The Great Debate

So, I'm not too sure about the whole Europe thing. I really don't want to wait to travel more and I don't want to wait for a visa.

So I have one of two things in mind:

1) Europe (3 months), East Africa (2 months), Southeast Asia( 2 months), Australia/New Zealand (1 month), a week in Whistler and then home again.

2) Central and South America, a week in L.A. or Tennessee, a week in Whistler and then home again.

Here's the thing, as awesome as #1 sounds, it's going to cost me almost $12,000 to do it the way I want to, for the length of time I want to (either trip is almost 250 days, even at $30/day, that's almost $7,500). Plus airfare, entry stamps or visas. This doesn't even cover insurance and unexpected costs. So yes, pure awesomeness I know, but do I want to spend that much with nothing coming in?

#2 is going to cost me about $9,000, but I know I'll have no problem finding cash under the table jobs at hostels, call centres, etc.

I've got to figure it out this weekend.