Traveling As A Hobby

There are many people who use traveling as a hobby, for many suit case packers it is a hobby, there are many who prefer to travel to different places around the globe through out the course of the year. It is can understandable why traveling can be a hobby, because many people love traveling regardless of the long waits at the airport or long traveling hours. People who love traveling not only travel to get away from their hectic daily lives, they travel simply because they want to learn about the variety of cultures, races and nationalities. Traveling can also be very educational.

Traveling is hobby for those who are very adventurous, since traveling is about adventure. Adventure because Travelers do travel to unknown places.

We find there are people so crazy about just going and spending their time all around the globe in fact they take up traveling as their job. It is passion for them. It means a lot to them when they have to go to places study the region, country whatever and then move on.

Writers usually love to travel. We find many travelers love to write, because of their experiences, they love to share what they have seen and experienced with other people and hence they write and write.

Readers love to read about Travelers and the different places they travel to and the many experiences they have encountered...Altogether it is just fun!

If we think about this world, and the amount of people living in it, it is just unbelievable! We have many small and big countries with different kinds of people. There are many cultures woven together and much more and so it is fun to experiment on all of those things.

We also find travel lovers, would not settle down in one place they tend to migrate from one place to the other all the time along with their families. Travel lovers are also known to be very patient and they persevere a lot. Traveling although can be a hobby, but as much as it sounds exciting there are equal amount of troubles involved in it, it is important that we know how to overcome them, and so travel lovers are said to persevere too through all the troubles.

Hence due to all these reasons Traveling does take a crucial place in one's life and is a hobby.

About The Author
Cathy Peterson writes about http://www.traveldealsdiscounts.com/ , http://www.traveldealsdiscounts.com/discount-travel-deals/Bagsbuy.com/ and http://www.traveldealsdiscounts.com/Categories/Travel/Vacation

Across the High Sierra

I have always enjoyed long road trips across the country, perhaps because they have all the elements of a Homeric adventure. After completing basic training for the Army, I was ready for assignment to my permanent duty station. I was directed to travel from Norfolk, Virginia to Monterrey, California, so I flew home to Wisconsin and prepared to drive the rest of the way. My 1964 Dodge Polara had been purchased for $125 during my last year in high school, and I naively anticipated the adventure of driving nearly 2,500 miles across the continent. As I crossed the Minnesota border early on the first morning out, it occurred to me that I had just driven the farthest distance of my entire life. This was also to be my first time completely alone, and I savored the thought of the next week spent on the open road.

I picked up the small state highway to Northfield, reportedly the scene of Jesse James' last, abortive raid, and then left the winding, picturesque Minnesota country roads behind in favor of I-35 South. The Slant-6 engine rattled along, and the speedometer needle floated near 55. I wanted to avoid placing too great a burden on the 23-year old car, which had compiled an indeterminate number of miles during its lifetime. It was the month of March, and as I rolled south through Minnesota and into Iowa, the snow banks shrank and the gray, lowering clouds threatened rain rather than snow. Finally turning west at Des Moines onto I-80, the stiff north wind buffeted the Dodge sideways, and a motorcycle passed, canted nearly 30 degrees into the wind to maintain equilibrium. It felt like a point of no return, and my only course was west toward on unknown shore. All across the brown, late Winter, windblown prairie I gripped the wide, heavy plastic steering wheel, fighting the wind and an out-of-balance front wheel that set up a harmonic shaking throughout the car. I anxiously scrutinized the instrument cluster until reaching Lincoln, Nebraska, where I decided to stop for the day after successfully entering yet another state for the first time in my life. Due to my lack of firsthand knowledge of the country's geography, I imagined that as I approached central Nebraska, I would soon descend into a vast desert. This thought prompted me to stop in Kearney to have the increasingly maddening vibration repaired, and after having the wheel balanced, I was off again. Nebraska seemed like such a long state, and I had taken to peering at my instrument cluster again, worriedly watching the alternator needle as it leaned slightly over to "discharge". Tapwater from the motel near the outskirts of Cheyenne seemed to rejuvenate the battery.

