Rao Neni Rao Neni

Six Ways to (Legally) Work Anywhere

One of the most frequent questions I get is about how I’ve been able to pick up temporary work throughout my travels without falling afoul of the law.

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Highlights from Mali

Frequent readers will know that Western Africa is one of my favorite parts of the world, so my expectations were already high when I secured a lift to Bamako.

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Desert Etiquette

Just as sailors abide by the laws of the sea, desert inhabitants live by a code that keeps them safe in this often extreme environment. Lesson number one: Your water is everyone’s water.

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The Loudest City in the World

It’s not New York or Shanghai — it’s Cairo. Here are some tips and tricks for enjoying the cultural life of this great city without getting a headache or hearing loss.

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72 Hours in Algeria

While I generally try to travel the slow and steady way, sometimes opportunities arise that are too good to miss. When my friend Kahlil invited me to spend a weekend with his family in the Djebel Babor mountains, I had to make it happen.

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Morocco's Royal Cities

Morocco has four historical capitals: Fez, Marrakesh, Meknes and Rabat. I spent a week in each and emerged with a clear favorite.

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Cappadocia by Hot Air Balloon

I woke up to a mysterious text message from my friend Ekrem: “I’ve got a one-of-a-kind job waiting for you in Cappadocia if you can make it here by Monday.

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Cheap and Delicious Eats in Istanbul

One of the most valuable things I’ve learned in my travels is that the best food is any destination is never at the fancy hotels. Follow the locals and you’ll eat well (and cheaply).

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On Loneliness

Does it ever get lonely out on the road? Yes. But if you can learn to embrace loneliness, it can be a great teacher.

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Back to America

I’m sitting in Bangkok’s airport, about to board a plane to my wildest destination yet: My sister’s wedding back home in Santa Cruz. What will I find in America after two years of constant travel?

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Scam City

Let’s celebrate April Fools’ Day with a list of every scam I’ve encountered in three weeks in Bangkok, shall we?

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Only the Essentials

The last six years of travel have been a story of reduction. When I first set out, I was proud of myself for only bringing one backpack full of clever gear. Today, I see the world with only five essential items.

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Relationships and the Road

You can’t have a typical relationship while you travel the world, but that doesn’t mean romance is always out of reach.

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People Are Good

One of the biggest adjustments for me when I first started traveling was losing my innate suspicion of other people. I’d glad I did, because so much of my journey has been about the people I’ve met along the way.

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Bring vs. Buy

A common mistake travelers make is packing things that can be easily (and cheaply) purchased once they arrive at their destination.

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Happy New Year from Bhutan

I went to Bhutan to see if it’s reputation for being the happiest country on earth was accurate. Spoiler alert: It’s that and so much more.

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I plan my life out a day at a time, so my posting schedule can be erratic.

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