mariah thats so nice ! u have some good guidance from ur mum n dad when u need any :D i hope u have a wonderful time !!! 
<3
hiiiii thank u for sharing those words with me ! its so nice that u've worked in different countries and yeah i agree with u its so true that the real journey is into urself and im so glad that u are on that journey n knowing that inspires me to do the same.. i wish u every happiness too and lotttttttts of love and peace
Noodle-Doo said:
Hi Christina
I've never travelled in the hippy way, but have had a lot of different jobs, some in different countries. All the new experiences and meeting different people is totally mind expanding. But I've discovered that the real journey is into myself. I always thought that I'd become happy if I went to this place, did that job, got a girlfriend or whatever. And none of it worked, it became a way of running away. I've only started to build contentment through developing my own philosophy, by finding out my own moral code and living by it. Reading, travelling, thinking, meeting new people and getting to know how they live and see the world has been a really important part of that.
Wishing you every happiness, wherever life takes you.
sounds like a good plan ! im from south india was born in kanyakumari in tamil nadu:D are u heading to the sivananda ashram ? i've always wanted to live in an ashram or something like that even before i began going to college i had this phase when i couldnt think of anything i wanted to do other than live a spiritual life and meet other spiritual ppl from all over the world and all walks of life ! i'd love to join you if i can
dharamsala seems like such a wonderful place ! is there a facebook profile or any album online of ur time spent in these places ??
ok i'll try look out for stuff on couchsurfer but yeah as u said safety is a huge issue and i've had a quite a few bad experiences living in a safe environment with my parents already.. so before i set out safety will be a top concern for me in fact its the only thing thats holding me back from dreaming too much before i get enough info..
thank you so much for taking time to tell me so much it really means a lot to me <3 lots of love to you
Siri Nam Simran Kaur said:
Hey there,
I'll be all over the country and will be flying into Chennai. I'll be in Tiruvannamalai (about 4 hr away from Madras) for a few mo., then I'll head to an ashram in Kerala, afterward I'll head north (since it will be getting very hot) to Dharamsala and then to Nepal and I'm sure I'll make my way to a few other places in between and thing will most likely get mixed around as I find my flow. You're more then welcome to join us in any of these places.
I don't know much about the certification and if it provides gainful employment. I would research it. Last time I was in India (a few mo. ago) my friends boy friend went to visit Goa and ended up working as a massage therapist there (massages here and there) and then ended up getting offered a job to work there. There is something special about India that I've never found anywhere else and that is that life takes you and you don't have to push hard to find your way, doors open up when you're open to it. If I were you I would put together some money not too much just enough to travel around for a few mo. (taking trains, eating cheap, staying in ashrams) and see how you like it, if you love it then after a few mo. you should have your footing enough to know what is out there or if you want to pursue some training then to travel. I say get your feet wet a little, then you would have a better idea of what works for you and what doesn't. FYI as you set off on your adventure you will find a lot of people to travel with along the way and opportunities too. I know its intimidating and the first step is a daring one, but you'll be okay. Oh someone suggested couch surfer, I think in India its a hit and miss thing, you may get someone good or a rapist the chances are about even. With so many ashrams and non-profits needing help I think you'll be okay.
christina bird said:thanks a lot for taking time to write even though u were tired ! yeah i agree i dont have a very big advantage in terms of money being in india and for indian women especially to wander around its still not 100% appreciated everywhere people judge us n assume we'r into drugs or "open"sex n things like that,, u're right i'd never travel alone..
yeah im very interested in ashrams n places like that.. have u stayed in or visited one ?? my english well i guess is alright i can teach i hope, i was thinking of getting a TEFL (teach english as a foreign language) certification do u think thats a good idea ?? thanks a lot for being willing to give me more advice n i'd love to meet u when u're here !where do u plan to visit ?
