It has now been 10 months since I landed with a bump back in Glasgow, after 18 months of travel in India and South East Asia. After some incredible experiences such as diving in Borneo, being part of Kumbh Mela in India, trekking through jungle in Malaysia and partying more than a little bit in Thailand I was well prepared for being back home to be a shock to the system. And Ill be honest. It was, in many ways. Readjusting to life in the west, the cost of living, peoples attitudes and the routine of daily life definitely was difficult, and the experience wasn't without its emotional moments.
However things quickly settled down and I ve realised that being home in Glasgow for the first time in almost 10 years has been as much of an adventure as anything else I have done. Being back has allowed to me to really learn alot about who I am, what I want , the things that will make me happy and the things that wont. I now feel more confident about the choices I make and the things that are right for me,and am not nearly so concerned with what other people think.
It has been a wonderful opportunity to spend time with the people who are most important to me in the world, and the people who I know will be with me, in my heart and soul wherever I go and whatever I do. Ive learned alot about friendship too and realised that there are some people who will stay in your life forever, but many who simply wont. You grow apart, you change and you move on with life. And thats OK.
Ive spent quality time with family,watching my beautiful niece and nephew grow taller, hanging out with my 3 beautiful amazing sisters and my ever supportive and loving parents. Ive made new friends, Ive had some fabulous times with old friends, and I ve definitely done some interesting work, and found myself in places I never dreamed I would be. Ive also lost some friends, for various reasons, but the good times we had together and the moments we shared will stay with me forever.
Through all this the one thing I ve realised is that for now, 9 to 5 and living in the West is not for me. Thats not to say it doesn't have its good points, or that I'll never be back. Im sure I will. People have often said to me that I need to get back to reality at some point. My question is why does my reality have to be the same as theirs? Surely by doing what you want to do and achieving the things you want to achieve you are living exactly in your own reality? maybe thats a convenient excuse for being a dirty backpacker but its keeping me happy for now!!
So, on the 8th October Im off to San Francisco, where I hope to catch up with some friends and enjoy some city living before heading south to Mexico, then on to Guatemala for a few months. But who knows what might happen in between. I dont know what lies ahead, I dont know who I'll meet, where I'll end up or what will happen. But one thing is for sure. It'll be an adventure. Because life always is, no matter where you are or what you do.
