Street food in Thailand
Backpacker Updates, Budget Travel Tips

Creative Ways to Find Good Food on the Road

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Street food in Thailand

Affordbale street eats at a market in Thailand

If you are backpacking, stuck for food and low on money, then seeking out of good food is absolutely essential if you want to get to your destination in one piece. For many travelers backpacking through different countries, then you may often find yourself in places with very little available information to go on and no knowledge of the local language to boot. Restaurants that attract and serve tourists are often catering for family holidays and honeymoons, which means little amounts of food and high prices. Here at home, we rely on technology, advertising, recommendations from friends to find affordable meals, but with so many restaurants around and none of the usual creature comforts to narrow your search how are you supposed to find something that is affordable and good for you?

Look for small signs

Every town and city will have a cheap place to eat where locals– as opposed to tourists – go and often they will advertise in random places such as on lampposts, with arrows that say “Cheesy Jacks Turn Left!” The reason these are good places for backpackers is that they do not have the extortionate prices designed to profit from foreign tourist traffic and meals are often simpler, more homely and well balanced then any fancy or fast food that you might bump into. The food is often tastier too – designed for local taste-buds and not blanded down for international palettes.

Follow markets

This is especially true if you are backpacking through a hot country! Just as our markets are full of fresh fruit and foodstuffs brought in just that day, so too does every other town and country in the world. Markets have a delectable feast of cheap and affordable, nutritious delights being served that are perfect for a meal on the go. If you’re in another country, then learning the words for “where is the market” will stand you in much better stead for finding good affordable food than “where is the nearest restaurant” – as asking for a restaurant will most likely have you end up in a sit down, four-course kind of establishment that some locals assume you must want as a tourist, whereas a market will have freshly cooked, stand food, not to mention fruits, vegetables and possible canned goods to stock up on whilst you are there.

Use technology

There are a range of apps and websites that are specifically designed to help you find where to eat when out and about. Depending on where you are travelling depends on which service you use, and since it is often difficult in the UK and Europe, I launched my site to find restaurants near me and fix that conundrum. If you are somewhere slightly more exotic than do some research before you leave to discover the local service, or check the app store because there are some great niche apps in every region!

Note: We at Oh Hey World love this food resource page with links to regional history, popular apps, and books to get you started on a global food journey.

Follow your nose

If you can smell food, then the chances are that it’s nearby. What is quite true of large, chain restaurants is that the smell from the outside is relatively low, whereas it’s highly likely that food being cooked in the open air (with the exception of hot dog and burger stands) is affordable, tasty and offers good seating as well. If you are in a place where there are hardly any directions to follow and you have plain straight lost your map, then following people until you pick up a scent is a good way to find a town centre and a food source (a bit primitive yes, but hey, its backpacking: what did you expect?).

With an adventurous spirit and these handful of tips you should be able to find good food most anywhere your travels take you!

Oh Hey World Updates

Welcome Shannon O’Donnell to Oh Hey World

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shannon_odonnell_rtw_travelI’d like to formally welcome Shannon O’Donnell to the Oh Hey World team in a full time capacity as our Director of Community and Giving (she started as one of our advisors). She’ll be managing our community and giving efforts – both of which you’ll hear more about in the months to come  – as we push our yet-to-be released product to a broader public audience (to get in ahead of the crowd, sign up for our BETA list). I’ll leave it to her to explain more details in another blog post.

Formally an actress and web-nerd, she left in 2008 to travel solo, volunteer, and hunt down delicious vegetarian eats all over the world. Shannon and I met in Chiang Mai early last year while she was traversing Southeast Asia with her 11-year-old niece for 7 months (& home schooling Anna along the way) and I was trying to figure out the next step in my life. From the moment I met her, I knew she was a “good egg” (a saying I picked up from her friend Jodi while in Chiang Mai). Her passion for giving back to others is obvious — the fact that she is a published author of the Volunteer Traveler’s Handbook and created GrassrootsVolunteering.org on her own time is proof. I just read a post yesterday by Venture Capitalist Chris Dixon titled “What the smartest people do on the weekend is what everyone else will do during the week in ten years” — and I’m excited that smart people like Shannon are spending their weekends making this world a better place rather than figuring out further ways to waste time in the time suck economy.

