
Oct 182013
In the spirit of stepping off the beaten path, which folks in photo and film must often do, this post is in response to a topic I recently came across. Hacking the travel industry.
Each of us has been a victim at one time or another of that crippling mindset, Yeah, I'd love to but I just can't make it happen at the moment. Soon though. This can be applied to many scenarios but all too often traveling seems to be the culprit. That needs to change.
Author, speaker and general lifestyle hacker, Chris Guillebeau, The $100 Startup and The Art of Non-Conformity, recently sat down with photographer and all around creative, Chase Jarvis, to discuss and share the many avenues he has come to hack is way around the world seemingly countless times. I'm not going to regurgitate every detail of their conversation but it stands to mention opening one's mind to the possibility that the limitations we place on ourselves often at times are just that, in our control and no one's fault but our own.
It is worth noting, no one is claiming this is easy. If it were, everyone would be out there globetrotting and documenting it left and right. It is this very challenge that keeps folks from realizing the potential exists and remaining confined to their surroundings. Some simple tips and sites can help jumpstart anyone itchin' to take that fantasy trip:
Purchasing Power Spend you money where you can multiply miles most effectively. My favorite of Chris' advice, buy gas cards at stores where miles are 2x or even 5x rather than 1x at the gas station.
www.cardsfortravel.com - Find credit cards offering competitive travel and mileage offers.
www.milepoint.com Track glitches in airline offers.
Check out Chris Guillebeau on ChaseJarvisLIVE for some more.
Bottom line, traveling is usually the hardest part of getting anywhere. If you've been wanting to shoot the pyramids at sunset or the streets of Paris there is no reason why you shouldn't. It just takes time, patience and a willingness to find your own way.
Get out there. Hack your travel game.