It's Official: I'm Backpacking Around the World for a Year

Nightime Picture of Stari Grad, Croatia

 

See you later New York; I just booked my ticket. I've decided to take a year off school in order to explore this beautiful planet. I've been working my butt off and saving up for this trip for a good two years. And now, my dream will finally come true. It feels good to say that.

I will start my trip in Poland. Most of my family still lives there and I'm excited to get a chance to break bread with them again. My little brother will be coming with me for the summer, and while in Poland, we are planning to buy a cheap car that will get us from point A to point B—and back. We are planning a hippie-like road trip across Europe (mostly western and central Europe) from the end of June till the end of July. At this point, my brother will be going back to the States as he is starting his first year of college. And I will continue my trip. Exciting times for the Tomasiewicz family :D

Once my brother leaves, I plan on picking up a friend and driving to Budapest, as well as Croatia, and staying in these places for a couple months. Budapest is my favorite city in the world, with its beautiful architecture and public bath houses, and I've been wanting to go back there ever since I visited in 2012. I also want to explore Croatia, as I've heard it is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. I can't wait to swim and cliff-dive into the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic Sea. But what is my next step after Croatia? Who knows. Maybe India? Maybe Southeast Asia? I'll go with whatever feels right and as a matter of fact, I'm glad I don't know yet. The ability to go wherever the wind takes you is exactly what makes travel so exciting and beautiful.

If you have any suggestions about places to visit during my road trip around Europe please comment below. I would love to hear your recommendations!

Best Travel Movies and TV Shows

Julia Roberts in Eat Pray Love

You already hate yourself for the amount of time you spend watching TV or Netflix instead of doing something productive. And no matter how much you try to tell yourself, "I need to get off this couch," it never actually happens. This is why I want to point you in the direction of best travel movies and best travel TV shows. These will not only entertain you but inspire you to get out of the gentle, yet life sucking, chokehold of your comfy couch.

Idiot Abroad - This is by far my favorite TV show of all time. In it, Ricky Gervais' best friend, Karl, a simple, settled, and pessimistic man is forced to travel around the world. The purpose of each trip is to  make Karl realize that there is more to this world than just sipping a cup of tea in England. Karl hates almost every single minute of it, and it is hilarious to watch him do things he would never in a million years do if it was up to him. Warning: you may die of laughter.

Eat Pray Love - What is not to love about this chick flick. It deals with independence, adventure, love, food, and it shows some stunning views of this magnificent world. The storyline follows a woman who decides to quit her job, and travel around the world for 9 months. Yes, it might not be the best and deepest movie of all time but if you are up for a fun flick, grab some popcorn, get settled, and watch this movie.

Into The Wild - A movie based on a true story about a man, Christopher McCandless, who decided to drop everything in his life, and embark on a hitchhiking trip to Alaska. His story, as well as the people's he meets, is sure to resonate and stick with you for a long time.

Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations - Anthony Bourdain is an awesome man. He's a phenomenal writer, a former cook, and a travel enthusiast. His show, No Reservations, incorporates all of those qualities. In this series, Mr. Bourdain travels the world and explores each culture through its food. The writing in the show is excellent, and I don't think anyone can describe the taste of food better than Anthony Bourdain. If you are really into food—which I know you are—please watch this show. Better yet, watch it in HD. You will start salivating.

Up - I simply love this Disney movie. In it, an elderly man loses his wife. She dies. In the beginning of their relationship, they used to love adventures and travel, but as life kicked in they have stepped away from that. Now that he is all alone, the older man decides to fulfill his wife's and his final adventure. During his journey, he encounters some incredible experiences that make him realize just how good his life has been. Tissues recommended: you will tear up

180 Degrees South - this documentary follows a group of friends traveling to Patagonia. The beautiful,vivid, imagery of nature, tied in with a strong message against materialism, sucks you in right from the start. After watching this movie, you will start recommending it to all of your family and friends. And if you live in New York, the occasional people you meet on the subway. We have all been there.

Life In A Day - I don't really know how to describe this movie. Amazing seems to come to mind. On July 24, 2010, the world was asked to film short clips of their day. Over 80,000 videos from 192 countries were submitted. This film compiles these short clips and stories into one, heartfelt, touching, motion picture. It shows you how similar, yet different, life is when you break it down to its fundamental basis. We all go through hardships, moments of happiness, and we all long for love. This movie shows the complex beauty of human life.


What are some of your favorite travel movies and TV shows? Please comment and share your favorites as I am always up for a good flick. Thanks!

5 Easy Ways to Live Abroad for a Year

Trip to Kamakura with Friends (From my year abroad in Japan)

Living in a different country and doing the same day to day tasks as a local in that country is a life changing experience. In this day and age, where understanding other cultures is so critical, I believe that everyone should challenge themselves and just spend a year in a country of their choice. You might even learn a language. Here I'll give you the 5 easiest ways to live make living abroad happen.

