My life stumbled into a college course on who-knows-what about who-really-cares back in the Fall of 2004. I am not sure if I was praising the porcelain god the night before or I had worked until midnight, but I was tired and about to have to listen to some boring lecture. Then, this random Aussie dude, because this guy definitely looked more like a dude than some salesman, stepped into the room all vibrant, giddy and at first glance looked like he was going to be very annoying. However, things quickly changed and it went something like this…
Me: SOLD!!!
I would like to say it was all about the volunteering experience and the “seeing the world” part, but honestly, I was just your normal college alcoholic (I think that’s normal…right?!) trying to find a new location to party and check out “hot chicks”. It took all of about 10 seconds for this Aussie wildman to get me planning a trip to do volunteer work and partying through Australia in the coming summer of 2005.
Now, I wouldn’t say I was completely stupid or naive about anything and everything international. It was more like I was completely retarded about anything and everything international and could really care less at the time. My goal was finding the next beverage to down in less time than the next college student and surviving the school and work full time schedules.
My world soon changed in July 2005 as I stepped foot in Melbourne, Australia. I began to learn that there was so much more out there beyond the 50 States. I quickly became a sponge trying to absorb all aspects of international culture while doing conservation work in Tasmania and then traveling north from Sydney up to Cairns living life to the max. I realized there was so much to be seen and I had wasted so much time not seeing it. I became the new fanboy of foreign affairs.
Before heading to Aussie, those who had been before told me I wouldn’t want to leave once there. I thought I would like it, but would want to come back. If it wasn’t for the last year of school and the lack of financial stability a.k.a. I was college-broke, I would have stayed in Aussie and said, “Have a good flight mates!” to my fellow traveling companions a.k.a. other American college drinkers. AFter this glorious trip to the Outback, I was bound and determined to make it back and try to make a living in the land Down Under.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t as focused on my return as I should have been. I kept saying one day…one day…one day. Those days kept adding up and I was getting older and further from the chance of getting back to Aussie. I slowly fell into the Monday through Friday 9-5 grind and fell into the comfort of conformity (more on that in a later post). By 2008, I had decided I needed to do everything possible to make moving to Aussie a reality. I reduced and/or eliminated any debts and started building a battle chest for my war against the unwanted lifestyle I had grown to accept. It took until March 13th, 2009 for me to finally be on my way out of THE CUBE and on to life.
Now, the title says “…Friday to…Monday” but I actually didn’t head straight back to Aussie. I decided to take advantage of cheap-o $300 round trip tickets to Hawaii and bum out there for 2+ weeks and enjoy the wondrous world of every American’s vacation dream. It wasn’t such a dream for me, but very relaxing and very fattening along with very cheap (I will tell you how later here…see #8).
By April 15th-ish, I was on my way to Sydney, Australia to fulfill a dream I had not yet accomplished. The moment I stepped off the CityRail, I knew I was home. My beloved city of Sydney was, has, and will always be wear my heart lies. There is no better major city in the world in my opinion. I quickly became a hostel bouncing, wandering nomad, information seeking and most importantly, Aussie bum in no time flat. I stumbled around Sydney for a month or so before heading to New Zealand for a month. Then I came back to Sydney followed by traveling North with some great friends. I realized that too accomplish my next dream, I needed to come back Stateside. I am sure I could have done the same there, but my foundation was better in the US to catapult me to my dreams of becoming a nomad for life with family in tow flying our own flag.
The key to my tale is that no matter how much you feel like your dreams cannot be fulfilled, they can. Sure, there may be larger obstacles in your way than others but your strive and determination should overcome them because your dreams and desires are all that really matter in life.
In the up-coming How-To’s, you will read how to set up yourself for a life excursion. I was on my journey the Sunday after the Friday I quit my 9-5, but there was a lot of planning that went into taking such a huge step towards life. So, understand, you can take the exciting journey, but a lot of focus is needed to make such a drastic lifestyle change a reality in a weekend.
By now, you are probably wondering, “How much more babbling is this random dude gonna do before tell me how I can Go from 9-5 on Friday to Aussie Beach Bum by Monday”? Well that tale showed my long voyage to fulfill a dream and to lead you into realizing that you can do this too. Now on to the How-To…
If you honestly perform the following tasks, you have a great shot at becoming an Aussie Bum or Fill in Country Here Bum like me in no time flat:
- Do NOT tell others about your plan of departure…right away. When I have told others about my grandiose plans to dominate the world, they usually down play them, discourage them, and doubt them. Sure, that should be enough to motivate me, but it usually isn’t. So, keeping this plan a secret and being all James Bond like is much more exciting.
- Sell almost everything you own. I either sold, donated or trashed almost everything I owned. I mainly sold everything because that funded my trip and paid off any remaining debt before leaving my desk job. I strongly suggest doing this even if you aren’t going to be traveling abroad, but especially so if you are.
