Hey stp! meet this douchebag: the mastercard vagabond
- Thread starter Hobo Huck
- Start date
WanderLost Radical
New member
I can't really blame him to ally with mastercard to travel for free... But the stealing and lying and living off the poor makes him a massive douchebag!!
EphemeralStick
Andie of the House of Queer
This guy is no vagabond and has no right to call himself such. Using the ideas of freedom and wanderlust to turn a profit while advocating against corporate greed? What a colossal waste of breath. I hope this asshat checks out StP, I hope that he finds what real nomads are like. I hope he attempts to give real nomadic life a chance after reading our stories and becoming enamored with a romanticized idea of what it means to travel with nothing.
And I hope that illusion breaks him.
And I hope that illusion breaks him.
sandpaper cowboy
the fool
Deleted
Last edited:
Tomislav
New member
Hi all, "The MasterCard vagabond" here 
The person who started this post (and the one on Reddit, and another one on Reddit, commented on my TEDx YT talk, and my blog) told me I should come here, where the REAL and TRUE vagabonds are, and justify myself. So here I am.
Couple of things I want to point out so we can have a normal conversation, unlike the one on Reddit, where I was banned from replying for no reason whatsoever. You can check it for yourself and make your judgement.
So, here are some issues I would like to address:
1. If you call yourself TRUE and/or REAL vagabond/whatever, you most likely have some ego issues. Just sayin'. Thinking your way is the only one that is proper, while everyone that is not playing by the unwritten rules someone sets - is just being childish. My dad is stronger than yours. My way of traveling is better than yours. Same thing.
2. I have been accused of several things, to name the few: I ran from my debt/investors when I lost money on stock exchange, I begged 12,000$ on my crowdfunding campaign, I monetized my blog before I started traveling, I used people in poor countries, etc. All of these are utter nonsense, you can read the reasons in my first reply that was pasted on this forum. Of course, when you see that, that is not relevant any more.
3. And then we come to my only sin - MasterCard sponsorship. How dare I take money from big company while promoting traveling with almost no money? Well, I had these kind of thoughts before accepting their proposal, to be honest. But then I faced with a decision - do I take this offer and continue with my travels around the world while that sponsorship pays off my debt, or to stay home and work/save money for 5-10 years to be able to pay off my debt? I chose the first option, and I was never sorry. I continued with my way of traveling (hitchhiking, couchsurfing, volunteering, busking, dumpster diving, etc.), and every now and then mentioned MC. Was I lying? Was I being dishonest? Not really. I wrote what I was going through, and had some obligations for people that I was working for. One can question morality of working for big corporation, but if you look around you - there is a big chance you are using some immoral products every day. Apart from "true vagabonds" who don't spend any money or work for someone. But the real vagabonds won't go around and brag with their lifestyle, accusing everyone (99,9% of the population) for living differently. If they do, they also have some ego issues.
4. The last - did I travel the world with almost no money? Did I hitchhike through Iraq/Iran/Pakistan, across Indian ocean, couchsurfed/camped/slept outside on 5 continents, volunteered, worked, busked, and all that spending 7-8$ a day? Yes I did. And I wrote about that. I never wrote how I am the ultimate traveler, I never wrote with disrespect to other travelers/tourists - if I did, I had some ego issues. My story is about how its possible to travel with almost no money. Does it hurt to have money on the side? Not really. Am I causing damage to the world by putting a MC logo on my T-shirt? Depends on who you ask.
I'm not trying to save the world and present myself as being a travel guru. I just do what I do, trying not to hurt anyone in the process, enjoy my life and share my story. That story is not for everyone, just like yours is also not for everyone. But if we go around and attack people that are different from us - ask yourself are we making this world a better place or we are just frustrated with big egos?
The person who started this post (and the one on Reddit, and another one on Reddit, commented on my TEDx YT talk, and my blog) told me I should come here, where the REAL and TRUE vagabonds are, and justify myself. So here I am.
Couple of things I want to point out so we can have a normal conversation, unlike the one on Reddit, where I was banned from replying for no reason whatsoever. You can check it for yourself and make your judgement.
So, here are some issues I would like to address:
1. If you call yourself TRUE and/or REAL vagabond/whatever, you most likely have some ego issues. Just sayin'. Thinking your way is the only one that is proper, while everyone that is not playing by the unwritten rules someone sets - is just being childish. My dad is stronger than yours. My way of traveling is better than yours. Same thing.
2. I have been accused of several things, to name the few: I ran from my debt/investors when I lost money on stock exchange, I begged 12,000$ on my crowdfunding campaign, I monetized my blog before I started traveling, I used people in poor countries, etc. All of these are utter nonsense, you can read the reasons in my first reply that was pasted on this forum. Of course, when you see that, that is not relevant any more.
