you think of it, to most Brits its tantamount to a religion – so don’t expect to get far if you insult the beautiful game.

Scoring with a South African

First impressions:

This might seem like a ridiculous thing to say on a site frequented by independent travellers, but a good way to start with a South African is knowing where South Africa is! Considering the name of the country it seems an even more ridiculous statement, but amazingly the number of times South Africa gets confused for a continent is surpassed only by the number of times Africa get confused for a country. Find it on a map, memorise a couple of border nations, and you’ll be on the right path with the South African male.

Keep him interested:

Be Lara Croft. South Africans are fond of the outdoors and love a girl who can get down and dirty. But if you can manage to look super hot and stylish while bungee jumping or bush walking, the South African man could well be yours. Throw in some serious South Africa knowledge and you’ll be well on your way to taking home a human souvenir to meet your parents. The rules of rugby and cricket are good starters, proclaiming your love of biltong (a spicy version of jerky) will have him hooked, and then clinch it with a random fact about South Africa’s back of beyond (which, in the interests of your scoring success, is officially located in a town called Pofadder).

Under no circumstances:

Refrain from asking if there are wild animals roaming the streets. Think of all the animal-related questions you’d love to ask – and then keep them to yourself. He didn’t have a pet rhino in his childhood, he’s never seen a lion in the town square, and he never rode a zebra to school. You might well be asking in jest, but he’s most likely heard these comments a dozen times before in all seriousness, so he might just fail to see the funny side.

Enticing an Aussie

First impressions:

Admire their drinking skills. Like many beer-mad nations Aussies like to believe they down more of the amber nectar than anyone else, and an offhand comment like ‘wow, you guys can really take your ale’ is a sure-fire conversation starter (unless you find the only Aussie tee-total backpacker in the world).

Keep him interested:

Keep the admin to a minimum. The Aussie is a low maintenance kind of guy, especially when he’s travelling, so fussing over whether your thongs (flip flops) match your thong (g-string) is unlikely to impress him. Anything involving the beach probably will, though, so sharpen your Frisbee skills, give surfing a go, and grab another stubby (beer). You can worry about the state of your hair once he’s gone to bed.

Under no circumstances:

You can’t expect him to ditch the wife beater. Australian men are generally an easygoing bunch, but you will have to learn to love that saggy singlet if you’re going to get along – it’s practically national dress.

Attracting an American

First impressions:

Don’t jump on the bandwagon. Sure, in recent years it’s become cool to hate on America and all who hail from within its borders, but obviously criticising someone’s homeland is unlikely to endear you to them. Have an open mind about your American beau having an open mind. They’re not all dumb, they do know where Canada is located, they don’t all think Superman is a real guy, and they don’t take kindly to people who believe every stupid rumour they’ve heard about Americans. Ask intelligent questions and the American backpacker might just notice you.

Keep him interested:

Swot up on sports. As you can see from the entries above, this is true of guys from every country – but Brits and those from the southern hemisphere tend to have a downer on American sports, so learning a few of baseball’s basic rules is sure to keep him interested. Find the nearest American-themed bar wherever you are and settle in for a few hours of baseball, football, or basketball. Of course, you don’t want to know too much – letting him teach you his passions will keep the conversation flowing until you know each other better. But a basic knowledge is a good idea, if only to stop you asking annoying questions like ‘why do they stop and chat every couple of minutes? Why can’t they just get on with it?’

Under no circumstances:

Don’t go on a rant about American beer. Some men you meet might agree with your tirade on the King of Beers, while others might be Miller men and most offended that you consider their beer of choice something akin to urine. And anyway, the wealth of craft breweries across the States makes the ‘American beer is crap’ argument moot. Other no-nos include mocking the language or claiming that American football is just a girly version of rugby.

Courting a Kiwi

First impressions:

Tune your ear to the finer points of the Kiwi accent. Just like asking a Canadian which part of the States he comes from, a guaranteed way to get off on the wrong foot with a Kiwi is to ask him which part of Australia he calls home. Downloading a few episodes of “Flight of the Conchords” could help you train your ear, plus as one of New Zealand’s favourite comedy exports it’ll give you a winning conversation starter as well.

