Travel Movie: A Map for Saturday

Sometime last year, I watched “A Map for Saturday” with a few other travellers. A true story that involves a guy who left his job to travel the world for almost a year. He recorded his backpacking journey and interviewed other backpackers along the way. After his trip, he worked on his tapes and made it into a documentary. Most travellers I know have seen the movie and were left inspired.

Synposis: A MAP FOR SATURDAY is the product of a year’s travel through 26 countries on four continents. Emmy winning producer Brook Silva-Braga left his cushy gig with American TV network HBO to travel the world with five pounds of clothes and 30 pounds of video equipment. – source

To be honest, I slept towards the end part of the film. I was too tired when I watched it and it was during those days when I had multiple jobs and I was going out on trips during weekends. I’ll watch it again soon. Despite this, it made an impact on me on how a person can actually give up a routine, pursue other passions in life and still survive. I finally gave up my job earlier this year to start my own journey and although time’s a bit tough, experiences have been rewarding.

I realize that I don’t have to live to acquire material possessions; that we can all live simply if we want to. Sure, sometimes I wonder how it would be like to spend money and travel in luxury. Maybe one of these days, I’ll book and splurge money in posh hotels around the globe; like reserving hotels near royal albert hall just so I can watch a beautiful concert in London. Maybe I’ll rent a yacht for a day and cruise around the waters of Greece. Or maybe I’ll finally experience first-class service in an international airline. It depends, really.

I’ve met backpackers who’ve use their talents and skills in order to earn a living to sustain them for the next couple of days. They juggle, perform acrobatic acts, sing with guitars & other instruments, and entertain other travellers in touristy places. They get a dollar or more in an hour; one time I met a French diabolo performer who earned 3000 baht (96 USD) in 20 minutes in Khao San Road in Thailand. I was amazed.

For now, I’m sticking with travelling according to where my budget can take me until I can build bigger online businesses with my websites. Films like A Map for Saturday inspire me that living within my means and travelling at the same time is possible. Heck, I even lived in Cambodia for a month and spent only 8 USD/day! The bigger challenge now is how to discipline myself to sustain the lifestyle I’m living.

In the last three months, I travelled to Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Singapore. I’m temporarily back in the Philippines where I made a side trip to Boracay, stayed in Cebu, and now I’m in Manila for a week. By June, I’ll be in Cambodia again.

I wouldn’t be sustaining this lifestyle if I didn’t have a job that I could take with me anywhere I go. That’s why I’m thankful that times are changing; that I don’t have to be part of a norm to climb a ladder of corporate madness if I don’t want to. I have a choice and surely, you have, too.


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soloflightEd.com is a travel blog by Edcel Suyo. He enjoys performing headstands and crazy stunts during his trips in the Philippines, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Now based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and working to earn a living, he takes time to enjoy the city and travel during weekends.
For updates, Like his page on Facebook or Follow him on Twitter.
For questions, advertising, and other concerns, shoot an email to ed@soloflighted.com.


15 thoughts on “Travel Movie: A Map for Saturday”

  1. Soooooooooo true… when you travel.. it doesnt have to be luxurious…
    And Yes! There's so much life beyond the four walls of the corporate office. But was thankful that I have been in that office because I can apply the principles in my soloentrep journey. Life is great! Live Life with No Limits!!!
    Keep inspiring people Eds!!! Glad I met you before you became this big in the blogosphere… you deserve this so much!

    Reply
  2. The experience and people you meet while travelling is already a luxury, My goal is still to travel the world and a detour from the comfort zone is the first step. Thanks for this inspiration Ed!

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  3. @Xyza: Xyza!!!! hehe. I'm also thankful for the opportunity and growth the office has given me. I wouldn't have come to this idea if it weren't for it. I'm also proud to be part of that company. Thanks xyza! hope to meet you again one of these days.

    @Eric: Thanks, I think I watched Last Stop for Paul. will check out The Art of Travel. 🙂

    @UntiedEscape: true. hope to read more of your plans! Thanks! 😀

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  4. I remember watching that film too while seated on a comfy couch and a bit tipsy (but not drunk! LOL). I couldn't remember all the details but the frustrations while backpacking made an impact on me. I will soon make a travel movie. Hindi man docu-style like this one, i will still make mine. Manood ka ha 😛

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  5. @vin: haha. youtube talaga!

    @micamyx: naks, sino artista? ikaw? sige na mica, go. launching commercial film at ikaw pa ang starring! naks, hehe

    @killerfillers: tignan ko kung may copy pa ako. hehe. 😀

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  6. @melvin: no problem melvin, hope to blog about inspiring movies some more! 😀

    @pinay travel junkie: tayo na ang mga rebels! lol. haha, kaya kayod nang kayod. hehehe. see you in SEA!

    @oman: toinks, magresign ka na oman! joke.

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  7. sa ginaingon pa sa uban… ang trabaho maka-daot sa bisyo… haha… Seriously, If there's a will, there's a way… Keep Travelling! be an inspiration to everyone ed! 

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  8. Articles and movies like these remind me that quitting my job was not crazy. 
     
    Thanks for inspiring people like me to fully experience the world (well I'm just starting)

    Reply

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