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TRAVEL MATE SUCCESS
I went from being gutted that I’d been let down by a mate to meeting someone to travel with and booking a flight!
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Travelmates who met through gapyear.com  Names: Kate Cleary and Jade Nicol Age: Both 22 Occupation: Soon to be Spanish sun worshippers! Hi girls, how's it going? So tell us, why did you decide to look for a travel mate on gapyear.com? Kate: I planning on going to Spain with a good friend of mine and had it organised for about eight months, Suddenly my friend texted me and said she wasn’t serious about going anymore. I had just woke up and nearly fell out the bed when I read the message. I was so gutted as I had the paid the deposit on the apartment and I had booked our flights for us. We were totally organised then she phoned me and told me she didn’t want go. So I found gapyear.com and thought it was a good idea to advertise for a buddy. Jade: For me, it was by accident that I came across gapyear.com. I looked on the message boards and thought that it'd be much more fun to go away with a new mate who has got things in common than scared and alone! What criteria were you looking for in a travel mate? Kate: Someone around my age with similar interests to me, and someone who was friendly and outgoing. Jade: Someone fun, friendly and up for new adventures! Basically somebody likeminded! How did you find each other through the site? Kate: I put an advert on gapyear.com and wasn’t having much luck in finding a buddy. I then read the message Jade had put on there saying that she wanted to get away from the stress of university to chill out in the sun. I then replied to her post and asked her if she was interested in two months in Spain with me. Jade: I posted a message on the female-only travel mate board looking for someone to spend a couple of months in Spain with. Kate private messaged me as she was already going and had things sorted. I replied and the rest is history. What was it about the other person that made you think you’d get on well together? Kate: I read her profile and thought she sounded fun and the kind of person who I would be friends with anyway. Then we chatted on MSN and then on the phone about the trip. She was really bubbly and seemed excited about getting away just like me. I just knew she was the perfect person to come with me. Jade: We are both the same age and seem to have loads of things in common. We chatted online through MSN lots and hit it off. We then started to text each other and now we've talked on the phone! Kate seems wicked! So have you met in person yet? Kate: No, we haven’t met in person yet. She is studying in Scotland at the moment and I’m from Liverpool, but I’m planning on going up for a weekend to meet her, so we can get to know each other more. She is gonna take me round all the best bars and clubs - can’t wait! Do you have any worries about travelling together? Kate: Not at all, I’m just excited to go now and knowing that there will be someone with me just makes it better. I will feel more comfortable knowing I won’t have to lie on the beach and not have someone to chat to. Jade: Not at all, I can't wait! Consider the worst-case scenario for a moment... what trait would most annoy you in a travel mate? (eg snoring, whining, making schedules, not making schedules...!) Kate: Well snoring won’t be a problem because we have a two bedroom apartment. Actually there's nothing I can think of just now that would really wind me up. So, what are your full travel plans? Kate: We are going to a place called Calpe in Southern Spain for two months or maybe longer. We both want to go and do the same things; have fun, chill out, meet new people, laze about on the beach and go out of a night for a meal and some cocktails. If we are lucky enough to find work then that’s a bonus because we will be able to stay longer. Jade: I am meeting Kate out in Calpe on 25th June as she will already have been there a couple of weeks on holiday with her parents What are you most looking forward to? Kate: I’m looking forward to practicing my language skills as I’ve been studying Spanish for two years, although I still consider myself to be a beginner. Hopefully I’ll get plenty of practice in whilst we are out in Calpe. Also getting a good tan, snorkelling, maybe scuba diving, going on boat trips to other islands, and having a good laugh. Jade: Sun, sea, sand and sangria! Would you recommend others to use the gapyear.com ‘find a travel mate’ service? Kate: Without a doubt. I’m so happy I’ve found Jade to come with me, as most of my friends ain’t really that interested in travelling. Coming onto gapyear.com was great, there are so many people planning to travel and if you are ever stuck for a buddy then it’s the perfect place to come to to find them. Jade: Yes, definitely! What tips would you give others looking to find a travel mate on gapyear.com? Kate: Advertise! Put down where you want to travel to and what you want to do when you get there. Also include what your interests are, as that was one of the main things I looked for if and I was lucky enough to find someone. I also want to wish people good luck with their travels and most importantly, have a ball whatever you do. Jade: Make sure you get on well by chatting loads and definitely find out if you share the same interests. Also make sure that you have similar travel plans! Thanks girls, good to hear that the gapyear.com find a travel mate service worked for you! Enjoy your trip - and don’t forget to send us a postcard! Don't worry, we will!  Click here >> for gapyear.com advice on finding a travel mate Click here >> to search for travel mates now Click here >> for Spain travel info |
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