home sweet home

I'm sitting in the airport in Auckland right now, and by the time I load this I will already be in the states. As I sit here and celebrate the end of my trip with an open tab of forthcoming drinks, I can't help but feel an emptiness in my heart. I think traveling is probably sort of like a drug or how people describe the obsession with tattoos. Once you have a little taste, there's no turning back--it becomes this adrenaline rush that you become infatuated over. The more I've seen, the more people I've met, it makes me realize I've been trapped inside a bubble for so long. I've been so blind to worldly events and social and cultural differences.

I woke up this morning certain I was going to Fiji only hours after a massive cyclone had hit. I was heavily talked out of going, and urged to stay in New Zealand. I begged the staff to put me on a flight home to LA, and I was so blessed that they were compliant and very accommodating to my situation. Now, 24 hours later, I'm back in the USA already gorging myself to death on tacos and cookies.

I'm proud of myself that I had the courage to book this trip, and that I was able to do a good chunk of it alone. I've learned more about myself then I ever thought I would. Having hours and hours upon days of hearing only the voices in your head will do this to you. I experienced many trial and tribulations along the way, but I think if anything I have become stronger, wiser, more patient, and kind because of it. I hope!?

I spent approximately 170-200 hours traveling + waiting around for that travel and commuting to and from transport. That's roughly a little over a week of constant travel! After days of gruesome barf inducing traveling experiences, I really do feel like I can do anything at this point in my life. I am already extremely bored, and excited to find work immediately so I can start saving for my next trip!

Favorites on the trip: I didn't have an overall favorite because every country was so different...
1. Most beautiful: New Zealand (South island was incredible)
2. Favorite country culturally: Thailand-people were really friendly and very I felt really safe here.
3. Favorite country historically: I learned the most in Cambodia---Angkor Wat and Killing Fields were very thought provoking and educational.
4. Favorite country "fun" wise: Lao--2 day boat trip with beer and Aussies, hilarious drinking games at open air bar, I dirty danced with a dog
5. Favorite cities: Tie between Queenstown, NZ and Luang Prabang, Laos
6. Favorite beaches: Bali

actually, the more I'm typing I can find a million "favorites". I just really enjoyed this trip and highly recommend traveling. I can't wait to see and experience more, and I am so grateful for the opportunity that was handed to me!

Thanks for keeping up with my travels!

Allison

Queenstown, Milford sound, christchurch-New Zealand

Listening to while driving: jan hammer
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8KmPa6_wl14

I wanted to travel alone to prove to myself that I could do it. That I was responsible, aware, and capable enough to parade around foreign cities with only a backpack and a map in hand.  I should have known better during the first month spent with my best friend, who held on to my passport and important documents like my mother, that I wasn't and would never be "capable" by anyone's standards. 

Since Lauren's left me I have missed a flight because I was too busy eating a hamburger, I've been caught at security multiple times with "dangerous" items that I forgot about--(I.e. mace, scissors, nail clippers), I've left the city to explore without writing down where I was staying and thus tried unlocking every apartment in the vicinity. And then there was wednesday night. 

I was taking my sweet time packing and getting ready for New Zealand--researching hostels and sightseeing options and I knew I was to leave for the airport by 830. All of a sudden 730 snuck up on me and I realized I still needed to shower and pack. I rushed in the bathroom, threw more food down my throat than I actually probably needed, and quickly started todo my hair. 

All of a sudden I was in a full blown sweat like I had just climbed Everest. I strapped myself in to my overweight backpack, picked up all my extra paraphernalia I've accumulated and hoarded for the past two months, set the keys on the table and rushed out the door. I quickly slammed the door and turned my body to run down the stairs of the apartment building. I took one big stride and was immediately yanked backward like a disobedient dog being scolded by its master. 

I turned around as far as I could, but was strained and locked against the wall to no avail. My backpack had mistakenly gotten stuck in the hinge of the door and would not budge. Shoot. I had left the keys in the apartment. I tried running in place to see if it would give...no dice. Still attached and trapped, I knocked on the neighbors door and could hear them tiptoeing around and avoiding the situation at hand. I unstrapped and dumped out my entire bag to try and find my scissors or nail clippers when I remembered that I had to turn them in to TSA in Cambodia. 

