Journey of my dream: It's the biggest nightmare. Please help :)

[Andreash94]

Hello ,I am and international student in Denmark ,and I want to quit studying because I don't really like what I am studying here ,so i caind of think to go back home in Romania ,but is a good opportunity to acquire my dream of traveling by foot ,for me is like a spiritual journey as I see it whit allot of experience ,but I am afraid, the month that I would like to start my journey will be on March ,but i am afraid ,I don't know whi ,i need some help ,so for persons who traveled a bit please help me ,the traveling idea burn my soul for 5 years already .
Please , help me whit some advice ,how i should preper for it and what are the most things that i need ,the most necessary things to survive ,for an easy journey .
I am withing for some answers . :nod:
Thank you ,
Andrei Rafael

[Mu2143]

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[Andreash94]

I look for help whit what I should eat and get in my backpack , not about fear therapy :D

[CD7]

I know there hitchhikers guides which tell you a lot of necessary items---the basics
Tent, flashlight, knife, mirror, money/food or a way of getting food, a sign, a marker to write on the sign, the best boots ever, lighters, matches, nice backpack..haha well ive thrown out some, I know there are lists--hitch hikers guides online and people who tell there stories, and also people who you may be able to hook up with.

Yes it can be scary, my son did it, and he said what would have made it better was to have a companion--someone else who doing the same thing so you can at least both look out for each other

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PS but he had a great experience--met interesting and helpful people :D

[Mu2143]

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[Chip]

Hello Andrei
First where do you want to go? Picking your locations, you must consider your route first. This should be based on ideal bedding locations and safety.
Are you going to be in a tent?
How many nights can you live in a tent? (Have you tested that question?)
How much cash will you have?
Many questions here, and this could go on a long time.
Feel free to pm me and we could go from there.
I've spent my life traveling the world and also have much experience living off the land.

[Chip]

I look for help whit what I should eat and get in my backpack , not about fear therapy :D
I'm assuming you are asking that you need help with what to eat and what to pack in your backpack?
Please don't make a decision on a "whim".
If you are asking these very basic questions of what to eat and pack, then you are already ill prepared.
Please take my advice and go out in nature first with a back pack and tent and gain some experience first!
Please don't research on the internet and think you have it down without having actually done it.
Good luck

[Chip]

I hope that you continue your "quest". I meant in no means to discourage you.
But, remember this should be taken as a "quest" and with any quest knowledge must be gained.
I've often suggested this very same idea to my younger friends. As it can be one of the most memorable learning experiences of your life.
No College or University could ever match what you will gain from this.
Stay the course, gain insight, plan accordingly and do it!

[Zampano]

Yo friend Andrei!
Some years ago I quit my job in hospitality and wanted to do something different. I had a good job in Switzerland and earned a load of money, but I felt more and more disconnected to the work I was doing in the restaurant. It was time to change my life. And the first idea what came, was to walk somewhere...My plan was to walk from Austria to Italy over Slovenia...there is a big network of hiking routes troughout Europe. Here an overview: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_long-distance_paths

But I just wanted to walk, walk away from all what I dont want to be a part of. Realeasing, that it is not as easy as it sounds, I made compromises. I planned a little bit of my trip, where I want to go, used couchsurfing, hitchhiking and volunteering on organic farms. Nobody is an island and you will depend on other people. Be nice to people and people will be nice to you.

[Violet]

Yo friend Andrei!
Some years ago I quit my job in hospitality and wanted to do something different. I had a good job in Switzerland and earned a load of money, but I felt more and more disconnected to the work I was doing in the restaurant. It was time to change my life. And the first idea what came, was to walk somewhere...My plan was to walk from Austria to Italy over Slovenia...there is a big network of hiking routes troughout Europe. Here an overview: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_long-distance_paths


But I just wanted to walk, walk away from all what I dont want to be a part of. Realeasing, that it is not as easy as it sounds, I made compromises. I planned a little bit of my trip, where I want to go, used couchsurfing, hitchhiking and volunteering on organic farms. Nobody is an island and you will depend on other people. Be nice to people and people will be nice to you.

