It’s come to my attention that people of the human race find my adventure in January to be something that should never be attempted. After all I’m a young female and travelling alone should never be attempted. Further more couch surfing is an invitation to get raped and killed. Am I right? To some people yes. To me I say don’t be ridiculous. After all it must be hard to imagine doing something exciting from that little comfort zone of yours.
You see the looks on people’s faces says more then enough when I tell them I’m backpacking alone for 22 days through 4 countries and sleeping on strangers couches. It’s as if they don’t think I’m competent enough to do it. As if I’m too weak to accomplish it.
I understand that the world isn’t a lovely peachy perfect place but the same dangers exist here in the United States that exist in every other country. I don’t mean to sound flippant about my life but so what if I get kidnapped? So what if I find my self in a fatal position? Would you rather die close to home doing the same thing day in day out or would you rather be chasing a dream and living life outside of society’s expectations? Would you rather blend in with the crowd or stand out?
I mean think about it… sure it would be tragic but if I ran into trouble while abroad I would make the front page. Where as if I met the same fate here at home I’d simply be a statistic. I’ve never liked blending in with the crowd. I was always that weird girl that did what she wanted and got made fun of a lot. So why would I stop now? Seriously what fun is it to be a statistic?
To quote my favourite book, to a well organized mind death is but the next great adventure. I find something about dying slightly intoxicating and exhilarating. I’m not going to go looking for it. I’ll avoid it for as long as I can. I’ll fight for my last breath. But at the same time I’ve lived more them most people ever will. I’ve travelled the world. Done things that very few can ever say they did. I don’t fear my tomorrows even if my tomorrows end with the next sunset.
If you’re one of those people who balks at me for planning my trip and think it’s weird that I find death something pleasant then perhaps you should hold your judgment. I’m sorry that you fear dying. You should live a little more instead of trying to convince me that I need to live less. I will never stop living on the edge of wonderful exhilaration till I’m dead…. Obviously. I refuse to settle down. Having a family will only encourage me. I want my kids to see what I’ve seen. Do what I’ve done. I won’t stop my travels simply because I’ve got a child to look after. I’ll continue to book tickets and go places and I’ll take my children with me.
I’ll keep doing crazy things till it‘s impossible. I’ll take those looks of disbelief you all give me and store them away for a time when I need encouragement. You see when people say I’m crazy or I’m asking for trouble it makes me want to do it even more. I want to prove them all wrong and show everyone that it’s okay for a young female to travel alone and love it. I want to show young women that we can do whatever we want. There’s no need to seek other’s approval. If you approve that’s enough. If you’re comfortable with doing something then do it. Don’t let someone else tell you how to live your life. Just live.
You wouldn’t let someone else tell you when you can and can’t breathe. So why have someone tell you where you can and can’t go?
To those of you who agree with me that January is going to be a fun month… I don't need to say much as our brains work in sync. So thank you. I enjoy having like minded people in my life. Thank you for believing in me and supporting me. I won’t let you down.
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