I just spent the past 4 hours searching for flights and hostels. I’m leaving in one week and I’m paying for it all with Steem Dollars.
I was broke as a joke when I joined Steemit, and I made more money in this short span of time then I had in the past 10 years combined. My state of mind in that time period was shocked, excited, and suspicious. After realizing that this platform was for real I started brainstorming for my next trip. I want to provide fresh new material for this amazing community and to take you all with me on the journey ahead.
I'm headed to Peru
I fly out on my birthday and I couldn't think of a better present!
When others learn that I’ve been to other countries for long periods of time they first ask me if it was for a study abroad program in college. I have to first thank them for the compliment, since I’m well past the college age by now. I always will kick myself for not looking into that while I was at Purdue. Nonetheless, I made it out there albeit only slightly later in life. They ask next if it was for work, again I tell them no while I begin daydreaming about what sorts of jobs would send a person to live abroad… So I finally just give in and say that I travel because I enjoy it, because I want to see what the world and those living in it have to offer.
People can react in a number of ways:
They might view you as someone who’s never satisfied, who’s doomed to a life of constant searching for something and you’re not even sure what it is. They might view you as a homeless person who floats from one spot to the next- which isn’t far off if we’re being honest.
Maybe they’ll view you as a rockstar, someone who dreams big and goes out and does it, someone who isn’t scared of the unknown. Maybe they’ll be surprised to have met one of those elusive travelers who is never in one spot too long, so to have met one is almost like spotting a rare endangered animal. Some people won’t get it. Maybe they'll express worry for your future, when this phase of reckless, haphazard travel is over and you’ll find yourself years behind others who chose to get a degree and line up that desk job just after graduation (if they were lucky) and who are now happy with their 401k and new mortgage.
For me, to travel is to discover. I get the urge to travel because I want to be an active participant in the world. We live in a time where you can board an aircraft that in a few hours can take you thousands of miles and drop you off in a completely different part of the world. Who wouldn't want to take advantage of that at least once in their life?!
It is without a doubt the best way to get inspired. Whether it’s a positive revelation or negative experience, traveling will reveal to yourself something you haven’t seen before, haven’t experienced before, haven’t interacted with before, haven’t eaten before, haven’t smelled before. Traveling means indefinite chances to learn, not from a book, but with real experiences.
It’s been 2 months since my last trip and I’m ready for more. I’m heading to South America, to Peru, to Machu Picchu, and maybe the Amazon. I’m bringing Steemit and whoever wants to follow the journey with me. I’ve upped my camera game so the footage is going to be epic. I plan on helping those I meet to set up their very own Steemit accounts. I’ll give you their usernames so that you can learn about them and they can share they’re world with us. I’m traveling the world, paving my way with SBDs and leaving a path of new Steemit users and I'm awfully excited about it!
This is a truly amazing case-study of the power of Steem! Someone who has found success on the platform is utilizing that support to follow her dreams and continue to create fresh content that the community has clearly embraced.
Way to go @heiditravels :)
I agree, she is a solid writer who writes authentic and genuine posts. I think it would be really cool if she teamed up with another Steemian and somehow did a joint post. Think if the woman who wrote this article: https://steemit.com/blockchain/@blockchainblonde/tokenization-of-commercial-real-estate collaborated with @heiditravels on a travel/blockchain post! That would be a fun read!
I kindda suggested that I was also doing the same thing over the summer and write the same kind of travelog on https://steemit.com/@eric-boucher Maybe, you'd like to partake and share. Thanks a bunch, thrive on and namaste :)
@heiditravels I finally get yourself again, I enjoyed reading the post about you, for your success in steemit
Read my post : Steemit 3D Text and Logo Makers
I love your writing Heidi! It's direct, simple, and inspirational—easy to read and understand. It makes me want to travel more (I haven't traveled alone yet, but intend to)!
Thanks for your positive presence on Steemit! It's a joy to read your adventures. Wishing you continued success and happiness!
Wow thank you @peezaroni :)
Great inspiration @heidytravels, it is also said that you feel more satisfaction spending your money on traveling than buying material things; even when you get back home and you spent all your savings!
is an indescribable emotion!