Siri Nam Simran Kaur said:Hey there,
I'm exhausted and writing this so I hope I don't leave anything out. I'll start by saying I'm not a hippie and my spirit is always free no matter where my body goes. I've been to India on a few occasions and I'll be moving there in Jan. 2014. The dynamics for a westerner to live a life of travel is different then an Indian, we have access to more money. Many of the people I know work in their country of origin and then travel to Bali, India, etc and live off of the money for a while. I don't recommend raving or partying as that's a great way to ruin a good mind, lose all of your money and get raped. I've come across NGO's in India that need help and are willing to provide room and board, there are also ashrams that you can't find by a google search and don't charge you money that will allow you to stay with them, you just have to familiarize yourself with spiritual circles. You can also go up north and help teach English (assuming your English is fair) to the Tibetan monks. I travel through India alone, however I don't recommend and suggest that if you decide to travel a bit to do so with another woman. Like I said I'll be there in Jan and would be happy to meet you and tell you everything I know. Please keep in mind that the westerns have access to money with a good conversion rate that you don't have and many also have families that will help them. I am a single mother with kids and have no family so if I can travel around the world starting up homes for abandon girls then I'm sure you will find your way too. Feel free to message me here or via email @ iamphoto@ yahoo.com . Oh to answer your other question about skilled work, I think it would be wise of you to pick up a skill that you can use in tourist areas like healing work, yoga training, etc. It always good to have a way to make money here and there. The first step in flying is taking a leap.
thanks a lot for taking time to write even though u were tired ! yeah i agree i dont have a very big advantage in terms of money being in india and for indian women especially to wander around its still not 100% appreciated everywhere people judge us n assume we'r into drugs or "open"sex n things like that,, u're right i'd never travel alone..
yeah im very interested in ashrams n places like that.. have u stayed in or visited one ?? my english well i guess is alright i can teach i hope, i was thinking of getting a TEFL (teach english as a foreign language) certification do u think thats a good idea ?? thanks a lot for being willing to give me more advice n i'd love to meet u when u're here !where do u plan to visit ? have a good day/evening <3
Siri Nam Simran Kaur said:
Hey there,
I'm exhausted and writing this so I hope I don't leave anything out. I'll start by saying I'm not a hippie and my spirit is always free no matter where my body goes. I've been to India on a few occasions and I'll be moving there in Jan. 2014. The dynamics for a westerner to live a life of travel is different then an Indian, we have access to more money. Many of the people I know work in their country of origin and then travel to Bali, India, etc and live off of the money for a while. I don't recommend raving or partying as that's a great way to ruin a good mind, lose all of your money and get raped. I've come across NGO's in India that need help and are willing to provide room and board, there are also ashrams that you can't find by a google search and don't charge you money that will allow you to stay with them, you just have to familiarize yourself with spiritual circles. You can also go up north and help teach English (assuming your English is fair) to the Tibetan monks. I travel through India alone, however I don't recommend and suggest that if you decide to travel a bit to do so with another woman. Like I said I'll be there in Jan and would be happy to meet you and tell you everything I know. Please keep in mind that the westerns have access to money with a good conversion rate that you don't have and many also have families that will help them. I am a single mother with kids and have no family so if I can travel around the world starting up homes for abandon girls then I'm sure you will find your way too. Feel free to message me here or via email @ iamphoto@ yahoo.com . Oh to answer your other question about skilled work, I think it would be wise of you to pick up a skill that you can use in tourist areas like healing work, yoga training, etc. It always good to have a way to make money here and there. The first step in flying is taking a leap.
hi katie ! thanks for telling me about wwoofing seems pretty interesting ! yeah i wanna start traveling as soon as i can but i really wanna make sure i know what i'm doing..hope u have a wonderful day/ evening
katietheladi said:
Idefinitelyrecommendtravelling, and do it now while your still young.
One thing i have learned is everything always works out, when your broke, unsure or wondering whats next the rightopportunitywill present itself.
I met a girl who has been hitch hiking all over the place. We met in new zealand and i know she has been from west to east coast of canada/US and is now somewhere in europe. Im not sure how she does it, i have been hoping for a chance to ask her myself haha.
a good place to start would be to check out WWOOFing. its a way to travel around and meet people who need help on their farms, gardens or whatever (just jump and the site and check it out) and you can help them out foraccommodationand usually meals as well. just type in wwoof and the country it will come up.
couchsurfing.org is awesome too. its a great way to meet people when you are travelling and a place to sleep.
