WanderingWhy…

Five years ago we started with a dream of long term travel, a what if.  In that time, the what if became a when.  And then the when became soon, tomorrow, now.

If you would have asked me a year ago what I expected from this trip, I would have said that I hoped I would learn to slow down.  To not be so Type “A”, to be more in the present.

I have realized during this trip that changing yourself is not that easy.  But the road changes you in its own way, in its own time.

I have learned to be more patient during 17 hour bus rides, delayed and missed flights, and canceled legs of flights you have tickets for.

I have learned that keeping in touch across the miles is not so hard in this day and age.  I have learned that our blog which was started as a postcard home, is read by people I will never meet, but keep in touch with like an old friend.

I learned how to say thank you in six different languages, and how to tread lightly in a new culture.

I learned that the world is so small, but so vast at the same time.  I learned that the day is what I make of it, and sometimes doing nothing is just as rewarding as doing something.

I learned that most other countries do not throw toilet paper in the toilet, and it is an important thing to remember.  I learned that my level of cleanliness is not the norm, and I better get used to people touching my food.

I learned in Central and South America that Spanish is not the same Spanish in every country, and if you ask for a napkin in Argentina, you better add a “Z” sound to it or they will look at you like you have two heads.  I learned in Asia that words are often repeated twice, and I have developed that habit as well.

I learned that a country like Japan can intimidate me with its culture, but fascinate me at the same time.  I learned that Cambodia could bring me to my knees with its orphans and its history, but make me smile at its optimism.

I have met people who are fascinated by our trip, intimidated by the thought of long term travel,  critical of the choice we have made, and those who we inspired to take the plunge as well.  I have met those who have been traveling for much longer than us, with our trip a drop in their travel bucket.  I have met new friends from all over the world, and friends in our own back yard of the US.

I have changed, and learned, and grown, but not in ways I could have ever imagined.  And I think that is the best gift I could have received on this trip.

So I wish WS a Happy One Year Wandering Anniversary- We Did It.  Can we keep going now??  It’s time to move on again and keep wandering.

Bookmark To: