Shit Scared Of The Road Ahead.

[MADDOG]

Guys, if I can vent for just one minute.

I'm off to the States for 4 months to work, then 2 months of travelling North America, Europe and Asia.

The problem is, I'm really wondering if I should go.

Getting there will cost $4000 (Australian. About $2000 US, since it's roughly 2-1). Bringing my total debt just short of 5 figures. I can earn a lot of that back, but with travel afterwards, it's likely to pump it right back up.

Aside from the money factor, I've heard "bad" things about where I'll be working. The accomodation is awful (I've seen pics, it's tiny and cramped), and the hours are hopeless (OK, they're normal. 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. But I'm going to Snowboard. At my last resort, I could go out 4 days a week and still work 40 hours.)

And aside from THAT, I've had a glimmer of a future in Perth making moves towards a great career in something I like. (I finally have an idea what that is.) If I go, I feel like I'd be postponing my life.

On the other hand, seeing the world IS life. When I'm old and grey, I know I'll regret not going for the sake of 6 months of extra work. If I don't do it now, I may never do it. And it's only 6 months,... I can always persue my career when I get home, and hopefully pay off my debts without too much trouble. And if I decide that financial security is more important than seeing every single place on my itinery, I can always edit it and just take in the must sees.

I guess I'm answering my own questions here! I'm not asking if I should go. I'm asking if anyone can put my mind at ease with a similar story (With a happy ending). I want to go. I just don't want to regret it.

Thanks heaps guys.

I know this place is about sex too, so spank me.

MADDOG

 

[koalabear]

Go for it

I worked all over the world for many years. Yes some places have lousy conditions but the experience is well worth it. You get to experience many different cultures and many different people, 99.9% which you will find very enjoyable. You may gain knowledge from books, but the best life experience is to get out there and use it and learn from others. Have a great time, I am sure you will enjoy it.

 

[sexy-girl]

im not always sensible i guess when it comes to making long term plans so maybe im not the best to ask


but i would love to be going and doing what your going to do ... it sounds amazing to travel to that many countries ... and i'd go for it i can understand why you maybe having some slight doubts because it is pretty daunting but im sure once you get going it will be fine


and any job cant be "that" bad if its not a perm one im sure you can work 2 months even if you dont enjoy it because it wont be perm it just be a short while

 

[girl]

Seeing the world is very important, but getting out of debt, in my opinion, is more important. I have education loans I'm paying off and it takes forever...I wish now that I'd stuck by my guns initially and not ever gotten them.

I don't know how jobs are there, but I know in Europe it wouldn't be any big deal getting 4 weeks off for a vacation, while in the US if you tried to take 4 weeks off, you probably wouldn't have a job to come back to...so, based on how jobs go there, do you think, in two or three years, you would be able to get the time off to do the travelling you want to do? That would be a big criterion for whether I go or not...but the bigger one would probably be the debt.

Either way, good luck And if you do go the travel route, have a great time.

girl

 

[Rambling Rose]

MADDOG, this is a life adventure. Take what you can and never look back. Your work will be there for you when you return.

I only wish you were travelling a bit in the southern US. I would be happy to put you up for a few days and direct you to some kick-ass soul food!

Safe journeys, friend.

 

[Feelin' Naughty]

Come on up honey, don't miss this once-in-a lifetime opportunity!
Debts can be paid off easily enough if you just set your mind to do it. Don't let that hold you back. Sometimes, when we wait for the "right time" to do something it never comes.

I agree with Blushing Rose, if your work brings you to Florida while you are here, hubby and I can show you around!

 

[Guest]

MADDOG,

There are many regrets in life, but there should never be a lifetime of regrets. Does this make sense to you?

Sometimes we become so safe in our lives that we don't take chances when those opportunities arise. We should never have to look back and wonder what if?... what would have happened if I?...could I have been a different person?

I do have a story to tell, but I won't tell it. When you are given a chance you need to embrace it and challenge yourself to make the best of what you have been given.

As long as you have honestly and carefully answered all the questions you have about doing your traveling and can fully accept what is thrust upon you when you return, then that is where you will find your answer.

