More Working Travel Options

While I can work online from anywhere, I also love the idea of having local work and volunteer opportunities. These seem like great ways to meet people while traveling and get an insiders' look at your destination.

I have come across a few websites that hooks up hosts and travelers willing to work. Some are for pay, others are volunteer opportunities:




Help Exchange

I'll just paste the site's description here, since it sums it up so well:

HelpX is an online listing of host organic farms, non-organic farms, farmstays, homestays, ranches, lodges, B&Bs, backpackers hostels and even sailing boats who invite volunteer helpers to stay with them short-term in exchange for food and accommodation.

WWOOF 

Opportunities to work on organic farms all over the world. I've been wanting to do this for years.

WorkAway

This is another with a blend of paid and volunteer opportunities. Hosts include everyone from B&Bs looking for workers to individuals seeking pet sitters.

Cooking on a Boat

I stumbled across a great blog about cooking in a galley. She even has a book available for those who are going to be without internet.

The Health Dangers of Living in Small Spaces

The New York Times recently posted an article about some micro-sized apartments proposed to go in New York City. While a lot of what is discussed is only relevant to apartment living or living in a highly populous city, some of the concerns and advice could apply to people sharing the confines of a liveaboard boat, as well. In particular:

• Modular spaces where you constantly need to convert the room get tiring.
• Lack of privacy causes stress.
• We are happier when we have places that telegraph something about our identities.

The third concern is pretty well taken care of by the boat itself. Who am I? I'm someone who lives on their boat. But, when looking for a full-time liveaboard boat, it'd be good to keep in mind that the more work you need to do each day to make the space work -- say, collapsing the table to make your bed -- the more likely you are to tire of your new living arrangement.

This island sounds like the most charming place on the planet.

Home Canned Tuna

Home canned food sounds like it will be a valuable commodity to have during full-time sailing. A few people on the sailing boards have mentioned having to process large amounts of tuna. There is a great recipe and post about tuna on Mrs. Wheelbarrow's Kitchen. Her beautiful jars look delicious!

Red Lentil Trail Mix

Red lentils are great. They're high in protein and fiber, and their small size means they cook quickly.

I already knew that they are air-popped and added to Indian snacks... but, I'd never seen them baked and added to crunchy trail mix before.

I have not tried this recipe yet, but, I have to say that I am intrigued.




Red Lentil Trail Mix (adapted from Three Many Cooks)

Makes about 3 1/2 cups
1 cup red lentils
Assorted add-ins such as dried fruit, nuts, chocolate and seeds

Soak lentils in water to cover until rehydrated. Drain and spread in a rimmed 13- by 9-inch baking sheet.

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake lentils on the middle rack. Stir once or twice to promote even baking. Bake until crisp, about 20 to 25 minutes.

Let cool to room temperature.

Mix lentils with remaining ingredients

Living in a small space

This is going to be one of our biggest challenges. My husband and I both have clutter problems that we will need to train ourselves out of before hitting the high seas.

I found some great advice about living in small spaces on the blog Off-Grid in Alaska. I recommend not just this article, but the whole blog. It chronicles the author's move to the Alaskan bush, living in a tent for a year and building a cabin.