Experiences constitute existence
Trip Start
Nov 04, 2007
1
99
102
Trip End
Apr 19, 2008
Edmonton,
Alberta,
Canada
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
lately i've spent a lot of sleepless nights pondering life and coming up with some really deep and profound insight, only to have it fade away to the ever consistent rat-race, that i've re-entered.
I guess I'll start with the first thing thats really bothered me (sorry but theres several...)
As anyone who may be reading this blog probably knows, i Spent 6 amazing months in south america Bused from Buenos aires To Colombia, Made friendships that i hope will last a life time, Picked up a language, And had countless memories and experiences, IE: Climbed a volcano, Biked the worlds most dangerous road, Para-glided, to name a few.
And Guess All that everyone wants to talk about, And the most common comment/question is?
"hey heard you got robed in Colombia"
"It's dangerous down there in south america eh?"
Yup thats right 6 amazing months in south america Have been summed up and downplayed to
1 unfortunate incident That could have happened anywhere in the world to anyone.
Change is good?
I've found That i've changed a lot, not just in the past 6 months but ever since i've began traveling, And my friends from back home have also changed, We seem to be going In completely opposite directions with goals and desires from our lives, With that, I've never felt like such a stranger/outkast, I'm losing my desire to go out or have fun, because what has become the definition of fun here is not what i consider fun.
Friends
I go out With a group of old friends Only to realize We've become Strangers.
With that i've found lots of people have grown to resent me and what i represent, Starting arguments, accusing me of acting or speaking like I'm better then them, just because we both lack understanding of each others choices in life, For some reason my Choice Seems to offend so many people trapped in the rat race of hard working materialism.
To each there own, However i'd rather travel for 5 years then own a 30 000 dollar car, Is that so wrong.
Work
I've returned to the job i've loathed so much, Its now been 9 years since i decided to work for my fathers uncle for the SUMMER.
I've hated it and tried to quit Ever since, Why Do i stay you ask? mostly pressure from my parents, It seems like If I'm in Edmonton i have to be working as a tradesmen or they are unhappy with me, They seem to enjoy telling people I'm working hard (Excluding miserable)
Much more then That there son is some sort of bohemian Vagabond, Wondering the globe (Extremely happy)
Misery loves company.
The only good part about my job, Is it is a constant reminder of what i DO NOT want out of life, Most of the men i work with Have been good loyal hard workers and For there loyalty and hard work they've been constantly rewarded with more hard work.
Most are In unhappy marriages, With unloving wifes, and bratty over privileged children.
Preferring to working 12 hours a day out of town rather then spending time with the family.
On This Note I'm Hoping To put an end to this terrible cycle of highs and lows of Being happier then i ever thought possible to returning to my repetitive ground hog day of the rat race nightmare that i call life in Edmonton.
I've concluded That to help make this possible Several things much happen.
A) I can never return to Canada, Except to visit And always have a ticket purchased to leave shortly after.
B)Rather then returning home, After a trip, Push forward to new lands and new experiences, If things don't work out look for other options else where in the world. After all i know this plumbing gig isn't for me, how many more failed attempts to please everyone in my live at the cost of my own happiness do i need, to return only to discover that everything is the same.
Future plans and trips.
As seems to be tradition, Originally i was planing on Doing a working holiday in Australia after my time in south america, And As i always do i've decided to tentatively push back the Oz experience.
Replacing the Oz Trip, I Want to finish my original trip which was supposed to include central america... Thus This Fall look back to this blog For Brian's Adventures in central america, Starting the last week of October2008.
After central america, I'm Planing to return to south america and find a city to live in for a while, To really experience living in a foreign country, Where you ask?
Well For the moment Buenos Aires seems to be toping the list.
Back up plan and side trips, As always If things don't work out I'm off to Australia.
Theres still a big world out there for me to explore Despite the fact that i seem to have fallen in love with south america, I am Still hoping to spend about 2 months in Europe in the near future, Perhaps next summer when South america Is coldest.
Well until then, remember everyone has to sacrifice and nothings easy for anyone, despite my amazing trips i have had (which i wouldn't trade for the world, I've worked hard and busted my ass in a job i had for 9 years For every opportunity i have past present and future.
See ya all in central america
Brian
