“Happiness is only true when shared”
Christopher McCandless
The change
With the arrival of 2012 I have to admit that I’ve been losing that “holiday feeling” the last couple of weeks and started to accept this as a way of life with its ups, downs, daily chores and challenges. I’m pleased to say that generally its more ups than downs and more fun than chores and almost every day is still an adventure, but it feels less like a holiday each day.
At the end of each day as I have a shower or crawl into my sleeping bag if camping wild I think or say “eind goed alles goed” which means “all’s well that ends well”. Which leads to a content warm feeling inside knowing that I can tick off yet another day as a succes despite the days hardships or challenges. So far every day has been a succes which is really nice, more than 60 good days already in the pocket, something nobody can ever take from me and something more people should long for and achieve.
And so the journey starts…….
One of my biggest worries before this trip was dealing with the loneliness and the need to talk to people which I’ve experienced on previous trips. However I’m experiencing the opposite this time round, the more time I travel alone the more I want to be alone (best company and conversation in town…). Though at the same time treasure contact with the outside world via my site and social media.
I’m finding it more difficult listening to other peoples nonsense and daily problems and empty conversations and have no wish to repeat my own story for the 10th time that day. I find myself making an effort at backpackers to interact with other people to make sure I don’t get totally detached from society because I assume that’s the smart thing to do. Often I’d like nothing more than to just hide somewhere with a book away from prying eyes and empty discussions. Luckily from time to time I meet really nice people who ask other questions than the ones on my FAQ list which restore my faith in human contact.
I think the coming weeks will bring a turning point in my relationship with myself and the outside world (or maybe that point has already arrived). This never was going to be a journey from A to B but I’m pleasantly surprised to find out that the personal journey has also started and I’m very curious to see where this is all going………..
I’m sure the coming 6-8 weeks cycling through the barren lands of Northern South Africa and Namibia in the summer heat above 40 degrees will give me the time alone I need and leave me longing once again for human contact.
Or will it……………?
Shane,
Glad to hear the trip is still going well after sixty days. I’ve been on the road for 100 days today and can completely sympathise with your feelings of loneliness. I find myself longing to be alone if I spend too long in company. Enjoy the long roads of Namibia, as you get further north I’m sure you will start craving the ability to just stop by the road and not be surrounded!!
Best,
Will
P.S I’m headed towards DRC in the coming month so if you do want any info/help then drop me a line and I’ll do my best to help. Safe cycling.
Wow, you moving:), would love to here from you about your DRC tips:)
Take care and enjoy it!!
Sounds like things are going well for you. It’s hard to believe you’ve been out there this long already. I love reading your stories and am looking forward to hearing more. Wishing you all the best as you begin this next segment in your journey!
Time flies when your having fun:) Hope you’re not too snowed in:)
Very interesting to read what goes on in the mind on a journey like this. Many travel reports tell us about the world around the traveller, few tell us about what the journey really does to the traveller, to the mind and body. Keep informing us about the psychological side of travelling during your adventures. It makes it easier to imagine what it would be like to experience an adventure like this. I’m getting quite inspired! Oh, and could you send a bit of sunshine? Bloody storms…
Thanks for the positive feedback Richard. I too found this to be a missing element in many blogs and hopefully from time to time I can tell this side of the story.