Revolutionize tourism and advertising.

I’ve read many, many blogs, websites, brochures, fliers, posters, ads… you name it. Let’s get real. People might like to be pampered and entertained, witness exotic customs or seek adventure and excitement. All of this is true.

I have a better question for people in the tourism industry–all you copywriters, marketers and ad guys out there whose job it is to lure the almighty American dollar into the hands of tourist destination A or B…

Question: What do people really need?

Answer: They need to feel connected.

Tourist introduced to culture

This will require nano-target marketing, keeping costs ridiculously low while redefining “vacation” by amping up the local experience. This means having an intimate understanding of the “vacation” destination, its locals, history and opportunities for tourists to fully engage in what it means to be local. This means including opportunities for short-term, hour-long community volunteerism; opportunities for walking tours with locals at parks or beaches; allowing access to open classes on subjects such as sculpture, kayaking, local history or meditation; participation in community festivals; and providing affordable, safe, comfortable accommodations in historic or culturally significant locations.

Give people an opportunity to “Be a local” and be a part of a community when they travel–to reconnect with themselves and connect to the community they’re visiting.

Marketers and copywriters, sell THAT. I dare you.

Wealth of Expat resources

HERE –> http://www.livinginthesun.info/ found on Twitter: theexpatlife

Some topics worth noting straight from their website:

How To Move Abroad On Your Budget

How To Buy Or Rent A Property Abroad

How To Cover Your Health Costs

How England & Living In The Sun Compare

Shopping In Your New Chosen Country

How To Get To Grips With Your New Tax System

How To Understand Your New Financial System

How Much Money You Can Save Once You Quit England

Meeting New People & Making Solid Friends

Internet, Telephone & Television Abroad

The Foreign Banking System

Driving Your Car Abroad

Education & Employment In Your New Country

Learning A New Language

Starting Your Own Business Abroad

Quality Of Life & What To Expect

And much, much more! Please visit Living in the Sun for great resources. I’m diving in and will provide my own thoughts (of course) on some of their offerings in greater detail.

Meanwhile, happy trails  –Daphne

Personal Take: 7 fears to overcome to expatriate

Facing fears makes them far less frightening.

Personal Expat FEAR LIST 

1.  Total financial ruin: Like, “I’m not sure where I’m going to get clean water to drink today”, and “I’m seriously considering stealing that guy’s loaf of bread” kind of poor.
2. Loneliness: I know I will desperately miss one or two people no matter how amazing this journey will be.
3. Language barrier: English is my only language so far, and I only have two years (let’s be honest, less than two years) to get a handle on Spanish if all goes according to plan.
4. Communication technology: Will Internet access be reliable, and what gadgets can I bring with me from the States to help with affordable and reliable communication, especially back and forth between Latin America and the States?
5. Housing: What is actually available for what costs will probably weigh heavy on my mind until I actually go and see in person.
6. Freelance business: Will it be much more difficult getting new freelance clients while living in Latin America, though it matters not where these clients are located thanks to the World Wide Web.
7. What if I love it too much: The change in culture, interesting people, adventure of travel… what if I love it too much, and I don’t stay in touch with the people I’m fearful of missing so much? What if it changes me so much that I have difficulty maintaining those relationships because of these changes?

A little discussion here 

#1 Total financial ruin: Honestly, I’ve discussed this in-part in previous posts. Irrational fear. What the hell does this mean anyway? I’m afraid of something that is nearly impossible for me to experience. Seriously. I make and maintain friends easily. I’m an honorable, generous person who has many skills and talents with which to barter. No worries. None. So, let’s scratch this one off the list already! 

#2 Loneliness: Huh? Me? Lonely? I could dream of such a thing. First, I love being alone, doing things alone and experiencing things alone. I like company, too. Either way, no problem. As for my current meaningful relationships, these, the most important ones, have been through the impossible and back. Everything from two years of almost no contact to gut-wrenching arguments. From the beginning through to now, there has been an incredibly strong bond and friendship. Obviously, nothing is going to damage this now. So, another irrational fear. Cross this one off the list. 

#3 Language barrier: Centuries of immigrants have overcome this. You figure things out. Here’s where studying pantomime in drama class actually comes in handy! Solution–I’ll just get out there and communicate. Be respectful and open to learn, yet cautious. I’ll find someone local who knows English to help practice. Barter for English lessons if possible. Either way, I’ll just go out there and engage. People travel all over the world and get around the language barrier. This isn’t a major concern. Crossed off the list. 

#4 Communication technology: The locations I’m considering for a long-term expat landing are crawling with other expats. Most use technology to communicate. So, ask questions now. Have a dedicated blog post here, requesting interaction and feedback/advice on the subject. Which providers, gadgets, systems are most useful and reliable. Just a matter of seeking knowledge and processing information to determine the best answer. Not a problem. Off the list. 

