Disqus - Friends of kira86

Re: Bing Took Another Slice Of Yahoo’s Market Share in February

Geert @ Inspiring Travellers — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:06:58 -0000

I agree with WD Kent, as long as Google keeps there market share, nothing has really changed.
SERPS from Bing and Yahoo are going to be the same anyway (Both companies stated that last week on SMX West), since they made a deal and joined forces on search engine advertising to gang up against Google.
When Google actually loses market share to Bing, I'll be impressed..

Re: Why I Travel

Geert @ Inspiring Travellers — Wed, 26 May 2010 21:43:58 -0000

I'm actually really interested in that part of the world, Vladic...will definitely check out your blog. Have a great trip and stay in touch! - Andrea

Re: How To Use Travel To Re-Shape One’s Life

Geert @ Inspiring Travellers — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 22:25:38 -0000

This is a beautiful post and it really resonated with me. I also met my spouse while we were both travelling on our separate ways and it led to my becoming an expat (I actually did make the move to Australia...) We've travelled and moved around since then but have been stuck in the same place for the last few years for a career opportunity. Lately our lives have felt like they are getting too bogged down with the day-to-day and possessions, home, etc (no car, alas - learned that one a long time ago) cramping our style. We're planning to head on the road indefinitely at the end of the year. But we've really been almost sad lately that we can't get going sooner because of other commitments this year. I can't wait to dump all our stuff and get moving again. I just love what you've written here - thank you.

Re: Are Some Of Us Meant To Wander?

Geert @ Inspiring Travellers — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 06:22:10 -0000

Thank you for posting these, Anastasia...I actually checked out Expat Harem earlier this week before you commented here =)
I especially enjoyed the comments from dialogue 10 about hybrid life - there are some great messages to take away there; really got me thinking about all the different cultures that have influenced my life over the years. I just signed up to your newsletter and look forward to reading more. ~Andrea

Re: Has Traveling Changed You?

Geert @ Inspiring Travellers — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 22:04:09 -0000

I don't think it has changed my personality, but it has definitely helped my development in certain areas. I feel more focussed on what is important in life. I'm more interested in and aware of cultural differences (and similarities). Mostly for me it has been a shift in my perception: I see myself as more of a global citizen and am more comfortable about not being rooted in one place. And the world definitely feels more connected once you have travelled. ~Andrea

Re: Plan our trip…

Geert @ Inspiring Travellers — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 01:48:23 -0000

Thanks, Amanda - will definitely check out your NZ tips!

Re: Plan our trip…

Geert @ Inspiring Travellers — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 01:50:04 -0000

Thanks, Nancie...we plan to do some Asia travel down the track - will definitely take your suggestions =)

Re: Plan our trip…

Geert @ Inspiring Travellers — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 01:53:42 -0000

These are great tips, Adam. We're hoping to work in Asia following our trip next year - if all goes to plan, we'll get stuck into more travel in Asia then. I have been to Bangkok and Bali back when I lived in Singapore, and John has been to Hong Kong. Definitely want to do more than just these places, though! Thanks heaps =) ~Andrea

Re: 15 Things I’ll Miss in Melbourne

Geert @ Inspiring Travellers — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 02:21:46 -0000

Now you've got me worried about just how much I'm going to miss the coffee, haha =) Pretty much all of the Starbucks shut down here a couple of years ago. It was crazy - they just all vanished...not too many left. So tell people that! Demons are doing well...I'm a Saints supporter but have been glad to see Melbourne moving up. ~Andrea

Re: Nine Rules To Follow When Traveling The World

Geert @ Inspiring Travellers — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 20:18:43 -0000

Fantastic list - loved it! I actually look forward to having to rough it...getting back to basics does wonders for the soul.

Re: The Nomad’s Guide To Staying Mobile: 10 Tips For Expats and Long-term Travellers

Geert @ Inspiring Travellers — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 20:26:29 -0000

Hi Erin, That's great that you're in SA! We're headed there in March and plan to spend some time in Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Peru and Bolivia. Can't wait!! Sounds like you're living the life. It's such a freeing feeling to stop accumulating stuff isn't it? All the best in your travels =)

Re: Can I never go back to uni?

Geert @ Inspiring Travellers — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 01:26:07 -0000

This is an interesting and thought-provoking post. My undergraduate days finished almost a decade ago and since then I've received my Masters degree and undergone a career change. I still don't know just exactly what I want to "be when I grow up." I have had a meandering career, helped to found a start-up company, almost accepted an offer to law school, worked in advertising and graphic design, held a number of temp jobs, travelled and moved around a lot and have recently returned to my first passion: writing. I think many of us start university too young. Many people in Europe spend a lot of time on self-develop, many of them not getting serious about their careers until their early thirties. I think time spent on self-development and figuring out who you are before you cement your career path is important. When I have children, I'm going to encourage them to do so.

