"on a shoestring"

Last year, I received a letter…

Dear JourneyingJames,

I am your avid fan. Even before the journeyingjames.com was born, I had been following your adventures on journeyingjames.blogspot.com. I took note every single detail during your 14-day backpacking trip, ready to challenge – if not exceed your Php 250/day budget. I was unsuccessful though, because when I had my trip to Mindanao, I spent an average of Php 980.20/day – far beyond what you had. But I was never disappointed; bet I took your trip as my end goal that I hopefully able to accomplish sooner.

I was even more excited when your running.journeyingjames.com was launched. You see, running is my second passion (traveling is my first). I keep all your tips, recommendations and ideas by heart and perhaps that’s the reason why I want to run my first pikermi now, when I used to be contented running 5KM.

I want to keep this letter brief so as not to bore you or any of the readers, but I am so darn desperate to win that endorphin-producing shirt as your Xmas present (consider that a birthday gift for me, too!) that I decided to write to you. And, I’ll share another secret: my boyfriend thinks I have a big crush on you because I keep on talking about you, your blog and your adventures, especially when we had our own version of Visayas backpacking trip. See? That’s how much addicted I am to your blog, so please let me win the shirt!

Sincerely,

Travelleradele.com

This kind of letter would really make your day. It gives you encouragement to continue sharing stories thru the site.

Thank you so much Adel for the heart-warming letter. You are very much appreciated! If only I can convince the RunHigh Shirts winners to give their shirt to you. haha I hope RunHigh Shirts can read this too! About your boyfriend, please tell him not to be jealous of me. He can buy you a shirt instead.

I love to give you a RunHigh Shirts but my budget is almost depleted already because of my unceasing lust for travel.