Featuring: Jade Scarfe, Traveler & International Volunteer
Jade is an 18 year old solo traveller and international volunteer. She’s currently taking a break from her studies to explore the world, from Asia to Africa, alone for 10 months! Her gap year is full of adventures! She’ll be working with Great Whites in South Africa, teaching children in Myanmar and jumping off cliffs in the Philippines. At only 18 she’s already travelled to over 35 countries with many more to come…
Alex: Why do you travel? What are your inspirations?
JS: Travel has always been a huge part of my life, I’ve grown up in different places all around the world, so it’s second nature to me. My inspiration comes from both my parents and my past experiences. I think recently my crave for travelling comes from when I was very sick. I lost all my independence, freedom and happiness which are some of the key things I love about travel. You can be who want, do what you want and just be happy.
How do you organize your travel plans?
JS: Usually I just wing it, but areas where I’m pushed for time I’ll plan the key bits.
Firstly I start by researching sample itineraries, then I get a giant piece of paper and write down the basics: where I want to go, what to see and for how long. I always pick out the key things I want to do first then work everything else around that. Then closer to the date I’ll look up a few YouTube vlogging videos or message some other travellers for any extra tips or advice. I love to go off the beaten tourist track and do my own thing, so getting every little idea, suggestion or opinions are vital. But usually the whole plan changes when I’m there!
Any travel hacks you can share?
JS: 2 tips I always use are…
Keep your money spaced around your body and bag, not all in one place — another thing I’ve learnt is don’t keep money in your wallet, store it somewhere thieves won’t look, like an empty sunscreen bottle.
And add a dryer sheet to your bag to stop them smelling — it’s the worse feeling when you go to get changed after a long flight and everything already smells of sweat when it’s not even day 2!
Tell me about a person you’ve met or a memory that impacted you the most during one of your trips?
JS: Oh gosh there’s so much… One of my most prominent memories was when I was 6 and in Mexico, I didn’t understand poverty and why people had to live the way they did. I remember asking my mum why the people couldn’t paint their houses and put the rubbish in the bin. I started listing everything I would do if I could change it for them. After my mum explained it to me I decided from then on that I would make a change.
Another memory is from my first experience of volunteering in Ghana. I worked with a school in the most impoverished part of the tiny town but despite the circumstances the children were ridiculously happy and smiley. I’ve never experienced such joy and love. It just really hit me when you compare it too the way kids act in the western world. A beautiful little girl was in heaven just by playing with bottle whereas a child from my town wouldn’t bat an eyelid.
Aside from the basics, name three items that you always bring when you travel.
JS: Travel diary
Loom Bands to give to local children
And a letter my mum sneaks into my bag before I go
What is your motto when it comes to travelling?
JS: ‘The only things we regret are the chances we didn’t take’
The best and the worst meals you’ve ever had travelling?
JS: Hands down a banana split I ordered from room service in Kandy, Sri Lanka! My best friend and I were desperate for ice cream from the beginning of the trip and it was incredible! Now we have a challenge to find a banana split that can beat it, no luck so far! The worse meal was probably in Austria, the place had left the food out to go cold, the meat was undercooked and the plates didn’t look like they’d survive another go in the dishwasher…
Which city do you consider yourself an expert on? Can you share any hidden gems in that city?
JS: Probably my home town Oxford. It’s a beautiful city with lots of little quirky things to do if you look in the right places. My favourite things are going up St Mary’s Church to get a view of the Dreaming Spires and the Radcliffe Camera, it’s not very well advertised so there’s usually no one else up there, so I can just people watch and take some photographs. There’s also lots of cute little eating places dotted around Oxford City Centre in the Covered Market, which serve some great food. And you can’t miss the colleges. They are incredible to explore, you walk in expecting some small quarter area and you end up in a giant field with rivers, squirrels and deers! It’s like a scene out of a fairytale book.
What is your favorite travel song/album to listen on a trip?
JS: I have such a diverse music range! I listen from anything from country to rock. On long bus/train journeys I love to listen to electro-dance music like Calvin Harris or Avicii to help make a mental plan for my vlogs.
What is the best foreign curse you know?
JS: Not really a curse but ‘OBURONI’ which means white foreigner in Akan, people would yell it in the street in Ghana for fun!
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