Reality!

Well if anyone is still perusing me Blog I thought I would put in some information just to give anyone who wants a bit of a 'push' in the right direction.

Volunteer work
It is good to go with an organised programme if you are a bit apprehensive about going to 'less westernised' countries. It is important to really search for the right project for you though. For example, I went on my volunteer overland tour in Africa with 'ivi = volunteering.org.au' and I met people who had went with 'i to i' and it ended up they had paid nearly double what I had paid. So yeah lets split hairs over a few hundred quid and get the right project with the right support! Places like cross cultural solutions are in a business, they are out to make money and that is their priority. So when you pay them all that money you are really paying for the holiday of a lifetime, it is not in the name of altruism. Many people I have met who have done projects like this expected the people they met at the actual projects to receive a lot of the money, ie the people who needed it...they didn't!

My advice? Go for something like woofing, where you help out and get your food and board free, it costs about £15 a year. = www.wwoof.net or another example similar to that is www.helpx.net which is free. My top of the range advice would ultimately be to go to these countries, don't book weeks of accommodation as you will find you stay a few nights in one place and get yourself settled then have a look around and you will find a nice cheap place which suits your lifestyle and your budget. And while you are having a wander, ask around about volunteer work. While I was in Thailand in Mae Sot in the north near Chaing Mai I met so many other volunteers who invited me to do some volunteer work in their projects. The same has happened in Africa and in Nepal. There are loads of little projects who can't afford to advertise for volunteers and they are just glad when someone comes along and offers their service. That is what volunteering is really about.


Travelling
Travelling is such a cool thing, you just need to go and do only a little bit of planning. You will find that your interests will change as you go and so will the destinations. Don't be planning flights within the country before you go either, it is so much more exciting taking a local bus or train...its all part of the experience! And you find the flights are cheaper to buy in the country than outside of it anyway.

I cannot put on enough emphasis about the invaluability of other travellers information and also that of local people. You will receive a lot of information and ideas, which will make a lot more sense to you when you are actually in the country. You may think that doing the kiwi experience in New Zealand sounds great, but when you hear the 'magic bus' does it at half the price, you do feel a bit gutted! Or even better just blag a lift, or hire a car or take the local bus...its all good.

What to take? Take the basics, take one big backpack and a little rucksack. But make sure you don't take several pairs of shoes and lots of lotions and potions and too many clothes. The thing is...you can't get medicine in other countries, you can buy shampoo and conditioner in other countries as well and you may even find you want to buy some of the local clothes so why pack so much...advice from me, I have regrets on my heavy bag especially as I walked half a mile to get to my accommodation - why do it to yourself when you are not even going to use half of the stuff! Be wise!

If you are a bit apprehensive about some of the poorer countries and what it would be like to travel around, then don't be. These are usually the nicests friendliest and most helpful people. Yes keep your wits about you as you might find that there are a few people out there ready to use and abuse, but the majority of people are genuinely nice, kind and friendly. If an offer from someone sounds too good to be true, then it is - I found this out the hard way, but it did not stop me from having a lot of great friends and just being upset at one particularly devious person.

Ok, I will probably come back on here and offer other advice as I think of it. I love to hear that people are getting out there and discovering the world and you know what, some people just can't afford to leave their countries as they are so poor...you then are the only chance that you will come together and meet...And it will change both your lives.

Have fun and happy travelleling and if you need me just email - slybabeswright@hotmail.com.

Sylv x
(ps if you are interested in what I am now up to...I am unemployed! Currently searching feverishly for a job as I have lots of debt and a mortgage to pay! I am still getting out in to the beautiful Scottish countryside and going for walks and even a cycle ride the other day and so as promised...to myself...I am making sure I enjoy exploring and enjoying my own country!)