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I Quit My Job, Sold My Things And Backpacked Around The World For 3 Years To 60 Countries
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I Quit My Job, Sold My Things And Backpacked Around The World For 3 Years To 60 Countries

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Exhausted from the job I didn’t study for, I decided it’s time to travel. For nearly a year I slept at friends’ places, worked additional hours and sold much of what I owned. On Sept 13th 2011, I boarded on a plane for what would eventually become a 3-year-trip around the world to 60 countries.

Budget backpacking across the world can be incredibly frustrating. I hitchhiked, stayed overnight in many airports, slept outside in parks, and camped. I was robbed of everything in Chile and had my camera gear ruined by water in Uganda. I nearly died when my car flipped over in the deserts of Namibia.

Nevertheless, strangers were willing to befriend me by taking me around their city, buying me meals, or providing me a place to sleep. Travelling keeps us alert about our differences and prevents us from taking the easy close minded way out. I hope to reach an audience outside of my immediate network to inspire others to travel.

More info: wecallthishome.com

I had just graduated when the global recession hit in 2008

Taman Sari Water Castle – Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Suddenly all the loans I took out to pay for my diploma seemed like a cruel joke

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Arirang Games – Pyongyang, North Korea

So instead of pursuing work in the film industry,the profession I’d studied for, I decided to work as an audio visual technician

Sulfur Mining – Ijen Plateau, Indonesia

It was nothing but a short detour I told myself

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Cappadocia, Turkey

But, three years later, I was still there and tired from being overworked

Machu Picchu, Peru

Sometime during 2010, I began dreaming of quitting my job and traveling through Southeast Asia for three months

Koh Lanta, Thailand

For nearly a year, I saved up money by sleeping at friends’ places

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12 Apostles – Great Ocean Road, Australia

I worked additional hours and sold much of what I owned

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Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe

On Sept 13th 2011, I boarded on a plane for what would eventually become a 3-year-trip around the world to 60 countries

Bagan, Myanmar

A long vacation may sound glamorous, but budget backpacking across the world can be incredibly frustrating

Milford Sound, New Zealand

I hitchhiked, took 30 hour train rides, stayed overnight in many airports, slept outside in parks, camped, and couchsurfed

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Kyoto, Japan

I caught food poisoning several times, was robbed of everything in Chile and had my camera gear ruined by water in Uganda

Street Cap Ball – Havana, Cuba

I nearly died when my car flipped over in the deserts of Namibia

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Semonkong, Lesotho

Nevertheless, strangers were willing to befriend me by taking me around their city, buying me meals, or providing me a place to sleep

U Bein Bridge – Amarapura, Myanmar

It bothered me that I was receiving so much yet giving back very little

Carnival – Olinda, Brazil

So through images I’m hoping to reach an audience outside of my immediate network to inspire others to travel

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Bathing in the Ganges RIver – Varanasi, India

Because travelling keeps us alert about our differences and prevents us from taking the easy close minded way out

Pamir Highway, Tajikistan

This has been my way of giving back

Vilankulo, Mozambique

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Walter Chang

Walter Chang

Author, Community member

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Quit my job in 2011 and traveled the world for 3 years to 60 countries. I'm currently working on self publishing a book about my experiences.

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Walter Chang

Walter Chang

Author, Community member

Quit my job in 2011 and traveled the world for 3 years to 60 countries. I'm currently working on self publishing a book about my experiences.

What do you think ?
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NatalieTanner
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm happy to hear someone is aware of 'taking so much but giving back so little' just to realize that and verbalize it....is huge. I love your photos and sharing the beauty in the world is giving back. Love the post.

klem39
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ever thought of sending them a copy of their Photo? only cost a few cents and means so much!

Load More Replies...
GlynisLailann
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No-One can take away your memories or experiences when travelling. At least you can tell the world that you have been there and done that - that my friend, is worth far more than any material possession.

MaryAmar
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

'ALTER UOU ARE REALLY GREATֱ YOU ARE FEARLESSֱ ן THINK THAT YOU SHOULD MAKE PRESENTATIONS TO STUDENTS AND SOCIAL GROUPS ABOUT ALL THIS BEAUTIFUL WORK YOU MADEֱ GOOD LUCKֱ

CristinaGrațielaChiran
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How brave you've been! Great photos Especially the one from Varanasi :) the lessons that the traveller learns during the journey are invaluable... Thanks for sharing that with the world!

Yoka
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wonderful! do it while you can!!! You have inspired us!!!

AndreaNg
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What camera and video cam did you use? Was thinking of doing the same on all my trips starting now.

Ravichoudhary
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not easy for me, being Indian....I need certificate of employment and good financial statement... to just get a visa.

MelissaP
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is amazing and incredibly inspiring!! Backpacking across the world is one of my biggest bucket list items! I hope to one day soon!