May we know the result of your long walk?

:)

[Milneman]

1. Find out where the youth hostels are. http://www.hihostels.com/web/index.en.htm?linkid=988000&linksubid=hihostel5&gclid=CKCN8oDWv7sCFYhcMgoduS0Aew You're going to be able to stay at the fraction of the cost you would in a hotel, and you're going to have the added bonus of connecting with other travelers...and that's half the fun. :)
2. Think about where you want to go, what you want to see...do you want to head into France? Maybe Italy? Take a detour? Or just...wander and see where your feet take you? Have a plan, even if the plan is not to have a plan. :)
3. Make sure you keep someone posted as to where you are, even if it's sending postcards.
4. Keep a journal. Lots of people are doing video blogs these days of things like this, but you might want to actually write it. And think about that...years from now, you have a book on your shelf you can open...and relive your trip...tape stuff into it, draw stuff, do a Darwin on the Beagle and keep every detail. :)

This is so reminding me of the medieval pilgrimage. I envy you bud. :) Keep us posted!

[carriellbee]

You might want to check out the 2012 documentary film titled "Craigslist Joe." Joe Garner's goal was to survive for 31 days by relying on Craigslist ads for all of his food, shelter and transportation as he traveled across the US. He carried no cash or credit cards, got a new cell phone and email address and did not contact anyone he already knew.

Of course, you wouldn't have to be that extreme. The point is that it could really be an amazing opportunity to meet people and you probably really don't need to carry everything you'll need along the way.

It sounds like a lot of fun to me.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIfItdPKTLQ

[CD7]

Don't say to yourself its" your biggest nightmare!" If it is a dream, make it a great one!!! Say and see the great things tht can happen...

[ghostrider]

I have a co-worker that travelled by foot from louisiana to california , a two year trek , he stayed where ever , and camped , and worked in areas he liked for a bit , then moved on and now has been in the same place for 19 years ... he said it was life changing to see the beauty of the country ... Just thinking about travelling by foot means you are very BRAVE to begin with , I would suggest very good shoes , comfortable and correctly fitted ... good wet weather gear and plenty of dry socks ... to prepare I would walk two miles everyday , just to get used to pounding the ground, when you can walk on dirt, pavement can damage the bones ... happy travels ...

[carriellbee]

I have a co-worker that travelled by foot from louisiana to california , a two year trek , he stayed where ever , and camped , and worked in areas he liked for a bit , then moved on and now has been in the same place for 19 years ... he said it was life changing to see the beauty of the country ... Just thinking about travelling by foot means you are very BRAVE to begin with , I would suggest very good shoes , comfortable and correctly fitted ... good wet weather gear and plenty of dry socks ... to prepare I would walk two miles everyday , just to get used to pounding the ground, when you can walk on dirt, pavement can damage the bones ... happy travels ...

Good advice and probably a bit more practical than simply relying on Craigslist! I am an incorrigible dreamer, though, so I tend to forget the practicalities.

[Zampano]

May we know the result of your long walk?

Haha...yes! To cut a long story short, because that was the tipping point in my life and I could write a lot.

I walked, walked and walked-walked until I reached the ticket office for the train. :-)
And I booked a train ticket to Rome and I ended up staying in Italy for 2 years, living on a self sufficient farm. Being "out of the system" I began doubting everything! I was overworked and had a burnout, so my whole world collapsed. I started relaxation techniques, discovered Yoga, read some books about spirituality and came back to Austria. Now I have my own little farm close to Vienna, living a simple life.

