Friends! You can now follow me on snapchat ;)
I'll be posting short videos daily and I'll also give you all a heads up for when I'll be posting a new Steemit blog entry :) I'll be bringing steemit to snapchat everyday and doing my best to spread the word about Steemit!
SNAPCHAT: heidi_travels
Comfort. It's the thing that keeps most of us at home. It's the thing that keeps most of us in that relationship we know we would be better off leaving. It's the thing that ultimately makes us boring, uninspired, maybe even a little depressed. Comfort isn't exhilarating. It isn't life-changing. Comfort won't leave you feeling accomplished or proud.
So let's get uncomfortable.
It doesn't happen to everyone, and not every trip will inspire a deep sense of fulfillment. But if your lucky, traveling somewhere new will change your perspective of the lives of others, and you'll hopefully better appreciate the blessings in your own life. Unfortunately for those who travel abroad and jump at the chance to book the 5-star hotel, they will most likely miss out on the chance to form real bonds to the locals. By staying at a resort that fences the tourists in and keeps the local customs out, you'll miss out on the chance to broaden your understanding of life outside of your comfort zone.
We all take these comforts for granted, at least I know I certainly do. Maybe that's why I like to travel so much. I feel like I get a healthy dose of reality when I do. I often end up feeling like a spoiled American when I find myself dreading the fact that I have to wash my laundry in the sink, wring them up and wait an entire day for them to dry. I feel like, at least as an American, there's always a sense of urgency, no matter what- even for things that aren't particularly important, like laundry.
I feel my trip to Tahiti has left the biggest impression on me.
There I was, on a tiny island with the easy-going, extremely friendly locals. At first I wished I had my own car or vespa or something I could drive myself to and from places. But since I'm always on a mission to save money, the $4 bus ride each week was what I was working with. I would take a 30 minute bus ride to the nearby bigger town for a grocery run and every time I was struck by the sense of community and acceptance of each passenger for one another. The older men and women would sit at the front of the bus and when a new passenger boarded and recognized them, without fail, they would greet them with a huge smile and guaranteed kisses on the cheeks. Each person was acknowledged and loved. No one was stressed out. No one yelled at the bus driver when he pulled over to buy himself a sandwich to eat while continuing his route, or when he pulled over for about 15 minutes to say hello to a friend of his. Each passenger was accommodating and understanding. I loved it. I felt completely stress-free and it was incredible.
Here's a video showing the beautiful views you get to see while taking the bus:
The room I was renting was... basic. I had a twin bed and a small table with two outlets, which is pretty typical when staying with a family on the small island. But I had what I needed. And more importantly, the family I stayed with made me feel perfectly a part of the family. We would cook for each other every night. The young wife taught me how to make some amazing ceviche and I taught her how to pop popcorn on the stove. We shared laughs and my favorite part was when they would bring out the ukulele and sing Tahitian songs. To be in a place that beautiful and feel completely accepted and welcomed by these people, to say I felt content would be an injustice.
I try to bring that loving and accepting philosophy to my life and to those around me every day. Until I can return to that lovely little paradise, this will be my way of bringing Tahiti with me everywhere I go.
The only time I didn't feel loved in Tahiti was when I woke up in the middle of the night to a nasty stinging sensation on the back of my neck. It was given to me by the giant poisonous centipede that's native to Tahiti. I'll have to tell you all about that one tomorrow ;)
you need to do a trip spending only Steem dollars
Hey @heiditravels Come and visit where I am from - check it out, I am sure you will love it!!
https://steemit.com/travel/@fyrstikken/let-me-show-you-where-i-am-from-southern-norway-i-hope-you-visit
Would be so awesome :D
On reddit this is called "hijacking highest voted comment for your own gain".
Since your post isn't relevant to what @ph111p wrote, go back in line and post a reply to @heidi_travels instead.
Steem police over here lookout guys...
ps, this isn't reddit
The Steem police! They live inside of my head! The Steem police!
You are quite the spammer, aren't you?
I definitely have enough to fund a decent trip now, as a matter of fact I'm beginning to plan one, probably going to be exploring Peru and the Amazon and heading over to Cuzco and see Machu Picchu and then Lima for a bit. I'll keep you all posted!
Sounds great!
Hey I wasn't able to find you under heidi_travels on snapchat, is it just me?
maybe try again? I created it yesterday morning, it should show up... what's your snapchat name? I can add you that way.
