Beat the credit crunch - run away

The recession gave Charlotte the courage to give up her job and volunteer in the jungle.

Material girl

My alarm went off at six this morning, like every other morning. Bleary-eyed, I stumbled to my bathroom, stood under a steaming hot shower, and washed away the night before. I tried to banish thoughts of the 'too many' calories in last night’s three course meal, but the strange churning sensation in my stomach hinted at the hangover I would be trying to shake off all day.

Feeling more human, I settled in front of my huge plasma screen to watch GMTV, with a builder’s strength cup of tea and a bowl of Special K. Without looking, I reached around me for the numerous expensive lotions and potions to begin the daily ritual. With a degree of care and attention I give to little else, I preened and perfected each inch of my face, I straightened my hair, carefully chose an adorable outfit (with the accessories to match), and transformed myself into the person I am happy to show the world.

It was a morning like countless others, but today I stopped to look around my gorgeous little flat. As I surveyed the indispensible gadgets and gizmos, my beautiful collection of shoes and handbags, all the things that seemed so necessary for everyday living. Shaking my head at my past materalism, I then smiled because I was about to give all this up to live in the Borneo jungle.

Not a time for thinking

It started on a grey and miserable Monday morning, another in a long succession of such days, with the arrival of an email titled “Adventure in Borneo?” It was  slow morning, work-wise, so instead of deleting it, I opened it, prepared to read it with an uncharacteristically open mind.

It was from a friend who wanted to build an eco-lodge in the Borneo jungle, he was looking for volunteers to help. No pay, and basic living conditions - no electricity (i.e. no hair straigtheners), no running water, sleeping in hammocks and washing in a stream. And I won’t disgust you with the toilet arrangements.

The work itself, I read would be physically demanding, many long days of heavy lifting and manual labour. uhm! I thought, my nails would be ruined, and I would smell bad most of the time; and there would be insects and snakes - big and poisonous

Charlotte aka. Bridget Jones

Am I mad? I was actually considering going for it. Me, material girl extreme!

But , wny not? If ever there was a time to do it, it was now. I was tired of the news, weeks of depressing news stories of economic meltdowns, high street closures and various banking crises, covered blow by demoralizing blow. What really did I have to lose?

Nothing!

I haven’t been living the life I envisioned when I was younger, instead I was living the life that was expected of me. I wanted adventure and excitement. I wanted to take risks and to feel alive, and I was doing the exact opposite. Here I was more Bridget than Indiana Jones, and wondering silently - is this all there is?

More to life

Building an eco-lodge is not just an opportunity to escape the gloomy weather and the even gloomier economy; it's the chance for me to make a difference to the environment. 

The lodge would be built on a piece of pristine jungle that faces a beautiful stretch of coastland. It's low impact and environmentally sustainable. Minimal in its design, and built around the local flora and fauna instead of over it, maintaining the natural surroundings and contributing to the local economy.  

The building work will be carried out by local tradesmen and volunteers, while all the materials will be purchased from the surrounding villages. And the aim? Not simply to protect the environment, but to educate travellers about the importance of looking after our natural resources - responsible tourism.

And, it won't all be work, work, work. I was assured that there would be plently of time for fun and adventure. The eco-lodge once finished will act as a base for low impact jungle activities such as trekking, survival skills, canopy walkways and a range of water sports like sailing, kayaking, and snorkelling. The lodge will also offer people unrivalled views and genuine experiences of some of the most magnificent tropical scenery South East Asia has to offer.

Boldly going

Don't get me wrong, I’m not complaining about my life so far. I know I’ve been extremely fortunate to find myself in a job I don’t hate and able to afford life’s little luxuries. But the security and safety of my comfortable life was beginning to deaden my senses, leaving me numb to the world around me.

Today, a few days from setting off on my Borneo adventure, I find myself unemployed, broke, minus false nails, hair straighterns or designer foundation. Yet every part of me feels alive with anticipation and fear.

Best laid plans etc

Bad news! When I got to Borneo, I found the project was cancelled. On the plus side, I've been travelling around South East Asia and will be volunteering in Laos for three months. 

You can read more about Charlotte's Asian travels at http://escapetoasia.co.uk

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