Everything I do in life has to be about more than money, and starting a business is no different – we’re instilling social good into Oh Hey World from the beginning. The people who share my core values are the ones I focus on surrounding myself with in both life and business (and I’m grateful Shannon is now in both of those categories for me).

We’re beyond excited to have Shannon’s extensive travel experience to tap into and to have such an experienced traveler helping us ensure we are building the exact right product for travelers!

Oh Hey World Updates

Announcing the Oh Hey World Advisors

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Over the course of 5 years working with the amazing team at Zillow, it’s no surprise I learned a thing or two about building companies. My most important realization was that people are ultimately what build successful businesses. Particularly as a first time founder, one thing is certain — a great group of trusted advisors and mentors to tap into for guidance and serve as a sounding board increases the chance of success exponentially. I’ve been fortunate enough to have an incredibly talented support network to tap into over the past year as I built Oh Hey World, discussions I have each and every day remind me of that. Although I’ve gotten tons of advice from a huge range of people, I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight our official advisors, who have a wealth of experience in a broad range of industries and have helped tremendously get us to where Oh Hey World is today.

Spencer Rascoff

spencer-rascoff

Co-founder of HotWire and CEO of Zillow.

Connection: Three of the four and a half years I worked at Zillow (2007 until my departure in 2010) were spent in the marketing department, which was run by Spencer at the time. When I think about successful executives I’ve interacted with, there is no one better. He works harder than anyone I know and is as good with strategy as anyone I know – which are both big factors in his success as a co-founder of HotWire and an early executive with a now-billion dollar company.

Seann Birkelund

Early stage venture investor, advisor, and entrepreneur. Co-founder at Education.com, led business development and corporate finance. Tech investor at Azure Capital.

Connection: Seann and I struck the initial Education.com-Zillow partnership in 2008 and have remained close ever since. Seann brings a wealth of experience to the table, particularly in the finance and operations side of things, that includes a venture capital background with Azure Capital. Seann has given me a wealth of invaluable feedback over the past several months.

Andrew Mattie

Andrew is a senior software engineer at Diverse Solutions (owned by Zillow) by day and is a pirate by night. He’s passionate about Jesus Christ, his wife and family, and building deliciously usable web applications.

Connection: Andrew was the first developer to integrate the Zillow API into an IDX product and went on to build the Local Market Explorer WordPress plugin, a project I managed. His company, Diverse Solutions, went on to get acquired by Zillow a couple years after I left. We’ve remained extremely close friends ever since, spent a lot of time together in Southern California while I worked at Virtual Results, and share a common desire for building fantastic applications that solve real large problems. Whenever I get in a pinch technically, Andrew is the first person I turn to.

Ian Ord

Having worked in the IT sector of the travel industry for the better half of a decade with Gap Adventures, and with over 15 years international travel experience, taking the next step to live and work abroad was a simple decision for Ian.

Having been born and raised in Canada, being exposed to multiculturalism was inherent in his upbringing. Bangkok, the hub of South East Asia, and one of the most culturally diverse parts of the world in a concentrated area, seemed like a natural fit.

An explorer since birth, Ian has now spent the better half of his life travelling. Spanning all 7 continents, and leaving no stone unturned, he continues to pursue discover new cultures, festivals, foods and all the other riches the world has to offer.

Connection: Ian and I met while we were both living in Chiang Mai in early 2012. As I began getting to know him, there was virtually not a single place in the world he hadn’t visited. A chunk of that experience was his time with G Adventures, but with 16 years under his belt, he’s clearly obsessed with travel and understands the pain points of life on the road. He blogs at Where Sidewalks End.

