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Patricia Cuomo, age 58
Leaving: January 2008
Destination: India
Programme: 8 weeks Rajasthan volunteer programme, followed by two weeks of independent travel.
Employment Status: Full-time employment
Occupation: Running a family business
Patricia heads off to India in January 2008. We called her a month before she leaves to see how she was feeling…
What was your motivation to take a break and go travelling?
For a long time I thought I would like to do this one-day. My children have all done their gap year bits, of which I was always very envious! It was always something in the back of my mind but nothing really specific, but I was getting to a point in life where I needed to get away and then I saw your advertisement somewhere. I can't remember where it was, whether it was in the paper or the Internet, but I suddenly saw it and thought ‘ooh'. So sent off for your information and having got something concrete in my hand it meant I was able to put into play what I had been thinking about for a long time.
Have you ever done anything like this before?
Not any volunteering. The nearest I have done was three years ago when my daughter and her boyfriend were travelling around the world. I wanted to meet her somewhere and the best place that fitted in with them was Vietnam. So as I was going to Vietnam with them for two weeks I decided to make it a bit longer and I had two weeks in Malaysia on my own first. I have been somewhere different on my own, it's not a completely new move for me, obviously not the same length of time, but I have at least dipped my toe in the water!
Why did you choose to travel with Gap Year For Grown Ups?
Well as I say, I saw your advertisement and got your brochure and so I didn't bother to look any further! I got that and just thought ‘right, I must go for it'.
How do you feel now that you have booked?
Mixed. I'm really looking forward to it, but slightly anxious. The worst bit is getting myself organised this end.
What have you had to organise for your trip? (House, pets, car, finances, family).
From that point of view it's not too much of a problem. My sister and her other half and daughter are going to look after my house and animals for me. My son will take my car. My biggest problem is getting everything sorted out at work and delegating. I'm looking forward to leaving it behind but I would feel a little bit guilty if I hadn't got it sorted before I go.
What do your family and friends think of your plans?
Everyone thinks it's brilliant. They are envious and slightly bemused saying ‘ you're so brave'!
How do you think you will feel when it comes to saying your farewells to friends and family?
I will be an absolute wreck at Heathrow. My son I hope is taking me and he has seen me when I went to Malaysia and that was just for a month so he is used to it!
What do you hope to achieve during your trip?
I don't know really, I ‘m hoping apart from anything else it's going to do me the world of good getting away from the strains and stresses of life and I will hopefully come back a bit revitalised which is something I need very much indeed. It's all a bit of an open book, I hope I will be able to do something useful and get something out of it.
We plan to chat to Patricia a few days before she heads off to India, and you can read all about it here in the new year!
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Featured Traveller
Janet Horsley had an incredible time on her tailor-made gap year, blazing a trail through Africa, Asia, Australia and Latin America, read her story here.
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