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Brandon-
climber
The Granite State.
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Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 14, 2013 - 07:08pm PT
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Hey,
Big changes here, the house I live in is going on the market this summer. My dad is my landlord. He's giving up his business as an electrical contractor to move south. My brother is his apprentice, and he's moving to Colorado. So, I've got to move out of a neighborhood I grew up in. I'm single, early thirties, and have nothing keeping me here other than my animals.
My heart tells me to give up my meager worldly possessions and my dogs to travel central and south america indifenitely. Working for however long I want in a given place. I've got a trade to use, and there are options like woofers where room and board could be procured. This wouldn't be a long vacation, more like a classy vagabond existence.
Has anyone here done this? It's extremely appealing to me. I'm not averse to hardship or poverty, it's the wealth gained through experience that draws me.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Mar 14, 2013 - 07:10pm PT
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Have you noticed the dogs looking at you in a weird way since you've concocted
this scheme? Don't think they don't know already.
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Brandon-
climber
The Granite State.
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 14, 2013 - 07:16pm PT
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My old dog is the crux. I'm not sure if I can leave him in even the best of families. Honestly, he's been everywhere with me for nine years.
And, the Americas go way south of Texas.
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mechrist
Gym climber
South of Heaven
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Mar 14, 2013 - 07:22pm PT
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Follow your dreams. Sounds pretty fun. Just make sure your old buddy is taken care of first... not "taken care of" but you know...
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limpingcrab
Trad climber
the middle of CA
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Mar 14, 2013 - 07:32pm PT
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I have only done this on a small scale, for one year. Tahoe, Boston, Eastern Europe, Central America. But I know several people who have tried to do the long haul.
Seems like the only people who become permanent ex-pats or vagabonds do so because the're mad about something. Other vagabonds I know/knew travel until they realize that everywhere is essentially the same because humans are humans, and then learn to satisfy themselves with things like friends and family instead of locations and experiences. Someone in the USA dreams of travelling around South America, then they meet a South American who wants to get away to Europe, then they meet a European who wants to go to the USA, and everyone keeps moving until they realize that location isn't the important part of life.
Of course these are just some observations and generalizations, so who knows. I vote go for it so you don't regret not knowing, but I think you'll be back. Or at least permanently settled somewhere. You won't know unless you give it a shot! Sometimes learning something isn't right for you is just as important as finding something that is.
The short version: do it
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Leggs
Sport climber
Home away from Home
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Mar 14, 2013 - 07:33pm PT
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Let your instincts guide you, Brandon, and enjoy the journey of making the decision.
I don't feel the need to pipe in and tell you what to do with your doggie... you're not an idiot.
~peace
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10b4me
Boulder climber
takin' the scenic route to Montana
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Mar 14, 2013 - 07:34pm PT
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how old is the dog? 9 or older?
and if you have had the dog for nine years, it will be hard on it for you to up and leave.
you're young. got plenty of years to travel
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Brandon-
climber
The Granite State.
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 14, 2013 - 07:43pm PT
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Do you think if I bought a ticket for him, I could park the dog in a seat on busses?
That would be stressful, but way better than travelling without him.
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
www.climbaddictdesigns.com
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Mar 14, 2013 - 07:47pm PT
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If the dog is certified as a service dog, they can go anywhere. But I have the feeling your dog, like my precious Teddy, isn't an official service dog.
And no...city buses don't generally allow dogs on board. Nor does Amtrak, nor doe the US National Park Service, not a host of other places. (But Metro North train DOES!)
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cleo
Social climber
the canyon below the Ditch!!!!
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Mar 14, 2013 - 07:48pm PT
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Wwofing might be an option, but I'm not sure you can expect any compensation other than room and board while traveling, because:
a) there are already lots of people who have skills in trades in foreign countries
b) the standards for trades might be lots lower - somebody's uncle might be hired instead, regardless of skill (*not my experience, but I talked to a well-traveled Canadian electrician about this issue in SE Asia)
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c) if they really are looking for skilled workers, you probably need an official work permit, unless you already have a contact
Are you under 30? You might look into "Working Holiday" visas. Many countries offer then, including New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the UK, etc. I'm not sure about South America, but I'd recommend looking closely into it if you plan on depending on any sort of income while you traveling (traveler's forums might have a lot of answers - googling your questions is a good place to start).
Good luck, and hell yes go for it.
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cleo
Social climber
the canyon below the Ditch!!!!
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Mar 14, 2013 - 07:50pm PT
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Oh, and dogs are awesome, but I'd try and see if a good friend might be willing to watch them for a few months. I would not try foreign travel with a dog unless you have a LOT of money.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Mar 14, 2013 - 07:53pm PT
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Go for it. Make sure you're wanderings tske you as far as Patagonia. If you're there next Dec. to March check out our place on Lago General Carrera. Might even save an unclimbed peak for you.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Mar 14, 2013 - 07:53pm PT
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Brandon, make an offer to the owner of this place in El Chalten to put in
a couple of windows. Sheesh, you'd think you'd want one to look at
Fitzroy, wouldn't you?
Or maybe you could build a stairway for this guy!
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Brandon-
climber
The Granite State.
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 14, 2013 - 07:56pm PT
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Dogs... right what about the younger dog?
Dogs, plural. The younger one is great, but dumb and happy enough to be stoked with any good owner. Sounds callous, but it's true. My old man owns his litter mate and would be happy to take him. The two dogs have grown up together.
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mechrist
Gym climber
South of Heaven
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Mar 14, 2013 - 07:56pm PT
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I love dogs WAY more than people. I fail to see how leaving a good dog in a good home is a bad thing. It is a relationship after all and when the autumn moon lights your way you gotta ramble on. When my dog decided to wander NV or MT or CO for a couple days I wasn't about to interfere with his decision.
I know a lady who takes old dogs from similar situations and gives them some of the best years of their lives. Way better than if they had been resented for changing with the original owner's path in life.
Obviously you'd have to make sure he was going to a good place.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Mar 14, 2013 - 07:58pm PT
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Reilly, El Chalten is an abomination.....it makes the towns of Moab and Joshua Tree, as totally sucky as they are, actually look good. When i first went down there was just a large field full of sheep where the town now is. The sheep heard you were coming and fled before the first building went up.
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Binks
climber
Uranus
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Mar 14, 2013 - 07:59pm PT
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Has anyone done this?
Yes, and after about 6 months the romanticism of it fades. I wouldn't plan "indefinitely". Try a shorter span.
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Brandon-
climber
The Granite State.
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 14, 2013 - 08:05pm PT
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In a perfect world, I'd like to travel until I found a place down south to spend a few years in.
Lacking capital, I'm not sure how feasible that is as a foreigner. I can sure find out though.
Gotta figure out the dog first though. I'm very attached to him.
I could give him to my ex, who raised him for his first five years with me. He'd love it, but...
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Mar 14, 2013 - 08:08pm PT
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Jim, I'd give El Chalten at least a couple steps on Joshua Tree. Granted,
it doesn't have a Circle K, but I didn't find it hard to put up with this:
And you won't find this in JTree:
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Mar 14, 2013 - 08:09pm PT
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Find the right place for the dogs and do this!
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