Machu Picchu. Wow. You just need to send us details of that :D
Awesome, $4300 in SBD to be dumped on 'Rex lol!
not enought steem dollars,
it will be like a homeless trip
I don't know many homeless men with 10.000 dollars available on their account.
5000$ steem power tough
lol...
Actually, there are some people who travel without any initial money.
They work for people they meet as they progress in their journey, earning some by doing simple work, or just exchanging work for bed and breakfast.
That's challenging, but quite an adventure, I guess.
Come on Heidi we can see you have a few steem dollars now lets get you using a Xapo card and loading some well earnt steem via BTC onto it and that will keep the community happy and along the way you can preach steemit :-)
I'll be researching the Xapo card, thanks for the heads up!
Shift card is another option.
Banker shill.
Pleas check out this post I made about a steemit Bug the dev's should see this post so they can fix it. https://steemit.com/bug/@stijn/steemit-bug-needs-to-be-fixed
yeah... I just made a post for @heiditravels - think she is the top earner here on steemit :-)
https://steemit.com/travel/@hastla/when-i-would-be-heidi
if you have enough to do a trip like that please contact me so I will come with you hahaha
Hey if you're up for staying in cheap hostels and using public transit then let's go!
Your offer to vacation with this complete and total stranger is now contractually binding as it is on the Blockchain.
ahahahh sounds good to me! I don't need Jacuzzi or other things to feel better!!! I need only a shower to clean myself after a long walk-trip
You will get a bucket full of water and a mug to take a bath. :P
true
it will be wonderful! spend only steem dollars on a trip :D
sounds good
@ph111p good idea
That lead picture is EPIC! How did you manage to take it? Just awesome.
Your travels are good at making everyone else jealous, which means you're doing it right!
Awesome!
What do you think of this?
https://steemit.com/steem/@hmfoucault/steemit-community-cryptocurrency-hacking-and-making-a-profit-increase-your-steem
BONJOUR,
Good to read such a positive and attractive article. It is bright and very interesting to me. I definitely connected with your title, knowing that you are also a traveller. Thanks for the post again. I hope you'll enjoy mine, if you haven't already. Namaste :)
recommend your blog in my post "9 Steemers to follow on Steemit.com"
https://steemit.com/steemit/@keepcodingsimple/9-steemers-to-follow-on-steemit-com
nice posts :) keep on
Thank you!
Hi there @heiditravels. I like your idea of getting uncomfortable and suggest you come and try Kite boarding in El Yaque, Margarita, it's in Venezuela and I saw from an earlier post that you are aware of some of the troubles we have here. Let me say, however that El Yaque is a bubble of awesomeness in an otherwise troubled country. Kite boarding will give you the exhilaration you are looking for, I have no doubt. Also, if I haven't piqued your interest thus far, due to the current financial crisis we are living in here, your Dollars will go an extremely long way so it's not only awesome but cheap!! Happy travels :D
I give u gold buzzer just for the effort of taking the lead pic. Upvoted!
Damn I like reading your blog. Keep up that same style! :)
I'll add you later today on your snapchat, my username will be something "etheryo" cause I am a long time ethereum holder. ;)
Take care Heidi!
Are you going to raffle off a plane ticket to travel with you? You really do it right!
I love how down to earth you are. :) And I absolutely agree that it’s far more rewarding to immerse yourself into a local culture than it is to sit back with all the usual luxuries and comforts when traveling abroad. Being pampered in luxury is nice and all but its effects will wear off quickly the moment you step back onto the plane, whereas the treasures you find in the unexpected, and friendly interactions with strangers can last a lifetime. You’ve obviously had a taste of that in Tahiti, and I know exactly how enriching that can be! That’s the thing I love most about traveling… it broadens your window of perception and enables you to appreciate the things you already have.
"The young wife taught me how to make some amazing ceviche and I taught her how to pop popcorn on the stove. We shared laughs and my favorite part was when they would bring out the ukulele and sing Tahitian songs." - What a beautiful picture...
@ heidi_travels, you did it!! just added you on snap! look forward to those stories!
I believe you are a inspiration to all who want to travel. Reading through your blogs after my brother lead me on to your sight I have found I rather enjoy the way you use traveling to some what express who you are as a person, but at the same time you tell it how it is and what it is like to travel good and bad. I most definitely will be continuing to follow your exciting new blogs.
I'm happy your brother referred you to my blog! AND you enjoy it :)
I am as well and I am super excited to see what else you have in store for us all!
