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When you're walking down the road and almost end up with your shorts round your knees, its time to accept that theyre too big and need to go.
Its easy enough to donate, throw away or recycle material things, to have a spring clean or a clear out, but its a tad more difficult to do that with life. Each new door you walk through has come from something that has happened in the past, whether directly or indirectly, something has helped that door to open. I've decided that now is a good time to have a look back over this last year and sum up what i've learnt, where I've been, say thank you to those I've met and I guess in a way say some sort of goodbye. I don't like goodbye's particulary so I figure if I do it now it won't feel like it as I am likely to see everyone before I go anyway! :) Thats the plan atleast.
So I started of this adventure with a clean slate. I sorted various issues out and draw lines under events in the UK and set off a fresh, excited, a little apprehensive but ready for the travelling life to begin. Starting off the year, travelling off up the coast eased me into things as well as setting off to do something I knew well with familiar faces. The next stage was a big step. Actually booking in what I wanted to do, where I wanted to go and how long for! This at the time was an exciting process, it gave me things to look forward to and tell people about. It wasnt until it got closer to my leaving date that I started to worry a bit.
I'm known for worrying, for liking to have order, knowing where I am, what I'm doing. Having organisation in my life. This was the first step to trying to loosen the reigns. Yes I had where I was staying planned out and various things booked in, but other than that, everything else was up to chance. I was on my own.
Before that though I met some awesome people, some who I am still in contact with, others that I'm not. The very creative and down to earth Virginia. A level head during an experience that was not such a good one for me. A friend I feel I shall have for a long time and who understands the need to be an independant soul and traveller, to explore and grow and experience. There was also the dynamic duo of Shane and Nico at Brisfest. Great fun, a fantastic pair to work and chill with.
I saw the best of the social side of being a lone traveller. Meeting people with stories to tell, enjoy the place you were in and having that commarandery. 4 days was enough. It was time to head off and do my own thing again. I did get to meet the wonderful Emma who made the fact I was away from family over my 25th Birthday that little easier. My time in Bowen was a good time to reflect, regroup and reevaluate what I wanted from my various trips. I got to see old friends and that made me realise how many people you meet in life, but how few actually stick around in it for a long period of time. Those are the people that mean something, that you want to have in your life, whether you see them regularly or not.
It was on to the next phase. Finding out about the organised tour! Not for me. It was a good way to spend New Years, but I couldn't do that sort of tour for a longer period of time. I was much happier being on my own, exploring my surroundings as much as possible. I did love being just outside Sydney though. Being able to reconnect with family that I havent seen in years was amazing. I can't wait to head back and see them all before I go back to the UK. Family is such an important thing to me. It doesn't matter where you are in the worldm your family are always going to be there. You just have to make sure that the bonds stay strong and connect as much as possible, in any way possible.
Off to Uluru! An amazing experience. Not sure about Alice Springs but I did it and it confirmed that being able to see what I want to when I want to is they way i travel best. Bumping into people and moving on and they either stay as part of my life, have an impact or just simply float in and float back out.
The next part of my journey was the one that I learnt a lot from, have some great memories from and helped to make the decision I set out here to make. WA took me. It is the most beautiful place, the vibe, the scenery, the people, the lifestyle avaliable in general. I felt like i belonged there, as much as you can when you get itchy feet on a regular basis. I could see myself there, making it home. This made it that much hard to leave. I met some amazing people, with warm open hearts and a great zest for life. I met someone that opened my eyes to some truths about myself, who showed me what life in WA could be like, what was important in life and that it doesnt matter where you are in life it is never to late to follow a creative dream and have the determination to be successful with something you love. I will always think of those two weeks in WA very fondly and it is an event that has opened the next door.
It was then time to remember that I am good at the job I trained for. I learnt a lot from an amazingly talented and patient person and I am very thankful for that oppurtunity.
Next. The adrenhaline rush. Something I have been longing to do and finally got the oppurtunity. F1 racing!!!! Watching it atleast. Incredible! I had so many people question that I was going on my own. I still don't quite understand why but I loved it! Thats what matters right.
So I have come to the end chapter of my trip. I have had some truely fantastic experiences. Met some incredible people. Caught up with some dear friends and made new connections, realisations and found out a lot about myself. I dont think I'll ever feel fully content in one placem but atleast now I know that there is a place where I feel I could base myself and stay.
I will head back soon to the UK and I will miss Australia and the people I have come to know and consider friends very much. the family and friends I have in the UK will always be there for me and I hope it is the same for the family and friends here. I will miss you all greatly, like I have missed you all in the UK. I love you all dearly in your own special ways.
I have to say a massive thank you to the Brisbane massive! lol. Team Francey have been amazing. My base for the last year, and somewhere that felt like a home. I have loved my stay and cant thank you enough.
Team Wharton, I cannot wait to see you. I know I have some making up to do as I will have missed my baby sister's 21st but we have loads of time to catch up!!
So there is my kind of goodbye to Australia and the lovely people in it. I shall now draw a line. Enjoy my last few months and get ready for the next adventure!!! UK, I'll be back soon, but for now, the beach bum is going to enjoy the sun. :D
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You Know My Name!! You bet you have some making up to do!