It may be something that you strive for while making that sale, meeting the forecasted target dictated to you by your company, work a second job, re-mortgage your home and forego renovations, or perhaps, even take out a loan. You wait for It and It gives you something to look forward to and you work towards It. You calculate, you consult with your loved ones, you coordinate and weigh your options to accommodate all involved . Day after day, week after week; watching that clock, and budgeting. You fill your days with all that is life, in the meantime, but all the while planning that "It"- whatever It may be. Booking your "time off," with the career you are married to; you negotiate. You and friends, lovers or family. You speak to agents or research online and confirm It. You double check; you state your credit card number several times, and you committ to It: that weekend, week, or for those fortunate ones, a month or longer. The hours and efforts are invested. And again, you cross off the days on the office or home calendar.
Next, you make lists of what to pack, what bills to pay beforehand and plan endlessly for It. You converse with your neighbour or colleagues and compare options, views and you share experiences -never evading opinions and suggestions proudly, of past trips you've travelled and how much value there is in It.
By now you understand what "It" is. Travel: it is something in your sights and is part of your goals. Goals for togetherness for your family unit that brings you closer, or on the other spectrum, it is a goal to experience life as an individual while inevitably connecting with strangers. As a result memories form, thereafter, and the people involved bare witness to your experiences, which further enriches the journey and has long lasting effect. Year after year, or every second year, as it may be, travel and the plans keep you going and you repeat as needed - or as allowed.
Finally, you would think, you go, you experience travel and the world.... and this is life. This is the good life.
Yet, "It" is not final because you return HOME... and there is nothing sweeter.
When one travels endlessly, as I do, I feel that an important part of this process is missing somewhat, but I will not dare complain. Home is where the heart is.
Sharing soon : Vacation to Seychelles and Bali!
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Life: Presently LOUD
Have you ever experienced life in such fast motion, and after time you just want it louder and louder - in your heart, your ears, your eyes; your photographic memory? Your NOW. That is the building aftermath of the continuous experiences compiled in my mind at present. I haven't written for quite some time and cannot begin to catch myself, or you, my small "audience," up. I am "riding solo" and one might deplore but is powerless to prevent the inevitable: I am in love with this adventure. I find myself fighting it and half of me wants to settle down, in the traditional sense, and leave this journey behind. Perhaps my "worlds" will meet at some point as the adventurous, open, and forever hard to hold, side of me, continues to search for that life which tames me. Until then, I travel and search this "one life".
Post - vacation to Vancouver, British Columbia, my beloved home, I am not slowing down, quite surprisingly. The nostalgic, full of familiarity, time spent with loving family and friends, sharing unforgettable moments and reminiscing whilst creating new memories. I was surrounded by people I love so dearly and was reconnected with old friends too. It meant the world to me. I know what true love is and am the luckiest girl in the world. The holiday season has renewed energy within and the reunions are poignant and embedded. How can I live a world away from my "roots"? As torn as I may be, upon relection, I know there is such support. My love is reciprocated and it is vivid.
I continue, "keeping up and keeping on". I am meeting like- minded people and expanding my learning and am wide eyed! Perhaps pushing the limits a bit, but becoming accustomed to continuous newness and excitement.
Since my last writing, I returned from Seoul, Korea and my amazing vacation to my hometown. How beautifully eventful life has been since. I am not sure where to begin! I have operated several "repeat" flights and some new; Johannesburg, South Africa and Munich, Germany, for example. All have been spectacular, memorable and continuously inspiring.
To keep some sort of focused timeline and to have a beginning stepping stone to current date, as time astonishingly brings me to the month of February, allow me to begin with New Years' Eve!
I touched down, returning to Dubai, from "Hanging out in Hong Kong;" a bonding - with -crew, two-day layover that consisted of firstly, letting off steam with four pilots from Air Berlin and some crazy Australian gals, a Czech gal and a Spanish friend, and the night eventually wound me down to wake up to an extremely funfilled day at the Hong Kong Disneyland! An adventure with a cool girl from Egypt. Quite the kalaidescope of company and sights.
Back in Dubai; New Years Eve - I forced myself to gather some energy, put on a party dress and complete the outfit with dreaded heels. I was to meet up with my dear friend, Monaco, and join her at a house party. With only an hour to get to my 20 minute - away destination, I flagged a taxi. After much arguing and changing of routes, it was fruitless to think I would make it to my friends' venue before midnight. The taxi driver and I quit debating and it was inevitable that we would be watching the fireworks together. We were abruptly and rudely stopped on a five lane highway on Sheik Zayed Road, in front of the Burj Khalifa. Ten minutes to midnight. I stepped outside for a moment and dialed my friends to tell them I'd join them after midnight for a belated celebration. It may be hours before I could reach them as the city was shut down!