I'm probably not the best person to be giving advice, but I regret jumping into study when I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. Perhaps you defer going back to school? Do some more travel, live a little more, take some more chances and find yourself before going back (by the way, you should go back: working life is only getting more difficult and competitive and you do need a degree). I have two close family members in oil and gas engineering, so I can tell you that it's a profitable and mobile industry to get into. But if you disagree with it and are going to hate going to work every day, you'll resent it! Only you know what is right for you, but I think if you are having these kind of doubts, you should sit with it awhile and pay heed to your intuition. Good luck and I look forward to reading about what you decide =) ~Andrea

Re: Where in the world is your heart?

Geert @ Inspiring Travellers — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 22:49:54 -0000

This is a great post and very topical for us. John and I met while travelling almost six years ago in a tiny little town in southern Crete. He was coming to the end of two and a half years of travel and work in Europe and I was on a trip with friends. We hit it off and changed our plans, heading to Santorini together for a few days before parting ways. We are getting married six days from now! This involved my moving from New York City to Australia a few years ago and dealing with immigration issues, etc. It has all been worth it and there was never any question as to whether we would be together and make it work. It did involve taking a huge leap of faith, but I'm always proud of myself for this. ~ Andrea

Re: Thinking of Becoming an Expat? 6 Things to Consider

Geert @ Inspiring Travellers — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 19:25:38 -0000

Thank you for sharing your experience here! I was going to add a seventh item to this post originally: the myth that you can maintain your national identity from your original country even after living abroad for awhile. When I go back to the US I definitely feel a split identity - not completely American anymore (though I don't feel completely Aussie either). Many people have written about this and I wanted to shorten my post so I left it out. But it is definitely an interesting issue and situation you will be faced with as an expat. Thank you for bringing it up here.

I can also totally empathize with not feeling that I belong to any place. I grew up in one city though my parents were born and raised elsewhere, have moved around a lot and now being an expat has complicated things even more. ~Andrea

Re: Two Travellers Tie the Knot: Our Whitsunday Wedding

Geert @ Inspiring Travellers — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 20:54:05 -0000

Thank you =)

Re: Thinking of Becoming an Expat? 6 Things to Consider

Geert @ Inspiring Travellers — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 18:45:03 -0000

Well, given that your fiance is from another continent, I'm sure this will happen for you at some point =)

Re: Thinking of Becoming an Expat? 6 Things to Consider

Geert @ Inspiring Travellers — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 18:48:06 -0000

Thanks for sharing this experience! I live in Australia now and am from the US originally. I was never in the public school system in the States, but I'm curious about what you say are differences in the two education systems? I've always wondered what it would have been like to go to school in Australia as my husband did (aside from postgrad, which I did here).

Re: Thinking of Becoming an Expat? 6 Things to Consider

Geert @ Inspiring Travellers — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 22:40:25 -0000

Haha, I can totally relate to the yellow mustard! It's not really big here in Australia either...must be a North American thing =)

Re: Thinking of Becoming an Expat? 6 Things to Consider

Geert @ Inspiring Travellers — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 04:39:01 -0000

That's really great advice, Anastasia, thanks for sharing it! You're
right, there's no way to completely prepare for your life as an expat
and it is definitely a situation that many people just fall into.

On Wednesday, October 6, 2010, Disqus

Re: Embracing my inner tourist at Giza

Geert @ Inspiring Travellers — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 16:10:48 -0000

Hey guys,

I just discovered your blog, so I'm catching up on posts..

I always take to much stuff when I go backpacking and this blog is an inspiration!
I visited the piramids a few years ago, and I love the way this video captures the same feeling I had when I visited Giza... you picture these grand piramides in the middle of the dessert, while in reality they're getting swallowed by the city almost. Great video!

Re: Warning: Selling everything sometimes sucks

Geert @ Inspiring Travellers — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 19:30:55 -0000

Haha - completely feel your pain at the moment. We don't even buy that much stuff but somehow four years stuck in one place has led to quite a bit of accumulation. I'm busy packing boxes and posting ads online for our junk. If I have to field one more email from someone who didn't read the ad and has a bunch of questions already answered by what I've posted there, I'm going to scream! Good luck with the rest of it - you'll be free and on the road soon enough! =) Andrea

Re: Following Your Heart to Freedom

Geert @ Inspiring Travellers — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 20:19:12 -0000

Thank you to everybody for your wonderful comments and support. I'm looking forward to writing more once the journey begins! - John

Re: Plan our trip…

Geert @ Inspiring Travellers — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 00:16:36 -0000

Thanks for your comment =) We're planning an expat stint in Asia following our travels and hope to see more of the continent then - we're definitely interested (Andrea has actually been to Malaysia before, but only briefly)!

Re: Plan our trip…

Geert @ Inspiring Travellers — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 00:18:55 -0000

Hi Scott! This is a bit of a delayed reply, apologies. We love Amsterdam as well; hoping to possibly go up to at least, Sweden. John has been to Scandinavia before but wants to go back. Thanks for your comment =)

Re: Know a Great Hidden Gem Hotel?

Geert @ Inspiring Travellers — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 04:44:33 -0000

Thank you to everyone who entered! We will announce the winner on our Facebook page tomorrow: http://facebook.com/Inspiri...