End of an Epic Journey
Trip Start
Dec 26, 2005
1
264
285
Trip End
Jan 25, 2009
Perth,
Australia
Monday, December 25, 2006
My next project will be to choose the top 50 to 75 pictures and create a mural that I will be able to share with students, colleagues, future partners, my family and anyone that enters my life now or in the future. This mural will feature in a prominent place in all my future dwellings so I have a permanent record of the exquisite experiences I've been able to immerse myself in 2006. The people, sights, food, towns, cities, ports, culture, music etc. etc. has enriched my life in so many ways that working for another year would of never have done.
One of two major outcomes of my travels are particularly worth mentioning here... the first being establishing contacts and new friends on every continent and the second being the founding of new interests and leisure pursuits. I'm sure I will never ever be bored again given my new passion for arts, history of the places I've visited, music, outdoor pursuits and just keeping in contact with people I've met! My choice of books for my home library, for example, will be influenced by places and experiences I've immersed myself in. The history of South America; the history of WW2 (e.g. Dachau Concentration Camp); the history of great artisans, historians, leaders etc. that I've explored; along with the geographical places I've visited will feature strongly. Even though I won't re-visit many of the places I visited this year, I wouldn't mind learning more about them to continue my exploration of my travels round the world.
Would I do it again... no. I think that spending a year at the age of 32 was spot on timing. I have had my 20s to establish my finances; I am in good health; my age enables me to fit in with a multitude of ages from 20 to 50; and my career or personal life hasn't held me down. Needless to say, I believe that anyone can travel, no matter what the age but my travels at the age of 18 to the USA were nowhere as rewarding as my travels now. And I'm sure that by the time I'm 60 I will not have the physical strength and dexterity to do the things I did. I have pledged to minimise budget travel in the next phase of my life. My journeys will be shorter in length, and of a higher quality.
However, one of my life goals is to become as financially independent as soon as possible so by the time I'm 45 to 55, I have the flexibility to do whatever I want, whenever I want including voluntary humanitarian projects in Latin America, Africa or Asia. There are so many projects out there that could do with the wealth of experience and knowledge of this age group. I met one 60 year old lady in Quito who worked as a volunteer with bears. I would love to work with impoverished communities wherever that is, once I have a stronger financial backing. Retirement for us Generation Xs is far from just putting the feet up and doing nothing... stuff that.
Have I changed from December 25, 2005? Yes. I can't really see how it couldn't. I have changed in the sense that I have become more worldly, more educated about the plight of impoverished communities, established new friendships, developed new interests and insights, and come back with a renewed focus as to where my life should lead. I also hope to think that my travels will (or have) made me a better educator and school administrator.
Who can I recommend this trip for? Anyone for a sense of adventure; flexibility for doing things rough or unexpectedly; someone with financial backing of up to $50,000; definitely work security in the sense that I had (I have a job to return to on the 24th Jan and hence the support of my employer with Long Service Leave); and a supportive family back home. Having a trusted member of your family to look after your affairs is critical, as is a friendship base back home that you can spend many hours emailing or msn'ing when the going gets tough. Most importantly, someone with a desire to immerse themselves in new cultures and a desire to meet the locals. This has been a most moving experience to meet the locals... one area in which I feel as I did well in. I think a degree of extroversion (not too much) is essential for engaging in conversations with strangers and new people is critical... I got much better at talking to anyone as I went along.
Where to now? I go back to working as a school administrator in Carnarvon on the 24th Jan. However, I will return to Melbourne in April. As of today, I have yet to decide as to whether I will spend a year or two in Carnarvon, but I eventually want to settle in one of Australia's bigger cities, being either Perth or Melbourne. The next couple of years will be a period of transformation for me... somewhat due to the clarification of my preferences during my trip abroad.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my journey round the world, albeit the difficult times, and look forward to continuing the journey through life with a renewed outlook on how I view this amazing world. Happy travels everyone and please stay in contact. God bless.
