I have been considering & researching a possible career
break since about 2005. Should I or
should I not spend some deposit money on an adventure before committing to a
mortgage? I had one condition for my
career break to make it worthwhile if I was to opt out the pension. I wanted to live somewhere for at least 3
months so that I could actually say I’d experienced the place. This was proving to be difficult – lack of
visa opportunities being over 30 years old.
In September 2010 I had just about given up on the idea of a
career break & decided to take monthly holidays…but as I was waiting at
Victoria train station for a Brighton train for my cousins wedding, the glossy
travel magazines in WHSmith caught my eye.
I’d read lots of “career break” books but never looked at Wanderlust
Magazine. I flicked through. Amazingly, an advert in the back caught my
eye (up until this point in any magazine I usually skip the ads). A picture of a truck with the words “UK to Oz
Overland”. I never even thought that
journey could be possible. There must be
so much red tape to get through all those countries.
The wedding was great.
As soon as I got back I began researching. I found 3 companies offering this once in a
lifetime journey. One used public
transport all the way=I thought this would restrict the chance to get off the
beaten track. One took a group of 40
people=far too many, especially when it came to camping with all those tents
& outdoor cooking for 40. Then there
was Odyssey Overland. Purpose built
truck, 22 people in total, tents supplied, food fantastic according to online
forums, only did this journey once a year, takes 6 months & been doing it
since 2008. Odyssey Overland was the choice
for me.
It has met my initial career break condition to live
somewhere for at least 3 months to experience it. Ok, not the same geographical place, but I
will be part of the overland travelling community for 6 months. My career break was authorized on 22/06/2011
& I posted the Odyssey Overland booking form on 10/07/2011.
I began my preparation for this overland expedition during
the summer of 2012. I wanted to start
this blog on 1st Jan, but no time until now!
It’s been manic since 1st January 2013.
I have done the following since New Year’s Day: designed my own travel
journal, read last year’s Odyssey blog, check I’m complying with my works
career break SOP, had to register at a new doctors to get 5 injections, got 7
injections from a travel clinic, bought 150 Doxycycline tablets for Malaria +
tablets for altitude & an upset stomach, obtained 4 visas – the last 1
received today, bought insurance, shopping for equipment, practiced packing,
booked flight/hotel, cancelled rent, organized removals/storage & arranged
to say goodbye to friends. Along with a
full time job, this has been hard work.
I’m now going to try & fit in updating my iTunes & reading about
where I’m actually going. I need a
holiday.
