Think function and fashion: utility, light, low cost, durable, easy to wash, multi-use, ready for anything, comfortable, reversible, warmth, keep the mosquitoes away at night, easy to pack, roll-up-able, head-gear for places where bathing is optional, high chic-low maintenance!
If you have some time on your hands, and want to stay at a resort for free, listen to a sales presentation at a time share resort. You do not have to agree to buy. You can just listen, and then decline. I have stayed in some very nice resorts in Arizona and Florida this way. Hawaii and Las Vegas are also popular for time-share presentations. This option is available to people who make a certain income and live in a specific area. Here is the math break-down: 45 minutes of listening gets you a 1 night stay at a 4 star resort (value$150+). So if your hourly rate is less than $150 per hour, what do you have to lose? I have gone to these presentations while I was on vacation. If you are already in these places, ask the travel agencies about time share promotions. The sales people will find you! Remember this strategy is not for the meek: you must be able to say NO if you are not willing to buy. Be strong! ;-)
Travel Secret #12
“VISA Rewards Programs—Free Airline Tickets”
So most of you have a VISA card that you are already using, right? Well, I earn VISA points on my credit cards. If your credit card is not working for you, it is time to change cards. There is so much competition in the credit market, it pays to learn to play the game to your advantage. Usually to start you get 20,000 bonus points just to open up an account. That is enough for a free flight already! Then everything you buy accrues points towards free flights or other gifts. So, the way to work the system is to charge everything you usually buy each month, such as groceries, gasoline, dinners out, on your mileage points VISA, then pay it off each month. Important caveat: this is NOT a good method if you do not pay off your balance! "Free" does not mean with interest. :-) Depending on how much you buy/charge, you could earn at least one free ticket per year. Inquire at your bank.
Travel Secret #13
“Take On-line Surveys and Get Free Stuff”
Here are two more ways I attract free stuff: www.emiles.com and www.erewards.com. I take online surveys at home and get 500 to 1000 miles added to my frequent flier account each month. These miles add up fast! No joke. Let’s be honest, how many of you sit around surfing the web in your pajamas ?? Sometimes, I could waste a whole day just putzing around on the internet. What about you? If so, why don’t you use this free time to get paid? My motto is "you do not have to work more, just more productively".
Travel Secret #14
“Refer a Friend"
This phrase has a whole new meaning to me these days. Over the years, I have recommended tons of books, programs, and products to thousands of people. As a teacher, many people ask for my advice; hence, the birth of this blog. All this time, I was selling for other people without a thought of being compensated . Wait a minute! I teach business. Business! I was not following my own advice." How much is your time worth? How much is your opinion worth?" I realized that I could and should be getting paid for all the referrals I make. Many companies will pay you for referrals. Everyone wants more clients. Everyone wants advertising by word of mouth--it is the cheapest and best way to advertise by far! So look around, where do you want to go/stay/be? Become a sponsor or representative. You are going to need some initiative for this one! Go to the person in charge and say, “What would you give me/trade me/pay me for referring clients to your business?” Lots of websites already have the “refer a friend” payment plan built in. For example, Groupon which sells gifts/travel/classes at a discounted rate has a friend referral program. Go to www.groupon.com, it is a win-win for everyone. However, I do NOT recommend that you advertise for products that you do not believe in just to get free stuff. If you do like the product and/or service, reward the company and yourself by sharing.
Spotlight Country: CUBA
In the summer of 2000, I went to Cuba as a Cultural Representative with www.globalexchange.org. At that time I was teaching Spanish and I was eager and excited to learn more about this country that has been off-limits for Americans since the 1950s. I can say nothing but great things about the Cuban people. They are warm, friendly, lively, musical, fun, generous, and optimistic! What a trip! What an adventure!