#5 Housing: Long and short of it–there is plenty of affordable housing where I’m wanting to go. Many more options than you currently have available to you in Pinellas County, Florida. I’ll do more research, and nothing can substitute an in-person visit. Visiting, I will be able to see first-hand what options look like compared to cost. From all I’ve heard so far, the options are wide and reasonable. So, this is off the list. 

#6 Freelance business: Okay. Now, this fear is a bit more rational. However, many have done this and are doing this successfully. I’ll ask questions and not let up on building this business. I know from experience that competitors can be your most helpful and supportive mentors. Yet, they are still competitors, so I’ll be certain to remain grateful and try to return the favor when I’m in a position to do so. 

#7 What if I love it too much: Seriously? Embrace the love! And, see your answer to fear #2. These are related and both are highly irrational. I’ll communicate with the most important people in my life regularly. I’ll need updates on their lives, and I’ll want to tell them stories about my adventures. I’ll certainly miss seeing certain faces and smiles, but I’ll hear the laughter and kindness in their voices and read their messages on-line. You can’t love anything too much, unless you’re obsessive, and that’s not love. And, I’ve never been committed to ANYTHING enough to be called obsessive, so there it is. Off the list with this! 

Ummmm. Now there’s nothing left on my “fear list.” I’m afraid!! Of what??? I dunno!!!  AAAAHHHHH!!!!

7 essential personality traits to be an expat

Found here: http://www.shelteroffshore.com/index.php/living/more/7-personality-traits-successful-expatriate-10877 through a tweet by: @TelegraphExpat Below is my personal take on the top seven listed in the article.

1. You see challenges as opportunities: I always see challenges as opportunities, once I’m done feeling sorry for myself, that is.
2. You believe it’s a small world: I know it’s a small world. Always.
3. You can think outside the box: There’s a box? I’ve been coloring outside the lines forever.
4. You don’t sweat the small stuff? Ha! Nope. I tend to under-react as a rule.
5. You feel free: More and more everyday. Still working on it, but I know that my chains are self-made.
6. You are adaptable: Beyond my own belief.
7. You desire change: Painfully desire change.

Please click on the link posted at top for the full article.

As for me, well, I fit this description perfectly. Next blog post will be on my personal top seven fears to overcome to continue on this journey. I know I have what it takes to be more than successful, provided I put a proper perspective on my fears. Fear is toxic when the basis is irrational, and, for me anyway, most fear is irrational, and it remains extremely damaging to my pursuit of goals.

People, not things, matter (no matter where you call home!)

I just came across this fantastic blog post by @LatinAmerExpats  on Twitter: ” Walking away from consumerism to live more simply http://ht.ly/2Bjx2 ”

Here’s the skinny: Move away from the gadgets and connect with people. Exchange what you have to offer: offer to teach something in exchange for vegetables from a private garden. What you have to offer from the heart and skills is perhaps more valuable than cash. Good concept to remember as most of us, no matter where we call home, are having a difficult time of it financially.

May we also try to be thoughtful and kind to one another. Life is often a difficult journey with many winding roads. It can be frustrating, confusing and painful along with all the good stuff. We can help make everyone’s journey a little better by the way we approach difficulties. Lend a hand or ear or a smile, and you’ll generally find an abundance of these things available to you in return when you’re in need. A heart-felt smile is a beautiful gift.

Be the lone smile. Create an epidemic of smiles!

Perhaps Argentina. #1 pick for right now.

 

Buenos Aries, Argentina

Research has begun! Let’s be honest, the life of an expat is alluring for many reasons: exotic locations and cultures, exploring rich histories and learning about fascinating local stories and customs… I’m into it all. I want to soak it up, live fully and then tell YOU all about it.

Aaaaaaand also, I’m allured by the notion of living cheap. Actually, this is important. It’s nearly impossible to do successfully in the States. Where I live, there’s virtually no thing called affordable housing. The local homeless population is filled with the working poor–people who have jobs but can’t make enough money to “live.” So, I would like to live in a location where, if all else fails, I can still survive on a meager income. Not as a backup-plan but to allow for a greater sense of freedom. Allowing me to release even more fear and ground myself in a heavy mindset of risk-taking and exploration.

Ahhhhh–freedom. I can almost taste it. My spirit is a little happy today. It seems I’ve pleased it. This is good. It is prone to having a nasty temper.

About Argentina.

Thanks to Paddy in the Big Apple: http://paddyinba.blogspot.com/2008/11/cost-of-living-in-buenos-aires.html

I’ve learned a good bit about the cost of living in Argentina. Here are some highlights, but I strongly recommend that if you’ve taken the time to read this far, please click on the link above for all the facts.

