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The End
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It is one year, two months and 18 days since I bade a tearful farewell to my family and stepped aboard the plane that would take me away from home. Now I am in Shanghai, looking for work and a place to live and ready for the next stage.
The time I have spent travelling has been some of my most worthwhile. To see and experience cultures, people and ways of life completely foreign and removed from one's usual sphere of existence is something only the most closed-minded can fail to benefit from. It may be a cliche, but travel - real travel - is, I think, the surest way to broaden one's horizons and gain perspective on life; to get one step further to realising the bigger picture. But as with anything, you soon understand that the more you know, the less you know. To understand the world in which you live, you need to leave your comfort zone and experience parts of it that are unfamiliar.
Over the last year and a bit I have seen some of the marvels of the world; and one or two complete shitholes. I have been utterly inspired and touched by the human spirit at it's strongest and most beautiful; and utterly disgusted at it's basest and most uncivilized level. I have seen things that have sent my soul soaring towards the heavens; and others that have broken my heart. I have taken 17 plane journeys, several train and boat, and countless bus and taxi rides. I have stayed in fabulous hotels, extremely basic huts, 16-bed dormitories, my tent and been invited into people's homes. I have walked endless miles, stood atop mountains and in the shadow of the greatest of them all. I have dived under the seas. I have met many fantastic people, made good friends, shared bonding experiences and broken up with the love of my life. I have also met complete arseholes. I have laughed with most people I've met, philosophised with some and argued with a few. I have faced life-threatening moments, looked death in the face, and stared him down. I have learned a great deal and found my zen. I know better what I want out of life, and know better how to achieve it. I know my place in the world.
I also know that no matter how hard you plan, whatever your expectations, things often don't work out quite how you imagined. But with ambition, drive, a lot of hard work and a bit of luck, you can steer things in the right direction.
It's called life.
Latest Comments (3)
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cheers (reply)
Dec 21, 2007 22:16 EST by jkirby
I just stumbled into your blog from an oblique direction. It warmed me to hear so many similar experiences that I'm going through right now. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers,
Jeff Kirby
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Hello petef1 (reply)
Dec 21, 2007 15:47 EST by jacobok
I'm moved by your story.
Your travel experience is so interesting and amazing~~
In China,you're welcomed~~~
Wish you lucky!!
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Hello petef1 (reply)
Dec 21, 2007 15:42 EST by jacobok
I'm moved by your story.
Your travel experience is so intersting and amazing~~
In China,you're welcomed~~~
Wish you lucky!!
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