Let’s start with the dancing!! From 9am to 11am every day I twisted, turned and spun doing Salsa, Cha Cha Cha, Rueda, Mambo, and Afro-Cuban dance. Afro-Cuban dance, by the way, comes from Western Africa, brought over to Cuba during the times of the slave trade. The movements, songs, and costumes tell the story of the Yoruba religion. After the morning dance practice, I actually got to sit down for a bit! We studied percussion from 11-12 (conga and bongo drums, maracas). Following lunch, a short nap, then off to the afternoon salsa clubs. After dinner, we headed to a concert for more dancing!! I think I was in the best shape of my life, not to mention the pounds lost in high humidity. Imagine something like Birkram Yoga, but with loud music and a partner. LOL! Most nights we came back at 2 am and sat on the hotel patio until dawn for the dominoes competition. Intense players with their cigars and rum, eyeballing each other to see who would be victorious. Dominoes is a fierce sport in Cuba!
It gets better: August is Carnival month along the Malecon Beach. Carnival is celebrated in August for Fidel's birthday. During Carnival, people everywhere dance on the sand, in the streets, in the bars, and in the cafes. There are floats, parades, fireworks, and costumes. Not as much skin as Rio, but just as fun! I will post some pictures below so you can see for yourself.
Notice the 1950s style American cars left over from another era, the omni-present image of Che Guevara, the Spanish architecture from colonial times, the brightly colored houses, the amazing street art, and of course, the famous bar El Floridita in Old Havana, where you can create your own graffiti message. I left my mark on the wall just like another famous writer, Ernest Hemingway. Can you see my message on the wall?? Enjoy a mojito while you are there. ;-)
The best part of my trip, besides meeting the wonderful Cuban people, was seeing The Buena Vista Social Club perform live. These amazing octogenarians dancing and singing their hearts out were such an inspiration. So much energy!! They are living examples of how music keeps us young, unites us, and empowers us!! Viva la musica de Cuba! See them live at Carnegie Hall singing here: http://youtu.be/UXwLBS3yUkA
In sum, Cuba is an island of contrasts: vitality and oppression, poverty and wealth, laughter and malaise, free medical treatment but no medicine, African religion in Catholic churches under an atheist government, stunning architecture and ancient decay, pristine ocean waters for tourists only, black skin, white skin, mulatto skin, communist economics mixed with capitalist dollars, where rum is cheaper than water, and every Cuban is fascinated and curious about the rest of the world because they cannot leave. All of this, and more, juxtaposed on this small island in the Caribbean. I am left, in awe.
How do they live in a world with so many contrasts?
Ay, no hay que llorar, que la vida es un carnaval,
-Y es mas bello vivir cantando.
Which means, there is no reason to cry, life is like a Carnival, it is better to live singing.
Happy New Year to everyone around the world!! First, I would like to share my Miraclecatcher New Year's Wishes with you:
May 2011 be your best year yet!! As you know, I am sharing my tips on how to Travel 4 Free all over the world. So here are more tips that I hope you will use to follow your dreams and go anywhere your heart desires.
Travel Secret #8
Become an Aupair, Nanny or Child-Care Giver
I have several friends who have come to the USA as aupairs (or nannies). You must love kids and live with the family. The benefits are that you get free room, board, and sometimes a car!! You will also get days off to travel on your own, plus a salary. This site www.culturalcare.comwas recommended to me. Moreover, you not only get to live in another country for free, but you get to travel with the family that you work for. Some of the places that my friends have gone as nannies are: Hawaii, Cape Cod, and Miami. As an added bonus you can accumulate frequent flier miles to get more free flights on your days off!! You will, no doubt, need excellent recommendations and complete interviews and questionnaires to apply. If you are young, responsible, adaptable, love kids, and can move to another country for at least a year or more, this is a good way to go.
Travel Secret #9
Get A Job On A Cruise Ship
I would like to try this option. You can work for short periods of time or long ones. Every cruise ship has hundreds of employees and jobs available. Even though you will be working while on the ship, you will get days off to explore the many ports of call. Plus, the salary is pretty good! One site quoted $10-55 USD per hour, plus tips for cruise ship jobs. Furthermore, since most cruise lines are in partnerships with airlines and travel companies, you may get big discounts on other travel ammenities like flights. This is a good way to see many places and meet many people from around the world. Maybe you would like to move to another country, but are not sure where?? I recommend checking out many possible places first on a short visit. To get a job on a cruise ship, you need to apply directly to the cruise line company, such as Carnival or Royal Caribbean http://www.royalcaribbean.com/ourCompany/career.do. Here is a site with more info on jobs http://www.cruiselinesjobs.com/ It says that you need a valid passport and be proficient in English.
