Questions Answered: A Year in Asia
After a near mental breakdown from work, the never ending urge to travel and the growing fear that one day it would be too late, I took what some would call a reckless decision. I emailed my two weeks notice, booked a one way ticket to Bangkok during my lunch break, and immediately began packing the excesses of my life in boxes.
With little notice to friends and family, I left for what was meant to be a three month sabbatical and quickly changed gears. I discovered my new lifestyle and I had no intention of coming back. I received a lot of questions from friends and followers who had noticed my recent lifestyle adjustment. I’ve compiled them here, to hopefully help guide anyone who is interested in a prolonged travel experience!
Are you on some type of a tour? Work remote?
No! Definitely not - I actually never thought people would have this assumption, but many did. I can’t speak to any of these year long programs - as much as they seem like a cool idea and they certainly are a great choice for. a certain type of traveler, I would never commit to it. Prices are exorbitant and part of the fun in travel is the freedom to make your own choices!
Are you by yourself?
Yes and no. Many of us have never done a year abroad or tried a solo backpacking trip. Which means it’s easy to think not many people do it. But that is FALSE. What’s amazing about backpacking, especially solo, is it opens you up to meet so many people - locals and fellow travelers alike. I can honestly say I was never in need of a friend. Someone is always there and interested in doing the same things as you. After a year abroad, it’s exciting to say that I’ve met people from around the globe. I spent months with a couple from the UK. I lived with a woman from Slovakia. I’ve personally confirmed that Canadians are some of the nicest people around. Some think leaving for another country on your own is scary, but meeting new people every day brought a joy that is indescribable.
How did you pay for it?
Savings!! I was fortunate enough to have a “big girl” job that payed incredibly well, whilst living at home. Honestly, if I had been saving under the pretext of going abroad, I could have racked up enough cash in my 1 1/2 years to live abroad for several years. Sadly, I did not. I worked, I lived relatively rent free, and I didn't blink at dropping $500 on a single shopping trip on a regular basis. I had a great lifestyle, since that was what made me happy. But living somewhat lavishly didn’t assuage my growing restlessness. Hence the one way ticket. But backpacking Asia is incredibly cheap and certainly manageable - I spent a year of not only a stress-free and jobless lifestyle, but was constantly on the move.
Where have you been?
I flew into Bangkok and went north through Thailand, then to Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, south Thailand, Malaysia and then off to Bali. The plan was to do all of Indonesia and then some, but 2020 didn’t meet expectations, as we all know.
What did you bring with you?
You can see a better breakdown here. But in short, a carry-on sized backpack. And yes, if I, a huge lover of fashion and a woman who owns more that 40 pairs of shoes can do it, you can too.