I'm An Adventurer, Looking For Treasure

Dungeon Master James and Halfling Tori (who's playing from South Korea)

I mentioned way back over here that I had started playing Dungeons and Dragons with friends. It’s been a while since we’ve played though. It is a bit hard when your group is spread across the world after all. And life in general has a nasty habit of getting in the way. Quite hard indeed. But the game is something that I’ve thought about more and more lately.

But it’s not really thoughts about the game itself that pop up, though those thoughts are there too. Instead, it’s about the similarities in my life right now with my characters.

THE GAME

I generally roll poorly when it counts...

For those who don’t know, Dungeons and Dragons is a classic pencil-and-paper role playing game (RPG). It’s pretty much what it sounds like. You create a character (or adventurer) all with his/her own personality, strengths, weaknesses, traits, flaws, etc. In essence, you become that character while you play. Not unlike creating a character for a story you are writing. And that character gets thrown into situations dictated by the Dungeon Master (DM) or Game Master (GM). Those situations can revolve around conflict (“Your group gets ambushed by a horde of goblins in the dark! What do you do?”) or more socially (“The elf with the tattoos and her Halfling companion beckon you over. What do you do?”). But regardless of what type of situation you find yourself in you must react as your character would.

THE CHARACTERS

We had two games going and I played two different characters. Dorn is a human bounty hunter from Waterdeep who’s created a bit of a name for himself there but is trying to branch out a little bit. He’s confident in his skills and his attention and focus is on the fact that he has a job to do.

And then we have Flynt. I really miss playing Flynt. I had great plans for him when I came up with his character. Originally he was supposed to be similar to the nameless minstrel from Gaining Music, giving out inspiration and confidence to his companions. But from the start I knew that wasn’t going to be who Flynt was. I started envisioning him as a dashing rogue and a bit of a con-artist. Quick to get in trouble, and equally quick to get out of it. However, that’s also not who Flynt is. Flynt is, in a word, Flynt. Insanely charismatic, he’s a bit of a dick at times and started off as quite cowardly. As the sessions went on, though, he started to grow and became less cowardly. Instead, he has a great sense of self preservation.

THE REALITY

From that time Tina, Will, and I adventured our way into Mordor

As much as I’d love to be as courageous as Dorn, or as charismatic as Flynt, the harsh reality is that I’m not. Nor do I believe I ever will be. They are exaggerated after all. But I’m slowly coming to the realization that I’m more like them than I thought. At least in one respect. Like them, I’m an adventurer looking for treasure. And like them, I’m forging relationships with other adventurers I'm meeting along the way. The treasure I just happen to be seeking is memories, experiences, and friendships instead of money, weapons, and items.

Maybe Jay is right. Maybe I actually am a people person as I’m finding great enjoyment and enrichment in meeting other adventurers along the way…

Sinceriously,

-Chad

Unavoidable Costs of Travelling

Travelling isn’t cheap. I know that from first hand experience. But after a fair amount of travelling, I can also tell you that it isn’t as expensive as one thinks it is. And because costs seems to be a big fear that stops people from travelling, I’m hoping that with this post I can dispel some of belief that it’s out of someone’s reach because of costs.

Flight

Unfortunately this is one cost that you really can’t get around. It fluctuates immensely depending on where you’re flying to as well. Though apps and websites like Skyscanner and Hopper can help by keeping an eye on flights and prices for you. Top tip: Search for flights in a private browser window. Airline websites store cookies and if they notice you looking up flights often, they will increase the costs of them. In a private window, no cookies are stored and you should get the best of the deals!

Accommodations

Flights and accommodations will be the most expensive costs that you incur. There are, however, some ways to costs on the accommodations front. For example, I am a huge fan of hostels over hotels. In fact, if I can avoid it, I won’t stay in a hotel. Hostels have a bit of a communal feeling to them and it’s quite easy to meet people. Especially when you are travelling alone. And I find that the average price for a hostel is between $25-$30/night. Of course that’s in western countries. It might even be cheaper in South East Asia, but I can’t comment on that from experience. My friend Melissa wrote a blog post on choosing the right hostel, and you can find it HERE.

