First time traveller

Hi deecee,

Welcome to TravelBlog.

Congrats on the decision to go travelling, especially despite it seeming scary!

This is quite a subjective topic, some stay away from home for years or forever. Others decide they miss the comforts of home, and look forward to coming back. If not coming back 'home' is the right decision for you, then I'm sure you'll be comfortable with it. Either way, travel is bound to change you and the way you view the world.

Best of luck with the planning - keep us up to date!

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We had that feeling when we left, although we didn't mention it to people and we weren't sure. However, after 3 months we were more sure. That's when we decided to do a TESOL course and teach English. It means that we don't have to return to our old lives.

We left in 2006 and we only go back for visits. Reply to this

Rat on the Road - hello 😊 Yes i have considered a teaching english course. It is so great to hear you say you only come back for visits - it can be done! 😊

I gather from your profile, you are from the UK and you didnt do TEFL until you were in Asia? In hindsight do you think it may have been easier if you had done TEFL before you left 'home'? (Not that easy is necessarily what im looking for - i want adventure!). I have been considering doing a course this year before I leave but i quite like the idea of winging it and seeing how it goes in wherever i end up.

The Sailors - hello. Where are you planning to go?

Jo - thank you! I really dont foresee me missing my home comforts as im not really a home bird although you never know and I hope to meet many more people on the forum who have stayed away to hear their experiences. I will keep you up to date!

Dave and Jo - I love that Mark Twain quote!! I have only delved very briefly into the blogs on the site (including yours) but i cannot wait to read more when i have the time over this weekend. I will be gone as soon as I can - money is really the only hurdle at the moment. I am working two jobs at the moment though so my time will come soon!

I am starting from the UK. My top 3 tends to change daily but I definitely have 'unfinished business' in India. I had an amazing time there first time round and there is so much of that country I have still to experience. New Zealand is high on the list but I recognise that NZ (and Aus) will eat into my budget a lot so they might have to wait a little longer, but thats ok. Ive got the rest of my life.

Another place which again is probably much further down the line is Argentina. I dont really know why because i know very little about the country but it feels like it would be such a wonderful place to visit. I must do some research on it soon!

The initial plan though depending on getting enough money together quickly enough is to set off in maybe September/October and spend a little time in Europe before making my way to Asia at the tail end of the year.

I sometimes think i should wait a little longer and have more cash behind me before i set off - which i may still decide to do - but the idea of working as i travel really appeals, or as i mentioned above, doing TEFL and basing myself in Asia and seeing as much as can during time off work for a while!

Thanks all for your input - keep it coming please 😊
Deecee Reply to this

Ive got the rest of my life

I love that attitude!! :o)

If you want to go to NZ and OZ a good way of staying there whilst not spending much is work in a wwoof farm. Also a good way of having adventures and earn some money (or at least get a free place to live) is become a dive master and work in a diving centre; you'll need some money to get all the certifications, but if you like diving is perfect!!!! you can do that all over the world as well...

You could maybe consider to become a member of Couchsurfing, which is an amazing way of meeting local people and keep your budget (that's not the best thing about it, though).

I'm sure that if you have a look at some blogs in this site you'll get inspiration; when we started planning our trip I didn't have a clue about all this, but reading what other people were doing was very helpful for us!!

We also had the feeling that we didn't want to come back, but after 5 months on the road I was glad to sleep in my bed again!!... having said that, one of the first thing we did when we were back, was to start thinking "where next?", although in a way, you could say that we're still traveling, as we're not living in our countries of origin ;o) Reply to this

Deecee,

I can hear your excitement in your writing. Ah, the joys of the planning. That is great that you are willing to work two jobs to make this dream come true. Saving money never goes as fast as you want but sounds like you are on the right track. The more money you save the longer you can stay on the road. I think it is best to save a little more than you think you will need because unexpected things always come up.

Having said that it sounds like you are willing to get the certificates you will need to teach and keep you on the road longer.

Trust your instinct you will know when it is time to leave. Since you are young this is only one of many, many travels ahead. Reply to this

Im back. Wow, its been a while since i visited here. Little bit of a setback last few months with various things going on. No second job currently due to lack of work so we were let go .... and had to move to a new flat (long story) so savings took a hit (more expensive place) but the travel dreams are still there! Just going to take a little longer. Spend most of my free time now in book shops reading anything and everything in their travel section. Eeeek 😊 Reply to this

Yes welcome back!

The world will still be there, so take your time saving.

If you are still; thinking about teaching, you could look at working in South Korea. You would get your airfare paid and be able to save some money over a year to then travel onwards from there.

Just an idea!

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