This blog is dedicated to all my travels around the world. You will gain insight on my feelings as I visit different places. I will share my preparations and tips for making the best of international travel. I hope that I will inspire you. Feel free to ask any questions in the comments section of each post.
"The widely and extensively traveled is wiser and more knowledgeable than the gray haired (who scarcely traveled)."
I have been writing about my adventures in Thailand, and I plan to publish those posts very soon. It has been 21 days since I left the comfort of home and started on this journey of uncertainty. I have explored new cities and terrains, tried new food, and met new people. My body has been sore from uncomfortable beds and extreme physical activities. However, the past 24 hours have been the most challenging for me, and I want to share the experience in real time. Yesterday was my first full day in Bangkok, and I had nothing planned for the day. I slept in and later walked to the mall in front of my building in search of food for my empty belly. I walked around in frustration looking for something to satiate my hunger. I didn't find anything appealing, so I walked across the street to another mall and circled their food court twice. I finally settled on a couple of pastries and devoured them immediately. I later found myself at Lumphini Park and stayed for a couple of hours wandering and watching the world go around me before heading to Chatuchak Park to check out the famous weekend market. The market was crowded and hot, and I just wanted to get away from all of the people. I found my way out into the sunshine where I had the pleasure of eating garlic toast on a stick and a refreshing watermelon slushy with frozen watermelon balls inside a watermelon. My mind was blown by this awesomeness! I later went back to my part of town in search of dinner and settled on pizza at the mall that was probably frozen.
I know it seems like a pretty mundane day, but I was really stressed. My mind was constantly focused on what was coming next. Since I only have a few days in each new place, I felt like I should pack in as much as possible since I might not come back again. I was frustrated that I didn't have good food options or my own kitchen to cook. I was exasperated about living out of a suitcase and not staying in one place for too long. I was pissed that it's rainy season, which means there is no ferry from Krabi to the islands, so transportation is expensive. (I'm flying to Krabi in the morning, and I still have no idea where I'm staying, how long I will be there, and what I will do there.) I told my boyfriend I needed a travel agent to plan everything and just tell me where to go, because I'm basically tired of living the nomad life and not knowing what comes next. I know I said that one of my objectives is to let go, but it's too hard. 😢
I think the real issue is that I realize I am at a turning point in my life and metamorphosis does not feel good. I am already changing and I will not be the same person when I return home. In fact, my entire life will be different because I chose to take this journey. I have no idea what comes next and that is so so scary. This morning, I received the pep talk that I needed to hear to let me know I got this. I was reminded of who I am, and I am in the perfect place to create and develop the life that I want. My future is BRIGHT!
I know there are people reading my blog who wish they could do something totally different in their lives right now. You can do it! Step out on faith and you will receive everything that you need. I have a silent army that stood up for me even when I didn't know there was a battle to fight. People gave me money and supplies just because they saw the value in this journey for me. I have individuals who are taking care of things for me at home, so I can be fully present here. I never imagined that my life would be what it is right now. My younger self would be surprised to know that I am divorced with no children yet at 37 years old, and I'm happy exploring the world on my own terms. I am living my best life now and I expect an even better future.
Amandla!
How do you prepare for a trip around the world? How do you know what and how much to take? How many bags are needed? Will you have enough space to fit everything you need?
Those are questions I asked myself and others have asked me. I decided that I'm not taking more than I can carry alone, so I've been preparing myself for carry-on luggage only. I purchased a backpack from Amazon a couple of months ago that I've been testing out on my weekend trips. I also bought a small rolling suitcase that can fit under the airplane seat. I'm still not sure if I'll be taking that rolling bag or not. It might be good for carrying heavy items, like shoes. I just don't want to be overloaded with bags that make it hard for me to maneuver. Pinterest has been great for general and specific travel and packing tips, such as packing lists for female travelers in Asia with carry-on luggage only. Right now, I have a general idea of what I'm taking with me, and I've begun piling things on top of my bag in preparation to be organized later. I add or remove items based on the advice from other travelers. I'll post my final packing list before I leave and share whether it worked or not along the way. I created an Amazon Travel Wish Listfor items that would be useful on my trip if others would like to contribute to my journey. Gift cards from Amazon, Airbnb, and Visa would also be greatly appreciated.
In addition to packing, I've been preparing myself physically. I went to the doctor for travel vaccines and medication and ordered refills on my prescriptions to take with me, including malaria pills. Most of my immunizations were up to date from previous visits, so I only needed a Tetanus booster and Yellow Fever shot, and I opted for the Typhoid oral vaccine. I do not take medication usually, and I try to prevent and treat illness naturally. However, I'm preparing a small first aid kit with ibuprofen, anti-diarrheal, and allergy medicine along with bandages and other basic supplies just in case I need that stuff. I also took swim lessons and self-defense classes to get ready for the adventure.
One of the most important things to have for international (and domestic) trips is travel insurance. My rule is if it will cost more than $400 to get home, then I need travel insurance. I like to use Travel Guard or I buy another plan if the cost is lower. I looked at Travel Guard and other options, but what I found did not meet my needs. After I shared my plans with a couple of co-workers and told them that I was looking for travel insurance to cover a trip like mine with indefinite locations and dates, they told me that there was another product available that wasn't widely publicized. They hooked me up with a manager in that department, and he sent me information for travel insurance that was perfect for me at a very reasonable cost. If I get sick or need to be evacuated, then I'm covered.