Transportation

This is a cost that can fluctuate quite a bit. Myself, I like to choose a hostel that’s somewhat centrally located and then just use my own two feet to get where I’m going. That saves me quite a bit of money with public transit, but doesn’t do a lot of good when I’m switching towns.

If you plan on doing a lot of travel in a region, I would look at options such as the Eurail Pass for Europe or the JR Pass in Japan. Both would save you considerable money if you actually travel from place to place.

Food and Beverage

Eating out is expensive. There’s no two ways about that. So by far the cheapest way to get your daily sustenance is actually cooking. Spending some time grocery shopping at the supermarket, prepping and cooking your food in the hostel kitchen, and getting to know your fellow backpackers. All part of the travelling charm. And it won’t break the bank.

Don’t let that stop you from having a nice meal every now and then. Just don’t make it a habit. Because that will add up really quick and you’ll be back on your way home before you know it.

Adventures

The extra adventures are the ones that you really need to budget. That Skydive? That bungy jump? That island cruise? Those are the expensive costs. But I’ve had just as much fun, if not more, hiking in New Zealand or wandering around Kyoto with my friends Lio and Sierra. Walking is great exercise, and it doesn’t cost a thing either. You also get to experience so much more of the country that you’re in.

Essentials

I travel light. So that naturally means that I just travel with a carryon. It saves me the cost of checking my baggage on the airlines and I won’t actually be without my luggage when an airline loses cargo. And I won’t have to wait at the carousel to collect my bag at the airport! That being said, I needed a good backpack that had to fit carryon regulations and last me for a long time. I bought one and couldn’t be happier with my choice (Osprey Farpoint 40, in case you were wondering). There is one glaring negative point of the laptop sleeve buying on the outer side, but I’m willing to over look that in light of the positives.

I also use packing cubes to organize my clothing in my bag, which makes it easier to find things when looking. But it is also a cost to be taken into account if you don’t already have the items. There should be some links to Amazon on the right hand side if you needed to purchase anything so that you can do a little travelling.

The Breakdown

In reality, travelling can be as expensive or inexpensive as you want, really. There are some costs that are inescapable, but in the long scheme of things aren’t as much as you would think. In fact, I spent less when I went to Spain than I would have had I stayed home. A grand total of $1500 went into Spain (not including flight, which was paid off by the time I left) and my monthly rent at home was $1400. And of course, the cost really depends on where you plan on going for your trip and your travelling style. I personally have a minimalist style of travelling and don’t seem to acquire a lot of things while away.

All in all, I would say that if you could budget for $50 to $75 a day for a western style country, I believe you would be quite content for your travels.

Sinceriously,

-Chad

Why You Should Be Travelling Solo

As I mentioned here in my post about the Five Downsides of Travelling, I’m a huge proponent of solo travel. In fact, it’s my preferred way to travel. A recent conversation that I had with someone from back home made me decide that maybe it’s time I highlight why I enjoy it and why I believe YOU should travel solo as well!

1. Freedom

You are completely free to do what you want, when you want to do it. You’re not locked into your plans and you don’t have to discuss it with a committee to reach a consensus. If you did make plans, you’re free to change them or cancel them entirely to suit your current circumstances. Not necessarily something that you could do while travelling with others. You can also spontaneously decide to do something just because the opportunity was there, such as skydiving in Abel Tasman National Park.

You’re also free to completely be yourself. I wrote over here about my opinion that everyone wears masks regardless of whether they realize it or not. But not when you’re travelling alone. There’s no masks. There’s no one around with preconceived notions of how you should behave or act. You’re just… you. And that can be an incredibly empowering thing to be.

2. You Become Independent

I mean, you have no choice but to become independent. There’s really no one around to watch your back and you need to get used to that. Now those sentences might come across as a negative, but I assure you that they aren’t. Becoming independent and self-sufficient are highly attractive qualities. It means you don’t need babysitting and hand-holding. That looks good on a resumé (or CV, depending on what part of the world you're in) to potential employers, showing you can complete tasks without supervision.

