This year has been so incredibly epic, I'm still searching for the right words to express the true level of epicness. I can't believe everything that has happened over the past couple of months and the opportunities that have come my way, from South Africa, to working for the United Nations, to newspaper and radio interviews, to things in school like How I Learned to Drive, the Short Works Festival, Elevator Pitch competition, and so on. It's been extremely chaotic, but every moment has been worth it.
Traveling to South Africa was a pretty big life milestone for me. Come from a family that NEVER travels (anywhere!) ever, I couldn't even wrap my mind around this. If you don't count 1 or 2 day trips to Montreal, I had never left the country--ever. Every step in the process of traveling abroad was new to me--the passport application process, vaccinations, the long flight, the time diffrerence--it was really a life changing experience. I was afraid, I'm not going to lie. For someone who isn't keen to change, I was now being placed in a world COMPLETELY different than my own. That's some drastic change. But I knew I was going to be okay, I was with a group of 15 or so other Champlainers and a handful of adults who had abroad experience. It was a little bit of travel abroad coddling, I guess. But, through all the trouble that had incurred before the trip, I wouldn't have traded any of it. That experience opened my eyes to a brand new world--literally and figuratively. It introduced me to traveling; to seeing that other cultures, other worlds, other lands, existed. It's one of those things that you always subconciously know but don't fully realize until you're submersed in it.
It showed me just how little of the world I had truly seen, showed me what I was missing. Haha, it kind of felt like the end of Men In Black II. I had lived 21 years of my life fine with the world I was in, looking at the rest of the world only when I opened the locker. But suddenly, one day, someone showed me that I was simply a speck in a larger locker. There was a larger, new world to explore. It put my life and my little world in perspective.
Six months ago, I never thought of myself as owning a passport. Now, I can't imagine living life without it.
Tomorrow I embark on a journey to Ireland for spring break with Amanda. Before I even realized what had happened a few months ago, Amanda and I had purchased airline tickets. That's it, simply found and purchased the tickets. There wasn't any long process of begging or even really asking our parents. We had talked about it for a few months, looked at prices, and I worked 3 jobs this year to earn enough money for the ticket and for spending money. But it was still a dream to me. I wasn't sure if I ever saw it truly happening. Then one weekend we found a deal and we just....did it. We bought them. We planned out our transportation. Purchased bus tickets. Created an itinerary. Just like that, we were headed to Ireland.
As weird as it sounds, it really showed me I was growing up. I made the decision to traipse around a foreign country with my roommate by ourselves and didnt even think to ask my dad. I had told him about it, but I never asked. I made the decision on my own. I had always clung to my dad as a way of prolonging adulthood. If I kept asking, kept constantly looking to him to make decisions and take control of things, then I didn't have to label myself as that dreaded word..."adult." I'm not saying I'm going to go out and purchase a pant suit and start watching CNN religiously now. I still enjoy a nice pair of jeans and you'll almost always see Family Guy on our TV. But being able make these decisions on my own without being afraid made me realize that while I don't see myself as an "adult" just yet, I'm ready to start working my way there. I'll always still look to my dad for advice and guidance. He's my dad. But I'm ready to take control.
So tomorrow, we begin our journey. We'll take a bus from Hanover, NH to Logan International Airport and then fly non stop Aerlingus to Dublin, Ireland. Don't get me wrong, I'm still nervous. This is similar to traveling to South Africa, but the safety nets have been removed. No adults to handle problems. Juggle Money. Make decisions. It's just us. Am I afraid that something will go wrong? yes. Is this out of my comfort zone? heck yes. Do I think I'll regret the trip? Not one bit. I think I can do it. In fact, (dare I say it?) I know I can do it.
The excitement and anxiety are creating a magical feeling in the pit of my stomach. I think this will be a life experience for me, as well as an awesome spring break. I keep reminding myself how much this means to me deep in my heart, it's my heritage and something I've really wanted to do since I was little--I just never saw myself actually being able to do it.
But, here I am. Less than 24 hours away from Dublin. If you had told me back in high school I would have done this, I would have laughed in your face. And look at me now. Wow. It's still shocking to me. It probably still will be until we touch down in Dublin.
There are nights when I lay awake and think about Africa. I can still picture the sights. I remember the smell of the rain. The harmonious voices echoing from the churches throughout the townships still ring out in my ears. It's astounding to me just how vivid the memories still are more than 6 months later. I hope that this trip will resinate just as soundly.
I plan on spending most of the travel time tomorrow writing in my paper journal, reflecting on thoughts and catching up on some of the stuff I've wanted to write about for the past few months. It's revitalizing, a spiritual, emotional, and mental cleansing. But, because I know I'll have reliable internet, I also hope to update my blog throughout the trip, along with posting a few pictures if I'm able.
So, check back soon! For now, it's time for me to sleep and rest up for the long journey before me. Bon Voyage!
1 comment:
Hey, I have a pantsuit.
Post a Comment