Hey all,
Due to myriad reasons, we have made the painstaking decision to come home early, despite which it has cost us an arm and a leg. I suppose due to a lack of thinking, at every fault of our own, and perhaps just being a little naïve about this whole travelling idea.
Adam is such a comfort zone person, that the thought of travelling has thrown his entire existence, which inevitably lead to constant negativity and ‘I wanna go home’ – which eventuated in our return back to Melbourne this September’s Father’s Day.
And, I suppose, out of my own flaws, such as impulsive spending and a retail addiction, and being as stubborn as a bull – ‘I wont let this skin condition stop me from doing anything’ – which, again, inevitably it did.
So to all those who loyally read our blogs and flicked through our copious pictures, we will be seeing you all again soon in the fantastic Melbourne.
We have had such a brilliant experience. We have both learnt so much, about ourselves; about life and just how culture cannot be changed, no matter how idealistic you are; about each other – we certainly know where egg shells and concrete flooring lay; about being an adult, being independent and having only yourself at times to rely on – no one to place the blame, to carry the entire brunt of burden on your own two shoulders, and to realise your limits – if you can’t do it, you can’t do it. I guess in terms of cultures, having a more solid understanding and education of it can make you more impartial to it, which in turn has made us realise how amazing our lives are back home, and that we have to take responsibility for our actions, and to create a life for ourselves – no one else can make it happen but yourself.
We have seen such amazing things, things some people will never get to see in their entire lives, and will never be able to comprehend the appreciation for being able to see these things. We have discovered so much about life – travelling is just so thought provoking that we will be coming home with new found appreciations, interests, respects, and hobbies too!
We have seen some things that have truly impacted our lives, and our thoughts and feelings. You walk past a beggar on the street – a woman, with two toddlers, and breastfeeding a new born. You see stray animals in the streets, and a cat has just given birth to a dozen kittens, all of which will be neglected. We have seen some cultures where there is a complete lack of care and respect for other people – like taking a penny from a person who is only worth a penny, and being satisfied that they are now 1 penny richer. And we complain about our mobile phones not working, or that there is no guest kitchen in the hostel so we have to eat out all the time. Its like our travelling was a complete walking contradiction. The entire experience of our travels we have come to call ‘the plastic cutlery lifestyle’, meaning we eat with plastic cutlery; we live out of a suitcase; we wear the same clothes because washing machine facilities cost 12 euro; we find bliss and pleasure in brushing our teeth; we have dry, brown feet from walking in thongs on dusty roads; we complain of the exhausting heat and insatiable hunger whilst strolling though a German concentration camp; we complain about our budget 4 euro steaks are undercooked; and we get annoyed when the tap water tastes bad, and riddled with disease that we have to spend 20 Dirham for a bottle of water. And all the while, we see people on our travels, which are far less fortunate than us, which we turn a blind eye to – you have to. It kills us, but you have to. There is just so much poverty and heartbreaking conditions of living, that you just cannot stop to help – it is something, I think, all travellers have come to do. But at the end of the day, as contradicting as it all is, it makes us appreciate how amazing our life is at home – and something we should never take as a given or for granted.
But I think most importantly, we have shared the experience together, and we have helped each other. We would always be at opposite ends of the dichotomy – always there to pick the other up, and catch them when they fall. And out of this, we both have obtained a very personal, independent and individual perception of our own lives, and now our futures seem so much clearer. It is nice to see clear goals, dreams and aspirations ahead of us – perhaps this time over, more realistic and plausible than before I had left. And also, that these dreams and goals are actually achievable.
We can’t wait to be home, but sad to be going. But so excited about what both represent for us.
Love u all, and we’ll be seeing you this weekend,
Ashleigh and Adam in Transit.x
Due to myriad reasons, we have made the painstaking decision to come home early, despite which it has cost us an arm and a leg. I suppose due to a lack of thinking, at every fault of our own, and perhaps just being a little naïve about this whole travelling idea.
Adam is such a comfort zone person, that the thought of travelling has thrown his entire existence, which inevitably lead to constant negativity and ‘I wanna go home’ – which eventuated in our return back to Melbourne this September’s Father’s Day.
And, I suppose, out of my own flaws, such as impulsive spending and a retail addiction, and being as stubborn as a bull – ‘I wont let this skin condition stop me from doing anything’ – which, again, inevitably it did.
So to all those who loyally read our blogs and flicked through our copious pictures, we will be seeing you all again soon in the fantastic Melbourne.
We have had such a brilliant experience. We have both learnt so much, about ourselves; about life and just how culture cannot be changed, no matter how idealistic you are; about each other – we certainly know where egg shells and concrete flooring lay; about being an adult, being independent and having only yourself at times to rely on – no one to place the blame, to carry the entire brunt of burden on your own two shoulders, and to realise your limits – if you can’t do it, you can’t do it. I guess in terms of cultures, having a more solid understanding and education of it can make you more impartial to it, which in turn has made us realise how amazing our lives are back home, and that we have to take responsibility for our actions, and to create a life for ourselves – no one else can make it happen but yourself.
