In a week I’ll be pacing the Melbourne International Airport Terminal waiting to be allowed board my flight. It shouldn’t feel any different to all the other times, but it will.
This is the first time that I don’t know when I’ll be back. It could be in a few short months, should something happen back home. It could be a year – it’s my aim to at least see all the seasons that Canada has to offer. Or it could be two years or more. There’s a tingle in my feet whenever I think about the enormity of it. It makes me feel woozy and like I need to run and hide.
But don’t get me wrong, it’s not the travel and the new places that scare me, it’s what happens when I’m away. Anyone who has travelled – or anyone really – knows that things don’t stay just how you left them, just because you’re not there. But, it will be ok.
With one foot in front of the other, I will get on that plane and that smile will come across my face, like it always does. That grin that I’m actually doing this, I made this happen. I will settle into my seat and watch out the window as we taxi on the runway and take off from beautiful, kind Melbourne. I’ll say my goodbyes under my breath and try to find something to watch or do on my 14 hour (wifi-less) flight. I will eat my sandwiches and try not to think about what’s ahead, or what’s behind and hope like hell that it’s not like my flight to Scotland where the only thing that the entertainment system would play was the same episode of Top Gear on repeat (the one where they go to the Arctic).
I’ll get to Los Angeles, and try not to smile too much. Immigration think you’re up to something if you’re smiling after a 14 hour flight (or maybe that’s only Australian Customs Officers?) I’ll hope the queue isn’t too long and that I don’t miss my connecting flight. (Did I ever tell you about the time I ran though LAX with my shoes in my hands to catch a close connection only to find the flight had been delayed by an hour?)
Then the adventure will really begin. It will be cold and I’ll pretend that I’ll miss the Australian heat, but I really won’t. And I’ll make some memories and see things and meet people and laugh and cry and remember that I’m alive. – Because after all, that’s what I wanted from this, to feel alive again and not like I’m sleepwalking through life.
Until then, I’ll finish packing and I’ll say my ‘see you later’s and I’ll remember that people do this all the time. The world is mine to see, and I’m so glad I’m lucky enough to get to see it.
x
Oh my giddy! I am so so excited for you, I am all too familiar with all your explanations and it tugs at my heart, when I will be doing this again, I dont know.
You have done this, you have made this happen, you are going to have the absolute time of your life, maybe even snag yourself a Canadian man, so he can whisper in your ear in that sweet sweet accent for all your days….. *swoon*
We will all be with you, cheering you form the sidelines, gasping at your surprises and living vicariously through you!
weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
xx
Thanks so much Meagan! It’s so awesome to have you on board! xxxx
This post made my stomach flip, I know these feelings all too well and love them! What an awfully big adventure!
Thanks Clare! :)
I can hear the excitement in your words! I am so, so, so thrilled for you & can not wait to hear about your adventures – good, bad or indifferent. All the very best D… you deserve everything that the next period of time is going to bring you xx
Thank you lovely, Carley! That’s so sweet of you to say! x
So exciting! Canada is somewhere I’d love to visit but getting the chance to immerse yourself in the culture will be amazing!
Thanks Emily!! I think it will be great! :)
I am thrilled for you Dannielle! It’s going to be so fun to read about your adventures and I can’t wait to meet you in person :-)
Thanks so much, Sarah! Can’t wait to see you! It’s going to be so much fun! :)
EEEKKKKK!!!! You got me excited for you and for our trip and were only going for a month! Just amazing, go live your life, I know it’s a corny catch phrase handed out way to much but…this ain’t no dress rehearsal!
Thanks Fiona! That’s a great line! I will have to remember that one! I hope you have an awesome time with your travels too! :)
You’re going to have *such* an amazing time and the fact that you don’t know when you’ll be back or how life will play out while you’re away, makes it even more exciting :)
I’m looking forward to reading about your adventures as you take on the world!
x
Thanks so much Rach! I look forward to sharing them with you! x
OH MY GOODNESS!!! It’s SO close!!! Time has FLOWN by! I am so so excited for you (in case all the capitals and exclamation marks didn’t get that point across…). Good luck with the packing, safe travels, and I can’t wait to read more xox
It really has flown by!! Thank you so much, for everything over these past few months. I’m lucky to have you as a friend. Can’t wait to share my stories with you! xx