Eight Months

While in Krabi, Thailand, five or so years ago, we met a couple who had set off for a year long trip around the world. She said they were at month eight and had bought tickets home, they were tired and just couldn't do it any longer. I remember thinking, yeah, eight months away from home, not having a bed to call your own, living out of a bag and eating out more than eating in would be tiring and eight months is a good strong push. Here we are, eight months in and I hope it's just the half way point. I'm not missing my bed, or the variety of clothes and shoes in my closet, nor the variety of foods in the refrigerator or cupboards. What I miss most of all are hugs from friends and family. Chats and giggles over a glass of wine or a cup of tea.

There have been a couple of times throughout this trip that I have thought that I'd like to return to that particular city, town or country, to live, to work, to learn a new trade and language. I have daydreamed about learning how to make French bread, in France. Then whipping up homemade butter with fresh cream from a local dairy and have a small vineyard to make our own wine to facilitate frequent chat sessions.

My heart became sad when we left Tommy, Noah and Monica in Chamonix. I cried as we left Giorgio, Ghisslaine and Valerio in Valdastico. I teared up when we boarded the train, leaving my uncle in Yarragon. My eyes welled as we drove away from Ceals, Greg and Baxter in Gerringong. I am aware of how lucky I am to get refills of love and hugs along this trip. The support I get from friends and family have made this trip so much more valuable. We may not inspire you to travel the world, but I hope we inspire you to do something you have always wanted to do. Even if it's checking out the museum down the street, or turning down a road you have always wondered about.

I've worried about gaining weight, getting and being out of shape, drinking too much, eating too much, but then I let it go. I haven't gained that much weight, I don't have a drinking problem and I love butter on just about everything, this is no different from when I am at home. I realized that, like everything in life, things pass, things are in constant change and that includes my body, how I observe my body, my thinking. This is true for my life. I've worried that I don't work out enough or too much but when it comes down to reflection time these are like ripples in time and I need to enjoy each one of them for their uniqueness and I need to appreciate, embrace and go forth with no guilt or regret and just enjoy. Enjoy each sip, enjoy each swallow, enjoy each moment before blinking. Because this will all be over in an instant.

I thought my biggest concern would be money. I thought that, true to my history with money, that this would cause me a lot of stress, watching our savings account, which took years to build, dwindle. I have freaked out about money about three times, all lasting less than 30 minutes. I have a partner who supports me through these moments and is supportive beyond words. I am spending this money with joy, appreciation, gratitude and with excitement. Sticking to as near the budget as possible isn't a hindrance, it's a challenge and looked upon as such. When we go over budget we rejoice in all the things we were able to do, see, eat and drink with that money. Contrary to popular belief, I do not live by a budget in my daily life. I know what I have, what needs to be paid first (myself of course, IRA's, then bills, then savings, then extra!!) We have stayed in far nicer places, eaten far nicer meals during this trip than say our previous two and three week ventures where I was so budget focused, thinking that one day, when I travel the world for a year I will have to sacrifice clean linens, nice apartments and good food. So I can say with all honesty the worst, most run down places we have ever stayed at were while having two incomes. The hands down worst place was in Dangriga, Belize. The second worst place was in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, both were on the brink of terrifying. We laugh, thinking about some of the places we've stayed in and have made a pact that next time, god forbid, we will simply forfeit the money and walk out. I did the budget the other day, checking all the accounts and writing down our remaining total and then what we have left to do. We are doing great, will stay out longer than originally planned, including a 6-8 week traverse of the US with dips into Canada (hopefully catching a few high teas). All this, while traveling most of the world during high season.

This trip, we quickly came to realize, is a sampler platter. Fifteen months is nowhere near enough time to travel the globe, this is enough time for maybe Europe (of course if you had a budget at least double ours). The point being, we've been a lot of places, seen a lot of things and this has only reminded us of how small we are, how truly insignificant we are, how much more we have yet to learn, see, grow.

I'm looking forward to returning to the US because I don't see it in the same light. Simply put, the USA has fallen from grace. I think this is a natural, healthy, progression of thought and realization. In Italy we were thanked for being Americans. My cousins have chests filled with stories of my Italian family in America sending them clothes and food during and after WWII. To them we are saviors. In Greece, we are met with indifference. I later read that November 7th is celebrated as anti-American day. I have always thought everyone wanted to be an American, live in America, that they were all secretely jealous. Because that's what we are told. It's not true. It is not even near the truth and we need to eliminate this erroneous way of thinking. We are not the best country in the world. Just because we use up most of the earth's resources does not mean we are the better. Just because our mom tells us we are the most beautiful girl at school, doesn't necessarily mean we are. (Don't fret, my mom never led me to believe this, but she did always tell me I could do anything, be anything..and then I met a curling iron and I think I was the most beautiful girl at school and of course my mom nodded in agreement). We have yet to meet a single Trump supporter, that's all the time I'll give to that man. But, who leads our country speaks to the world. The world looks to us to lead and when we chose leaders we need to think outside of our small towns, our personal bank accounts and truly think of the greater good not only in the US but around the globe. When we cast our votes, the world truly awaits the outcome. We need to take this seriously and honor the privilege that is voting. In Australia, if you are a registered voter, and don't vote you are fined. I think this should, no, must be implemented in America. Throughout our travels (this trip and those that preceded) we have learned that people outside the States don't live in debt like we do. People don't have mortgages, they build a home that they can afford, even if it is the size of a shed and then build on as the cash comes in. They shake their heads in disbelief when we inform them that most Americans will take 30 years to pay of their home, paying interest the entire time. This is a foreign, and frankly idiotic, idea to many the world over. There is also a strong family tie and feeling of obligation to taking care of ones own. This is rare in the states, admired but still rare and speaks loudly to our priorities.

My closing thoughts, as I type this nearing our nine month mark, are that we are all connected. What we do in America truly affects billions of other people. Even if "The Universe Doesn't Give a Flying Fuck About You" (a delicious little book on Amazon kindle) the decisions we make do affect others. You may never travel outside your town, city, state or country but whatever it is you do, where ever it is you go, maybe pay a bit more attention to those around you, your judgements of others, and of yourself, be mindful of how you act. Open your mind to accept differences. Don't be so quick to judge, because we rarely have all the details from which other's have made their choices in life. Be aware of that which scares you, it's okay to be scared, but make sure it doesn't debilitate you. I'm working on all of this too.