© taggle burman Original post © Vagabondish.com. All rights reserved. Photo of the Moment: Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo

“How much does it cost to travel full-time as a Professional Hobo?” I am asked this question regularly by readers of my personal website. And while I maintain that the cost of full-time travel is dependent on oh-so-many factors that are unique to every individual, I have just finished my year-end accounting for 2008 and am willing to share my own finances with the world. 2008 was a year for me spent entirely on the road. I opened the New Year on a remote corner of the Big Island of Hawaii, then traveled around for a week and moved to the other side of the island for four months. In April and May I spent six weeks traveling through Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, arriving in Australia in June. My first six weeks in Australia were spent in transit, first in Cairns for a few days, then enjoying a long drive from Brisbane to Melbourne via the outback. At the end of July I settled down in the rural countryside north of Melbourne, and that is where I remained for the rest of the year. Despite Wise Bread reader comments about Hawaii being extraordinarily expensive, I must still emphasize that travel – and the costs thereof – are very unique to the individual. Before embarking on a life of full-time travel … Continue reading this post at WiseBread.com » Original post © Vagabondish.com. All rights reserved. The Cost of Full-Time Travel

We’re humbled by the sheer volume of travel gadgets and other goodies we receive here at Vagabondish HQ. Manufacturers, PR firms, celebrities and heads of state regularly send us all manner of things for review. And, over the past two years [insert birthday kazoo sound here!], that stash has grown considerably. So, we figured, why not give some of that back to our wonderful community of travelers? Yes, after much talk during the past few months, we’re thrilled to finally announce the largest giveaway we’ve ever … er … announced! If you love us - and we know you do! - chances are you’re already entered to win. It’s simple: just sign up for our Daily Digest e-mail or follow us on Twitter. That’s it! No matter how you sign up, we promise no spam either way. We just need a way to get in touch when you win. E-mail Subscription Enter your email address:(No spam ever. Promise.) Every Wednesday (starting January 7), we’ll select one winner from our motley crew of loyal readers to win their choice of one of the prizes below. This “stash” will rotate every other week or so, with already-given-away prizes replaced with fresh, new travel gadgets, books and other worldly goodies. #1: TravelRelic.com (Memorabilia) If you haven’t heard, Garrett and the crew over at TravelRelic.com have been toiling away to craft a truly unique series of travel memorabilia. Travel Relic’s products are large, digital prints that combine your photos and travel info with our specially-created artwork to help you remember the details of your travels: the people, the places, the great times. Completed by you online , every “RELIC” product is created for a unique world destination. We have prints to remember travel to specific cities, as well as trips to multiple countries or continents. Additionally, we have RELIC prints that help you remember distinct festivals, celebrations and holidays. Do any of these describe your travels - visit to a major world festival or a party vacation? Our unique prints help you remember your celebrations, whether at Oktoberfest in Munich or at Carnaval in Rio. Winners have their choice of any 18″ x 24″ RELIC print (valued at $44.99). Or you can choose to receive a credit of $44.99 towards any other RELIC product of your choice! #2: iKnow - Language Series (Education) Random House’s iKnow Language Series is the perfect language learning companion for iPod-owning travelers. iKnow turns your iPod® or iPhone® into a pocket translator, complete with over 1,500 essential words, phrases, and conversations. Just upload the iKnow files to your iPod® or iPhone®, and you can see and hear exactly what you need to say, along with its English translation. A convenient navigation menu allows you to find a topic or category, select the item you need, and then perfect pronunciation is just a click away. Whether you’re at home or abroad, in a restaurant or on the street, iKnow helps you communicate quickly and easily. Learn more at the official iKnow website. Winners have their choice of one iKnow Language product: Spanish, French, Italian, or Japanese. #3: Mophie Knox iPod Hard Case/Wallet (Gear) We fell in geeky flashpacker love with Mophie the minute we opened their Knox iPod hard case. With spectacular build quality (it’s aircraft grade aluminum) and all-around solid design, it’s the perfect iPod Nano case for travelers. Check out our review or visit Mophie’s official Knox page for more info. #4: Atlas, Schmatlas - A Superior Atlas of the World (Book) Need to know the capital of Vanuatu? Interested to find out the major export of Madagascar? Itching to find out about the (homo)sexual tension on Columbus’ trips to The New World? Then we have just the book for you! Atlas, Schmatlas is a 128 page hardback book chock-a-block with essential information (fact and fiction), maps, and illustrations about every country in the world. Craig Robinson’s Atlas, Schmatlas is a beautifully crafted world atlas, replete with quirky animated graphics fit for kids and adults. It’s the perfect coffee table book for perpetual travelers who actually have a coffee table. And if you can’t wait to win it, Atlas, Schmatlas (aff) is also available for purchase through Amazon.com #5: A Map for Saturday (DVD) Hands-down, our favorite round-the-world travel flick. Brook Silva-Bragga perfectly captures every aspect of the long-term traveler’s mentality, lifestyle and philosophy. If you haven’t seen it yet, and can’t wait to get your hands on a prize edition, check out the official A Map for Saturday website. At just $19.50 (worldwide shipping included), the full-length DVD is a steal! Once again, if you’re not yet following us on Twitter or signed up for our Daily Digest e-mail, now’s the perfect time! (Quick note to RSS subscribers: first, we love you! Really. You make our site go ’round! Second, we need a way to contact you to claim your prize. So be sure to sign up for our Daily Digest or, alternatively, follow us on Twitter.) Original post © Vagabondish.com. All rights reserved. Announcing: The Vagabondish.com Weekly ‘Stash’ Giveaway