I love the part about getting a healthy dose of reality by travelling to places outside the U.S. I loved my time in Nicaragua for the same reasons. And the people of Nicaragua are so kind and accepting as well. I am married to a beautiful Nicaraguan girl. When I return to the U.S. I have such a great sense of appreciation for all my blessings.
That's what it's all about :) I'm glad you've had good experiences traveling as well!
hope to meet you in the Alps for skiing in the winter enjoy
What a beautiful story and a strong message! Love the pics too!
hey ,Cool, keep it coming. Super fresh content, great writing.Your travels are good at making everyone else jealous, which means you're doing it right!
Getting uncomfortable can change us for the better. It can show us what we thought could never do.
Cool, keep it coming. Super fresh content, great writing
Very cool, will be following along on Snapchat.
I agree, getting uncomfportable is probably the driver of most best decisions. I certainly took that approach when I ran off to Hong Kong and Thailand for a month and that was hands down the best thing I've ever done.
I have trouble convincing others to do the same, though. Hopefully your posts will go a long way towards helping with that.
Yes, people will often look at you like you have three eyeballs when you ask if they want to go with you to a third-world country. That's one of my goals with this blog, to show others that traveling somewhere unconventional will probably be the best adventure they'll ever have.
There is no such thing as a "third-world country" and your usage of the term is pretty demonstrative of your white savior complex.
I love your pictures and posts. Keep up heidi :D
good
Thank you!!
This is interesting.
I would go look for you on snapchat after this post :)
Hello! Could I ask you to support me? https://steemit.com/steem/@acidsun/banners-for-steemit-community
Hello everyone. Support please me. THX! https://steemit.com/steem/@acidsun/banners-for-steemit-community
Any promotion outside the Steem community I approve of (trying my own marketing tactics on it). Snapchat is a big hassle though, I wouldn't even think of trying :)
Why do you think snapchat isn't worth the effort?
Big hassle because snaps only last 24hr so you need to update atleast one a day. I didn't say it wasn't worth the effort :)
I may have missed it. But how do you find these families to stay. Congrats again on your travels and Steemit success!
I was referred to them by a friend who travels there about once a year. But if you're feeling brave- and I'm only suggesting this for Teahupoo, because I know the locals there are very welcoming and accommodating to travelers- you can always just show up with no plans and you'll have a very good chance that someone will have a room open for you to rent ;)
Help fund more vacations and reviews... automatic upvote. Keep it up and see ya on snapchat: lilwallay
Great post Heidi! I don't have snapchat unfortunately but I follow you on here I look forward to reading more post.
Wow! This post has done really well. Awesome!!!
Awesome post! Pic in the water is too cool!
Hi there,
You are having a good time over there aren't you, Heidi? I am happy for you. First photo is magnificent I must say.
@heiditravels How did you manage to keep that paper completely dry whilst plunging into water?
Cool! Travel changing consciousness
I sincerely wish you good luck and great moments in trip
How long have you been traveling? Which countries have been?
I've been out and about since January 2015, I've been to Portugal, Turkey, Ireland, Tahiti and Morocco. South America, India, South Africa and Iceland are all on the top of my list.
coool
where this photo taken?
It's awesome that you get to travel like this. I have never even left the US. I barely have left the state of Georgia! Don't take it for granted. I would love to be able to see the world.
Ideas for your next post ... With all those steem dollars you can travel around the world and post it for us
That's the plan!
Our studio has a rest!
Beautiful places! Welcome to steemit. :)
At first photography cool !!! ;)
Awesome
Great storry. And cool pic of you in the water, with steemit papper :D Keep up the good work my friend :)
Wow: https://steemit.com/@shaydulla Like please )))
Hello my dear friend! I agree with everything you wrote. Yes, we the people are ... Comfort for us, "the people" is inappropriate (And the fat, and forget about everything: D), we are likely more suitable to move and explore the world! I am very happy to read your article about the fact that you will advertise daily Steem everywhere, as well as display their posts here! I also follow your example. After all - that we live and breathe the past several times. Steam cryptocurrency our favorite!
Helo Helo,
you habe to do a trip to Bosnia than you will stop to laugh ;)
Awesome post! Have fun!
the last 2 pictures are beautiful
Very beautiful places. Thank you for your video and informative story!
great post as always, keep it up!
Another masterful work of art! You are an expert Steemer! How did you become this great of a blogger / Steemer? Great work I enjoy all of your posts!
Tahiti looks beautiful, it is definitely on my bucket list @heiditravels