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[starlagurl]

I was reading this blog today:

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entri...1249595270.html

And the guy goes into how he's so awesome because he took the cheap way to Machu Picchu, it sounds rigorous... but what's it all for really?

Where do you draw the line between "having an adventure" and just being cheap?

Am I making sense with this one?

[polydemic]

Yes, you are making sense.

As long as he's enjoying his journey, he's doing well. If he gets to the point of sacrificing enjoyment, safety, health, or even his life, just to save more money, he's going way too far. So if he had a good time, despite the rigors, then he was clever to save money.

[kilgiraffe]

I think there's a certain extent of roughing it you can be proud of, trying to avoid all the touristy cliches etc etc. I do think walking through a power plant at 2am was a little extreme though

As for where to draw the line, I agree with poly when saying it's where your enjoyment level is. If you're not having fun, you're not doing it right

[vikik]

I was on a cheap little travel. I will not go into details, I will just say, I would better prefer to stay at home. People, don't let penny pincher to arrange your vacations - he will make you walk 30 min. to the beach, instead of going by car, because car enter costs 1.5 $!

[starlagurl]

Yes, you are making sense.

As long as he's enjoying his journey, he's doing well. If he gets to the point of sacrificing enjoyment, safety, health, or even his life, just to save more money, he's going way too far. So if he had a good time, despite the rigors, then he was clever to save money.

I think you summed it up quite nicely, thanks.

[laorfamily]

Some of the best adventures I had came as a result of being cheap

[starlagurl]

It's true, but I guess everyone has a different point where being cheap is no longer the goal... just being comfortable and safe is...

[laorfamily]

I see your point.

I'll remember pay extra for a room with AC in Rio and staying at the "expensive" hotel in La Paz ($3 a night instead of $1 - but it included breakfast).

[starlagurl]

Also, I was thinking, does this way of travel benefit the local economy? Should the goal of travel always be to "do it cheap"?

[laorfamily]

Sure it does.
He still bought food, stayed at a hotel, had to drink, paid to get in, hired a taxi, and took a bus back.

Helping the economy is relative. Someone staying in NYC for $100 a night, eating at hot dog vendors and drinking tap water is doing it "on the cheap' and isn't helping the economy even though they're spending $150 a day.

Someone in Peru, spending $50 a day (I'm sure he spent a bit more that day) is helping the economy a lot more.

[starlagurl]

That's what I mean, in places where it would benefit the economy more, maybe you should spend more.

In New York, do they really need your help? Maybe your conscience is OK with spending less there.

[rbisset]

That's what I mean, in places where it would benefit the economy more, maybe you should spend more.

In New York, do they really need your help? Maybe your conscience is OK with spending less there.

Do that and you push up the prices for everyone else. Nout wrong with being frugal on holiday. Travel is expensive

[jrheavymetal]

Whenever we travel my main concern is not helping out the economy, its in helping out my wallet. I travel cheap, except once when we stayed at a really nice hotel in NH for a week. Of course, that was before we had kids. I think having kids steers you toward the cheap side of travel.

[laorfamily]

That's what I mean, in places where it would benefit the economy more, maybe you should spend more.

In New York, do they really need your help? Maybe your conscience is OK with spending less there.

Like Einstein said "it's all relative".

From my travels in S. American I know that there is a "tourist price" for things vs. the "local" price. We still pay it because for us, another $1 won't make that much of a difference. Hell, if I remember correctly Peru was a free-for-all if you were a tourist (one of the many reasons I won't go back).

In some sense New Yorkers do need more help then some remote village in S. American because taking care of 8 million people stuck on an island with virtually no means of self support (farming, industry) is a lot more expensive.

I do agree with jrheavymetal, I don't think about helping the economy when I travel, just about my wallet and how far I can stretch a penny. I figure just by going somewhere I'm helping the economy already (I buy gas, food, maybe even a fridge magnet, pay entrance fees, etc.)

I think the question should be asked is "why do you think poor people are entiltled to my hard earned money"?

[starlagurl]

Do that and you push up the prices for everyone else.

Hmmm, interesting point, that gives me something to think about.

In some sense New Yorkers do need more help then some remote village in S. American because taking care of 8 million people stuck on an island with virtually no means of self support (farming, industry) is a lot more expensive.

Ha!

I think the question should be asked is "why do you think poor people are entiltled to my hard earned money"?

Maybe not entitled... but people can't help where they are born, and for a lot of people in the world, they were born into an endless cycle of brutal poverty...

I feel that the money we make in North America should be spread more evenly throughout the world... maybe this would help ... how... I don't know.

I like the microloans that you do, Zohar, I think that's a great idea. It would be interesting to actually go and meet the people that you loan money to.

[rbisset]

you can spread the money my way if you want, I'm skint!

[starlagurl]

If I went to London I would!

[laorfamily]

I don’t think throwing money at people is a way to help anyone or anything – actually I think it’s quite irresponsible to do so. In New Jersey we spend an obscene amounts of money helping the poor with zero or very little results, that’s why I like the microloans (I can’t believe you look at that, I think it’s a boring blog, LOL).

There are other ways to help, TP is filled with blogs of volunteers which is something I consider doing once the kids get a bit older. I also do woodworking as a hobby and I donate hand made wooden jigsaw puzzles. Here is a picture I donated to a missionary to take to Haiti (I made six Superman puzzles) and I’m looking into sending some to a children’s hospital in NJ.

[ashleyrenee]

i think you are making sense! i love going cheap but there is a line and i think that line changes due to the mood i am in

[greekcypriot]

As ashleyrenee said above, it depends on the mood.
One thing is for sure. I prefer to stay at home if I don't have the money to go somewhere nice.

Usually young people seek the adventure and do risky things.

Sometimes it gets too risky when choosing a very low budget trip because you decide to do things yourself. I see many people advertising for private excursions in jungles, in different countries and wonder whether there are people who accept and make a deal with them just because they are cheap.

Would you accept such an offer even if it was a great difference in price?
Would you trust somebody who is offering his experience privately to help you when you get to his country?

http://www.travelpod.com/members/greekcypriot
(New Entries today with many photos)