Keep him interested:

Acknowledge his nation’s rugbying prowess. Rugby is the nation’s unofficial national sport as well as its unofficial religion. A few comments noting the All Blacks’ unmatched win-loss record will get you far, and knowing the difference between rugby league and rugby union will get you further. Announcing your opinion that Kiwis play rugby better than their southern hemisphere rivals Australia and South Africa will at worst get you another date and at best get him talking honeymoon destinations.

Under no circumstances:

Do not obsessively ask him to repeat words you find comical. Yes, it’s fun to get a Kiwi to order fish and chips in a restaurant, especially if you can prompt them into ordering seven portions. And of course the Kiwi pronunciation of the word six is always hilarious to an outsider. But after being begged to repeat these words a dozen times over while fellow travellers giggle inanely at their clipped vowels, it gets kinda old.

Once again, the writers, editors, and community at BootsnAll have collected up our best recommendations for destinations we think are worth considering for any independent traveler. Lists like this seem to be everywhere these days, which is another reason we try to make ours special by highlighting a mix of popular places along with places that aren’t on everyone’s radar just yet.

Before we get to 2010’s list, if you haven’t been following along and want to look back at the places we’ve listed in prior years, here’s your chance:

Ready for 2010 now? Alright, here we go…

10 – Fukuoka, Japan

Canal City complex in Fukuoka

Fun to say? Sure. But on top of that Fukuoka is a highly recommended destination for anyone wanting to see what Japan is like outside of its insanely huge and crowded capital of Tokyo.

In spite of having a population of 1.5 million, Fukuoka is compact enough to see on foot, but they’ve also got a clean and efficient subway system for those with a bit less energy. For great views of this modern city you can head to the 234-meter Fukuoka Tower or the giant Sky Dream Ferris Wheel for a 20-minute ride. For something uniquely Japanese you can go to Robosquare, where you can watch or participate in demonstrations of personal robots for free.

The city also has its famous Canal City shopping complex, where you can get an up-close look at the Japanese retail obsession, complete with wacky one-of-a-kind souvenir items and all manners of trendy fashions. And if the sun is out you can head over to Mitoma Beach to see how the locals cool off and even surf when the waves are good. The notable local cuisine is a variety of pork-flavored ramen noodles that are found pretty much everywhere.

Day trips from Fukuoka include Hiroshima, Mt. Asa (an active volcano) and Beppu, a resort town with hot springs, monkeys, and themed pools termed “The Hells.”

You can fly directly into Fukuoka from most major cities in Asia and all over Japan, or you can take a 5-hour train ride from Tokyo if you are combining the two.

9 – Durban, South Africa

Durban from above

This is a very special year for South Africa, and for Africa as a whole. In June, the 19th World Cup, the largest and most-watched event in sport, descends on South Africa. Never before has a World Cup, or any event of this size, been held anywhere on the continent, and our pick of the ten cities hosting the Cup is Durban.

No stranger to visitors, Durban is the busiest port city in Africa, and also one of the most tourist friendly. The Golden Mile, Durban’s famous stretch of beach, is a must-see for the traveler who wants more out of their African vacation than just Big Five wildlife tours. Surfing is popular here, and though South Africa is famous for its sharks, netting protects the Golden Mile’s beach from the marine predators. If you want a safer look at the sharks that are swimming just beyond the nets, the uShaka Marine World aquarium has the world’s largest shark tank.

There’s no doubt that Durban (and South Africa overall) has its problems, with crime rates that might scare off some tourists, but it also has so much to offer to the educated traveler. Add in the world’s biggest international party, the World Cup, and you have a must-see destination for 2010.

There aren’t many international flights straight into Durban, and most travelers will have to enter South Africa through the main hub, Johannesburg. There are several small carriers like Mango and Kulula that run daily domestic flights to Durban from all the other major cities in South Africa.

