Some new traveler questions?

Hey, I'm 18, about to turn 19 and planning to take a gap year, most likely around australia or the UK (since I speak the language already) mainly I'm worried about a couple things I was wondering about while planning my trip and thought I would ask people who know

1) I'm intending on working when I get wherever I get to suplement the cash I will have saved up and so I can stay a little longer and enjoy it more, in the US it can take a couple of weeks to even get an interview so I am kinda worried about getting somewhere and not being able to find work. Or more acurately, what to do in the meantime? EX: I put in an application, I talk to a manaager, they say their interested BUT A) I have no phone they can call me at B) I really don't want to sit around for 2 weeks blowing the money I already saved up waiting on phonecalls from prospective employers...
What do ya'll suggest?

2) How do you pack so you won't be completely left without the things you want/need. Like I -really- don't want to be speedy on this trip, I want to take busses and hike and just enjoy everywhere I go so I can't really carry a ton of stuff on me, yet when you want to go clubbing or something like that you need to have nice clothing with you aswell as just regular clothing... How do you handle doing laundry while traveling/carry everything you might need?

3)Self protection? What would you recomend for a single white mail traveling? I'm not particularly worried about this one cuz I grew up in a rough area so I can handle myself, but as most people in the US I have been constantly bombarded by the stories of "rich americans" being kidnapped for ransom when really they weren't rich and so noone ever bothered to pay for them. Is it wiser to carry some form of defense or is that a bad idea?

4)Enjoying the trip? Alright, I'm a generaly outgoing person, like... I fall somewhere between average and gregarious, I'm not the kind of person who can just talk to ANYONE anytime, its like the moode has to strike me. Alot of people I have talked to recomended just going and hanging out in bars until you meet people, BUT being 18, I'm not even allowed in most bars where I'm from so I'm not even sure what to expect in that area. Is it generaly easy to meet people and get involved and just have a good time? It would suck for me to save up a couple thousand dollars just to go over and have an aweful time.

Guess thats all my questions for now, thanks for all the help

"but as most people in the US I have been constantly bombarded by the stories of "rich americans" being kidnapped for ransom"[/quote]

Do not worry about that!!! I guess you do not know otherwise but I know for a fact that that sort of thing does not happen in Engalnd.

You say you grew up in a rough area, just the same as your home town, if you were stupid enough to show off your money in a 'rough' area you would get done over wouldnt you?? Same over here mate, but in about 95% of theplaces you go there will be no trouble at all unless you are looking for it.

Reccommend Britain. Especially London where it is easy to get a job if you have a working Visa. The bars are all 18 years old to get in, just have ID if you look young and you will get in no problems.

Hope that answers at least one of your questions.

i'll second that one-in the uk if you go out looking for trouble you will defo find it. yeh take ID with ya or they'll refuse ya. Even clubs that you are supposed to be over 21 they will let you in as long as you have ID stating that you are 18.

There are some great places here in the uk but i will be going Oz-i live in the uk so i want to get out!

If you apply for loads of jobs-if it is just something for some extra cash i reckon you should have a job within a couple of weeks. because i am in management myself, its a bout saying the right things, most employers will work around things-e.g like the phone thing, i am sure you will sort something out. Ring them-but are you not taking a mobile phone??

Quoting faulknerbo

EX: I put in an application, I talk to a manaager, they say their interested BUT A) I have no phone they can call me at B) I really don't want to sit around for 2 weeks blowing the money I already saved up waiting on phonecalls from prospective employers...
What do ya'll suggest?

Do any of your friends have a cell phone number you could give a prospectie employer?