Europe - Let’s Make It Happen
Back in 2008, I was a working as an associate in a large auditing firm here in the Philippines. If you know someone working in an audit firm, then you've probably heard how low the pay is. Working in an audit firm gave me a fantastic training ground but unfortunately, it cannot fund my dreams. Not just dream of going to Europe, but dreams of traveling in general.
In 2008, I resigned and moved to a better paying job - with better working hours too. Around mid-2008, I read that World Youth Day 2011 will be held in Spain. This is my chance! I made it my goal to attend the WYD 2011 in Spain. Oh, I wasn't able to attend the one here in the Philippines with Pope John Paul II. A former officemate attended the WYD 2008 in ___. She told me that I should prepare USD 2500 for two weeks. Now I knew how to convert USD to PHP but I had no concept whatsoever how much that money is. However, I realized I wanted to conquer Europe, in a certain way: carefree!
I devised other methods of how I can travel to Europe:
I decided that I would do a three-week trip in Europe. Why 3 weeks? Well, that’s the number of vacation days that I get a year – that simple, hahaha! An officemate went to a EU tour back on 2009 and he said that I’ll need around 3,500 to 4,500 USD for three weeks. I did some minor research and USD 4,000 sounds about right – inclusive of everything. I pegged it at 5,000 to cover for unexpected expenses, impulse purchases and pasalubong.
So Loraine’s Europe 2011 Dream Destination Travel Extravaganza will approximately cost: $5,000 x Php xx = Php 2xx,xxx. That is the target goal. *Gulp*
I was doing some mild saving before I really had a solid idea how much that dream will cost me. Whoa. So this dream would cost me that much. I actually don’t have any inclination much THAT is. I never owned nor bought anything near that amount. After a couple of breaths, I set out a plan how to carry this out. Yes, I really opened an Excel workbook and started budgeting. Plotting it in excel will let me see how realistic it is.
In 2008, I resigned and moved to a better paying job - with better working hours too. Around mid-2008, I read that World Youth Day 2011 will be held in Spain. This is my chance! I made it my goal to attend the WYD 2011 in Spain. Oh, I wasn't able to attend the one here in the Philippines with Pope John Paul II. A former officemate attended the WYD 2008 in ___. She told me that I should prepare USD 2500 for two weeks. Now I knew how to convert USD to PHP but I had no concept whatsoever how much that money is. However, I realized I wanted to conquer Europe, in a certain way: carefree!
I devised other methods of how I can travel to Europe:
- Defer until am old, settled and retired with loads of money to spend. But at that age, my health may not allow me to travel or I do food trip adventure due to dietary restrictions.
- Find a company here that will send me in Europe for trainings and assignments (Company sponsored trip? Why not?)
- Find a way how to study in Europe. I like my life to much here in the Philippines to seriously consider this back then. Of course, this is still an option.
- Make Europe happen now. I have a job right? Now how can I save for a trip like that? - I chose to do this one.
I decided that I would do a three-week trip in Europe. Why 3 weeks? Well, that’s the number of vacation days that I get a year – that simple, hahaha! An officemate went to a EU tour back on 2009 and he said that I’ll need around 3,500 to 4,500 USD for three weeks. I did some minor research and USD 4,000 sounds about right – inclusive of everything. I pegged it at 5,000 to cover for unexpected expenses, impulse purchases and pasalubong.
So Loraine’s Europe 2011 Dream Destination Travel Extravaganza will approximately cost: $5,000 x Php xx = Php 2xx,xxx. That is the target goal. *Gulp*
I was doing some mild saving before I really had a solid idea how much that dream will cost me. Whoa. So this dream would cost me that much. I actually don’t have any inclination much THAT is. I never owned nor bought anything near that amount. After a couple of breaths, I set out a plan how to carry this out. Yes, I really opened an Excel workbook and started budgeting. Plotting it in excel will let me see how realistic it is.
Hi there, I'm so happy to have stumbled across your blog from Nina of Just Wandering! My husband and I are planning on doing Europe for 2013, and this blog will be a big help. Looking forward to your future posts, I'll definitely be a frequent visitor. :)
ReplyDeleteNow is the time to start planning for your Europe 2013 trip! Will be posting more details about the planning and the trip itself soon.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is so inspiring! I'm planning my dream trip too, which I plan to do this year. It's not in Europe, but your tips on planning, preparing and making it happen are still so helpful. Good luck on our future travels! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Mia! Glad that you found my posts useful. Have a blast in your future adventures!
ReplyDeleteHi, a year ago..I keep on returning to your blog for tips and stories about Europe. Guess what? I've finally done it! And it was all worth the Euro...A big thanks to you because your blog was an inspiration...Can I tag along in Greece hahaha are you pushing through next year?
ReplyDelete@outonvacation: Woot woot! Glad that your trip pushed through! And I'm glad to be a part of it, in a way. *high five* Europe is really worth all the moolah. Sure! You can tag along. It is Greece and Spain 2013. I'll share my plans for EU2013 soon! :)
ReplyDeleteSpain is love..particularly Madrid :D I can give you some notes for Spain..I will be posting some travel guide in my blog in case you can get some info there hehehe Barcelona is as expected mostly will revolve around Gaudi which I enjoyed...I'm a fan now.We also enjoyed the walkabout tours in Florence..it was expensive but worth it. Keep me posted, I still don't have concrete plans yet for 2013..it will all depend on the moolah. Btw, relate na relate ako sa post mo on your last day in Europe haayy ako din ganun lungkot tapos reminiscing :)
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteI stumble upon your blog while researching for a Europe trip. I almost went to Europe last year but was denied a Visa by the French Embassy. Hahaha! oh well :) But will try again with my husband this time