Shannon O’Donnell

Shannon, a storyteller and knowledge-seeker captivated by the world. Formally an actress and web-nerd, she left in 2008 to travel solo, volunteer, and hunt down delicious vegetarian eats all over the world. Then in 2011, returned home, picked up her 11-year-old niece and spent 7 months exploring Asia and homeschooling from the road. She geeks-out on learning new facts and sharing with others the intriguing tidbits and travel stories gleaned from life on the road. She blogs at A Little Adift and is a published author of the Volunteer Traveler’s Handbook.

Connection: Like Ian, Shannon and I also met in Chiang Mai early in 2012 while we were both living there. Her passion for giving back to others was obvious from the first moment I met her, and we’re beyond excited to have her travel experience to tap into. Shannon started as an advisor, but she’ll be joining the team in a near full time capacity soon.

Jerry Ostradicky

Jerry is the Manager of Advertising Operations for Zillow.com and Co-Founder of myKRO.org.

Connection: Jerry and I have been best friends since 2005 when we lived on the same floor at University of Washington. We both share a passion for microfinance and co-founded myKRO.org together five years ago. Like me, he’s hooked on travel. He’s one of the people I can tell anything in the world too — and know he’ll give me his honest opinions even if it’s not what I want to hear.

They are all listed on our About page.

Oh Hey World Updates

Month of Microfinance and Oh Hey World

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MoMF-LogoWe’re pleased to announce our partnership with Month of Microfinance to provide the technology platform to help microfinance advocates all over the world find other microfinance advocates nearby.

To help us achieve our goal of bringing microfinance advocates together in person:

  1. Sign up for the beta
  2. Add “microfinance” as an interest on your profile
  3. Take a look at other microfinance advocates here.

What exactly is Month of Microfinance?

WHAT: Month of Educational, Awareness and Fundraising events for Client-Centered Microfinance

WHEN: April 1 – April 30, 2013

WHERE: Everywhere

WHY: We are a low-budget (correct that, no-budget) grassroots movement of student organizations with a passion for microfinance and an intense commitment to learning.

HOW: Take 3 Steps

  • Learn about Client-Centered Microfinance
  • Act in support of Client-Centered Microfinance
  • Grow the Client-Centered Microfinance Movement

The goal is to organize the world’s microfinance community into real life communities. If that sounds ambitious, you’re right. It is. Finding others passionate about microfinance in cities all across the globe has been a personal pain point for me over the past 3 years traveling, so it’s safe to say I’ve beyond excited to have an imminent solution to this problem. Once Oh Hey World is live (read: before April), you’ll be able to sign up for an account, tag your profile as “microfinance”, check-in to your current location – and see others passionate about microfinance close by.

To help us achieve our goal of bringing microfinance advocates together in person:

  1. Sign up for the beta
  2. Add “microfinance” as an interest on your profile
  3. Check in to your current city
  4. Take a look at other microfinance advocates here.

More to come…

Travel Thoughts

Why Your Travels Should Incorporate Social Good

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Why you should volunteer and give back is a tricky question, because on the surface we all tend to have this notion of helping out others is “good,” but acting on that, and understanding the motivation behind service is harder to pinpoint. I left to travel back in 2008, and at that point I planned to volunteer throughout my travels, but I had no concrete understanding of the specifics—I just knew I needed to integrate service in some way, to connect on a deeper level with each place, and also as a way to show my gratitude for the circumstances of my own life, that allowed me to travel.

wadi feynan

Learning about the local Bedouin culture at an eco-lodge in Wadi Feynan, Jordan

Once you set out on the road and travel, it’s immediately apparent the similarities among cultures—we all have the same basic wants and needs, similar goals for life: education, work with dignity, and freedom to provide for our children. There’s a commonality there that I didn’t understand until I left, and once I found this shared thread among all people and cultures, it deepened for me the understanding that we are all on a shared journey. We are connected by our humanity and in that connection there is a responsibility to take care of one another, and the environment—our shared home.

