Dear Steemians,
“You can travel without being wealthy aka a girl from a "struggling" family chasing her dreams!”- this topic was with me from the beginning of my journey with Steemit community.
I am writing about my experiences from solo backpacking in Latin America and my other adventures. It all seems a little unrealistic for someone who is working from 9 to 5, or, more often from 8 to 8. Many people who knew me were telling me that I should talk more about my own example. That it will be worth explaining that I was not some spoilt girl that had her ass covered if anything went wrong.
Everything I have, or experienced - “money-wise” (I’m obviously not talking about my Mom’s love, time and dedication!) is purely thanks to my own hard work and dedication. So here it is. My little story.
“You can do it, you can start fulfilling your dreams. You shouldn’t wait for the perfect moment when you will have time, money and god knows what else.”
I know it sounds like a cliché. Like something you have heard so many times from people in the television or internet. But it’s not. You really can. You may need to start small. Set smaller goals. Just to gain confidence that you can really do it.
I come from a “struggling” family. My and my brothers, we are the first generation that was able to study, and only because public higher education is free if you pass (rather difficult :)) entry exams. Don’t get me wrong, I was never hungry. But I didn’t have barbies, legos, or a decent bicycle. We didn’t travel. I am extremely lucky that I have talent and passion for languages because I have never had private lessons, thus I was simply learning them on my own.
Fast forward to the end of 2014, when I bought my tickets to South America. I didn’t have much money put aside even though I was working like crazy and didn’t have decent holidays for several years in a row. This was the choice I made - I devoted my time and energy to a start-up company that I was believing in, although neither was I the owner nor had I shares in it. When I finally realised that I need a change, I did it drastically. Some advised me "to get sick" for a longer period of time in order to gain "time” and easy money. But I just quit. I preferred to play it fair.
I started to prepare my dream travel. Without money. Without the language. Without significant “experience”. Without companions.
Most of the people were telling me that I’m either crazy or brave.
I decided that I don’t want to wait and first earn the money for the travel. I didn’t want to waste more time and energy! I needed to move, to grow, to experience. And I needed it N O W.
I know it sounds irresponsible and sure, it wasn’t a perfect solution. It was making me nauseous, I didn’t sleep well for a while etc. It was a large commitment. It was a big responsibility. After all, I decided to borrow the money and spend them on travels, purely on me. People my age were borrowing money to pay for a house or a car. I felt like an alien. But somehow, deep inside I knew, I felt strongly that this was a good decision and that I would be good!
Money? I had 33%. I borrowed 33% from my dad with no interests and borrowed 33% with from a company on 12% interests… I knew I will have to return all the money immediately after coming back to Europe.
I had the time of my life. I was travelling on my own. I was meeting beautiful people, visiting stunning places and doing things for the first time! It was amazing most of the time, and difficult at times. I have learned a lot about myself. Most importantly I gained certainty that no matter how difficult the situation seems, I will be good, I really can count on myself!
How did I paid for my 4-month trip?
After coming back I was working for 3 months as a stewardess on a private yacht cruising in the Mediterranean Sea. Seems fancy and fun. But… I was working 17 h a day (from 7 am to 24). I was not only serving cocktails and meals. But I was also, on a rotatory basis, cleaning toilets. In my free time, I was also babysitting 2 beautiful girls, owner’s daughters, because they simply liked me too much. I was constantly tired. But I had a goal.
How can you get the money for your dreams?
the right country: the most important is to choose the right country - be wise and work in a well-developed country, where you will be very well paid, like Nordic countries, UK, Switzerland, maybe Germany;
jobs: there are many seasonal jobs that are waiting for you! You can pick up the fruits; you can work as a waiter/waitress;
if you decided to work in a different country, and therefore you have to rent a place to sleep – make sure to rent a room in a shared apartment or maybe consider sharing a room. It is just or a short time, and accommodation is often a significant expense;
you have to keep your expenses at a minimum level; avoid eating in the restaurants, cook for yourself.
Are you too "old" for those kinds of jobs and sacrifices? Or too well educated you say? Well, I was over 30, with my 2 masters. If you want it, you will move mountains to reach it. If you don’t, you will only find excuses.
So here's the clue: all this will only work if you are really committed to your goal. If you are not, those sacrifices will seem too big, too overwhelming and unnecessary.
