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I can totally relate to this. I was brought up in a small town in Pennsylvania. Ever since I was little I would always threaten my parents that I couldn’t wait to leave and somewhere ‘cool’. I would cry when we left the beach behind on holiday vacations. And then the Sydney olympics came on and I was glued to that television everyday. I promised myself I would go to Australia someday. I won a rotary essay contest and had to speak at a conference and there were a bunch of Australians there and we spoke about study abroad options. My parents wouldn’t let me go to University out of state so I chose the one in state that had study abroad options to Australia. Australia was my first flight ever and first time in a new country. Within weeks, I was traveling all over the country and that is when my love affair with living out of a suitcase began. After I returned to the states, I knew even more that the traditional small town lifestyle of school, marriage, buy a house and have lots of kids was not for me. So, I applied for grad school in Australia and have been there ever since. After my return to Australia, I traveled to Bali, New Caledonia with a local, and took my first solo adventure to Malyasia, Thailand, and Vietnam. I just went back to Vietnam this year to spend time with a local ethnic group that I was writing about. My next trip is to Peru. I think what drew me to Australia was that not only did it feel like home but also that everyone embraced travel. It was inspirational to see everyone explore other countries and meet many backpackers daily who also inspired me. I just didn’t get that in small town America, nor was time off and minimum wage ever enough to take time to explore. I love the discovery that travel brings and the amazing conversations that I have with strangers. I love going solo because it is a challenge, it new start and it enables me to learn more about myself that way. During each journey I learn a little more about myself.

I’m so happy I stumbled upon your blog!

Lol, that’s so true. You should have heard me squeal the other day when a creature ran right in front of me. Not a lion, not a tiger – it was a mouse:) “Mummy why are you scared? It’s cute.” my daughter said!

Lol, love the Dutch saying, so true, the anticipated fear is often way worse than living it.

I have been bitten and stung too but thankfully never died. Ive decided I’d rather die by being eaten by a shark than getting run over by a bus though. Still, not ready to check out yet though!!

That money is sent just to clean their bloody hands and make everyone feel better. Americanisation by War. Thanks Uncle Sam.! I know, You love me to Death.

Greetings from the new world order.

Major Out !

However, as a sober Dutch person endowed with the national travel gene, I don’t let my fears stop me from looking for foreign adventures. The Dutch have a saying “Men lijdt het meest door het lijden dat met vreest,” which translated means “One suffers most from the suffering that one fears,” which actually rhymes in Dutch and therefore sounds better, but you catch my drift.

Love those creepy photos!

Oh, you meant hat big hairy tarantula. I know sent shivers down my spine but snakes scare me most of all.

Lol, oh it was;)