A journey of great contrast

So now that everyone knows I am taking some time out from work to travel the world, it seems the time is right to tell you about my planned journey, so here it is:

Four friends, four countries, three cars, three organised tours, and lots of flights and coach journeys.

From big cities to remote beaches, from flat plains to jagged mountains, from an abundance of wealth to extreme poverty, our journey is set to be one of great contrast.

You just need to look at our itinerary to see what a broad range of sights and spectacles we are likely to see. Nowhere is that contrast more evident than in the weeks we travel from the business capital of Texas, Houston, round the remote jungles of poverty-stricken Mexico, to the big lights of the famously money-centred Vegas, then on to stay in an unheated tent in the spectacular rugged landscape of Yosemite National Park - where black bear sightings are not a rarity.

Our journey begins in Miami, where we will be in just a few short weeks time, and involves the road trip of a life time across the south coast of America (yes, in hurricane season - we'll certainly be keeping a close eye on the weather reports), covering eight states with a brief diversion to see the jungle, lagoons and beaches of Mexico.

Then it's down-under for a tour of the East coast of Oz, spending Christmas on the stunning beaches of the Whitsundays before heading to Sydney to see in the New Year (could we have planned that more perfectly?)

Leaving some of my friends in Australia, I am then heading to Thailand to see the hill tribes, elephants, tigers and beaches I've heard so much about.

Not only is it going to be a journey of great contrast, it's going to be one of great wonder, learning and, importantly for me, recuperation (although it may not sound it, with all the places we plan to visit!).

I've always wanted to travel the world and now I am. I literally CANNOT wait!

Time to become a butterfly

When I came across this old English proverb a few months back on Pinterest, I was having a bit of a tough time and it really resonated with me. I am the caterpillar.

It also reminded me of a famous passage from Albert Camus:

In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love.
In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile.
In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm.
I realised, through it all, that…

It's amazing really how resilient the human kind is.

Now I'm not pretending my struggle comes even close to many people's across the planet. But I think in our own little ways, at some point, we all face winter and we all need to find that invincible summer.

How poignant then, that next month I am quite literally spreading my wings and flying off to summer. And whilst in reality it may not be invincible, it's certainly going to be a long one, and one that will doubtless stay in my mind forever. I'll keep you updated on how it goes.