8 – Iceland

Glacier spotting in Iceland

By now most people are aware of Iceland’s financial mini-collapse, and as awful as that may be for many of its citizens, the silver lining is being enjoyed by budget-oriented travelers who can suddenly afford a visit. Long described as stunning, unique, and jaw-droppingly expensive, it seems that prices are actually now in line with other European countries so that third part is on hold, at least for a while.

You’ll fly in near Reykjavik and almost everyone enjoys spending the first day or so checking out the small and charming capital, but Iceland is similar to New Zealand in that the largest city is perhaps the least spectacular thing about the place.

One popular strategy is to rent a car for a week or so and trace the Route 1 – Ring Road around the island in either direction. Along the way you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take in glaciers, geysers, waterfalls, national parks, lakes, volcanic craters, and fjords along with a bit of wildlife.

Flights from either North America or Europe are reasonable, thanks to Iceland Air and their program that allows free Transatlantic stop-overs for those not satisfied with making Iceland their only destination. And the country’s most famous single attraction – the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa – is an easy stop near the airport.

7 – Sighisoara, Romania

Some well preserved architecture in Sighisoara

Independent travelers wanting to visit Central-Eastern Europe typically start with Budapest, Prague, or Budapest and hardly ever go deeper than that. But those looking to explore some of the jewels of the region should definitely consider Sighisoara.

The Romanian town of Sighisoara, located deep in Transylvania, on Tarnava River, has preserved the features of a small medieval fortified city in a remarkable way. The landmark of this picturesque town, which has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, is the Clock Tower, a 64-meter tower built in 1556, currently home to the Museum of History (and from the top balcony offering the best views of citadel and surrounding areas).

Near the end of July each year the tiny cobblestone streets of the citadel are flooded with visitors from all over the world coming here for the Medieval Festival. English, French and German are useful here, regardless of the time of the year when you visit, although if you venture into the new parts of the town, it’s useful to know at least some Romanian phrases.

In addition to the well-preserved medieval buildings, Sighisoara is also famous for being the (alleged) birth town of Vlad Dracul (a.k.a. Dracula). The house where he was born still exists and is located close to the Clock Tower (currently it’s a restaurant).

You can get to Sighisoara by train from any major Romanian city (Bucharest, Cluj Napoca, Brasov, Sibiu, etc.) and there are direct train connections from Budapest, Vienna and Prague as well.

6 – Philippines

Shrine off White Beach in Boracay

As most of the world’s budget travelers seem to be descending on the mainland part of Southeast Asia, those looking to get off the well-trodden tourist trail will be heading to the Philippines. With over 7,000 islands in the archipelago, it makes perfect sense that you’ve got a lot of options when it comes to scenery and activities.

There’s world-class diving and snorkeling available, at prices that are significantly lower than in most of the rest of the world. Whitewater rafting is also big in the country, but for those who are more interested in just relaxing you’ve got a choice of excellent beaches of every variety, with Boracay Beach being the most famous internationally.

The culture is a mix of a variety of indigenous peoples along with some notable Spanish influences and even some American thrown in. The locals have a reputation as some of the friendliest towards outsiders in the world, and nearly everyone speaks at least some English so if you can read this article then there will be no language barrier to worry about. Prices for almost everything are quite low, so your travel fund goes a long way here and might allow you much more luxury than you are used to.

Most visitors will fly into Manila, which is certainly worth a look on its own, but another option is the large and modern seaport of Cebu, which seems to be gaining on the capital as a favorite entry point for travelers.

5 – Split, Croatia

The main harbor in Split

It seems like everyone was talking about Croatia a few years ago so this is yet another spot where you certainly won’t be the only tourist in town. Still, it’s worth considering a visit for a great number of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that the country continues to be more affordable than most of its neighbors, and loaded with interesting things to see and do as well.

Those who want to get past Croatia’s capital city of Zagreb will usually head to Dubrovnik, but many people complain that it has gotten too touristy in the past few years in the same way that Prague seems to be bursting at the seams with gift shops. But Split isn’t yet suffering from that syndrome, so there’s still time to check out all the Roman ruins and palaces and unique culture without feeling like you are part of one big tour group.