Travel Secret #10
Be A Contestant on a Game Show
This is a funny story... One of the benefits of growing up in Los Angeles is that many TV shows are filmed there. In 1997, I was at the beach in Santa Monica and was approached by a recruiter. He asked me if I wanted to be on "The Dating Game" TV show. I said, "Hmmm...What do I win?" He said, "You win an all expenses paid trip anywhere in the USA." I said, "Do I really have to go on the date?" He said,"No, you get your own ticket and your own hotel room." So I thought it would be fun. I had to fill out a questionnaire about my life, go to a group interview, and do a on-camera test. It was all very silly and fun. The upside--I got a free makeover and had a great laugh while filming. When they asked me where I wanted to go, I chose Chicago. I went on the trip alone and stayed a beautiful hotel downtown overlooking Lake Michigan. If you want to try your luck on a game show, here is the website to be a contestant on Who Wants to Be a Millionairehttp://www.dadt.com/millionaire/auditions/index.html If you cannot get on a show as a contestant, you can be in the audience instead. They usually film these shows in LA or NY. So being in the audience might be a fun thing to do while you are there on vacation. Check out this site for FREE "Price Is Right" Tickets http://www.cbs.com/daytime/the_price_is_right/tickets/ !! Have fun!!
**Travel Spot of the Week: Italy**
Of course, I have a weak spot for Italy because my dad is Italian. But even if I weren't Italian, I would still love Italy. Let's start with: lemon gelato in the summertime, Renaissance art, pizza alla diavola, the romance, the wine, the olive oil, the food; did I say the food? the country-side, dining al fresco by candlelight, the beautiful clothes and beautiful men, oops I mean people (;-)... I could go on and on... Here is a video of some of my favorite places in Italy. I was lucky enough to live in Florence, Rome, and Milan in the early 90s.
Here are some of my Must-Dos in Italy: ride a motorcycle/or even a bicycle through Tuscany, sail to the island of Elba, dance at the Carnavale di Venezia, enjoy" bacio" gelato in Florence, marvel at Botticelli at the Uffizi museum, sample the wineries of Montepulciano, Trentino, Udine, stuff yourself with mozzarella affumicata in Campagna, walk the winding streets of Le Cinque Terre, kiss someone in Positano on The Amalfi Coast, go fishing in Sicily, listen to opera at La Scala, relax on a gondola in Venice. And without exception, befriend the warm, hospitable Italian people who are always ready to invite you into their hearts. Grazie Italia, sei sempre nel mio cuore. miraclecatcher.com
**Packing Secrets**
For those of you who travel a lot or who travel a little, I have some great packing tips for you.
1. Only bring what you can carry by yourself. I can remember crying in the Narita airport one time because I had too many #^%$#&(&( suitcases!! 2. Bring old clothes with you, so if you are in a place where people have less, you can give them all away when you leave. Giving makes the world go 'round. 3. Roll, roll, roll. Yes, it really does work!! Roll your clothes into small balls and squeeze them into all the tiny little corners of your bag/suitcase. 4. You never need as many clothes as you think you do. Heck, if you are going to a warm place, all you need is a bathing suit and a sarong (a wrap). One piece of fabric has a plethora of uses. In Asia, my sarong served as a towel, a dress, a skirt, a blanket, a curtain, a head-wrap, etc.. You get the idea. 5. This is the best one!! When you carry your whole life in a backpack for a year, you learn that life is not really about stuff. So I made a rule. If I buy one new item, I need to give one item away, i.e., if I get a new pair of shoes, I need to give an old pair away. This way my bag never gets heavier. By the way, I still use this rule in my house. It keeps things very simple and Feng Shui-ed. :-))
Well that is all for today my friends. Thank you for stopping by. Wishing you a new year filled with bliss, adventure, and expansion. Spread your wings and fly higher. MM
Happy Holidays to everyone around the world!! Thank you for stopping by to visit! This week's post is dedicated to some of my students who are traveling around the USA by car. Since I am a huge fan of road trips, I want to share some of my favorite tips with you, especially, how to travel for free, how to take great pictures, and how to have lots of fun in the process! Never underestimate the importance of FUN!