I would alsorecommendnot having to much of a plan. just go with the flow and what feels right!
wow i had no idea u could do that !! thanks for sharing justin <3 peace and love to you
Justin said:
There are tons of websites like couchsurfer.com and others that you can find a place to stay for free or you could look into WOOFing as well. Work on an organic farm for your room and board. They have them everywhere, they can easily be arranged online and its an easy way to travel without spending money on food and shelter and you learn killer gardening skills along the way.
wow thats such a wonderful feeling to know that u're out there a tiny house on wheels would be amazing !! do post pictures when u have oneee im sure u will soooner than we expect !! i wish u allll th best and all the love on ur journey
Morganic said:
This is crazy because I was about to post pretty much the same thing yesterday because I have wanted this lifestyle for some time now. Then I come on and see you had posted!!!
oh i will i will :D yes i try making changes to myself so that i can attract the right kind of energy so im trying to be more free-spirited and humble and open my heart more n stuff :D
u know the land thing is what i had in mind !!! i dream of all of us people communicating this dream we share in maybe in another 5-10 years or so we call all buy the land and set up our home there !! n our little village would include healers and artists and whacky people anddreamers and warriors and tribals and farmers and everybody hehe :D its so nice of u to welcome me in ur land i'm privileged to be invited <3
Koko Earthling said:
Check out Shut Up And Grow It in Tennessee or Earth Tribe in Kentucky. You can find them both on facebook... You can also start locally. If you start getting involved with more of the things you believe in you will find your way. If the option of up and leaving is not a realistic one for you, try changing your daily routine to fit in line with how you truly want to live. Almost all towns have opportunities where you can learn useful sustainability skills like little local farms where you can learn to grow food, volunteer days at the forest preserves where you can learn how to keep an ecosystem healthy, as well as free courses on survival, fishing, archery, bird watching, all sorts of stuff that is useful to know when living off the land.
The best advice I really have for you is getting involved with the things you believe in, keep talking to people and you'll find what you're looking for.
And if that doesn't work, I plan on buying 80-100 acres of land and all good people are welcome to settle there, including you
thank you so much koko ur words are so kind and loving !! i read ur comment yesterday and today morning when i was traveling to school i remembered them and i brought myself to live (almost) completely in the moment and it felt absolutely wonderful !!
i've heard a lot about doctor who i must check that show out :D im so so grateful to u for taking time to write about all that lots of love to you !!!
Koko Earthling said:
My dear Christina,
I have immense love for you and your vision. I, much the same, wondered how to wander, but to wander all you need is to shed the fear of getting lost.You have to focus on what is in front of you and be content in what you have. Through mindfulness you will get there. Be here now. The people you saw who are free of mortgages and empty attachments live in the now. If you surrender yourself to the circle of life you will understand. Being present in the moment grants you the ability to see the infinite truth of space and time,- it is in no way linear, how this system makes it out to be. In other words instead of seeing life like the people caught in this ugly system,- in a straight line, you see ALL of the possibilities present in this moment, like the branches of a tree, it is no longer getting from point A to point B, everything is infinite.
I saw someone brought up the dangers of traveling alone. I agree that unfortunately a 19 year old girl is not safe out there alone, largely due to the ugly system we have built for ourselves, but the dangers are there nonetheless. I don't recommend you go out there by yourself... that's what everyone always told me which is why I practice martial arts, why I learned to use a knife, and why I run every day. Now this may sound a bit silly, but there's a show called Doctor Who about a man called The Doctor who wanders through time and space getting involved in all sorts of interesting stuff at every stop, saving the world and even the universe without a weapon, using his clever mind in every situation. He never has a plan, always thinks on his feet, and his favorite line of defense is talking to the other being. When faced with immediate danger, he runs. That's surviving.
Through being who you are you will find fellow travelers and a community you'll feel proud to be a part of. You have to surrender your fears through surrendering all visions of the future. Being mindful is feeling the moment. You have to trust the life force and trust in your intuition to give you what you need... The basic human needs are shelter, food, water, and, to keep it simple, love. When it's a nice day, sleeping outside is not a problem. You can build a shelter from a single tarp, some rope, and a stick when it's raining. You can bundle up, or go to a shelter when it's cold and you're out of options, but I like to just stick to where it's warm, because sleeping outside is the best
yeah? i imagine it must be one of the most amazing feelings to live free without money !! if there's one goal i could set my eyes upon i suppose this would be it !!
soaring eagle said:
u dont need monety as much as u think u do
barter work many i know live by giving being loving giving people it comes back to them
somme pride themselves on living free withot money
