Some people backpack once in their lifetime and that's more than enough for them, they go back wherever they want to live for the rest of their lives and settledown to follow their daily routines...But for those of you who can't get enough of travelling, how do you handle being on the road for so long (1 year or more?) I'm guessing the packpacks would then be a lot heavier? or would they?
...and also, would it be better to work for a while to save all the money you are gonna need or work as you travell? I know a couple ppl who go travelling for a few months, come back and work for a year or so and take off again! What do you guys(and gals) think about this? And also if you come back from your 8-month vacation and are broke, and can't live with your parents then what?? :blink2:
One scary thought that i can't get out of my head is to be stuck in a country (not necessarily my favorite one) with no money and unable to go back home!!! :no: :no: :surrender: Has this ever happend? If yes, how'd you get out of it?
I'm blabbing :mf_gap: But i'll post the rest of my questions later...when i remember :lol: :cheers:

Generally, you should be able to find some kind of work if the worst happens and you're completely out of money...bartending, agricultural stuff like picking fruit, working in a hostel, etc. Simply save enough up and then go home.

Better idea yet, though, is to buy a round trip ticket and make the return date as far in the future as you think you'll want to come home. Talk the the airline, let them know your return is pretty much open ended, and they should be able to help you with the best way to price the fare. Then find out what the "Change Fee" will be most likely, and always save that amount of money -- don't spend it!

I've never been stranded anywhere like you mention. Some countries ask you to show proof of a return home ticket or onward ticket so you don't be come a vagrant in their country! :lol: Or more accurately, their policy may be for you to have a return/onward ticket, but they don't actually ask to see it or enforce it.

I would say not to worry, twisted, just keep an eye on your money and know how much you have. When it gets close, start making plans to work or go home...

worldwidemike

I gotta say that travelling all the time would be pretty cool... to a point... eventually, you need to rest from it, of course. The idea of working, saving enough to travel, then spending it travelling, then returning home to start again? To me, that's probably the best of both worlds...

I grew up in a troubled home, so for me, escape was something I longed for. It got to the point that I was feeling guilty because I'd be out of the house so much just trying to avoid dealing with the difficult stuff... Travelling all the time looked like the best thing, cause I really didn't want to stay where the problems were at...

Now, I've kinda realized that I love travelling, cause I really dig new places/people etc, but I still need to have my little "space" and like to return to it to unwind and digest my experiences... After a little while, though, the bug grabs me again, and I feel the urge to take off all over...

Long-term, I bet that working while traveling is probably not a bad way to go, since you get to stay in an area and explore more, as well as coming into contact with the local culture by living on the economy... If you can do that, go for it...

Well, I guess just think of it as losing your job and apartment - what recourse would you take? Stay with friends/other family members for a little while? When Jake and I left my father blatantly told me that we couldn't live with them when we came back. We came back to a job in Chicago and Jake's sister opened her house to us. That actually wasn't our initial plan. We were coming back to do Americorps. We would have just lived in our car/a hotel until we got a place to stay.

I know some embassies will give you a loan for a ticket. If it happens, go to the US Embassy and they'll help you get home.

I feel for you there...that's pretty much what i was doing. Some nights I slept in my car, baaaaaaaaaad idea in winter :lol:

yeah, I learned about backcountry camping that way... and the fact that camping without a tent really sux!

I'm hoping to teach my kids the joy of travel, without all the stuff I had to endure with my family trapped in a car for an interminable roadtrip (big mistake in traveling: insisting on arriving at a specific destination at a certain time... takes all the fun out of the trip if you're not prepared to never arrive)

Hi Twister, my travel experience never reached the big 365 days, but I did carry my backpack for months and months. I think the answer to your overall worries is «preparation» ! Budget in advance the amount you'll need for the time you'd spend abroad, then see if it is doable in your case (your lifestyle, the countries you'll visit -cheap in Asia and S.A., expensive in Western Europe- etc.). Plus airfaire (as WWM mentionned, an open ticket is better), insurance, visas,...


I'm guessing the packpacks would then be a lot heavier?
A backpack weighs the same for one month or 12 ! You can find everything you'll need to replace or you'll run out of ANYWHERE on the planet ! Pencils, batteries, shampoo, pads, etc. are in all cities, even in developing countries (in major cities there).

would it be better to work for a while to save all the money
Yes ! You can't count on working overseas to pay for your things. If you do find work, it will be money in your pocket to travel longer, but your budget can't rely only on this. Have a clear idea before you leave of how much you'll need to spend in each country and stick to the amount. If you're on a super tight budget, try to do your accounts every day.

if you come back from your 8-month vacation and are broke, and can't live with your parents then what?
In your budget, plan a 1-3 months surviving amount for the after trip, in case you don't find work right away.

One scary thought that i can't get out of my head is to be stuck in a country (not necessarily my favorite one) with no money and unable to go back home!!!
If you have budgeted right and sticked to it, this won't happen. ;) If not, as Jamie said, the embassy should help you out, or with Western Union, have someone send you money fast !

I've met a couple of guys who were backpacking as a living. They had a 20 liters backpack with basically two pairs of pants, sandals, 2 t-shirts, soap and a toothbrush ! In Asia, they could live with $3-$5/day. They find the cheapest room, then find people to share it with (sleeping on the floor) !

Here's some other questions...what are your thoughts on storing your car while ur gone? I am aware of the fact that it is gonna need maintenance if it's for a long time , and needs to probably left on jack stands, but would u do it or would u go thru the hassle of selling it and buying another cheap car when back home? The thing is that I drive alot and very far sometimes and couldn't rely on public transport :blush: (of course i'm a li'l lazy too ;) )
...'N also, what do u do with all ur stuff while travelling? Self storage? do any of u have a self storage place that u'd recommend in lower mainland? How much are they anyway?

Wow, this is kind of an old post, but I think I'll respond to it with our plans anyways. Reading this made me think of all the questions I asked myself when we started planning a long term trip. We have about $20,000 saved up for the trip itself. Between now and when we leave we want to set aside a $1000 nest egg for when we return. and at least $2000 in emergency get home money. So that takes care of two of the concerns. Like Mike mentioned some countries insist on an onward ticket. Our trip is open ended, we plan traveling till the money runs out, working when and where we want, but more to enhance the journey than because we have to. So we are going to purchase refundable onward tickets and keep cashing them in, till we decide to actually use one and go home. As for the car, I'm going to try to sell mine for what I owe on it (:crybaby: I love my Car). So if anyone here is interested in a 2002 VW Cabrio for $10,000 let me know. LOL.