Here I am Parasailing in the Bahamas! Fly High! Dream Big!!
Travel Tip #6 ***Buy A Car, Drive, Sell It When You're Done***
I have used this tip or seen it used in the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In Australia and New Zealand many backpackers sell their cars loaded with camping accessories included in the price! You can find these used cars on www.craigslist.com, or on the message boards at the many backpackers hostels around the world. The best place to start is a major city where there are many used cars to choose from. And when you finish your trip, pick another big city to sell your car in, e.g., LA to NY, Vancouver to Montreal, Melbourne to Cairns, or Auckland to Christchurch. Also, if you have more time, you could drive in a circle to see different destinations. This tip is best if you have a month or more so that you have adequate time to stop and enjoy each place and enough time to buy and sell your car. I recommend that you do a thorough check-up of the car before purchasing.
If you do not want to run the risk of breaking down, rent a car or ride the bus. In Europe, most people buy a Eurail Pass and ride the train. However, the advantage of buying a car and then selling it is that you can sell your car for the same price you bought it for, and therefore, saving yourself lots of $$$. And even though you need to pay for gasoline, you get the added bonus of being able to carry your camping equipment in the car which saves you a bundle on hotel fees. Most campgrounds are clean, safe, organized, and cheap. They also have kitchens with dishes, pots and pans so you can cook your own meals to save money. I was particularly impressed with the campgrounds in New Zealand and Alaska. Up in Fairbanks, you can rent your very own Native American Tee-Pee.
One more benefit: as a photographer, I love to travel by car because it is easy for me to stop, jump out and catch the perfect shot or lighting. On a train or bus, I do not have such freedom. This was especially important in Alaska and Africa, where I often saw wild animals on the side of the road, and was able to stop, and get in and out quickly. P.S. Make sure you keep a safe distance from wildlife, approach very slowly, and use a good telephoto lens! When I ran into a mama bear in Alaska, I started singing jazz to calm her. Miraculously, it worked...or maybe she was full. ;-) I suggest you use this tip only if you have a decent singing voice, if not, it might backfire. LOL!
Here is a moose looking at me from the road in Denali Nat'l Park, Alaska ;-)
If you like what you see, please click on this "Like" button to share on Facebook!
Travel Tip #7 ***Become a Courier, Fly for Free***
I have heard about this method, but have not tried it myself. You can work as a mail/message courier and fly at a discounted rate or for free! You are employed directly by the courier company, however you do not earn a salary. The perk is that you get to fly to whatever destination your package needs to be delivered to round trip. This method is great for people who like to travel alone and who are great at packing lightly! Here is the link for a site that has an excellent explanation of the pros and cons of becoming a courier. http://www.gonomad.com/transports/0011/miniguide_air_courier.html My advice is that you seach google for the various messenger companies and look at their requirements as only persons with specific passports can apply.
On a related note, there are also car delivery companies that hire people to drive cross-country. So if you need a job and like to travel, consider car delivery as an interesting way to to make money and see the countryside for free!
Travel Spot of the Week:
California, USA
Here is a video of a road trip I took up the California Coast (Highway 1) stopping in Santa Barbara, Morrow Bay, Big Sur, Monterey, Carmel, and Santa Cruz. Along this rugged coast line, you will be treated to views of the gorgeous Pacific waves on your left and majestic pine tree forests on your right. Some of my other favorite places to visit in California are: Yosemite National Park, Mammoth Mountain, Lake Tahoe, Anza Borrego National Park, Palm Springs, Solvang, and Joshua Tree National Park. Also, if you like wine tasting, visit Napa, Sonoma, Santa Ynez, San Luis Obispo, and Temecula wineries. The best thing about California, you can surf and ski in the same day!
