What did you do Mum?

I was recently chatting with a friend about her daughters upcoming backpacking trip. She thought I might find the content of a conversation with her daughter interesting. I did and we think you might too…

Daughter to mother: Did you go backpacking Mum?
Mother to daughter: Oh yes, 1965, me and my friend , ‘A’ levels behind us, rucksacks and acoustic guitars strung across our backs.
Daughter to mother: A guitar? I didn’t know you could play the guitar!
Mother to daughter: Well we all did in the sixties, a few chords, Joan Baez and the Woodie Guthrie song book, we thought we could sing our way around Europe. Did you buy travel insurance yet?
Daughter to mother: No don’t worry I will , where did you go?
Mother to daughter: Well we set off on the ferry from Dover to Ostend, there was a summer storm, it was really rough, one guy broke his arm falling over on deck and that was the end of his holiday and everyone was sick. You will remember to buy travel insurance won’t you?
Daughter to mother: Yes Mum don’t nag ! I’ve not even finished packing yet
Mother to daughter: Then we hitched a life across Belgium in an enormous truck. I still remember the feeling when we climbed out, it was the main square in the centre of Brussels, dawn was breaking on a beautiful day – we sat on the kerb sipping espresso coffee from the station buffet, watching the sun come up while the market traders set up their stalls and unpacked their carts and vans. The sheer joy of being young and healthy and free – I wanted that moment to last forever.
Daughter to mother: hitch hiking! Mum! You would never let me hitchhike!
Mother to daughter: well it was different back then, safer somehow, people were more trusting. You do need to buy travel insurance you know.
Daughter to mother: Mum you’ve said that a thousand times now, I will OK? Did you have any, you know, adventures? Near misses?
Mother to daughter: well...... there was a randy farmer at the youth hostel near Zurich... I was rescued by this gorgeous Dutch guy, six foot two and blond.
Daughter to mother: Mum! Too much information
Mother to daughter: And then there was the time we got stuck behind the Iron Curtain with no visa’s, Daughter to mother: What’s an Iron Curtain?
Mother to daughter: oh and then there was the guy in a car that stopped to pick us up on the autobahn in the Black Forest – had no trousers on.
Daughter to mother: And you tell me to be careful!
Mother to daughter: Can I buy travel insurance for you?
Daughter to mother: Whatever mum, if it will make you happy

Mother: So there I was typing travel insurance into a search engine at midnight for my daughter, well, for me really. A lifeline for her so she too can go travelling and bring back memories to share with her daughter in years to come. Peace of mind for me that should something go wrong, I will know she is covered.

Holidaysafe.co.uk travel insurance offers specialist cover for people travelling on an extended stay which is ideal for students, backpackers and gap year travellers. We offer cover for travel up to 18 months with cover starting from just 17p a day!

You can get a quote and instant cover by going online to http://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/travel-insurance/backpacker-travel-insurance.html

Prices are correct at time of going to press (April 2009) and are subject to change.