8 years ago on the 11th Feb… I left for South East Asia with one of me besties Kate.
Kate had a return flight and a lovely boyfriend (now husband) waiting for her back home, and I had a one-way ticket, and a teddy bear from my mum- symbolic of all those at home who love me and vice versa.
I remember vividly boarding the flight with excitement and adventure in our eyes. It was approaching the Chinese Lunar New Year and Valentine’s day on the same day, and we actually had no idea what we were in for?!
Valentine’s day is no gimmick in South East Asia- it is embraced wholeheartedly by all with pink neon flashing lights at every corner, heart shaped tree’s perfect for kissing couples to grab a photo, BRIGHT red heart cut outs the size of adults and roses everywhere!!! LOVE is/was in the air!
On that first night after arriving in Ho Chi Minh City, Kate was fast asleep in our shared King-sized bed. We often got a King-size instead of 2 singles- I think it’s a best friend thing…. no actually, I think it was a cheaper way to be A FLASH PACKER!!!
I snuck into the bathroom, with my teddy in tow, and I looked in the mirror and began to cry! Sounds so Eat, Pray, Love doesn’t it?!
I’d been planning this incredible and exciting unknown chapter of my life for 6 months, and it had finally hit home that it was NOW a reality! I cried with tears of joy and terror at the leap of faith I had just taken. Any traveller would know that paradoxical feeling which pumps through every cell in your body. It’s an incredible feeling of being ALIVE!
With puffy eyes, some slight dizziness from the reality slap and of course my teddy, I snuck back into bed and surrendered to the adventure I had chosen.
Needless to say, Vietnam was only the beginning of my last 8 years of exploring. The pit-stops along the way have included Chiang Mai for 12 months of teaching English, Bali loving and living, Ashram exploring, 6 weeks at a health retreat, living in the Sunshine state where I created an incredible second home of family of friends, walking the Camino De Santiago, celebrating love with friends in Germany, to now, beach side living in beautiful Victoria!
As incredible as these tails are to tell, for so many years I have looked at my life as nomadic and all over the shop. Maybe that has been affirmed to me by people who love me but just don’t get it, and maybe it’s just been my own harsh inner Judge Judy thinking I ‘SHOULD’ be different to how I am! But now that I write about it on this poignant day 8 years later…… I wear my adventurous spirit like a badge of honour.
I would absolutely have it no other way then the way that feels right and real for me. I wish that for you too!
Life hey, this beautiful INCREDIBLE adventure that we are co creating each day. What ever makes your heart and soul happy- do more of that!! And be so proud of it cause it’s the right and perfect way for you!
Permission Granted!!!
SimBLISSity 