And become enlightened :-)

Andrei and all other folks out there-you are more then welcome to come and stay at my place

[Andreash94]

Thank you Zampano , Give me the location and maybe one day I hope I will visit you

[Andreash94]

https://maps.google.ro/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Aalborg,+Denmark&daddr=Gothenburg,+Sweden+to:Oslo,+Norway+to:london+United+Kingdom+to:Gij%C3%B3n,+Spain+to:Vigo,+Spai n+to:Porto,+Portugal+to:Lisabon,+Portugal+to:Jerez,+Spain+to:M%C3%A1laga,+Spain+to:Almer%C3%ADa,+Spa in+to:Valencia,+Spain+to:Barcelona,+Spain+to:Marseille,+France+to:Genoa,+Italy+to:Verona,+Italy+to:A ustria&hl=en&geocode=FfR-ZgMd02SXACkNPd9fsjNJRjHDJuwuarSxTg%3BFUaRcAMdoLe2ACk_B2yWZ45PRjFAfA4peJABBA%3BFY02kgMd9RCkACk58GfyYW 5BRjGaHiPTX2CSfg%3BFa7_EQMd8Cv-_yl13iGvC6DYRzGZKtXdWjqWUg%3BFao_mAIdQJ6p_ym_lPTLZnw2DTE2NY0EB9IGvQ%3BFVeKhAIdqe56_ymTwbJhFGIvDTGf1E sXrR1Eew%3BFWQsdAIdiVx8_ylp1HTw-mQkDTEvKhThESxWQA%3BFbPmTgIdrGF0_yk78-RhGjMZDTHQNpDkvesABA%3BFWDmLwIdMm2i_ymfo0RI6MYNDTHq_9Dz9T6sbQ%3BFW1SMAIdbom8_yktIdtPxFlyDTHPMsrJktwl YA%3BFf8KMgIdHmja_ynB8szsAJ56DTFeSLyOH6CdjQ%3BFVRDWgIdIEL6_ylvsO_wTE9gDTE5HX8fAVGjtA%3BFWh8dwId3CkhA CnlMI5xFpikEjEKZkdPPfuwRA%3BFeKmlAIdtO9RACkzU9pEQ7_JEjEgApf9pRkIBA%3BFZKTpQIdUIKIACmtmtTcUkHTEjEKYoE Y8YRqIw%3BFZRVtQIdKrinACnj4JtpaF9_RzFbWYJoY1r4Uw%3B&abauth=52c58290BiihSxtIQT14GTQb-GDGx7-cGc0&aq=1&oq=Aust&vps=10&jsv=472d&sll=50.625073,12.480469&sspn=34.099012,86.044922&vpsrc=6&dirflg=w&mra=ls&num=10
k guys here is the map i was thinking

[Zampano]

Hey you
Your map looks good, but do you really want to walk it?! ;-)

I highly recommend www.couchsurfing.com a hospitality exchange I used for the last 7 years or so and never had any bad experiences at all. You can do it all around the world, its free and you will meet great people. I have wonderful memories with, sometimes, incredible hospitality, deep conversations and overall good times. It showed me, no matter where you go, people are basically the same. All the same fears, dreams, wishes, goals and sometimes more giving then you will ever expect. I wouldnt plan a trip too exact, because you will meet people on your way and they will tell you where to go. On my first trip in Europe I planned nearly everything from A-Z, wanted to visit this and that, see this and that, but at the end it was all bullpoop. I gave up my travelling plans and went with the flow. And believe me, all will work well. I ended up staying in Italy for 2 years and it was awesome.

Hitchhiking works also good in countries like germany, spain and most of the eastern european countries.
There is also the www.wwoof.net a platform for organic farms and helpers, where you can stay for free on organic farms in exchange for accommodation and food for 4-6 hours of work a day-2 days off. There is also www.helpx.net or www.workaway.info
Similar to wwoofing, but you can also earn some money on your away in hostels, guesthouses or private people who are looking for a caretaker.
Or at Yoga retreats and spiritual communities as well.

I am on wwoofing as well in Austria and I will send you the informations per PM.

For me travelling was a great tool to see, that we are all one big family on this planet! So go and rock it.

Greets Guenther