Planning it all out
Okay, so you've finally decided to leave. Just in between that big decision and the huge task of packing your bag lies a little step: Planning your journey.
Of course, this does not mean booking all of your hostels or hostels for the whole duration of the trip, nor does it mean setting waypoints and a fixed route. This would pretty much ruin the adventure and turn it into a typical holiday.
Now, when i mean planning your journey, i only mean to ask yourself some simple questions like:
- Am i intentioned in visiting every single continent?
- Which countries are on my must-visit list?
- Do i need special things to get my visa for there?
- Should i have myself vaccinated for specific diseases?
- Who will i entrust with what i have left at home, banking matters, letters, mail, bills (if any)?
- Will i travel alone or with company? Will i hitchhike or take trains / busses?
Seriously, there are milion more questions like that, which would take too long to list. Of course, as everything, some more important than others.
Just keep in mind that if you plan on travelling the whole world in an adventurous way, you will certainly cross all continents and oceans, sleep in various places, from villas of kind people who host you, to open air rice fields, you will have troubles crossing some borders, and will surely be deviating your more-or-less planned route.
That being said, before even reading on, one should check the vaccinations done. some countries will not even let you in if you do not have some vaccinations. Of course, a medic can surely help you better than me in this field. Inform yourself on what you need to survive. Remember to have a checkups, from dental ones to weird ones ;)
As for the visas - There's no real need to worry. Most countries will make you one at the border if your passport is set. Of course, prices vary from a couple of euros to around € 50. But you get my message =)
Leaving home doesn't necessarily mean one won't be coming back. And for that, one must have an address where mail, bills, etc will be sent. Someone trusted, hopefully. He will be in charge of helping you out in case of problems with the bank, insurance, taxes or any problem at all (hopefully none will happen =P )
And remember to leave a copy of all your documents to that person, in case needed. And a pair of signed cheques.