TTB 030: teaching abroad in asia
Show Notes
Ryan Kallio is a passionate traveler from Australia living in South Korea. Since first deciding to head overseas, Ryan loved the challenge of exploring new countries, cultures and languages all across the globe. Ryan has spent many months travelling through Europe and Asia before finally considering teaching abroad, and is now in his second year working as an English teacher in Seoul. Korea. Most of Ryan’s days are spent teaching kindergarten and elementary students!
Inside the Episode:
- Ryan breaks down some of the workforce norms in Australia that allows him to travel often.
- Ryan explains what brought him to take his first trip abroad and how this experience transformed his life’s purpose.
- Ryan tells us what it was like to adjust to the fast-paced workforce of South Korea.
- Ryan informs us on an interesting aspect of age measurement in South Korea, which differs from the rest of the world.
- Ryan breaks down the process for teaching abroad, including information on background checks, experience levels, and the visa process.
- Ryan explains what it's like to teach children in Soul and some of the tricks he's learned to communicate with them.
TTB 029: Some People Take Photos, I Paint
Show Notes
Kevin Swanick studied landscape architecture at the Pennsylvania State University, and he has a unique, and often contemplative travel style. Instead of traveling with camera gear and snapping thousands of pictures per trip, he prefers to sit down in one location and paint the scenery. Painting allows Kevin to build an intimate relationship with that location, and it helps to solidify those moments in his memories. Our conversation with him was truly fascinating!
Inside the Episode:
- How Kevin began his life abroad with this first experience in Barcelona
- Kevin explains how he's inspired to find the “narrative landscape” in a particular area, which can be attributed to a location’s history and natural characteristics.
- Kevin tells us why pictures just aren't as important to him, but rather gets a more profound experience painting what we encounters along his trips.
- By painting his experiences, Kevin allows his perception of the location he's in come to life through the tip of his brush. The finished product resembles the landscape through his eyes, with unbiased focus on certain aspects that may have been overlooked had he taken a photograph.
- How the lens in which Kevin views his experiences gave him a particularly unique interaction with Europe, and it is an attitude towards traveling which he maintain to this day.
- We discuss Kevin’s powerful experience abroad to Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Coast.
- We discuss the city of Galway, where Kevin discovered music, lighthouses, and rain like he never had before.
- We talk about why Kevin almost never takes photos, and always find time to paint.
TTB 028: The Great Migration Honeymoon
Show Notes
Michela Solinas and her husband spent their honeymoon somewhere rather unusual. Every year, the great migration occurs in Kenya, and Michela wanted to take advantage of the trip and explore the diverse wildlife of Kenya. In September 2018, Michela and her husband traveled witnessed a part of the Great Migration and then ended their journey at the islands of Seychelles.
Inside the Episode:
- Michela’s reaction to seeing some of the world’s most fascinating wildlife in their natural habitat
- We talk about Michela’s decision to travel to Africa during the Great Wildebeast Migration
- Michela gives us insight on her planning methods for such a unique trip
- Michela tells us about her once in a lifetime experience of witnessing a lion hunt
- We discuss some of the cultural differences in food
- Michela tells us about her time in Seychelles and why she preferred the mainland over the island nation
- Michela provides insightful information on why you should “go big” with certain trips
- Lastly, we transition from Africa to Westeros and playfully discuss the ending of Game of Thrones (SPOILER ALERT)
TTB 027: travelling with a dj
Show Notes
Kevin Owens has had the opportunity to view different cultures of the world through a unique lens and from an unusual perspective. He makes his living traveling the world as a videographer for DJs and his job is to capture the heart pounding moments of party atmosphere around the globe.
Inside the Episode:
- How Kevin went from working at a local nightclub in Atlantic City to some of the most sought after party destinations in the world!
- We discuss Kevin’s fast-paced experiences navigating these international cities and how his travel arrangements are made before and during his departure.
- Kevin gives his opinion on which country parties the hardest!
- How Kevin adjusts to the harsh sleeping and eating schedule while on the road.
- We hear some of Kevin’s favorite travel stories, including some of the weirder experiences he's had abroad with intoxicated people.