It also shows that you don’t need constant attention in your personal life as well. I can tell you from personal experience that it is a strain having to constantly play the entertainer in a relationship. By becoming independent, you aren’t relying in anyone else but yourself. It’s truly a good thing.

3. You’re Not Alone

Sierra. Lio. Tina. Kim. Kate. Adam. Will. Tina. Em. Iiris. Kayla. Max. Emma. Vicky. Kyle. Lisa. Gioele. Andre. Fleur. Izzy. Ginny. Fred. Tommy.

What does this group of people (along with numerous others) have in common? If you guessed that I met them all while travelling, you’d be correct. Even when you’re solo travelling, you’re never, ever, truly alone. You may leave home by yourself and you may get back by yourself, but unless you want to be, you’re never “by yourself”.

The big fear that my mother had when I went travelling on my own was that I’d be lonely. But you would have to do something incredibly drastic to be lonely. The truth of the matter is that you receive what you put out. And generally travellers are fairly like-minded and friendly individuals. My recommendation? Don’t worry about being lonely. Because you won’t be. Not unless you want to be.

4. Unforgettable Experiences

 

Do you remember the last time you got up before dawn to climb a mountain? What about sitting in a hot spring with people you’ve just met and watching a sunset over a lake? How about that one time you were the only non-local in a yakitori restaurant in Japan? Or when you boo’ed the owner of the bar during an open mic night? I do. And I doubt I would have experienced any of them if I wasn’t travelling on my own.

Sure. Not all experiences have been entirely pleasant, such as sleeping in a metro station or nearly getting my phone stolen by pickpockets. But they are all unforgettable. And a big reason of why I travel is for the experiences. You can’t afford to carry much around with only a 40L backpack, after all.

5. You Learn to Say ‘Yes’

Yes, most people already have a problem with saying ‘yes’ too much already and ‘no’ to too little. The problem is, the ‘yes’ and the ‘no’ answers are for the wrong things. I was very guilty of that. I would take on additional tasks at work. I would say ‘yes’ to every request for help from someone, regardless of whether they actually needed the help or not. And the things that I would say ‘no’ to?  Things that would add more benefit and fun to my day. Or my weekend. I would say no to going to a movie with a friend. I would say no to meeting up for a couple of drinks and some bowling. Or for coffee with a friend. I was over-stretching myself by saying ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to the wrong things.

You know what happened when I said ‘yes’ to something that added benefit and fun to my life? I went on a roadtrip. And you know what happened then? I had unforgettable experiences (see point number 4) of swimming with dolphins, driving on the left side of the road for the first time, and spent an entire week with two of my favourite people ever (see point number 3).

So my advice to you would be to say ‘yes’ to as many experiences that you can. You never know which ones will become unforgettable.

In Conclusion

There are so many reasons to embark on a trip on your own. And I think the most important one is that you don’t have to say ‘no’ to that dream trip you’ve been planning simply because you can’t find someone to go with. Sure, it might be fun to travel with a friend every now and then, but don’t let that dependence stop you from having the time of your life; from meeting new and interesting people; from being your true self and not having to put on a mask; from saying yes to incredibly unforgettable experience.

Being the complete dork that I am, and being told that I’m brave for doing what I’m doing, I want to draw your attention to favourite superhero and comic book, Green Lantern. A common thread with GL is that to be a GL one must be fearless. But fearless doesn’t necessarily mean the absence of fear. It means having the ability to overcome that fear. I believe I’m overcoming as much fear as I can. And if I can do it, you most definitely can as well.

Sinceriously,

-Chad

The Story of Why I Came to New Zealand

“How does one just drop their life to travel?” That’s the message that greeted me on my phone earlier. And to be completely honest, I can’t really answer. I mean, I did. But what works for me doesn’t necessarily mean that it would work for you. And the reasons I went to travel long term may not be the reason you might choose to. Everyone has their own reasons for it. But the question got me thinking. How, and why, did I give up everything I knew to travel?