3. And then we come to my only sin - MasterCard sponsorship. How dare I take money from big company while promoting traveling with almost no money? Well, I had these kind of thoughts before accepting their proposal, to be honest. But then I faced with a decision - do I take this offer and continue with my travels around the world while that sponsorship pays off my debt, or to stay home and work/save money for 5-10 years to be able to pay off my debt? I chose the first option, and I was never sorry. I continued with my way of traveling (hitchhiking, couchsurfing, volunteering, busking, dumpster diving, etc.), and every now and then mentioned MC. Was I lying? Was I being dishonest? Not really. I wrote what I was going through, and had some obligations for people that I was working for. One can question morality of working for big corporation, but if you look around you - there is a big chance you are using some immoral products every day. Apart from "true vagabonds" who don't spend any money or work for someone. But the real vagabonds won't go around and brag with their lifestyle, accusing everyone (99,9% of the population) for living differently. If they do, they also have some ego issues.
4. The last - did I travel the world with almost no money? Did I hitchhike through Iraq/Iran/Pakistan, across Indian ocean, couchsurfed/camped/slept outside on 5 continents, volunteered, worked, busked, and all that spending 7-8$ a day? Yes I did. And I wrote about that. I never wrote how I am the ultimate traveler, I never wrote with disrespect to other travelers/tourists - if I did, I had some ego issues. My story is about how its possible to travel with almost no money. Does it hurt to have money on the side? Not really. Am I causing damage to the world by putting a MC logo on my T-shirt? Depends on who you ask.
I'm not trying to save the world and present myself as being a travel guru. I just do what I do, trying not to hurt anyone in the process, enjoy my life and share my story. That story is not for everyone, just like yours is also not for everyone. But if we go around and attack people that are different from us - ask yourself are we making this world a better place or we are just frustrated with big egos?
Durp
New member
I definitely commend you for coming to this site, took some balls especially since hardly any folk here have any money to buy your stuff or book. I don't know you from adam and only you know in your heart if what you are doing is ethical. I personally have political ideologies that prevent me from following your path, but to each their own I suppose. Welcome to stp mastercard.
Tomislav
New member
Now to reply directly to some of you.
I didn't need 12,000$ to write a book. I needed $6,400 to publish the Croatian version and to translate and publish it to English. People liked my story and gave me more than I asked for. Which is a normal thing to happen when you do crowdfunding.
So you are okay to write your own book and getting "few bucks from it" - but if I want to translate my book that is wrong? Would you translate your book to German for example if 200 Germans asked you to? Or would you be like - no, I just want to inspire the members of my local community?
Also, 95% of the sponsorship money and book profits went to paying off my debt.
Well done! Its not deleted, unlike reddit post when I was attacked (apart from the first one) and my banning from commenting on Reddit. Thats pretty ironic, right?
I didn't need 12,000$ to write a book. I needed $6,400 to publish the Croatian version and to translate and publish it to English. People liked my story and gave me more than I asked for. Which is a normal thing to happen when you do crowdfunding.
So you are okay to write your own book and getting "few bucks from it" - but if I want to translate my book that is wrong? Would you translate your book to German for example if 200 Germans asked you to? Or would you be like - no, I just want to inspire the members of my local community?
Also, 95% of the sponsorship money and book profits went to paying off my debt.
Well done! Its not deleted, unlike reddit post when I was attacked (apart from the first one) and my banning from commenting on Reddit. Thats pretty ironic, right?
Tomislav
New member
I see you read my blog.
Spread the word, people! Let the world know!
BTW, I really like this last sentence in the quote - ""
Why did you erase that post? Because nobody replied and wasnt interested?
Oh lord. So you are saying that everyone that doesnt travel with trains, on foot or by van - sucks? Seriously?
Can you please elaborate on what stealing and lying are you referring to? Thanks.
I agree with this "observe your mind". All of us should.
Btw, do you know where the money from Osprey or Marmot is going to? Or is it just that they are not a big international corporation and that makes them okay?
Last edited by a moderator:
Tomislav
New member
But that is the point of this all attack - to tell people I'm a fraud because I don't travel the way they do. Or I do, but I made a pact with the devil himself to pay off my debt and now I'm spreading lies all over the world.
I respect your ideologies, and I wish is that everyone respects mine. Thats not hard, is it?
EphemeralStick
Andie of the House of Queer
@Tomislav Let me clarify something to you.
My largest issue is that you don't seem to see what kind of ripple effect your influence has. You want to inspire young people to live a different lifestyle? A more open and free one yes? That's fine and dandy.
