Around the World in 137 Days

We've been home now for almost 3 months. It's taken me forever to write this final blog post....I was so good on our trip....somehow being in the real world has slowed me down. But in a way, I'm glad it took me this long as I've had a chance to reflect on our incredible adventure.

We were on the road for 137 days! I still can't believe I lasted that long. Seriously for someone who likes routine, it wasn't always easy. We traveled to 11 countries, stayed in 59 different hotel rooms, and traveled on 22 planes, 21 trains, 11 buses, 9 boats, 8 subway systems, and many more cabs, tuk tuks, and bikes than I can remember. That really just sounds insane! Luckily we both made it back in pretty good shape. We did have some great travel karma though - neither one of us got too sick, nothing was stolen, all we lost was a sweatshirt, and we hardly had any travel delays. We definitely got tired and homesick but we made it through....it helped that we had each other....and friends/family who met up with us along the way.

I really do have to say that the most important thing about a trip like this is travel compatibility....and lucky for us we travel well together. :) But I must say Darsh was a trooper when I had my moments of homesickness and just plain freaking out in general. Thanks Darsh - you will always amaze me with your ability to deal with the "crazy" me.

Since we've been back, people seem to ask the same questions so I figured I'd answer them here.

Is this something we've always wanted to do?
Well we both love traveling and I've always said I'd love to take a year off and travel....but honestly I don't think I ever thought it would really happen. We were given the gift of unemployment....at the same time. Things just fell into place and we took advantage of the situation. Yep - it really was that simple....well that and the fact that we don't have kids or a mortgage. :) No but seriously we both know how lucky we are to be able to do something like this and I'm thankful everyday.

What was our favorite place?

This is a really hard question as every place was so different. I can't answer for Darsh but I would say Siem Reap, Cambodia because it's so unique. Sunrise at Angkor Wat was one of the coolest things I've ever experienced and the Khmer people are so warm and have been through so much that you couldn't help but feel a strong emotional attachment. From a city perspective, I loved Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Barcelona. Then I also loved France and Ireland. You see why this is hard? I think I should just stop now before I list every city we visited!

What did we learn on this trip? Do we see life differently?

While I can't say that I had any "Wow this is totally life changing" moments, I definitely do see things from a different perspective. Now that I'm in the real world it's pretty easy to get back to your normal way of thinking....and living life in general....but I'm hoping that some of the "new" perspective I've gained will still stay with me.

You only live once....so just do it! And don't over think it.

We really only have one life to live so we might as well make the most of it. The over thinking - well this is hard for me. I over think everything. If I let myself, I can obsess about the smallest things. Honestly it isn't worth it....and it never changes anything. Bottom line - Life really doesn't have to be that complicated. Yes we will all face situations that we don't know how to deal with but in the end we somehow will figure out a way to deal....hopefully. That said, it's all about focus. If there is something you want to do....just do it. Everything else will fall into place. There were a million reasons why we shouldn't have taken the year off. Trust me I thought about them all - I'll be out of work for a year....what if I never get a job, especially since the economy is crap, what about the money?, shouldn't we save and buy a home?, we're getting older and shouldn't we settle down and have kids?, etc. It's never ending. And yes there are always reasons to go another path but it's all about what feels right for you. Everyone's path is different. I think we often forget that. I mean really if you had the opportunity would you want any regrets? Life ultimately is what you make of it.

See the world through the eyes of a child

When you finally stop thinking about all the unnecessary stuff, things are so much simpler. Once we got to that point it was amazing how much we really "saw". We were in the middle of countries not knowing anything - I mean we couldn't speak the language, we didn't know how to get around, we didn't know how to order food, we were forced to learn how to get by. It's kind of like a child experiencing everyday things. While this can get annoying at times it's such an eye-opening experience. We saw things in such a different light - we didn't know what to expect and we just let things happen. Sometimes it was good and sometimes it wasn't so good.... But in the end it forced us to look at things differently. We actually "saw" things that we would normally never see. Can you imagine waking up and seeing things as if it was the first time you saw them? It's pretty cool. We should all do it more often.

Appreciate what you have

This by far is the most important thing for me. Not "in a materialistic or what I've accomplished way". But the things I may have taken for granted at times - love and support from my beautiful family and friends, a home to live in, food to eat, clean water, freedom and the most amazing person I can share it all with, Darsh. I can go on forever. Not everyone has this which makes me sad but it's important to know because it reminds me of what I have....and what I am so thankful for.

So that's it. We definitely had the trip of a lifetime....and memories that will last forever. Thanks for reading!! Until our next big adventure. :)

xoxo

sej