Caroline Eubanks

carolineinthecityblog.com

Age: 25

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

Quote: “It’s okay to travel alone. I spent a lot of time with a group of people, but would have been much happier doing my own thing, going places I wanted to see and at my own pace, rather than following along with the group.”

How did you find out about Vagabonding, and how did you find it useful before and during the trip?

I bought my sister a copy of the book for Christmas a few years before my trip and got one for myself shortly after. I found myself constantly underlining and highlighting passages that I connected with. I then found the website, which was a community and resourves for like minded travelers.

How long were you on the road?

I traveled around Australia for a year on a working holiday visa.

Where did you go?

I covered most of Australia, including six months in Sydney, as well as visits to Melbourne, Adelaide, the Great Ocean Road, and Uluru. I also took a bus through the entire East Coast, with stops in Brisbane, Surfers Paradise, Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef.

What was your job or source of travel funding for this journey?

Before I left, I was working three part-time jobs, including retail and restaurant gigs. I was also doing some freelance writing work and earned a small amount from advertisements on my site. I also moved in with my family and cooked my own meals to cut costs.

Did you work or volunteer on the road?

The terms of my visa allowed me to work in one place for six months before finding another job for the next six months. I worked at a hotel bar and as banquet staff in Sydney for six months, which is how I saved for the future months of travel. I also filed my taxes before I left to go up the East Coast, so my tax return gave me a little extra cash.

Of all the places you visited, which was your favorite?

Nearly everywhere had different appeal. Sydney felt like home, so it will always be one of my favorite places, but there’s nothing quite like the Great Barrier Reef. It truly is great and feels like infinite blue once you’re out there. I spent a few days on a liveaboard dive boat and it wasn’t nearly enough.

Was there a place that was your least favorite, or most disappointing, or most challenging?

Fraser Island is one of the most hyped-up backpacker spots in Australia, a sand island in Queensland where you go driving in 4WDs, swim in clear blue lakes and look out for dingoes. But during my trip, it rained constantly and I got bit by sand flies. I’m not all that outdoorsy, so it wasn’t exactly my cup of tea.

Which travel gear proved most useful? Least useful?

My laptop has been essential for my travels, as I use it to write freelance articles and keep my family updated on my progress. I also use it to watch movies when I’m on long bus rides.

Most of my gear was used during the trip, but I didn’t end up wearing my grubby clothes and instead bought normal clothes to wear to work. But since I didn’t know what I would be doing or how long I would be staying, I didn’t know how to pack.

What are the rewards of the vagabonding lifestyle?

Each day can be different. You are always meeting new people, many of which share your values and priorities. It keeps you on your toes and pushes you outside of your comfort zone. I’m an introvert by nature, but the lifestyle makes me more outgoing.

What are the challenges and sacrifices of the vagabonding lifestyle?

I’ve found it challenging to find people who are a part of the vagabonding lifestyle as well. My friends at home don’t travel much and all have jobs and houses, so it can be hard to relate when I’m back at home. It also makes relationships difficult. You miss a lot while you’re on the road, like weddings and babies and promotions, but it’s a sacrifice you have to be willing to make. Only you can decide if it’s worth it.

What lessons did you learn on the road?

I was taught how much I can handle. Things that give me anxiety back home, like changes and problems, are easier to deal with on the road. I must think on my feet when it comes to missed buses and overbooked hostels.

How did your personal definition of “vagabonding” develop over the course of the trip?

How Rolf defines vagabonding in the book involves facing fears, learning about new places, and being open to what the world has to offer. I think my experiences have been very similar to his definition. Before the end of my trip, I’d gone bungy jumping over the rainforest, ridden a motorcycle through the Queensland bush and learned to scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef, all things I never would have done before.

If there was one thing you could have told yourself before the trip, what would it be?

I would have told myself that it’s okay to travel alone. I spent a lot of time with a group of people, but would have been much happier doing my own thing, going places I wanted to see and at my own pace, rather than following along with the group. This was a trip I dreamed of for years, so I should have fought for my own itinerary.

Any advice or tips for someone hoping to embark on a similar adventure?

Save much more money than you think you’ll need. I was ill-prepared for the cost of everyday life in Australia and had to get a job much earlier than I anticipated. It’s better to have too much money than not enough. You want to enjoy your time there, not stress about how you’re going to stretch your money until dinner.

When and where do you think you’ll take your next long-term journey?

I’m leaving in a few weeks for three months. I’ll be returning to Australia to catch up with friends before jaunting around Southeast Asia and attending a friend’s wedding in Thailand.

Are you a Vagabonding reader planning, in the middle of, or returning from a journey? Would you like your travel blog or website to be featured on Vagabonding Case Studies? If so, drop us a line at casestudies@vagabonding.net and tell us a little about yourself.