Split is yet another city that has a well-preserved and easily walkable historic city center, so you’ll be able to take in all the cathedrals, temples, museums, and markets your heart desires. But of course you’ve got lovely beaches with opportunities to do water sports if you’ve got the energy, plus abundant ferries to nearby Adriatic islands for something more exclusive.

If you shop around you might want to look for a cheap flight into Zagreb and then take a train or bus to Split, but there are plenty of flights directly into Split itself so that’s worth a try, especially if you’ll be coming from nearby.

4 – British Columbia, Canada

Emerald Lake, British Columbia

British Columbia is going to be in the news in a really intense way in a month or so when the Olympics descend upon Vancouver. If past Olympics coverage is anything to go by, they should do a pretty good job of showing off the natural beauty of the region – but just in case you’re not glued to the TV, we wanted to make sure you still had BC on your tourism radar.

City lovers will find plenty to get excited about in Vancouver, but we would suggest British Columbia is more about wilderness. Two big mountain ranges, thick forests, and an intricate network of islands off the coast – some of which are extremely remote – are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg when it comes to BC’s great outdoors.

And even though exploring the far reaches of Northern British Columbia isn’t exactly practical during the height of winter, by all means get excited about a BC trip during the 2010 Olympics and plan your own trip for the summer of 2010. BootsnAll writer Jessica Spiegel did a road trip through BC in August 2009, and highlighted “5 reasons to visit British Columbia” in a recent article.

Most visitors will want to fly into Vancouver, but flights to Seattle might be cheaper and it’s only a few hours away if you are doing the road trip thing anyway.

3 – Scotland

Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness

The majority of travelers coming to Britain don’t ever leave the confines of London, and this is a great shame, because just a short flight or train ride north is Scotland, land of whisky, bagpipes and golf.

Clichés aside, there are few travel destinations that offer so much to so many different kinds of travelers. Whether your idea of the perfect vacation is playing golf on world-famous courses like Turnberry or St. Andrews, or backpacking through some of the most rugged trails in Europe, you will find it here.

Edinburgh is by far the most popular tourist city, and home to one of Britain’s most visited attractions, Edinburgh Castle. For the more party-minded, Glasgow has a fantastic bar and live music scene, and has become one of the hotspots of British rock in the last decade. But it’s outside of the cities that you find the real heart of Scotland, especially up north in the famed Highlands.

Anyone who loves the outdoors (and doesn’t mind a bit of rain on their back) would be hard-pressed to find a better definition of heaven, with beautiful landscapes dotted with the ruins of medieval castles. And even farther up the map, the Orkney Islands offer a totally unique blend of Scottish and Norse culture and some of the best whale and wildlife watching in northern Europe. Scotland is definitely rugged, and the winters are not for the meek, but those who brave the chance of rain get back more than they ever expected.

Though you can get flights straight to Edinburgh from several cities in Europe, most people get their international flight to London Heathrow, then add a domestic leg on one of the budget airlines to Edinburgh or Glasgow. If you want to get out of the city and into the Highlands fast, fly from London straight to Inverness, capital of the Highlands and home of world famous Loch Ness.

2 – Pucón, Chile

Pucón and the Villarica Volcano

For 2009 we recommended Bariloche, Argentina, and this year we are going with what is more or less considered the Chilean version of that, at least in that it’s known as the adventure capital of the country and is popular all year round.

Located in the Lake District on Lago Villarica, the entire area is gorgeous as the backdrop often includes the stunning and perpetually snowcapped Villarica Volcano. You can take a non-technical guided hike up the volcano and even visit the lava crater if that appeals to you. During winter the area is a major center for skiing and snowboarding, and there are plenty of natural hot springs to visit as well.

During warmer months it might take less space to list the things that aren’t available, but just to hit some highlights you’ve got easy access to hiking, white-water rafting, canopy tours, horseback riding, cycling, golf, and fishing. And since the place is a mecca for international backpackers as well as those from the region, it’s no surprise that there is active nightlife that can take on almost any form. Well-heeled Chileans also use the area as a summer resort, so there’s more going on than just catering to backpacker types.

