Costs

So, firstly one of the most common things that our cousins across the Atlantic have asked me is just how did I manage to afford all my fun and games. Over there, the term 'Gap year' doesn't hold much resonance. As I have travelled, it has become increasingly apparent that travelling young is a privilege that many English people enjoy whilst others can only wonder how and why.

A great example came in my tours across South America, where I had a conversation with a Belgian man who had only just had the opportunity to travel in his late 20s - and that was young on average. He told me that the common philosophy of the Belgians and I suspect many nationalities as well, is that you must get the 'important' things sorted before you can begin to have fun. A job, a car, a wife, a home. Those are the priorities, sooner you manage to achieve these, the sooner you can be frivolous.

Makes sense, when you think about it...

But anyway, I digress. You might notice that happening a lot, please bear with me!

How did I manage to have so much fun this year? Basically, savings. I had a bit saved up after University and my parents gave me some money for my 21st. That pretty much covered the cost of my trip to South East Asia. Before that, I have always had a part-time job since 16 and have never been a particularly big-spender. When I spend a big amount of money, generally it is on trips abroad.

For South America, as soon as I got back from my first trip I went back to work and did as many hours as possible. Pretty much every penny I earnt went towards my trip.

The main reason I can do it is because of the fact that I am still at home with parents. Once I finished university I came home and decided to take a year out travelling before searching for a real job in the real-world. My parents have been brilliant in supporting me - no rent (yet!) and free food. So, my only real outgoings are drinking and travelling.

Now sadly, the year is over and I am on the search for a proper fulltime job and putting my degree to some good use.

I'll not be able to get away in the next few years now because of this, but I've definitely got the 'travelling bug' and will probably be looking to get away in the next few years, taking a sabbatical from work or something similar.

In my eyes, the reason I could do this is because I am still young, worked hard, and fortunate enough to have patient parents!

I hope I haven't made it all seem like I have had all these funtimes without putting any effort into it, thats really not the case. If you work hard, have time, you really can do anything and go anywhere.