10 doubts before first big trip on your own

As I mentioned in previous blog, I am going to Brazil and to USA and this will be my first big trip, where I organize everything by myself - from airplane tickets to accomodation, food, internal transfers and visiting tourist attractions. It is very different type of travelling than when you are travelling with agencies - there you have nothing to worry about because agency is taking care of everything and you just have to come to meeting point and enjoy the trip.

On the other hand - travelling around the world on your own especially for the first time brings some doubts and fear before start. So here I will talk about my doubts and I believe many of you have the same...
I have to tell, I will be travelling alone.

1. SAFETY -  If you are going to an unknown country, you for sure have some safety concerns. The main goal is to travel safe and healthy, then you can enjoy every other aspect of trip. I googled a lot of things, but until I will be there and see it for myself I cannot be sure. But I am positive, that everything will be perfect. BE POSITIVE!
2. LANGUAGE DIFFERENCIES - I come from Slavic country, so by all means we should be good in foreign languages and I believe we are, but mostly to Slavic country languages or English and German, but for sure not so much to those Latin languages like Italian, French, Spanish and Portuguese. They are to proud of their language, so they do not want to learn another language, but from my latest experience they are getting better and better especially young people, so if you do not speak the language of the country where you are going then TRY TO SPEAK ENGLISH TO YOUNG PEOPLE - there are great odds, that they will talk to you back. 
3. PROBLEMS ON AIRPORT - A lot of things can happen, but you have to trust airport employees... otherwise is better not to go anywhere! 
4. WHAT TO PACK - Pack everything basic what you need, you can buy something there, unless you are going to wilderness. You can use same things for more purposes. Everywhere they have washing machines and it is not expensive. DO NOT LET YOUR LUGGAGE TO BE ON YOUR WAY TO TOTALLY ENJOY THE TRIP.
5. ACTIVITIES - It looks nice in books and on internet, but will I enjoy it? YOU HAVE TO TRY, otherwise you do not know how is it. 
6. MONEY - Here I want to point out - Is it better to take cash or credit card? If you are not travelling to some 3rd world countries. I think the best is both - so SOME MONEY AND BACKUP ON CARD - sure there will be ATMs because with full wallet you attract to many people.
7. LOCAL PEOPLE - I suppose they are used to tourists, but will they be nice to me? I hope so, ife we catch each other on language, I am the winner.
8. COMMUNICATION WITH HOME - For the first time it is always nervous, because if you are in early twenties, parents still care for you very much. So you have to give them insurance you are okey and they can relax a little. I know, if I AM HAPPY, THEY ARE HAPPY! 
9. HOW TO AVOID BOREDOM - Meet now people, find new friends, read a book, write a blog, enjoy yourself, listen to music... DO NOT LET BOREDOM TO CATCH YOU at any moment.
10. WILL EVERYTHING BE AS I PLANNED - This is the last thing, you plan something but for some reason you cannot do it - that is why you are travelling on your own - to BE FLEXIBLE.

I know, this will be great experience, so I hope I will deny everything I wrote here, just know that, no one is relaxed before project like that.

If you have anything to add or any suggestion how to get rid some of these doubts, feel free to comment and share with us!

Enjoy,
Simon Ranfl

Story of Volunteer for Rio Olympics

Main words: rio2016, volunteer, mystory, dreams

Since I was little boy, I dreamed about being part of the biggest sport event on the World. I remember waking up for Olympic events at 3 am, just to watch some Slovenian sportsman competing for medals and I was like 9 years old. When I spent 12 hours a day, watching Olympics from Beijing 2008, I decided I want to be there sometimes and the perfect choice was London 2012 - I just turned 19 then, it was close, I know the language... but I was scared, without any experience so I did not apply for volunteer there - even though I was determined that  I will be in Rio 2016 on first time ever SouthAmerican Olympic games.

When came the time for applying as a Volunteer for Rio in september 2014, I applied the very first day. Application was very long, so it took few hours to finish it the way I wanted, with all the good recommendations for myself, so I will be part of that. After that - waiting and waiting, we only had to play few online games and check our language skills, nothing serious. I was waiting for interview more than 1 year, but in October 2015 I finally recieved an email with invitation for interview. I thought it will be like job interview, so I prepared myself for everything. And then interview comes and we had online chat with operator from Rio and also 5 other applicants for volunteering there - nothing serious.

Then again waiting until the famous November 30th 2015, when they released first 50000 approved volunteers for Olympics - I was on this list and I was so happy, that I even make a party for my friends in dormitory in Warsaw, Poland (I was exchange student there). They said to us, that the deadline for Invitation Letter is in 2 weeks, then 2 months, then they had been saying soon all the time. I've sent few emails there and always same answer. Meanwhile, we had to do some online training, but still no letter. I was getting very nervous and what I saw on facebook, my fellow volunteers too.

No letter, no shift, nothing... Already in January 2016 I bought flight tickets, soon after I booked an accomodation, but letter still did not come. I was doing that without knowing, that I will recieve any letter, I only knew that everything will get more and more expensive.

At May 31st 2016 I recieve doubtful email from organizers, that they are not sure about me being volunteer there - my heart literally fell in my pants. There was a survey about our plans - WTF - I was approved more than half a year ago, you know my plans?!!

But few days ago (June 9th) I woke up, put my glasses on and saw an email from organizers with invitation letter - sudden relief, moment of joy and happiness. I have been telling to my friends, that I am going to work on Olympics, but until then I was not sure about it. Now it is official and all the anger, hate, swearing words are in the past.

Now there is nothing stopping me - people see you in Rio2016.

Simon Ranfl