How to plan a trip around the world

Often friends ask me about how to move to a new place, travel around the world, leave everything behind and start a new life.

I am privileged and honoured that they are asking me, and feel responsible for the suggestions I give.

I know that there are tons of ways to answer any question, but this is one of my latest, off-the-top-of-my-head replies:

My pleasure to help any adventurer in this world!

Here are a few things you can do to get yourself started:

- Check out Gap year programs and books... note that most volunteer programs require you to pay!

- Think about what you are really searching for... for example many people want to improve their health, spirit and find love so they go to India and do yoga in a centre and find all three.

- Join social-travel-common interest sites like tripping.com and couchsurfing, even if you don't relish the idea of strangers sleeping on your couch or vice-versa, they are still invaluable sources of information and you can just meet up for a cuppa or pint to share views... we are remarkably similar!

- My personal favourite places are Thailand and Brasil for the beaches, temperature, food and general vibe as well as the people.

However, Africa is also intriguing and I am now making my way down from Nairobi to South Africa with Footballsmiles.
Goa in India is also a great place to meet people that are doing the same as you and from there move on to where your inspiration, intuition and friendships take you.

- Language can also be an issue especially in central and south America so now is the time to brush up on that Spanish!

- Pop by the big adventure agencies in London like trailfinders, etc... and get some of their brochures for ideas.

Other considerations are how to finance this adventure:

- If you have been in the race for a while and had some luck then you may own a place that is rentable. This is one fantastic way to be free, considering that with about 1000 Euros per month you will be way ahead of most of the planet. It still means you have to watch your finances and not spend it all in the night!

- Teaching English is always a life-saver, you just have to plan it out in advance. Say have a spot in South Korea (they will pay for a return ticket and lodging as well as a decent wage), do the work there and then travel around Asia, returning to Korea for a second stint or just to use your ticket back home.

Alternatively, apply in advance, make your way slowly there via India, Thailand or Malaysia and arrive to a job, getting your ticket as cash instead.

Most Asian countries pay relatively well for native speakers...just check out what they require in terms of qualifications.

- There are plenty of options if you want to travel the world and are not afraid to work! New Zealand and Australia make it easy for English and European passport holders, the pay is not that great most of the time, but, you get to meet the people and are not using your savings or getting into debt!

This has been how I have been able to travel for the past 3 years:

I  began  with some saved  money, bought a round-the-world ticket valid for one year.

Along the way I met people, invested in a little bit of stock in a stall at the Hippy Market in Anjuna, Goa which then was paid out the following year.

I then helped out a bit in Cambodia playing football with the kids at the Cambodian Children's Painting project and bought a nice painting.

I then volunteered in Bolivia at the Tahuichi Academy, this volunteer work then became a paid position as Coach, coordinator, consultant, translator, interpreter and motivational speaker.

Thanks to the Tahuichi job offer, I could simply throw away my return ticket to London the very last leg of that round the world ticket...and end up staying 10 months in South America!

More to come...

Footballsmiles... when the children play!

Wow!

I just realised that it has been over a year since updating this flying adventure blog!

I wonder why?

Then, of course, I realise that I have been so busy travelling and flying and having adventures that it could hardly be any other way... but, that is still no excuse.

My apologies, life has somehow taken over!

Since last February, my life has been such a whirl of activity that I simply have had too much on my plate and have been juggling way too many things...

From Bolivia to Argentina and back, then on to Brasil, Switzerland, Ibiza, London, Goa and now northern California, about to go to London, Switzerland and Ibiza again. So far so good.

Now the real adventure begins...

On April 15th, with my childhood friend Jordi and his girlfriend Vanessa we will embark on a non-profit project to distribute footballs in person to children in Africa. The goal is to play football with IDP kids, orphans and children everywhere, donating footballs, interviewing them, sharing the whole trip with a blog, photos and videos with a final goal of publishing an illustrated book.

Beginning in Ethiopia and making our way down towards Kenya then Tanzania before playing through Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique on our way to Johannesburg for the inaugural game of the 2010 World Cup!

We had promised to go way back when...when we watched Cameroon play in Italy '90 and were enthused by the play, the fans and the magic.

That day has finally arrived and this adventure of a lifetime is ready to begin!

Footballsmiles is born!

It is amazing how enthusiastic everybody is when they hear about the idea and we have received countless suggestions, contacts and input as well as even more tangible support.

The website design and concept was donated by Udi and Lena of ArtFactory, all of their considerable experience was shared by Thomas and Romain of MaisVousEtesFoot to make this project a reality!

Thank you everybody!
I wish everybody huge smiles in Football, or as I say...

Footballsmiles!

So, here it is again:

Footballsmiles... giving footballs to children in Africa from April 15th to July 15th, 2010.

Peace and Love and Harmony