You can travel without being wealthy aka a girl from a "struggling" family chasing her dreams!

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