1. Teach English
This is by far the easiest way to do it. Almost any developing country in the world is looking for English speakers to teach their children. You will most likely need a certificate in order to be able to teach but how easy is that, you already speak English. And better yet, a lot of times you will get paid, or have accommodations taken care off. Teaching English is the cheapest way to live abroad.

2. Study Abroad
If you are studying in college or university, this is your best option. Since a place to live will be covered in your tuition, you probably won't have to pay anything but the airfare. Close your eyes, imagine yourself eating lunch at a food market in China, or taking a tour of the Heineken Beer Brewery in Amsterdam. Now open your eyes and just go!

3. Crowd funding
In the days of the internet, it is very easy to crowd fund your trip abroad. You can't use Kickstarter, as Kickstarter is more for businesses, but there is a website called Indiegogo which allows people to fund almost anything. Offer to write thank you cards for $15 dollars, or sing a song for $40. Get creative and make people fall in love with you. If you succeed, you can spend a year abroad for free.

4. Work in Hospitality
There are resorts in every country and city in the world. If you are able to find a job working in a hotel as an attendant or waiter, you have gotten yourself a stable income and can definitely explore the country of your choice in your time off. There is always someone hiring as people usually don't work long careers in these sectors.


5. Volunteer
This is one of the other great ways to live abroad for a year. There are plenty of programs that let you volunteer in almost any country in the world. You will have the chance to explore a new land with the satisfaction of helping others and making this world a better place. For most programs, you will need to apply before hand. The process might be lengthy so make sure you plan this in advance. And if you don't have the money for a plane ticket, jump back up to point 3. and crowd-fund for your volunteering efforts.

So, how to live abroad for a year? I've just given you 5 easy ways to live in a foreign country for a year. Use this information to motive you, and see that with just a little effort you could make your dreams come true. And if you know of any other ways to earn a living abroad or simply live in a country for a year, please share these in the comments! I would love to hear your input.

Sunday in Central Park

Sheep Meadow in Central Park, New York City

Instead of giving you a list of things to do in central park, and all central park attractions, I will show you how I spent my day in Central Park yesterday.

It was 2:00pm. I sat down on a bench, slowly sipping my large sized iced green tea, and just watched people

While sipping my tea, a group of larpers (Live Action Role Players) caught my eye.

I made a 90 degree turn in my bench, stared at them, and could not look away as they fought with swords and shot each other with Nerf guns.

I was so enchanted that I didn't even realize that my large, 32 ounce, tea was now gone.

I stood up and walked away from the bench. I walked towards a roller-blading party.

There was music, there was booze, and there were weird people dancing and rollerblading to an electric beat.

Once again, I loved it. I could not look away. There was even a dancing baby with shades on.

I looked at my phone at it was now about 4:00pm. I must have stood there and enjoyed these people for over an hour.

I then decided to spend $2 on a Turbo Rocket popsicle. Yes it was delicious, and yes it did turn my tongue blue. Don't judge.

I walked over to the East Side of the park. I took a few photos with my iPhone while walking, and stumbled upon a jazz band.

Passersby enjoyed a soft jazzy tune that went perfectly with the first spring weather Sunday of the year.

Once again, I stood and took it all in. A three year old kid tried to throw four one dollar bills into their basket and three of them did not make it there and landed on the ground.

Instead of picking them up, he just shrugged his shoulders and walked away. I giggled.

I looked at my phone again, and it was now 5:45pm. I decided to end my Central Park adventure and walked out by 6th Avenue.

I had the best Sunday ever, and the only money I spent were my impulse buys, iced tea and Turbo Rocket, which amounted to a staggering $3. Visiting Central Park is by far one of the best free things to do in New York City.

Thank you, Central Park


I would love to hear your stories and your favorite things to do in Central Park or in New York. I encourage you to leave a comment with anything you would want to share.

5 Cheap Things to Do in Boston

Chocolate chip cannoli from Mike's Pastry

You've made it to Boston. Congratulations. Here are a few things to do in Boston for cheap.

1. Harvard Square - not only do you get to immerse yourself in the beauty and history of Harvard University, but you also get to see hundreds of street performers work their craft. There is nothing better you could do than spend a few hours walking around the square and taking it all in. Tons of coffee shops and places you could grab a beer as well. Best part of it all: IT IS FREE. This is by far the best free thing to do in Boston

2. Fenway Park - Go to a ballgame! The atmosphere at Fenway Park is incredible. And even better, you can get tickets on for only $15. Fenway Park is small enough that even with cheap tickets, you can see all of the action.

