And what a year it had been!
It is not just about the places Iβve been to or the people Iβve met on the way, which of course are major components of this fantastic journey. But really the wonder of being able to pause my daily life to just wander. I travel with no fixed itinerary nor clear plan, but my road just kept paving itself. The contrast and randomness of my new daily life, serendipitous encounters are just too much for words, in any language. Itβs such a gift that Iβm truly, truly grateful for!
Life Changing?
It has been another 100 days since I claimed that this trip, while extremely amazing, wasnβt βlife changingβ.
I bungee jumped which for 10 years I swore Iβll never do, been on great European train holidays, seen more Unesco Heritage sites than I could remember to count, did clubbing for 12 hours straight, visited concentration camp, slept in cave, watched sunrise at the Sahara desert on a camel, had breakfast in one city and dinner in another so many times, met amazing people, encountered crazy people, made life friends, worked in a hostel, learned to cook (probably the most life changing of them all, haha).
I tell people I believe I didnβt change since my trip. That I think Iβm already at that age of who I already am. I learned about so many new thingsβsome I never knew of, some I donβt care of, but nothing has changed in my belief, morality, or views in life. My sister went on an exchange program in Japan when she was 18. She has since obsessed about Japan and today lives in Tokyo. Of course everything changes when youβre 18. Itβs why I said I am already who I am. But I have a friend who after surviving a tragic accident, became a vegan. I think that was life changing.
A week ago, I was having this conversation with a woman who said that at 62, she learned to conquer her fear of talking to people on this trip, herself on a long term travel. She said that she admires my self-containment, but also suggested that perhaps I am changed without realizing it, since Iβm constantly with new people and nobody really knows who I was (before). So I guess Iβll know when I come home and those who knows me well can tell me. Iβm now going to stop obsessing about this because my daily life now is definitely so changed.
If you just found me, Iβm currently on a round the world trip which began in June, 2011. Read about when I started, post on my 100th day of wanders, and wrapping up Europe. Itβs so quick that my month long volunteering gig at the hostel is finished. Tonight Iβll pack my bags again and move on tomorrow. I was invited by the girl who works here to go celebrate New Years Eve with her (and friends) in Puerto Viejo, a party beach on the Caribbean side. Costa Rica was a totally random decision to come to, and ended up staying the longest in. It was a very interesting experience and Iβve met some really nice people who I am already missing. Iβll write a piece about my experience later (fingers-crossed).
Statistics
So anyway, before I end this year end post, I thought Iβll jot down some statistic of this epic Wanderlass RTW so far. As for the money already spent, well, miraculously Iβm still recording (kind of), but I havenβt added them up yet. But here are some interesting numbers (they donβt include trips before June, 2011)
# Days Wandering β 207
# Countries β 19
# Cities β 61
# Plane β 14
# Train β 20
# Intercity Bus β 15
# Road Trip β 1
# Boat β 1
# Camel β 1
# Hosts (friends/cs) β 20
# Hostels/Hotels β 25
Chances are, this is the last post of the year. I could almost bet my life on it, unless someone challenges me. So, hereβs wishing that your 2012 exceeds 2011 in awesomeness!
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