If you think that moving to another country requires a lot of money, preparation time, and support or approval from loved ones, then you are wrong. An example of this is the very creative and bright Venus Kinzyabaeva from Ufa, who inspires and charges with her story.
There is no substitute for the feeling of a free traveler
I am 27 years old. I am from a small village in the south of the Republic of Bashkortostan. But she lived in Ufa for a long time. I cannot say that I was an ordinary girl. I have always had goals and aspirations, ambitions and interest in life. I have always been an active, independent and courageous girl. Already at the age of 12 she left her home and was educated at a gymnasium, and also studied at an art school with. Mrakovo. At 16 I decided to move to Ufa and entered the Republican Art School of K.A. Davletkildeeva. Then there was the university, where I was educated as an engineer for landscaping and landscaping, that is, I am a Landscape Designer. Already at this time, I began to travel with the money I earned over the summer. God, how happy I was to see Moscow and St. Petersburg! Then I realized that there was nothing to replace these feelings of a free traveler.
No one returns home the same after Cambodia
After university, my course was a little lost, and I worked for 1.5 years in the office of a flower company. All this time I suffered. I knew that office life was not my path. But the plus was that there was a stable income and I even flew 2 times abroad during this time. The first time it was beautiful Phuket (Thailand), the second time - Pattaya (Thailand). Initially, the purpose of the trip was the country of Cambodia, which is the easiest to get to from Pattaya. I was the ideological inspirer and organizer of this independent mini trip from Ufa through Pattaya to Cambodia and back. I had 5 of my friends with me.
One-way ticket, $ 400 and anticipation of adventure!
Oh Cambodia! It was with her that my story began. After Cambodia, no one returns home the same ... She influenced me very much. These poor people, these dirty children, these dusty roads and dirty water ... after all this, I began to appreciate what I already have. And most importantly, after such a trip, I realized that I can do anything! There was a desire to travel the entire Southeast Asia alone. This thought was at first a dream, then it became an obsession, and then a burning desire. I couldn't stop it. Not yet returning from the trip, I made the decision to quit my hated job. And that was in February! When the landscape designer has nothing to do at this time of year.
Of course, I was not alone then. My boyfriend supported me in my quest for freedom and peace of mind. So, on the very first day after the vacation, I wrote a letter of resignation. In the spring, I started working as a gardener and landscape designer. I was immensely happy. All summer I was carrying the idea of going to Asia alone and saving money. My boyfriend did not mind. Now I understand how hard it was for him to do it, but he did it. On November 11, 2015, with a 30-liter backpack and a thin windbreaker, I took a train to Moscow, from where I flew to Bangkok. I had a one way ticket, $ 400, and an anticipation of adventure!
In 3 months 4 countries and 20,000 km by land, air and water
When I left the airport in Bangkok, I didn't even know where I was going to go exactly. But the feeling! It was a feeling of independence, consistency, joy, fearlessness, courage, opening the boundaries, learning something new and amazing. In 3 months 4 countries (Thailand, Malaysia, Laos and Vietnam) and about 20,000 km by buses, trains, cars, motorcycles, boats, ferries. But only those around him were scary.
I spent the night with new acquaintances through the couchsurfing site or in hostels. Thanks to couchsurfing, I saw a little more than the average tourist. Life hack! Locals always know where the tastiest and cheapest food is, where the cool party is. They will show you hot spots and tell you what really worries the locals.
It was hard for all my loved ones
They were shocked! It's one thing to travel around Russia and go hiking, another thing to let your daughter, sister and girl go to Asia. I went to the trick, which later I sincerely regretted, I deceived my parents, saying that I was flying with a friend, and not alone. But I could not help myself, the burning desire to know myself and the vast world guided me. I returned to Ufa on February 11, 2016, on my birthday, after 3 months of adventures, I was full of emotions, strength, energy, plans. And I knew for sure that I had not yet finished my journey.
On the road again
On January 11, 2017, I flew to Thailand again. This time I flew for a long time. I chose the island of Koh Samui. Because of all the places where I have been, this was the most comfortable and convenient island for living. Pleasant climate, lots of greenery, mountains and waterfalls, a huge selection of beaches and restaurants, good roads ... The island is small, everything is close. In addition, there was a friend of mine on the island, who became my closest friend on Koh Samui.