Sending joy,
kasia
It is very inspiring Kasia. I feel the same with our family background and dreams you have. It is very fulfilling to travel in one place especially when you work hard for it. I know you still have a great future ahead of you. Thank you for sharing us how to make dreams come true. :)
Dear @fatimajunio thank you for your kind comment! i get the impression you actually read the articule. Yes, the sky is the limit, so i am wishing you the same - to follow your heart and make your wishes come true :)
Bien por ti Kasia, seguro estas disfrutando el español de latinoamerica. “Viajar es un ejercicio con consecuencias fatales para los prejuicios, la intolerancia y la estrechez de mente”. – Mark Twain
exacto! ¡Y los viajes no tienen que estar largos o muy exóticos!
Awesome post! It reminded me of my very first vacation ever!
20170402_083716.jpg 
I recently had the pleasure to travel to Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, and all the Virgin Islands..
Im 57 years old and I have never left Houston,Texas ...
Until I finally decided do something for myself.
4 kids and 14 grandkids later....
I was so excited I made a video of all the footage.
check it out on my page, it's called "Kissed by the Caribbean" It was one month before the devastating storms..
great pics thanks
Your story is very inspirational!! you are a proof that it's never too late! but people prefer to complain! God bless you! ❤️
Its so true, sometimes you have literally just got to leave without thinking too much otherwise you'll never do it. There will always be something a new job, house, partner etc procrastination is a killer of dreams. Good for you for stepping outside your comfort zone to reap the rewards.
that's a nice comment, thank you :) i would add "fear" (in a large sense) as a dream killer:)
Your story is so very motivating and makes me want to live my life differently than I have been recently. I am 30 with a Masters Degree but I feel like I am working myself to death and don't want to anymore! I loved your tips on traveling on a budget and just taking life by the horns. I have been talking to my friend about traveling more and this is perfect for what we have planned. Have fun! ~Ivy~
Hey Ivy! so glad that you liked my post! all is possible. take a break from your regular life and try something new. you don't have to change your life completely:) but it's hard, cause everyone is expecting us to be "normal". good luck dear :)
Great that you can go on this adventure and still work for your bread, i think with these abilities you are on your way to a successful and fulfilling life, congrats
Thank you for your kind words:) i think we all are able to do this. first step? get out of the comfort zone..
Ny dream i got from @Susanne
Working my own business. Being a good father. Earning money on steemit while travveling and using the money i earn to travel an be there for my kids.
One step at the time. Already going to Thailand with the kidkids this summer. And taking my dad back to thailand
oh, that sound amazing! and inspiring!! ❤️
That's fantastically inspiring. I take it you're going to be planning your next trip already. As someone who has worked a stupid amount of hours in the past, other than loving what you do, having a tangible goal that you're working towards is a great motivator.
Keep at it! May the road rise to meet you.
thank you for your kind comment! btw. at the moment i am spending a ridiculous amount of time on Steemit. But i believe that hard work always pays off!
Brave of you to take the step and combine traveling with working on the go! How did your family respond after you came back with all the stories?
my family is very supportive. But we are very close so it is difficult of all of us. thanks for asking :)
That is a good article. I always travel on a low budget. I traveled a lot in India and there it is very good. In Europe I recommend Ukraine and Poland. Especially Ukraine is cheap to stay and travel around and a lot to see and do.
thanks for the comment! yes, i know Poland, cause i'm Polish :) I've been travelling to Ukraine as well and i find it very interesting! India is on my list :)
I had an inspirational teacher who always cautioned me about not doing things that you want to do because of a lack of money. I am sorry to say that I never really took his advice. Travelling is the best way to understand how life works, and the little travelling I have done has had a huge impact on my worldview.
Kudos to you for taking the risk.
don't be too harsh on yourself. it is really difficult to believe that you don't need stabilisation all the time and pack your backpack instead. Sometimes it takes time! if you really want you, you will travel more. on your own terms.
You're very nice to say that, but I should have travelled more when I was younger. I was lazy and too interested in partying. Since I met my wife I have been to Sri Lanka, Costa Rica and NYC and all three were amazing. I do hope to see the world a bit more, but the opportunity is very restricted these days!
This was so personally inspiring to read! I am planning a big trip abroad this summer and have recently found myself very anxious in desperately to figure out how to make it all work between restrictive work vacation time and limited finances.
But this was such a good eye opener. I will only be young once and do not want to avoid travel anymore!
exactly! thank you for reading this post :) i 'm sure your trip will be amazing, just don't hesitate :)
I can so much relate to this and with the coming of location independent lifestyle this makes the whole thing easier. When people at my age is busy studying and perhaps dreaming of a fancy car, I dream of experiencing the road.
but I didn't come from a very wealthy family nor have them to support me. I have yet to graduate but I can't wait. So much excitements in me at the moment as I am going to start my journey soon enough.