© Afroswede Original post © Vagabondish.com. All rights reserved. Signspotting: Stop - Hammertime!, Texas

Budapest State Opera © Leandro’s World Tour In the triumvirate with Vienna and Prague, Budapest is proud to be one of Central Europe’s top three musical cities. A city that produced two of the world’s greatest 20th century composers in Zoltán Kodály and Béla Bartók, it is no surprise that the musicality is felt everywhere–especially along the Danube. Hungarian Rhapsody is a title justly deserved. Classical music is king here, and to go to the castle that houses it all, look no further than the State Opera House (Operahaz). Budapest’s opera house is only rivaled in its stunning architecture (it was used in the film Evita as the opera box Madonna visits while in “Paris”) and talented orchestra by its prices. If you have an extra $50.00 USD burning a hole in your pocket, you can get yourself an opera box and really live it up like a grande dame or monsieur. If you’re looking to save your forints, however, rest assured that you can still see some amazing productions for less than $10.00 USD. They often have some innovative performances here, but regardless of whether you’re seeing torn jeans or towering wigs onstage, the Budapest Opera is a magical experience that is well within anyone’s reach. Purchasing at the box office is your best bet to avoid any Ticketmaster-type charges, and there are usually tickets available at the last minute. While there, considering spending the extra $2.00 USD on a tour of the opera house. The tour guides are all music students who know the house like the backs of their hands, and there are tours offered in English, Italian, Spanish, French, German, and Hungarian. Budapest State Opera Andrassy ut 22 353-0170 Metro M1: Opera www.opera.hu Original post © Vagabondish.com. All rights reserved. High Culture on a Low Budget: Budapest’s State Opera House

© kainet This could easily be the set for Turistas 2. Original post © Vagabondish.com. All rights reserved. Photo of the Moment: Urban Decadence at Mirador Mansion, Hong Kong

© Alex Barth Original post © Vagabondish.com. All rights reserved. Photo of the Moment: Atop the Chicken Bus, Granada

Hammock on Nevis © booleansplit Travel is amazing for helping you realize even more about your own country, culture, and home life. And despite cultural differences, language barriers, and economical disparities, we all seem to be fighting the same demons and striving for the same goals. I’d like to share a story about a man named Joe (a western nickname derived from his longer Thai name) who I met in Thailand. It doesn’t matter that Joe grew up in a place barely imaginable to westerners, and lives a very different life on the outside as us; when he shared his life story with me, I realized that the battle for quality of life exists absolutely everywhere. Joe grew up in remote northern Thailand. In the sleepy town where he was raised, the small number of inhabitants live off the land. They work two months of the year; one month planting, and the second month harvesting. The entire rest of the year is spent living a “quality life”. Everything is hand-crafted, and beautifully at that. A simple soup ladle has an intricate and ornate wooden handle. Why? Because they have time, and having beautiful things improves their quality of life. Continue reading this post at WiseBread.com » Original post © Vagabondish.com. All rights reserved. On Quality of Life

The LNO’s Lights © Victoria Reay Eastern Europe is always a good bet for budget travelers; since most countries have not jumped to the Euro yet, the exchange rates for US Dollars, British Pounds, and the Euro are pretty favorable. Even cooler is that many cities in Eastern Europe have taken on a too-cool-for-school ethos, making them somewhat like the East Village before all of the Bloomberg and Citigroup employees and NYU students took it over. While Prague is touted to high-heavens (with good reason), there are countries closer towards the Motherland that are just as fun (and have a few less tourists). Riga is one of the best places to see the Old World and New Wave collide in a cultural sonic boom. While it’s starting to get discovered by people looking for the New Prague, you can still enjoy it like a local (and if you have very elfin features, you’ll fit right in). The capital of Latvia, Riga is definitely a hotspot for musicians. In fact, the country boasts more than 1.4 million folk songs and holds a national song festival every five years (this past year was festival number 126). Catch some songs that aren’t Latvian at the National Opera Theatre, the cultural heart of Latvia and where Mikhail Baryshnikov cut his teeth as a ballerino (and future love interest to Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City). And though Mische’s now in a New York state of mind (though still occasionally dancing), there are still some fabulous dancers to be seen onstage in the Riga Ballet. The Latvian National Opera shares the house. While the Lat (national currency) is 1:2 on the US Dollar (that’s roughly 1:1 on the Pound and 1:1.5 on the Euro), the prices are still pretty low here. You can avoid the nosebleed section and still only part with $20.00 USD for a night of high culture. National Opera Theatre Aspazijas bulvaris 3 Box Office 10 am - 7 pm 2707 3777 www.opera.lv Original post © Vagabondish.com. All rights reserved. High Culture on a Low Budget: Riga’s Latvian National Opera

