That reminds me, went to a Brazilian grill in London for dinner the other night, amazing food. They asked if we would like to see the dessert menu and as I had seen some delicious chocolate mousse displayed in the cabinet when I walked in we thought we would take a quick squiz at the menu.... The menu came on a trolley... Every single dessert made up in dishes for display. Brilliant idea. We had to order now with that scrumptious deliciousness right in front of our eyes as opposed to just words or pictures... Genius idea and I bet they get double the dessert sales to any other restaurant. It's like dangling string in front of a kitten.
Anyway, I have loved my job as a European tour guide.
It has been the best experience of my life. To learn so much - history, culture, art and architecture (a touch of language - would've loved to learn more). To make life long friends with the people I went through intensive training with. To have my eyes opened to so many things that have led me to feel more sure of who I am. To have all sorts of crazy adventures from adrenalin rushing activities like skydiving and canyoning to going to shows, long bike rides, running and hiking all in different settings. To then take others around Europe and share that passion and love for life and travel with them and to then see those people have defining life changing and memorable moments.
A whirlwind of interviews, thought processes, a job offer, more thought processes, decision making exercises now find me a few weeks later, on this plane zooming towards the Southern Hemisphere far away from Europe. My heart definitely torn! But I do love life - Drew this in the sand Feb 2014 West coast, NZ.
I want to be everywhere and with everyone! I'm going to miss waking up in a different European city every second morning, I'm going to miss my friends I made within my colleagues like crazy. I'll miss moments when I'd meet locals from a different country and culture and they would inspire me or widen my view of the world in some way. I can think of a million examples, like the happy, gorgeous 9 year old Albanian girl I met and played with at our hotel swimming pool reminding me to keep having fun, not to be shy and not to take life to seriously or the cheery elderly Georgian couple so much energy, so many jokes, so high on life I got the pleasure to meet on top of Gellert hill, Budapest when I was running in the early morning inspiring me to be the same when I reach that age. They were the epitome of the quote "you are only as old as you feel".
On the flip side I am going to a new, different, dream job that still allows travel, is all about travel and encouraging others to take part in this beautiful thing as well as being a career advancement. Not only that but I will be living in my beautiful home country nearby my Grandparents, parents, siblings and friends and especially my little nephews who are growing so fast!
Super excited to be heading into another summer, time to try pick up surfing again? BBQ's with my beautiful friends, sunshine, lollipops, rainbows and spinning tops! I hope to have lots of my Aussie and European friends visit! I will have a home..... Strange concept. A home with a kitchen (uhh... Possibly need to sign up for cooking classes... It's been awhile...), a bedroom where I can unpack my suitcase completely for the first time since early 2013.
For those who have not yet ventured to the gem of the pacific yet, I leave you with a few thoughts and photos from my travels in my own backyard.... To hopefully inspire and to see you soon ;)
New Zealand is the birth place of commercial bungy jumping.... So if that's on your bucket list, you should do it here.
Also, New Zealand is the first country in the world to see the sunrise for a new calendar day.... Perfect place to be for New Years celebrations.
Welcome home!
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