- We get into conversation on the future of video recording with drones and GoPro cameras.
- Kevin leaves us with some lasting advice for anyone interested in getting into this profession.
Contact Info & References
Products
TTB 026: Using Travel To Educate
Show Notes
Travis Tennessen has taught field courses and led numerous domestic and international excursions for university students from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Penn State University. Travis founded and now co-facilitates Community Engagement Fellows which helps build community-based learning opportunities. Travis fully believes in the notion that travel is a powerful tool to help educate and broaden perspectives.
Inside the Episode:
- Travis’ first experience leading trips to the Costa Rican rainforest in 2008 and how it evolved into the programs he's associated with today.
- Travis shares insight on the type of traveler willing to participate in this form of “volun-tourism” and the benefits of those who participate
- Travis discusses some of the opportunities he likes to build into these travel experiences making them much more valuable than your typical tour company.
- Travis discussing some of his personal travel goals and how it took him to places throughout the US that he would have never anticipated going to otherwise.
Contact Info & References
TTB 025: The Jetsetting Family
Show Notes
Rod and Jess decided to step away from their careers, sell their stuff, and embark on a full-time family adventure with their 6-year-old son Santi and 2-year-old daughter Nora. Since then, they have visited 9 countries and 32 cities in just 24 weeks! Working while traveling has allowed them to lower their travel expenses, and stretch their budget so they can sustain their adventures as The Jetsetting Family.
Inside the Episode:
- Moments in both Rod and Jess’s lives that led up to the point where they decided to sell their belongings and go on the adventure that would define their lives.
- Insight on those initial steps after their decision to hit the road. Including the process of selling their belongings and deciding on their first destination!
- Details of traveling with young children and how Rod and Jess stay create to keep their kids occupied and intrigued on their journey.
- Rod and Jess tell us about how life on the road is expanding their children’s perspective on the world.
- Information on some of the darker sides of voluntourism
- We get to hear some of their favorite experiences traveling as the Jet Setting Family
Contact Info & References
TTB 024: Bob and Elliot - Our Top National Parks
Show Notes
On this episode, two best friends sit down and swap some of our favorite US National Parks that we’ve had the privilege of visiting and some of the ones we plan on going to in the future. Fantasize over your love for nature with The Traveler's Blueprint duo and discover some of our own experiences in these amazing places, including Elliot’s awakening experience in Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons as a kid and Bob’s time dog sledding in Rocky Mountain National Park! After reminiscing about our time in these amazing parks, we discuss some of the locations we have yet to visit and the reasons that these parks are drawing our attention.
In light of the government shutdown ending, we thought it was appropriate to highlight one of the most unique aspects of American livelihood, the National Parks. Putting politics aside, the importance of keeping these parks clean, preserving the indigenous flora and fauna, and keeping this land accessible for future generations should be one of the highest priorities of our government. We were saddened to learn about the atrocities that took place at some of our beloved parks during the government shutdown. When visiting our National Parks, please always remember the mottos to “leave it like you found it” and to "take only pictures, leave only footprints". Nothing is more American than preserving the land we call America.
References
The Sierra Club:
https://www.sierraclub.org/about-sierra-club
Frederick Law Olmsted:
http://www.olmsted.org/the-olmsted-legacy/frederick-law-olmsted-sr
Bob's Hawaii Trip on The Minivan of Memories:
https://www.minivanofmemories.com/blog-1/shaken-up-in-hawaii
TTB 023: Peru Part 2 - TrekHoppers
Show Notes
Matt Waugh, a Scottish Ex-Pat, who came to Peru in 2006 as a tour leader responsible for groups of tourists from all over the world leads treks between Lima and La Paz. He has also previously been travelling globally running trekking and other tours on the Great Wall China, Central America, Egypt and Eastern Europe. Back in Peru, he has also been involved with various NGO projects, including in the running of a children's Special needs school in the Sacred Valley. He has been running day hikes for many years as a volunteer for South American Explorers Club. Over 3 years (between 2014 and 2016) he has ran/led over 80 group walks in the region of the Southern Andes including several ones included in this trip.