We have seen such amazing things, things some people will never get to see in their entire lives, and will never be able to comprehend the appreciation for being able to see these things. We have discovered so much about life – travelling is just so thought provoking that we will be coming home with new found appreciations, interests, respects, and hobbies too!
We have seen some things that have truly impacted our lives, and our thoughts and feelings. You walk past a beggar on the street – a woman, with two toddlers, and breastfeeding a new born. You see stray animals in the streets, and a cat has just given birth to a dozen kittens, all of which will be neglected. We have seen some cultures where there is a complete lack of care and respect for other people – like taking a penny from a person who is only worth a penny, and being satisfied that they are now 1 penny richer. And we complain about our mobile phones not working, or that there is no guest kitchen in the hostel so we have to eat out all the time. Its like our travelling was a complete walking contradiction. The entire experience of our travels we have come to call ‘the plastic cutlery lifestyle’, meaning we eat with plastic cutlery; we live out of a suitcase; we wear the same clothes because washing machine facilities cost 12 euro; we find bliss and pleasure in brushing our teeth; we have dry, brown feet from walking in thongs on dusty roads; we complain of the exhausting heat and insatiable hunger whilst strolling though a German concentration camp; we complain about our budget 4 euro steaks are undercooked; and we get annoyed when the tap water tastes bad, and riddled with disease that we have to spend 20 Dirham for a bottle of water. And all the while, we see people on our travels, which are far less fortunate than us, which we turn a blind eye to – you have to. It kills us, but you have to. There is just so much poverty and heartbreaking conditions of living, that you just cannot stop to help – it is something, I think, all travellers have come to do. But at the end of the day, as contradicting as it all is, it makes us appreciate how amazing our life is at home – and something we should never take as a given or for granted.
But I think most importantly, we have shared the experience together, and we have helped each other. We would always be at opposite ends of the dichotomy – always there to pick the other up, and catch them when they fall. And out of this, we both have obtained a very personal, independent and individual perception of our own lives, and now our futures seem so much clearer. It is nice to see clear goals, dreams and aspirations ahead of us – perhaps this time over, more realistic and plausible than before I had left. And also, that these dreams and goals are actually achievable.
We can’t wait to be home, but sad to be going. But so excited about what both represent for us.
Love u all, and we’ll be seeing you this weekend,
Ashleigh and Adam in Transit.x
"Home Sweet Home"
I flew all the way to London,
And had dinner with the Queen,
But Big Ben just won’t cut it,
It’s not the best place I’ve been.
I then hopped along to Ireland,
And drank Guinness dressed in green,
But as high and wide as their great land goes,
It’s not the prettiest I’ve ever seen.
I then drank Scotch in Scotland,
In my kilt and tartan sweater,
But sorry Ness, you ain’t the best,
I know a place much, much better.
I ate croissants and crepes in Paris,
And climbed the Eiffel Tower,
But I like a place with nicer people,
The French are far too sour!
I mountaineered in Switzerland,
And paid my way in Francs,
But if I was asked to live here,
I’d politely say ‘No Thanks’.
I then sunbaked in Nice,
And drank wine in Millionaire Bay
But celebrities, villas, and paparazzi,
And mega yachts won’t make my day.
I drank Sangria’s in Barcelona
And tried to speak some Catalan,
But I would not stay, not one more day,
No matter how great my tan!
I lazed on the beach in Valencia,
And got in a big tomato fight,
But how long would I stay, you ask?
I’d only stay a night.
I joined the fiesta in Madrid,
Then partied the night away,
But salsa and tapas is just not for me,
Too spicy I’d have to say!
I rode a camel in Marrakech,
And loved chicha’s and Moroccan tea,
But as amazing and brilliant this place is,
It is certainly not home for me.
I’ve been around the world and found,
That no matter where I may roam,
Nothing beats Australia,
I flew all the way to London,
And had dinner with the Queen,
But Big Ben just won’t cut it,
It’s not the best place I’ve been.
I then hopped along to Ireland,
And drank Guinness dressed in green,
But as high and wide as their great land goes,
It’s not the prettiest I’ve ever seen.
I then drank Scotch in Scotland,
In my kilt and tartan sweater,
But sorry Ness, you ain’t the best,
I know a place much, much better.
I ate croissants and crepes in Paris,
And climbed the Eiffel Tower,
But I like a place with nicer people,
The French are far too sour!
I mountaineered in Switzerland,
And paid my way in Francs,
But if I was asked to live here,
I’d politely say ‘No Thanks’.
I then sunbaked in Nice,
And drank wine in Millionaire Bay
But celebrities, villas, and paparazzi,
And mega yachts won’t make my day.
I drank Sangria’s in Barcelona
And tried to speak some Catalan,
But I would not stay, not one more day,
No matter how great my tan!
I lazed on the beach in Valencia,
And got in a big tomato fight,
But how long would I stay, you ask?
I’d only stay a night.
I joined the fiesta in Madrid,
Then partied the night away,
But salsa and tapas is just not for me,
Too spicy I’d have to say!
I rode a camel in Marrakech,
And loved chicha’s and Moroccan tea,
But as amazing and brilliant this place is,
It is certainly not home for me.
I’ve been around the world and found,
That no matter where I may roam,
Nothing beats Australia,
The place that I call home.
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