Those Who Wander #3 - April 2016

Travelling the world has taught me
many things. It has opened my eyes to
new experiences, these eyes have
seen things ? good and bad ? that can?t
be unseen. My memory is filled with
stories, private jokes with people I
may never meet again, beautiful
sunsets and sunrises (yes I do wake up
early sometimes), insane experiences
and moments I won?t ever be able to
explain well enough that someone
will get it and so much more.
I?ve changed, I know I have. I look back to the
?old?me. The unexperienced, untraveled,
self-conscious, naive girl. The one with all
the plans ?the 5 and 10 year plan ? the one
who knew where I would be right now.
But now I am so far away from the straight
lined path I had laid out for myself at 18. I am
so far off the path I couldn?t tell you the
direction to get back to it, it is unseen and
my new ?path?isn?t there, only untouched
ground, waiting for footsteps to mark a path
to take me forward; and at this stage, any
path I make doesn?t guarantee me the
opportunity to retrace my steps. This can be
good or bad.
Travel isn?t all the glitz and glam of the 5 star
resorts, beautiful food, enviable photos,
perfect hair after hauling a rucksack and ever
perfect plans we keep seeing from Travel
Bloggers lately. Travelling full-time is up and
down, Its dirty and messy, Lonely and
overwhelming, adventurous and boring all
rolled into one.
I?ve worked hard enough to travel
extensively in the last 4 years, but it wasn?t
enough. I left home in December 2015 to
pursue my dream of travelling the world
full-time. I don?t see myself stopping ? or
returning to the UK ? anytime soon.
I want to share with you some things I?ve
learnt ? about myself and other things ? while
travelling so far:
MYGUTHASABETTERSENSEOF
JUDGEMENTTHANI GIVEITCREDITFOR...
ORAMI JUSTREALLYHUNGRYATTHE
RIGHTMOMENTS?
I?ve travelled to some incredible places both
Solo and with friends. To these incredible
places I have done some things I grew up
being told not to do, I?ve done things I always
promised myself I wouldn?t, avoided some
pretty stupid situations and also ones that
seemed completely harmless but a massive
part of me (i.e. my lovely gut) shouts NO. This
isn?t Ok. I don?t like it, lets leave.
When people say ?trust your gut?you never
really think anything of it right? It?s an
expression, nothing serious and often a
feeling we forget to notice throughout our
everyday, routine filled life. It?s only when
you jump out the box, looking at new
situations ? or the same ones ? in another
country, city, place does the feeling become
more noticeable and one in which we deem
worthy enough of paying attention to.
You know now that you are vulnerable ? if
you are anything like me, my face gives away
my emotion before my brain full recognises it
? your paying more attention to your senses,
your learning to trust yourself.
So I just want to take this moment to thank
my Gut. Even with all the ?stupid?situations
I?ve gotten into, I?m still alive and kicking ?
Running to touch wood right now.
MAKINGFRIENDSTAKESALOTOF
EFFORT... SOMETIMESI WANTTOSKIPTHE
SMALLTALK
I?m currently travelling Solo. Solo in the
sense of I left the UK that way, by no means
am I alone. I have met and will continue to
meet some incredible people, I go on Tinder
dates ? yes I have no shame, its also the
easiest way to meet locals sometimes! ? and
I?m (now) a pretty confident person. Even
though I hate it, small talk comes naturally to
me now.