Getting there can be a bit tricky, since the airport is only open during warm months (December through February), though affordable overnight buses from Santiago operate all year round.

1 – New Zealand

Queenstown, South Island

Picking New Zealand for a list of great destinations for independent travelers is a bit like picking the Beatles for a list of great British bands, so here it is. If you haven’t yet had the privilege to visit this country you are probably already sick of hearing people rave about it, but still, the visit itself is likely to be so different from anywhere else you’ve been that it’s hard to stay quiet about it.

First off, Auckland is a pleasant enough city, but don’t waste more than a day or two at the beginning and/or end of your trip in the city, since all the magic is elsewhere. Train service in New Zealand is limited and slow, so most people either get around on one of the backpacker bus companies, or rent a vehicle of some kind for a DIY tour. Cars and motorbikes are available, but the true classic New Zealand adventure is done by renting a campervan (motor home) and staying in the cheap holiday parks (camp grounds) all over both islands that also serve the social function of hostels everywhere else.

Auckland is on the North Island, which is also home to many popular sights and attractions, but nearly everyone agrees that the South Island is the more special of the two, so don’t even think about limiting your trip to just one or the other. Queenstown on the South Island is gorgeous and loaded with things to do all year round, so make sure you don’t leave that one off your itinerary if it can be helped.

Flights to Auckland tend to be the cheapest and easiest to find, though if you are in the region already you might head straight for the pleasant city of Christchurch on the South Island instead.

There are many things you’ll want to take as souvenirs from your time exploring the world – tie-dye clothing that looked cool in India, paintings created by talented elephants, novelty booze that tasted good in the right setting, or exquisite carvings that seemed like a bargain until you worked out the exchange rate. But sometimes you’re looking for a more permanent, more impressive and altogether more useful souvenir from your travels – a boyfriend you picked up along the way.

Hooking up on the road isn’t that different to trying to score back home and can often be even easier as people are in ‘anything goes’ holiday mode. At home or away, bagging the guy you have your eye on is pretty easy as long as you take care of the three Bs – boobs, beer, and ball games of some description. But the game you choose to chat about could just be the clincher, depending on the nationality of the traveller you’ve set your sights on.

Naturally there are all kinds of guys from every country on earth, but just to get you started along the right path here’s a whimsical guide to impressing guys from the main backpacking nations around the world and to keeping hold of them, just in case you’re in the market for a more permanent souvenir…

Charming a Canadian

First impressions:

Renowned for their unabashed niceness, it’s not too tough to get off on the right foot with a Canuck. In fact, all you need to impress them off the bat is 10 minutes of Wiki-research. Memorise a few names to demonstrate your knowledge of his countrymen – famous faces that are generally thought to hail from south of the border. A brief internet stint will turn up a host of singers, actors, and (above all) comedians that you never knew came from Canada – and gushing about the comedy talents of John Candy, Mike Myers, Dan Aykroyd, or Jim Carrey will certainly gain you Canuck points.

Keep him interested:

Like most men, sports and beer are common interests of the Canuck – and of course the sport in question here is hockey. If you happen to find a random bar in Bangkok or a Palau pub that is showing Canada’s unofficial national sport (on paper it’s lacrosse!), just keep in mind two golden rules and you’ll soon melt even the frostiest of Canadian hearts. Always call it hockey, not ice hockey (for a Canadian there is no other kind), and never complain about the violence (that’s the best bit). If you can throw in a pitcher of cold beer and a plate of buffalo wings, you’ll have him eating out of your hand.

Under no circumstances:

Never ask a Canadian which part of the States he is from. Nothing irks a Canuck more than the presumption he’s American – not through any hatred of their southern neighbour, but just through a desire to be recognised (hence the presence of copious amount of maple leaves generally found covering Canadian luggage).

