Jetsetter Imperative: Friends!

People always ask me how I am able to do so much traveling. Considering that I am not working, there are many factors that go into this equation.

1. I saved several thousand dollars while I was working in Japan (a concept that seems to be foreign to most people, including that evil customs agent in Fort Lauderdale that put me through the ringer).
2. I always find super cheap airline deals,
3. I have a HUGE network of friends that live all around the globe and if I don’t have a friend that lives in a city or country that I am visiting, then a friend has a friend that lives in that city or country, either way I have someone to show me around.

The reason I choose to stay with friends and friends of friends during my various travels, is not only because it is cheaper, but it also allows me to experience a place through the eyes of a local. I HATE tourists, therefore I never play one on TV or in real life. 🙂 While I can appreciate iconic sites of certain cities and countries, I much prefer to eat at local favorite restaurants and party at clubs that are well known and loved by locals. So if you don’t have friends all over the world just yet, I suggest you start socializing in airports, on Facebook, on Twitter, on the street, in restaurants, wherever it is that you are. I realize that sometimes I might talk too much, but my talking has allowed me to meet and become friends with people all over the world and it pays off in soooooooo many ways.