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Last Stop on the Globetrot of a Lifetime
Entry 62 of 65 | show all | print this entry |
My god, this is the last place! Was meant to meet up with another Dutchie here but I didn't catch her in time, so England tomorrow! The last days have been filled with reminiscence of what has past, and I can't stop thinking about whats to happen in the days to come. I'm going home at last! Simply unbeleivable. I've shocked myself - to the core - that I've made it all this way. It's gonna be soooo wierd going back to normality. I guess like a whole new travelling experience, the most bizzare form of reverse culture shock you can get. Europe has been a great way to ease me back in to the ways of the west, but it's almost unfathomable to think that in a few days, I'll be catching up with ma bro Benny boy in Sheffield after not seeing him for 28 months - it's a really incredible feeling. Then all ma mates in Edinburgh, god knows what they're gonna think of me now! I reckon things are gonna be different. Then finally, back to ma folks house on the Isle of Skye in the NW Highlands of Scotland. The best thing of all I think will be to see all ma wee bro's - god I've missed them. The twins Matt and Ollie were only 17 when I left. I think they're gonna be 20 in a few months. Definitely they are gonna be like boys to men now.
Well it's been emotional, just a bit. The highs and lows of over two years crossing borders all over the world has been an astounding and life changing experience. To witness the constant drastically changing environment, sucking in new languages, making relationships and drawing influence off 100s of wonderful new people, learning so much about every country, the history, the beauty, the ugliness, and the massive cultural variation is literally mind blowing. You can never really know much about a country at all, until you actually go there. You soon learn that preconceptions are meaningless and usually totally wrong. The best places, always, almost without fail, are only the best places because they have the best people. And beejesus I've met some fucking cracking people since I left Scotland, both amazing local characters and fellow travellers alike. To be able to come home through Europe and stay with a friend in every city along the way has been absolutely awesome. For that I must give a million thanks to Gabriella of Vasteros, Phil & Linda in Gothenburg, Funck & Jacob in the brilliant city of Copenhagen, Roel and family in Tukkerland for they have treated us like kings and really helped their poor travelling companions cope with the atrocious cost of existance in Europe - please come visit me in Scotland any time you like folks!
Things I'm gonna miss most bout travelling:
Crossing a border and witnessing every constant you know to be true, change completely.
Atomic flatulence and hilarious comparative discussions on the subjects of fecal matter and explosive bowel movements.
Writing stupid stories to all you guys about my antics.
The photography.
Having the occasion for a great party and a banter almost all of the time.
The great Brits, Irish, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Estonians, Russians, Mongolians, Tibetan, Yunannese, Naxi, Lao, Thai, Khymer, Ozzies, Kiwis, Canadians, Fijians, Gringos, Peruanos, Chilenos, Dominicanos, Cubanos, Colombianos, Bolivianos, Panamenos, Kuna Yala, Ticas, Nicas, Hondurenos, Salvadorenos, Guatemaltecos, Belizeans and Mexicanos I've met at all over the place.
Surviving easily on very little money, but still having an amazing time.
Experimentations with facial hair.
No bills.
No mobile phones.
No work.
No commitments.
No worries.
Things I'm not going to miss at all when I go home:
Crossing a border and getting the welcome of a rip off as soon as you arrive cos you don't have clue about the currency.
Horrible bowel movements and nasty stomach infections.
90% of Vietnamese.
90% of Israelis.
Russian visa regulations.
The revolting Chinese toilets.
Dealing with communist burocrazy assholes.
Constantly being on guard because you have everything you own on you almost all of the time.
Packing my rucksack which seems to explode violently all over every place I open it.
Walking about like a bloody sweating tortoise with my home on my back.
I never was gonna be able to write what I really wanted to say here, but I guess you get the picture. I have more good memories than I know what to do with. For those I'm coming to see on the last leg home thru the UK, I apologise in advance for all the boring travelling nonsense I'll be spewing forth when I see you, but I'm afraid that's all I know now! Everyone else, wish me luck re-adjusting my entire life back to one of reality. I've been going so long, travelling is reality.
Over and out from The World.
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