Blog That Waited
So this was written just as we got to New Zealand and was supposed to go up as we left Auckland which was half way through our trip, but we've been too busy which is of course a good thing. Anyway, we thought it was time for a few points of general reflection ...
1. Being together whenever - to the many who thought the idea of spending 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 6 months was crazy - not so. Beyond the need for further explanation, why would I not want to spend every waking minute with an intelligent, open minded, sexy, gorgeous man? Admittedly I wouldn´t want to spend that amount of time with me, but fortunately for me Steve doesn´t seem to see it that way. But you should know I don´t take for granted how lucky I am.
2. Homesickness - not going to happen. We really miss people and look forward to seeing them a.s.a.p., wishing they were here (and of course until New Zealand, Steve was of course missing his cereal) but otherwise we have absolutely no desire to go home and time is passing way too quickly. Not entirely sure why this is so emphatically the case, but perhaps partly due to the following 2 points.
3. Style - we´re travelling in relative luxury. The travelling we´ve done in smaller chunks over the last 7 years has included some seriously out of comfort zone moments, especially on mountains. We could never even aspire to Doug Scott levels, but for our aspirations we´ve certainly been challenged at times. This will no doubt happen again when we get to Nepal, but thus far, its been a breeze in comparison.
4. UK - every new place we visit shows me another reason why the UK sucks (Steve thinks this is too harsh, but he´s nicer than me). Ok I'll put it a nicer way. Everywhere we've been does/has at least one thing better than the UK does/has the same.
5. Patriotism - we have managed to come up with a list of 3 things that count as current, justifiable prides of Britain - the BBC (web and world only) music, (and as we're emphasising "current", music only just makes it!) and the fact that we and most of Europe are signed up to the Mine Ban Treaty (Ottawa convention) - shame on the US, India, China, Russia and the other 35 countries yet to sign.
6. Learning - I had a huge list here of things we've learnt and it has got even longer since I wrote it in New Zealand, so suffice to say we've learnt a LOT.
7. Change - this trip won´t change us. We both already changed through travelling, particularly with our first trip to Nepal which really (and surprisingly) affected us. I guess some might say that will make this trip less of an experience, but I disagree. I think it makes us better able to appreciate what we're doing and to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves. The more places we visit, the more we are able to see a place in its global context, the more interrelations we see in development and, both heartening and frustrating, the more commonalities between cultures, characters, beliefs. Hence, perhaps, comes the expression "travel broadens the mind" (sorry Giles) - I will always believe this to be true, but I am not a little biaised! It is probably fair to say this trip has however, pushed us further down paths we had already started to follow.
8. Granny chair collection expansion. Apologies to those who know me well who've heard this many times. I figure that if I am fortunate enough to live to a grand old age (so 90+ before my dear friends start thinking down the "you already have" lines!) and still have my faculties, then there will come a time when at the very best, my eyesight will be too bad to watch TV and the opportunities for discussion will be limited and I'll be left with my memories and thoughts. (I must add I don't think this is a negative or depressing thought, but a realistic reminder that makes me appreciate every passing day!)
I don't believe at this time that my thoughts will turn to cars I've driven, houses I've lived in, clothes I've worn, gadgets I've owned etc etc, even if I win the lottery between now and then and can buy the most expensive version of everything - I'm pretty sure those thoughts will instead turn to the people I've loved and admired and the things I've seen and done. I've already been incredibly lucky with the people in my life and had some amazing memories that I can go to in my mind: walking through the sique to get that first glimpse of Petra's treasury, being waltzed through the streets of Florence in the pouring rain by Steve singing "That's Amore", standing on top of Mera Peak looking over at Chomolongma (Mount Everest). This trip has provided some incredible additions to that collection and even if I'm not fortunate enough to reach that grand old age, I can certainly say I've certainly been filling the unforgiving minutes I've had! Priceless.
Mandi
1. Being together whenever - to the many who thought the idea of spending 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 6 months was crazy - not so. Beyond the need for further explanation, why would I not want to spend every waking minute with an intelligent, open minded, sexy, gorgeous man? Admittedly I wouldn´t want to spend that amount of time with me, but fortunately for me Steve doesn´t seem to see it that way. But you should know I don´t take for granted how lucky I am.
2. Homesickness - not going to happen. We really miss people and look forward to seeing them a.s.a.p., wishing they were here (and of course until New Zealand, Steve was of course missing his cereal) but otherwise we have absolutely no desire to go home and time is passing way too quickly. Not entirely sure why this is so emphatically the case, but perhaps partly due to the following 2 points.
3. Style - we´re travelling in relative luxury. The travelling we´ve done in smaller chunks over the last 7 years has included some seriously out of comfort zone moments, especially on mountains. We could never even aspire to Doug Scott levels, but for our aspirations we´ve certainly been challenged at times. This will no doubt happen again when we get to Nepal, but thus far, its been a breeze in comparison.
4. UK - every new place we visit shows me another reason why the UK sucks (Steve thinks this is too harsh, but he´s nicer than me). Ok I'll put it a nicer way. Everywhere we've been does/has at least one thing better than the UK does/has the same.
5. Patriotism - we have managed to come up with a list of 3 things that count as current, justifiable prides of Britain - the BBC (web and world only) music, (and as we're emphasising "current", music only just makes it!) and the fact that we and most of Europe are signed up to the Mine Ban Treaty (Ottawa convention) - shame on the US, India, China, Russia and the other 35 countries yet to sign.
6. Learning - I had a huge list here of things we've learnt and it has got even longer since I wrote it in New Zealand, so suffice to say we've learnt a LOT.
7. Change - this trip won´t change us. We both already changed through travelling, particularly with our first trip to Nepal which really (and surprisingly) affected us. I guess some might say that will make this trip less of an experience, but I disagree. I think it makes us better able to appreciate what we're doing and to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves. The more places we visit, the more we are able to see a place in its global context, the more interrelations we see in development and, both heartening and frustrating, the more commonalities between cultures, characters, beliefs. Hence, perhaps, comes the expression "travel broadens the mind" (sorry Giles) - I will always believe this to be true, but I am not a little biaised! It is probably fair to say this trip has however, pushed us further down paths we had already started to follow.
8. Granny chair collection expansion. Apologies to those who know me well who've heard this many times. I figure that if I am fortunate enough to live to a grand old age (so 90+ before my dear friends start thinking down the "you already have" lines!) and still have my faculties, then there will come a time when at the very best, my eyesight will be too bad to watch TV and the opportunities for discussion will be limited and I'll be left with my memories and thoughts. (I must add I don't think this is a negative or depressing thought, but a realistic reminder that makes me appreciate every passing day!)
I don't believe at this time that my thoughts will turn to cars I've driven, houses I've lived in, clothes I've worn, gadgets I've owned etc etc, even if I win the lottery between now and then and can buy the most expensive version of everything - I'm pretty sure those thoughts will instead turn to the people I've loved and admired and the things I've seen and done. I've already been incredibly lucky with the people in my life and had some amazing memories that I can go to in my mind: walking through the sique to get that first glimpse of Petra's treasury, being waltzed through the streets of Florence in the pouring rain by Steve singing "That's Amore", standing on top of Mera Peak looking over at Chomolongma (Mount Everest). This trip has provided some incredible additions to that collection and even if I'm not fortunate enough to reach that grand old age, I can certainly say I've certainly been filling the unforgiving minutes I've had! Priceless.
Mandi
Labels: "around the world", travel, trip
posted by MandiB at
11:51
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