Only two more sleeps until our departure. With the exception of the computers and refrigerator - the house is packed! Emails to friends and family have been sent, announcing our impending departure. Well wishes and a bon voyage, along with the occasional “Take me, take me”. The hurdle to leaving in my mind has always been the decision to do it. Everything else falls in place as it should.
We have discovered how expensive it can be to leave on an extended journey. Forget all the usual expenses at home, just ensuring you have the right stuff in your one little backpack (all we are taking), has a $$ factor. Medications and technical clothing seem to form the largest part of the cost. I don’t remember this at all when I backpacked around Europe 20 odd years ago. Then again, 20 years ago I would never have packed dress shoes and a dress to eat somewhere nice either. I just could not afford that as a student!
The technical clothing is perhaps the coolest part. Everything is of course hot weather gear. With golfing for women being such a huge demographic, there are terrific cool max golf shirts that wick away the sweat and wash and dry really fast. Our trip to Algonquin last month sealed the deal for me on how great these clothes are (after I fell in the lake, twice). One would think that since everything rolls tight and all we need is summer wear, the packs would be light. Ha!
The medications and various bits for ablutions also take some space. I am not high maintenance, but I do need my shampoo and conditioner. Jacques has his special soap (not helmet special, just hypoallergenic special). We are going to a part of the world with excellent medical care, but our brands are comfortable and recognizable. Urg…a sign of middle age…wanting to be comfortable.
Jacques and I joked when we read the quote about a journey. We thought the emails home for money might go a little different for us…
“Dear Mom and Dad,
Please pay off our gold visa card. We have no more money and we have reached our $25,000 limit. The five star hotel has declined our card and we have no where to sleep tonight.”
Well, our budget is quite modest and we are travelling in one of the least expensive part of the world. We also have NO intention of eating at restaurants like Alain Ducasse in Paris, where that bill alone would give us 12 days in Thailand! One night in a hotel in Paris is our entire eating and sleeping budget for two days in Thailand. Not to mention the chicken buses for overlanding.
Two sleeps in our own, comfortable bed with our wonderful air conditioning and quiet.
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