With junk all over the floors i began pounding on all the neighbors doors. The clock was ticking and I needed scissors stat. Finally after pounding on 5 different doors, the downstairs neighbor answered. Without any hesitation I shouted  immediately and emphatically, "I've had an emergency upstairs and I need you to lend me scissors". There was no asking. It was not a question. It was a statement. I missed my flight the week before and lost $100+ dollars. It was not happening again. 

He looked at me like I was a crack head but when I explained it it made me sound even crazier. Luckily he was able to find some scissors and I broke myself free from the door by amputating a couple of straps. 

I arrived in christchurch on the 6th in morning at 5 Am and was immediately in love with New Zealand. The air smelled like camp and the sky was  grey and cold. Relief!!! I had been looking for fellow travelers to rent a camper van together but that fell trough so I rented a car alone. my first stop was the downtown area. I wasn't expecting to see so much devastation and was really taken aback by the slow movement toward rebuilding the city after the earthquake. 

The entire city reminded me of something out of a movie...no businesses were open and most were fenced off or crumbling to the ground. There was a cute up and coming pop up shopping mall area with stores and restaurants  inside shipping crates and and it was fun to walk around there. 

I left for my long drive to queenstown and I am completely obsessed with this place. The drive was spectacular. I drove past any and every climate or tundra you could imagine...desert, forest, lakes, wild flowers, plateaus, snow, etc. the ride was never dull, and I found myself wide jawed after ever single turn. I was in disbelief. I passed by thousands of sheep, emus, calfs, horses, all without a single person in site for miles. I would occasionally stop the car, get out, and just breathe it all in. 

I was falling asleep at the wheel and stopped quite a few times to load up on red bulls, which inevitably lead to more stops where I had to buy all sorts of food as collateral for using the toilet. At one particular stop I came back to my car and my gps was missing. My heart was racing, and again I tore apart the whole car looking for the GPS. "Why me?!?!" I kept saying under my breath. I ran back into the gas station frantically and told the lady that I had been robbed and she reviewed her tapes and filed a report. I spent a good half hour mapping out where I needed to drive, and hopped back into the car all the while trying to figure out how I was going to pay for another one. I was devastated, and felt like crying. I drove for an hour or so and then all of a sudden I heard in a robotic distant muffled voice "recalculating", "turn around as soon as possible". Thank God!!! At some point it had flung out of the holder tht was plastered to my window, into the backseat. Suddenly my annoyance with the robot turned into the most abundant, unconditional love I have ever experienced. 

Queenstown is the adventure capital of the world and is situated in the middle of a basin next to lake wakatipu, Which is situated in the midst of a cascading pine tree laden mountain range. A few days ago i hiked up on of the mountains and went luging down a portion of it. The hike was no joke at a 75 degree angle the entire time. My buns were on fire!

I posted a listing on the bulletin board looking for people to help me pitch in for gas to drive down to Milford sound. I heard back from two boys from the Netherlands and had a (youre not going to believe me) really awkward encounter trying to meet up with them.

 I heard back from a guy named Marco who sent me an email and told me he and his friend would be making dinner at 7pm sharp and to meet him in the kitchen to discuss the trip we were going to take. He told me he was tall, really blonde, and was with a guy wearing a brown shirt. After my long hike, I decided to buy a bottle of wine and sip on it while I waited for the boys. In walked a tall blonde guy wearing a blue shirt and I saw him give his buddy (wearing a brown t shirt) a high five. Check. Knowing that I am prone to awkwardness, I decided to wait before I just ran up and assumed that he was Marco. That is until he walked past me and his friend said, "see ya later mark". There was no doubt in my mind this was my guy, so I ran up to him with my glass of wine and said "heyyyyy marcoooo!!?" In a semi seductive voice. When I heard,"huh? Who is Marco?" I wanted to die. He asked me to explain why and what happened so I explained that I was supposed to meet a tall blonde guy wearing a blue shirt and I thought it was him all the while I'm sipping on my wine all alone lookingike a total lush. 

I keep running into him. I went to grab a cutlery later that evening and our hands both reached for the same fork at the same time. Ugh. 