Bagging a Brit

First impressions:

It’s pretty simple to make a decent first impression on a Brit – you just have to order a pint. OK, here comes a sweeping generalisation: British men tend to like a girl who can join in with the guys. Sure, in an ideal world they’re seeking a Pamela Anderson lookalike – but when she opens her mouth they often seek funny, crude and bloke-ish over giggly and appearance-obsessed. The first step to being a so-called geezer-bird (translation: a dude-chick) is enjoying a beer and a bit of toilet humour.

Keep him interested:

Once the preliminary pint-drinking is out of the way you can easily impress a Brit with your knowledge of their national sports – namely football, rugby, and cricket. Knowledge of the off-side trap is a definite winner. Master the ins, innings, overs, and outs of cricket and you could be talking wedding bells. But if he suggests an impromptu marriage, don’t take him too seriously. Sarcasm is his favourite weapon and if you hope to get anywhere with a Brit you have to take everything with a massive pinch of salt, not only to stop him hating your gullibility but also to save yourself from unintended offence!

Under no circumstances:

Don’t call it “soccer.” Most Brits are open to diluting the Queen’s English with a touch of American slang – if only to make them sound a little cooler – but to a Brit it is called football and never, ever soccer. And whatever you think of it, to most Brits its tantamount to a religion – so don’t expect to get far if you insult the beautiful game.

Scoring with a South African

First impressions:

This might seem like a ridiculous thing to say on a site frequented by independent travellers, but a good way to start with a South African is knowing where South Africa is! Considering the name of the country it seems an even more ridiculous statement, but amazingly the number of times South Africa gets confused for a continent is surpassed only by the number of times Africa get confused for a country. Find it on a map, memorise a couple of border nations, and you’ll be on the right path with the South African male.

Keep him interested:

Be Lara Croft. South Africans are fond of the outdoors and love a girl who can get down and dirty. But if you can manage to look super hot and stylish while bungee jumping or bush walking, the South African man could well be yours. Throw in some serious South Africa knowledge and you’ll be well on your way to taking home a human souvenir to meet your parents. The rules of rugby and cricket are good starters, proclaiming your love of biltong (a spicy version of jerky) will have him hooked, and then clinch it with a random fact about South Africa’s back of beyond (which, in the interests of your scoring success, is officially located in a town called Pofadder).

Under no circumstances:

Refrain from asking if there are wild animals roaming the streets. Think of all the animal-related questions you’d love to ask – and then keep them to yourself. He didn’t have a pet rhino in his childhood, he’s never seen a lion in the town square, and he never rode a zebra to school. You might well be asking in jest, but he’s most likely heard these comments a dozen times before in all seriousness, so he might just fail to see the funny side.

Enticing an Aussie

First impressions:

Admire their drinking skills. Like many beer-mad nations Aussies like to believe they down more of the amber nectar than anyone else, and an offhand comment like ‘wow, you guys can really take your ale’ is a sure-fire conversation starter (unless you find the only Aussie tee-total backpacker in the world).

Keep him interested:

Keep the admin to a minimum. The Aussie is a low maintenance kind of guy, especially when he’s travelling, so fussing over whether your thongs (flip flops) match your thong (g-string) is unlikely to impress him. Anything involving the beach probably will, though, so sharpen your Frisbee skills, give surfing a go, and grab another stubby (beer). You can worry about the state of your hair once he’s gone to bed.

Under no circumstances:

You can’t expect him to ditch the wife beater. Australian men are generally an easygoing bunch, but you will have to learn to love that saggy singlet if you’re going to get along – it’s practically national dress.

Attracting an American

First impressions:

Don’t jump on the bandwagon. Sure, in recent years it’s become cool to hate on America and all who hail from within its borders, but obviously criticising someone’s homeland is unlikely to endear you to them. Have an open mind about your American beau having an open mind. They’re not all dumb, they do know where Canada is located, they don’t all think Superman is a real guy, and they don’t take kindly to people who believe every stupid rumour they’ve heard about Americans. Ask intelligent questions and the American backpacker might just notice you.

