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mark83
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Joined: 19 Sep 2006
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PostPosted: 15:26 - 03 Sep 2009    Post subject: Gap Year Suggestions Reply with quote
So I've worked in the lovely world of finance for the last 4 years.

Seriously need a break. Thinking the crunch and lack of opportunities might lead me to take some unpaid time off.

Problem is, I don't fancy growing a beard and going to Thailand like every other gap person. And long-distance bike trips are a good idea.

Just wondering what other ideas you might have - particualrly left field ones?
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The Shaggy D.A.
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PostPosted: 15:48 - 03 Sep 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
Join a hippie commune for a year and learn how to grow veg, make your own clothes, milk chickens and harvest goat eggs. When everything crashes, you'll have skills that would put you ahead of 90% of the population.
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Alexio
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Joined: 27 Aug 2009
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PostPosted: 16:27 - 03 Sep 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
Definitely go somewhere where you can be immersed in another language that will get to learn. Do volunteer type work or useful things like teaching and community things. Travel.
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ms51ves3: why does it need 500 miles? Are you teaching it how to be a piston?
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mark83
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PostPosted: 16:46 - 03 Sep 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
Alexio wrote:
Definitely go somewhere where you can be immersed in another language that will get to learn. Do volunteer type work or useful things like teaching and community things. Travel.


Thinking in terms of language, I would love to learn Arabic. Maybe I should teach English or something?

Good idea Alexio
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Alexio
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PostPosted: 16:56 - 03 Sep 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
mark83 wrote:


Thinking in terms of language, I would love to learn Arabic. Maybe I should teach English or something?

Good idea Alexio


That was the along the lines I was thinking Thumbs Up

There are courses you can take in teaching English as a second language. I have family members that have done this kind of thing in asia before and they've loved it.

Or just get out there and see what you can find. What ever you choose, if you're going to be in a different country it's going to be an awesome adventure.
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will never give up his CG. I look at my fuel gauge more as a progress bar than a fuel gauge.
G: With my GSXR I do often effectively use it as a scooter with a clutch in town.
ms51ves3: why does it need 500 miles? Are you teaching it how to be a piston?
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Charlie
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PostPosted: 18:05 - 03 Sep 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
Learn Arabic (although there are lots of varients) and then ride to Pakistan (take your time getting there) and then teach English for a bit. Sounds good to me Thumbs Up
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Skudd
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PostPosted: 18:35 - 03 Sep 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
ds55 wrote:
Learn Arabic (although there are lots of varients) and then ride to Pakistan (take your time getting there) and then fight for the Taliban:


Shocked
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Clanger
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Joined: 27 May 2004
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PostPosted: 20:03 - 03 Sep 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
Contact VSO, they often require skilled people to do volunteer work, but be prepared for little choice in destination. They are usually Africa, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and other countries considered really poor.

In which case you may end up growing a beard and becoming a bit of a hippy... Mr. Green
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Ariel Badger
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PostPosted: 20:18 - 03 Sep 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
After extensive research Vietnam seems a good destination.
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WishayKillie
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PostPosted: 20:45 - 03 Sep 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
1930 Ariel wrote:
After extensive research Vietnam seems a good destination.


I'm working out there (here) just now. It's a fantastic country and so many places to go. I've only really seen Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) and a small town called Vung Tau, where I go to work from.
I would like to travel to the North of the country up to Hanoi and the coastal area up there, it is meant to be fantastic.

It is very cheap to live here and getting a Visa cant be too hard as there are loads of Australian tourists wondering about.

If you want to teach a language and help a population with some humanitarian work then I would suggest trying to get into Burma (Myanmar). I worked there for 6 months at the end of last year. It is a fantastic country that has been run down by the current ruling Junta. As it is cut off from most of the developed world through sanctions and such like, the place is overflowing with gemstones (ruby's, sapphire's and emerald are the best in Asia). We managed to get some out of the country, purchased for $800 and sold them on for around $4000 Thumbs Up. If you fancy a quick profit.
The hotel I was staying in had some Americans tutors that were teaching English to the local schools, got talking to them and they had been there for around 3 months, but I think they were there as part of an exchange of some sorts.
Downside is the country is very unstable and it has only got worse since I was there last year, and even then we had some trouble. contacting home is nigh on impossible, a sim card for your mobile will set you back $2500!! and internet access is severely restricted, so don't expect to talk to your mates back home every night.
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Ariel Badger
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PostPosted: 20:56 - 03 Sep 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
WishayKillie wrote:
a sim card for your mobile will set you back $2500!! .


