BootsnAll Travel Community

Hello all,

Following on from chrissie61's message - I'm also planning to go it alone in 2007. Trouble is, any positive ideas of living out of a backpack and going where the wind takes me have been replaced by a great big block of ice cold fear in my stomach...and now I'm not sure what to do.

I've never "properly" backpacked (i'm now 28), the nearest thing being two months around the states with TrekAmerica, which was fantastic in every way. But ever since I came back (about 5 years ago), I've been planning to do it properly, and would like to start off in Thailand. To date, I've been very into a career in the theatre and have had some success, but an actor's lot is usually pretty tough, so a good 6 month break the year I turn 30 is just what I need. Take stock of my life, recharge, see a bit of the world...

...only it's going to be pretty tough getting a friend to go with me, as they all seem to be busy getting married and having children. And the thought of going it alone fills me with absolute dread, a slither of excitement, but mainly dread.

What's worse is the thought of notgoing is almost a scary, because the disapointment would be terrible. In myself most of all.

I know it sounds a bit naff because there's people here who have travelled the globe and must wonder what I'm ranting on about - but how would you advise me?

Should I take shorter solo trips first, in Europe maybe (which would eat into my travel fund), go with a stranger? Get a grip, say "sod it" give myself a healthy calming slap and just get on the friggin' place (the scariest option - surely I can't be a bag of nerves for a whole year), or not go because it sounds like I'm blatantly not ready for it?

Any help would be mucho appreciated. But don't tell me I sound like an idiot. Because I already know that :-(

- L

London,

I'm glad to be the first to say this:

It's scary to put a backpack on your back and just go. If you're going to do it, Thailand is a good start because the people are so friendly. If you have a little extra money, you can take Thai lessons, and that will make things a lot more fun.I never did so, but then, I never left Khao san Road. Lets call it an extreme case of travel-weariness.

At the end of the day that's just what you have to do. You pack what you think you need(and its usually far more than you need), then off you go. Make sure to have travellers cheques, a list of their numbers elsewhere, and other forms of money. There are internet parlours nearly everywhere nowadays. From thailand you can go all over the place. I liked Malaysia myself, because English is spoken as a second language there.

There are beaches in Thailand, mountains, and all at your beck and call.

Have a great time!!!

A full two years. Already, you're scared? Hell you have lots of time to be scared. Take it easy and be excited for a while.

You'll get used to it. Backpacking is scary....the first day. After that you sort of get into the groove. And it's far less treacherous than getting married and having kids like your insane friends are doing.

D

Go on your own. Face the challenge.
It's better to be on your own than with a travel mate you don't get along with. You'll meet people everywhere.

Your feelings are not at all silly. Not at all. I know that kind of fear you describe very well. It shows that this, exactly this is the thing you need to do because it's important for you.

You've still got two years to prepare, to read and learn about the countries you want to go to.

Londonguyiam
You're doing the right thing as, if you're anything like me the words 'there has got to be more to life than this' must run constantly through your head.
Two years is plenty of time to prepare but it's also very easy to put something like this off (took me nearly five years to actually say 'sod it - I'm going'). Don't so much have a plan but just an outline, consider a budget now and spread the cost, ask LOTS of questions from here and friends/family. Most are happy to talk about their experiences - some even fill up as they chat. That tells you a lot about what you're missing.

elv

Thanks for your helpful replies - I'm much much calmer. To be honest I think I was just over reacting to the mental switch from "maybe going to do it" to "going to do it". Now it's settled in a bit, i'm dead excited.

Best wishes,

L

Keep researching. Great thing about it:

A) Help with the nerves. Just the act of being prepared whether you know anything or not is great at calming yourself down.

B) Keeps you permanently focused on the goal. It was hard not to go mad looking at the images from Rarotonga before my RTW.

'nother tip. Buy yourself something every week / month to do with your trip before you leave as a sort of milestone. I didnt "intentionally" do it but I did spend every monthy paycheque picking something up to do with my trip. I will confess, once I bought that backpack i'll admit to filling it as much as I could and walking round the house with it "just to see"..

Dan

Going solo is a wonderful experience. I am a pretty introverted person, and I have absolutely loved traveling alone, as it makes me have to get out of my comfort zone a bit and do things I may not do had I just stayed at home. I have met some great friends this way and also learned alot about myself at the same time.

