thorough planning is the best practice
I don't know about couchsurfing.com. Sounds like it might be a good deal. Just be careful. If you are female, know that it's really not too difficult to avoid danger on the road. Just keep your eyes open, and trust your instincts about other people.

My global jaunts were always skint backpacking affairs (with a motorbike thrown in one time).
I agree completely that it's important to bring very little with you. You can always acquire necessaries along the way.

Have always found that other travelers help each out - most of the time. Talk to people and they will sort you. I enjoyed an entire week in Berlin with lovely free accommodation because two fellow bikers saw how broke we were and knew we'd be passing through Germany. There was a problem with their roommate, but they passed us onto another friend, an amazing guy who hosted us happily. Another time on a ferry - down to my last travelers check and the dollar was TOTAL shit, so couldn't even cash it until I hit the next country, as the double currency conversion would have wiped out my puny funds... I was without food. Dealt some aspirin to a hungover guy and then he and his wife made sure I ate and even bought me smokes. So other people do get you through.

I have never had to deal with getting a work visa - was on a moshav once, but they sorted all of the paperwork. I'm sure there is good information to be had on the interwebs.

So - read up, map out your route, and then just GO. Traveling is the greatest thing you can do for yourself. If my fellow Yanks had passports, and used them, my country would not be such an incredible fucking mess.

Good luck, and have fun!
( cackers, Mon 12 Jan 2009, 4:01, Reply)