The Last Word…A Final Goodbye
It’s been a long time coming. This end, this final goodbye. I guess in many ways I’ve been avoiding it. Do I really want to write an ending to this chapter of my life, to this past year that has opened so many doors and closed so many windows? These past few months have been difficult enough without having to put a final stop at the end of that sentence. But I guess I need to man up and do it right?
Now that I’m sitting here though, I really don’t know where to start. Repeating some advice a friend gave me before I left though seems to be a good start as, in my eyes, it encompasses the essence of my trip:
‘You fall in love everyday when you are travelling.’
This past year as provided me with unforgettable experiences; valuable lessons about life, love and myself; friendships that are forged through the knowledge that others will never understand what we have encountered; and, ultimately, the best year of my life. I can’t look at my photos without my heart skipping a beat as I think about everything I have been lucky enough to discover.
Africa and New Zealand were the places that I fell head over heals with and that feeling still remains. I find myself (usually when driving…very safe) drifting off and thinking of the times I spent in both countries. Something simple can trigger this dream like state, like a song or a crazy road sign. What was it about these countries that captured me most ardently? To tell you the truth, if you were to get me started I would probably never stop. I’ve lost many a friend these past few months with my ‘When I was in Africa/New Zealand..’ way of starting conversations. I’m now friendless and advertising online: www.ineedafriend.co.uk. All offers welcome. Seriously though, it is hard for me to find a single reason as to why I fell in love with these places. There is far too much about them that is a contributing factor that it would be simply impossible for me to narrow it down. So, I turn to the wisdom of my dear friend Chris, some Chrisdom if you will.
‘I believe every person has a country or a place in the world where their soul is at ease. Many people spend a lifetime looking for it, or even longer protecting it. You are lucky to have found it at such a young age.’
The man makes a good point.
I am lucky to have found these places now as it gives me the opportunity to visit again. The more I stop and think about my life as it stands right now, the more I begin to realise a few things:
Along with discovering ways to abuse my pay cheque, I also discovered myself. I used to stifle a laugh when I read or heard about those people who claimed to have ‘found’ themselves on their travels. I never understood it. But now I do. You uncover a part of you; strength of character that you never knew existed. I found myself dealing with situations I would have previously ran away from; I braved forms of transport that would (and should!) have been avoided; I challenged and pushed my boundaries in ways that I thought would kill me but only made me stronger…and slightly more scarred physically. Yes, I had serious highs and dangerous lows, but I survived. I returned a stronger person. Turns out, I am one of ‘those people’ after all.
And finally, I learnt that the word ‘family’ can stretch much further than those associated by blood. The people I met whilst travelling became my kin. Whether I met them for a month, a week, a day or an hour, they became a part of me. I went through so much with my Oasis troop that they will never be forgotten. How I could I forget the people who nominated me for a numptey every.single.night and convinced me that polar bears migrated to the Ngorangora Crater?!? I won’t rest until I have redeemed myself…or sought dummy shaped revenge…whichever is easier. My vote is with revenge. I think I made too many stupid comments to ever, ever, ever redeem myself. It something I’ve come to terms with. I don’t need your pity.
So…that’s me done. It may not be perfect. It may not be amazing. It may not be particularly noteworthy. But this signifies the end of my year of adventure. As much as it devastates me to now be a mortal in what can only be described as the real world, I know that this isn’t the end of my trudging. I still want to move to another country for a while and I am already planning the trips I want to take next. Life is short and you don’t get a dress rehearsal, I need to make the most of this life while I can. And I plan to.
But for now, this is the final stop on this journey.