So many doors of opportunity have been opened since I decided to move forward with this trip. God has put people in my life who have offered to help me in ways that I never expected. I'm so grateful to have support from people who understand how important an experience like this is for me. I carry them with me and look forward to sharing this journey.
My year started with adventure, and more adventure awaits me.
Several years ago, I had a dream of leaving my normal life and traveling the world. I researched different teaching programs and international degrees. I thought about how I would support myself during that time away and I started making financial decisions that would put me in the best position. Instead of stepping out and fulfilling that travel dream, I put my dream on hold and married a man (who didn't have a passport). I didn't totally give up on the idea, but I knew it would probably not happen the way that I hoped. After the marriage ended, I committed to myself that I would finally take that journey, and set a bold goal to do it in 2018. I wasn't exactly sure of how I would do it - I just knew it was going to happen.
I took a step in early 2017 that shocks most people who know me. I became a host with Airbnb, an online platform that matches property owners with travelers looking for inexpensive, local lodging. I live near the airport, so my home is very convenient for guests with delayed/cancelled flights, long layovers, and interviews/business at the airport. I decided to be an Airbnb host for 2 reasons: 1) to make extra money for travel and 2) to become more comfortable with people in my space. I knew that I would probably be renting out my house while traveling, so I needed to ease into having strangers in my house. I also thought ahead about my discomfort with potentially sharing lodging with other travelers, so I shared my home to become more comfortable being around other people. I have had some really great experiences and met very interesting people from around the world. In fact, I have maintained my Super Host status for over a year, which means I provide a superior lodging experience to my guests.
Even after making the decision to travel the world and taking some action toward the goal, I started losing heart toward the end of 2017. I felt like it was a crazy dream, and I was too stable to just take off and travel the world. That's something for kids that have just graduated, not for a single woman approaching 40 with a good job and a great life. I started doubting myself and my dream and pretty much gave up until I had a conversation with one of my mentors at the beginning of 2018. I shared my dream with her and my doubts and fears, and she told me to do it before it was too late. Her faith in me was exactly what I needed to hear at that very moment. I was also inspired by a few other women in my life who walked away from what was comfortable and stepped out on faith to do the impossible. I decided to make it happen in 2018, and I made a verbal commitment to start my journey in July. A few weeks later, I picked a date and circled it on the calendar as a visual reminder of my commitment to myself. A couple of months later, I did one of the scariest things I have ever done. I went to Skyscanner, and I entered my departure airport and the departure date that I circled on the calendar. In the destination field, I typed "Everywhere", and scanned the list of locations from lowest to highest price. I bought a one-way ticket to Thailand! I felt my heart racing. Did I really just do that? I took a few deep breaths to calm myself and tears began to flow. I was excited and scared at the same time. That's what my friend, Charlotte, calls "doing it afraid".
I'm calling my worldwide journey, "Operation Let Go". I have a list of places that I would like to visit and basic entry requirements for those countries, but I'm not locking myself into a set schedule. A couple of people have asked me if this trip is my version of Eat, Pray, Love. Am I trying to find myself? Am I trying to get over heartbreak? Am I depressed? The answer is no to all of those questions. I am whole and I am well. This journey is about me fulfilling a dream at a time when I have the opportunity, the resources, and the good health to do so.
I have 2 objectives:
1) I will be open to the experience and what the universe has to offer. I will just live in the moment.
2) I will help other people in the capacity that they need, both as an individual and by partnering with charitable organizations.
My experience with ziplining and the Tarzan Swing earlier this year in Costa Rica is symbolic of the next chapter in my life. It might be scary, but at the end, I'll be able to say, "I did it!"
I will share more about my preparation for the trip in the coming weeks. Subscribe to this blog to ride along on this "Fantastic Voyage" and read about my adventures.
I started the year by doing something I never thought I would do voluntarily. When I booked my birthday trip to Costa Rica, the package at the Blue River Resort included 4 excursions - hiking to a waterfall, tubing, touring a dino park, and ziplining. I decided that I would finally give ziplining a try after saying for years that I wanted to keep my feet firmly on the ground.
On the morning of the tour, I walked to the front office at the designated time to meet my guides. When I arrived, they told me I would be the only person on the tour that morning. I later realized that was the perfect scenario for a newbie like me, because all of their attention to safety was focused on me and I could go at my own pace without feeling rushed by other guests. I signed the waiver, and we boarded the van to the starting point. I was given a helmet, a glove, a harness, and instructions on how to hold on to the line and stop. One guide went ahead of me to stand on the platform, and the other guide stayed on the platform behind me setting me up in the harness and sending me off to meet guide #1 on the other side. There were 9 lines with a Tarzan swing at the end.
I hung on the way that they told me to, and I zipped over the Costa Rican rainforest screaming and with a racing heart. One of the lines required that I flip over and hang upside down from the line. Wait, what? After the initial shock of being suspended in the air, I would relax into it for a couple of seconds and look out over the canopy at the luscious green earth below, and then it was over.
