Summer comes to an end

I spent this weekend in Northern Saskatchewan, camping with some good friends.

Sitting on the sandy beach late at night drinking Champagne I realized that this would be the last time that most of us would be together. Through travel, graduation, and life decisions it seems everyone has their own path to travel.

From

From

From

15 days until I depart.

Saving money to travel for three months

When summer started I wasn't sure if I would be able to save enough money by September to travel for three months. As I mentioned in the previous post, halfway though May I still only had a few hundred dollars in my bank account. I wanted to save enough for the trip solely from my summer employment yet I also didn't want to have to cut out my social life.

For those of you who know me, I like spending money. Actually, I love spending money. I tend to buy a lot of 'things' and spend exorbitant amounts on festivals, food, and other events. So how did I save enough money? First, I stopped going window shopping which always ended up with me buying things I didn't need followed by eating food I really didn't enjoy. I also cut down on the bar scene and replaced it with more personal house parties and barbeques. Funny thing is I have enjoyed doing what I had to do to save money more than what I did when I spent wildly. I am still able to go out quite often and get more quality time in with family and friends rather than focusing on external material goods.

Here is my savings schedule, directly from my google docs budgeting sheet. You'll notice the amount I'm saving increases each month, this is mostly a result from getting use to the non-spending attitude I've slowly been developing.


You can now find the most up-to-date budget and saving schedule at:Budget and Savings

The savings schedule is broken down into bi-weekly segments to follow my paycheck periods. I opened a second bank account and transfer the funds over as soon as the paycheck gets deposited into my bank account. Any amount remaining in my 'spending' account is what I have to live off for the next two weeks. I never allowed myself to withdraw anything from my trip savings account. If I am running low on spending money it just forces me to get more creative!

Only 20 days till departure.

Why did I choose India?

It seems to be the first thing anyone says after finding out I'll be backpacking by myself for three months in India.. "Why would you want to go to India?!"

I still can't remember how I got idea of taking a semester off university to go backpacking in India got stuck in my head. I think it was a mix of wanting to break away from the norm mixed in with being fed up of everyone else always saying "I wish I could go 'here' and do 'this', but..." People have so many excuses for not going after things they say they want; whether it's laziness, not wanting to take the risk, or simply wanting to follow along with what others will consider normal I'll never quite understand.

I truthfully didn't think I would be able to afford to travel for three months. Although my family now supports the idea of me going to India, the financial burden is still 100% on me. When planning this trip I did something that isn't at all like me. First, I decide that I was going to India, end of story. I left figuring out exactly why and how until later on.

So why did I choose India? I'm still not completely sure. Maybe I wanted to do something different. Go somewhere exciting and life changing, rather than somewhere like home with a small twist. Maybe it was because I could afford either:
a) 3 weeks in Europe or b) 3 months in India.

When summer started there was only a few hundred dollars in my bank account, even less halfway through May after an AIESEC conference. Glad to say that I am now ahead of my savings schedule, which I'll be happy to share with you in the upcoming week.

Guidebook, and the winner is...

I have been making good use of the public library over the past couple weeks. It seems they have a vast and diverse array of guidebooks on India, and every other country. I spent a good amount of time scanning through them trying to decide which one best suits my style of travel.

A choice has been made and the winner is... Lonely Planet!

Lonely Planet came out on top with their edition published fall of last year.

It has great information about sights and accommodation in my price range and is all organized in a very neat 'easy-to-find' fashion.

Let the planning begin!





For a comparison of the different guidebooks go here: Choosing a Guidebook: Which Series Fit Your Style? (and Budget)


Have overdue library fees?

Here's what I do: Get a list of all the books that are overdue and call the library to tell them they where all lost. The library will inform you that you now have to pay to replay all these books, but don't worry we won't be paying this or the overdue fees. Wait a couple days then take those 'lost', and overdue, books back into the library and tell them you found them.