It felt as though I rolled endlessly across the plains of Nebraska, and had plenty of time to marvel at the early pioneers who encountered the vast expanses of rolling grasslands for weeks on end. Wyoming was different from anything that I had ever seen, and I was excited to cross even the low, rugged hills that represent the beginning of the Rocky Mountains in this area. The low hills were soon gone, and I was on a scrub desert. Gradually, through the thickening gloom, I discerned a more prominent range of the Rockies, and felt a thrill to have reached tangible evidence that I was actually Out West! Black, snow-filled clouds released flurries of stinging white crystals until it became difficult to see. I crept through the deepening gloom, now at only 40 mph, peering just beyond the dim circle of light cast by my weakened headlights. Nervous glances at the worrisome alternator gauge revealed no information, and I crept on until the glowing oasis of the Little America truck stop came in view. I opened the driver's door into a biting gale of wet, swirling snow that turned the bright parking lot lamps of the gas station into hazy sundogs. A glance at my headlights revealed that two inches of frozen snow had accumulated over the lenses, diffusing the bulbs' rays into a feeble orange glow. The work of ten minutes chipping ice with a screwdriver was sufficient to restore them to their former brilliance, and reduce my hands to numbness. After a late dinner of hot roast beef and mashed potatoes, smothered in thick, rich gravy, I was prepared to resume driving, my spirits buoyed by a good meal and the restoration of my headlights. The dashboard instrument lights fluoresced a soft green through hollow push button controls, as I followed the dual beam headlights through the slackening storm. I stopped in Bridger for the night, and was struck by the sharp cold and clear, prairie quiet in which the calls of coyotes drifted across the darkness.

The next day, at last I encountered the long-expected desert, with the descent into Utah and the Great Salt Lake basin. What an amazing site from this ribbon of blacktop, where salt and white mud stretch off into the distance, an apparent sea of white in which the hazy images of distant mountain peaks floated and bobbed. Whirling storms of salt danced across the road, and I noted the custom of passersby to spell their initials with cobbles tossed in the salt mud. I hoped that the end of this day would see me in California at last, and toward the late afternoon, I passed Reno, dominated by the brightly colored Circus-Circus. Although exhausted, I sensed that I was close to the day's goal as the grade of the road increased and jagged shoulders of rock encroached on the interstate. Past the last of the garishly flashing State Line casinos, a gorgeous, knife-edged valley came into view, with steep slopes nearly obscured by snow-covered, majestic pines. The interstate clung to the side of the valley, and the narrow lanes allowed only momentary lapses in concentration to enjoy the postcard view of the opposite slope.

The narrow lanes, sharp curves, and momentary night-blindness from the continuous glare of oncoming headlights began to tax my tired nerves. I pulled off the interstate at Truckee, which seemed as exciting as a Swiss playground in a Roger Moore-era James Bond movie due to the heavy fall of snow and abundance of ski rack-equipped vehicles. I found a motel, and rented a cabin, falling asleep satisfied that I had at least reached California. The following morning, the bottom half of the front fender succumbed to two thousand miles of vibration, as it collapsed in a crumble of rust and Bond-o. I proceeded west on I-80, over the summit of the Sierras, and began the gradual descent though snow-covered firs and past large warning signs apparently written in trucker language, advising them to "better let 'er drift". The snow disappeared, as did the firs, to be replaced by lush fields and humid warmth of the fertile valley. I had successfully crossed the Great Plains, salt desert, and Nevada wasteland, and my object was finally in reach.

After spending the night in Monterrey, I headed for Fort Ord where I would report for duty. This epic journey across the Sierras represented a significant step away from my small home-town, which to me was nothing but a dead end where I could expect only to become an obscure loser. But here was a chance for a new beginning, following the same route as others who came west to improve their fortunes. As I passed beneath the arched sign that boldly proclaimed "Fort Ord, 7th Infantry Division (Light)", I sensed the freedom that I had enjoyed on the open road slip away. However, the self- direction and sense of adventure that I had experienced while crossing the continent would reassert themselves in time.