I’m not a great cook. (And I don’t hear anybody rushing to deny that). I am, however, a great eater. And one of the thrills of traveling is the chance to eat new and unusual foods that you’ve never heard of before. That’s why I started to make it a habit to “bring home” some new food ideas from every trip so that now and again I can sit down to a meal or a snack that has me reliving some of my favorite travel moments. I’ve put a few tips together to help you do the same. Grilling in Tennessee © booleansplit Learning About New Foods While You’re Traveling The key thing about collecting taste bud memories of your travels is to try everything. Being in a foreign country is no time to let your taste buds get shy. There are many ways to make sure you get to taste plenty of new and different foods, including: Study up first (online or in a guidebook) and have a list of new meals you might find on a restaurant menu Take a random stab at a menu and be surprised with what the waiter brings out (not recommended for vegetarians!) Ask a local to recommend a special dish for you, one that they think is typical for their country or city Visit the supermarket and buy packets of unusual snacks or strange fruit to try Sign up for a meal with a local family – there a bunch of programs like Meeting the French where local people will prepare a typical dinner for you in their own home Attend a cooking class while you’re abroad, if your budget stretches that far (they’re becoming more popular and are sometimes reasonably cheap – especially as you get a meal thrown in) It’s important to be brave while you’re trying new foods. Some things might taste awful at first, or have a texture that you’re just not used to, but it pays to persevere. For me, the most extreme example of this was in Japan where I sometimes ate objects that even my Japanese hosts couldn’t identify. Sometimes they were pretty awful, but other times they turned out to be delicious. But before you all go out and try badly-prepared fugu, remember to be sensible. But before you all go out and try badly-prepared fugu (that Japanese pufferfish that can kill you if you eat the wrong bit), remember to be sensible. Don’t forget the rules of eating in unhygienic spots, like only eating fruit that can be peeled and avoiding salads that were washed in unclean water, and so on. Be brave, but sensible. Blini Party in Helsinki, Finland © wili_hybrid Bringing New Foods to Your Old Kitchen Table Once you find a meal or dish that you like and would like to “take home” as a souvenir, then the tricky part starts. Of course – eating is always the easy part of life! If you want to recreate this food back home, you need to be armed with information. This might sound easy if you’re in an English-speaking country, but even then, there are plenty of things you shouldn’t take for granted. If a local friend is giving you the recipe, or even if you’ve found something on the internet, then check that you understand what they’re talking about. There are all kinds of problems you might have with a recipe once you get home, including: Converting strange measurements into something you can understand. The metric or imperial system is just the start of it. My German sister-in-law is astounded that half our recipes here in Australia use “cups” and “tablespoons” – she thinks it’s so imprecise and doesn’t have a clue how much that should be! Locating unusual ingredients. First of all, you have to know what it is you’re looking for. A translated name will help a lot, or the local name written down carefully. There will be things that are impossible to find, but these days in many big cities across the world, I actually believe that you can find anything as long as you know where to look. Every big city has hidden grocery stores representing different nationalities and regions and with a bit of hunting, you’ll find not only what you’re after but a treasure trove of other foods to explore. Following the recipe. One of my best Japanese friends kindly wrote out the recipe for okonomiyaki for me before I left Osaka – and she demonstrated it for me as well. I traveled for a while and didn’t get a chance to try to make it again for a year or so, and when I tried to follow her recipe, I was totally bamboozled. A less-than-perfect translation and lack of experience meant I made several okonomiyaki disasters before I created something edible! Now Sit Down, Eat and Reminisce This is my favorite bit. I’ve got recipes from all over the world, from places I’ve been and from places I haven’t when my foreign students have taught me, and I love to serve these meals up for my family and friends. And on the other hand, when I travel abroad and stay with foreign friends, I try to create something Australian for them to enjoy, too. Like I said at the start, I’m no cook. This is not a suggestion just for gourmet kitchen-lovers. Anyone can collect food ideas from around the world on their travels and enjoy them later – just like looking at photos, only much more satisfying for the stomach. Do you have any favorite dishes or snacks that you’ve learned about on your travels? I’d love to hear about them in the comments! Original post © Vagabondish.com. All rights reserved. Reliving Your Trips Through Your Taste Buds: Bon Appetit!