17 March 2010 - And so the planning begins...

Greetings one and all,

Whilst I have not yet left the country - my plane ticket has not even been brought yet (well not for the RTW trip, my Kenya one has!). I thought I would beginning compiling a journal (warning: it will not be updated regularly).

After a few weeks of uncertainty as to what my future holds, my mind has been set - I am leaving the UK. Whether this is done via a RTW trip (which seems to be the most likely at the moment), or through working abroad, I have decided to escape, to go something that I have been dreaming of doing for years - to travel the world!

As a Teacher of Geography, I regularly inform my students about different parts of the world, and yet I have only sampled a small part of it. To make me a better, more informed, Geography Teacher, I am heading off into the sunset and finding out about these countries, cultures, ways of living first hand. I will be taking copious amounts of photographs (I will be buying numerous more SD cards before the year is out, to contain all of my photographs) to document my experience. Whilst some people use Gap Years to "find themselves", I am using it to find out about everyone else. Bringing back examples, life experiences, of how similar everyone really is, but also how different.

Beyond the cultural experiences, I hope to see numerous geographical and historical landmarks. To fully develop my understand of how the world works, and how people have made an impact upon it - whether positively or negatively. There is so much around the world to see, to experience, to learn from, that I have willingly talked myself into this chosen future.

Whilst I love teaching dearly, now is the best time in my life to get out there and experience the world. To experience the life that I have imagined, being an intrepid explorer, venturing into the unknown (at least for me). My family wholeheartedly supports me, even though they cannot offer any financial assistance. The friends, I have mentioned it to so far, agree that it is a brilliant idea - and are a tad jealous! So now the only thing I have to decided is whether to go for the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) post or go for the "normal" Gap Year look, of just travelling around the world with a rucksack on my back, stopping to do some basic jobs for cash along the way. Fortunately, as an avid saver, I hope to have saved up enough to do the initial part of the travelling without needing to worry about getting a job, and wait until I hit Oceania before I seek out employment for a few months - although at least I have plenty of qualifications and experiences to help with that one! If not, I am sure I can apply for a loan/overdraft whilst overseas... right?!?

But my options are all open, so I am seizing the moment and just going for it! So this time next year, I am expecting/hoping that I am around 6 months into travelling the world, or at least being overseas. Whether it turns into a year away, or more, will see what fate next decides. Whichever it is, at least it will be an interesting ride along the way!

For that is the main thing - it is not the destination that make life worthwhile, but the journey along the way.

Right, that's all folks!

Em :D x