Photo Tip of the Week: ***Spend Some Time Alone with Your Camera***
Many people have asked to join me on photo shoot. But I always graciously decline. To get a great shot, it takes focus: focus in your camera and focus in your mind. So much of our daily life is rife with constant stimulation, cell phones, email, text messaging, etc. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to go out for a walk alone with your camera. I do not shoot as often as some photographers, but when I go out on photo shoot, I go with only one objective in mind: See The Miracle. When I was traveling in some of the most remote areas of the planet, I had no distractions, only my lens and my connection with nature. People often ask me why I named my company Miraclecatcher. Here is the answer: when I stop, breathe, and listen, I can feel and appreciate how beautiful and amazing this planet is. Thus, by catching miracles, I found peace. That is my wish for all of you--peace in your mind and peace in your heart.
Welcome back! It's good to see you! My name is Micaela aka the Miraclecatcher. Each week, I am sharing my secrets on traveling for free. After 25 years and 50 countries, I have a lot to talk about.
Thank you to all the people who read my first blog post last week--readers from 26 countries united in their love of travel. WOW! I am so excited! This week I have added some new and exciting things to the blog. I will not only be sharing 2 new travel tips, but also highlighting one of my favorite countries, and giving specific instructions on how to take better photos. Are you ready? Let's get rolling!!
If you like what you see, please click on this "Like" button to share on Facebook!
Travel Secret #4
**Get a Scholarship to Study Abroad***
In 1990, I received a scholarship from the Rotary International Foundation to be an Ambassador of Goodwill for one year in Italy. The scholarship paid all of my school fees, food, lodging, and travel expenses. I am very grateful to the Rotarians that sponsored my trip, especially to the members of the Santa Barbara and Milan Rotary Clubs. Each year, thousands of dollars of scholarship money goes unused. Check out this site to view some of the many scholarships available by region and topic.http://www.studyabroadfunding.org/
As an exchange student in many countries, I learned so many valuable things, such as communicating in different languages, adapting to cultural differences, how to handle challenges, and that people on this planet are fundamentally the same. Most importantly, I want to emphasize that scholarship money is out there and available. So use it! Many of the students that I teach in the USA are here because of government scholarships..
What skills will you need to get a scholarship? Most importantly: a passion for learning, a specific goal, and a love of people. When I applied for my scholarship, I wrote several essays, did a personal interview, and chose the topic I wanted to study. Whatever your passion, there is a scholarship out there for you. But you must be willing to ASK, ASK, ASK! Gandhi said, you don't G-E-T, if you don't A-S-K! It is all about having the courage to go out there and seize the opportunities. ;-)
Travel Secret #5
**Get a Corporate Sponsor***
There are some really cool ways to travel for free with a corporate sponsor. As long as you showcase their brand, companies will pay you to move around the world and advertise for them. Cool, huh?
Let me tell you some of the most creative ways I have seen this in action:
Take my friend Jamie Bianchini who cycled through 81 countries. He got Panasonic and some other big companies to sponsor his ride. While traveling, he saw some amazing scenery and met some wonderful human beings who rode with him on the back of his tandem bike. Check out the map of his journey onhttp://peacepedalers.com/.
Some other innovative ways I have seen are: A Range Rover jeep covered in logos traveling from Alaska to Argentina or this minivan carrying research scientists from Italy to China. Check out the their adventure: http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?cl=22684835.
If you are riding a bike, driving a car or motorcycle, or even flying a glider plane, you can get paid for wearing/displaying a logo! After all, this strategy benefits both you and the sponsor. You get to travel for free and they get easy advertising and good press. Win-Win!!
Travel Spot of the Week:
***Angkor Wat, Cambodia***
Each week, I will introduce you to some of the most beautiful and miraculous places on our planet. This time, I choose Angkor Wat. What do I remember about Angkor? First, that I was there on 9/11/01. It was surreal to be in the one the most mystical places on the planet on a day of such sadness and destruction. Angkor Wat is a cluster of Hindu and Buddhist Temples built in the 12th century. The juxtaposition of the images of smiling children who chased after my bike, chaos on CNN news, and Buddha's serene face carved in stone remain forever seared in my memory. To learn more about Angkor, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angkor_Wat. My advice is to get to Siem Reap by truck/bus from Thailand. If you come from Phnom Pehn or Vietnam take the boat up the Mekong River, especially during the rainy season!