My Story

Well, it’s not really much of a story at all. I was unhappy. Nothing more to it, really. I was miserable at my job. I was uncomfortable at home. I was starting to resent certain people and I was starting to get envious of what others had that I didn’t. I realized exactly what was happening, but I couldn’t seem to bring myself out of the downward spiral. I decided that I needed a bit of a break.

Destination Japan. I took that break. I went on my dream trip. I spent a whole month in Japan, meeting amazing people (Sierra and Lio I still chat with at least once every couple of weeks), seeing amazing sights, and was happy, truly happy, for the first time in a long time. It was exactly what I needed when I needed it. But as the time to go home drew nearer and nearer the happiness began to morph into dread. I knew, without a doubt in my mind, that I would fall into the exact same situation I was in before. A return to a miserable job, uncomfortable at home, resenting people that had no right being resented, and becoming more and more envious of what I didn’t have. I needed a hard reset.

Hitting Reset

Remember back in the day playing video games on the original Nintendo Entertainment System? I do. I remember it fondly. Mario isn’t working? Blow on the cartridge and put it back in! About to lose your last life? Hit reset! Essentially that’s what I did. I started formulating plans in my head on how to remain as happy as possible. The solution was so simple! I’m so much happier when I travel, when I experience new things, see new sights, taste new foods! I just needed to keep travelling. But how? And where? Questions that needed answering.

Enter the Working Holiday Visa. Inconveniently, the WHV for most countries don’t allow for anyone over the age of thirty (30) to get one. There are, of course exceptions, but they are few and far between. Luckily for me, New Zealand is one of the few that allows Canadians over 30 to come for work and travel from anywhere between twelve (12) and twenty-three (23) months. And if you so choose, you can get the 12 month visa and apply to extend it to the 23 month visa while in the country (as long as the 12 month visa hasn’t expired, that is). It also just so happens that New Zealand was another country that I’ve wanted to visit for ages!

And so, eighteen (18) hours after my plane landed and I got back from Japan, I applied for my 12 month WHV for New Zealand. But how would people react to the news? I mean, I was excited! But what would friends and loved ones say?

The Reveal

For the most part the reception to the news was very supportive. Of course there were holdouts of doubt and displeasure, but that really wasn’t anything to do with my decision. It was more along the lines of selfishness and jealousy. Selfish because it would make those people happy had I stayed home. Jealousy because I was doing something that they were afraid of doing themselves. But I had made up my mind. I got to the point where I needed to stop worrying about other peoples happiness and focus on my own for a while.

I spent the next four (4) months working and planning for my upcoming move to New Zealand. And I found myself sinking into the exact same ruts that characterized my life prior to leaving for Japan. With one massive difference. I KNEW I was going to break out of those ruts. I had a plan! And though the months dragged on, time slowly began to wind down for my departure date. Eventually it was there and I boarded a plane to the future. Literally, there’s a big time difference between NZ and Alberta. Compared to everyone there, I AM in the future!

New Zealand

I’ve spent the past four (4) months travelling around New Zealand and I’m still in total awe of myself for taking the leap to come. It’s quite liberating, but definitely scary, living without a safety net for myself. Sure it can be stressful and I currently just see my finances slipping through my fingers, but that’s part of the challenge. I can work and make money to fund my way around this beautiful country. But I’m thoroughly enjoying myself.

I’ve seen and done so many things that I wouldn’t otherwise. And I’ve met some absolutely stunning and amazing people from around the world. Many of which have become really good friends, and that’s something that I wouldn’t have gained by staying at home and remaining in my directionless rut.

The Moral of the Story

Coming to New Zealand has been one of, if not the best decision of my life. And I know at least one more person that would agree with that statement. It’s made me a happier version of myself, and to me that makes the journey all the more worth it.

So if you’re considering embarking on the most epic journey of your life but are looking for some form of permission, consider this your O.K. to take a chance. Take a risk. Take the leap of faith and go get lost!

Sinceriously,

-Chad