2007-Dec-25 - 10 4 Good Buddy - over and out
This is my last blog update before I hit the shores of home. I’ve still some more content to add to the web site, like stats from the Big Journey and some more photos etc, and tidy up the site ... but all from the comfort of my own office, with the next Blog probably being about setteling into mainstream life again lol.
I have to admit that I’m really looking forward to sleeping in my on queen sized bed again, watching TV in English to all hours (and yes catch up on Coro!!), not having to put up with other peoples idea of music, being able to go to the fridge and make a sandwich when I feel like, giving up on always being "security" conscience, and be able to simply walk naked through the lounge at will, lol. I'm also looking forward to some "kiwi" treats, like a decent F&C take-away (which will be my first meal back home!!), and being able to drive my car again lol.
Ive just arrived in to Winnipeg after a marathon 33 hour bus ride from St Marie through endless vistas of snow and ice. Included in the "package" was an enforced 13 hour stay in the bus on the side of the road as we couldnt get through a snow storm which caused quite a bit of havoc in the area. Chicago airport was closed down and a number of people were killed. Not far from where we were, three truck and trailer units went off the road due to the ice which caused more havoc.
On the flip side though, I will also miss the adventure of not knowing what each day will bring and the excitement of just being on the move to new and exotic places and the experiences they bring. And in some ways will also miss living out of a backpack, the frequent nights of broken sleep, the upset stomachs and trots, the unwashed and smelly clothes, and the plain bone-weariness of some of the travel... (yeah right!!) cos thats all part of it and make traveling waht it is. Who really wants a safe boring holiday with nothing to write in the blog eh, lol.
Ive decided to forgo stopping in any more Canadian towns on the way (they all look a like - white) and am heading direct to Vancouver tomorrow at midnight. This will be a 38 hour stint and I am desperatley seeking a book as Ive read everything and nothing is open here cos of it being Christmas eve. Hmmmm I wonder if Santa will find me tomorrow with one??
So the Big Journey is nearing its end. As always a trip like this teaches you a thing or two about yourself and others. In some ways it has allowed me to get away from "real life" and reflect on what has gone by and what life has left to offer. You could even compare it to abit of a "religious retreat" really lol. I’ve clarified a few things for myself and now have some idea of what I want to do for the next 50 years!! As for what I have learnt about others, well, the world has its fair share of rogues and mischief makers, but fortunately the few negative episodes experienced are eclipsed by the kind and considerate individuals that I have met along the way. In truth though, after nearly 6 months of travel there have been few negative experiences and plenty of rich, positive ones. And its not only the many exquisit places and wonders of the world that are worthy of travelling to, but the meeting of the people’s and the experiencing of their cultures too. In the end you find at the heart of it, most are not very different to yourself, with similar ideas and dreams... to live in peace, to enjoy their kids, and to simply live and embrace life
On one of those long bus trips I opened up the notebook and set out a list of future goals to be tackled on my return. There are building projects to complete, business ideas to put in practice, family to hug and hold, new things I need and want to learn, future trips to plan and, of course, the finding of away to support all this while retired lol. You cant stand around and let yourself become rooted to the ground in your third age now can you ... you just have to plan it in abit more detail
There is always the question of what would I do differently too. I suppose the biggest change would be to plan a "holiday" within the trip, to have a good amount of time to just wind down and "live" in one place for an extended time. As I’ve mentioned before, travelling is not holidaying and as you need regular breaks from work, you also need to plan for these in your travels... somewhere you can just get away from it all and be yourself for a few weeks, find a local, get to know the neighbours, that type of thing. I reckon 3mths of constant travel at a time is enough.
Secondly I would put less reliance on others to help me "take care of business" on the home front while away. Get rid of all the responsibilities if you really intend to enjoy the time away. Dealing with hassels at home is difficult enough when you're there but trying to sort certain things out when on the other side of the world ... The good news however is that the problems experinced have actually given me a germ of an idea for a new business lol.
The obvious question though is would I do it all again ... and naturally the answer is OF COURSE!! and probably not all that far in the future once I get my breath back :) And a big thankyou to Ross who I shared a fair whack of the trip with (as well as a few barrels of beer). It was great mate!! Happy Christmas all.
So to end as I began in the first BLog ... what is the meaning of LIFE? Its simply ... Live It For Experience
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