Six months... I cannot make this sound right in my head. I arrived back in Stuttgart six whole months ago. Where the heck did the time go? Of course a lot happened since I got back but it stills feels like less than a month since I left Australia behind to land back in cold old Germany.
I battled a massive jetlag, celebrated my 29th birthday with a beautiful cake with my family, started into the new year with my Markus and started a new job mid-January. Even Christine visited me whom I met in Melbourne and who also visited me in Perth.
It is still hard for me sometimes to believe to be back in the "real" life. I mean, of course it is nice to be back.
I am with my family, my boyfriend and my friends
I have a job as an engineer and do not earn some ridiculous 10 AUD per hour for cleaning or chasing little kids (serious hard work)
I can sleep in my own very comfy bed again (HEAVEN)
My regular meals do not mainly consist of pasta anymore (YEAH)
I have a bigger choice of clothing (nice)
I don't have to worry about my passport, my camera and my belongings in general
Everything is like I remembered it and all is in order (typical German)
And well, this last point also kind of sucks!
I never thought of myself as an adventurous person but sometimes I ask myself what's the point of going out and about in Germany?
Where is the adventure?
What spectacular things are awaiting me?
Why should I wander around the Stuttgart region?
Where are the kangaroos, koalas and venomous animals?
Where are the open-minded travellers who become friends for life within half an hour?
And where the hell is the long open road to venture along???
I have probably watched my own travel video over 30 times and every time it puts a smile on my face and brings tears to my eyes. I miss Australia... like hell...
I am also scared by the thought that this might have been the one and only time I should ever experience this kind of freedom and adventure... I am so happy I grabbed this opportunity and I do not regret a second of this year although it hasn't always been perfect or like I imagined it. There were up and downs and lots of draw-backs. I missed home, my family, my boyfriend, my old job and a well-organised predictable life. Now that I have all of it, I miss the unknown, the hostels, the landscapes and unexpected turns of life.
There is only one explanation to these ungrateful thoughts of mine: I have been bitten by the (Australian) travel bug!
And there isn't a cure to this!
The only thing I can do is to smoothen the symptoms every now and then by travelling the world, right? Markus and I are planning our next road trip but it will never be the same like it has been in Australia. It has been such a big dream of mine for so long, it feels like nothing can come anywhere close to it. I think I have to return to Australia someday to pick up the piece of my heart that I lost there...
Whenever I see a movie, documentary or even a picture of Australia I have to stop and watch it. All those memories come back to me and it feels unreal. Even music that I connect with Australia makes me daydream and I get death stares when smiling randomly at strangers. Have I really been there just six months ago?
At first I thought I haven't changed except for my longer hair. And yes, from the outside I haven't changed a lot. But Australia has changed me as a person. I feel the urge to quit everything again and just travel. Wherever! Don't plan anything, it's going to be amazing.
ME and NOT planning??? Never thought I would ever write this and truly stand behind it. Well, a bit of planning maybe...
Do you feel the same? Have you got the wander lust syndrome too? Where would you go next? And can you help me???
Yours travel-bug-bitten Stefanie
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