A Year Off from the Rodent Race
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I finally did it! I quit my job, sold my flat and am already on my way to a journey that I hope will be life changing. After thinking very hard about this for at least a year and after long and painful conversations with those near and dear to me, I have decided to take at least a year off and travel the world mostly to exotic places that I haven’t spent much time in. Alone. I have no specific itinerary yet but am going to make them as I go along. I am only packing a small rucksack with a change of clothes for a week. I am not even taking a camera. I want to experience everything first hand and have my journal and this blog as my place to record my experience as I travel the world in search of meaning for my existence. I am not sure how much internet access I’ll have during the next year or so but I’ll try to update this blog with my experiences with the curious people, animals and places I will encounter whether it be in the train to Tibet or among the lemurs in Madagascar.
I am sooo shit scared but at the same time the adrenalin levels have never been higher. I am already in my first stop… Beijing, China and am writing this from here. More later… Zai Jian and Ni Hau.
Way to go. You are doing what most of us only dream of doing. The vicarious experience begins. Don’t forget to eat the baby snakes in Beijing.
Have fun reneejo and I’ll look forward to reading your write-ups from all over. As anupcs says, you’re acting on what many of us just dream about doing but don’t get about to. I’m kind of surprised however that you’re not taking a camera with you on this journey … pictures would be priceless.
A life changing event! Only you will know the best. Best wishes to you.
Here’s wishing you find yourself as you travel the far corners of the earth.
Kudos to you on your courage to make this physical and metaphysical journey.
Thank you all for the encouraging comments. The first few days are always tough and I am feeling a bit homesick now in Xi’An, China (the place where they have the famous terracotta warriors … thank you anupcs for recommending these places).
john: why not a camera? Because I never was into photography and have never owned more than a disposable or two. I like carrying as little as possible to places and I believe that a camera is yet another thing to carry and worry about. My journals are more of a memory to me than any photograph can capture.
anupcs: No, I will not try to eat baby snakes. Come on man, there are limits. I did try the Beijing Duck at the place you recommended (Quanjude) and loved it. The Szechuan hot pots are awesome too though the spices were almost unbearable to me. I am yet to try the Karaoke bars though that’s only because I haven’t met anyone I’d like to go with to hear me sing Edith Piaf. Simatai was out of the world! I’ll be going back to Beijing before I leave China for South Korea in a few weeks from now. I will be going to climb Tai Shan tomorrow.
Wa wa wee wah…. nice. Please to come to Kazhakistan and visit me and Natalia. I give you bear patties fried in real yak butter, and Natalia will take you for picking cow patties (for fire, not eating… ha ha). She so good, some time she pick patty before it hit ground. Is very fun, I am sure you enjoy. Please well come.
Good luck, reneejo.
Wow Reneejo! You have no idea how many of us are doing this trip with you. We will follow along. If you ever make it out to Sri Lanka, do check out the elephant orphanage in Pinnawela. It is truly unique (or at least the first of its kind).