11 months, 14 countries, 13 flights, 12 books, 10 boat excursions, 4 Workaways, loads of hostels, numerous bus rides, countless miles walked - and just like that my year of retirement is over. Well that sure went by fast.
I’ve been putting off writing this post because that means my golden year is really over. While I know I’ll continue to travel and see new places, I know it is unlikely that I’ll be able to do it for this amount of time again (unless I hit the mega millions…fingers crossed). So, while I know this really isn’t a chapter fully closing, it sure feels like something disguised as that.
Travel is so interesting to me. It’s like being a part of a secret society or something. For those that have done it, they understand the secret. For those that haven’t, it’s kind of hard to explain. I think it’s much better experienced than told. Due to my tight packing situation, efforts to downsize clutter in my life, and my tight budget, after all that time I came home with some pieces of jewelry and a small stack of postcards (and a lot of pictures). To some it may seem like not a lot to show for this last year. But what I gain from travel is all on the inside – and sometimes it’s hard to explain to those on the outside. It’s fun, exciting, new, exhilarating, beautiful, and sunny – but also challenging, grueling, stressful, scary, and tiring with doses of rain. Travel, for me, unlocks a gratitude I always carry with me but that doesn’t always come to the surface. I’m thankful for a safe place to rest my head, for food to eat, for free hotel shampoo, for a hot shower, for the ability to hike, for sunrises and sunsets, for a cup of coffee, for clean water – things that I tend to take for granted in my everyday life. Through the daily challenges, puzzles, ups and downs, at the end of each day I’m thankful for the simplest things in life. And that is something I really love about it. It’s just me and my obnoxiously large backpack doing our best one day at a time. Countless times throughout the past months I have been left speechless by landscapes, buildings, art, interiors, experiences, and people. Maybe one day I’ll find the right words to adequately describe the sights I’ve seen and the people I’ve met during this time in my life, but for now it will just be something I hold close to my heart.
The most common request I’ve gotten so far is to name my favorite place I visited. And I just can’t. Each country, city, and activity was so unique it’s too hard to pick just one. I know, not the answer people are looking for! I will say, the experiences with my Workaway hosts are some I will never forget and I am forever grateful to them for opening their homes to travelers like me. They are some of the strongest, hardest working people I have ever met. To be able to stay with local families, learn about their everyday lives, and help allow them to achieve their dreams was truly an honor.
This experience wouldn’t have been possible for me without a network of totally awesome people. While thank you doesn’t adequately cover it…
Thank you to my Workaway hosts for opening my eyes to so many new lifestyle choices, skills, ideas, and thoughts. Your hospitality and kindness was one of the best gifts I received on this journey.
Thank you to my travel buddies for their companionship – without them I definitely would have made talking to myself a real habit.
Thank you to those of you following along and providing encouragement along the way. I’ve never posted much before (and certainly never done a blog before) and it’s pretty terrifying.
Thank you to my family and friends for their support, phones calls, and messages when I needed them most.
And so, without further adieu, some of my lessons learned from 11 months on the road:
1. When traveling be sure to pack your sense of humor – it will come in handy.
2. Americans are pretty much the only people that use clothes dryers.
3. As a backpacker you take anything that’s free. Doesn’t even matter what it is.
4. If you ask nicely, people will often help you.
5. While we all speak different languages, we are more similar than we think.
6. Being flexible in plans and mindset is a huge key to success.
7. Talking to yourself comes in handy when you’re lonely.
8. Driving on the other side of the road isn’t too bad as long as you’re laser focused.
9. Taking a “gap year” at age 30 means you’ll be a granny in the hostels.
10. Having an optimistic attitude is really the only way to go through life.
11. You don’t need a lot of money to experience some of the best things.
12. There’s nothing quite like creating something with your own two hands.
13. Coffee makes the world a happier place.
14. Grocery stores are always cheaper than eating out.
15. Most Europeans speak several languages, making this English speaker feel stupid.
16. You can never have too many plastic bags.
17. Saying please and thank you goes a long way.
18. Although the people speak English, the grocery store labels do not.
19. Pick travel buddies you can survive ups and downs with (I sure did).
20. It’s okay to do things by yourself. Sometimes, it’s even better.
Thanks again for following along on this journey – it has truly been a once in a lifetime experience. And at the end of it all, I’m just happy to be here.
Artwork from the Foreigner Cafe - Melbourne, Australia.