It was the first of January 2012. After a spectacular night of celebrating the beginning of yet another new year with a handful of friends, I found myself at the airport, surrounded by my family. The look on my brother's face and the sight of my mum quickly wiping away some tears from the corner of her eyes almost tore my heart into pieces. For a moment, I wondered if I should really leave. I cried when I finally hugged them goodbye but smiled at the sound of the excited voice inside my head telling me that I was ready for this new adventure. Here's to one of the best times of my life and why you too should work in a backpacker hostel at least once in your life.

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