missmercian

hey all,
I'd like to find a shop that I could wrench at in a different country for a few weeks as I travel. My travel time is Jan - Mar 06, and I realize this may be the downtime for many businesses, but where there is will, there's a way!
Perhaps you've had a good experience with a shop on your own travels, or maybe you've merely heard rumors...
I haven't yet made my destinations concrete, so any and all suggestions are appreciated.
Gracious Thanks

DiegoFrogs

You could go to the southern hemisphere... You understand that their summer coincides with our winter, right?

missmercian

Yes, of course. My initial consideration was Australia, but then I thought I'd widen the spectrum if something else interesting popped up. i.e. Jamaica, Japan, Spain, Italy, Holland, etc etc. Anything, I just want to go.

DiegoFrogs

You also might have trouble obtaining the right to work legally in countries with short notice. Other countries might be more strict with their standards (and enforcement) than we are...

Cyclist0383

Have you traveled much outside the States? I'm going to assume that you are a woman by your user name. If you go to many of the above mentioned countries I think as a woman you will have little or no chance of finding a job as a mechanic. Gender equality is not as advanced in many parts of the world as it is in America, and think of the problems you still have there!

This is no comment on your ability to wrench, just a fact of life. Common short term work for travellers often centers around the restaurant and bar industry. Happy travels.

missmercian

Lovely.

I happen to think it is infinitely possible, and I thank you both for your warnings/comments, but neither of you have succeeded in answering my request.

As far as legal concerns go, they can be dealt with after my destinations are clear. Is 6 months short notice? I don't think so.

No kidding women have harder time! But I'll be the judge of my own working situations when I get there. Assumptions get us nowhere.

Again, thank you for your comments. Crazy as it sounds, your negativity gives me greater hope...

j3ns

Sounds like you're in for a lot of fun!

Just wanted to say that I think you're on the right track. Try to get a job beforehand and try to get as much info on the places you want to visit as possible. I ended up unemployed for 6 months in south europe once. It was the best time of my life though.

My suggestion is to get in touch with locals in exciting places through internet (bike clubs, bike shops etc.). There are alot of nice people out there who can help you.

Good luck

Cyclist0383

Being an American who has travelled and worked around the world, both with and without permits I can tell you that six months is a very short time peroid to get a working visa. If you have an American passport you will have much greater difficulty than say a Canadian. The reason for this is that most countries have a reciprocal work visa program for people under 25 years old that the United States does not particapate in. Thus Americans loose out. If you are older then 25 usually you must show that;

a) you have a skill that the country that you wish to travel to needs that can not be filled by locals and a business willing to sponsor you.

b) you have a valid reason for being in the country such as family roots from said country or a spouse that is a citizen.

That being said the best way that I've found to find work in distant lands is to knock on doors and ask if they are hiring. Expect to be given a quick test as to your skills and don't expect to make much money.

BTW I don't think that you shouldn't try it and I wasn't trying to be negative. I'm just sharing my experence as a seasoned traveller with you.

missmercian

much better!
and points well taken...

Now that we're on the same track, have you got any suggestions as far as where there might be a good shop to try out?

jur

Hmmm... I would surf up some LBSs, then email them directly. How would anyone except a LBS owner know? Eg. they might take you on when their own wrenches are on holidays.