Housing. About $287 (US).  This is for long-term lease of a 1 bedroom apt. in a good neighborhood (not awesome, mind you). Compare this to my neck of the woods where it’s around $650 for something similar.

Utilities (with the works). Less than $70 (US). I’m talking cable, internet, phone, electric, water and gas. All of it. In my neighborhood, $200-300.

Want to go to the movies? This will run you $5.00 and some change. A ticket at my local cinema is now $9.50.

This doesn’t begin to describe the breathtaking landscapes, rich culture and amazing history, the fabulous people, food and a truly magnetic location for expats in general. Hey, my previous post from Expatify lists Argentina as their number one pick for expats, too!

Yet, still researching and still learning. Maybe I’ll make some great connections along the way to assist with housing and other essentials.

Happy trails  –Daphne

What I learned today

There are a lot of American expatriates around the world, and there are as many stories about why as there are people.

Today I began engaging the World Wide Web to learn about other expatriates and the resources they have to offer. I began a Twitter account: WannbeExpatDS and began following all kinds of people interested in subjects from expatriates to international business and writing/publishing.

A few of my favorites so far are:

• http://www.expatify.com/
• http://globalcoachcenter.wordpress.com/
• Twitter: expathelp
• http://www.expatdailynewssouthamerica.com/
• http://expatexplorer.blogspot.com/
• http://futureexpats.com/welcome-tweeter

These are just a few I’ve found and liked so far. More to come with my own take on their offerings in a future blog.

Even web discovery is holding me captive with a twisted mix of entertainment and addiction.

Happy trails  –Daphne

First steps (Top 7 list)

These are things I NEED to do early on regardless of where I might go or when.

Here is my TOP 7 LIST of pre-planning action items:

1. Passport–it’s time to renew or get a passport. I need to do this early, because it does take a little time, and I will need this to check out potential spots before I move.
2. Budget–developing a comprehensive, realistic budget is critical. I need to determine how much I need to live for my current lifestyle and how I can reduce my cost of living and increase my cashflow today to accumulate more savings. I also need to determine how much I will need to travel to two destinations to decide where to live and what expenses will be involved with relocating (not too much because I don’t have much anymore).
3. Build freelance writing business–I need additional income now and will need sustainable income for the future when I move. I am relying on building my freelance writing business to achieve both goals. This is moving along slow but sure, I am happy to report. However, if you need a writer or know someone who does, please feel free to contact me!
4. Keep researching–I enjoy research. I have to conduct research in my job regularly, but I do have a small fear that I will get weary of continuously researching topics relating to expatriating and potential destinations. The good news is that I have given myself two years to make the move, so if I slack off for a few days here and there, I’ll still be okay. Yet, I do need to develop a plan to keep myself motivated to research continuously. I’m not depending on the internet and books for this–a big part of the plan includes talking to many others who have lived in other countries for years at a time.
5. Motivation–I mentioned motivation in #4, but this is a very big deal. I have to stay motivated, and based on past experience, I have a history if abandoning great ideas. Not this time. Posting to this blog daily is one way of maintaining momentum –> a perpetual forward motion –> but I also plan on developing a network of friends to help me keep my head in the game and prevent the fear-chatter from taking over my thoughts.
6. Insurance–this is not the best time for me to go into my opinions on the intrinsic relationship between the insurance industry and organized crime, but insurance is something I need to investigate. The good news is that many countries outside of America have a form of socialized medicine, so having an emergency probably won’t leave me dead. Yet, yes, I need to look into insurance, and if I might consider the possibility of taking part in a plan of some sort.
7. Where to live now? I’m currently in between permanent residences. No, I’m not living on the street or anything close, and I am employed fulltime (thanks God and PAR), but I don’t have a permanent spot just now. I need to make a decision on this soon. It needs to be cheap for me to save as much money as I can, and it needs to be safe enough that I’ll live long enough to fulfill my journey. Everything’s about balance :o)

Where to go?

This is a most difficult decision to make. I would think that the best way to make a choice about where to live, what country and city to choose, would be to visit prospective destinations and find a good match. Fall in love. Move in together. Then marry. You know the drill. But, there are problems with this. I have limited experience traveling, and I don’t have a ton of money to journey around the world to try everything out.

So, I’ll begin traveling around the web. Searching specifically on the potential destinations themselves–sure that’s a good idea. But a better idea is to try to find out about a good fit from the eyes of expatriates. And so, I found this:

From www.expatify.com, here is a list of top 10 countries for expats:

1. Argentina
2. Thailand
3. Czech Republic
4. Australia
5. Italy
6. Brazil
7. Spain
8. Mexico
9. South Africa
10. Costa Rica

The link above includes a description of why these are top picks, and the reasoning makes great sense.

As for me, I’ll continue investigating until I decide on two destinations. Then, I’ll go visit these places in person. Limiting choices is good!