In the early days of travel, I mostly confined my service activities to volunteering in a handful of places and letting that suffice as my way of giving back—and it was a good way to be sure. But the longer I have traveled, I have realized there are smaller ways to create social good and change at every step through responsible travel and supporting small, local communities through tourism and business.

I realized along the way that giving back is a mindset, not just actions, and it is this mindset that I think has the ability to allow all travelers to have a deeper travel experience and a more profound understanding of their place in the world.

In 2011, I launched Grassroots Volunteering and began writing free responsible travel guides because I wanted to empower travelers to connect more deeply to the people and places they visited. This database lists out social enterprises—small, local businesses with underlying social missions—as well independent, grassroots volunteer opportunities. It’s these travel experiences, where we are incrementally and slowly embodying the change we want to see in the world through our actions, that I believe we have an obligation to support.

So much in my life has been given merely through circumstance of birth. My education was free all the way through until I graduated University, I live in one of the only dozens of countries where being a female does not hamper my ability to live a life on my own terms, and I have access to resources that are beyond those of the majority of the world’s population. Wealth and resource disparities have created significant chasms in the opportunities each person has on this planet, and we each have a duty to find ways to serve others—even the small integration of a service mindset has the ability to catalyze positive change in ourselves, and in the world.

Inspiration

Most Desired Destinations, Part 2

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ghanaroadwipeout

Eastern coast of Ghana

I thought I’d continue the theme of most desired travel destinations I started. Over the last couple weeks, I asked seasoned travelers the following question:

What destination (country or city) is at the top of your list of most desired places to visit, and why?

The goal was to get beyond the established locations like London, Paris, Rome, Bangkok, etc. Below are some additional responses…

Dani Blanchette – Going Nomadic

There’s a ton of places, but one place I really, really want to go is Indonesia.  I want to see komodo dragons, have Sumatran coffee (my favourite kind) in Sumatra, and go see archaeological remains in Java.  I also want to see a real volcano.

Shannon O’Donnell – A Little Adrift (Oh Hey World advisor)

Africa is at the top of my list—and I know that’s a broad answer, but I’ve been to so many countries and yet I haven’t made it anywhere in Africa. If I had to narrow it down though, I would start my journey with several months of volunteering in Kenya.

Jessie Speilvogel – Split Aces Media

Thailand because if Thai food is this good in the states… I can only imagine what it’s like when I try the real deal! Also, I’ve got a bucket list to attend to, and Thailand, Singapore, Laos, and Cambodia are all waiting to be crossed off.

Val Dawson – This Way to Paradise

I most want to go and discover Brazil. The Brazilian people always seem so happy and full of life. I don’t want to just go to the touristy spots either, as I have met many locals who have told me about some of the hidden spots such as Porto Segura.  I also can’t wait to try Brazilian food, as this is a type of cuisine that I’m am not yet familiar with.

NaEun Park – Nanana Travels

My most desired place to go is India. It’s been a country I’ve always wanted to go to but held myself back for a long time. I grew up in Southeast Asia since I was 7 years old and always wondered what it ‘feels’ like to step into the region for the first time. I don’t really remember anything apart from the fact that it was hot and I didn’t get to experience too much of a ‘culture shock.’ I think India will be one of those places where I’ll get to experience it but I also wanted to make sure I was mentally prepared and be open to whatever I experience there – basically, letting go of all expectations. I think I’m ready for whatever India will show me and I’m looking forward to visiting it very soon!

What destination is at the top of your list?

Travel Thoughts

What is the Most Important Thing Travel has Taught You?

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For an interview I recently did, I was asked “What is the Most Important Thing Travel has Taught You?”

My response is as follows…

That we live a very privileged life — and we need to be grateful for that, take advantage of the opportunities presented to us, and leave this world a better place than when we entered it. I have grown to love the quote that I first heard from Will Smith, “If you’re not making someone else’s life better, you’re wasting your time”

What has travel taught you?

