The sum up & the new beginning

I just got back in Taipei. I had no problem getting into the center knowing the city already. I checked into my new room in the I House and it’s time for some thinking.

I left on the 21^st December and came back 6^th March – that is 75 days, if I’m not mistaken, of travelling. I wasn’t sure If I would make it hearing ambiguous reflections from various backpackers. After going through it myself I think that even though it is tough sometimes, backpacking solo is still the best option and I’m glad I did part of my trip this way. I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy the part when I had a travel buddy!! It was just different. Solo travelling made me meet people, come out to them and that’s a great training for self confidence. If my friends think of me as bubbly and outgoing it’s all trained through travels.

I’ve met quite a few wonderful people, whom I am thankful for advice, support and the great time we had together. Everyone seeded a little idea in me and gave me a new perspective on how to look either at my life, my abilities, my perspectives and myself, which I am very thankful for. I had my crazy moment and my dull moments – no one can ever take away from me either.

I’ve also read more books than I have had for a long time. I travelled with dodgy planes, overcrowded buses, and various sorts of local taxis. I learned how to drive a motorbike, how to bargain hard and sleep in um..not such great conditions. I know now that I packed way too many clothes and left way too little space for clothes I could have bought on the way. I also got really good at tetris-packing. I now have a new view of the many things I possess. I just unpacked the luggage and boxes I left 3 months ago and realized that not only I really don’t need all of this, I also don’t even like half of it any more. I learned I don’t need to be attached to my things – if it’s become a burden, it’s ok to leave it behind.

And the most important thing, I know now that there are quite a lot of people like me – those who don’t want to settle in one place and live a normal, ordinary life. There are a lot of women out there who are happy not being housewives, not having kids, not even liking kids and living their lives the way they want to. There are tons of people who choose to live abroad, far away from their home countries, and don’t feel regret. I realized that my options are not as restricted as I’ve always thought. Actually, the world is my oyster – I can choose to settle, or not, anywhere I want. The formalities can always be dealt with if one has enough conviction and motivation. I think I even started to value my time more – I mean why would I spend a month, a semester or a year doing something I really don’t like nor do I consider it beneficial in any way ?! It’s definitely time to start thinking outside of the box!