Paul – fortunately my jobs are very flexible and while I have my own companies I also have setup sales jobs part time and ownership with several companies which allows me to work while at home/office as well as work overseas with my netbook. Alot of what I can do can be done abroad. I live very cheaply when I am at home.
I also go on Press Trips which cover all of my expenses, but in large part 90-95% of the trips which are the core to providing content to this website are paid out of my own pocket. I save money in part by often staying with locals for free (check out CouchSurfing.org) and many of the places I visit are fairly inexpensive compared to the states or Europe.
Regarding your question about the Middle East. Much of the Middle East is *extremely safe* – it is always important in any region of the world to follow any cultural rules and be respective of customs and traditions. I’ve been to a number of countries and haven’t felt unsafe. Perhaps I felt a little uncomfortable around them military presence at the Iraq border recently in an area known to have problems in the past. My next trip to the Middle East will be to Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Traveling between small villages and towns in northern and eastern Yemen with police chiefs (as well as spending several nights in the police chiefs
homes surrounding by their guns was certainly an experience)… but I never felt uncomfortable or in danger (Yemen is 2nd to the USA in gun ownership btw).
If you do it right I would consider going into Iraq and Afghanistan but being extremely careful and taking a low profile and be sure you are with a local you can trust and being extremely careful to avoid hot spots and or go with a group that specializes in select travels right now to these countries (and there are just a few hard core travel groups offering trips to these 2 countries).
But on the whole the Middle East is very safe and the people are extremely hospitable. If you are planning a trip there consider going first to some countries that are really setup for tourism – ie, Jordan.
Regards,
Dave