About The Author
I am a geologist, and have been to many interesting places, and had what I considered to be interesting experiences. I thought it would be fun to write about some of my experiences.
http://sedward.home.netcom.com/petrography.html
sedward@ix.netcom.com

Travel to find a Russian bride

Do you agree that the best lessons are lessons given to you by other people who have already made some mistakes so that you wouldn't repeat them? We are going to have a detailed observation of a certain man's trip. When coming to Russia he managed to make a lot of mistakes and he can hardly calm down with the idea of getting wiser and more experienced. But you can avoid all this bad stuff! Just imagine you are playing the computer game called "Taking pleasure from you trip to Russia". Come on!

Let's start.

As you know any trip starts long before you take a plane. At first you have to plan everything very carefully and think of all the details, then get a visa and pack your things.

Our hero (let's call him Jake) started making mistakes from the very beginning. He has planned a two-week tour and booked an apartment through our agency and a transfer from the airport to this apartment. To make the invitation form he joined one of the firms he has found himself. Our Executive manager Slava used to ask him if he is sure in the firm several times. We have some grounds for worries because we often face the situations when we have to save our clients at the airport Customs Service because of problems with their visas.

=+=+=+= You must know this:

To make a trip to Russia you need:

the invitation to get a visa
the very visa
in Russia you must have registration.

Attention! Registration is not the procedure you are passing through at the Customs Service. They just mark the date of your arrival to the country. Registration is a special seal on your visa form that informs about the place of your staying in Russia. You have a right to stay in the country for 3 days only without this seal.

=+=+=+=

Our Executive manager had some doubts concerning the reliability of the firm that had made an invitation and promised to help with registration is case of problems.

=+=+=+= You must know this:

You can get your registration in the following ways:

if you organize your rip to Russia with the help of some firm it is obliged to obtain your registration. Those who make your invitation from must also obtain your registration.
if you stay at a hotel you should ask the hotel administration if it has the OVIR permission to make registration. IF it doesn't have one, it has no right to register you. In Kazan we have three hotels having this right. They are "Safar", "Regina" and "Volga".
if you stay at your woman's place she must obtain your registration in OVIR according to the place of her official registration.

=+=+=+=

So, you've got your visa. Now you have to think about the place you are going to stay at.

You have a choice: hotel, rented apartment or the place of your woman, if she cares to invite you.

Let's begin with the last one. To tell the truth, we do not advise our clients to invite men to live at their place. And it is not the matter of our bad hospitality!:) There are some reasons to it:

If there won't be any sympathy between you, it is most likely that the woman won't tell you about it, because of her hospitality. You will be the hostage of this situation! Never forget about it!
The foreigner is a "dorogoi" guest. If you do not know, here in Russia, the word "Dorogoi" has two meanings. "Dear" and "Expensive". So, a foreigner is a dear guest in both meanings!:) And it is really true, as he is very desired. Some women are preparing for the meeting thoroughly: they can repair their apartments and they can even make a plastic operation to the breast too! (Real case). Besides, Russians are very hospitable. They put the best food to the table when they have a guest. It is burdensomely if the guest come for a long time. Everything costs very expensive here in Russia. The average month salary in the province is 100 $. And the lady's family will never say you that they run into debt, in order to meet very important guest. They can not accept your money because of their pride feeling. Of course, there are some well -doing families too here in Russia. They live in opulence, but there is not so many of them.
Most women live together with their parents, as they do not have their own apartment. Do you agree to see the parents twenty-four-hours a day?

But when it is not the first time you are visiting your Lady, so you know the family and the traditions quite well and everything is fine, I think you are going feel wonderful near your future wife!:)

Hotel.

A lot of advantages. There are just three demerits.

