Don’t worry even if you blow your salary—traveling has so many benefits. Start planning your next trip now!

Text & photos /Blowing your salary on travel

It’s already October this year, and I’ve been abroad six times so far. Here’s a quick record of my 2017 travel dates:

1/10–17 Seoul, South Korea
3/25–29 Bangkok, Thailand
4/11–16 Tokyo, Japan
5/20–24 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
7/16–21 Bangkok & Pattaya, Thailand
8/25–31 Da Nang, Vietnam

A question I often get asked is: “So you really blow your entire salary on traveling?”

And yes, it’s true. I’m 24 years old now, turning 25 next year, and basically have no savings. All my money goes toward travel and other hobbies, like photography (I shoot with film cameras, which is especially expensive).

When I travel abroad, I bring both digital and film cameras, and carrying two cameras around is actually pretty heavy~

Another common question is: “Wait, so you don’t work?”

I just take leave and get my salary docked, XD. My previous job was in the tourism industry, and my colleagues all loved to travel. They were also very lenient about taking time off, which I think might not be possible at some other companies. But from what I’ve seen among people around me, most tend to prioritize income and aren’t really willing to take that kind of leave.

When I was 24, choosing to spend most of my time and money on travel wasn’t an impulsive decision. It was mainly for the following reasons:

0? To experience the diverse cultures and commerce of the world while young /span>

I’m not very physically strong—I’m pretty out of shape now, and I’ll definitely be even less mobile when I’m older. So of course I want to travel now!

Also, to be honest, I’ll tell you that traveling abroad as a 24-year-old “female,” based on my personal experience, people tend to treat you especially well wherever you go.

Most people aren’t very wary of women, so whether you’re a guy or a girl, it’s easy to make friends~ You can strike up special connections just by chatting with people you meet along the way~ I often make new friends from different countries while traveling (though due to distance, those friendships may not last long—that’s true too)

In January this year, I went to Seoul and found a girl I didn’t know online to do a hanbok experience with me~

0? Because youth is something you can’t take for granted—you never know how much “later” you’ll actually have /span>

You might believe that cherry blossoms bloom every year, that there are autumn foliage seasons, and that it snows in winter. But I don’t think so. As the world’s climate becomes increasingly erratic, I’ve started to fear that some sights might disappear forever. That’s why I believe more and more that the only thing I can truly control is “the present.”

Put it this way: I live with the mindset that I could die any day, which gives me even more determination to fulfill every wish I have.

This is a difference in values. I believe life is unpredictable, so I embrace the present. Others may focus on long-term plans for their lives. Neither is right or wrong.

Besides, the cherry blossoms I saw in 2016 are definitely not the same as the ones I saw in 2017!

So don’t blindly believe there will always be a “later.” When you want to do something, don’t just talk about it—be more decisive. This applies not just to travel, but to everything in life.

Some people, things, and experiences only exist in the moment. You never know if you’ll ever get the chance to travel with the same people again in the future.

Go see the autumn leaves in Japan in the fall

Traveling to Korea in winter to play in the snow

0?眯薪涛已?岸懒?⒀Щ峁婊????胰锨迦思使叵导/span>

I’ve never thought traveling was an easy thing. Planning a trip is really exhausting and frustrating (especially when you’re still working on weekdays).

From organizing your travel plans to researching local transportation and other details, it’s actually a way to develop one’s ability to “organize information”!

Like when I traveled abroad with two ex-boyfriends, we broke up right after getting back.

In my opinion, most people who love to travel have the ability to take care of themselves, which I think is an attitude and basic quality that all adults should have. But you’ll eventually realize that not everyone can actually manage to take good care of themselves.

When you travel, you have to protect your own safety—like catching every flight on time and making sure your daily itinerary is all set. I think there’s definitely a lot of human nature and moral values involved in this. So if you love traveling and can handle every trip well, I believe that’s truly a sign of maturity.

I went to Busan with an ex-boyfriend and broke up right after coming back, haha!!

