Over the past two weeks we’ve been seriously jesting about packing it all up and start traveling again. Now, this might sound like it is just a temporary itch and we should just wait it out, but I’ve been suffering from a mild to serious case of the wanderlust since about June. And instead of dissipating like fog around Lion’s Head on a summer’s day it just grew and grew into the ‘dilemma’ we are in right now. I use the term dilemma even though it probably isn’t that serious. But it feels kind of serious.
We’ve been getting fairly settled into our apartment over the past few months, we finally have a washing machine and a Kitchenaid. We have furniture we like, some of which we restored ourselves. There is a nicely kitted out kitchen and we have regular magazine subscriptions. So basically, we have a home. Something we were both craving when we arrived back in SA this year after months of travel.
But, despite enjoying being pretty settled in our home, we feel something lacking. I miss going to foreign destinations on the regular, something I do not see being an option if we stay here long term. It is a very well-known fact that travel is just not cheap for South Africans. Also, our dream of opening a café does not sound so appealing anymore, it would mean a big time-investment from our side and the opportunity to just go away for a couple of weeks would disappear instantly. Even traveling within SA would be seriously limited.
So we’ve been fooling around with the idea of packing it up, putting our stuff in storage and start a journey working and traveling around the globe. Settling in a couple of destinations for a few months, working a bit and then moving again. I know I will miss having a solid home, but somehow I feel I would be happy if I can settle for bits and then travel again. So should I do the ‘adult’ thing and stay here, establish ourselves her for the long term? Or should I start saving towards those tickets calling my name and spend the next two years living itinerantly and accept that as life?
I do not even want to think about what my mother will say when she hears about these murmurings in my head! But I’d love to hear what you think.
October 6, 2009 at 1:32 pm
It seems to me like you boys aren’t suited for permanent settling down unless you choose a place (like Hong Kong, or various places in Europe) that would allow you to make lots of little trips on long weekends or regular vacations, at minimal expense and with shorter travel time. Living somewhere like LA or SA means loooong travel to take a trip, and thus expense and too much time away.
October 7, 2009 at 8:15 am
chat to you tonight!
October 8, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Bordeaux……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..TRAVEL!!!
October 12, 2009 at 9:53 am
My dear Bordeaux,
It took me about 30 years of life to go with my heart rather than my head – I know all about having the absolute need to travel around, changing pace, awaking up to new places. That said, I have a home I wouldn’t leave unless I had to… My “advice”: listen to your ‘tiki ti coeur’. And let me know if you’re in Lisbon. 😉
Hugs*
October 12, 2009 at 11:34 am
Volg jou hart 😀
October 13, 2009 at 9:14 am
HI bordeaux,
i’m sitting here in my home in sunny singapore with my 16 day old baby girl, Hana on my lap. It suddenly hit me how much life has changed. I can’t wait till she’s big enough to travel!! can’t imagine life without travel.. don’t think u can too.. Hope whatever decision you make, it’ll make both of u happy.. All e best and congrats on tying the knot (bit late but better late than never!)
Luv, Farhan
PS. I’m in confinement ie. I’m stuck at home till Hana is 40 days old n i’m dyyyying.
October 13, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Bordeaux! Somehow I always imagine you traveling the world and having great and little adventures…go with your heart!
November 3, 2009 at 8:44 am
Travel is like a drug – even just the conservative USA and Western European travel that Nick and I do. One of the reasons we stay here in London is the opportunity to travel and I don’t think I want to live without it any more. Go with your heart (I think you have already – damn my procrastination with commenting!!;-))