How I Fell Down the Rabbit Hole.

Being 20 years old and already having traveled to over a dozen countries I am often asked the ever so important question: how? 

It’s simpler than it seems. 

I am by no means wealthy in terms of dollar bills. I can not afford to buy a plane ticket to some exotic land when ever my heart desires. Rent and tuition must be paid first and foremost before my next journey begins. However, I am incredibly wealthy when it comes to friendships and opportunities. 

The first time I left the United States, I was 14 years old. I had been invited to play soccer as part of an organization that takes young players from California, Hawaii, and Colorado to form a team with players from Scandinavia to compete in the Gothia Cup (the world’s largest youth soccer tournament). It was through this experience that my curiosity to see every corner of the world began. After flying back home, I promised my young self that one day, somehow, I would travel the world. 

I got lucky from there. 

Being from a working class family, every summer I had at least one job in order to save money to afford college. Having an older sister who is on her way to earn a PHD, I knew I needed a  lot of savings or scholarships to be able to afford college. When I was 15, I started bussing tables at a five star restaurant during the day, and waiting tables at a local pizza parlor at night. It was there that I met some amazing people from around the world. 

My hometown is a tiny place called Tahoma. Lucky for me, it is a tiny town on Lake Tahoe, a world famous tourist destination known for stunning natural beauty. Because of where I live and the appeal of seasonal summer jobs, I had the opportunity to work with twenty-something year olds from around the world. Through these jobs I not only earned the money to travel, but became friends with some very generous, amazing individuals. 

After showing all of my new international friends my hometown, most extended invitations to visit their hometowns from all over the world including Slovakia, Serbia, Russia, Spain and Argentina. I took it upon myself to take them up on their offer. 

I received invitations to stay on couches in Slovakia, Austria and Spain the summer after I graduated high school and I said yes. I had saved my money knowing I would want to travel more than I would want new clothes or new technology (its all about priorities). I began traveling to meet up with friends and coworkers. Through these friends and travels I met more friends who invited me to more countries and encouraged more travel. The snowball effect was massive. 

Since I met my first international traveler at 14, I’ve made hundreds of friends all around the world. I am lucky to be able to stay in their homes to make my travels cheaper and get a more authentic feeling. And every few months I get to show my friends the beauty of my hometown and the beauty of my current home in San Francisco. 

So the trick to cheap travel and amazing memories? Make friends. Open your home and life to others and they will do the same to you. Travel is what you make of it. My travels wouldn’t be the same without all the strangers who became friends.