Getting ready to go

Much to the horror of some family and friends, I will be on my own again in Australia and off and on for the remainder of my travels. At 7 a.m. Wednesday, January 20, I will fly from the Auckland to Sydney, while Katie and Brian will remain in New Zealand until January 31 before they fly to Brisbane, Australia.

We will all be meeting on February 18 in Sydney to fly to Malaysia.

On January 28 I will fly alone to Tasmania, a portion of Australia detached from the mainland to the south, and then back to Sydney on February 16.

I couldn’t have predicted how plans would alter, relationships would shift, and opportunities would arise on this journey, but such is life. You adapt to the changes, make the most of modifications and roll with the punches as they come. Katie and I had a wonderful three months traveling together and we will continue to cross paths during the next several months, but our desires are taking us in different directions and we are choosing to support one anther in our individual pursuits. I am very happy that her relationship with Brian is strong and they will have a wonderful and challenging experience on the road together.

As for me, I’m slightly apprehensive but I am more capable and resourceful than I gave myself credit for five months ago before boarding a plane in September headed for Argentina.

My new situation is not better or worse than travelling with a partner, but it is different. I will miss the camaraderie and companionship, but I will flourish in the independence and take advantage of the opportunity to learn and develop myself. Maybe I will even become more introspective and less verbal?

Neither Katie nor I have breached an invisible contract that bound us together, and we will continue our friendship from a distance until our trails shall merge again.

For now, there is much to do, and many goodbyes to say during my final two days in New Zealand. And I'm feeling sad because I'm leaving new and old friends, but it’s been a great ride. Now I’m ready to turn to the next chapter.