Inspiration

Most Desired Destinations to Visit – from Seasoned Travelers

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When it comes to desired destinations for travelers, you likely know the drill. Paris, Rome, New York, London, Bangkok, etc. But what about destinations a bit off the beaten path? The best way to figure out those locations are by asking a range of extremely seasoned travelers who have already visited the most popular spots.

Santorini windmill

Santorini

Carnival in Saint John's USVI

Carnival in Saint John’s USVI

Over the last couple weeks, I asked several seasoned travelers the following question:

What destination (country or city) is at the top of your list of most desired places to visit, and why?

Below are their responses….

Ian Ord – Where Sidewalks End (Oh Hey World advisor)

I’d have to say Myanmar is on the top of my travel radar at the moment. It’s started getting a lot of heavy tourist traffic in recent years, and I’d like to visit it while it’s tourism is still in it’s infancy.

Nick Loper – ShoeSniper

Way too many! If I had to pick just one, I would probably go with Thailand in general and Chiang Mai specifically. Everyone I know who’s gone raves about it and seems to be especially popular among like-minded Internet entrepreneurs.

Leslie Forman – LeslieForman.com

I’d love to visit Cuba. I’m fascinated by the politics and mixed economy of the place, and I think that it’s a country that will change dramatically in the next ten years or so. I want to stay in family-run guesthouses and ride in impeccably-maintained 50s-era cars. I’d like to sip mojitos and chat with everyone.

Alana Morgan – Paper Planes

I never seem to have a solid reason for wanting to visit a place. For me it’s less about specific sites, cities and activities and more about a feeling that I get for a place and can’t explain.  I would love to go to Morocco or Turkey.  I don’t know much about either but for some reason have always been drawn to the art, architecture and mystery those places hold for me.

Barret Caldwell – Bearly Home

Nova Scotia/Prince Edward Island are at the top of my list right now….I’m determined to make it up there come April or May as it warms up…I want to see whales/lighthouses/eat seafood/and get lost on a whirlwind drive around the coast of Canada’s Maritimes.

As for me? I constantly go back and forth between South Africa and China. My best friend will tell you I’ve been talking about China since senior year of college. The economic activity over there is mind-blowing (at least from afar), and I want to see the next world superpower from the inside before the country is totally commercialized. My interest in South Africa has been a combination of the sheer natural beauty of Capetown – people I’ve talked to say it’s the most beautiful city in the world, gaining a better understanding Apartheid (& movies like Invictus), and the fact that my old boss at Zillow, David Gibbons, now lives there. If I had to pick one, I’d go with South Africa.

What destination is at the top of your list? Are you already planning the trip?

Oh Hey World Updates

The Easiest Way to Update Your Current Location on Your Travel Blog

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If you’re like me, you have a “currently in” module on your travel blog. Maybe your location is listed on your about page or maybe it’s listed on your sidebar or footer (or both). If you’re like me, you also probably still update that current location manually  via html or widget text every time you change locations. If you’re like me, you forget — resulting in the current location often being out-of-date/wrong on your site.

Now, there’s an easier way for those of you with WordPress blogs. The Oh Hey World WordPress Plugin.

One click (or email or text) and you’re all set — without touching a line of code or messing with your widget settings.

Below are two examples of the plugin in use…

Example Widget

Kristin Henning

Seen on http://hmshenning.com/

Example shortcode

Screen Shot 2013-02-06 at 9.05.49 AM

Seen on http://alittleadrift.com

I’m looking for 10 beta testers for our new WordPress plugin to make sure we catch all the bugs and make the product as valuable and easy to use as possible. If you want access to the plugin ahead of public release (& are willing to provide a bit of feedback), shoot me an email at drew at ohheyworld or leave a comment.

Exploring the Wild Blue Yonder