SpencerMorgan
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He showed photos from 16 countries, the text mentions 2 more, the video shows a map starting in the US, the web site at the end of the video has 2 more and a map that seems to show 68 countries. Here is a link showing the countries: http://mapbake.com/#=IXWqir3!dms=4muuYm%5DYPuUA%5D22j#%22Walter%20Chang%27s%20Travels%22

SpencerMorgan
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some bracket characters "]" were removed from the url. I will try to put it in quotes. It should be "http://mapbake.com/#=IXWqir3!dms=4muuYm]YPuUA]22j#%22Walter%20Chang%27s%20Travels%22"

Load More Replies...
LunaIndigo
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your story is incredible, and by being brave and following your instincts you have gained so much more than you would have in any company. Well done on a beautiful journey. When I grow up I want to be brave like you :P

KennethSilagy
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So when you get lemons you make lemonade? As touted by some your freeloading, mooching, slacking, gave to you one of the best educations ever! Amazing, nice photography very brave venture in todays world. Your very lucky to be alive.

GOLDENSTARVISALINKS
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wazifa for Visa Problems If you are facing any issues/problems regarding specially visas/going abroad due to visa problems. You want your visa to be sucessful or you want to get your visa immediately for your emergency needs. Do not panic, have a lot of patience, insha ALLAH you will get your visa as soon as possible. please!! do not doubt any wazifa before or during performing it. Otherwise, you will loose actually. Here is the Surah from Quran-e-Kareem, and how to perform this wazifa for any countries visas first you will start wazifa you will taken manzoori to do this THANKS MY MUSLIMS BROTHERS ************************************************************** GOLDEN STAR VISA LINKS LEGAL APPLY REAL VISA OF COUNTRIES Successful passports visa services Successful Consultancy available for visited visa Comp

RaduGhiocel
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reality : And after 3 years you came back with nothing but the good memories of your trip and you were reduce to blogging about it in order to make a living ... nice .

MichaelScott
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

So, in short, and to sum up, you're a freeloading, mooching, unemployed slacker who lives off of what other people work hard to make/earn. You bum.

NatalieTanner
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm happy to hear someone is aware of 'taking so much but giving back so little' just to realize that and verbalize it....is huge. I love your photos and sharing the beauty in the world is giving back. Love the post.

klem39
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ever thought of sending them a copy of their Photo? only cost a few cents and means so much!

Load More Replies...
GlynisLailann
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No-One can take away your memories or experiences when travelling. At least you can tell the world that you have been there and done that - that my friend, is worth far more than any material possession.

MaryAmar
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

'ALTER UOU ARE REALLY GREATֱ YOU ARE FEARLESSֱ ן THINK THAT YOU SHOULD MAKE PRESENTATIONS TO STUDENTS AND SOCIAL GROUPS ABOUT ALL THIS BEAUTIFUL WORK YOU MADEֱ GOOD LUCKֱ

CristinaGrațielaChiran
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How brave you've been! Great photos Especially the one from Varanasi :) the lessons that the traveller learns during the journey are invaluable... Thanks for sharing that with the world!

Yoka
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wonderful! do it while you can!!! You have inspired us!!!

AndreaNg
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What camera and video cam did you use? Was thinking of doing the same on all my trips starting now.

Ravichoudhary
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not easy for me, being Indian....I need certificate of employment and good financial statement... to just get a visa.

MelissaP
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is amazing and incredibly inspiring!! Backpacking across the world is one of my biggest bucket list items! I hope to one day soon!

SpencerMorgan
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He showed photos from 16 countries, the text mentions 2 more, the video shows a map starting in the US, the web site at the end of the video has 2 more and a map that seems to show 68 countries. Here is a link showing the countries: http://mapbake.com/#=IXWqir3!dms=4muuYm%5DYPuUA%5D22j#%22Walter%20Chang%27s%20Travels%22

SpencerMorgan
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some bracket characters "]" were removed from the url. I will try to put it in quotes. It should be "http://mapbake.com/#=IXWqir3!dms=4muuYm]YPuUA]22j#%22Walter%20Chang%27s%20Travels%22"

Load More Replies...
LunaIndigo
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your story is incredible, and by being brave and following your instincts you have gained so much more than you would have in any company. Well done on a beautiful journey. When I grow up I want to be brave like you :P

KennethSilagy
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So when you get lemons you make lemonade? As touted by some your freeloading, mooching, slacking, gave to you one of the best educations ever! Amazing, nice photography very brave venture in todays world. Your very lucky to be alive.

GOLDENSTARVISALINKS
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wazifa for Visa Problems If you are facing any issues/problems regarding specially visas/going abroad due to visa problems. You want your visa to be sucessful or you want to get your visa immediately for your emergency needs. Do not panic, have a lot of patience, insha ALLAH you will get your visa as soon as possible. please!! do not doubt any wazifa before or during performing it. Otherwise, you will loose actually. Here is the Surah from Quran-e-Kareem, and how to perform this wazifa for any countries visas first you will start wazifa you will taken manzoori to do this THANKS MY MUSLIMS BROTHERS ************************************************************** GOLDEN STAR VISA LINKS LEGAL APPLY REAL VISA OF COUNTRIES Successful passports visa services Successful Consultancy available for visited visa Comp

RaduGhiocel
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reality : And after 3 years you came back with nothing but the good memories of your trip and you were reduce to blogging about it in order to make a living ... nice .

MichaelScott
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

So, in short, and to sum up, you're a freeloading, mooching, unemployed slacker who lives off of what other people work hard to make/earn. You bum.

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