Seeking 811 travel companion for adventure in Latin America

I would like to see a large portion of Central & South America over the course of a year. I'm looking for a male or female (strictly platonic) that loves to travel and enjoys the journey more than the destination. I'm interested in work-exchange at either hostels or farms while traveling.

My list of concerns in order of priority are safety, fruit, and fun. I have many ideas of how I'd like to see these beautiful places and people and what fruits I want to try, but it's all up in the air right now and I'm open to ideas. Hitchhiking, public transportation, purchasing a cheap car and splitting gas, flying, etc.

I am currently residing on the island of Maui and have no concrete plans of when I'd like to leave or when I'd like to begin my adventures in Latin America. With three months WWOOF experience I can say it is extremely difficult to find a 811-friendly host in Hawaii that doesn't see $'signs when you're ingesting fruit. I have $4,000 saved, although that might not be enough. Is there anybody out there in the 811 community that would give something like this serious thought? I'd love to hear from you. Please reply with any comments, suggestions, or genuine interest. If you'd like to contact me directly e-mail is the best choice. [scott@fruit.myaddiction.org]

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ryan Menzies on August 21, 2010 at 7:39am

Well, I would love to do something like that, but I currently have the best job in the world and don't want to leave it anytime soon as it's been giving me awesome savings for future traveling...

Having said that, my boss plans to shut down the biz for the month of January and I was thinking of traveling for that amount of time in Latin america.

I have a buddy (non 811er) in California who is interested (I'm in Austin, TX). I was thinking of going to Peru for the whole month of January. It may not be an entire year, but if you wanted to kick start your adventure there with us, that might work out...

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mati Manik on August 25, 2010 at 11:04am

I'm in Argentina and will probably start next year all the way up to mexico.
I've been away for the last 3 years in New Zealand, Australia, thailand, malaysia and Indonesia.
I'm definitely staying here all this year to save some money and close some chapters over here...but from the day i get my backpack i wont have a return time.
Anyone who wants to join...bienvenidos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Much love !
Mati

(add me on facebook as i dont surf here so often :)

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Scott on August 26, 2010 at 7:13pm

Awesome Mati! Argentina is definitely on the list of places I'd like to thoroughly check out!
Will keep in contact.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Scott on August 26, 2010 at 7:16pm

Firstly let me thank you for reviving my old thread, long since buried on the 2nd and 3rd pages of Travel Connections.

If I am in the position to start my travels by January I'd definitely take you up on this offer as Peru would be a beautiful country to see.

Best job in the world, I am jealous ;)

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mati Manik on August 31, 2010 at 11:23am

Yes brother!! definitely!! let me know and keep it fresh!
Much love to you!
Mati

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by liliaceous on August 25, 2010 at 11:11am

yeah...i'm pretty interested...i've been wanting to travel to central and south america for some time and not having a buddy was one of my main concerns. Are you any more certain about time frame? I'm pretty flexibile at the moment. :D

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Scott on August 25, 2010 at 1:41pm

I guess that all depends on how cautious I'd like to be. I was hoping to get back to California and save money for a few months before heading south, but it might be more fun to travel with less. What'd you have in mind as far as accommodations are concerned? Do you like hitch-hiking? Do you speak Spanish or would seriously like to learn?

I was hoping to finish out another couple of weeks here in the Philippines, spend a week in Vietnam, a few weeks in Thailand, then after that I'm pretty much open to whatever idea seems best. I was thinking New Zealand might be a nice place to spend a few months while the winter passes in the states, but I am open to anything exciting.

;)

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by liliaceous on August 26, 2010 at 2:19am

very interesting plans...they all sound a bit similar to mine. I'm near Seattle at the moment, but things are starting to go a bit *cold* for my liking. Right now I'm trying to decide between wintering in southern California or New Zealand (where I've been living the past few years). It'd mean more airfare, but I can get a job over there, too...the peaches and oranges would definately be worth it. Do you "live" in California?

Accommodation wise, I'm happy in hostels, camping when it's safe, or whatever really. I like to travel light, so I usually bring my bivy bag and a fleece sleeping bag for tropical areas. I don't hitchhike alone, but with a companion and good judgement, I don't mind...I don't speak spanish, but have been wanting to learn and am very keen! South America would be the best place to practice! Do you know spanish?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by TriRaw on August 26, 2010 at 4:01am

I plan on being in Costa Rica in January for about two months, so if your plans take you there, hit me up. I am not yet sure where exactly I will be in Costa Rica yet, still doing my research. But I am hoping to locate some great fruit farms that I can either visit or stay at.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Scott on August 26, 2010 at 7:17pm

Definitely a place I would like to see, will stay in contact Tri =)

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jes on August 31, 2010 at 11:38am

Hey I'm in Mexico right now, but will b up for anything- so hit me up! Bummed about not chowing down on durian etc w/ya- how was your trip???

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Scott on September 1, 2010 at 2:21pm

I am still on my trip and it's pretty damn tasty. I'm still here in the Philippines for another 3 weeks then it's off to Thailand for a month. After that it's off to Australia or New Zealand to make some money for South America. Sorry to hear about you getting sick in Mexico. Don't drink the water!