Paid to Play Episode 3: The one where the author joins the Belize Fire Department for an evening while part of his hotel and several others burn down. He also sees dead people…but in a cave, not from the aftermath of the fire. Fortunately. While traveling north to Mexico to meet my first tour group, I had the distinct pleasure of serving with the Belize fire department. This isn't saying much really, as their hiring standards are not really that high. If y...

Paid to Play Episode 2: The one where the author goes on a training trip called the Volcano Trail from San Jose Costa Rica to Antigua Guatemala and learns how to be a Tour Leader as well as other various aspects of getting paid to play. And so it begins. To learn to be a tour leader I will have two training trips by following an experienced guide. In the end, I will finish in Playa del Carmen Mexico. Shortly after that, I will get my very own group of adventure ...

Paid to Play Episode 1: The one where after screwing off for 5 1/2 years, the author finds actual year-round employment. Well, now I am just like all of you reading this blog. I have a job. I have to get up every morning and do actual work, just like you. I must be responsible for stuff and in general, work hard to earn my wages just like you. I have to check e-mail, follow a budget, manage expense reports, and type things into Excel spreadsheets just like you...

It's my third season working at the Royal Coachman Lodge in Alaska. And one of my job perks this year was a visit to the legendary Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park. Everyone knows this waterfall from the National Geographic photos of salmon jumping right into the mouth of a grizzly bear. Well, this is the place. The bears are everywhere eating fish and berries to fatten up for the long winter and you can't walk very far before having a close encounter. The r...

"Hey, I want to rent your motorcycle."   This is kinda' the summary of my week long foray into the Central Sierra; a region of mild weather and numerous laid back towns and villages among cloud forest and other pre-jungle flora.  The weird thing about this area of Peru is it's easy to get here.  And also easy to leave.  But once you arrive, the tourist infrastructure for things to do and ways to get...