I spent several days visiting all the temples at Angkor, riding on the back of a young teenage boy's moped. Hire one driver for the whole time you are there to support the local economy. The moped bikes look sketchy, but to experience Cambodia, you've got to live a little. Life is short--riding on ancient dirt roads full of potholes during a thunderstorm is an adventure in and of itself. You can also get some pretty interesting motion shots ;-) Here are some of my pictures from Cambodia. Enjoy!
***The Best Shot is Behind You, Below You or Above You.***
Most people stand in front of a famous building, shoot from the front with their own eye-view, then walk away. What are they missing? Perspective!!! In photography, it is all about perspective, i.e., the angle in which you view the subject. I advise turning around. Shoot what is behind you, not what is in front. Or even better, get down low on your elbows, or climb up higher to shoot down to change your perspective. This will make your pictures much more creative and interesting. My personal favorite is using the macro lens to get up close and personal. People often ask me what kind of camera I recommend. So, here below, I have showcased the cameras I use. Next week, I will share more photo tips. Stay tuned!
I look forward to hearing your travel stories. Below in the comment section, you can share your favorite travel story. Remember that the best comment in November wins a 2011 Miraclecatcher Photography Calendar shot by yours truly.
Well, that's all for now. Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week!
My name is Micaela Bellopede aka the Miraclecatcher. Over the last 25 years, I have been to about 50 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, Central America, North America, Oceania, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. People always ask me how I travel to so many places for free. Well, here's how. Each week, I will be sharing my travel secrets with you. Are you ready?? Let's go!!!
Travel Secret #1: ***Get someone else to pay your expenses***
In 2001-2002, I traveled to 12 counties in Asia and Oceania on $5000 USD. Even better, I got the whole thing paid for by someone else!! Here's how I did it... On www.eslcafe.com, I found a job to teach English in Korea for one month. For these jobs, you need to be a native English speaker and have a B.A. degree in any subject. The compensation included salary, travel, food, and a suite in a 5 star hotel! Since I did not have any expenses while there, I was able to use all of my salary toward traveling. Thus, one month of teaching paid for 6 months of travel, food, and expenses throughout South East Asia, where on average I spent $5 US dollars per day. After the first 6 months of traveling around Asia, I flew back to Korea for another month of teaching which paid for the next 6 months of travel through Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. 10 months of beaches, 2 months of work--what a wonderful life! Next week, I will share more about jobs around the world that include free travel. Stay tuned! You can see my pictures atwww.miraclecatcher.com
Travel Secret #2:
***Buy Around the World Travel Passes***
Since many Asian companies will pay for half of your airfare expenses if you come to teach English for them, I suggest that you ask the company to give cash for your flight and purchase a "Circle Asia" or "Around the World" pass instead. This way you can use your ticket to fly to anywhere between 4-10 countries over the course of one year. So when you are done teaching, you can take the long, unbeaten path home.
"Circle Asia" passes are cheaper than "Around the World" passes because they allow fewer stops. These passes are usually sold by "consolidators" or "airline brokers". Try looking in the LA Times Travel Section in the back where the ads are.
Travel Secret #3:
***Frequent Flier Miles, Baby!*** All I can say is: enroll, enroll, enroll!! I am in every airline frequent flier program under the sun! When you travel, you rack up enough miles so that your next flight is free. How do you enroll? Go to the airline website and click on "Miles Program". Always keep your boarding pass stubs to get credit. On average I earn at least 2 or 3 free flights per year. An easy tip: keep your frequent flier numbers saved in your phone so can access them quickly at the airport. I will discuss how to generate more frequent flier miles in my next blog post. Stay tuned. P.S. If you are not using your miles, please consider donating them to charity. Go to "donate miles" on your airline website. You can help children in need like the ones at The Good Hope School in Uganda. www.goodhopeschool.netSee video of my trip below. If you would like to donate or volunteer at the school, please contact:miraclecatcher.foundation@gmail.com
