Vagabonding Case Study: Robyn Skinner

Robyn Skinner

robynswanderings.com

Age: 32

Hometown: Bermuda

Quote: “By South America, I had given up on books entirely. The prices were always wrong, and Lonely Planet, in general, liked to focus on where to drink rather than giving a sense of the place. I found talking to locals and backpackers at the hostel was a better avenue than books.

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

I found out about Vagabonding because….it’s basically what I have been doing my whole life without a word for it.

How long were you on the road?

11 months and three weeks.

Where all did you go?

Where didn’t I go? Europe to the Middle East to South East Asia and then South America. There were 23 countries in total: England, Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Croatia, Slovenia, Turkey, Greece, Jordan, Egypt, India, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Chile, Peru, Argentina and Bolivia.

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

I saved before I left the island and while I was on the road, I was also writing columns for the newspaper in Bermuda.

Did you work or volunteer on the road?

I was a columnist, but I did not volunteer.

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

Chile! The people were great and the land is absolutely stunning. Santiago is completely underrated by every travel writer and Patagonia receives just enough attention. I managed a five-day hike through the Torres del Paine National Park and it was one of the most amazing experiences I have had. Not always fun, not always dry, but always filled with spectacular and stark beauty that included sleeping so close to a glacier I could hear the creaking as its ice-flow settled.

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

Malaysia. I had heard so many good things from travelers and had also been told that if there was one place for beaches Malaysia was my place to go. I will premise this with the fact that I am from Bermuda and therefore am a self-proclaimed beach snob. Even recognizing my snobbery, however, I was disappointed, even by the Perhentian islands which are much-touted. The country is clearly trying to grow and develop, which is understandable, however, they are doing it at the expense of their country. The food was also less than impressive and things were more expensive in Malaysia than any other South East Asian country I travelled in.

Did any of your pre-trip worries or concerns come true?

Ha! Well, I started the trip with a boyfriend (I hear the jaws music already). Needless to say, it did not work-out. But perhaps not because of travel stress. In fact, we dealt with the stress of travel well; it was during the time of calm when all hell would break loose. I discovered that he had a troubling childhood that he decided to take-out on me while we were taking a nine hour bus in Turkey or visiting his family in northern India. It was not fun and eventually I had to leave to save my arm. I was worried about traveling with him beforehand and turns-out my concerns were valid

Did you run into any problems or obstacles that you hadn’t anticipated?

Traveling solo and needing to use the bathroom. Do you know how annoying a 15 kilo backpack can be when you are solo at an airport and need to use the bathroom? Seriously! I think there should be porters you can rent to watch a person traveling solo’s gear so they can eat, pee and shop without the weight of their lives on their backs while traveling.

Which travel gear proved most useful?  Least useful?

Best travel gear ever: sewing kit! Random, I know, but when the bag tears or splinters entered my fingers, the sewing kit was there. Small enough to carry with me everywhere, it could be augmented by various colours of thread too!

Least useful? Lonely Planet books. In fact by South America, I had given-up on books entirely. The prices were always wrong (in Egypt the prices were from 1979) and Lonely Planet, in general, liked to focus on where to drink rather than giving a sense of the place. I found talking to locals and backpackers at the hostel was a better avenue than books.

What are the rewards of the vagabonding lifestyle?

Without a doubt the reward for me has been the ability to live frugally and experience humbling situations over a continued period. Sure everyone can go to India for a week or two, but if you travel there for three months, there is no doubt in my mind, your views on life change. Vagabonding also teaches you how little you need to survive in life. For one year I lived with the same clothes (augmented only when I needed some long shirts in Egypt to cover my arms) and even with one backpack, it felt like I had too many clothes. I could have lived on even half of my backpack. It’s a realization of the freedom you could have in your life.

What are the challenges and sacrifices of the vagabonding lifestyle?

Relationships. Relationships not on the road, but also at home. After a year on the road I was tired of picking-up friend for a couple of days to a couple of weeks at a time and not forming any real friendships. The same applies at home. While I was away, people my age were meeting their husbands and wives, having children and forming groups for play dates and partying. When I returned it was very hard to fit back in, especially because I had been living so frugally and many people in Bermuda live like tomorrow will never come.

What lessons did you learn on the road?

That if you are on the right path in life then things will work-out. If not? Well then every day is a struggle. As I traveled with my ex-boyfriend every day was a struggle. Museum’s were shut, castles were under construction and weather was awful. As I traveled solo, I found the path clearing and even when I found myself stranded in Phitsanulok, Thailand for a night, it was with a couple who would become good friends.

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

It changed from simply traveling, to being strong and courageous. So few people believe in themselves enough to take a direction in life that may not be on the compass. I am not saying I did not worry while on the road, but as I met others doing the same thing, I knew I wasn’t crazy for traveling and I could keep going.

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

Don’t be afraid to go it alone!

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

The world is friendly and will help you along the way as long as you are going the right way.

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

Central and South America, once I get my Spanish going again!

Twitter: robynwarbles Website: robynswanderings.com

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.

Posted by | Comments (1)  | October 5, 2011
Category: Vagabonding Case Studies


One Response to “Vagabonding Case Study: Robyn Skinner”

  1. Sonya Says:

    While I admire Robyn for her amazing solo RTW travels, there was no need for her to detail issues with her ex-boyfriend! Saying bad things about him in a public forum and mentioning his troubling childhood is not appropriate or respectful.