- Live ultra cheap 6 months prior to leaving. Try to cut back on everything. I mean EVERYTHING. That extra $5 you saved today is worth 5 meals once you get to India or Thailand.
- Start a Blog. I wish I would have put a full faith effort to blogging prior to traveling. I would have met a lot more people and opportunities prior to getting to Aussie. I suggest you start connecting with like minded people through blogging to help guide your journey.
- Think about living dirt cheap. I think I live cheap when traveling, but I have some buddies that are even better. Read How to Live an Awesome Life Abroad Without Having a Job to best see how to make an international voyage a success. Don’t think you can live in a place for under $10 a day? Read Rent for Less Than $10 a Day by John Bardos to see the reality.
- Start getting all your finances in order 6 months prior to departure. I started this a year in advance. The earlier the better and that doesn’t even really apply to just travel, but life too.
- Get out of and don’t get in to contractual obligations. I hate commitments because I feel tied down. My girlfriend is my only commitment and she is one of the few commitments I love. I never had a cell phone with a contract, a lease over 6 months or much anything else I couldn’t cut ties with fairly quick. Don’t get stuck in a 48 month car lease right before you are wanting to travel.
- Try to connect with Couchsurfing. I went to Hawaii and bummed it on the couch and floor of Mark Wiens’ aunt’s place as well as a cheap hostel. It was a great trip for relaxing and eating and most importantly cheap. How was Hawaii cheap you ask? I bummed. Sure, I helped around the house at Mark’s aunt’s place, but for the most part it was all about the connection that really got a place for me to stay. I didn’t couchsurf in Sydney but now really am disappointed I missed out on it. I strongly suggest doing it.
- Do NOT read 1 book about the place you are heading. I am not a fan of Lonely Planet and travel guides. They are too focused on what other people liked. I am extremely different than most and willing to suffer through quite a bit to see a lot. I would rather read 100 blogs and talk to 100 people once there to find out what is cool and what isn’t. Lonely Planets, I will say, are great for reference information like addresses and phone numbers, but kids there is this thing called the in-ter-net that does the same thing quicker than you can say, “David Damron is the sexiest blogger I have ever known…ever.” Okay, it may be fun saying that too, but you get my drift.
- Bring 1 BACKPACKERS backpack and 1 SCHOOL backpack. I just call it a backpackers backpack but you can click here to see what I mean. Having a school backpack is great for day trips. Do NOT bring anymore than this and try to bring less.
- Find out the Visa rules prior to departing. My buddy Mark Wiens of Migrationology does not do this all the time. Yes, Mark is a cool nomad, but he is risking a lot not knowing much prior to going. I love to have all paperwork ready for the customs and security agents as they control my life while I am there.
- Buy a netbook. Best travel investment ever for me. This was my friendly companion.
- Leave money with someone you trust. I left extra money in the States with my parents and my aunt and uncle. It was for the just in case and/or the great feeling of money to come back to if that ends up being the case.
- Buy a good digital camera. I didn’t, but wish I had. My camera wasn’t bad, but could have been much better.
- Don’t worry. Just do it. My girlfriend worries like crazy. It was worse overseas. I try to live worry free and travel even less free. The more I think about stress and problems, the more likely they are to become reality.
By no means is this a complete list. Hopefully, one day I will expand it to include more of the essentials. However, this is a great started guide to get you focused on a grand excursion to the unknown.
Happy travels….
David Damron
LifeExcursion
Wow, very inspiring story. I’d really love to visit Australia one day and you just gave me a boost to save to for it.
Oscar – freestyle mind´s last blog ..Story About The Swine Flu And The Vaccine
Glad I am inspiring at least one person Oscar. Aussie is amazing and you will enjoy one day.
David Damron
That is a great post and I really mean it. I really like the part about not reading Lonely Planet. I traveled for 13 months and a handful of continents with no guide book and it was one of my best decisions.
Ending with “Just do it” is a great way to finish. Think less and just pull the trigger. Cheers!
Casey´s last blog ..Swimming with Sharks
My girlfriend had her nose in a Lonely Planet in Aussie. I usually tried to hide it from her as I told her to just randomly stroll through unknown parts of the city and we would find something new and exciting to do. What places did you travel too during your 13 month excursion Casey?
David Damron
LifeExcursion
Hey, you can all couchsurf at my place : )
Greg – Live It with less´s last blog ..The Month of Mo
Hey Dave, really great post and great content here. Good job! You have me yearning for a real break and vacation now just as Winter is about to settle in here.
Cheers
Dayne
Dayne | TheHappySelf.com´s last blog ..25 Ways to Use the Change of Season to Change Your Financial Life
Hey Dayne—
If you need a winter break….it’s summer in Aussie right now…hint hint.
