February 2010
…I’m down to 18 days before I leave on my round the world trip. Some moments I feel invincible, and so ready to be on the road. Some moments I feel terrified and want to cling to everything I know and love.
This entire process of getting ready has been quite the journey in itself. It kind of creeps up on you… first the idea just pops into your head “wouldn’t that be fun, just leaving, and seeing everything you ever wanted to see…hmmm”.
The next thing you know, everything you look at is blatantly suggesting it. The earrings you try on happen to be made in Nepal, and you dream of Nepal the rest of the day. A colleague tells you of a friend who lives in Malaysia, and you wonder what life is like there…
Then comes the plotting. If I do ____ and ____ I could easily be gone for 6 months…. and look, these countries don’t require visas for extended stays…
Then comes the ticket searching. A flight to France for only $565… it’s so central- you could get to anything from there… “if I skip this trip to the snow, I could buy that ticket..” Before you know it, you are paving your own way and have no reason not to do this. Look out my friends, this is how it starts.
I was sitting at dinner with some lovely ladies a few nights ago. One took the initiative to start a toast to me, and my journey. It absolutely warmed my heart, but I reminded her, I hadn’t even taken my first step yet. She countered with the fact that I had taken very many big steps so far, though it doesn’t seem that way to me.
I quit a job that I adored.
I am getting rid of all my possessions.
I am getting on the plane to Greece with no idea if or when I will return to California.
In this moment I am fine with that. In fact, I feel excited for it. 18 days will come and go before I know it. Soon I will be sitting in a cafe in Athens typing to you…a month after that- who knows where I will be? …. I don’t.
'How the Travel Bug Took Over My Life' have 15 comments
February 13, 2010 @ 9:38 am Paula Swenson
You will be enjoying the hell out of it wherever you are 🙂 Did you get the goodie I posted to you?
XO~Paula
February 13, 2010 @ 10:20 am Nomadic Chick
I agree with your friend. All that planning is taking steps, leading closer to your goals. The actual trip will kick into high gear all those previous steps, and whatever else comes along. So many discoveries ahead of you! I’ll be reading…
February 21, 2010 @ 1:49 pm livevicuriously
…and I’ll be writing 😉 thanks chick!
February 13, 2010 @ 12:25 pm Liz
I feel the EXACT same way. Have even had the “I didn’t do anything yet” “Yes you did!” convo with friends. I feel like now that it’s coming so close, it’s just a rush of emotions- scared, EXCITED, unsure, ready to go, impatient, rushed, nostalgic, etc etc etc. It’s especially odd when I’m invited to things- a friend is having a party in June. I have no idea where I will be in June. It’s a lot to wrap your head around, and it can definitely be scary, but I know it’s the right thing to do. We’ll find another job we love, we’ll acquire new stuff, and we’ll never regret taking this time to follow our dreams. Thanks for writing this, and good luck with these next 18 days of packing!
February 21, 2010 @ 1:48 pm livevicuriously
now, when I open my bedroom door, and there is nothing there- I realize I have taken steps… hindsight is 20/20!
February 13, 2010 @ 3:04 pm linda
You’ll have a wonderful time, I’m very envious and will be eagerly following your blog.
February 21, 2010 @ 1:47 pm livevicuriously
thank you linda, I will be eagerly updating it 😉
February 13, 2010 @ 3:10 pm Adam
Wow – 18 days to go!
I think those last few weeks have got to be the worst and honestly I can’t wait to get to that point myself. I can’t imagine the range of emotions pre-trip.
February 21, 2010 @ 1:47 pm livevicuriously
last few weeks = worst feeling ever. your emotions are a veritable xylophone and nothing makes sense…. only 235 more hours of this madness!yippee
February 13, 2010 @ 11:31 pm Gwen
Brandy, I envy you this trip! I only hope to be brave enough to do something similar with my time. I am now (errr…OFFICIALLY IN A MONTH) a certified massage therapist. I could use that ANYWHERE! And as live and love and passion and desire throw different curve balls my way, I will figure out what it is I want to do. More importantly, what it is I NEED to do! I am proud of you, I am anxious for you, I am envious of you. And I wish you all the best and can’t wait to read about your adventures!
Also, FYI, Forrest is moving to Georgia (the country) very soon! You should look him up (as in on FB) if you plan on heading that way. He is currently in Germany, which won’t really help you in the least b/c he is not going to be there for long…but he is a great traveler and has been in and has connections in many many MANY places!
Seriously, you are living life in the moment, what we should ALL do! And I hope you find whatever it is you don’t even know yet that you’re looking for!
February 21, 2010 @ 1:46 pm livevicuriously
Gwen- I am incredibly proud of you for sticking it out on that island. Make the best of it and remember- “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” – Howard Thurman
February 14, 2010 @ 2:34 am Steve
I find this part of it all like a runaway train. So much to do that you can’t really think. A whirlwind of of good-bye drinks and trips to Goodwill and cleaning. Inexorable. Enthralling. Pulled in so many directions …
Then, suddenly, you’re on a plane (aero as well as psychic) and a kind of calm sets in.
You think, “Whoa! It’s real! I did it! I DID IT!!!!”
… and you’ll remember you read this.
February 21, 2010 @ 1:35 pm livevicuriously
In a word “yes”. SO many different directions. glad to know I am not completely crazy, because in some moments I sure feel that way… just found your spice recipe, it’s now lacquered into my scrapbook! I *will* see you soon my friend. 🙂
February 18, 2010 @ 10:04 am Catia
Those last few weeks leading up to the ‘actual trip’ are among the most difficult. My emotions were all over, and could switch without notice within a second.
I’d thought of changing my mind because suddenly ‘home’ seemed perfect, I thought of running and grabbing the next flight to ‘wherever’ just to get on with it since the feeling that waiting was becoming unbearable.
I stressed over not having enough time to finish planning, I stressed over too much time… But hang in there and remember that you are on your journey right now, it doesn’t start when the plane takes off, it started the moment the thought of travelling first entered your mind.
My RTW (officially) began just 3 weeks ago and I can tell you the feeling of freedom is worth the emotional roller coaster. 🙂
February 21, 2010 @ 1:32 pm livevicuriously
Catia, you’re another great twitter find! Thank you for the comment, I completely relate. to quote Ron Burgundy “I’m in a glass case of emotion”. I’m either thrilled, terrified, nervous, anxious or frustrated, but always at 100%! …it’s quite the experience…I cannot wait. I am enjoying reading your travels, and know that you’re going to have the time of your life, truly.