Well it’s here – the day I jet off for an adventure that may just be my biggest one yet: to the Antarctic, my 7th and final content!
Wonder what goes through my head before such a big trip? You might be surprised it’s usually not excitement and most often a bit of fear and nerves.
I find the last few days before a trip when I am gone long term (and on my own) quite stressful. There are some big “to-do” items to check off when I leave for months at a time. I spend the time catching up or getting ahead on work projects and meeting up with friends one last time. I am also scared of the unknown adventures and challenges ahead of me, traveling on my own in a country that doesn’t speak my native language. But the hardest of all things is packing.
This trip I’ll be going from the scorching Atacama desert in Northern Chile to the windy and rainy mountains of Patagonia to the freezing desert of Antarctica over a two month period. Figuring out the combination of clothing to pack for every environment is challenging at best (while still being stylish). I usually agonize over what goes in my backpack. More often than not I run on the “overpacked” side of things as I tend to throw in a few last minute extras I was on the fence about. This time I’m fairly pleased my backpack has weighed in at 14 kilograms with most space being taken up by down and fleece cold-weather gear. Not bad.
The leaving part is always hard. I will miss family, friends and the comfort of home. Home is easy and comfortable.
But then there’s a moment where I get to the airport, drop off my bag and the stress, nerves and pressure of leaving melt away. I walk through security and that’s it – I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.
Lemony Snicket termed it well when he said “If we wait until we’re ready, we’ll be waiting for the rest of our lives.”
I couldn’t have it any other way.
I’m drawn to adventure and travel as innately as I need to breathe. Leaving is always hard (and being on the road alone has its challenges as well), but I know the adventures and stories that will come from this once-in-a-lifetime trip are worth so much more.
And I cannot wait to share those stories with you!