Gap yah

I think I decided to take a gap year when I was 16. A couple of my brother’s friends travelled round asia and I’d scroll through their Facebook photos while doing my gcse and get ridiculously jealous. My friends and I loosely started to plan it, and while my family considered it to be some silly vague plan that would never happen I became increasingly certain that I wanted to take a year out. While I started thinking about uni I always did so knowing I’d be going a year after I finished a levels. Me and my 2 friends who were certain on going set up a Facebook message where we’d chat and plan. I applied for deferred entry at uni and ignored my family’s fears that I’d be attacked and mugged on my travels. 

Our vague asia plans were finally narrowed down in august after we’d finished our a levels and a meeting with a travel agent. Our plan then, which still is our plan, is to travel to Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore and then fly across to Australia. We’re spending 2 months in asia and 1 month in Australia. While I am beyond excited, the only downside is the fact that we’re not going until March. After finishing exams in mid June I started working full time soon after. With various expenses; going on holiday, staying with friends, general life, I’ll need to work pretty much full time in order to afford it. Our flights are around £1300, various tour things around £1500 and £4000 spending money (£1000 a month in asia and £2000 for australia).

I work in a restaurant of a hotel, doing between 35 and 60 hours a week. I have such a love hate relationship with it, but I’m not sure if I like it more or less than sixth form. I’m pretty much exhausted all the time and I’ve gained so much weight from all the free food but it’s been a really interesting experience and I’ve met lots of fab people. But I will be very happy to leave hahaha. 

It’s v weird seeing all my friends at uni, watching endless snapchat stories of freshers and seeing their new friends while I sit in the staff room counting down the hours until my next day off. I’m very glad 2 of my best friends are here bc we’re going travelling together, and I have a group of friends who aren’t at uni this year so I’m not actually alone. And being away from them has made me appreciate my friends even more. 

So yeah, this is a lil update off my gap year so far. Not exactly glamorous, but this is the boring but necessary part which I hope will be worth it when I’m travelling. I have my vaccinations next week which are a nice (could be nicer tho) reminder that it isn’t too far away!

Laura x