I decided it was time to sit down and articulate what I want from life.
First of all, I want to wake up in locations like this more often.
Secondly, I want to follow my dreams.
When I went back to New Zealand I got wound up in emotions, met someone who took me by surprise and it was all wonderful. But after leaving, while I realised that particular person was special and someone I could see myself being with, I realised that I wouldn’t get to do it on my terms.
Compromise is a fact of life, but not really something I’m particularly interested in at this stage. Maybe it’s being selfish, maybe it’s being silly, but I just have so many things I want to do in life and I can’t imagine someone else fitting perfectly into the picture.
I am FOREVER ALONE.
At least for now.
In the past few weeks I started freelance writing and am now earning enough to travel contiously. I don’t know how long it will last, but I’m really enjoying it for now and have a few ongoing jobs that I think would cover me for a long time…
So that found me in an interesting position – I have one-way flight back to New Zealand at a time I probably wouldn’t have chosen if I was the only factor. I contemplated canceling it, postponing it, staying on in Istanbul and volunteering and pushing this freelance writing for all that its worth, but then I remembered an important quote that I like to keep fresh on my mind, always:
There is time for everything
At least everything you want to make time for. So, I can go back to Istanbul later and do that if I want to.
So what am I thinking? I am going to use that flight to New Zealand, i’m going to see my friends and family, sort out my affairs, do some traditional work (too) in order to boost up my travel fund good and proper and then I’m going to bolt.
The next trip I take, I want it to be with the intention of relocating somewhere else. I want to LIVE overseas for a decent period of time, set up my own social group, have my own flat/apartment and get under the skin of the city I choose.
I have a few options in mind and I’d love any feedback on them. My plan is to be able to save, so I’m looking for somewhere on the cheaper side of things, bonus points if the native language is Spanish, though I’m considering hiring myself a Skype teacher so I can continue my Spanish anywhere.
Chiang Mai, Thailand – cheap, warm, good expat community, great food
Ubud, Bali, Indonesia – cheap, warm, awesome vibe, good expat community, amazing yoga barn
Buenos Aires, Argentina – never been, but I know I wold love this city, it’s a bit more expensive than the other places, but Spanish!
Costa Rica – formally an expat haven, they speak spanish, ideal climate, a good location for exploring more of central America
Somewhere, India – cheap, somewhere I would love to volunteer, great food
Mexico – cheap, great food, good climate, Spanish
La Paz, Bolivia – I’ve always been obsessed with visiting Bolivia, I don’t know why. I’d love to volunteer there, they speak Spanish, it seems to be a lot cheaper than Argentina and Chile
Berlin, Germany – I love Berlin, can apply for a freelance visa if my work is still solid by then, and it’s one of the coolest cities I’ve ever been to, but there’s no way I’m going anywhere near it until winter’s over.
So that’s my list of main contesters, if I’m missing anything, let me know! I’d love some suggestions. I don’t think I’ll be moving overseas for another 3-6 months, so I’ve got some time to build up some funds and make some plans.
In the mean time I’m off to Vienna next week, Croatia, Bulgaria and Turkey – it’s gonna be an intense few weeks, but the perfect way to say goodbye to two years of solid adventure.
(Here’s to the next two…)
