Where to?
We are getting close to day 1000 since we left on this…trip turned adventure turned a chunk of our lives.
Often lately I wish I was one of the kids and could take all of this at face value. Day by day, whatever happens, life is grand, just throw me a Lego or a book from time to time.
And I did. For the most part.
The closer we are coming to the end, the more I remember all the things I wanted to escape in the first place. Now I can spot them, sitting dusty and smelling of old books, right there in the darkness that is awaiting at the end of this long and well lit tunnel.
I did not need to know where we are going, but I am starting to wonder where we are returning to.
And why.
It’s probably going to suck.
Yep
Ha Jill, I was thinking the same thing:)
Why/when is it going to end?
I definitely recommend setting up shop in a new country or at least different part of old one when you do settle down. Then everything will still be new and interesting for at least a year (ok for you, maybe three months). Or, what about going back to Bulgaria and being near you family?
I have often wondered the same thing.. and will you be content to settle down again somewhere for an extended period of time… and what will that look and feel like for you guys and the kids… wonder if it will be returned back home to Aussie or landing a new home discovered on the travels…. And when it will be??? Best of luck and can’t wait to hopefully see you sometime soon!!
We are capable of slow traveling for a very long time, unfortunately we have reached our budget and it is time to look at the reality of it all and stop and make some money. Soon.
I am really not sure how I will handle this for various reasons. I think a new spot will definitely make the process a bit easier – for awhile.
And best case scenario will be – I have a brain transplant and become a person that can spin this experience to no end and make money of itself.
Well, when you figure that one out (the making money part) let me know and I’ll join you!
In the meantime, you could always try living here in PA….
I suspect a touch of depression is only natural at this stage and I’d watch out for that when you do settle down for a bit. I am curious if the hubby and kids are on the same page or if any of them is getting antsy to put some roots down somewhere? Since only the kids are really from Australia it does seem like the whole world is open for residence. Just for fun, where would be your top three potential new home locations and why?
Ainlay, I will let you know ;)
Liz, yes, I am not surprised. Pretty much expected to deal with some of this. The rest of the family do not seem to suffer at all about the impending stillness. The kids can go either way easily. Mr.Blab says it will be hard, but I don’t see it. Every time we stop he is happy as a champ. I would throw him in the kids category on this issue.
Top three home locations? Hard question. I would love to spend a year in Iceland. A fascinating place with a mentality that I would be interested in exploring. And I could go to hot springs every day!
Spain is lovely. Great food and open and friendly people – not sure what more one needs. I did develop a connection there to people and places.
I think I could live easily in any of the Southern European countries, really.
Ireland is great, both people and land, but too much rain. Japan deserves much longer time, but I don’t think I could ever live there long term. Asia as a whole as well, very interesting, wonderful to travel through, but I don’t see myself living there forever.
Bulgaria? Not as unlikely as it was, lets say, 5 years ago. Eastern Europe has a special appeal to me, and always will. Plus, would love for my kids to finally learn my language ;)
Look, I wrote so much, only to say, I cant answer the question easily. I could live anywhere, and I have not found the one personal mecca so far.
I think you just found your book title! Personal Mecca (:
Only if you are going to be my editor, Liz.
“Searching for Mecca.” If you decide to write a book (and I won’t be offended if you don’t use my title suggestion), I will definitely buy it! If nothing else, please chronicle your re-entry for all of your long-term followers. :)
Anne, if I ever write a book it will be because of people like you, who keep on encouraging me to. For which I thank you.
I always have plans for sharing things here, unfortunately lately it has not been easy flowing.
Oh, you do not sound too good – and let me be honest, I have felt that for quite a while reading your ever thinning posts…
To me, much more interesting than “Where do you want to settle down?” is “What will you do for a living?” Because, the back-to-reality-thing of it all is that ordinary people have to work for their money. And that is what is really bothering you, because you do not see a way to do this happily, am I right?
After all, if you would find out what you really want to do to make a living, you would know of course where exactly you could do that. Especially if everyone else in your family seems not to care about that question :-)
Does Mr Blab have a job to return to?
Jenny, yes, it is not the spot that is bothering me so much, it is the thought of the daily, and hard to avoid, rut that is crippling me. Seems deadly after the experiences of the last 900 odd days.
So the questions is more like “where to…in life?”
As usual, a pleasure to hear from you.
No, no jobs waiting.
Well, if no one is waiting for you, what speaks against setting up camp anywhere in the Americas and collecting enough bucks to get on to the next place? No daily toiling in the ever same routines, but just trying out what suits you for as long as want to. Should not be too hard anywhere south of the US, so long as it’s warm and sunny :-)
Nothing at first glance.
A few things when I think about it more practically. Visa issues, if we want to work on the spot. And as far as online, I still have not figured out how to tackle that beast without doing things I consider… unsavory.
I am sure there is a way, I am just obviously too thick to think of it.
Warm and sunny will come just right about now ;)
I can’t even imagine your families nomadic existence coming to an end so I can only imagine what it must feel like for you, who is going through it all!
If you write a book I would be so on board with purchasing a copy. Your experience is one that I constantly tell people about. What you have done with your family these last 900 odd days – unplugging yourselves from the static lives most of us end up living – is just simply brilliant and inspiring to people such as myself.
I really hope you find that special place that you can just sit still in for a while and take a breath before deciding what to do from here. Whatever it is, I would be privileged if you continue to share it all with us.
Felicity, thank you! For everything – for your words, for taking the time to write them, for giving me free promotion, for encouraging me and generally for sticking around even when I am not the best blogger. Thank you.