Try to swing by #Colombia or at least place it on your list of countries to visit, you won't regret it!
It is very nice and kind post! I guess you are more free person than lots of us who possess with material opportunities to discover the world comfortably but those who don't possess with the courage to breakthrough the shell of own "comfort zone". I was always inspired with the girls like you. And same time there is something chilling in such kind of girls as you for such kinds of guys as me - independence. ;-) There is something that any Big Brother afraid of - when people can not be controlled and restricted to single one areal and single narrow mindset. Carry on, honey! So far you are keeping smile, you encourage others to do the same.
Hey Heidi. Since your post is in the TOP 10 trending posts on Steemit, I've added it to the Flipboard Steemit Trending Magazine for everyone to see it. Congrats.
Great! Thanks :)
This is a very inspiring post @heiditravels. If you are a good writer, I think the sky is the limit on this one.
You're going to be a millionaire real soon. Someone put a ring on it!
Love your posts. They are real and show the gritty side as well. I'm with you on the importance of travel. It's the only way to keep an open mind about humanity - these days particularly. (used to be @jlwkolb)
Hmmm... are you going to visit Machu Picchu?
EDIT: You should. It looks like they might have found where we were hiding the steem.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jimdobson/2016/07/26/will-a-hidden-treasure-chamber-discovered-under-machu-picchu-finally-be-revealed/#8335a9138b0b
I will be heading to Machu Picchu :)
This is wonderful!!! Hope to be able to pay for my travels with steem as well! Truely inspiring! Love your work! Keep on inspiring! Hope you have. Wonderful time in Peru! Must try the ceviche and pisco sour! Food is amazing here!
Thanks for the tip!
Hi Heidi, If u come to Colombia, just type me... I can show u the real Magical Realism... Good luck and enjoy it!!! #Steemitcolombia
Sounds like something I'd enjoy, I'll be sure to contact you!
I saw your post. It was awesome. You really deserved it. Have fun in peru!
Thank you!
The best traveler on here award of july!!! @heiditravels!!! Thanks for the great shares cant wait for this one coming!!!
I'm honored ;)
This is the kind of success that no amount of advertising could buy a social media platform. The singularity is near.
@heiditravels that's AWESOME ! 👏✈🎉 Congrats! If someday you come to Spain and want to have a challenge call @mariem.kaddouri and me ! 🌝
I'll be in Portugal in October. Would be awesome to meet you both :)
Awww can't wait for the day when we all have steem debit cards and we can throw away our mastercards.
Yes!! I love ceviche :)
you lucky steemert
Don't I know it.
Hey @heiditravels , I recently got back from a 9 month trip in South America if you have any questions! I spent 3 months in Peru and I absolutely loved it. I just stumbled across Steemit so will be interesting to follow your journey on here =)
If you want to do some of the best hiking in the world make sure you go to Huaraz. I spent 2 months hiking around there and it's one of my favourite places in the world! Laguna 69, the Santa Cruz trek and Huayhuash were among my favourite treks.
Hey @adrevel, I'm in the Barranco district of Lima right now, going to head to Huayacan on Tuesday morning to visit the Light and Leadership initiative, then flying into Cusco and Machu Picchu for about a week. After that it's all up in the air. Are Huaraz, Laguna 69 or Santa Cruz anywhere near Cusco? Any advice is very much appreciated!! Thank you :)
@heiditravels I was exclusively in the North of Peru. Huaraz is about 7 hours north of Lima by bus so it's like 30 hours away from Cusco. It's so far by bus which is why I never made it to Cusco.
I have a friend that did some treks around Cusco which seemed really interesting to me. You can trek to Choquequirao where there are some remote Incan ruins. There is also the Ausungate trek that looked amazing in his photos, as well as Rainbow Mountain which you can do as part of the Ausungate trek or I believe there are tours that do day trips there.
If you are interested in exploring some plant medicines like Ayahuasca or San Pedro I heard the small town of Pisac outside of Cusco is a popular spot for people who don't want to go to the jungle.
Since I didn't travel in the south I can't speak from experience but friends of mine recommended Arequipa and the desert oasis of Huacachina in Ica.