3. Walk through North End - Do you like old fashioned neighborhoods? Cobble brick roads? Do you like sugary and fattening cannoli that make you happy as soon as you bite into them? I thought so. While in the North End, make sure to stop by Mike's Pastry for the most delicious cannoli ever. Heck, even Bill Clinton has had one.

4. Charles River Esplanade - This is a beautiful walking/jogging path alongside the Charles River. The river separates Boston from Cambridge, and on the Boston side, the Charles River Esplanade captivates visitors and locals alike. When you walk past tall trees and vast fields of greenery while seeing the reflections of the sun in the pretty river, you almost forget that you are in a modern, 21st century, city. And yes, the last time I checked walking around is free—even in America—so why not take advantage of it.

5. Boston Public Library - I am not a huge architecture buff, but this place really stimulates your senses. The acoustic structure of the building gently echoes the sounds of people's steps as well as their conversations. The old book smell follows you in and out of almost every room, and the rich details of the ceilings and walls captivate your eyes to the point where you can't look away. They even have a garden with a fountain where you can enjoy a good novel or a good meal. This free tourist attraction in Boston is a can't miss.

There it is folks: 5 cheap or free things to do in Boston. Now book that flight and visit this truly great American city. And if you know of any other great things to do in Boston please let me know by commenting below!

When in Boston, Go to Fenway Park

When you think of saving money, Fenway Park is usually not on the list, but let me explain. I took my girlfriend to a Red Sox game and paid $40 for a pair of tickets—they were worth every penny.

First of all, I’m not the biggest baseball fan in the world. I think that obesity is, in most cases, a self-inflicting disease and I don’t think a sport in which obese people excel at can be called a sport. Nevertheless, my girlfriend loves baseball and is a huge Red Sox fan so I surprised her with a pair of tickets. It was both our first time at Fenway, and she seemed a little more excited than I was.

When we first entered Fenway, the place buzzed with excitement. People wearing red and white shirts pounded beers and hot dogs left and right. Everybody looked happy and glad they were there. Even I felt it, as my girlfriend looked and smiled at me. I’ve been to baseball games before in Chicago and Kansas City but they never made me feel anything. A Red Sox game in Fenway Park brought me joy.

I was ready to forget about work and school, and just enjoy these next couple hours. It was now time for the national anthem. We stood up, and I looked around the stadium. I saw the Green Monster stands and an American Flag the size of half a football field hanging from the top of the bleachers. I saw the stands filled with people removing their hats with smiles on their face. I saw thousands of camera flashes going off within split seconds of each other. Once the woman started singing and everyone at Fenway Park joined in, for the first time in my life, I was proud and thankful to be an American

The game started after the applause. Even though we sat in the cheapest seats, we saw all of the action and the players perfectly. As we were rooting on the Red Sox, time seemed to fly by. It was the only baseball game that I’ve actually gotten into, and this wasn’t due to the teams playing. Coming into the game I had no alliances, but the atmosphere in the stadium made me feel like I was a part of the game—I wanted the Red Sox to win. It was an experience that was well worth a trip to Boston.

Have you had a good experience at Fenway before? Tell me all about it in the comments section below!

3 Reasons Why You Should Travel

Torun, Poland

1. LIFE IS SHORT - Too many people say the following, "I will travel once I make it and have enough money." Trust me, I once felt this way too. But I learned just how wrong that statement was. You will most likely never have enough money: there will be kids, a mortgage, and bills to pay. Moreover, delaying something for tomorrow is plain stupid once you realize that an average person lives for about 27,000 days. Now subtract your childhood from that, about 6,000 days, and that number plummets to 21,000. I believe life to be a precious gift and cringe at our society's idea of a good life—a big house, a sports car, and money in the bank. What is the point of wasting the short time we have on material things when you can learn Japanese, skinny-dip in the ocean, or run as fast as you can for no reason instead? This is why I travel.

2. FREEDOM - When I say I've never felt more free than when I'm on the road—I mean it. Travel empowers you to make your own decisions. There are no bosses or obligations. You can decide to go on a kayaking trip to Idaho and, once there, realize that you would rather hike instead because the mountains look so stunning. Travel gives you the freedom to make that decision and not feel guilty about it. You can come back from your hike, sweating and in pain, but with a smile on your face. You broke your own pattern and went all in on a completely spontaneous idea. This doesn't happen that often at home, now does it?

3. HUMANS - We love people. Even I, as an introvert, sometimes need a little company, conversation, or acknowledgment. I believe that every person has a story, an insight worth sharing. Being on the road enables you to meet hundreds of individuals that might look different but are more intwined with you than you've ever imagined. This is the beauty of our mysterious universe. I guarantee that while you travel, you will hear stories and create friendships which will stay with you till the end of your 27,000 days.

Therefore,
JUST TRAVEL

Please share and comment on why you think travel is important! I'd love to hear what everyone else has to say.