One year ago. 

December 5th, 2016 I left for the trip of my life. 

One year ago, I left a part of me behind and picked up a whole new side of me. A side that consumed me. A side that made me whole again. Complete. 

 That trip was the best thing that has happened to me, to date. It was thrilling, challenging, exciting, beautiful, breathtaking, and much much more. That trip was everything I could’ve asked for and plenty more. I learned more than any textbook could’ve taught me. I gained so many friends and relationships that I still genuinely invest in from across the globe. I can ride a metro like the back of my hand and I can spend four days with people by only using google translate on my phone. I can dive to the ocean floor in Thailand and I can get around anywhere in Bangkok with a TukTuk and a Thai map. I have lived as an Italian and shopped like an English. I have dined like a French and relaxed like a Dutch. I have partied like a Spaniard and explored like a Thai. And I want you to do it too. 

Im currently saving and getting ready to take off back to my favorite country Thailand and surrounding countries for I don’t know how long. I plan on leaving January 2019 and I want each of you to be inspired to do it too. The hardest part is leaving America, but when you do…its extraordinary. 

You have to want to backpack though. Not just show up in cool countries sleeping in hotels and bringing every cute outfit you own for pictures. I must say good luck, and if you can afford to do that then you most definitely should go! The way I travel however is backpacking. No luxury, well not really. I stay in peoples homes, or a whole Airbnb’s to myself but my favorite is a Hostel. It’s not scary I promise. If you’re super outgoing it’ll be a breeze, everyone is so friendly. If you’re more shy, everyone is still so friendly and Im sure you will be offered to go do something or catch dinner. Thats how it all went down for me. Its like camp, and everyone around you is traveling and exploring also. It doesn’t hurt to say hi to your bunk mate and just maybe start up a conversation. People are fascinating if you just let them tell their story. 

Along with backpacking comes clothes and expenses. For me, I packed a suitcase and paid $100 to ship it home after the second place we went. From then on I carried one backpack that had about 5 different arrangements of leggings and tops. I had the boots on my feet and the coat on my back and I tackled the world. No one knows you so they wont care that you’re wearing the same leggings from Rome last week. Plus laundry is available everywhere. A sink and some soap. Easy. lol. 

Expenses weren’t hard to divvy out because I had most of the places booked in advanced. Either way in advanced to match a plane ticket I bought or like a week or two ahead because I knew I was heading there. I grocery shopped or went to the market for most things and tried to stay out of the restaurants as much as possible. I got passes for the metro so it would be cheaper too. I tried my best to live locally and most days I tried to see what I could accomplish on little to no money. Thats how I made 3 months, 6 countries, 13 cities and a unforgettable time only cost around $5,400. 

Again, it was the best thing that has happened to me to date. And I wouldn’t change a single second of it. I love my far away friends and all the memories and legacies I left out there. I want you to enjoy this too. I want you to make the decision to realize we get one life and if you have the means to save the money and can arrange time to go, any amount of time, then you shouldn’t waste this priceless opportunity. 

Want to make the step and start planning? I will help you. Message me on any social media platform or reply back here. I will help you with whatever you need to get going. 

Go start planning. 

-B