Girl in the Distance FAQ’s!

Because having my own FAQ makes me feel important.

But seriously, I do get some questions through personal messages and thought I’d just compile some of them here in an “update” sort of manner but still calling it FAQ to make me feel sort of established (ha-ha).

“Why did you stop updating the GITD Facebook page? Is everything OK???”

A: Yes, everything is OK and I am alive and well. I’ve been actively posting on my personal Facebook account as well as Instagram. I became discouraged to post on my FB page because there wasn’t much engagement. A beautiful Maldivian sunset photo garnered a 3-4 of likes while it did superb on Instagram and my own account. I know this is because I am not paying to extend my FB reach or working on building an audience and in ways, it shouldn’t matter. But I will start working on updating it more. Thanks for looking out for GITD!

“Why haven’t you posted anything on your blog?”

A: Wow, thanks for checking out my blog and for noticing! Well, I just posted something on travel hacking for average Canadians (because that’s where my travel hacking experience came from!) but I know I’ve gone 2 months without publishing anything. And it’s a total shame. To be completely honest, I just did not make the time for it. I definitely HAD the time, I just didn’t make it (you know you have the time when you pretty much watch the whole Game of Thrones series within weeks while traveling). My last post on trekking in northern Laos took me two days to write. And that means two full afternoons sitting at a cafe typing away, editing every sentence and every photo. My right shoulder started to hurt and reminded me of my desk days at my old job. I know this is pretty much the reality of travel blogging, or just blogging in general, but while I had ideas in my head for new posts, I became comfortable with writing small updates and posting pictures on my FB account. Of course I realize now this will do absolutely nothing for GITD and I’m looking to change that.

The stunning walk to get a glimpse of the Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand

“Did you move to the other side of the world???”

A: No, I did not. I am travelling long term – as long as I can last out here financially, physically and mentally.

“When are you coming/going home?”

A: My parents ask me this every time I talk to them; my friends ask me this and other travellers I meet on the road ask me this (well, we all ask each other this). My answer is always the same; I don’t know. Right now I have approximately the next two months planned, which will bring me to the end of July/beginning of August. I don’t have any plans to come home just yet, but like any planning, things can change.

“When do you WANT to go home?” (ie. end this great big trip)

A: This is a tough question because, well, I like home. At home I can drive anywhere I want in my car, I can sleep in my own bed, I can see my family, walk my dog and watch Netflix on the couch with him snuggled next to me. Everything is familiar. And while that sounds pretty chill, it’s the routine and sameness that drives me away. So I’d like to be at home at given time because it’s HOME and I am comfortable there, but being out here in the world, exploring new areas, meeting new people and not having the same day twice, is pretty damn exhilarating. I don’t really want to GO home as of yet, but of course, if I could teleport there every night to cuddle with my dog, have dinner with my family and sleep in my own bed, I’d totally do it (why hasn’t anyone invented that yet?)

“What’s your favourite place you’ve been?”

A: Easy answer: New Zealand.

“Where are you going next?”

A: After NZ, I’ll be spending 3 weeks in Fiji and after that I have a one way ticket to Australia.

“And after Australia?”

A: I don’t know yet. I definitely have to hit up a few more countries in Asia before –dun-dun-dunnn– going home.”

Loving every inch of New Zealand.

“How do you stay in hostels all the time?”

A: If you asked me this it’s because you are use to the Hilton. Hostels aren’t as bad as you think. In fact, there are some hostels that are forever etched in my memory because of how comfortable and amazing the facilities were. I tend to only book hostels with really excellent ratings and I even lean more towards new hostels (usually nicer facilities). I also ask for recommendations from fellow travellers. As for staying in shared spaces, you get use to it. There is no better way to meet people, form new friendships and travel with others. Plus, hostels have so much character and don’t have to follow strict cookie cutter guidelines such as chain hotels. For instance, right now the hostel I am staying at in New Zealand has the whole lounge painted in an ocean theme. The hostel cat is sleeping next to me and there is a flat screen TV with a book exchange shelf and board games under it. Hilton’s don’t have any of that. Also, I can’t afford to stay in private rooms all the time if I am travelling long term.

