KasiaTravels on a budget.
Solo backpacking - on a budget - in Latin America.
Part 1: “When you finally decide to do it!"
My Dear Steemian friends!
Today I want to come back with you to a crucial moment in my life! The moment when I decided to solo backpack in Central and South America.
(Warning: this post turned out to be pretty personal. I didn’t expect it, as I am rather a private person. But I guess once you start to write about your own experiences, it only makes sense if you are honest with yourself and the reader.)
Exploration. This word brings excitement, thrill, and a smile on my face. This is what the curious types want to do.
Back in 2014, for a quite some time, I was already dreaming of packing my backpack and fly away to an unknown, to discover exotic landscapes, cultures, languages, food… (I know that this sounds like a cliché…But our lives are also built from clichés, at least mine is, and I refuse to be ashamed of it. ;) ) I was already traveling a bit, but mostly within Europe or not super far from it (like Georgia, Armenia, and Egypt).
I would like to be able to say about myself that I always, since a little kid, wanted to travel. But it wouldn’t be the truth. I didn’t. This part of my nature was asleep for a long time. I come from a rather modest family. Me and my brothers, we are the first generation who acquired university degrees. We were always spending our childhood, carefree holidays in simple cottages somewhere in Poland. And I was never feeling bad about it because I simply didn’t know people who could afford to live differently.
In high school, my Mom bought me 10 days long holiday in Italy. I was seventeen. I still remember how I felt seeing, for the first time in my file, this beautiful, clear blue Adriatic Sea. I was sitting in a bus, hooked by the view. And hoping that other teenagers wouldn’t see my tears.
Let me tell you, once awakened, the traveler/explorer part of your soul stays satisfied just for a brief moment. And then the urge for new experiences hits you back. Do you know the feeling?
When I decided to take my time off from work and my life in Kraków (Cracow, in Poland - for those among you who do not yet!;) know this beautiful city in the Central-East part of Europe), I had plenty ideas in my head on how to spend this period. But there came a problem. Once you have too many options – how to choose the best one? And unfortunately, I always tend to seek for the best option, not feeling satisfied with second best and so on. You get the idea. How do I want to travel (slow travel or visiting as much as possible?), do I want to do the voluntary work (and if yes, whether with children or animals?), or do I want to focus on learning new things (sport, dance, other creative stuff?)?
I had a little more than 4 months at my disposal. Some of you will say that it’s a lot. And obviously, I was thinking the same at first! I knew that my budget is very tight, and I was convinced that I don’t even want to leave Europe for longer than this period.
Hard choices.
As you may have already noticed from my introductory post I love sport! I cannot stay still, I always need to move. I can lose myself in a supermarket and start to dance to a song that I find energetic! (So if you ever see a person like me, smile and don’t judge! ;))
I knew 2 things: I have 4 months + tight budget. I felt I want to travel to South America, as since university times this was my dream! On the other hand, I was charmed by stunning Australia.
I also felt that among all the sports I would like to profit and learn to surf! Those 2 regions were perfect for this activity, so I had to dig dipper.
I spent a week on reading surfing forums, I was looking for any ideas and suggestions for people like me, who never surfed before. I decided that, taking the date of my departure into consideration, the best option is to fly to Latin America, to Costa Rica to be more precise. And straight away I felt that this is a right decision! I felt calm.
What about others?
Exactly, what about others? Why does this topic even occurs here? The answer is simple. We care about our loved ones and we want them to support us no matter what.
I knew I had to communicate my decision, to travel for 4 months in Latin America, to the dearest and most important person in my life - my Mom. I was expecting her fear or attempts to change my mind. But she was very kind, supportive and understanding! She understood that I have already made my decision. She knew that I am independent and that I can take care of myself.
To be honest I didn’t experience any negative or discouraging comments either from my family, friends or other people that somehow got to know about my travel. On the contrary. I was praised for being adventurous and courageous, for "having the balls".;) Nevertheless, I was constantly hearing the exact same thing: “If only I …”! “If only I were younger!”. „If only I had more money in my bank account!”. “If only I didn’t have this credit!”. "If only I were single!". And so on and so forth! Excuses. Most people are too afraid to see and understand that we are the ones who limit our own life. And that we are the one in charge of it! Be bold. Learn to hear your intuition. Breath. Feel the ease and flow.
Sending joy!
Kasia
More about me here.
My recent stories from South America:
Kasia and the death road - la ruta de la muerte - Bolivia (part 1);
Kasia and the death road - la ruta de la muerte - Bolivia (part 2).And if you enjoy sport & nature:
Level easy or adrenaline? Canyoning – a great idea for your free time! (part 1);
Level easy or adrenaline? Canyoning – a great idea for your free time! (part 2).