Hi, I'm new to the forum. I'll start by giving a little info about myself.
I'm 27 and been working for the local council for 3 years. The job is ok but I'm surrounded by people who have been there far too long, so it's time for me to change my future. Now I've got the idea in my head I'm itching to hand in my notice, which will give me a month to get myself sorted before travelling.
I have done a little travelling before but never a long trip. I've seen a fair bit of Europe, been to Peru, Panama, Costa Rica, Thailand. I loved the Peru, Panama + Costa rica trip, although it was really my 1st so I guess that would be expected. I also love the more sleepy feel of Thailand, although there are too many tourists for my liking.
My original plan was to go back to Thailand, before travelling through Laos, Vietnam and then flying to Australia to work for a while. Then I changed my mind completely and was set on Learning Spanish and doing some Volunteer work for 4 months in Buenos Aires before travelling through Boliva, Peru, Equador, Columbia, Venezuela. I then planned to fly to Oz to work for a year before travelling S.E Asia. However to type of ticket I have in mind is good value but limited in terms of air miles so I'd have to get back down to BA in order to make this possible. Not a huge problem, I guess I'll have to incorporate Brazil into the plan, which I wasn't going to do.
Now I've started to doubt this plan as well. I currently live in London and am not sure if I want to go from one big city to an even bigger one. So I started to think about the possibility of studying in Quito instead. Sounds like a really nice place, and it's not as big or intimidating. I speak no Spanish at all at the moment, I guess this could be more of a problem in Quito than in BA. I'm also concerned that if I start in Quito it makes the route (which has to end at BA) more difficult.
I like the idea of learning some Spanish while I'm away becuase it feels like I'll have accomplished something, I mean it won't be a completely self indulgent experience. The language school I chose in BA also has one in Montevideo also, so if BA feels too big and busy I could stay in Montevideo instead.
To make things a little more complicated I have a friend who wants to travel next summer and he has already been to Argentina + Chile. So if I stuck with the original plan and left just after Christmas I could time it to meet him when I reach Peru and do Peru and Columbia with him. If I start in Quito and leave soon, god knows where I'll be next summer. One thing I also can't decide is whether it could be an anti-climax to meet an old friend. Don't get me wrong I get on with him really well but after I've been away 6 months or so, I might have met loads of people, maybe a lovely Argentinian honey and not want to be constricted. On the other hand a familiar face would probably be extremely welcome. Any thoughts on this?
Really I'm still open to all ideas, but I'd specifically be interested in any advice people could give about where to study. BA/Montevideo or Quito or maybe somewhere else completely, also bearing in mind this will affect my route afterwards. Time is not a problem and I would probably budget for no more than about £10k, in SA.
Sorry, I know I've been a bit vague, but any advice people can offer would be much appreciated. Please also don't feel you have to limit it to SA - open to all ideas ^^
Many thanks
Dave
Reply to this 