Two years before your trip and you are freaked out? Suggestions, in order of importance:

1. Seek therapy for panic disorder
2. Read travel stories-most people don't die or even get lonely for long on the road
3. Face your fear
4. In the next two years, travel in the US--on your own.
5. Start hanging out with people who travel or who have traveled in the past. Your soon to be pregnant or married friends will not be a pillar of support as they have already traded in their freedom, and are likely to see your life through their compromised glasses.

You are FREE, lady! Revel in that-the world is at your doorstep.!
RM

Hi there!!!

I'm like you! two years to go and I'm in a total panic!!I worry about being (36)female too though (which you don't have!)
i actually made my decision last Easter, came on here good some great tips etc. But while planning my route (I plan on travelling/working for 2 years)I became so daunted as I want to visit EVERWHERE. So I put the whole thing to one side for a while.How can I plan a RTW if I can't decide a route!!!

Anyway I'm back and hope to catch up with you on the boards as we'll be around and heading off more or less at the same time, let me know how your plans are going!!

Thade

Don't worry about planning a route as such - just have a checklist of all the places you want to go to. I'm about to do the very same thing in a month or two and I KNOW that any itenery I set is going to get changed with people saying that I must go here or there or come with us to such and such a place. Just tick them off as you go. I have no route to speak of - just a general direction. Eventually I'll see everything that I want to.

elv

first of all I don't know if you're male or female.....

I thought you were male.

I love traveling alone and though it can be really tough at times and scary it's a great experience to just be with yourself and get into your head. But as others said, you aren't alone ever, really. THere are people everywhere, and despite what others say, like don't go here the people aren't friendly, ect. ultimately you only know when you get there. Use your "street smarts" and intuition to discern what is and isn't a good scene. If you open yourself up to meeting people, you probably will.


my blog

my trip to egypt

Well, i'm saving cash like a thing posessed for the trip. Blasting off in 18 months.

Thankyou again for all the replies. Especially the person who suggested I go and have therapy for a panic disorder...

It IS scary, and very theraputic venting nerves in the safe anonymity of the internet. However, as I look around the dull office I'm temping in at the moment, a trip into the blue is simply looking more and more attractive.

I'm feeling better about going on my own too, because deep down, if there is a point...then it's that.

I'll keep you posted!

Whoops, stomach just took another leap.

London x

There's deifnitely all kinds of help here at the BNA website. I'd copy/paste or download from here and/or other sites a couple of lists to keep your mind on track: a packing list (several great threads on BNA with suggestions) that you can check off; AND, a "stuff to do to get ready for your trip" list--available at any number of websites. Many websites that sell travel gear even have these available in printer-friendly formats...that will keep you on track as far as stuff to prepare your house/apartment, documents/shots you'll need, etc. etc. Checking these items off as you go will boost your confidence and your sense of readiness.

One thing I'd suggest: when you go through those lists, set your "deadline" a couple of days BEFORE your trip. Yep, that's right, be totally packed & ready to go a couple of days before your trip. Then, you'll still have a couple of days to put out any last-minute fires. I know of people that have even booked themselves a night at an aiport hotel (next to their home airport, yes, in their own town) the night before their flight leaves. It often ends up being cheaper than prolonged airport parking, and often includes a free breakfast, use of their gym to work those legs before sitting for the long flight, travel snag those travel-size soap/shampoo/mouthwash things from the bathroom . This may sound silly, but having this kind of obligation really helps make sure they're packed by the night before when they leave for the hotel (even if they're just driving 20 minutes)---but if they forget something, they're still in town. AND, it saves all the early-morning-get-to-the-airport frantics if you're nervous. And, it's sort of a good "first step" on your journey to be "away".

One specific suggestion (among the tons of great ones on this thread already): You may find it hard to sleep on your long-haul flight that gets you where you're going. You'll be filled with all kinds of thoughts and emotions. Yet, you don't want to start off your trip sleep deprived. Consider some kind of sleep aid: Your doctor can perscribe Ambien, popular with many becasue all it does it help you sleep for a few hours, with no "morning fog" side effects, no grogginess/drowsiness outside of those sleepign hours. I personally avoid Benedryl for that reason---I'm just too groggy/foggy for several hours--up to a day--after I wake up. I'm not a drug-pusher by any means, but an initial long haul before a long vacation is an exception I definitely make for myself.

I'm basically paranoid of groups, social events -- I'm a loner. what I remember of my 1972 trip: Morocco, Laos seeing the Pathet Lao red flag nearby (being the only american), out at night anywhere in Asia -- I was not afraid. they would lock a criminal up in those countries for good. Be carefull, but no need to be afraid. they loved American in spite of the ongoing Viet Nam war. By the way, after 33 years, I'm returning to south India for the first time.