Spoons' World Tour

[Spoons]

I'm finally going to indulge Beyond on my ultimate goal and path in life, as well as look to you guys for support and suggestions on where to go. This is MY PLAN. This isn't a thread for you to start discussion on how you don't agree with my life decisions. Please be constructive as I know there are a lot of you on here that are fascinated by this. I don't need to hear how you think it's impossible, because nothing is.

Basically most of my life, the aspect of adventure has always been my drive. It's the reason I snowboard so much, because it takes me to weird places I'd otherwise never go. Finding a career thus has been everything but easy. I've taken engineering, dabbled in a electrical apprenticeship, you name it, I've pretty well done it. And most places I find I quickly get the hang of it, get bored, and eagerly want to get a new job to see what new adventures hold.

I was raised in a low income family, where extravagant exotic vacations were unheard of. I'm 23 and still have yet to even leave the country (yes not even the US). So I have taken it into my own hands.

My girlfriend told me to read the book Vagabonding, and it fit me perfectly. I've always measured my wealth on personal experiences and the enjoyment I find in life, not the amount of success and money I hold. It also made me realize that I should stop kidding myself and take the plunge. Work in a means to afford you to get to places and see new things. Not work to get you places when your 60 or for only a few weeks at a time.

Starting next year I will be starting my world tour. The trip will be a work in progress as I go but here is a rough plan thus far:

1) Work construction, tree planting, anything really in BC. Make as much money as humanly possible. My main goal in this is to get out of debt. Work the entire summer, make a bunch of money and clear myself free of all debts. This is why I brought up bankruptcy, but I decided to take it into my own hands.

I want to start my trip, but I can't leave until I'm debt free. But this way I get the best of both worlds since I love BC.

2) After next summer, if money allows, I will ride Whitewater (if I end up in Nelson) all season long. No job, no responsibilities, just ride. If money does not allow to not work, I will look into becoming a ski patroller or possibly a guide.

3) After the riding season I will work a bit, enough money to get me to Italy. I have friends that are moving there to work with family, so I will plan on meeting them there. Here I will work, learn Italian, and experience what Italy has to offer. This will be my base of operations for the European front of Spoons' World Tour.

4) Once it gets old in Italy, I will then venture off into Europe. Basically I want to see it all. Work odd jobs here and there, or if money allows, just travel.

5) Number 4 will bring me to March of 2014. March I will head to Alaska, where I plan to spend the Alaskan ski season riding there. I'll ride there till May (or whenever the season comes to an end).

6) I then plan to acquire a VW van. I want to hit this one up in style, and because those VW vans are dirt cheap to fix and pretty reliable. I plan on road tripping it from Alaska to Santiago, Chile. This one will be an adventure probably full of lots of set backs, but I plan on stopping at places in BC and along the west coast of US, doing whatever seems fun. If anyone has seen brothers on the run, that is my inspiration for this.

7) End up in Chile for the remainder of their ski season and ride that.

8) To be determined.

It's going to be a challenge, and tough at times, but this fits me perfect. For once I actually feel comfortable knowing that I have something set out. Of course money is a factor in this, there are plans for all this but far too complicated to go into great detail of it all. In the end, I'm just not a career orientated person, and I'm not changing any time soon. So this feels great.

Mainly I'm positing this because I feel a few of you will be interested, as well as suggestions. Fun places you guys liked and I can take them into consideration on my travels.

Discuss.

[arian_ma]

Hey man, this sounds awesome! I wish you the best of luck, and if I have to give any advice, it would be that seeing as you have basically planned out the next 2-3 years, don't get caught up on making that exact plan work. If it doesn't, something better will happen instead.

As far as places I would recommend: Central America.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Spoons]

Originally posted by arian_ma
Hey man, this sounds awesome! I wish you the best of luck, and if I have to give any advice, it would be that seeing as you have basically planned out the next 2-3 years, don't get caught up on making that exact plan work. If it doesn't, something better will happen instead.

As far as places I would recommend: Central America.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Central America would be included in the road trip down to Chile.

Definitely none of this except for number 1 is set in stone. This is just a rough outline on what I want to do, but it won't necessarily (and probably won't) happen in that exact fashion.

[-relk-]

Looks like a good plan. I am envious of this, because I still have another couple of years of school until I can think about doing something like this.

I really want to do the ski bum thing too, but I would suggest looking into a ski shop job instead of a patroller guide. From what I have heard, you DONT want to be working on a big dump day, which most ski shops get off from my experience.

Good luck! :thumbsup:

[dj_patm]

Sounds like you're going to get really good at applying for workers visa's or really good at working hard labor under the table.

I'd suggest saving up as much money as your patience will allow before leaving. A lot of the places you are planning on visiting (most of Europe and Central+South America) are going to pay you pennies for the work you do compared to Canada.

I can't imagine how sweet it would be to ski bum it for a whole year though.

Also will you have a companion for this trip? Sounds like you might get a little lonely? I dunno driving long streaches alone gets to me.

[ercchry]

couple things i would consider:
-from now till next spring work on the damn rigs!