Bingo! You are now home free without having to pay anything.

How does this work? Well when you called the library to tell them you had lost the books they actually remove the overdue charges on your account and replaced it with the full cost of the book. When you return the book they of course won't be charging you for it and the overdue fees have already been removed so you won't owe anything!

Indian visa arrives in the mail

After sending my visa for India away a couple weeks ago I received it back in the mail shortly after; I was denyed! Nothing that couldn't be fixed though, mostly just a misunderstanding between myself and the person I talked to on the phone. Rule of thumb: The people you talk to over the phone, although extremely nice, don't actually know what they are talking about.

I went back to the consulate's website to see what I had to fix on my application only to discover the website had been hacked! Without even leaving Canada, India's lack of structure and support is already showing.

I re-submitted the application and got my response in the mail yesterday. Good news: They issued me a 6-month visa! Bad news: It's only a single entry visa! Meaning I'll have to stick to India for my entire trip, but that's no problem as I've discovered there is more in India then I could explore in an entire year!

Doesn't it look beautiful?

Why haven't I started planning yet?

It's amazing how quickly time passes.

My departure date is approaching faster than could have I expected. Only a few days ago it seemed as if I had an abundance of time for planning and preparation, but that feeling has now faded. I feel an odd mixture of being overwhelmed from all the planning and researching I should be doing yet relaxed knowing that soon I will be free from the constraints of our society; being able to partake in whatever, and go wherever, I want to.. everyday.

Truth is I haven't put much time into piecing together an itinerary of any sort.

Just over a month until I leave for India.. Still so many things to sort out.

Wish me luck.

How to get vaccines/immunizations for cheaper

There are only 38 days left until I leave for India. That means it's time for... vaccinations!

Being the cheap person I am, the last thing I wanted to do was head straight over to the travel clinic and pay their outrageous fees. In addition to their general charges each shot costs on average around $100, with some of the series costing up to $700.

Most of the advice here is directed towards Canadians, because of how our health care system works, but if you live abroad you will still be able to use some of these tips.

First off, you will need to know which vaccinations you need. This leaves you with two options: a certified professional who you will have to pay (read 'expensive travel clinic advice') or the classic DIY via the internet.

My personal recommendation is to use the internet, but you will need to make sure you use the right websites and put a little time and effort into this. After you know where you are going create a list by cross referencing three main trustworthy sources: MD Travel Health, World Health Organization, and an up to date main stream guidebook. (ie. Lonely Planet)

After you have a basic list of recommend vaccinations make an appointment with your family doctor. Most family doctors can give you shots for: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and sometimes polio. If they don't carry them in stock they will give you a prescription so you can pick them up and bring them back to be given to you. This method can save a lot of money as three of the shots are often free from your doctor and the remaining two will be cheaper when buying a prescription rather then getting them from the travel clinic.

By now you should be left with only the vaccines that are specific to the country you will be visiting. Unfortunately at this point you will have to go to the travel clinic to get them as no one else will carry them in stock. Book an appointment at the travel clinic but make sure to specify that you already know what you need to get and won't need any consulting, just the shots (this will save you from their $50-100 'travel advice' fee).

If you are going to a country were you are at risk for malaria you may want to buy the medicine when you arrive in the country. The local version will be better fitted to the specific thread of the virus and is often cheaper than back home.

As for me I will be getting diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis A, polio, typhoid, meningitis, and possibly others. I'm still undecided on the malaria pills as the side effects they give most people may outweigh the risk of infection, I should have it all figured out by next week.

Money saved so far by not using the travel clinic as a first choice, $315!

Note: It is also worthwhile to first check with your healthcare plan to see what shots they cover and where they require you to get them. Most plans will only cover the basic vaccinations for the country you live in, but who knows.. you may just luck out!

Travel advice

I recently ran into this video that was done in the style of the famous 'Wear Suncreen' speech.

Hope you enjoy the video!