From the sound of your thread...you already have an answer, you're just seeking validation. Good Luck to you, my friend. Be safe, be well, and most of all be happy.

 

[SINthysist]

You can't take your riches to the grave, but you can leave your debt behind.

You may meet your new best friend.

A life without adventure, stress, unknowing is a life that denies the best of what mankind is.

Go.

 

[lobito]

girl, your words are ALL too true about taking too much time off in a row. I know first hand.

Maddog, as many people here have said, in not so many words, it's possibly the chance of a lifetime. I'd love to be able to do what you have the opportunity to do, as many here would, I'm sure.

Don't pass it up, IF you know you're going to be able to get out of debt later. Hell, dont' pass it up at all. Debt or not.

Just my crappy advice.

 

[JennyOmanHill]

No regrets

Maddog, you seem to have answered your initial question. I agree with most of the others to take advantage of every opportunity. If your family situation is such to allow you the freedom to travel, I would definitely not put it off.

The regrets that last with me are the chances I DIDN'T take in my life! Enjoy the travels and revel in the experience. Always found aussies to be such a nice group of people, and the USA can use another friendly face right now! All the best!

 

[Cheyenne]

You know me, MADDOG. Have you ever heard me tell someone to go into debt before?

Take the trip. Spend the money. Do it as cheaply as you can, but do it.

All the points made so far are good. Vacation time here is hard to come by once you start a career. Two months in a row is unheard of.

Debt isn't a great thing, but if you have good job prospects when you get home, you can handle it.

 

[MADDOG]

Guys, THANK YOU!

I really was going away with a lot of fear, but I just bought my tickets, and I head of tomorrow! I could not be looking forward to it more! I'm not worried at all any more. And I seriously owe it all to you guys, and a few other people I know back home who set my mind at ease.

Oh, and thanks for the offers of a bed too guys. I wasn't fishing for them, but it's excellent that you guys would do that for me. I might just have to take you up on them if my plans change at all!

So this will PROBABLY be my last post for a while. I may get on this Arvo, but I'm not sure. So to all my friends here, and everyone who's helped me out recently, thank you, have a Merry Christmas, a great New Year, nd stay safe. See you in 6 months! (If not before.)

MADDOG

P.S. Don't hesitate to Email me, anyone. It may take a while to reply, but you'll get one.

 

[tigerjen]

Go for it! Better to travel now than when you're
90 not able to.......what an opportunity you have!

Happy and safe travelling!

 

[Laurel]

I know you already made your decision, so I'll wish you well. Just for the record, I'm with the "hit the road and you won't regret it later" crowd. Let us know how your travels turn out.

 

[cymbidia]

Good luck.
I, too, am crowded in among the "go for it" crowd.

I did just such a thing once upon a time.

Now, years later, long after all the debts have been paid off and i've gotten on with my life, i know that as you get older, you become less able to take off to just do/see/live/explore. You get lost in the building of your life - house payments and credits cards and loved ones and expectations pressing in on you from all sides - and you no longer have the freedom to simply go.

Someday the adventures you're about to have will bring you more smiles than anything else you could possibly do with the time.

Enjoy.

 

[Ezzy]

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single

step...

I have over the last 23 years traveled at every opportunity I have had. I would travel and work if I could get it or I would just travel for the pleasure of it.

When I first started a friend took me to the railraod station to see me off on a trip around Europe.

I was not sure when I set out if I would get further than London, 139 miles away. In London I changed stations and I was not sure I would get further than Dover.

In Dover I was not sure I would get further than Calais Etc etc...

I got home after 8,000 miles of travel and some fantastic experiences that I could never have had if I had not taken my courage in both hands and taken that first eight steps (joke relating to the first line of my post in here).

The next chance I had to travel I was less reluctant to do it, but it still takes a lot to throw caution to the winds and set out into the wide blue yonder.

Take the chance and see some more of the world, as other have said if you don't you'll regret it till the day you die, and if you do go and something bad happens, then you can regret it quickly if you need to (joke).




EZ