Today marks exactly one year since I boarded that life-changing flight to India. A journey that launched my whirlwind tour around the world. In the past year, I’ve crossed oceans, traversed continents, and lived out of a suitcase like a very confused nomad. Asia, Australia, Europe, Central and South America – I hit them all, except Antarctica. (Penguins, I’ll get to you one day.) It’s been the wildest, most thrilling year of my life, but let’s be honest, it wasn’t all sunsets and Instagram-worthy moments. I’ve learned a few things along the way, some deeply personal and others purely practical, like how to wash socks in a hotel sink without feeling sad about it.
One of my biggest “aha” moments happened while snorkeling in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. As I swam through the clear waters, surrounded by vibrant marine life, it hit me. I had spent most of my life only exploring the land, completely missing out on the 71% of the Earth that’s underwater. Sure, I’d snorkeled before, but this time I felt like I was truly one with the ocean. It’s crazy how many of us live our whole lives never venturing into this otherworldly realm that covers most of the planet. Land’s great, but you haven’t lived until you’ve had a staring contest with a fish!
Now, don’t get me wrong – I love cities like Bangkok, Medellin, and Berlin. They’ve got that familiar, “hey, I could live here” vibe. But it’s the places that shake me out of my comfort zone that really stick with me. India, Cuba, Vietnam, these places force you to pay attention in ways you never have before. You can’t just coast. You’re constantly navigating new customs, languages, and safety tips (pro tip: always ask if the water’s drinkable before you drink it).
Let’s talk about India. I didn’t just visit India, I experienced it, for eight intense, overwhelming, life-altering weeks. You don’t dip your toes into India – you dive in headfirst and hope for the best. The best way to survive it? Go in with an open mind, lots of trust, and a huge dose of positivity. India has this magical way of grabbing hold of your senses and not letting go. The colours, the smells, the sounds, it’s an all-out assault on your comfort zone. And trust me, India will change you. You don’t leave the same person you were when you arrived. The country challenges you on every level, emotionally, spiritually, ethically, and if you let it, that challenge can change you for the better.
And then there was Machu Picchu. Now, I’m not saying it wasn’t breathtaking (because it absolutely was), but for me, it was more about the journey than the destination. The hike to get there was a test of my mental and physical endurance. By the time I stood among those ancient ruins, I felt more accomplished than awed. Machu Picchu didn’t give me the instant emotional punch of the Taj Mahal, which nearly brought me to tears, or the love-at-first sight feeling I got from the Colosseum. But what Machu Picchu did do was push me hard. It challenged my willpower, my spirit, and my ability to keep going when all I wanted to do was quit.
That’s the thing about traveling. We get so fixated on reaching the destination that we forget the real magic happens along the way. The journey, the struggle, the unexpected twists and turns – that’s the good stuff. Machu Picchu isn’t just an ancient wonder of the world; it’s a metaphor for life. It’s not about standing at the top; it’s about how you got there. So, after a year of living out of a suitcase, what’s my takeaway? Well, for starters, I’ve learned to pack way less stuff. But more importantly, I’ve learned that the world is bigger, weirder, and more beautiful than I ever imagined. And while the sights were incredible, the real reward was the journey itself – the lessons learned, the limits pushed, and the occasional sock washed in a sink.
Here’s hoping to another month or maybe two – of exploring, learning, and maybe even discovering that penguins really do like humans. One can hope.