Even from a very young age I can remember that burning desire to travel, I had a slightly odd love for maps and I would spend hours planning out all the future trips I would take, right down to the very finest details. Guess I should have known then that I had no chance, the travel bug got me before I even knew what it was.
Growing up my family and I often went on holiday or took fun day trips to plenty of different places around New Zealand and even a few trips to Australia, but travelling overseas when you live in New Zealand isn’t the easiest, nor the cheapest as our little island at the bottom of the world is fairly isolated.
Despite this, I knew one day I would set off on an adventure around the world. It wasn’t a matter of if, but when.
One of the main reasons I travel is to step out of my comfort zone. It is during these times that I thrive the most, when everything around me is so different and where there is so much for me to learn.
My first experience of being completely thrown out of my comfort zone was during my time in India, which also happened to be my first major overseas travel experience, I’m an all or nothing kind of person it seems. I booked the trip somewhat on a whim, whilst planning my move to London, the perfect stop over right? I still can’t believe how quickly I took to it, from day one it was obvious I was made for travel – the wilder the better.
It was during that adventure that I knew travel wasn’t only something I was going to dabble in, for me it was going to be a life-long affair. There is so much to see and I plan on dedicating my life to seeing it as much of it I can. It’s hard to explain the feeling I get when going to a new country, city or even just a new part of town I’ve never been.
I get so much joy from experiencing another way of life and exploring a new place. I am definitely at my happiest during these times. Although I know these people exist, I can’t imagine anyone not having the desire to travel. Crazy! Haha
Almost a year ago I left my family, friends and everything I know behind and set off on this crazy adventure. I managed to make my way across India, find a flat, a job and new friends in one of the busiest cities in the world and have travelled and seen more than I imagined possible in such a short time.
I have learnt a heck of lot, especially about myself and how I want my life to be. In 9 short months I’ve grown so much and I truly thank my travelling experience for that.
Of course, it’s not all fun and games. Not being able to pop home and see my family whenever I like or hang out with my friends back home can be extremely difficult. I am so thankful for the invention of Skype and Facebook as it has allowed me to keep in touch with my family in a way I am sure many travellers before me did not.
London isn’t an easy city to make a fresh start in. It’s expensive, harsh and not overly forgiving but I am giving it my best shot and somehow this chaotic city has well and truly won my heart. I am also incredibly lucky to have a wonderful family that offers me a huge support network even from 18,000km’s away and I could not thank them enough for that! No matter what difficulties come my way I just take it one step at a time and am slowly learning there is always an answer to every problem.
Travelling has opened my eyes in a way I did not expect and I can only hope to continue doing what I love; travelling and documenting it. My growing list of places to visit will probably never end, I also have many grand idea of all the cities I would one day like to live (even if just for a few months). My aim when travelling is to experience local life and actually getting to become a true local is what I dream of!
So here’s a life full of travel, good coffee, lots of fun and a bit of hard work to make my dreams happen.
Let me know below why you travel and if you don’t share my desire to travel let me know why as well, I would be really interested to find out!
Emma x
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