Jaime Davila - I do believe “everything happens for a reason” and know that all the choices I have made in the past have brought me to where I am today. As soon as I knew my dream of traveling the world was attainable I went for it.
I just want to help people be happy… That is the only thing that really matters in life.
Blog: breakawaybackpacker.com
Facebook: BreakawayBackpacker
1. What country are you in at the moment?
I am in Athens, Greece at the moment!!!!
2. What countries have you already visited?
I have visited: USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Belize, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Czach Republic, Spain, Morocco, Italy, Greece.
3. What countries are you planning to still travel to?
Oh so many… I hope the $$$ last: Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, India, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines, Laos, Malaysia & I think that’s it.
4. 5 must see places in world?
That I have been to: Granada, Nicaragua – Playa del Carmen, Mexico – Barcelona, Spain – Chefchaouen, Morocco – Venice, Italy. That I haven’t been to (yet): Cairo, Egypt – Sydney, Australia – Boracay, Philippines – Machu Picchu, Peru – Antarctica
5. How long did it take you to decide to travel the world?
It took me about 3 months to actually make the decision. I had learned about backpacking and 3 months later knew I wanted to do a trip around the world. It took me about 1.5yrs to make it all happen!!!
6. When did you start your travels?
I started this trip on March 1, 2011 and it was my 1st major adventure ever and my 1st time ever traveling solo… or staying in a hostel for that matter. Before this trip I had visited Mexico many times to visit family and taken vacations in New York City, Los Angeles and Hawaii.
7. What is your advise to those who are undecided about travelling or not?
Do it… you won’t regret it one bit.
8. Which, out of all the countries you’ve visited was the most impressive?
A lot of people don’t understand me when I say this, but Nicaragua still is my favorite country so far. I loved the food, loved the people and loved the natural scenery everywhere. It will always hold a special place in my heart.
9. Are there any tips that you can give to help those who wish to travel, i.e what to buy/what not to buy/where to go/how long to spend in a country at any one time?
I think the biggest tip I could give anyone at this point in my trip is too just plan a direction you want to travel in. Don’t plan how long you will spend in any country or in any city. Things will change big time and the longer you travel the slower you start moving. For me my direction of travel was east around the world. So I did Central America, Europe, and am now heading to the Middle East, India and then South East Asia. At 1st I had dates and time for each region, but umm yeah I am still in Europe and was only planning on spending 2 months here. So the best to have is an idea of what direction you want to travel and what countries you want to visit.
10. Do you have a funny story from your travels?
Oh lord… do I have any… I have so many. I think the funniest one that everyone knows by now is of course my HAND JOB ON A CHICKEN BUS story. Aside form that… I also have a story of when I woke up naked and my swim trunks were found on tops of a palm tree.
11. What’s the lowest sum of money you would need to start travelling with?
Oh this varies big time… I saved enough to hopefully travel for 2 years, with out having to work. It all depends on how you want to travel. I have met people who have been traveling for years because they just work in different place. I’ve met people who are on super budgets… it just all depends I really couldn’t give a definite answer.
12. Any tips for keeping costs down?
This is easy… if you are a drinker (like me) try to buy your drinks at the market don’t splurge out at a bar. Also if you love food, be sure you find cheap street food, its normally the best and way cheaper. If you are in an expensive place, you could always visit a market and find things to cook in the hostel. Another huge tip is planning your route to where you do not have to back track. So far I have not had to back track and things have worked out great. You end up saving money on transportation that way.
13. Which country is the cheapest for living expenses?
So far the cheapest country I have visited is Nicaragua hands down. There I was living on $15 a day and know I could have done it even cheaper. I know though that India and other countries in South East Asia will be cheaper.
14. You are traveling solo or it’s not hard?
I love traveling solo, because it lets me make 100% of what I want to do or see. The down side to that is that you have to do all the planning and sometimes it gets tiring. Other times you do get lonely and want to experience amazing things with loved ones at home, but the thing is you meet so many amazing people on the road traveling solo. You make friends with many of them so it all balances out in the end.
15. Is it possible to earn enough money from working abroad to keep on top of travelling expenses? Are you working?
I know it is possible to do that, the thing is I would have no advice for that since I my self have yet to pick up a job on the road. I know at some point probably when I am low on funds I will pick a job up.
16. What’s in your backpack?
I’ll tell you everything that is in there… I made post about it - what I’m packing for my trip around the world. Nothing has changed… the only thing that has changed is I have swapped out new shirts, shorts and jeans as the ones I have had have worn out. Everything I have brought at the start of the trip have really been everything I need.
