That nasty old bug...

It seems once you have been bitten by the travel bug, its with you for life. You can be doing a million others things, and be quite happy, but theres always this little feeling niggling away at you. You will forever be longing for those days of complete and utter freedom. Its safe to say that I have it bad and not a week goes by that do not scroll through hundreds of pictures, email old friends reminiscing with stories or re read my writing from the time it took place. 

Ive decided to take a little trip down memory lane back to one year ago- South East Asia. It seems to be niggling away at me an awful lot lately so heres a look back at some of the highs and lows of the travel bug. 

Traveling S.E.A  is:

-       Meeting a best friend in a day

-       Freedom to an extent you never even new existed

-       Jumping on the back of a scooter with a stranger who speaks an entirely different language to you and trusting them with your life.

-       Not only deciding what to wear or eat that day but which country to go to

-       Too many photos that may one day bring you to tears from simply longing for that moment 

  Sleeping in a room full of strangers, on a bus full of strangers, a train full of strangers night after night after night

-       Losing all inhibition and been totally ok with it

-       Getting use to having no idea where you are, where your going, how long it will take. Getting use to a complete lack of control and communication

-      Falling in love on a weekly basis

-      Sleeping on that couch, on that chair, on that floor, in that waiting room, in that lounge, at that station. Falling asleep where ever you get a chance

-     The monotonous QUESTIONS- where are you from, how long have you been travelling, where have you been so far, where to next, how long for…..to every single person you meet!

-      Eating out all day every single day

-       Finding it normal to barter over everything you buy

-      Getting use to the smells and rubbish, the people yelling at you to “buy from me” and following you around in case you might change your mind. The Tuku people offering you a ride even if you clearly already have one or are clearly at your destination already.

-      Getting an amazing massage on your way to breakfast for no reason at all.

-      Copious amounts of fresh fruit!

-      Sweating! Give up on makeup, shower at least 3-4 times a day. Sweat like you never new possible 24/7

-      Have a complete understanding that at any moment things could and probably will change and be prepared to roll with it

-      See sights and meet people that will change your life forever!