1 Sep 2008
Celebrate good times!
Today I celebrate the occasion of leaving my life in Holland behind exactly one year ago. I have never been happier in my life! I have done so many things I have always wanted to do, it is almost amazing. Click through to read what I (think i) have learned in the past year.
– Going out of your comfort zone every once in a while is very rewarding
– I am happy that I am a big scary looking guy, and have learned to make use of that in situations that might be quite hary for 20 year old skinny guys
– I appreciate life so much more. Especially at the collective in Alaska I really learned to appreciate every moment so much more.
– I realise how privileged I am to have been able to make the sacrifices necessary to start traveling
– one year is not necessarily enough (or too much) for me. Instead, I want to keep traveling until I feel satisfied with traveling
– I am horrible with money, but I can manage myself on a budget. In Brasil I lived off of 3 or 4 euro’s a day without any real problem.
– So-called ‘slow-travelling’ suites me much better than traveling fast. It is much more fun to really get to know the ins and outs of a place than to travel through 5 places quickly in teh same amount of time
– I need a purpose when I am traveling. Just traveling for the sake of traveling is a lot less fun than doing something worthwile (like e.g. the couchsurfing collective) I intend to find another volunteer position or at least go do something to make the world a better place.
– Anyone can go traveling, it is just a matter of getting started that reuqires some persistence
I am sure there is much more I have laerned in the past year, but this is what I came up with in my 5-minute brainstorm. On to many things to be learned in my upcoming travels!
Definitely agree with going out of your comfort zone!
Heydi
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:52permalink
I know what you mean, I have learned some of what you are saying hear as well this year by moving to another country for school.
The beginning is the hardest as you are leaving a life behind you and starting a new one, that was to me very scary at first.
Paul
September 4th, 2008 at 0:05permalink
Wow, I can’t believe it’s been a year!
We were so young back then. Like…a year younger.
Duuuude, I totally miss youuuuu.
Dukie
Duke
September 6th, 2008 at 10:59permalink
All those things you’ve learned and yet you somehow forgot how to shave…
Gr
Ruud
Ruud
September 9th, 2008 at 9:38permalink
Hi Walter,
good to hear that you’re loving your new life! I see you’re in British Colombia right now, for how long do you plan to stay there?
I’m moving there for work this November and will already pay the area a short preliminary visit at the end of this month.
Cheers,
Yves
Yves
September 17th, 2008 at 10:36permalink