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Hello! You may have noticed the little flashing dot of my whereabouts in England and that's because that's where I am! I'm home! A little earlier than planned but that's because a) Tone was due to leave me for 5 days the day after my original date home, and b) I'd ran out of money - no surprises there! Perth, however, was fabulous and I felt very sad to be leaving the warm sun, my wonderful auntie Ariel and her dear little corgi Katie.
And so my travelling journey has come to a close. Months of planning, saving, organising and I have now achieved what some thought I never would. In fact, what I never thought I would! My incentive for this trip was not some profound journey of self discovery. I've heard people say that for them it was a lifelong dream and others say it was to 'find themselves' and I suppose I may have jumped on the bandwagon and used those ideals as a reason. However, to be honest I don't even understand what 'finding yourself' means! Some utterly confusing phrase used as an excuse to a) experiment with drugs and act weird or b) be bone idle and avoid working or c) end a relationship! No, my reasons for this trip were because I found out I could get 3 months unpaid leave, I had family dotted across the globe I'd promised I'd visit and because lots of people had done it and recommended it.
So I'm afraid my last entry to this journal won't be an emotional summary of a journey of self-discovery and accomplished dreams. Nope. After 3 months in 'Helen world', bumbling about, taking in the sights (I must have often looked like such a loner!), I'm exactly the same. Well, I think so anyway! I have, however, gained valuable tips and words of wisdom I'd be happy to share with people; i.e, don't ever, whilst wandering a food sampling market, idly pick food out of a bowl and eat it before inspecting it closely first. You may find yourself inadvertently chomping on spat out olive stones. God, even writing that still makes me feel sick!
So. Do I have the travelling bug? Well, I'll only know for sure once I'm settled into my old routine at home, but I don't think so. As wonderful as my trip was, I'm glad to be back to my beautiful home (www.nanjeath.co.uk for anyone interested in seeing where I live). There mum, a little free advertising! In my view, people who come home from their travels telling us we haven't lived until we've travelled will still get right up my nose with their smug attitudes and condescending pity for those who haven't been away. If you have the right frame of mind then all the beauty in the world can be found in close proximity: your best friend's smile, the smell of your mum's kitchen, your local park. It sounds incredibly corny and I'm sorry if this makes you feel nauseous but it's how I feel, and if I've learned anything from being away then it's that the most wonderful place in the world is where you have love, a sense of belonging and a foundation on which happy memories are made. And heading home, to the green fields of England, to the smell of earth and wet grass, to the quaint little houses and the sound of little garden birds singing.... ahhh....this is where I belong!
Looking forward to catching up with everyone very soon. Thanks for all your lovely messages to me. Lots of love xx
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