It might seems fun to others but there's a whole lot of stories behind those experiences that taught me a thing or two personally.
exactly! thanks for sharing your insight. It's never easy, it requires a lot of sacrifices. what others see is only a constant holiday. but that's fine :) good luck with your plans my dear :)
Amazing story! Made sure to follow you for future travel update :) One important tip for making money you forgot is of course Steemit! I bet that brought you some money along the way too right? Thanks for sharing your story, keep it up!
Hey there! yeah, nowadays Steemit is potentially a great source of income. But i was travelling across Latin America in 2015:) thanks for reading :)
Love this post! We agree, life is too short. If you don't do the things you want to do now, when will you ever get to do it. Tomorrow is always unknown, might as well enjoy this beautiful world we were put on. Resteemed this post, thanks for sharing!
Thank you! it is always great to find people who share the same values and goals! good luck to you guys! :)
This is amazing! Full of lessons;
It's wisdom to go in search of opportunity and be prepared for it.
It's also wisdom to do the right things at the right time, with the right people, the right places, for the right purposes, with the right intention.
Taking up seasonal jobs has been explained as an opportunity for a better life.
As the saying goes that "where the use of a thing is not known abuse is inevitable". To live well and not extravagantly, luxuries should be avoided.
Thank you @k-a-s-i-a for the wisdom nuggets, I'm more wiser
thank you for your nice comment! :) good luck on Steemit!
Awesome @k-a-s-i-a, there is no better way to put it, there is never a perfect time. Now will be always better than tomorrow. You should upload more pictures of yout trip to South America! Thanks for sharing.
thanks for the comment! :) there are photos in my other posts, i wanted to keep this one purely about the story, no distractions.
"if you decided to work in a different country, and therefore you have to rent a place to sleep – make sure to rent a room in a shared apartment or maybe consider sharing a room."
good tip keep the costs down and save a bit, live anywhere you want
exactly! :) thank you!
Wonderful write-up. I too believe in traveling as much as possible. I have been to over 65 countries so far and don't plan on stopping anytime soon. Take a look at my steemit site for photos and articles from around the world - https://steemit.com/@liquidtravel
Thanks, i sure will step by :)
Hello Kasia, I could relate to moment when we work so hard for our dreams. Sharing you a nice qoute I found online "Travel while you are able. Don't worry about the money just make it work"
exactly, this is what i believe. the universe supports your needs :)
Thank you for the inspiration. I see more and more people finding a way to live this way. Before Steemit, I thought there was a pretty small chance make it work. But now after seeing Steemit's potential and stories like yours, I feel like it's a possibility I can realize. I really would like to travel the world visiting breweries and brewing beer. Who knows, with some proper planning, it can happen!
it will if u want it and you 'll make it happen. don't expect luck in those. take care and all the best :)
👍
;)
I'm jealous, haven't been to Nicaragua in years. Keep following your dreams Kasia!
You are a beatiful looking lady and your story is a great read thank you very much for sharing it, I would love to travel around Australia and blog about my trip , reading your story wants me to do it even more..
i keep my fingers crossed for you! :)
haha, so you say it's time to pack yourself and head Nica? ;)
For sure, should be some south swell hitting in April and May. Don't want to miss that.
Great work keep following your dreams you will make it.
thank you! i won't :)
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I'm glad you are ok. :)
thank you:*
Amazing post! follow and upvote for you ;) Have a nice day!
thank you! have a great day as well! :)
Fantásticos post. Muy inspirador!!
gracias!
Awesome girl. The best time to move is now!
it sure is!
Woow..am inspired. Steemit is making my dreams come true! Thanks for sharing.
:) you are welcome! good luck:)
Amesome❤︎❤︎ follow and upvote you!
thank you :)
We can do it 💪
:D sure we can!
What an adventurous life! I always dreamt of extemporaneous trip but I couldn’t. I envy you:)
why you couldn't?
Awesome post
You are Great!!!Keep doing what You like and You will be happy ;)
haha, thanks!
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https://steemit.com/architecturalphotography/@catalin2903/xiii-century-transylvania-fortified-church
Very inspirational. Thanks for sharing your story!
thank you!
I love it!!!
Thanks a lot for sharing! Interesting and encouraging! I also love traveling and living in different places and do it as much as I can 😊
:) great to hear that! good luck with your projects! :)
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I applaud your bravery to follow your dreams. A lot of folks have too many excuses for why they can’t do the same.