Pavement to pavement.

Today I woke up with a hangover, after catching up with a good mate down at the Newport, then followed by seeing a band at Mona Vale. The morning felt like someone pounding my head, like your housemate trying to wake you up by hitting you with a pillow at 6am for work, but hey it was a good night out, it was great to catch up with my buddy Peter after not seeing him for two years. Last night I was asked a question, How was it possible that I kept on traveling from place to place, pavement to pavement, country to country, seeking many new possibilities to discover more adventures over the pass decade? Peter was truly amazed on my experiences after following me on Facebook as I upload my travel photos to show off and make everyone kinda jealous and he confronted me how lucky I was.

Firstly, I had grown up in Asia since birth til 12yrs old, my family was constantly moving around the Australasian region. Therefor "staying still" was something not "normal " to me.

As years went by, maintaining my passion for Aggressive In-line skating, having a few sponsors to support me and building up my network which lead me to California for a few years. I dreamed of living, working, skating and competing in the USA as well as being heavily involved in the extreme sports world.

Around 2004, a program called Working Holiday Visa become widely recognized, it was a great opportunity for anyone 18 - 31yrs old to live and work in a foreign country for a year or two. So I took the advantage after my visa from the States had expired and then applied for working hoilday visa programs.That lead me to Canada, France, England, Brazil and traveled to other places in between over the years. I just kept on applying for new visa's or extension throughout the years as my ideas of new journeys craving to go further.The amount of friends around the globe, I already established enough connections, just encouraged myself to keep going and knowing I can ask my friends opinion how to settle in their country. They would offend gave me a place to stay for a few nights or at least show me around town.

On my 28th birthday, I had question myself was it time to settle back home to Sydney, knowing I don't have any investments for my future. Was enough, enough?? Fuck no...I still got a few more places to experience on my bucket list and try different types of work before I choose to commit to something worth building on. I looked at everyone I knew from high school and friends overseas, they all had travel a bit and also settled down in their late 20's, some ready to get a steady job, a loan, missionary with partner on Friday nights...It was clear that they had found something they could support their needs...but I wasn't ready.

My conclusion to Peter, I choose to make it happen as that's what I wanted to do and I took the advantage to every possible way to keep traveling using WHP programs,work visas via networking..Once, I returned back to Australia for 3 months and worked my ass off as much as I could and lock myself in my room on days off to save for the next trip & fill in the visa application.I did what I wanted to achieve by making a commitment. Any person can put their minds together to make an idea into reality and stick with it.

I know I will have to settle down eventually,I'm not expecting it will be easy. So, if you can do what you want, for a year overseas, there are many more international programs now compared back in early 2000's. Take a chance..one year off work/career, certain responsibilities can stop for 12 months, what does anyone have to lose before their 30 years old for an international life experance...

#Australia #Sydney #Travel #Courage