The Preparations

Hi everyone! This blog is to keep in touch with people and show off some photos while I am out travelling in the Americas. I am hoping to update this pretty regularly with updates about where I'm at and what I'm up to.

Right now it is Monday March 20th, two days before I am supposed to fly out on this huge adventure. As of this point, I am still not packed. This is not exactly where I had hoped to be at this point, but hey, life's full of little hold ups. Tonight I am hoping to get everything I will take with me stuffed into my backpack and daybag, but it is a big job. The biggest problem is what to do with the stuff I am not taking - I hate the environmental implications of just throwing a bunch of stuff in the bin, but I also can't afford to be a hoarder. I hope I can opshop the greater part of it so that some good will come of my clothes.

That said, packing is also one of my favourite parts of travel because you get to see just how little you can live off. Throwing out these bits of stuff that have built up around you is liberating, and symbolic of all the other things you leave behind. Some of it is painful, like chucking out that pair of shoes you have loved to death or leaving behind friends, family and the life you have built for yourself. After 4 years living on my own in Melbourne, there are people, places and things that I will treasure in memory but will have to leave behind. But some of it is wonderfully freeing, like leaving behind rent payments, bills, work and obligation for a life on the road.

Anyway, it is time to get some rest and prepare mind, body, soul and liver for the challenges ahead. Pictures up soon!

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