Keep him interested:

Swot up on sports. As you can see from the entries above, this is true of guys from every country – but Brits and those from the southern hemisphere tend to have a downer on American sports, so learning a few of baseball’s basic rules is sure to keep him interested. Find the nearest American-themed bar wherever you are and settle in for a few hours of baseball, football, or basketball. Of course, you don’t want to know too much – letting him teach you his passions will keep the conversation flowing until you know each other better. But a basic knowledge is a good idea, if only to stop you asking annoying questions like ‘why do they stop and chat every couple of minutes? Why can’t they just get on with it?’

Under no circumstances:

Don’t go on a rant about American beer. Some men you meet might agree with your tirade on the King of Beers, while others might be Miller men and most offended that you consider their beer of choice something akin to urine. And anyway, the wealth of craft breweries across the States makes the ‘American beer is crap’ argument moot. Other no-nos include mocking the language or claiming that American football is just a girly version of rugby.

Courting a Kiwi

First impressions:

Tune your ear to the finer points of the Kiwi accent. Just like asking a Canadian which part of the States he comes from, a guaranteed way to get off on the wrong foot with a Kiwi is to ask him which part of Australia he calls home. Downloading a few episodes of “Flight of the Conchords” could help you train your ear, plus as one of New Zealand’s favourite comedy exports it’ll give you a winning conversation starter as well.

Keep him interested:

Acknowledge his nation’s rugbying prowess. Rugby is the nation’s unofficial national sport as well as its unofficial religion. A few comments noting the All Blacks’ unmatched win-loss record will get you far, and knowing the difference between rugby league and rugby union will get you further. Announcing your opinion that Kiwis play rugby better than their southern hemisphere rivals Australia and South Africa will at worst get you another date and at best get him talking honeymoon destinations.

Under no circumstances:

Do not obsessively ask him to repeat words you find comical. Yes, it’s fun to get a Kiwi to order fish and chips in a restaurant, especially if you can prompt them into ordering seven portions. And of course the Kiwi pronunciation of the word six is always hilarious to an outsider. But after being begged to repeat these words a dozen times over while fellow travellers giggle inanely at their clipped vowels, it gets kinda old.

If you’ve traveled around much you’ve certainly noticed that unusually attractive people are spread pretty well around the planet. Go to small towns or big cities in any country and you’ll see at least a few head-turners, but there are also certain cities where many newcomers march around with their mouths agape because it suddenly feels like they are strolling through the lobby of a modeling agency.

Some have a theory that all the best looking people result from a combination of varied cultures mashing together to create exotic new mixes, but that theory totally falls apart when you visit places like Scandinavia or Japan, whose homogenous gene pools somehow crank out crazy quantities of near-perfect physical specimens anyway.

This list isn’t meant to be complete, and in fact, your city almost made it too but there just wasn’t enough room. Sorry.

Copenhagen, Denmark

We could have instead chosen Stockholm for this slot because they both have similar reputations among first-time visitors who nearly all notice the abundance of stunning people of both sexes. But Copenhagen has a more concentrated city center and walking through the Strøget pedestrian district can be a shocking delight for those who like tall, blond model-types coming from every direction at once. Famed travel author Bill Bryson wrote “You could cast a Pepsi commercial in Copenhagen in 15 seconds. And they all look so happy,” which sums it up pretty well.

Tokyo,
Japan

Being by far the largest city in a huge country, it might be that all the prettiest people in Japan move to Tokyo to reproduce.

The country’s notorious obsession with trendy clothes from the West produces some bizarre results with the younger groups, but there is no denying that being slaves to fashion combined with a notoriously healthy diet helps churn out an abundance of jaw-droppingly good-looking people concentrated in Japan’s outsized and crowded capital.

Miami Beach,
USA

Combine offices of some of the world’s top modeling agencies with the party hangout for most of Latin America’s richest and most fabulous people, and you’re off to a pretty good start.

Now add in hopeless gym rats and some of the finest specimens of the world’s best plastic surgeons all vying for attention as they stroll up and down Ocean Drive and you’ve got a spectacle on your hands.

They may not be the best conversationalists, but there is always plenty to look at in Miami’s South Beach.

