As I sat on the porch of my beach hut in Goa towards the end of my trip, I had a realization. After repeated attempts by thoughtful, beautiful people to get me to do yoga, I instead sipped a Kingfisher and read about a perplexing Royals trade on my WiFi. I had not changed. No new tattoos, barely grew out my hair, new experiences but not new mindsets. Still possess a blend of situationally dependent optimism/cynicism. Still sometimes give a shit when perhaps it's not my turn to give a shit. Still well short of enlightenment. I was the same person I was before I left, and that's okay.
This was more of a needed confirmation than a realization. I approached this trip purely out of a love of travel and desire to see the world. It was supposed to be 2010. Then 2011. Finally the time was right and I went for it. But naysayers can creep into your thinking. Maybe I am lost and searching for something? Having an early mid-life crisis? Maybe U.S. Customs is right to hassle me since I don't fit their normal profiles? I confirmed on the porch that day that no, all's good. I'm far from perfect, the world's far from perfect (echoing the wise Jeff Graves' Senior Day Speech), but this trip needed to be nothing more than an attempt to meet cool new people and maybe gain some new stories, which is all I was really going for.
And what stories those are! I bungee jumped 440ft, experienced my first two earthquakes, snorkeled in three oceans. I held a grown tiger's tail, shouted "Bae!" at an elephant named Bansou, and got attacked by monkeys. I hiked 83 miles through Scotland in 5 days, met The Black Keys, taught a monk about gravity. Sat contemplatively in a dozen Buddhist wats, received a third eye bindi at a Hindu Monkey Temple, and marveled at St. Peter's Basilica. Slayed 10 teams of Brits in beer pong on the 4th of July. I bought weird stuff, ate amazing food, and laughed with delightful people.
I did this all without phone service, a laptop/tablet, vaccinations/malaria meds, a hidden travel stomach fanny pack thing, or a proper winter coat. I did this with money from a job in Education, haha! I rarely had accommodation booked more than three days in advance. I never got sick, attacked (by humans), or robbed. I used just three of my twelve Bandaids. I realize I'm jinxing the SHIT out of myself for my next journey, but my point is the world is not as difficult or scary a place as some people would try to have you believe. The world is amazing. If you are at all able to, go out and see it. We're in human form in this universe for the blink of an eye on a cosmic scale, occupying a tiny blue dot in the vastness of space. The thought of not seeing as much of that small amount of real estate as I can is unimaginable to me.
Delaney life philosophy over. In closing I'd like to thank everyone who supported me and those who have read this ridiculous blog. It's approaching 10,000 views, even if that's from just a total of 20 people. I'd especially like to thank my sister Megan and her boyfriend, Daniel, who gave me the initial push and inspiration to take this journey. My sweet mother Linda, who knows, maybe her nightly prayers did help get me through unscathed (though I'd like to give myself some credit). And all my travel partners but especially my friend Nick for braving India with me (and for his determined dedication to brainlessly comment on every blog post). And for those few who were dubious of my travels, a gentle, not-at-all-nerdy reminder from Bilbo Baggins, "Not all those who wander are lost." (Catch The Hobbit, in theaters now.....pay up Warner Bros.!)
Happy New Year to all!
Here's a link to some of my favorite pics:
Around the World in 100 Pics
This was more of a needed confirmation than a realization. I approached this trip purely out of a love of travel and desire to see the world. It was supposed to be 2010. Then 2011. Finally the time was right and I went for it. But naysayers can creep into your thinking. Maybe I am lost and searching for something? Having an early mid-life crisis? Maybe U.S. Customs is right to hassle me since I don't fit their normal profiles? I confirmed on the porch that day that no, all's good. I'm far from perfect, the world's far from perfect (echoing the wise Jeff Graves' Senior Day Speech), but this trip needed to be nothing more than an attempt to meet cool new people and maybe gain some new stories, which is all I was really going for.
And what stories those are! I bungee jumped 440ft, experienced my first two earthquakes, snorkeled in three oceans. I held a grown tiger's tail, shouted "Bae!" at an elephant named Bansou, and got attacked by monkeys. I hiked 83 miles through Scotland in 5 days, met The Black Keys, taught a monk about gravity. Sat contemplatively in a dozen Buddhist wats, received a third eye bindi at a Hindu Monkey Temple, and marveled at St. Peter's Basilica. Slayed 10 teams of Brits in beer pong on the 4th of July. I bought weird stuff, ate amazing food, and laughed with delightful people.
I did this all without phone service, a laptop/tablet, vaccinations/malaria meds, a hidden travel stomach fanny pack thing, or a proper winter coat. I did this with money from a job in Education, haha! I rarely had accommodation booked more than three days in advance. I never got sick, attacked (by humans), or robbed. I used just three of my twelve Bandaids. I realize I'm jinxing the SHIT out of myself for my next journey, but my point is the world is not as difficult or scary a place as some people would try to have you believe. The world is amazing. If you are at all able to, go out and see it. We're in human form in this universe for the blink of an eye on a cosmic scale, occupying a tiny blue dot in the vastness of space. The thought of not seeing as much of that small amount of real estate as I can is unimaginable to me.
Delaney life philosophy over. In closing I'd like to thank everyone who supported me and those who have read this ridiculous blog. It's approaching 10,000 views, even if that's from just a total of 20 people. I'd especially like to thank my sister Megan and her boyfriend, Daniel, who gave me the initial push and inspiration to take this journey. My sweet mother Linda, who knows, maybe her nightly prayers did help get me through unscathed (though I'd like to give myself some credit). And all my travel partners but especially my friend Nick for braving India with me (and for his determined dedication to brainlessly comment on every blog post). And for those few who were dubious of my travels, a gentle, not-at-all-nerdy reminder from Bilbo Baggins, "Not all those who wander are lost." (Catch The Hobbit, in theaters now.....pay up Warner Bros.!)
Happy New Year to all!
Here's a link to some of my favorite pics:
Around the World in 100 Pics
We all enjoyed reading the Blog. Good to have you back, and I'll make sure to catch up with you somewhere ridic on your next awesome adventure.
ReplyDeleteI'm really sad that the blog is over. Can't you keep writing about your American adventures now? I'm sure there will be lots!
ReplyDelete