Inside the Episode:
- We learn how Matt came to be an Ex-Pat and started his extraordinary journey towards building Trek Hoppers Peru
- We get a bit of a history lesson on The Sacred Valley, where its located, and why it's so culturally significant to Peru
- We talk about the city of Cusco, its cultural significance to ancient Inca and Spanish Colonization
- We get some navigational advice for the Sacred Valley Region and some of the less traversed locations
- We get incredible advice on navigating Machu Picchu
- We discuss how some tourists deal with altitude sickness while hiking at such high elevations.
Contact Info & References
TTB 022: Peru Part 1 - Lima Gourmet
Show Notes
Samantha Lewis is an American from Kansas City living in Peru for the last eight years. In 2011 she founded The Lima Gourmet Company together with her Peruvian husband, now the top food tour company in the country. Since very little, she had a passion for food and new cultures which propelled her to study in Europe and South America, and eventually take residence in Peru.
Lima Gourmet Tours combine a behind-the-scenes city tour with Peru's star dishes and top-notch restaurants; so you can see and taste the best of the city in just one day. This hands-on experience includes a visit to a local market and a secret garden cafe, a private cooking class with a chef where you make your own Ceviche and Pisco Sour, a stop at a coffee house that roasts its own coffee beans daily and a gourmet meal among pre-Incan ruins at one of Lima's premier restaurants. Each stop during your tour is located in a different district making the most of your time and allowing you to experience the country's living history. The restaurants have been specially selected to highlight the talents of Peru's Cordon Bleu trained chefs, award-winning recipes and creative, high-end interior designs. Lima Gourmet Tours doesn't offer the typical tourist circuit; they take you where the locals go. As a Peruvian-American company, the priority is providing a genuine Peruvian experience while upholding the highest standards of quality and personalized service.
Inside the Episode:
- How Lima Gourmet Tours combine a behind-the-scenes city tour with Peru's star dishes and top-notch restaurants
- We get insider knowledge about Lima's premier restaurants
- We get a crash course on the the culinary history of peru and how it came to have a diverse and incredible food culture
- We learn how the landscape of Peru impacts the food produced
- We discuss what makes Lima one of the leading culinary destination in the world
- Chocolate, beer, wine, and the Pisco Sour...enough said
TTB 021: The Minivan of Memories
Show Notes
On this episode we talk to Adilson Randi. Born in Brazil and now living in Dublin, Ireland Adilson has taken his passion for travel beyond the act itself. In attempt to learn more about the world and the people who occupy it, Adilson built an amazing blog platform known as the Minivan of Memories allowing travelers throughout the world to have a platform to share their personal experiences.
Inside the Episode:
- How Adilson’s early years shaped his passion for travel and journalism
- Adilson gives us insight on his “ah-ha” moment that got the wheels spinning for the Minivan of Memories platform
- We all chime in on the idea that traveling is more than just the location you visit and discuss the deeper meaning behind international exploration
- We hear some of Adilson’s favorite “Passenger” stories inspiring the wanderlust in us all
- Adilson shares some of his own personal travel experiences to Alaska, Iceland, and South Korea
- We talk about the recent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in Alaska, Hawaii, and Guatemala
TTB 020: The Benefits of Public Transportation
Show Notes
On today’s episode we sit down with Mike Fargnoli, who was awarded the Joseph J. Lalli Fellowship to study the public transit systems of Pacific Northwest cities like Seattle, WA and Portland, OR in hopes of applying his observations to improve the cities of South Florida. While on his solo trip, he spent two weeks exploring various urban environments via light rail, train, busses, bikes, and scooters. He is currently working on a book to present his research conclusions as well as a video that captures the entirety of the experience and is expecting it all to be presented early 2019.
Inside the Episode:
- Mike’s travel history and how each location impacted his career and research projects
- The benefits of the light rail system in urban areas and the stigma of these systems in American cities
- Mike’s Public Transit Research with the Joseph J Lalli Fellowship
- Mike’s experience in the Pacific Northwest and how cities like Seattle and Portland are setting the bar for the light rail system
- Mike gives us some great stories from his trips around the country and leaves us with a very important travel tip.