-once you have 6 months under your belt research some towns in BC. rent vs own type research. find a town you like for your summer plan that has a huge variance in rental vs own pricing (trust me, you will find one) buy a place there that could be a good rental. it will save you money for your summer thing. plus working the rigs you can live there too since you will have a 2 on 2 off or 3 on 1 off schedule. this will also give you a nice buffer for the rest of your trips for having monthly cash coming in

-look into what family you have from the EU and research getting a EU based passport. this will be handy on many levels. (mainly getting let in when you have no financial ties to canada and are unemployed)

[Spoons]

Originally posted by dj_patm
Sounds like you're going to get really good at applying for workers visa's or really good at working hard labor under the table.

I'd suggest saving up as much money as your patience will allow before leaving. A lot the places you are planning on visiting (most of Europe and Central+South America) are going to pay you pennies for the work you do compared to Canada.

I can't imagine how sweet it would be to ski bum it for a whole year though.

Also will you have a companion for this trip? Sounds like you might get a little lonely? I dunno driving long streaches alone gets to me.

Pick up who ever wants to come along the way. It wouldn't be a World Tour without some groupies amirite?

Next summer moving will be with a pal of mine. Same with the trip down to Chile.

I imagined and planned to work under the table for quite a lot. In Italy my main plan is to work at my friends family restaurant in Florence. It would be all under the table there.

[adamc]

work the rigs, you will make double the money you do tree planting in BC.

in a full winter season if you save every penny, and work 5 week hitches from time to time, you will have a very healthy bank balance come spring.

[Spoons]

Originally posted by ercchry
couple things i would consider:
-from now till next spring work on the damn rigs!

-once you have 6 months under your belt research some towns in BC. rent vs own type research. find a town you like for your summer plan that has a huge variance in rental vs own pricing (trust me, you will find one) buy a place there that could be a good rental. it will save you money for your summer thing. plus working the rigs you can live there too since you will have a 2 on 2 off or 3 on 1 off schedule. this will also give you a nice buffer for the rest of your trips for having monthly cash coming in

-look into what family you have from the EU and research getting a EU based passport. this will be handy on many levels. (mainly getting let in when you have no financial ties to canada and are unemployed)

Good advice, I like this. My plan was having a loan in Canada with money put aside that pays it off automatically. Basically saying that I am indeed still financially tied to Canada and not plan on NFAing it.

I want to avoid the rigs if at all possible. I'm trying to do this with as little interference with snowboarding as possible, and my job currently pays me well enough to start planning for this.

I can handle construction, but leaving the town for periods of time into a shit hole... Don't care how much the money is. I'd be down right miserable (even if it meant this awesome trip in the future).

[ercchry]

have you even seen the camps up north? 5 star resorts. they have to be so they can retain people. you might have to quit the pots for a little while... but thats about it :rofl:

plus a full week off means still 7 days a month on the hill... that as much as you would get doing a 9-5 in town :dunno:

[dj_patm]

The company I work for has an unreal camp lol.

Steak And Lobster dinners every Wednesday, Golf simulator, hockey rinks, fishing/canoeing, full size gymnasium and work out facilities and the office jobs are one week on - one week off and on top of it your make almost double.

Trust me I'd kill to work at site.

[Spoons]

Originally posted by ercchry
have you even seen the camps up north? 5 star resorts. they have to be so they can retain people. you might have to quit the pots for a little while... but thats about it :rofl:

plus a full week off means still 7 days a month on the hill... that as much as you would get doing a 9-5 in town :dunno:

Hmm this now intrigues me.

I'd have to run it by the girlfriend. She's coming back from 5 months away in Europe only for me to be leaving for 2 weeks at a time. She's quite possibly included in on this plan.

She has needs that run daily if you catch my drift hahahahahahaha.

[blitz]

Originally posted by Spoons

...She's coming back from 5 months away in Europe...

She has needs that run daily if you catch my drift hahahahahahaha.

Who was giving it to her in Europe?

[flipstah]

Originally posted by dj_patm
The company I work for has an unreal camp lol.

Steak And Lobster dinners every Wednesday, Golf simulator, hockey rinks, fishing/canoeing, full size gymnasium and work out facilities and the office jobs are one week on - one week off and on top of it your make almost double.

Trust me I'd kill to work at site.

I worked at site and I'd rather take a paycut than go back.

Even though you eat like a king and enjoy the spoiled life, I couldn't stand being away from the city. And civilization.

You can watch TV when you're done work but working 10-12 hrs/day, you just wanna fuckin' sleep so you don't miss the tram to work.

I also worked 10 on/4 off, which sucked.

[FraserB]

If you are planning on doing Alaska to Chile, read this.

http://theroadchoseme.com/

Along the left side under "Countries Visited" is the breakdown of his trip.

[Spoons]

Originally posted by blitz


Who was giving it to her in Europe?

I don't know someone she met I think. We agree'd upon this before she left. I got a hall pass summer, it's pretty awesome. Me and her talk all the time though.


Originally posted by flipstah


I worked at site and I'd rather take a paycut than go back.

Even though you eat like a king and enjoy the spoiled life, I couldn't stand being away from the city. And civilization.

You can watch TV when you're done work but working 10-12 hrs/day, you just wanna fuckin' sleep so you don't miss the tram to work.

