A Week-In-The-Life of Ed: RexyEdventures

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Ed Rex is a British RTW Solo Travel Digital Nomad who decided to jack in his corporate job to follow his dreams and recapture his childlike wanderlust whilst blogging his “RexyEdventures”. He is also deaf and wants to show other deaf people that they too can travel around the world solo. Please enjoy this week-in-the-life of Ed as he embarks on a new chapter in his life.

This post was originally published in 2012. It has since been updated for accuracy of links and content. 

Day 1 – Sunday 1^st January 2012

Today, my life will change. After keeping it a secret for sooo long, the zip covering my mouth can be unzipped. I will now tell the world of my 2012 RexyEdventures travel plans that will be taking place this year! Off to SE Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and USA! I cannot wait! I announce it to all my family, friends and the travel community over my blog. I’m giddy. I’m excited. I’m awesome! All day I’m bouncing around with a smile from ear to ear and on this day, it’s certainly a NEW YEAR’s DAY!

Day 2 – Monday 2^nd January 2012

I receive my paper copies of my RTW Tickets in my hands. I’m finally going! Everything is real. I check out the coveted flight numbers and stare intently at the destinations.

See also: Things to do Before You Travel

I relax in a bath reading a guidebook about SE Asia. What I’ve been reading finally makes sense…I will be going to these places. Bangkok! Vang Vieng! Siem Reap! Hoi An! Singapore! Panang! Everywhere!

I make my travel new year resolutions. No alcohol until I go travelling – three full months (sob sob)! Tone my body up to look good for travel photos (ha ha), try to do a photo-a-day challenge to symbolize travelling, backpack around Britain, and ensure my travel planning goes smoothly.

Will I keep to them? Of course I will!

Day 3 – Tuesday 3^rd January 2012

I leave my family home to go back to the daily grind of work. I travel down to Leicester, where I work at my own pace. I think about family. Will they be okay while I’m gone on my travels?

Arriving back, I sort out some of my belongings. I am moving to another place this week to help cut costs and sort out bills before I go. It’s a long arduous process and I throw out or give to charity a huge portion of my belongings. I can’t exactly carry everything in my apartment in one rucksack on my travels can I?
(See also: check out what to pack for full-time travel).

I find my old I love Munich T-Shirt. I thought I lost it! Brings back good memories of beer, sightseeing, a harrowing experience of a concentration camp, a side trip to Salzburg and dancing on the fountain to The Sound of Music in the rain!

I have dinner with my friend and which we discuss where I will be travelling to. This gets me excited again!

Day 4 – Wednesday 4^th January 2012

I move more of my stuff over to my new place. Take my readings. It’s still a long arduous process!

I check out travel visas and figure out which ones I need to sort out before I go. Vietnam, Australia and USA it is!

I practice packing my new rucksack. And again….and again…and again. Hmmm, this needs fine-tuning and also I need to pack less. This makes me write out a packing list. I cut it down by half. Leave it for a while. Add a few more items. Then a couple of hours later, my original packing list has doubled. Damn!

I read more about Australia. Where do I want to go? Everywhere! But Great Barrier Reef to snorkel is number one.

It has been a slow day at work, now I have told everyone outside of work that I am travelling…I want to travel now…it seems like the work days are going ever slower! I’ve yet to hand in my notice…

Day 5 – Thursday 5^th January 2012

I’m bricking it. Today’s the day I’m handing in my notice at work for travels.

I try to catch my manager’s attention all morning. No avail. I try making him stay behind at a meeting that morning but the meeting runs late and we are kicked out of the room. I try catching him at lunch but food calls me. I try catching him all afternoon but computer issues catch him. I try catching him in the kitchen but I spy a Yorkshire Tea. I try catching him when I’m putting on my coat but he wants to discuss future plans.

Finally, I try catching him when I’m walking through the door; I say ‘Can I have a private word?’ He’s completely surprised by the news but accepts. I feel a sense of trepidation, relief, amazing, very nervous, and excited and also a sense of loss. That happens when you hand in your notice.

I slowly unwind by reading about New Zealand. Milford Sound…here I come!

Day 6 – Friday 6^th January 2012

Everyone now finally knows I’m travelling soon. Family, Friends, Work, Travel Community and everyone!

I check out travel insurance. There are hundreds of deals! Which one is the best? I pour over my computer for ages figuring out the best one. I ask people on Twitter, I ask people on Facebook. Does anyone know what the best deal is? I narrow down some options but I’m still confused.

I get de-stressed by reading about Fiji. Just looking at the photos make me relaxed. Imagine how relaxed I will feel when I’m there! Am I recapturing my wanderlust? My enthusiasm for life? It’s all coming back!

Day 7 – Saturday 7^th January 2012

I finally officially move over to my new place. From this moment on, my living costs are cut 45%. The amount I save will go into the travel pot!

I collapse on the sofa, bring out my laptop and research what to do in USA. Grand Canyon? Vegas? San Francisco? Yellowstone? I’m there!

Finally, I chill out, have a pizza, and wonder what’s to come.

I cannot wait for the travels and my Rexy Edventures. Bring it on!

At the end of March, Ed will be leaving Heathrow to go to Bangkok to start an eight-month journey around the world going through SE Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and USA. But that’s not the end; he’s already starting to plan out his 2013 itinerary. Check out his website at Rexy Edventures to follow along his journey, and be sure to follow him on Twitter @rexyedventures and Facebook too!

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