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Published: April 12th 2010
WARNING: If you are currently in a sour, cynical mood do not read this blog entry. It is filled with corny, cliche moments and the ramblings of a very happy female.
I have been travelling for over two months now and was expecting the novelty to wear off. Don't get me wrong I have been greatly enjoying myself, but after a while you stopping having those Holy sh*t moments and instead travelling and seeing new sights become the norm. You get used to meeting people and saying good bye to them within a 48 hour time range. You get used to learning a metro/tram/bus system and then having to relearn another system two days later.
But I still managed to have a emotional, epic, holy sh*t moment despite all this. And its a bit embarassing to admit but I had this moment en route to the Eiffel Tower. Corny, I know!
This story does not start on April 10th. This story starts back in grade 9, about nine years ago (omg I can't believe how long ago that was) in English class when we had free writing time. I one day wrote about where I saw myself in five years. In a nutshell, I had written that I would be studying psychology at some university and that summer I would be backpacking and galavanting around Europe. I enjoyed this piece so much and a part of me wanted to know if this was all going to come true, so I re-wrote in my own personal journal at home. And thats how I still remember it.
So my prediction was a bit off. First of all I studied politics, not psychology. Second of all I didn't go galavanting around Europe after second year. I waited until after university to go bacpack around. That all being said I did live up to this prediction in some senses. I finally did go travel and I have become I wanted to be. When I was in grade 9 I was looking ahead for when I could be free not just to see the world but also to be free to live my life on my terms. I am doing that. I realized how much I am really truly doing that.
So let's fast forward a little bit to pre-trip time. This trip was about learning to be on my own and seeing more of the world. I felt like I have always been talking about traveling and always wanting to travel. This trip was proof to myself that I was finally able to travel and that I could do it on my own. This trip has been a roller coaster of an adventure but it didn't really hit me that I had accomplished what I had set out to do until I was strolling my way to the Eiffel Tower.
So on April 10th I was checking out the sites of Paris and that of course included the infamous Eiffel Tower. I was walking along the River Siene and the tower kept getting closer and closer and then it hit me. I felt this overwhelming rush of joy. I was going to the friggin Eiffel Tower!!!! The tower is a symbol of France. It is such a recognizable structure and I am getting to see it in person. How cool is that!?! I was seeing it on my own and I wouldn't have it any other way. This moment was important to me and I only wanted to share it with me, no one else. It hit me that I had travelled so far and seen so much and I get to add the Eiffel Tower to that.
The Eiffel Tower is almost like my grand finale to this trip. While I am still in France right now, I will be in England by the end of the week, which is my last port of call. In England, I won't be exploring new lands on my own. I am going to be visiting family. I am really looking forward to seeing my family (see you on Thursday Helen and Simon) I am also aware that this is a different type of travelling and the type of solo travelling that I have been doing is ending real soon. So the Eiffel Tower was a perfect way to end my trip.
It was also that perfect moment to think about how proud I am for doing this on my own and doing what I set out to do. It was a great moment to realize how happy I am with life. I have seen 24 countries in my life. I have seen a fair bit in a small amount of time. My life at home is pretty damn sweet too. I am going home to family and friends who love me and many (you all know who you are) who have sent me updates, support and love through out my trip. I am going back to school in September to start on my future in a program that gets me so excited everytime I think about it. At this moment in my life I have become who I wanted to be: a independent, well travelled, confident and most of all happy woman.
p.s. I told you all it was corny
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sarah
non-member comment
LOVE IT!!!