Money Too Low to Worry About

Money Too Low to Worry About

My funds are now lower than they have been since early 2003 when I ran out of money in Patagonia. I now only have 1,000 big ones to my name and I do not care. If I run out of money, I work. This is a normal response to a cause.

It is funny though, that the closer I get to impending disaster, the more I welcome it. I am far more tight fisted when I have a comfortable purse of $5,000 than when I am down to my last grand. Fear is far more volatile the farther away you are from the condition which you fear. Fear is the reservation for those who really have nothing to be afraid of. If you begin to run out of funds when traveling (fear) the more money you will spend, for fear seldom exists in the now, and the closer you get to the now the less fear you will have. Fear is a condition for the future, not the present. The present is alright, forever and ever and ever.
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Wade from Vagabond Journey.com
in Istanbul, Turkey- February 8, 2009
Travelogue — Travel Photos — Travel Guide
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I am in Istanbul, Turkey now. I have made it. After making a few inquiries, it is apparent that this is a place where a traveler can replenish their funds.

“Because of the fake financial crisis,” the manager of a hostel told me, “people are more interested in hiring temporary employees, and they prefer foreigners because they can speak English.”

I would love to be able to fund my travels entirely off of this travelogue and website, but this has not happened yet. I am making money, but not yet enough to travel from. Perhaps someday I will obtain the much coveted $15 a day. But for now, I must work like a regular old prick.

I have three worthy prospects for employment in Istanbul:

1. Teaching English- I just acquired a university degree, a 100 hour TEFL certification, and I have a little experience. I am ready to go as far as teaching English.

2. Archaeology fieldwork- This has been my bread and butter for digging up my bean money for seven years. My experience is extensive, and I assume that Turkey has an archaeology survey department.

3. Journalism- This is what I want to do. I want to work as a newspaper man, a reporter, an information shark, a dick. I have a degree in ethnographic journalism and worked as an editor of a magazine, as well as publishing a good handful of articles on subjects from Tibetan refugees, to Mayan archaeology, to Portuguese graffiti artists. This is what I want to do, but it is probably the most challenging option and for the least amount of pay.

Yes, I can see myself with my pipe hanging out of my mouth, my computer in front of me, and a big mug of coffee on one side and a glass of whiskey on the other. Wearing a smugly macho Hemingway look on my face and the ticking away of computer keys, yes, this is what I will try to do here in Istanbul.

Now, to find a way to be paid regularly rather than working freelance.

This will be interesting.

Going in search of an editor.

Related Pages:
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NYC- Another Concept of Journalism
Honduras-Writing for Magazines and Newspapers
Ethnography, Journalism, and Travel Writing
News Media and Travel