Dreadlock and Afrokos weaver
For several months I have learned new ways of earning money. I started working as a group administrator in a social network, a dreadlock and afrocos weaver, a spa sugaring master. Manual labor is always in demand. Especially related to beauty. I had about $ 700 with me. I started posting advertisements about my services in Samui groups, while still sitting in Russia. I tried to find housing, but then I decided to just fly and decide everything on the spot. It's easier. When you sit in Russia and try to resolve such issues, no one takes you seriously. Because there are hundreds and thousands of such "inquirers".
I was lucky to have an acquaintance. I stayed with her with my suitcase. I took clothes, cosmetics, laptop, documents with me. I bought everything I needed for the house on the spot. Within a week we found me a condo apartment. She taught me how to drive a scooter. And so little by little I began to improve my life and acquire contacts. During the year of my life on Koh Samui, I gained tremendous experience and grew personally. Moved 3 times. Difficulties were in finding affordable housing, work and employment, in constant travel for a visa to Malaysia, in driving. There were accidents with torn knees / elbows, and threats from the former boss, and in obtaining the necessary visas, and in making the right decisions, and in communicating with the locals.
I worked for 2 months as a cleaner in villas, weaved dreadlocks and afrokos, did the shugaring procedure, led a group in social networks, rented out houses and villas, sometimes rented transport, worked as an Internet project manager in the tourism sector ... In general, I again moved away from my destination. I always knew that I was a creative person and I wanted to make money with creativity.
When you feel like you're at the bottom
Sometimes it takes a good push in the form of a big problem or obstacle to really start doing what is required. At such moments, when you feel that you are at the bottom, the desire to grow and develop begins to lead you in the right direction. So, since November 2017, I stopped wasting my time on projects I didn't need and focused on creativity. And as it always happens, when you know what you want, opportunities arise. I stopped being afraid and let the creative person out. I worked as a decorator - wedding decorator, even earlier I started acting as a model and developed a small portfolio.
Search for treasure on Koh Samui
On Koh Samui, I liked to ride around the island on weekends and look for interesting places, for example, abandoned hotels and buildings.At one time she became interested in geocaching. This is an application for finding treasures that other travelers and adventure seekers have hidden. She loved to run uphill, meet sunrises and see off sunsets, sit on the roof of her condo, do yoga, weave dreadlocks, of course, visit beaches and meet friends, dance in clubs on the seashore, attend local events, sail on a ferry to a neighboring island Phangan.
My favorite places that I recommend visiting are Vikas yoga studio with a gorgeous view, sunset on the Intercontinental pier, sunrise on the mountain with a Buddha statue, sunset next to the Big Buddha statue, Du Du Bao beach bar on Saturdays from 9 pm, daytime party at KS Beach from 2 o'clock, Chocolate Villa on Tongkrut, rooftops of the fishermen's village, Silver, Talignam, Lipa Noi beaches, Ban Tai (Mimosa hotel), Tongsonbey, Lamai-Maenam short road. For a year, none of my relatives and friends came to see me on Samui. I haven't flown home yet. I keep in touch with family and friends via whatsapp and skype. But, to be honest, the connection is gradually being cut off.
New Year on the volcano Batur
On December 19, 2017, I flew with a one-way ticket to Bali (Indonesia). This was the most important gift I made for myself for the New Year! I saw so many interesting things on this wonderful island of the Gods! I fell in love! I will forever remember my first ascent of the Ijen volcano on the island of Java. And I met the New Year on the Batur volcano on the island of Bali. I walked the streets of Ubud, rode a scooter along the Bukita serpentines, sat on the Uluwatu cliff above the cliff and admired the raging ocean, dived into huge waves on Canggu, visited the old village of Tenganan and immersed myself in the culture of the Balinese ...
During 3 weeks of my journey, I decided that I wanted to live here and try my hand at being a decorator and model here in Indonesia. I returned to Thailand to finish my business, packed the necessary things and moved to Bali. I'm here now. Just a week. Of course, there are worries and fears about the future here. But I believe in myself and my strength!
For those who want to drastically change their life and test themselves, I advise you to stop doubting yourself! Believe in yourself and in good people! Fears and frames are only in the head. There will always be difficulties on the way. But you can treat them as steps up to personal growth. Open your heart and go towards adventure!