(no subject)
I think anytime I get worried about the winter, I should just look at the photos from PNG. Dad brought a video Brian had made from the trip, it was good watching it. As Francisca said "it's just like a National Geographic Documentary". That was a really great trip. Kind of unbelievable that I'm looking into booking my third overseas trip for the year, although all of them have been short.
The fact of the matter is though, it is so much cheaper to fly now than it was, even five years ago. I have also built up some extra skills in deal-finding etc, and am always on the lookout for a special price...
I'm really in two minds about going to worlds. My thinking, especially "as the Australian champion" is that I should go, and I want to go, but I'm really only be able to go to worlds, and not a lot else. I should be able to take leave for that trip.
It's probably going to be just over $1000 for the tickets, then there's more expenses along the way, this could really go into savings for next year, but I think I would be better off to go, then be even more inspired to save for a big, big trip next year.
For next year, I like the idea of travelling in Australia in the early part of the year. Francisca has a visa valid until March, so we could travel around a bit, live in different places, and just work for short whiles wherever. It would be a good experience to see more of the country.
I'm looking at applying for a job on the Australian Open (tennis) as well. I'm thinking I could get a job in the accomm section, I have plenty of experience, I may even be able to get something more than just a receptionist.
From there, we're planning on doing some travel in Asia for a while, maybe even a few months. It's super cheap, so if we save up some money, we could last a fair while, especially if we can get some of the ridiculous flights you see sometimes (I've seen flights to KL or Singapore for under $100).
Francisca has to go back to Chile as part of the conditions of her scholarship, if she stays in Santiago, she would have to stay twice as long, but if she goes somewhere else (eg Valparisso) then it's the same amount. So that would be about 15 months. I think I could get a one year work visa, then at the end of that stay on for a three month tourist visa. That's the main plane of next year, to live in Chile a while. That would be a pretty incredible experience.
I would like to go to Worlds again though, I'm thinking/hoping they will be in Helsinki (Finland) next year. I've got a good bunch of friends over there outside of footbag, so it would be great to go visit there. I have always wanted to do a Scandinavian trip. The idea of the Trans-Siberian rail is quite appealing, but it might be easier just to fly over. We shall see.
So anyway, next year will be a massive travel year, I can guarantee you that much.