I also worked 10 on/4 off, which sucked.

I'm not much one for the city anyways, but I'm also not much for barren tundra's either.


Originally posted by FraserB
If you are planning on doing Alaska to Chile, read this.

http://theroadchoseme.com/

Along the left side under "Countries Visited" is the breakdown of his trip.

Thanks I'll definitely give it a read. I've been reading a ton of travel journals lately researching.

[kaput]

.

[CompletelyNumb]

Originally posted by FraserB
If you are planning on doing Alaska to Chile, read this.

http://theroadchoseme.com/

Along the left side under "Countries Visited" is the breakdown of his trip.


Came here to post this. :werd:

Good luck with your trip man. I've always wanted to do that same drive.

[milesmcewing]

Drop me a line sometime. Happy to share some experiences that may help you decide on your own plans.

I worked as a guide for the first ten years - basically got paid to travel. Went into the wine business after that and travelled that way for another ten years.

Been living the travelling life for many years.

I just came back from driving Calgary to Chile/Argentina, then we got bored and continued into Africa and Europe.

www.smilesandmiles.com

If you have the chance there is a Horizons Unlimited meeting in Nakusp this weekend Aug 24-26

There will be 200 people there talking about exactly what you want to do - there is a huge knowledge and experience base in that group, I'll be speaking on Central and South America as well as food around the world.

Check it out:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/

Just remember everyone will tell you how dangerous, how stupid, how expensive and how everything it is. You will never regret going, you will only regret not going. Opinions are just that, mine included.

Cheers
Miles

[max_boost]

Wow. Cray-Z stuff. Good luck.

[Type_S1]

The whole skiing thing isn't my cup of tea and sounds like a waste of time compared to all the other cool stuff there is in the world but good luck. You should try sand skiing/snowboarding in Egypt or the like.

Sounds like a crazy plan and hopefully you find what you are looking for :thumbsup:

[Graham_A_M]

Yeah like what was said, dont waste your time tree planting. Its hard fucking work, and the pay is awful in comparison to what you have to do. I'd scratch that from your plans entirely.

Sounds like a wicked adventure. Italy is absolutely amazing. Make damn good and sure you visit Florence, Venice and Orvieto (a small town between Rome & Florence). Rome is amazing too, but its almost hard to really enjoy it.

[projekz]

Open relationship, pot smoking snowboarder, planting trees...Sounds like you're gonna end up in Nelson for a while:rofl:

In all seriousness, I wish you the best in your travels and like the others have said I think you should find a really good paying job for the next little while before you set off travelling.

[thrasher22]

Sounds like a dope trip :thumbsup:

I've been fixing up an old VW van for years and the idea of driving through South America is always in the back of my mind. Here's the blog of a family that did exactly that, and a good reference to the kind of problems they ran into vehicle wise. http://bodeswell.org/

[Spoons]

Originally posted by projekz
Open relationship, pot smoking snowboarder, planting trees...Sounds like you're gonna end up in Nelson for a while:rofl:

In all seriousness, I wish you the best in your travels and like the others have said I think you should find a really good paying job for the next little while before you set off travelling.

Only open while she's in Europe, but yeah I'm a pretty easy going person.

I was snowboarding a bunch last year in Nelson. When a girl on the street as I was walking asked if I wanted mushrooms... I pretty well fell in love. The girl absolutely loved it there too.

[XylathaneGTR]

I may be late to the party here...but I'll say it anyway.

I recall a thread within the last couple weeks where you were discussing some of your debt issues, and exploring bankruptcy as an option. Student line of credit for your first year of school, and some other expenses you wished not to discuss (credit cards, maybe?).

I hate to sound like a debbie downer here, brother...but you should probably be ontop of your debt situation before you embark on your world travels. I know you've addressed that in your post (can't leave till you're debt free), but make sure your plans to become debt free are realistic. As of right now (and you may be withholding information because it's not relevant to discuss it here), your plan sounded a little weak on that front.

Otherwise, it sounds awesome. Good luck with your plans and I really hope you are able to realize them successfully.

[Spoons]

Originally posted by XylathaneGTR
I hate to sound like a debbie downer here, brother...but you should probably be ontop of your debt situation before you embark on your world travels. I know you've addressed that in your post (can't leave till you're debt free), but make sure your plans to become debt free are realistic. As of right now (and you may be withholding information because it's not relevant to discuss it here), your plan sounded a little weak on that front.

Not late to the party, but you didn't read number 1. I meant that on the lines of work any means possible.

[Spoons]

Originally posted by XylathaneGTR
I hate to sound like a debbie downer here, brother...but you should probably be ontop of your debt situation before you embark on your world travels. I know you've addressed that in your post (can't leave till you're debt free), but make sure your plans to become debt free are realistic. As of right now (and you may be withholding information because it's not relevant to discuss it here), your plan sounded a little weak on that front.

Not late to the party, but you didn't read number 1. I meant that on the lines of work any means possible.

I think a lot of people are expecting a lavish trip of anything I want/do. I'm going straight hippie with this one. There will be lots of hitch hiking, walking, sleeping under the stars, etc.