It’s Been 27 Months, What’s Next?
You might think that the life of a traveller is just non-stop excitement… and on the whole, yes it is really amazing and for many a dream come true. On a day to day basis we see, do, and experience so many different things that we reach what I like to call a “traveller’s high”. For those of you that run, it’s like a runner’s high. Or do you remember that scene in The Rock when Nicolas Cage stabs a massive syringe of adrenaline into his chest? It’s sorta like that, without the dying for 10 seconds part. But after nearly 27 months (or 812 days or 3 pregnancies, not counting the year I worked in Australia) on the road I’m starting to feel like a travel drug addict. Where do I get my next high?
Getting high in Bolivia
If you stopped reading right now I would totally understand because I’m about to pose a conundrum that few people ever face: should I keep travelling the world or settle down somewhere?
In case you’re wondering, travel blogging is not a very good way of earning money. Yes, there are a select few who are able to make a living from it, but nowadays there are just too many travel bloggers trying to live the dream. As a result, it’s turned into a sort of movie star industry where only a few really make it to the top. But unlike the movie industry the top of the travel blogging world isn’t about fame and fortune, it’s about a lifestyle of travel and freedom. It’s not about the Benjamins, it’s about the experiences. Suffice to say, I’m not at the top (nor am I trying to be at the top); my highest earning month from this blog is less than US$8. Not exactly enough to live on.
…the travel blogging world isn’t about fame and fortune, it’s about a lifestyle of travel and freedom.
It’s also not enough for me to afford material items which I often see mentioned on social media. GTA 5 was released to the world today but unless I buy a PS3 system and the game, I don’t have a way of playing it. And trust me, I’m a huge fan of the series. But my aforementioned conundrum returns to the forefront every time I see a baby or wedding photo on Facebook. Keep travelling or settle down somewhere? Chicken bus or a Toyota? Wear the same shirt for a week or have a fresh one to wear everyday? Go to amazing places or live in an amazing place?
That’s not to say that settling down instantly means marriage and a baby. But on the other hand, a life of constant travel makes it difficult to cultivate deep relationships. Yes, I’ve made lifelong friends on the road but it’s different to a mate you meet for coffee regularly.
Still haven’t been to Africa nor Antarctica…
Decisions like this don’t come easy. But what I have decided is that I’ll keep travelling till I reach one. Oktoberfest in Munich. Croatia. Montenegro. Serbia. Bulgaria. Turkey. Maybe sub-Saharan Africa followed by Burma. Maybe I’ll get a job offer I can’t refuse. Who knows? The more you travel, the more you realize that the world is full of endless possibilities.