I'm Moving Out of the Country

This couldn’t have come as a surprise to too many people, right? I mean I spend almost half of my time out of the country anyway. I love to travel abroad, take on new adventures, and make traveling accessible to those may not have known how to make it so. It makes absolute sense for me to move out of the country, RIGHT?? This couldn’t be shocking, right? So, who’s the most shocked person to realize they’re moving out of the country? ME.

When I tell people I’m moving out of the United States (and I haven’t told many people), there’s always a list of questions that start as follows:

1. What??? Girl, where you going?

2. Why you leaving?

3. When you leaving/coming back?

4. Why you aint tell noone? Damn!

I’ll attempt to answer these questions here. Bear with me though, it’s currently 4 a.m. and I’m writing this blog post on adrenaline alone. Mostly fear-based adrenaline, but we’ll get there soon enough. *grimaces heavily*

What??? Girl, where you going?

SURPRISE…I’m moving to Malaysia! Where is Malaysia? Hell if I know. I’m just moving there, nothing serious. Malaysia is located in Southeast Asia and is close to countries like Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam. With a predominately Muslim population, my mom is banking on me coming back with a husband. I think it’s clear she’s SICK OF MY SHIT. LOL! Malaysia is a megadiverse country with a mix of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultural influences. I already know the food ready to be popping. Let me know if you’re trying to come eat, I’m accepting guests!

Why you leaving?

Well….I WON A FULBRIGHT SCHOLARSHIP! Way to bury the lead, right? LOL I’m going to try to talk about this a little more in-depth, per my friends’ death stares and glances when I say “I just got a scholarship”. HERE I AM CELEBRATING MYSELF Y’ALL…see??? So for those of you who don’t know, a Fulbright is a Cultural Exchange Program funded by the Department of State in efforts to improve intercultural relations, diplomacy, and competence between U.S. citizens and other countries. Some call it ~presitgious~, I don’t know what that means. Either way, I feel very blessed to be part of a chosen few to discover a new country for an extended period of time…on the government’s dime OKUUURT!

When you leaving/coming back?

So…the exchange officially begins in January, but I leave mid-December. I’ll be in Malaysia for about a year. Once I leave, I’m not allowed to come back into the United States per the Fulbright contract. So, I’m really leaving, leaving y’all. For a whole damn year. Wish me luck!

Why you aint tell noone? Damn!

This one is probably the most difficult to answer. I guess I-I’m scared. I didn’t want to believe I was actually leaving, so I’ve ignored it for the past 8 months or so. Now that I’m about a month and a half away from departure, I can’t hide anymore. It must seem weird to you all that I’m nervous about this. Sure, I’ve done my fair share of traveling, so I may be more prepared than the average person, but that doesn’t supersede my fear. Terrified may be the word I’m actually looking for, but I’m trying to be a big girl here. I have never spent more than 2-3 months away from my family at a time, let alone be halfway across the world with a 12 hour time difference between us for a full year.

All of my relationships are going to be long-distance: friends, family, potential boo-thangs. ALLUM. People out here worried about their significant others missing them when they’re in a long-distance relationship and I’m out here concerned that I won’t survive without my lifelines.I know I’m being dramatic here (what’s new), but I think about all the big things I’ll miss and WOOH, the sadness. Has FOMO ever hit harder? Unsure, unclear, unaware.

I’m honestly so thankful that I have this opportunity. I know it’s big. I know it’s good. I know it’ll be worth it. I know! I know that God has been preparing me for this moment. I know this is a part of my calling. I know that this will open doors I hadn’t even dreamed about. I know. I’m so blessed to have a community here that I’ll miss, a family that promises to visit, and friends that swear they’ll keep me laughing thousands of miles away (I don’t doubt it). I’m still scared, terrified, and filled with fear; but more than anything I’m filled with gratitude and faith. I prayed for moments like this. Preparation has met opportunity, and it’s time to step up! Wish me luck my lovely wanderers <3

What scares you? Tell me about an experience where you were scared to take the leap but went anyway! Make me feel better about this move in the comments below!

Happy Wandering…

How I Save Money While Traveling Abroad

Looking to travel the world, see the sights, live your best life, but don’t want your bank account to look at you sideways? Say less. I love traveling, but I'm not trying to have Mr. Wells Fargo, Mrs. Bank of America, Miss Capital One, and Mr. PNC on my back. They’re so annoying! They stay looming in the background. I hear them wherever I go. “Did you really need that?” “That was HOW MUCH?” “Ok, but you haven’t deposited enough money to buy that yet.”