Great to see and such an inspiring post. I'm kindda doing the same thing out here right now, in British Columbia, and shall post the results of this trip to, soon enough! Maybe you'd like to check out the travelog of my trip to the Canadian Rockies last summer on my Steemit account: https://steemit.com/@eric-boucher
Keep on thriving, thanks for the very beautiful post and namaste :)
I'm really happy for you Heidi. This is my happy face.
Aw, I think you can do better ;) that's barely a smirk!
Another great post! @heiditravels
I dare you to make a post without cleavage.
Good luck - that's absolutely amazing.
@heiditravels
it looks fun, nice to see you again here, cheers
upvote done
You should take some of my free stickers with you on your travels! I would also send you a bunch if you request them :)) it seems like it could come in handy for you if you are traveling the world...
Check my post on how to get them, its very easy: https://steemit.com/steemit/@dunja/free-steemit-stickers
How soon can they get to Florida? I'd love to put them everywhere.
huwm... i think to the states it will take up to 10 days... this isn't enough right? maybe we can do something on your next travels then :)
I'll get them for next time, but what a great idea. I'll take a BUNCH.
Great post! I love dogs too. My dogs just joined SteemIt - check it out :)
Golden Retriever Puppies Ranger and Gracie are Now On SteemIt! (( Click Here For Super Happy Underwater Dog Swimming Video :) ))
Don't forget to travel with a Steemit shirt from now on Heidi - and encourage everybody you meet to get their steemit account so they can also keep upvoting on your future posts ;-)
The shirts I designed are in the mail and on the way to me! They're pretty badass ;)
Awesomeness - looking forward to the pics ;-)
"I was broke as a joke when I joined Steemit, and I made more money in this short span of time then I had in the past 10 years combined."
Haha, that's so me as well. Steemit<3
"I get the urge to travel because I want to be an active participant in the world."
Keep up what you are doing, Heidi. Everyone is unique in their own way and thinking about what others think of you is the last thing anyone should be doing. That's my philosophy!
We should really plan that steemit group trip some time. :D
Thank you @acidyo always appreciate all of your support :)
Hey! How's it going? Been some time since we've heard anything from you.
Hope everything is well, looking forward to your next blogpost! :)
I know I've been away for a couple days and it feels like ages... I arrive in Peru tomorrow night and I'll have a new post up by Monday the latest ;)
Hi Heidi, these travel posts are great and I see you are make enough money from upvotes to be able to travel just on Steem money. That's great, but what about giving it back to the community. You have a lot of Steem Power and could curate a little bit more, giving a chance to other creators. You already have a lot of fans and can get even more by doing this. BTW you won't lose any rewards by upvoting other people work.
Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing your amazing trips.
I'm a stay at home mom with 3 kids, and I wouldn't change it for the world, BUT I will always regret not traveling while I was young! Good luck!!
I believe you have the potential to be a star on steemit, so please read this post for the next:
https://steemit.com/steemit/@jademont/build-your-fan-economy-in-steemit-by-bitshares-everyone-can-be-a-star
How wonderful, you do great trips with Streamit ... I don't make money for a sandwich
Gute Reise Heidi!
nice post!
cool photo
good gob @heiditravels
Better get all your transactions done in the next 5 days! It usually take 3 for a back to process the exchange from Bitcoin to USD!
Don't I know it! I've been on top of it, so no worries ;)
keep it up @heiditravels 8]
I am really a fan. i just first saw you on youtube making videos about crypto stuffs and i admire your unique sense of informative videos. I am from Philippines and hoping you could visit my country and post it on steemit...
good post @heiditravels
I'm excited to read about people using STEEM to power their lives.
This is an inspring tale, and I'll be sure to keep following it!
Joyous Journeys to you!
Looks like your steempower is huge.
travelling with steem, good luck :)
Nice, a positive turn in your life be cause of Steemit
Absolutely.
can't wait to see your new picture
all the places you visit are really amazing
👍👍
glad you are having an adventure on land and in water.
I love the water!!
This post just shows how much Steemit influences people, the things it will do for people are truly extraordinary! Have fun in Peru!
Good luck with your travels.
Love your post you are a beautiful girl, you are lucky to visit péru