Can’t wait to say goodbye…

by Ant Stone on May 24, 2007

in Pre-Trip Planning

Somewhere in the depths of this site I’ve stated that “the only cost to really consider, is time”. Well, even though I lost my job in mid-April and I don’t start The Trail till June 30th (ignore the sidebar), I’m starting to realise just how precious time really is. It’s like my whole life is being compressed on a daily basis, tick-tock, tick-tock. The departure date is now embedded in me, and it appears as a dividing wall in my psyche. My current life on one side. My new life on the other.

In reality I don’t have to plan much more, all I have to do is sling some rags in a bag and buy some insurance. Add that to a couple of tickets, a passport and some visas and I’m hot to trot. The thing I’m not looking forward to, is The Goodbye. I’ve never been good at them, and never will be. A swift hug, pat on the back, kiss on the cheek and I’m outta here, with just a wink and a smile to leave by the wall.

I’ll cover the reality of this daunting experience at the time, but suffice to say I am in no way relishing it. The compounding factor is that it’s not just once, (I’ve shunned the offers of farewell parties) it’s over and over again. Can I just write it on here and leave on the 29th?

Anyway, you’ll no doubt of missed the fact that I’ve totally rebuilt the site behind the scenes! I am considering changing the header image though, I get bored of things quite quickly and the Polaroid theme has been with me since the site was first born. The other thing that’s come to light (courtesy of the man-that-can, Dan over at The Lost Globe) is the trailer for a ‘A Map for Saturday’ which seemingly makes an good attempt to capture, the essence of the RTW traveller. Take a look and see what it does for you. For me, amongst a cloud of clichés it exudes the spirit of travelling; friendship, passion and fun. I can’t see myself ever wanting to do anything else right now.

See, I’m not all high jinx and jokes. I saw a man walk into a bar the other day. Ouch! Goodbye.


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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }

Michel May 24, 2007 at 7:33 pm

As far as I see, you’ll be traveling a lot soon?

In case you come near Sofia (Bulgaria) at some point, drop me a note, you might find here a guide in my modest person for a walk or two around:)

Plus, we have pretty good beer and you do not need a visa to come (EU, ye know…) 😉

Cheers:)

Ant May 24, 2007 at 8:35 pm

I sure will be, but alas I won’t make it back to Europe for at least 2 years. I’d love to see more of South East Europe, having done the majority of Western & Northern Europe a few years back.

I’ll be sure to drop you a note so we can sample some of this beer you talk of… cheers!

Dan May 24, 2007 at 11:43 pm

It must be torture to just be waiting, I’m going to try leave asap after I finish work, I’ll probably actually work finishing my job around my departure date, it’s slowly starting to feel much closer now.

Ant May 25, 2007 at 12:57 am

I wish I could of done it like that, I was made redundant from my job and am sticking around to see my parents (they’re also on a RTW trip!!) and to go to a music festival (Glastonbury) here in the UK. I’m just trying so hard not to plan too much, as I thrive on the element of surprise. Tick-tock…!

Michel May 25, 2007 at 10:34 am

Cool, then it’s settled:)

You can always find me via my Optimiced website, when you’ll be near Sofia:) (if I am still around, of course… who knows what might happen in 2 years time) 😉

Rachael May 25, 2007 at 1:49 pm

Am impressed you have rebuilt the site so quickly…you must be bored?! Hurry up and get that insurance booked – wouldnt want you to follow the family tradition and book in the wee hours just before you left (like I did). The kids send you a big hug and nose rub too :0) xxx

[vladi] June 10, 2007 at 12:49 am

You sound so sad… it’s almost 3 am, I went back to your site to see what’s new… hope things will be fine for you, since my first impression on you was to be a very cheerful person, full of optimism and a special way of looking at things (the poetic approach to “The Battle of MySQL” accident) and my first impressions are rarely wrong :o)

Ant June 10, 2007 at 1:50 am

You are right [vladi] but I guess I also have a Hyde to my Jekyll whereby I am spontaneously hit with a wave of realism, and I like to let it flow over me. Even in my more sombre moments, I can extract positives.

The fact that I don’t relish The Goodbye is maybe due to having created such a cool portfolio of things in my life thus far. If it was easy to say “goodbye”, and I talked about it nonchalantly I think my life would be quite empty and in a circle of events I would have none of the positive aspects to portray.

I think I lost myself there, but hope you see my logic!

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