The worst is when they talk to each other. “Y’all see what she did there? HA!” “Who does she think she is?” “Alright, someone needs to stop her.”

Basically, I’ve compiled a list of ways you can save on almost all aspects of your trip so that you don’t have to deal with those annoying banks. Incorporate some of these tips into your next trip and I promise Mr. Wells Fargo (my arch nemesis) will leave you alone.

HOUSING

Skip the hotel. You don’t have that kind of coin. Stay in a hostel, Airbnb, guesthouse, or go couchsurfing! Hostels are a great way to meet other travelers, they usually have great recommendations for places to check out in the area, and they are going to be your cheapest option. Downsides include sharing a room with about 6-12 other people, sleeping on a bunkbed, and possibly hearing your top-bunk neighbor have sex (true story). Most of you are familiar with Airbnb’s, and I love them if I’m staying somewhere for a while, but on a quick trip I find they can be isolating. Also, you never know what you’re going to get (check this out to see what I mean).

Guesthouses give you the chance to “live” with a local family (get that local experience) and they’re about as cheap as a hostel, but some guesthouses have rules that you must abide by (ex. no guests after 9pm; no loud noise after 10pm). Lastly, COUCHSURFING, my fave. If you don’t know what it is, click here. This is the cheapest option of all, because it’s usually free, but not all couches are created equally.

FOOD

My favorite pasttime! Let’s cut this short. DO NOT EAT AT TOURIST LOCATIONS. Stay far away from those traps. Eat at local restaurants, go further away from the city, try street carts (stop being bougie sis, it’s clean, and be adventurous for once). A nice trick I have when abroad is to look for the restaurants that are packed with locals. If the locals are eating there, then so am I. I love to google translate “where do you like to eat?” and ask locals. If you just ask for recommendations, they’ll give you places they think you’ll like, which will more than likely lead you back into touristy locations. Ask about their preferences and follow their lead!

TRANSPORTATION

Sure, Uber is nice (although it’s not available everywhere) and taxis can be convenient, but we’re not talking convenience, we’re talking KEEP MR. WELLS FARGO OFF YOUR LINE, so listen up. Take public transit! In Milan, the above-ground trains are free. FREE, BISH…FREE! Get on that tuk-tuk (unless they’re only where the tourists are), hop on that bus and carry your tail to the metro. You’ll save a fortune. Also, if you find yourself absolutely dying and needing to hail a taxi, please make sure you are far, and I mean far from the touristy locations. If you’re pressed to get the taxi at least save some coin and walk a minute or two up the block so the prices aren’t jacked up!

ADVENTURES

Alright, this is the most difficult to try to save money on. I always flick off Mr. Wells Fargo when it comes to activities, but I’ve found some things to do in almost every city that didn’t break the bank. Most museums have at least one free day, or are free everyday (shoutout Smithsonian); find that free day and put it on your list of things to do! Also, if there is a popping museum, make sure you get there well ahead of time and plan for crowds…you’re not the only one trying to get this steal!

I also love to explore cities by going on walking tours! Get that exercise in, feel that breeze, explore the streets. I’ve also joined a walking tour that I haven’t paid for by lollygagging in the back, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend that. Honestly I totally recommend it, I learned so much about the town lol but I felt bad for jipping the nice tour guide. Lastly, if/when you go shopping then make sure you haggle! Nothing is as it is listed. I don’t care where you go. Make a deal. Find a deal. Secure the deal and the bag, sis. Secure the MF’n bag.

AIRLINES

Last on this list is how to save money with airlines. I want to start off by saying FLY BUDGET AIRLINES! I’m sick of y’all. You can’t be broke and bougie baby, pick one! I promise I wish I could be bougie too, but that’s not the case here. So, since we’ve all decided we’re flying budget airlines (shoutout WOW, RyanAir, Spirit * ooh that one hurt to give props to *) The key with these airlines is to pack light. If you do , there are rarely any fees attached, and you’ll be saving those coins you barely have (don’t mind me, I’m really dragging myself here). Also, when it comes to airlines, make sure that you’re flying to your destination during the offseason. You can’t expect to go to Carnival in Trinidad and find a $200 flight. It aint happening sis. Fly during the offseason and swerve on those price hikes!

I hope these helped y’all avoid Mr. Wells Fargo, Mrs. Bank of America, Miss Capital One, and Mr. PNC! You don’t need them on your back and I don’t want them on mine either. What tips do you have for saving money when you’re traveling? Let me know below! Hip me sis, HIP ME! I’m ready to save the coins!

Happy Wandering…