Teacher on Two Wheels

Above: Veggies in a street market in Hoi An, Vietnam. I know, it has nothing to do with frequently asked questions, but I couldn’t find a picture of a question.

Some answers to the questions I’ve been getting most often–

Q–Why are you doing this?

A–I’m doing this for a few reasons.

1. This is the best way I can think of to both teach and travel in the style I most enjoy.

2. Traveling by bike will give me types of freedom that are hard to find when traveling by train, bus, or car: the freedom to stop when I want, the freedom to avoid tourist hubs (and the touts that make them dangerous), the freedom to travel with a clean conscience knowing my trip isn’t polluting the planet, and the freedom to absorb a place at a slower pace.

3. I think cross-cultural communication between students of different countries is imperative in creating a global society that is tolerant, war-free, and capable of churning out respect.

Q–How are you paying for this?

A–I worked for two years in Japan as an English teacher at a public high school with the JET Program. While in Japan, I killed two birds with one stone by having an awesome time and saving a fair bit of money. My income in Japan was tax-free, my rent was about $60 a month because I lived in government-subsidized housing, and I tutored on the side so I could save most or all of my paycheck each month. Also, I was awarded a $3,500 grant by Perseus Books, the company that publishes a book called Delaying the Real World. Read more about the grant and the book here.

Q–How much do you think the trip will cost?

A–I have budgeted for a daily budget of about $27 a day.  I have been living on an average of $7-9 a day, though, since the trip has started.

Q–Aren’t you afraid of getting robbed?

A–Kinda, but I’m not overly worried about it. I’ve read about other cyclists who have been mugged, and I’m hoping for the best, but I’m planning for the worst. Money will be hidden throughout my bike and gear in case someone robs me. If I go out at night, I’ll carry a dummy wallet containing nothing more than a few bucks, an old credit card, and an old ID. All important stuff will stay in a hidden money belt that I’ll leave on me at all times.

So far, I have met amazing, kind, hospitable people on my trip.  I haven’t once felt overly unsafe. 

Q–Have you been to South America or Africa before?

A–Nope.

Q–How do you know where to go?

A–Lots of people have asked me this question for some reason. I’m using maps. Good ol’ fashioned paper maps.

Q–How much do you ride each day?

A–I try to ride at least 50–60 miles a day on average.  Depending on the hills and the wind, however, some days I ride only 30 or 40 miles.

Q–Have you already arranged visits with the schools you’ll be stopping at along the way?

A–No. As I ride, I’m going to be looking for schools to visit and people who know teachers in the area. There is no way I could arrange school visits very far in advance while I ride considering that I’m going to allow my route to change based on local advice and conversations I have with other travelers along the way.

If you are a teacher in North/South America or Africa and you would like me to visit your school to speak about my ride and/or volunteer to teach English, please email me at: andrewedwardmorgan@gmail.com

Q–What vaccines have you gotten for the trip?

A–Polio, Hep A, Yellow Fever, Tetanus, and Typhoid (oral vaccine).  For other travelers who are interested: the five vaccines above cost me $330.

Q–How much bicycling have you done in the past?

A–Not much. I rode a few 150 mile two-day rides in high school and rode a mile each way to work out in Japan. Other than that, I don’t have much cycling experience. I chose to cycle simply because it seems like it’s the best way to travel.

Q–What do your parents think about all this?

A–They have been incredibly supportive. They realize this is positive and something I really want to do. Thankfully, they also enjoy traveling and have encouraged my sister and I to travel since we were little kids.

Q–Where do you sleep each night?

A–I usually camp.  I sleep in farmer’s fields, under bridges, behind churches, next to restaurants, on river banks.  If a place is flat and safe, I’ll sleep there.  I have also been using Couchsurfing.com and Warmshowers.com to find kind hosts along my route.