10 years ago my life was very different to the way it is now.
10 years ago I had a failed engagement behind me and no clue what I wanted to do with my life after deciding a career in TV wasn’t for me after all.
10 years ago my father had recently committed suicide.
10 years ago I didn’t really know who I was or what lay in store.
10 years ago I packed my life up and headed off on a worldwide adventure.
When I say worldwide, I do mean worldwide. Over the next 12 months I visited 19 different countries and slept in goodness knows how many different places. I did a skydive, a bungee jump and a canyon swing. I got over my fear of snorkelling and even went diving. I climbed mountains and glaciers, took helicopter rides over waterfalls and the Grand Canyon. I slept in the bush in Australia and the freezing cold mountains of Canada. I walked the Great Wall and saw the sun rise over Angkor Wat in Cambodia and at Machu Piccu in Peru.
I started my adventure with my Mum in New York then I continued solo from then on. There were wobbles along the way. My mum was diagnosed with breast cancer while I was away and I so very nearly came home. But thankfully they caught it early and she insisted I stay while she was treated. I still carry guilt about that but have to be glad that all ended so well.
I had my wallet stolen and my back up credit card cloned in South America leaving me with only the kindness of friends I met until I could have a replacement card sent to Australia . And boy did I meet some wonderful people. Some of us met up again for New Year’s eve in Sydney that year and I have met up with so many of them time and again over the last 10 years and I hope that our friendships will last a lifetime.
It’s hard to reconcile that year with the life I have now. Now I’m a mum and am responsible for 2 tiny humans. I wouldn’t change that for the world, but my travels and experiences are things that I am incredibly proud of. I can’t wait to return to some of these places with the kids when they are older to share it with them and the hubs.
Oh Caroline I had no idea about abr of that. Wow though the travelling sounds amazing. You look fab in that photo.
I can’t wait to see where you take the children first 🙂
Caroline,
I can so relate with you, I went travelling for 12 months in 2008 – best thing I ever did. It really made me who I am today, part of it was with my boyfriend (now husband) the other alone. I love looking back on the photos and sometimes in the middle of mundane daily chores I get a flash back to sky diving or sleeping in a tent with coyotes outside and it makes me smile. Life with a toddler is a bit different!
Oh wow! What adventures you have had. You should be very proud. x
Wow! I’m just a tiny bit jealous that you had the guts to do all that when you were young and had no responsibilities. I think I’ve missed that boat – maybe in my retirement! It is like two different lives though isn’t it? Such great memories you must have…
Sounds like you had some amazing adventures – certainly stories to tell the young ‘uns #TwinklyTuesdays
Do it while you can. I hope you go on travels soon with your children. It’s nice to go when you’re younger and less commitments but it’s great for children to see the world too and explore as a family. #TwinklyTuesday
Wow Caroline I almost can’t believe it has web 10teara. I can still remember you running in to the trek meeting in Seatle – you were so late and we’re all out of breath. 5 mins later and we were all on the bus heading off to the Candadian Rockies camping for 3 weeks. What a laugh we had! I feel sorry for our camp mates who had to put up with us drunk singing most nights on top of tables or ‘Matilda’. Best memories of my life. Even better was Monika getting out the bottle of wine on top of the glacier! I feel so old thinking about this all now, but I look back and cherish those moments. Best of all was meeting two great friends in you and Monika. 🙂
It’s amazing how life can change in a heartbeat and surprisng how far we can come when the going gets tough and we think of giving up. Great post, I hope things keep going well and the next 10 years are also fab! #bestandworst