...in two days!! Who woulda thought seriously. If i go back to the start of my crazy travels, I was heading to the Netherlands for an entire year. Fall, winter, spring and summer...the whole shabang.
Nothing but unplanned things have happened...every decision taking me about a day to make.
1. Came to Cali for Christmas
2. Moved out of my host families house and stayed with my ex-boyfriend for 2 weeks
3. Got a job and moved to Belgium for a month
4. Lived in Dubai for 3 weeks
5. Back in Belgium/Netherlands for a week
6. Lived in Malaysia for 1 month
7. Bali for a month
8. Tomorrow I go back to Kuala Lumpur for a day
9. Gold Coast Australia, arrival time 7:25am Saturday July 11, 2009.
Its crazy to me to think of all the places I have seen so far, and all of the ones I will in the future. It sometimes is hard traveling, as you don't get to see the people ur closest to for long stretches of time, and you always kinda hope secretly that they will come and visit (but it never happens cuz people are busy...understandable) but traveling is amazing. The world has so much to offer, and I am enjoying discovering my favorite places on the planet. I think for now Bali takes the top spot, with San Diego coming in a close second. But I wouldnt live in Bali year round, I will however definatly be coming back.
Also I have fully appreciated the way I have travelled due mostly to the fact that I havent had to adjust to huge time changes very often...and I also have a little insight for what I want in the future. If the time change is 0-3 hours the trip lasts at least a week. 3-6 hours at the very minumum 3 weeks. Anything over 6 hours, hands down at least a month. Travelling is meant to be enjoyed and it also should be done, as the people you meet and things you learn along the way are irreplaceable.
A dissappointing tidbit. Today I heard an american accent, which to be honest happens very seldomly (australian dominates this category). So of course I'm like...where are you from, he replies "the states" with a grim sort of smile on his face. Oh really...where in..."San diego" the scowl started coming through. Oh nice I reply as if not to nitice. Where do you surf, a very short "Encinitas" was his reply. Oh sweet, I grew up surfing Cardiff Reef, San Elijo area. After no response I simply said it was nice to meet you and went on my way. Its sad to say how unfriendly and egotistical people from my home town, and actually the states in general can be. No wonder Americans have such a bad reputation. Its sad but true...and as I have been traveling overwhelmingly the people I meet are not american. Sad truth number two, americans in general are not well travelled at all...hard truth, accept it or not, travelling around the states, does not make you a well rounded world traveller. I dont even consider myself well traveled and I have lived in 6 countries this year alone.
Tonight I have spent way too much time trying to work out my housing accomidations in Australia...Im crashing at a friends place for a few days to buy some time to be able to go look at rooms and meet potential flatmates...Im sure it will all work out...it has up until now.
My plan...which is very tentative, is to spend 2 weeks finding jobs...yes thats plural, because I dont want to do the same thing everyday. Id like to lifeguard a bit cuz it pays well, I would also like to work at a clothing store (surfer please) because then I can get a 40% discount on clothing, which is nice, and I would also like to waitress maybe 2 nights a week...just because I think it would be fun...call me crazy i know. Also Im gonna check out sea world, cuz if i could get a job as an animal trainer that would be awesome. And I will also be meeting a few coaches for water polo purposes. Who knows whats gonna happen...i know I dont...but Im pretty excited to be able to have a somewhat normal life...half way across the world.
Also i would like to note that I know at least 4 couples (in total at least 8 people) getting married in 2010...am I behind the curve? most likely...but Im totally ok with that...
