Author: Anthony Perez

Categories
General Voyage Journal

2012 = More Opportunity and traveling

Its been a rough financial year in 2011 but i made the best of Christmas and New Years will family and good friends, including new friends. 2011 was a somewhat of a lesson though. I spend most of the year frustrated and stressing from the effects of the economy. Its a domino effect. From big business down to an individual myself. No job means a stricter lifestyle and penny pinching. As a result of motivation, i was fortunate enough to stay afloat with a decent paying job and a self-owned web design business.

As a result, as 2011 came to an end, i realized stress and frustration will only shorten my life span. Im not on the verge of death so why not enjoy what i have now. Take things day by day. Live, love, laugh. Here is 2012, the world still isnt a great place but in my perspective the world is. Life is what you perceive it to be. So far the year has begun peacefully with a great mindset. Ive already planned my next few trips to Phoenix, the Grand Canyon, Bahamas, Toronto, and Most likely the Virgin Island with many more destinations after as I envisioned a year ago. I wish everyone Peace, love, prosperity, and happiness! =)

Categories
Canada General North America Ontario Voyage Journal

Toronto? Hostel?

Whats a greater way to start the near year like making a trip the first month to a place you really want to go. In the past several months my really good friend has been speaking about Toronto and seeing her boyfriend which in her case isn’t really that easy. After hearing about Toronto so many times I started to get curious about the city. Let alone for many years i always seen Canada as the invisible country to the north. (No offense my northern friends). Doing my little research, Toronto sounds like a great city to travel to. Winter or Summer. I grew up in the cold and live in the heat. Doesn’t make a difference to me.

So lately since financials aren’t too great i still managed to save up a couple hundred for my next travel destination. Travelocity shows a round trip flight for 287 opposed to higher rates. So I said why not spend a nice weekend in the lovely city of Toronto. Problem is, I will not ask for a place to stay with my friends boyfriend or family lol. Nor do i want to spend too much on a high priced hotel room i will only sleep and shower in. So the term HOSTEL came into play. I never knew what a hostel was besides the gory movie until i did further research. Practically a dormitory or privately own spot to rent out beds daily.

As an amatuer and how protective i am with my privacy and possessions my first thought was “Hell no, that’s dangerous!” Which i am sure it is. But considering my budget and my 0% friend ratio in this new city, i thought why not. Id try it. Mixed or Male dormitory according to hostelworld.com. Since all i am doing is sleeping and showering there and as long as i have a safe locker it sounds worth the money.

So my purpose of this blog post is to grab opinions, insight, personal feedback if you had any experience with hostels. Not to forget those Toronto natives or who have traveled to Toronto to give me ideas of other activities besides the much anticipated nightlife, tour guides and CN Tower.

-A. Perez

Categories
General Voyage Journal

Destiny..

…I don’t know what my true destiny is and what it will be. But looking back five years ago I was a lost soul. Not in the sense that I questioned everything around me. I was a person with no solid goal, no real interests, hobbies, and no clear path. I knew I wanted to be a web designer but i didn’t know how far it will take me. All I had was some basic MySpace HTML coding skill. As I progressed my way into my track I slowly picked up experience through hands on trial and error.

As I became more and more free from the pressures of college exams, projects, and school work I began to realize that Traveling is and always has been my true passion. As graduation was coming around the corner I even typed up a detailed list of all the places I intended to see and discover.

Growing up, my family brought me to Orlando theme parks, Puerto Rico, and the Jersey Shore every year which pulled me into the traveling lifestyle. But personally I have been through a lot. Divorced parents, mind manipulation, physical abuse, seeing both parents get arrested, intense aggression. Psychologically, I must say it damaged me greatly. Eventually Florida became my getaway, hence why I reside here today.

