So, a few years ago it was a dream of mine to travel around the world. At the time, the trip was being planned with my 'boyfriend' ( I cant think of the right word, so boyfriend will have to do), and we had called it "Flying Pigs". This name was given because at the time, given our circumstances it seemed impossible that it would ever happen--but it was something that we were both striving for, and I know that I can pretty much do anything I set my mind to--and this was no different.
Since the inception of Flying Pigs a few years ago, he has moved on to a life without me--choosing instead to settle down with a wife and a home and hopefully--a picket fence.....However, not to be undaunted, I continue my adventures solo, and am wondering on this rainy morning in August, why I abandoned that dream?
This year is my last year of formal working. This is the year I retire. I refuse to go down easily though, and am currently planning my trip around the world commencing September, 2016.
Flying Pigs is back on. This blog will be about the planning, organizational and logistical formalities of this adventure. Inshallah. ;)
So I am back from Kuwait, and have had the summer to process all I have learned, all I have experienced, all I have done. Except, I haven't.
How is it, that life gets so busy that unless you consciously plan time to sit down and schedule in a 'time to think' hour into your day, it feels like it never really happens?
I know that since I have been back, I feel somewhat alienated from my current society. I feel like I have changed, grown, and become somewhat different, yet back in my life, nobody stops and points and goes 'omg you are soooo different!!" Yet--I feel different, and am not sure why it's not obvious on the outside.
I have just recently returned to Kuwait, to pick out some suitcases that I have left there. I was looking forward to going back--I miss some aspects of life in the Middle East. I miss the food, the freshness, the abundance of vegetables, the variety and the flavour. I also miss being treated like someone special. In Kuwait, when you walk into a shop or a store, the clerks cannot serve you fast enough. Being a white woman, you are treated special. It's like you are royalty, and I miss that. Here, I walk into a store and nobody bats an eyelid. I am not talking about obsequiousness, or differential treatment ( for there is that too) I am talking about a genuine friendliness and acknowledgement of my presence. I also miss the mindset of being on an adventure. I liked saying " I work in the Middle East". Now, I am just another drone in the regular world.
I also miss the intrigue and mystery presented by the people. Arab men are truly eye -candy, and the women are intriguing and mysterious. I liked having my senses bombarded with different sights, sounds and challenges.I like the 'different'.
So, now what? This is my last year of working, and I am pondering what to do next year, as a retirement trip. I have so many ideas and so many different opportunities--I am excited to consider them all.
Currently my idea is to plan an "around the world trip". Stay tuned for my next adventure.
