The 1000 Day Holiday

Its a pretty weird feeling.

It seems like yesterday I was finishing work in Sydney. 30th December 2005. Me, about to embark on an odyssey. 2.5 years+. The longest trip I had done before this was 3 whole weeks.

1000 days later I’m back in Sydney. Now I’m on a bus to the Hunter Valley to surprise my parents. They think I’m in BC, Canada. Job/normal life hunting.

Trying to sum up the trip in a moment, eyes closed. Images of the last 1000 days flashing past  makes me realise it wasn’t yesterday. Its too big, I can’t actually do it.

Catching up with friends that I haven’t seen. Its like I’ve awoken from a coma. When I think of people as great mates, I realise I haven’t been a part of their lives for nearly 3 years. I hadn’t been to a wedding before starting this trip. Now I’ve been to a few, but missed far too many. Babies, houses and dogs are sprouting left and right. Its the small things though. The everyday, hanging out, knowing the score that I’ve missed.

There’s something that I have become increasingly aware of over the duration of the trip. As Christopher McCandless put it: “Happiness only real when shared”. Its a pretty strong statement. Yes you can be happy within yourself and regarding where and what you are doing. But being able to turn to someone standing next to you and share the experience. That’s it.

On the road, you are incredibly open. Other travellers become your instant family. Sharing experiences, love and life. To those I have hung out with, travelled with and explored this fine world with. It will be with me forever. Thankyou! Drop by and visit sometime.

To those from my past life. AKA the “real world”. I’m back, lets have some new adventures. From November 10 I’ll be in Canada and you’re invited.