What you don't realize is that those you inspire most likely will NOT be receiving any sort of sponsorship. They will be left to their own devices and that's where things begin to change.
These kids will eventually pass over from your idea of traveling to ours and that puts a strain on our community. The number one most dangerous thing on the road is recklessness and people like you who promote this false sense of whimsical, traveler fantasy bring people into our community that end up getting themselves into more trouble than they're worth.
You want to promote a travelers lifestyle? Go for it. But spare us your condescending humility crap. You're just hurting the community.
My largest issue is that you don't seem to see what kind of ripple effect your influence has. You want to inspire young people to live a different lifestyle? A more open and free one yes? That's fine and dandy.
What you don't realize is that those you inspire most likely will NOT be receiving any sort of sponsorship. They will be left to their own devices and that's where things begin to change.
These kids will eventually pass over from your idea of traveling to ours and that puts a strain on our community. The number one most dangerous thing on the road is recklessness and people like you who promote this false sense of whimsical, traveler fantasy bring people into our community that end up getting themselves into more trouble than they're worth.
You want to promote a travelers lifestyle? Go for it. But spare us your condescending humility crap. You're just hurting the community.
Durp
New member
@mastercard (sorry but that's going to follow you a long time bud)
I guess the specific issue was the use of the term "vagabond" which is used to describe most of our lifestyles. I guess the general energy is you can't really be a vagabond because:
A) you have a corporate sponsor
B) you are clearly monetizing your efforts
C) you Can go home when you want, when the road is our home.
Vagabond is like a badge of honor in this community, and gives people something to belong to and hold on to.
I guess the specific issue was the use of the term "vagabond" which is used to describe most of our lifestyles. I guess the general energy is you can't really be a vagabond because:
A) you have a corporate sponsor
B) you are clearly monetizing your efforts
C) you Can go home when you want, when the road is our home.
Vagabond is like a badge of honor in this community, and gives people something to belong to and hold on to.
Last edited:
sandpaper cowboy
the fool
Never said it was ok. I guess it depends on how honest you are as a person and how deeply one is willing to look into the nitty gritty. I don't endorse either one of those companies, but I'm willing to bet quite a few nickels they haven't locked too many people into debt slavery recently.
Look, you've justified your actions to yourself I'm sure, so I don't really see the point of hopping on a carousal with you.
laterz
Tomislav
New member
I traveled all these year WITHOUT using my sponsorship money - lets be clear on that one. I told numerous times that I used that money to pay off my debts. Plus, I traveled 2 years around Europe with having no sponsorship money.
What I am trying to promote, even though share would be a better word - is that its possible to travel with almost no money. If you check that video of my TEDx talk, or see THE THIRD SENTENCE in my article about travel sponsors:
Before we start, I would like to point out that lack of sponsors (or money generally) should’t discourage you to travel. Sponsors are just cherry on the top, because you can definitely travel without them – ask 99,9% of the travellers that went on their trips with no sponsors whatsoever. Life on the road is not that expensive, after all.
Tell me, if someone listens my advice and goes traveling alternative ways - hitchhiking, couchsurfing, camping, dumpster diving, volunteering, working, busking - is that possible to do without sponsor money? Of course it is. Thats what I'm trying to point out. You can travel without sponsors. I had them when I was traveling. But I didnt use their money for my daily expenses.
Please watch that TEDx talk, and tell me do I tell people to go out there and be reckless. Please do.
Tomislav
New member
That is the thing here - I was called out because of this - WITHOUT me saying anywhere that I am a vagabond.
People in "vagabond community" got insulted because I was promoting "my" style of traveling, only because I dont fit into their boxes of how traveling should look like.
Tomislav
New member
You havent said it was okay, you said it was a different thing. Which kinda justifies it.
Every company, well almost every, can be guilty of something. If a CEO of a small local bakery drives a car - he is supporting the pollution on Earth. If he is buying BigMac he is bad. This can go forever.
Yes, I justified my actions to myself, and all I'm trying to do here is to defend from attacks on 4 different fronts from people that dont know me, but have issues with my way of traveling and living.
Durp
New member
again, I don't know you, I just hope you use some of your new found funds to make a positive impact in the community. Good ways of doing this would be to donate a large percentage of your profits to some form of travelers resource like food banks, soup kitchens, loads of socks ect. You have the right to be your own person, just anything linked to such financial treachery raises a few eyebrows in radical comunities. Most of us do what we do to stand up against everything the financial system represents.
EphemeralStick
Andie of the House of Queer
Maybe try asking yourself why an entire community would be targeting you. You clearly have just as much an ego as the rest of us if you're coming to our site specifically to justify yourself. If you believe in your own convictions so strongly what does any of our opinion matter?