Anyone here done the whole pack your bags and go see the world thing?
Currently 22 in a dead end job and just out of a relationship, so got the whole idea of running away in my head at the moment.
Anyone been there and done it? If so how was it out there, how old, how expensive, and how screwed were you when you came back?
Id really like to do the whole Aus/Asia thing.
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Lots of mates have done it and have some of their best memories from it. If it's something you've always wanted to do then that feeling won't leave you and it gets harder to do the older you get.
Apparently it can get quite lonely and it's not all fun all the time (grotty hostels, missing home/mates etc) - so maybe think about why you're doing it - if it's something you've always wanted and think always will want then go for it but if it's just a knee jerk because of work/relationships etc then think carefully would be my advice.
Lots of people go with very little money and find jobs etc so depending on the level of luxury you want, you don't have to have saved a lot beforehand.
If you keep a grand spare/have access to a credit card then you know that if it goes pear shaped you can be home from anywhere within a day or 2 and at least you'll know you have it a go.
Go for it mate!
Like you say, as long as you have a little spare then you can get back home if you cant hack it, which is easy enough to keep aside. I guess the main thing for me is it feels like a big luxury, going away for months on end. Is it really a good idea to give up a job for few months/year away! Probably not my mind says!
An old friend from school is currently down there. From what I gather on Facebook he is just flying around on a motorbike climbing mountains and fishing with his hands. Some of the pictures are amazing, I am really jealous!
Another thing is I don't think any of my lot would be up for it so id be going alone. A girl I know has always wanted to go alone and I always found that a bit weird, although she is good at meeting new people. I'm not exactly outgoing!
Lonely Planet gives great advise on places to stay to meet others.
I absolutely love living out here and being ablt to get on a bus to places like Laos/Vietnam/Thailand etc is amazing but you do meet some proper assholes too. I remember one girl in Laos being shocked that a few of us had to work to live, we didn't just rely on mummy and daddys credit card.
If you do decide to give it a try, I'd say you should always have enough cash to get yourself home.
I don't have any regrets in life and I wouldn't change a thing, but I have so many places to visit that will either have to wait until the kids grow up or do the trips as a family holiday and not a travelling trip
Do it, do it properly, do the hostels do the cheap travel when you get to each country and go places that you can only do as a single care free man, take no risks and plan it carefully
It sounds to me if you don't you will always wonder
As has been said, just make sure you have the money to get back.
You won't regret it. I did it many moons ago to South America. The only downside was that I met my future wife whilst on my travels.
edit, i thinkt he working visa has changed since i went. Can stay longer i believe.
Both places have many hostels with better decor and hygiene than many hotels. Pick ones with bars and you're sorted.
If you go to Asia then please don't give
money to anyone exploiting wildlife (elephant 'trekking', tiger temple, loris & gibbon photo props, monkey shows).
Currently repaying a loan but could potentially pay that off with my cars!
Was the best thing I ever did! I'm now engaged with a mortgage so I'm so glad that I did it when I had the chance.
Everyone is different but if you're tempted to go, do it.
As others have said, you just won't regret it. In my entire 9 weeks I didn't have a single bad day (even the 1 night where I was up all night being sick with food poisoning). Spent plenty of time on long 16 hour bus journeys etc which I was dreading beforehand but actually when it happens they're all part of it and can be quite enjoyable. Going away for a long time you get really removed from everything / reality / stresses of normal life and basically every day you wake up with stuff to look forward to. Can take it easy a bit as time isn't so pressured.
If you can afford it, I would try and do it now mate. Do a bit now then if you're lucky you might get another opportunity to go again for a bit maybe with a bird or something down the line.
Do it.
Since having kids anything like this is totally off the agenda (plus my other half isn't as prepared to slum it as I am).
And typing this has made me realise that was just over half a lifetime ago. Feeling a tiny bit jealous.... but you definitely should go for it
Although I had more money to spend the second time around, I probably preferred it when I was younger (less cynical, with less vitriolic hatred for some of the inevitable Guardian-reading, tofu-munching, carbon-offsetting prats that you meet along the way).
If you get a chance you should do it, if only because you'll appreciate the UK more when you get back.
Dont leave it and regret it.
I didnt go as was in a 4 year relationship.
She dumped me 4 weeks before they left - no time for me to save up required funds for visa etc.
Still gutted 22 years later when they talk about it.
I did go island hopping round Thailand when took redundancy when 36 though but was single then.
A bar with a pool table or that shows Premier league football.
Just make sure you plan it beforehand, it's a once in a lifetime event probably, so make sure you do what you want to do, and tick of some great experiences that you'll remember with happiness when you are old, and which will look good to future employers.
But beware of unforeseen events, I go travelling in 2006, and Alan Curbishley goes and leaves Charlton while I'm gone. He probably saw my empty seat on the East Stand, and realised that it was time to go...