David Damron
Dave,
This is my favorite post that you have ever written. Not only are there some amazing tips in here about living abroad, but also some excellent advice for life in general. You have NO IDEA how much inspiration this has given me.
Thank you so much for writing this… I am formulating my plans already.
-Dena
Dena´s last blog ..Inexpensive Ways to Eat Healthy & Live Mindfully
Alright, I was 90% there in my head already…now I am researching ticket deals…Thanks
Kristin´s last blog ..visions are sexy
Dude, decent post and I have enacted a lot of these points into my life as I have been a migrationologist for 1.5 years now.
That being said, I definitely research my visa work. That would be one of the only things I actually take seriously. I can travel to a random country in the world with absolutely no idea where to go or where to stay, but I always do my research on the visa, have the necessary paper work, and have the funds for the visa. I wouldn’t have had adventures in Africa or Asia without doing my share of visa homework.
Apart from that, I do try to live pretty much by Rule #15, Don’t Worry, Just Do It, using discretion.
Migration Mark´s last blog ..Vegetarian Festival in Bangkok
This is an awesome post for me and maybe even a potential connection. I am a 22 year old soon-to-be college grad and I am looking at grad school in Australia. Specifically, I’m applying to the University of Melbourne, Sydney, and New South Wales. If these don’t work out my plan B is a live and work situation in Sydney through the jobs abroad program. Cheers!
Hey James—
I hope you take these steps towards getting to Aussie ASAP. The uni’s in Aussie are usually quick to jump on foreign exchange students so you should defintely try to get into one.
Good luck
David Damron
LifeExcursion
It just goes to show that some simple planning and life re-arrangement can allow us to achieve even our wildest dreams. Last week I wrote about the “Currency of Pad Thai” where you weigh every purchase you make at home against what that money can get you during your travels. (Just like you mentioned – $5 can get you 5 meals in India/Thailand) Keeping this in mind at all times helps save a lot of extra money in a very short period of time.
Great post Dave!
Earl´s last blog ..Travel Ideas for 2010: Why are Camels so Expensive?
I don’t think I worried that much when I was abroad… I think I lived pretty carefree for the time I was in Asia, Aussie, and NZ. If I was that scared I wouldn’t have traveled alone at all. I liked this post and it makes me remember all the good times… and how much I’m longing to go back!
Great post. You bring it down to the basics. Once you’ve done them – then you’re good to go!
Carmen´s last blog ..Portuguese After 3 Months – How a Nomadic Child Learns
Great adventure! I too have spent the last six months roaming Australia, couchsurfing and hosteling. Living cheap and backpacking was fantastic, but not always easy. Running out of money on the road is never a fun situation. Did you ever work while traveling? I have been working along the way and found it incredibly rewarding even if it was “shit” work. What type of volunteer work did you do?
I completely agree with all of your tips. You learn really quickly how to live cheaply and save every penny. I’m at the point now where I am sick of living like a poor backpacker and will be planting in Sydney to save for my next adventure abroad. Are you back stateside?
Great to relate with a fellow digital nomad!
Amber´s last blog ..Treat Your Feet
Hey Amber—
I am now back stateside. I was planted in Sydney for most of my time and pretty much just enjoyed being free everyday. I look back and now see the opportunities I could have taken advantage of, but no regrets. I didn’t work, but there were definitely chances to do so.
Good luck staying put in Sydney. It is my favorite city. Tip: spend a day just watching the old foreign guys playing on the big chess table at Hyde Park. It’s a lot of fun and very relaxing.
David Damron
LifeExcursion
What an inspiring story – and I love your travel tips. I’m with you on the visa requirements – how can you enjoy the experience if you have to worry about being thrown out?
Sharon Hurley Hall´s last blog ..Reflections On A Year Of Travel Blogging
Hey – excellent post!
I’m 5 months away from departing on a trip around the world. I started saving for it a few months ago and all my major commitments (lease, cell phone, etc) ended over the summer. There are some great tips in here that I plan to use as well, though, so thanks!
Adam´s last blog ..Birthdays as Deadlines not Holidays
Awesome post! I’m a full-time traveler from Canada who is happily “getting stuck” for a while in Australia. I have every intention of moving along before too long….but it’s a fabulous place indeed.
Nora – The Professional Hobo´s last blog ..Fire Spinning
Just ran across your blog and I wanted to say keep it up. Currently I’m living a minimalistic lifestyle and working a 40 hr a week job trying to pay off the rest of mt debt as well as save as much as I can. Then It’s off to travel and bum around.
Cairns is in my top places to go along with a few places in Japan.
Cheers!
´s last blog ..My Quest to Learn a New Language