0?桓鋈寺眯胁患拍??拍?氖悄愦游凑嬲?鲜蹲约杭/span>

Well, actually, I think if you want to travel alone, the best destination is Korea, because Koreans typically can’t be without friends—you’ll be treated like a weirdo just walking around alone.

I once seriously asked Korean friends why they find it so hard to be alone, and the answers I got were mostly about public perception and social pressure, like the fear of being seen as friendless. You should know, Koreans really don’t usually eat alone. Apparently, even if they’re not hungry, they’ll still find friends to eat with.

As for me, I’m not really concerned about what others think. I’ve even eaten Korean BBQ alone in Korea XD (because I got stood up that day~)

Anyway, I admire myself for being able to do that. I feel like being able to be with yourself is what it really means to be a true adult among adults.

I genuinely think Korean BBQ is delicious no matter where you go.

Staying in a youth hostel while traveling alone really means you only get a tiny little bed.

I traveled to Osaka alone and met a bunch of travel buddies along the way.

0?ヂ眯邪桑?阌锌赡芑嵊龅匠?猛娴氖拢〖/span>

Like last year when I traveled to Osaka alone, the hostel owner and staff took me on a super drinking tour!!

They led me expertly into alleyways, and the most magical and unique part was arriving at a place with no sign at all—you had to lift up the metal shutter yourself. Inside was an L-shaped bar that could only fit four people, and the reportedly world-champion, dead-serious owner made me the best drink I’ve ever had in my life.

I remember it cost just a few thousand yen for a small cup XD Anyway, I probably spent over ten thousand yen on drinks that night, but it was all friendship and for free!! But if I’d had travel companions with me, something like that would’ve never happened~

Proof that I wasn’t dreaming—the bar was really amazing, and I still think about it to this day.

I got the bar’s business card, but I’ve never shared it with anyone else!! Of course, I’m also curious—if I ever visit Osaka again, will I be able to afford a drink there XD? I think the answer is no.

0?粤党龉??褪前?虮阋嘶?奔/span>

Now budget airlines are well-developed, and there are often flight promotions. In the past two years, the airfares I bought ranged from NT$1,200 to NT$6,000.

That includes round-trip tickets to Seoul, South Korea for NT$1,200, and round-trip to Da Nang, Vietnam for NT$1,600 (not including luggage). That price is honestly cheaper than traveling to some parts of Taiwan, haha!!

As for more expensive times, like during the fall foliage season or cherry blossom season, but I wouldn’t buy tickets over NT$6,000—my ideal price is actually under NT$4,000 round-trip.

0?降孜?文敲聪氤龉?考/span>

Actually, sometimes there’s no special reason. The reasons for going on trips are usually pretty trivial XD

Like suddenly really wanting to go to a maid café, so I dragged some colleagues and went to Tokyo together.

On the first day we arrived, we immediately went to a maid café in Akihabara!!!

or suddenly craving Lawson’s fried chicken (I always start looking for it as soon as I land in Japan~)

Got obsessed with a Korean rap show, bought concert tickets first, then rounded up friends to get plane tickets and go for a trip~

The same lineup won’t be performing together again, so going was definitely not a regrettable decision.

Other times, I’ve suddenly craved Thai milk tea, or felt a bit bored at home and wanted to go for a walk "in the mountains or something."

Of course, I also have to admit that I’m a lucky person—without many worries, I can just go traveling around like this.

But what I really want to share is that life is actually pretty simple: within your means, go see whoever you want to see, go wherever you want to go.

Sometimes not overthinking things can be a great choice—and might even bring some wonderful surprises in life.

I think the meaning of travel for me is realizing there are so many different ways to live in this world.

At the same time, through conversations with travelers from all over, I get to understand how “Taiwan” is perceived by others.

Like the last time I went to Da Nang, I had a lively chat with a Korean uncle about politics, history, and China-Korea-Taiwan relations—it was quite an interesting experience (he even bought me a drink, haha).

So everyone, go travel—but you don’t even have to. As long as you’re genuinely doing something you love, that’s absolutely amazing too.

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