Life after one year

So we have just reached day 365. One year. And I have decided to add a new section and dimension to this blog, one that comes just from me. My honest, raw opinions on a whole bunch of stuff that I have going on in my head. Some of it may useful and informative, some thought provoking, and some (most) will likely be complete and utter nonsense. I will not pretend to be an expert, but I will be me and I aim to share the inner workings of my mind. So here we go.

There are many blogs out there that advise on long term travelling – how to plan, where to go, what to do, blah blah blah. I won’t talk about any of that. That is a unique experience that one must create themselves. I have met people travelling by all methods. Personally I would not hitchhike through Russia, but I’ve met one guy who has lived to tell the tale. His tale. I have also met people who wouldn’t dream of spending so much time in such close quarters with their significant other, and trust me there are times when I would be one of them! But that is what I have chosen to do and how we chose to travel. Having your own vehicle certainly has its perks, especially one with such a ‘go anywhere ability’ like Maggie. Of course Maggie wouldn’t go far without my own personal driver and mechanic. And that is something that I would suggest any traveler wishing to drive long term – learn mechanics! So there begins my list. My list of what I have learnt after being on the road, almost literally, for one year. Take it as advice, take it as inspiration or feel free to laugh at my own admissions.

It’s hard.
I cannot tell you how many times I have longed for a comfy couch and a TV remote. I know that makes me sound boring as hell, but homely comforts are lacking on the road. Don’t get me wrong, we have a pretty sweet set up, but that’s just it – I have to set it up! Virtually every day we erect the tent and I blow up two airbeds, lay out a sleeping bag, puff and place the pillows, hang the mosquito net, set up the cooker, cook dinner, wash dishes in teeny tiny amounts of water, put everything away out of fear of animals, and then relax and read (for about ten minutes before I fall asleep). The only thing more irritating than this is having to pack it all away again! I have gone days without a proper shower, I have been freezing cold and unbearably hot, I have mastered the art of squatting in the bushes, I have woken at 3am to re-tie loose tent strings in the pouring rain and I have used some of the most unbearable toilets. Despite all of this I have loved it. I have tested myself and come out the other side. I’m certainly a far cry from the ten year old who refused to use a pit toilet on a family camping trip.

It’s liberating.
There is something wonderful about not knowing what day it is or where you are. When people say ‘what’s your plan?’ I can contently shrug my shoulders. I am free to take on recommendations, stay somewhere longer if I like it, leave if I don’t. I am only bound by my wants.

There is nowhere to hide.
When you literally spend 99.9% of your time with someone else there is no way to perform your SSB – secret single behaviour (thanks Sex and the City). Rituals that were once hidden away behind a bathroom door, or performed whilst he was out building a Land Rover have now gone public. Getting caught trimming the bikini line or plucking that pesky chin hair has gone beyond embarrassing and is now disgracefully normal. For a guy who once had the ‘girls don’t poo’ mentality, our relationship has really taken a turn.

People are amazing.
Not just in a kind, helpful way, but in a way that showcases their craftiness, their resilience, their ability to make do and be happy. For the most part the world is full of creative, generous, compassionate and genuine people. It’s important to remember that.

You will fight.
And fight like you never have before with raised voices and harsh words that you don’t really mean. But then you remember that you have a broken gearbox in the middle of Mongolia and realise it makes sense for tensions to be high. You get over it. You move on. It doesn’t kill you. It makes you stronger.

You change.
Not in a deep down ‘found myself’ kinda way (not yet anyway). I mean in a way that makes you look at people differently, realising that everyone is just trying to make something of it. I read a book that made me notice this (it’s called Naive. Super by Erlend Loe – read it) but it’s true. We should try and avoid criticisms and comments based on unsubstantiated facts about others. Philosophical moment over, I have also learned that I need a whole lot less to be happy. Heck, I could live in a studio apartment these days and have it feel like a mansion! And it wouldn’t matter that I have no closet space because I wear the same denim shorts and one of three t-shirts every day! Side note – Please don’t hold me to this, I secretly miss wardrobe options.

You miss people.
No, not just people in general, although I swear when we meet new people we act like we have just come out of solitary confinement, but I’m talking about those close to you. I thought this wouldn’t be such a big deal as I have lived on the other side of the world for quite some time, but in the mountains of Mexico without the internet and a means of communication it can get lonely. I have missed birthdays, weddings, babies being born and more. I can’t time travel so I guess I have to deal with this.

A Kindle battery lasts longer than you think.
Ignore the ‘battery running low, connect to a power source’ message, you have at least several hours of reading time. No explanation needed, it’s a fact.

I actually could go on and on, but maybe I’ll save some ideas for another post. So far this trip has been exciting and excruciating, filled me with amazement and, at times, damn near broken me. This whole trip was planned to take a year, but here I am with no end in sight. Yet I find myself right where I want to be.