Catherine Anne Johnston
108 days
Catherine Anne Johnston
Ahhhh, the repetitiveness of the tale;
Finding yourself comfortable in life, to only uproot your existence and step out into the world with a well worn backpack and an abundance of misplaced confidence.
I’m a 27 year old love child from Australia who has spent more of my 20’s abroad than on home soil.
A misguided youth, inquisitive nature and tall tales have been the push and shove to my adventures. Having spent time living in Japan and the UK, travelling South East Asia and main land Europe, travelling is hardly a new venture for me.
There was one point in my life that I felt I would ‘stop’, I secured promising employment within a reputable company, enjoyed a rich social life, set goals, though for all of these rites into adulthood, I could not help but look back at my adventures across the sea. Unfamiliar faces, sounds, tastes. This is what life is about, not suits, schedules and bills.
Ironically enough I landed in the UK and settled into suits, schedules and bills.
I now draw to the end of my visa, which is unceremoniously accompanied with a ‘get out now’ card from the British government. Usually I am ready to move on, explore the next land; however this time I feel rather rejected having to leave. I quite like my life in Europe.
The choice to visit other cultures within a 2 hour flight, the diversity of London and the abundance of never ending possibilities has suited my lifestyle rather well; unfortunately for me, as an uneducated, unskilled Australian (in the eyes of the British immigration), my options are limited.
Therefore I will return to Australia, taking the long way around. I will travel through middle, central eastern and south eastern Europe, before jumping across to central (ish) Africa and snaking my way south via the west coast.
This journey will be broken up into smaller sections; at times I will be backpacking with my next bus trip the only prepared itinerary, I will take advantage of friends – new and old who live across Europe, and join dreaded tour groups.
It will travel over 39,000kms over 108 days over to reach my destination on limited funds stretched beyond thinness.
During this adventure I will be challenged with new cultures, dealing with a limited personal hygiene routine, yearning for loved ones (all tales have to include a love story, this one is no exception), having no appropriate language skills, trying to accommodate those around me whilst all the time having a kick ass time – and forever doing my best NOT to drop another camera in the water.
My name is Catherine, and this is my journey.
