Turner Barr is the author and owner of the latest blog that I’m following called Around the World in 80 Jobs. It’s a very interesting blog since Turner writes about his experiences in working and travelling in various countries thta he goes to. Instead of relying solely on “internet income”, Turner goes to places and take on a variety of jobs.
Follow his adventure and learn more about Turner and visit him at Around the World in 80 Jobs. But before you click away, check out my short interview with Turner.
How did you discover your passion for travelling?
“I think the moment I feel in love with travel was when I spent a summer in high school studying at Oxford in England. The cobbled streets, parks and river punting was all pretty “quaint” and set a stark distance to life in the US. But that is just on possible explanation, another one would probably be when I went to Colombia for the first time and my eyes popped out of my head from the beautiful women there and the amazing dancing in the incredible heat. Or maybe it was the time I went to the Galapagos and was swimming with penguins and seal lions. I guess it is hard to pick the exact moment.”
What’s the most horrible experience that you’ve had on the road?
“I have been pretty lucky and haven’t had anything tragic happen. But what I do remember is a pretty horrible time in Kosovo, sleeping outside of the bus station for an early morning bus and the night watch wouldn’t let us in. I didn’t have much in terms of clothing. Reading that out loud almost makes me laugh at how weak that is, that that is my worst experience, but maybe because I try to find the zen when traveling so I don’t fret to many bad experiences. Jack Daniels can come in handy as well.”
What’s the best travel experience that you’ve ever had?
“As I said – Colombia was really fantastic. The people were so warm and welcoming, inviting me to parties all over the country and then calling their cousins in different cities. There is something inherently very sexy about the culture. Could be the dancing or just general love of life, but I don’t recall ever feeling stressed out there.”
What’s the biggest realization that you’ve got out of travelling?
“That the people make the experience. You can be in a really crappy place but if the people you are with are great or the locals there are always smiling you will come out on top. Traveling also has taught me that you need to find a purpose in what you are doing, otherwise after awhile traveling aimlessly will become unfulfilling. And lastly, it has taught me to go slower and try to pay attention. A lot of cool stuff is going on and if you are not patient and mindful it can pass you by.”
What keeps you going? What keeps you motivated?
“Good question. I guess my unquenchable thirst for adventure. When you go to new places you cant really get complacent or you get robbed/die. The thrill of not knowing where to go or what is next is addictive and keeps me on my toes. Now my motivations have been to find cool interesting jobs and looking to find my “muse”. Something that will keep me abroad and also provide the purpose.”
This is a silly and hypothetical one. If you would be given a chance to travel with a popular person or a celebrity, who would it be and why?
“I would love to roll with Anthony Bourdain. The guy cuts the shit and likes to party. And I like that.”
Where’s your favourite place in this planet and why?
“I really love Mexico. It has so much to offer from parties to history to different climates and amazing food. Mexico has it all.”
What’s your best tip for newbie traveller?
“Go slow and take your time. Try not to spend any less than 4 days in a city/place before you move on. Better to “see” less but connect more. You will look back and have a more emotional connection and memory with what you did.”
What’s the funniest and silliest thing you’ve ever done while travelling?
“Me working on an Agave farm harvesting tequila was pretty funny, as was working at a festival in Holland where I got duped into being a toilet attendant.”
What do you think about yourself?
“I think I am super ADD and all over the place. But that I am pretty direct and a no bs kind of guy, even if my writing sometimes sounds like bs.”
“I travel the world looking for gainful employment. Sometimes it is a funny odd jobs (tequila harvesting in Mexico or Pizza making in Rome) while other times it is more of a hustling jobs where you can make money (Timeshare sales, street tour sales) or a location independent job (blogging, copy-editing). I write about my experiences at the jobs and the overall quest to find gainful employment abroad.” – Turner Barr of Around the World in 80 Jobs
Editor’s Note: All pics are provided by Turner.
I like the tequila harvesting outfit. Very in character
I didn’t know Turner’s favorite country was also Mexico
Even though for me it is not cos of parties and tequila haha