At that moment a man on a motorcycle approached me and devilishly asked me if I wanted a ride. Under other circumstances I would not be an advocate for such risks - actually, that is not true, I weighed my options and being a complete motorcycle loving, risk - taker, I jumped on in my short dress and bore my heels onto the pegs. We zipped in and out of traffic and I watched the fireworks from the back of this gentleman's bike! It was straight out of a movie! He was an excellent rider and for some reason I felt safe speeding down the highway without a helmet. (Thinking consciously later, I can vow that I will be smarter next time and care for my safety!) It was an amazing and unforgettable night. Most often spontainiety is the perfect recipe for the making of a memory and I was thrilled to have allowed myself to enjoy that adventure! The rest of the night - into the morning is history...
Speaking of adventures, I recently returned from a Sydney, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand operational. The six - day layover was incredible. The flights were a breeze and I had company along one sector. A friend booked himself on my flight as he was on his way home to Auckland, for leave. We met up in Auckland and he showed me some very beautiful sights. It is summer in the South Pacific and with the warm weather I had feelings of being on vacation! We shared an amazing meal at a cozy and hip outdoor bistro that had a sensational menu, complete with New Zealand wine. The night ended with Champagne and many laughs.
The morning of this 24 hour layover, I was surprised by said friend, with a car ride to the country. This journey brought us to Auckland SKYDIVE! I was stunned and didn't have a chance, even if I thought for a brief second, that I could get out of this one! Even though I have been waiting for this moment, I went through all the usual emotions; denial, shock, perhaps even anger, to name a few. Before long I was grinning ear to ear and with an incredibly goofy smile fixed on my face, we suited up! After absorbing only a fraction of the instructions presented to us, we boarded the small aircraft and took off. The scene was incredible; I mean the scene and the scenery! My friend and I were the only "tourists" that day and we went up with avid jumpers who were happy to be going up for a leisurely dive on our dime. The crew knew we were used to high altitudes and upon our stunned agreeance, took us a little higher than I think was legal (don't quote me) and they extended our freefall even though this was both, our first jump! Hell yeah!
I cannot begin to explain the details of each and every moment. My tandem instructor was brilliant. Sam is from the UK and resides in New Zealand where he jumps on some days and surfs the other days. I am not sure what he does at night, but no doubt it is condusive to his rush seeking! We were the last to jump out of the six chutes. I watched each and every jumper get themselves to the edge of the open doors and push off! The anticipation heightened my experience and I became more and more expectant as my turn neared! We shimmied over to the edge, Sam and I, my breath caught and I concentrated on arching my back and looking up. We dropped! I watched the white, gleaming plane above us become smaller and smaller as we plummeted downward. I tried to breathe and then relaxed into it; even finding myself smiling as I took in the sights; the sparkling coastline, the beautiful landscape, the fluffy clouds and the colourful parachutes below. After about 45 to 55 seconds the chute was pulled and the sensation was such a rush, as I was able to comprehend what just happened, and all became quiet in my ears. There was a camera in my face, which is bitter-sweet. Bitter because I am camera shy and wanted to be only aware of sky and the earth. Sweet because when I watch the video I cannot stop rolling around on the ground, laughing, and the memory rushes back all at once, all over again. Incredible!
I owe many, many thanks to the weather -gods that day, and more importantly, to my friend who made this amazing day happen for us. Thank you, H! We shared something that I will never forget - a pinnacle experience engraved! I certainly feel very alive and even with that thrilling jump fresh in my mind, and another jump in my sights, my new travel buddy and I vow to top that expedition. Perhaps a surfing school vacation in Bali or the South of France, or a cable car bungee "flight" in South Africa... I am off to do some research!!
Post - vacation to Vancouver, British Columbia, my beloved home, I am not slowing down, quite surprisingly. The nostalgic, full of familiarity, time spent with loving family and friends, sharing unforgettable moments and reminiscing whilst creating new memories. I was surrounded by people I love so dearly and was reconnected with old friends too. It meant the world to me. I know what true love is and am the luckiest girl in the world. The holiday season has renewed energy within and the reunions are poignant and embedded. How can I live a world away from my "roots"? As torn as I may be, upon relection, I know there is such support. My love is reciprocated and it is vivid.
I continue, "keeping up and keeping on". I am meeting like- minded people and expanding my learning and am wide eyed! Perhaps pushing the limits a bit, but becoming accustomed to continuous newness and excitement.
Since my last writing, I returned from Seoul, Korea and my amazing vacation to my hometown. How beautifully eventful life has been since. I am not sure where to begin! I have operated several "repeat" flights and some new; Johannesburg, South Africa and Munich, Germany, for example. All have been spectacular, memorable and continuously inspiring.
To keep some sort of focused timeline and to have a beginning stepping stone to current date, as time astonishingly brings me to the month of February, allow me to begin with New Years' Eve!