“How do you afford such a long/big trip?”

A: I’ve been working for a long time and have been saving/investing a big chunk of each of my pay checks for pretty much as long as I have been working.

“But HOW???”

A: Discipline. Getting use to a lower pay check each week and pretending the savings does not exist (to resist temptation). I didn’t have any high paying jobs and didn’t do crazy overtime or anything. I had a modest salary, I lived at home (this helped tremendously), bought a car and paid off my student loans all at the same time. Also, I still travelled quite a bit every few months. So you don’t have to scrounge to save or to have a high paying job, just discipline and sacrifice (ie. for me was living at home). Also, budgeting while you travel can help determine how long you stay on the road.

“How do you pack everything in that backpack?! I would need two suitcases if I was going on a long trip!”

A: Honestly, I don’t know how everything fits. But it does and it has to. Especially since I am moving between several different climates and seasons. As I am currently in New Zealand during the fall, and I came from 3 months of travel in SE Asia AND I have Fiji and Australia lined by next, I have to be smart with my packing. I’ve been doing OK in NZ because I am wearing my winter stuff every day but when it comes to going to a hot climate next, I may need to ship some stuff home or leave it behind. I packed all my summer stuff in a travel size compression bag and have kept that at the bottom of my pack – which has honestly saved me. Also, I tend to wear the same few items everyday so I don’t feel like I have too much stuff.

“Are you going to stay/work in one place for awhile?”

A: Ah, this is tempting. To park my butt in one spot for a few weeks/months and not have to pack and unpack again and again; I’d get to establish a routine and chill out for awhile. Trust me, I’d love to. I’ve also fallen in love with New Zealand so much that I am considering applying for a working holiday visa. Also I’ve been meeting LOADS of people who are working in Australia and making decent coin. However, for now I’ll keep moving until I don’t want to anymore and I’ll decide then.

“You’re living your dream. How is it?”

A: It’s f-ing awesome. I mean, don’t get me wrong, not everyday is some amazing National Geographic adventure. But everyday is different. And I call my own shots. The feeling when I browse the internet for which plane ticket to buy next, is the most freeing feeling I’ve ever had. It kind of goes like this: “Hmm… So I’d like to go to Fiji, and it’s close to NZ. Ok, ticket is cheap. Buy ticket. Hmm… how long should I stay in Fiji? Ok well… Canadians get 30 days… ok… So I wanna go to the islands… hmm it’s kind of expensive… ok let’s just do a few nights at the best resorts… now I want to explore the mainland too… no one really goes there as much… hmm.. I’d like to stay at different places.. let’s google some stuff… a family homestay? Sounds awesome. Book that.. let’s do 3 nights. A farm stay? In the mountains? Hell yeah. Book that. 3 nights. No, let’s do 4. It sounds like such a unique place. Ok where next… a backpacker beach lodge far away from town with amazing reviews?? Ok done deal. When do I want to leave? Ahh let’s give myself a few days to recuperate in the main city before my flight. Ok done.”

Ok, so while that sounds real easy going that actually took place over a 5 hour planning session consisting of me sitting with my MacBook in the hostel lounge with a million tabs opened, a water bottle and snack on the table to keep me going and nervously checking my battery percentage because I didn’t want to interrupt my planning “groove” by going back to my room to get my charger (yes, the planning groove is a real thing OK?)

Ok, so to answer your question (and my own question because I ask myself this all the time as well) — it’s awesome. I wanted this for so long, I worked so hard for this, and it’s happening right now. Sometimes I have to pinch myself and remind myself that it’s happening.

Thanks for reading guys, send me anything if I haven’t covered it here 🙂 xoxo