Do they have a shortage of decimal points in Burma?
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WishayKillie
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PostPosted: 21:04 - 03 Sep 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
1930 Ariel wrote:
WishayKillie wrote:
a sim card for your mobile will set you back $2500!! .


Do they have a shortage of decimal points in Burma?


I'm not kidding, it will cost you $2.5K for a sim card.
They will widly accept $US but they are very picky, the note has to be in perfect condition or they will not accept it. Their currency Kyat (prou: Chat) is worth heehaw. dont use official outlets they will rip you off big time, just use blokes on street corners, you get a much better deal. I changed $30 and got a massive heap of Kyat and then a free tour of downtown Yangon from a monk Thumbs Up
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Ariel Badger
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PostPosted: 21:36 - 03 Sep 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
WishayKillie wrote:
I changed $30 and got a massive heap of Kyat and then a free tour of downtown Yangon from a monk Thumbs Up


That has to be a Euphemism.. Mr. Green
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WishayKillie
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PostPosted: 22:10 - 03 Sep 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
1930 Ariel wrote:
WishayKillie wrote:
I changed $30 and got a massive heap of Kyat and then a free tour of downtown Yangon from a monk Thumbs Up


That has to be a Euphemism.. Mr. Green


Shifty Shhh!
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Alexio
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PostPosted: 00:19 - 04 Sep 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have to ask, is Vietnam really like Top Gear portrayed it to be? Laughing
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will never give up his CG. I look at my fuel gauge more as a progress bar than a fuel gauge.
G: With my GSXR I do often effectively use it as a scooter with a clutch in town.
ms51ves3: why does it need 500 miles? Are you teaching it how to be a piston?
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WishayKillie
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PostPosted: 03:51 - 04 Sep 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
Alexio wrote:
I have to ask, is Vietnam really like Top Gear portrayed it to be? Laughing


How did top gear portray it?

It's wet, hot and there are peds and scoots everywhere! I'll upload a photo of a guy on a Honda 125 dream with a huge chest freezer strapped to the back Laughing
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mark83
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PostPosted: 11:52 - 04 Sep 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
Vietnam sounds very very interesting.

One question: is it safe to tour with a girl? Or will I have to put my foot up the arse of a few people?
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Clanger
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Joined: 27 May 2004
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PostPosted: 12:57 - 04 Sep 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
WishayKillie wrote:
I would like to travel to the North of the country up to Hanoi and the coastal area up there, it is meant to be fantastic..


It is, especially Ha Long Bay...on a slow boat, and then sea kayak...ahhhh, the memories. Actually Hanoi was okay when I teamed up with others, but wandering around alone - I managed to acquire my own personal stalker...which after 6 days gave me the willies Shifty
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Alexio
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Joined: 27 Aug 2009
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PostPosted: 13:05 - 04 Sep 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
WishayKillie wrote:
Alexio wrote:
I have to ask, is Vietnam really like Top Gear portrayed it to be? Laughing


How did top gear portray it?

It's wet, hot and there are peds and scoots everywhere! I'll upload a photo of a guy on a Honda 125 dream with a huge chest freezer strapped to the back Laughing


They did an hour long special on it where they rode 1000 miles from the south to the north on scooters and motorbikes.

Lots and lots and lots of bikes, beautiful country side and what looks like overall adventure and madness to be on the roads.

Then they turned the bikes into amphibious water craft to get to a bar in the bay.... you know, the normal stuff tourists would do.
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will never give up his CG. I look at my fuel gauge more as a progress bar than a fuel gauge.
G: With my GSXR I do often effectively use it as a scooter with a clutch in town.
ms51ves3: why does it need 500 miles? Are you teaching it how to be a piston?
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