I touched down, returning to Dubai, from "Hanging out in Hong Kong;" a bonding - with -crew, two-day layover that consisted of firstly, letting off steam with four pilots from Air Berlin and some crazy Australian gals, a Czech gal and a Spanish friend, and the night eventually wound me down to wake up to an extremely funfilled day at the Hong Kong Disneyland! An adventure with a cool girl from Egypt. Quite the kalaidescope of company and sights.
Back in Dubai; New Years Eve - I forced myself to gather some energy, put on a party dress and complete the outfit with dreaded heels. I was to meet up with my dear friend, Monaco, and join her at a house party. With only an hour to get to my 20 minute - away destination, I flagged a taxi. After much arguing and changing of routes, it was fruitless to think I would make it to my friends' venue before midnight. The taxi driver and I quit debating and it was inevitable that we would be watching the fireworks together. We were abruptly and rudely stopped on a five lane highway on Sheik Zayed Road, in front of the Burj Khalifa. Ten minutes to midnight. I stepped outside for a moment and dialed my friends to tell them I'd join them after midnight for a belated celebration. It may be hours before I could reach them as the city was shut down!
At that moment a man on a motorcycle approached me and devilishly asked me if I wanted a ride. Under other circumstances I would not be an advocate for such risks - actually, that is not true, I weighed my options and being a complete motorcycle loving, risk - taker, I jumped on in my short dress and bore my heels onto the pegs. We zipped in and out of traffic and I watched the fireworks from the back of this gentleman's bike! It was straight out of a movie! He was an excellent rider and for some reason I felt safe speeding down the highway without a helmet. (Thinking consciously later, I can vow that I will be smarter next time and care for my safety!) It was an amazing and unforgettable night. Most often spontainiety is the perfect recipe for the making of a memory and I was thrilled to have allowed myself to enjoy that adventure! The rest of the night - into the morning is history...
Speaking of adventures, I recently returned from a Sydney, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand operational. The six - day layover was incredible. The flights were a breeze and I had company along one sector. A friend booked himself on my flight as he was on his way home to Auckland, for leave. We met up in Auckland and he showed me some very beautiful sights. It is summer in the South Pacific and with the warm weather I had feelings of being on vacation! We shared an amazing meal at a cozy and hip outdoor bistro that had a sensational menu, complete with New Zealand wine. The night ended with Champagne and many laughs.
The morning of this 24 hour layover, I was surprised by said friend, with a car ride to the country. This journey brought us to Auckland SKYDIVE! I was stunned and didn't have a chance, even if I thought for a brief second, that I could get out of this one! Even though I have been waiting for this moment, I went through all the usual emotions; denial, shock, perhaps even anger, to name a few. Before long I was grinning ear to ear and with an incredibly goofy smile fixed on my face, we suited up! After absorbing only a fraction of the instructions presented to us, we boarded the small aircraft and took off. The scene was incredible; I mean the scene and the scenery! My friend and I were the only "tourists" that day and we went up with avid jumpers who were happy to be going up for a leisurely dive on our dime. The crew knew we were used to high altitudes and upon our stunned agreeance, took us a little higher than I think was legal (don't quote me) and they extended our freefall even though this was both, our first jump! Hell yeah!
I cannot begin to explain the details of each and every moment. My tandem instructor was brilliant. Sam is from the UK and resides in New Zealand where he jumps on some days and surfs the other days. I am not sure what he does at night, but no doubt it is condusive to his rush seeking! We were the last to jump out of the six chutes. I watched each and every jumper get themselves to the edge of the open doors and push off! The anticipation heightened my experience and I became more and more expectant as my turn neared! We shimmied over to the edge, Sam and I, my breath caught and I concentrated on arching my back and looking up. We dropped! I watched the white, gleaming plane above us become smaller and smaller as we plummeted downward. I tried to breathe and then relaxed into it; even finding myself smiling as I took in the sights; the sparkling coastline, the beautiful landscape, the fluffy clouds and the colourful parachutes below. After about 45 to 55 seconds the chute was pulled and the sensation was such a rush, as I was able to comprehend what just happened, and all became quiet in my ears. There was a camera in my face, which is bitter-sweet. Bitter because I am camera shy and wanted to be only aware of sky and the earth. Sweet because when I watch the video I cannot stop rolling around on the ground, laughing, and the memory rushes back all at once, all over again. Incredible!
I owe many, many thanks to the weather -gods that day, and more importantly, to my friend who made this amazing day happen for us. Thank you, H! We shared something that I will never forget - a pinnacle experience engraved! I certainly feel very alive and even with that thrilling jump fresh in my mind, and another jump in my sights, my new travel buddy and I vow to top that expedition. Perhaps a surfing school vacation in Bali or the South of France, or a cable car bungee "flight" in South Africa... I am off to do some research!!
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