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?

Bolivia - La Paz - Chacaltaya

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.

travel_map

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.

After an extended period of travel, were you ready to settle down or did you want to carry on?

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