Typing the title to this blog post makes me think of that movie of a zombie apocalypse. 28 Days Later or something? Anyway, just to assure you, I haven’t been bitten by the undead. My mind is a 6 ring circus, and I can’t blame that on the walking dead!

It’s been a whole 6 weeks since this expedition of mine started. It may as well be 2 years- my life in South Africa feels like a million years ago. I tease myself and say “what would you be doing right now if you weren’t doing this?”

Inevitably, the answer is something like working or driving or some mundane chore. All of which I do feel a tickle of withdrawal from. I think the tickle is emphasised by the knowing that the next time I do such things is unknown. For someone that thrives on structure and a plan, this thought terrifies and excites me to no end.

I tease myself further and say, “Would you have it any other way?”

Definitely not. Here I am, penning this, whilst watching the sunset through my train window, whilst traversing through China, listening to The Fighter by Gym Class Heroes and I can’t think of any place, other than this place, that I’d rather be right now.

But I’ll be honest with you- getting into that plane 6 weeks ago and starting this rodeo was like reaching the top of a roller coaster after it clinks its way to the top, before it releases and sends you flying through hoops- all the voices in my head were firing away… Are you sure? You can still turn back… No one will care, no one will have to know…

If you’re thinking about traveling, or doing something different, please please do it. Don’t wait, life can be fickle and you don’t want to be that person with regrets. Hell, I could have been that guy- if things panned out a little differently with Frank, I may not even be with you anymore.

My cousin introduced me to a Dr Seuss book, and there’s a passage I love:

“You have brains in your head

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself

Any direction you chose.

You’re on your own and you know what you know.

And YOU are the guy who will decide where to go “.