There are just hotels *** here in our city.
But the prices are rather expensive - nearly 50$ per day (night).
The rules in our hotels are very strict. It is rather hard to have guests in the rooms and it is forbidden to leave them late than 11.00 p.m. It will limit the communication with the beloved one slightly, won't it?

Rented flat.

You can do whatever you want. But there are just two inconveniences. First one, you should think about the flat beforehand. You can ask your lady to help you or we can help you too. And, the second, - nobody will clean after you and nobody will cook your breakfast! If you can do it yourself - great! You can enjoy the time together with your beloved woman even twenty-four-hour a day!

=+=+=+=A useful piece of advice

Your girl can help you with renting an apartment (to find it). You have to ask her beforehand and send her the necessary sum of money. It is impossible to rent an apartment in credit!

If you don't wish to make your girl do it we could help you with finding an appropriate apartment.

Anyway, before your flight you should think about he stuff you won't be able to do without. Find out if there are such things in your future apartment as:

consumer tools like an iron, a dryer and a toaster
a needed number of beds and proper bed-linen (take into account the frequency of its changing)
a number of rooms, hot water (the latter can be a real problem in Russia!)
try to imagine the whole day you are going to spend in this apartment and some more things you can need. Write it down and send them to your girl beforehand.

=+=+=+=

By the way, packing things remember that Russian weather is very changing. You should take something for colder or visa versa hot weather or rains.

Before your flight you must know exactly the person who is going to meet you and the time of your meeting.

The airport of Kazan is situated 50 km away from the city, so your meeting is an entire traveling! You can use our services, in order to make it easier for your woman.

We will make the reservation for you in the hotel or we can rent a flat (by request), we will meet you in the airport and we will take your woman there too. We will help you with the translation, as a rule, it is necessary at first time even for those women who can speak English a little bit. After that we will give you a ride to your place.

=+=+=+=

Attention! If you agreed to be met in Kazan, but your flight was put off or you failed to buy a ticket, please, do not forget to inform those who are going to meet you. Otherwise they will have to spend a lot of money, time, and nerves, as they will be upset and worried. There is an international telephone in every airport. When you leave your country, make sure you have all the telephone numbers, which can help you here.

=+=+=+=

What should you do if you failed to meet in Kazan, as it had been arranged?

If you have an opportunity to call, please do it. Probably you will hear that someone has already been sent to meet you, so you just have to wait for a while.
If the time of your flight has been changed, probably that's why it muddled those who were meeting you. You can ask the information office if there is some message for you there or you can look for it on the information shield. If you agreed to be met in the airport by the agency, we usually leave some messages on the information shield in case of loosing you.
If you failed to spot us on the phone and a lot of time have passed since you arrived to the airport try to get to the hotel yourself. It is easier to solve the problems in the morning!

Let's return to our hero Jake.

So, he has booked the apartment for this time. His girl lived in another town so he asked us to take her here, meet him in the airport and take them both to the apartment.

Here problems started:

Instead of a huge bed covering half a room there appeared to be a small camp-sofa for two persons (it's natural for a small lonely hat is not bigger than an average hotel room).
There was bad veiw from the window.
Another problem: no mosquito net. (I guess even hotels do not have it. However, we left a special tool for killing mosquitoes just to be safe).

Find it funny? It is, but not for Jake. His visit to Russia wasn't a success for him.

He made several mistakes:

he didn't have any notion about the place he is going to visit and what he can need there
he took into account all the advantages of a hotel and an apartment and happily combined them but ignored disadvantages.

Jake got so upset that he even didn't turn to the firm that had made his invitation and stayed without registration for three days. After that he left for his girl's town. And again he faced problems there...

Next week Jake and you are going to read the following:

Travelling within the country without problems.
A present for your girl.
Your activities in Russia.
Correct evaluation of your girl's pros and cons. Special attention.

http://www.chanceforlove.com

About The Author
I married woman I worked in dating business for 8 years and write articles for russian dating site call ChanceForLove - http://www.chanceforlove.com.
blue@chanceforlove.com