We drove for 5 hrs and made it to Milford sound. The drive was indescribable. We had to pull over in the middle of nowhere to just bask in the beauty, and i now have a full understanding of the word "breath taking", because the view really did make me choke i was so stunned. I have looked over my photos, and the actual scenery no justice whatsoever. There were thousands of little waterfalls trickling down massive sky scraping boulders, and snow caves all over the place. We took a huge liking to a native kiwi bird called the kea. I don't usually like birds at all but this bird actually ran (yes ran)  up to our car right when we parked. It was a beautiful conglomeration of green and yellows and when it took flight the underside of its wings were a bright shade of orangish red. 

We did a cruise through the Milford sound yesterday and it was quite spectacular. The entire town was made up of 1 restaurant, two hotels, and no gas station. Luckily we made it back. 

I got the flu and was really sick yesterday and today. Last night I was having trouble breathing and almost went to the hospital. It was really scary. I still don't know what is wrong because all sorts of things ache on my body. I might go and get things checked out over here since Idont have insurance back home. I hope I'm not dying!

I drove today to fox glacier and will check it out in the morning before driving back to christchurch to return my car and head to Auckland and the rest of the north island. Check back in a few! 

Goodbye Australia

Melbourne has been really incredible. It's so similar to San Francisco with it's cute little cable cars and trendy shops and restaurants. Every single store I've been into is perfectly planned out and decorated to a T. Andrea has taken me all around the city and I've explored most of the neighborhoods here.

The first day I came in I took the bus to her work downtown and we went for some sushi. I love the "to go" sushi in Australia....they are cheap little pre-made hand rolls that you order at the counter and can eat quickly. We don't really have places that are similar in the US, as most of our sushi isn't all that great if it's been pre-made and sat in a fridge for awhile. This was top notch, some of the best sushi rolls I've ever had!

At night Andrea took me to a work related event at this rooftop bar that was to promote a new music app similar to spotify. Friday she was "sick" and stayed home from work and took me to a place that served $2 incredible pizzas, and showed me her city on wheels. Friday night we went to a xmas party in an art studio and watched some of her friend's bands play. I met some of her lovely friends who we have hung out with the last few nights. 

Yesterday  I took off and adventured around the city by foot. I walked downtown which took me 2 hours round trip, and hit up ACMI, which is an art gallery for motion pictures. There were some really cool exhibits that were interactive. For example, there was a Wii exhibit and I played tennis against a machine and of course got way to  into it and threw my hand against a pole and bruised it up pretty good. Nerd injury!  I also stopped at the hall of remembrance which is a large building dedicated to loss of Australian war veterans. I was approached by some really strange man who I decided to be friendly with but he started getting really creepy and so I walked away. Weirdo!

Today I hit up a place called "Lentils as Anything" for the second time now. The restaurant runs on a donation basis, and given my financial situation I have taken a liking to it. More than that, it is probably one of the best meals I've had since I've been abroad. Delicious! 

I made burrito bowls for Andrea tonight and it was really good. I got stuck outside in a rainstorm when I was on foot and ran into a shop to seek cover. The weather has been pretty scummy here. The first day I arrived it was 100 and today it was probably 55 or 60. 

It's been really interesting not relying on technology to get me around town and keep me occupied when things get awkward in social situations. I am frankly sickened by the amount of people I've met up with who are constantly on their phones mid conversation. Am I really that boring that you can't hold off for 2 seconds to check your twitter page? Reaaaar, sorry I had a moment there. But I think we are all guilty of doing this at some point....I've just become more aware of it since I don't have internet access to have the option.

I've gotten very lost multiple times but rely on human interaction and old fashioned maps to get me where I need to be. I went on a run the other day and came back to what I thought was Andrea's apartment. I tried getting in for a good 45 mins before I figured out I was on the wrong street. Not my fault they all look the same!

Tomorrow I move on to New Zealand. I posted an ad on the equivalent of craigslist, on a site called Gumtree, to find a couple travel partners. I've heard back from quite a few girls that are my age that are wanting to rent a camper van with me. Hopefully I can get something figured out quickly here! This is my last country I'm in and I'm ready to go all out. I've kind of been being a cheapskate lately and I don't want to regret not seeing more while I'm here.

My brother is the best brother in the world and randomly wired me a good amount of money to borrow. I couldn't believe that he did this for me and am so grateful to have a little extra to spend while I'm here. He was emphatic that I go all out and that I will definitely not regret spending this money in the future. 

Thanks Scott! I love you!