Tel Aviv,
Israel

A large and prosperous coastal city with 8 months of beach weather per year, Tel Aviv is another place newcomers are often shocked by how many lovely people they see all over town.

This is a place where people from all over the world have mixed in one small area and the results are often stunning. Old-world European blood has mixed with Mediterranean locals, Africans, and other Asians to produce some attention-getting exotic locals.

Prague,
Czech Republic

Who could have imagined that the capital city of the most beer-guzzling country in the world would also have a reputation for churning out a crazy-high proportion of the world’s top fashion models?

As long as you can look past the tens of thousands of tourists crowding the city center on any given day you’ll definitely notice that something has gone strangely right in this Central European gene pool.

Whether the delicious and cheap brew has had any influence on this phenomenon is something scholars and bar patrons are sure to debate for generations to come.

Montreal,
Canada

What would you get if you put together the style, sophistication, and excellent fashion sense of Paris with a group of people who looked like they could run a mile without stopping twice to complain and have a cigarette break?

Canada’s largest cities all rate pretty high, but parts of Montreal really stand out for having that Continental charm and style mixed with a reasonably healthy and upbeat populace.

Milan,
Italy

The financial and fashion capital of Italy combines the country’s famous ethic of always dressing to impress with an urban-European sophistication that isn’t present once you get south of the shin in the boot.

Sprinkle in a healthy dose of some of the highest paid models from around the world and a well-bred upper class who spend obscene amounts on clothes each year and you’ve got a show-stopping group of people at which to ogle as you wander from a pizza place to a gelato shop wondering how the Milanese pull it off while the rest of us can’t.

Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil

The guys and girls from Ipanema and Copacabana have a well-earned reputation as being some of the finest looking people on the planet. The city is lined with world-class beaches and its just-tropical climate keeps those beaches pretty busy all year round.

Cariocas, as the citizens of Rio call themselves, are a mix of European and African immigrants, but it’s the cinnamon-skinned hybrids that get most of the attention. They are almost as famous for their extreme vanity as they are for their national football squad, but if that helps the locals become a tourist attraction unto themselves, who are we to complain?

Los Angeles,
USA

One of the aspiring-actor characters in the movie Swingers noted that “The hottest 1% from around the world migrate to this gene pool.” Spend some time in and around Hollywood and you’ll quickly see what he was talking about.

This rule certainly doesn’t cover the entire metro area, but the actors/waiters and actresses/waitresses who move to Los Angeles each year with stars in their eyes are generally an outstanding looking bunch. The year-round great weather and health-obsessed beach communities add nicely to the mix.

Rabat,
Morocco

The capital of Morocco is far more cosmopolitan and liberal than most people expect, and it’s right on the coast. The Olive-skinned Mediterraneans here are a mix of Arab, Berber, and European blood, and the results are often breathtaking.

A city center filled with fashion boutiques as well as all the foreign embassies helps to give a big part of the town an upscale and widely-varied look, much more so than the larger and more famous cities in this North African country.

Buenos Aires,
Argentina

In a country where large portions of beef are consumed almost every day – often with a side of fried cheese and followed up by the ultra-rich dulce de leche dessert –

you wouldn’t expect to find a super-healthy populace who remain impossibly thin in spite of this taboo diet. But go to Buenos Aires and that’s exactly what you get.

The Porteños, as they are called, are an almost exclusive mix of Italian and Spanish genes, with some German thrown in for good measure and a bit of natural blond hair. Somehow the Buenos Aires combination manages to outdo each of the parts alone. The city is another that is obsessed with looking good even if that means surgery, but at least they seem to be accomplishing their goal.

Sydney,
Australia

If the British Isles had a much better climate and easier access to modern dentistry, its citizens would probably look quite a bit more like the stunners in Sydney, but even that probably wouldn’t be enough.

Most Sydneysiders have their roots in England, Scotland, and Ireland, but somehow the former prison colony has made them taller, blonder, happier, and better looking than most of their European cousins. The excellent beaches and emphasis on fitness combine to produce a huge group of people who’d stand out in almost any other crowd.