Oh to be young
My first trip away - classic backpacking up the East Coast of Australia. 19 years old and very excited. My first night in a Sydney backpackers, hours of drinking and staggering through Kings Cross with my new mates. Couple of hours later I realise I can't find my Visa cards. Luckily my new mates could remember where we were staying and put me in a taxi. One drunken tearful phone call home and several hours of unconsciousness later I wake up feeling physically and emotionally burned. I want to go home. My mum arranged a new bank card to be sent to me, and never told my Dad. What a star. Luckily for me my friends were genuine and lent me cash until my new cards arrived. Big lesson learned that day about what being responsible for yourself means when you're so far from home and don't really know a soul. The rest of my trip was great, and I'm still a very keen traveller.... who keeps a close eye on her purse and passport.
