In 1999, Earl Baron graduated college and took what was supposed to be a 3-month trip to Asia. Today, that trip has yet to end.
It was within a week that he discovered a new version of himself, meeting people, all the new experiences, and everything he was learning every day. He knew he couldn't go home to a career that could ever be as rewarding to him as these experiences. Sitting on a stone wall during a festival at Angkor Wat in Cambodia, sitting on a stone wall watching an amazing world unfold before him, he knew right then he could never stop traveling.
He’s been to 87 countries and on 6 continents, using his ingenuity to afford to keep on the road and gain an online following through his blog The Wandering Earl, where he writes to help people learn how they can do the same, while championing a "New breed of explorer." I really wanted to have Derek on the show because of his message about travel, exploration, choosing to live an adventurous life of travel, and not letting anything be an excuse, whether it’s money, time, fear, difficulty, or expectations. All the things that stop us from living a life of travel and choosing adventure. He wants to prove to his companions that much of what we think about the world can be misunderstood.
What he says about travel is that in every destination the vast majority of people in any destination are like you and me — they’re warm, friendly, they want to make money and support their family, and live happily.
Today, he takes travelers to places like Iraq, or more specifically Iraqi Kurdistan, where he shows them a wonderful place to go that most don’t ever notice on a map. On this trip, you start in the capital of Erbil (or Arbil) and then head into villages in the mountains and canyons to meet the people, see the castles, palaces, and experience the surprisingly international population hidden between Erbil and Baghdad.
If you love what Earl has to say in this session, you can check out and book Earl's tours here.
Earl is skyping in from the lobby of his hotel in Delhi, India.
Words from an Explorer:
"As daunting as it seems, as far fetched, to live a lifestyle of travel it can happen if you really put the effort into it." Tweet this!
What you'll learn:
How it's okay to leave a dream career track for a life of travel.
What sorts of travel are out there
Ways to find work on the road, like teaching English and working on cruise ships, to support your travels
The most underused form of employment while traveling
Why he takes people to places that challenge their preconceived notions.
The Currency of Pad Thai
The Wandering Earl's Iraqi Kurdistan
Go to challenge your perception of Iraq and expose yourself to Kurdistan and its varied culture.
Start in the vibrant, citadel community of Erbil. Take in the warm people going about their lives. Check out the signs that point towards Baghdad.
Then on to Duhok, to spend time in the mountains with Syrian villagers, and anyone you might run into. See the waterfalls, castles, palaces and canyon.
Head down to Sulaymaniyah, the culture capital of Kurdistan, for the food, art, and expressive culture.
The Wandering Earl's Best Travel Advice
The First Step: If you don't know someone who's traveling, find anyone online and email them. Travelers are very friendly and hopeful, and they'll give you new answers you wouldn't expect.
Money Saving Tip: The Currency of Pad Thai. Every time you spend $1 at home, that's a plate of pad thai in Thailand. Would you rather have $60 sneakers, or 60 plates of Pad Thai. Would you rather have the shoes, or more than a week's worth of accommodation in India? This is an addictive money saving strategy.
Cheapest Airfare: Set an airfare goal, be flexible, never give up.
Favorite Travel Book: Anything by Bill Bryson gets Earl pumped up to keep traveling.
