I am out of here on Monday for Sydney, AU. I'm still floating on air that the day is arriving. I just received my Yellow Fever booster (ouch) and have my Malaria pills (ready for a psychotic episode per the medication side effects), purchased the travel insurance, received the final 15 page travel itinerary from my travel agent, met for coffee contacts at Hosteling International and was provided awesome insight that answered my insecurity questions, watched the video documentary "A Map for Saturday" which made my laugh and cry and finally settling into the reality that I have yet to pack. Gotta love the procrastinator in me.
You will be seeing alot of my travel gnome so help me give him a name. Suggestions?
The parentals are not too excited that I chose their dining room as my house hold goods storage space but Dad loves the set up I did for him in the den so I think they will adjust. Good thing I finally said goodbye to the armoir, lordy it was so big it would block the sun.
The parentals are not too excited that I chose their dining room as my house hold goods storage space but Dad loves the set up I did for him in the den so I think they will adjust. Good thing I finally said goodbye to the armoir, lordy it was so big it would block the sun.For those patiently awaiting the Final Itinerary of my trip here goes:
Jan 10, 2011 Houston Hobby, American Eagle to DFW
DFW to LAX (first class....sweet) OneWorld tickets rock!
LAX to Sidney, AU (I depart Houston at 2:55 pm on Monday and arrive at 9:25am on Wednesday. A bit of a long journey.
Feb 14, 2011 Sydney, AU to Auckland, NZ
March 1, 2011 Auckland to Sydney to Singapore, Malaysia
March 18, 2011 Singapore to Bangkok, Thailand
April 4th, 2011 Bangkok to Hong Kong, China
May 2, 2011 Hong Kong to Tokyo, Japan
May 30, 2011 Tokyo to Delhi, India
June 30, 2011 Delhi to Capetown, South Africa
July 11, 2011 Capetown to London for the final months to experience Europe via rail.
All this on a simple 15 page itinerary that in and of itself is a very flexible schedule of my whereabouts during the year.
I have been researching various avenues of how to document my experience, economize and profit during this adventure. I mentioned earlier in this blog a DVD that I was given called "A Map for Saturday". When I called the local Hosteling International in Houston to get my membership locally before I left; I received an invitation to coffee by the local Bluebonnet Council of Hosteling International volunteers. They answered all my questions and calmed my concerns related to what this experience could be. Believe it or not I have had a rather calm composure which most of you are shaking your heads....but all the right people have come into my life at the right times to get me to this place of peace with myself. My folks still see me as neurotic but I will always be that in their eye's. Their crazy, little to the left, middle child. Always into something or stirring up trouble just for the fun of it to get some attention or keep myself entertained. The documentary is of a younger me come to realize that his life is ahead of him and wanted to go travel before he got all bogged down with life. I fortunately arrived at this place later in life and found the unbogging of my life enriching. I think I arrived finally with the right frame of mind, the right life experiences under my belt, the financial comfort that so many are struggling with in this unfortunate economy, health, and no baggage except that which I plan to pack tomorrow and then 12 more times until I leave for the airport on Monday.
Talk about a total mindset change. Only pack as a minimalist not as a hypochondriac for all occasions. Here's an enlightenment...packing square cut swim trunks instead of tighty whitey's or boxer briefs as they can be washed out nightly, dried overnight and make you look HOT on the Aussie beaches. Taking 2 band aides, no shampoo/conditioner and a sarong I got in Greece that can be used as a beach/shower towel, a bed sheet to keep the bed bugs at bay and a toga for the impromptu party at the Hostel. I was reminded that 2 band aides would keep the immediate wound addressed until I got to the Pharmacy for medical attention if required, the box was overkill. I will always be arriving in each new country to a short, luxurious hotel stay prior to locating economical lodging which will ensure toiletries that can be garnered for ongoing lodging uses.
Thanks all for coming along for the adventure/FUN.
G-Night
WOW can't wait to follow you in this incredible adventure.
ReplyDeleteI'll be there along the way iof you ever need a friend to talk to.
ReplyDeleteJoleen