Vago Damitio
ROUGH LIVING
Tips and Tales of a Vagabond
2013 Master Edition
What Folks Have Said About Rough Living Over the Past Decade
My thanks to the waitresses, reviewers, proofreaders, the vagabonds, and the wanderers. You have made it worthwhile for me to have written.
…handy candid advice about living on the street, in the wilderness, your car, or just couch surfing. …a lyrical journal of Damitio’s adventures, both domestic and abroad … As someone who chooses luck and adventure over the indenture of employment, Damitio’s vignettes take place among the temporary communities of traveling foreigners and wizened urchins. As Damitio explores the planet, there’s a nice blend of jovial drunk and stoned adventures, and serious thoughtful reflections.
Like the Jacks, Black and Kerouac, Damitio’s style is both entertaining and industrial… Lao-lao whiskey, opium, and pot all thread their way into the narrative, and Damitio’s enthusiasm for intoxication is just one of the many facets of his political philosophy that are revealed in the book.
Like a hippified action adventure hero, Damitio’s tales of travel show the reader how to be resourceful (he got his plane fare to Asia at the slot machines) and heroic (he helps save women from a lewd tourist, then saves the drunk tourist’s life). Rough Living is a perfect example of the old road romance made contemporary. For those tempted to test their luck, it’s addictive, like missives from an eloquent friend abroad.
Fun and informative
A quick read with fun facts about the vagabond life. Covers how to stay clean, eat well, entertain yourself, educate yourself, and be safe. Very enjoyable. Makes me want to quit my job and buy a van.
Entertaining
It may not be a book for everyone, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you’re into counterculture alternative lifestyle, you will enjoy the book.
Money Well Spent
It was money well spent. I recommend it to anybody who is interested in a simpler, cheaper way to live.
Optimistic and Positive
This book had me captivated with the optimistic and positive tone the author uses to uplift his situation.
Fantastic Read
I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this book! I felt like I was tagging along right there with you in so many of your adventures!!
Unique man, Unique book, Unique life
Recipes, methods, and experiences of a man that lives without a home yet manages to eat, work, play, and live without overburdening society , or bending to its every whim. Neat ideas for those that get tired of bending and a stooping for “your betters”, the American way, at minimum wage, and need a way out. The author has a method and a path few can handle indeed it is Rough Living, but living it is, and if you feel yourself circling the drain again, do not know what to do, or where to do it, these ideas maybe your cup of tea or even a liferaft.
Changed My Life
Reading this book made me buy a hammock. I’m not kidding–I actually sleep in a hammock now. Changed my life.
A Guide to Independent Living
I think independent living is a better way to look at this than homelessness. A very interesting read. I could not put it down. I hate my job, and wouldn’t mind a little Hawaii adventure myself. With our economy the way it is, Vago’s book should be read by all and kept for reference.
A Thought Provoking Read
Well sometime in the next half year or so it seems I will have to decide on selling up and hitting the road or whatever else I can do. I may try your techniques to try and make some kind of plan.
In your writing you seem very wise and well adjusted and decent guy. I’m almost suspicious how you can live how you do and still be like that? It also surprised me that a lot of things you talk about I also apply to living in this house. Common sense I suppose but its nice to see it written as confirmation.
An Eye Opening Experience
The information in this book was an eye-opening experience for me showing me how this can be done and how one can travel around and make things work.
Great, interesting read, full of information
I would recommend it for anyone considering going on a little adventure of their own, anyone that is considering shedding the shackles of traditional living or even someone who just wants a short but fun read. I would certainly recommend it.
Life Off the Grid
Rough Living is well and honestly written. It tells how to survive outside the mainstream on little or no money. It’s also a darn good story of one man’s adventure. Mr. Damitio tells us honestly that he did some things that he would not do again, nor does he condone nor suggest anyone else use some of his methods; he simply tells us the tale “in the raw”. I found the book useful, besides being a great adventure tale. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants out of the “rat race”, it gives you an honest look at what it’s really like. Great book!
Tells it like it is
If you want to live on the edge but don’t want to take the risks involved, this book is a good way to do both. It showed me a world that I normally would never venture into.
The tales are interesting and his honesty and craziness are reminiscent of the beatnik writers of the 50s and 60s.
I Wish It Was Longer
This guy goes from having a job to being homeless and broke and then somehow ends up in China and all these Asian countries where he makes friends and has incredible adventures. Then somehow he runs out of money again and ends up in Hawaii…
A glimpse into the life of living under the grid
The apparent hierarchy among various homeless types was a revelation, as were the various make-it-yourself appliances.
Handy Info
An excellent handbook to an interesting lifestyle. Discusses both pros and cons; is unflinching in it’s honesty. Damitio writes in a style that is philosophical, practical and fun. Highly recommended.
Good Advice
This is a really good and practical book on urban camping; ie, voluntary homelessness. It gives a lot of good advice and delves into a lot of the concerns you’d have if you were going to do something crazy like live in your car for an extended period of time. There are some topics that he doesn’t cover in detail, little things like how important it is to eat healthy, and what happens when you are wearing shoes all day every day because you have no place to kick them off and relax. But mostly he’s got the major points covered.
Could Not Break Away From It
I just downloaded “Rough Living, An Urban Survival Manual.” I could not break away from the book until I had finished it. I am currently 25 and have just recently walked out on my very good job as a Toyota Fleet manager in Fairfield, CA to pursue a more fitting lifestyle so I would no longer feel as if I was wasting my youth. We are (or rather can be) intelligent, adaptable creatures, and I just need to know that I can survive and function on my own without electricity, cable internet, media influences,jobs…all these conveniences that more and more just feel like a choke collar stripping me (humans) of their natural resourcefulnessI enjoyed your book very much and thank you for sharing your adventures and thoughts with the rest of the world. I cant wait to download more of your writings.