In the following years after relocating here I realized that even that decision didn’t put me at peace. This is why traveling has become my true passion. Being several states away doesnt necessarily mean i am getting away. Its not enough. I need new culture, new air, new vibe, new people, new everything. Mind you I am somewhat of a home body so living overseas isnt my ball game but i know i will happily embrace having a memory setting foot in another land that has a vast history than mine. This is my true lifetime getaway.

So this is where my past life and my career come together. As i previously stated, I do not know what my destiny is but I feel like I am really close to living it. As a web designer I have the ability to work at any corner of the world as long as I have internet access. I am currently in the work field getting as much experience as I can so I can handle the responsibilities of maintaining my own freelance business across the world. Overall it couldn’t be anymore perfect and in time I will be content and happy with a perfect life I know i was destined to have.

Living life patiently and progressively one day at a time but always prepared for the next.

-A. Perez

Categories
General Voyage Journal

Travel 4 Work, Work 4 Travel

So i am a fairly recent graduate from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelors in web design. In the months after graduation i have run through trial and error with projects and jobs. Although i have gained much experience i realized that its not only a tough competitive job market but with these sour economic times, my career is nearly impossible to settle in with the expected compensation to live and reach the goal i intend to reach.

So i question myself. Since traveling is my life long passion and I a goal i am beyond anxious to achieve, What if there was an opportunity to work traveling. Or to travel working. I have no clue! This is why i write this blog for those out there who share the same passion and goal as me that may know and possibly put me in the right direction. If there is such an opportunity as this to get me out of this box and get me to different corners of the world, working but doing so happily. Knowing i can come back home with proof to my friends and family that theres something beyond the boundaries of the life we are are way too accustomed to in America.

If anyone has any pointers or information for me please do let me know. I would hate to see my youth go by knowing that something is out there for me!

God Bless!

Categories
Florida General North America USA

Dear Key West

So, Where to begin. Well first off this trip has been planned since October of 2010. By then a plan had to come together to celebrate my UCF Graduation in May so a week Cruise was part of the plan then Cancun then finally Key West. Same state as 90% of my friends which i figured would make it easier for people than another country. So as time went by and i finally graduated problems arose with people. Long story short i traveled this trip alone,solo,me, myself and I. Between let downs, mis communication, “ill goes”, personal problems, inability to have off from work/school, etc, I reached a point where i told my self fuck it. I dont need anyone or anybody to have a good time. Some excuses were acceptable some excuses make me question certain friendships. But that never stopped me from hopping on the turnpike to US 1 bound for Key West. Just me myself and my Lancer(and my iphone lol).

All im trying to say is in the time span of 6 days out of 7, Ive had a great and amazing time out here. Especially for being alone. Did it bother me? No. Did i want company at time. Of course I did. But every thing i always wanted to do before i even got here I did by spontaneous plans alone including other things as well. From sightseeing, to bar hopping, to island hopping, to coastal driving, to walks on the beach, to sunset watching, to tipsy nights in the streets, to gazing at the stars, jet skiing and parasailing. I didnt take this trip to satisfy others and there happiness, I came here to get my self together which i have done. To leave the classroom behind me and the work desk in front of me. A transition from school to work place. Preparation for the next step in life to reach my goals for the future.

I also have world wide travel plans post graduation for the rest of my life. Sounds ridiculous but God nor anyone has ever set boundaries and limitations to go beyond my life style. Money is the only boundary and I plan on making it, saving it, and going/seeing places YOU will probably see in pictures. What does this have to do with Key West? Because Key West is the first destination on that list with many more to go.

IN ADDITION- I want to thank one special person for doing all she can to at least come out to Key West for a few hours to go jet skiing with me. I enjoyed that time with you. You know who you are. Thank you.

All in all. I’m officially at peace with my past. My future begins now but my version of complete happiness awaits me in the near future. Its the next steps i take will guarantee how i reach it. Im ready and my time to go home has come. . Key West, its been a pleasure. I will be back again i know this for sure!

With love,
Anthony Perez

230952_10150253920820119_5333794_n