I am thinking that my upcoming travels will work on curing my travel bug...that I will get it out of my system, and then be happy with growing up, settling down in one place, and all that stuff that everyone else seems to doing already. But the more I talk about that to well travelled people, the less that seems likely!
A recent PM (Private Message through http://www.bookcrossing.com/friend/Hawkette) I received from jackiea in response to this idea, shared a quote from John Steinbeck (Travels With Charley, 1962), has amused me the most...
When I was very young and the urge to be someplace else was on me, I was assured by mature people that maturity would cure this itch. When years described me as mature, the remedy prescribed was middle age. In middle age I was assured that greater age would calm my fever and now that I am fifty-eight perhaps senility will do the job. Nothing has worked. Four hoarse blasts of a ship's whistle still raise the hair on my neck and set my feet to tapping. The sound of a jet, an engine warming up, even the clopping of shod hooves on pavement brings on the ancient shudder, the dry mouth and vacant eye, the hot palms and the churn of stomach high up under the rib cage. In other words, I don't improve; in further words, once a bum, always a bum.
Looks like I will never be cured!
The Plan
So, off on the 31st. I am going to spend a week in Phnom Penh, to catch up with people there (looking forward to seeing Evie, Luke, Sharee and Cal, Borin, and Nina!), after a night in Bangkok. After that, 2 more nights in Bangas, and then off for a week in Tokyo.
And then, fly to London.
And then, who knows?!? Have got my Working Holiday visa, and will look at finding work when I get there. Hopefully something amazing, fulfilling, and well paying...they exist, right?
But then I also have many play ideas, like the cricket and the tennis, and a trip to Turkey for ANZAC Day, and Oktoberfest, and...and...and... So many things to do and see in that part of the world! Hmmm, so work would have to be super flexible!!! Oh dear!
The orginal plan was to land in Manchester, and set up life there. But at this point, I will search for the most suitable job, and see what happens. I kinda like the idea of arriving with little plan, and letting fate take it's course. Of course, that could mean I will be home in a month with all my money spent...lol.
Preparation
So many things to do. Need to sell the beloved Rav. Need to look at accommodation and travel plans for Bangkok and Tokyo. At work at PINARC I am trying to wrap up and complete handover. And, of course, I need to organise a farewell and catch up with everyone before I leave. Oh! and I'll need to pack at some stage....
Catching Up
Had lunch at Europa today, and caught up with Narelle and Katie. Haven't seen either for ages. Katie is about to become a mum, due in March, which is very exciting!! And Narelle is awaiting news on the outcome of an AYA application... Could have a visit to Hanoi in the next 12 months coming up!
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