Escape, leave it all behind.

I think the thing I love most about traveling is escaping.  I believe we all have our escapes, mine just is really literal.  I love many things and hobbies I have in my life, and that's because it isn't permanent or long term.  Dance--for example--I've been doing it since I was four, so it seems pretty permanent.  The thing about dance though is you can leave each routine after about a few months or a year.  You don't like jazz?  Okay, then find another form of dance to study.  It really is great.  It's like traveling.  I love traveling, I'm dedicated to the art of travel, but I leave places behind--some I never will return to.  Sometimes I believe it is good to leave something behind and never return to it.  Sometimes you don't need everything that you come across in your life.

I've been numerous places, mostly in the continental US, and luckily a few places many time zones away.  It's given me the opportunity to live my life to the fullest, do things with out a regret or care in the world.  I always reason with myself, "oh you'll NEVER see these people again!"  Funny thing is, I have seen some of those people again or at least kept in contact with them.  But sometimes doing those things out of your comfort zone, you make new friendships, great stories to tell, and you learn something about yourself.  I think the sense of doing something you may only do once, and then leaving it behind--you really get the opportunity to define who you are.

Another great thing about an escape, is getting to actually escape.  There are so many times where I need to be a way from some place or people or a thing, that I literally pick up a leave.  This concept has been behind only 2 or 3 of my travels, one in fact being Australia.  Leaving allows me to clear my brain and remind myself that all things are not permanent.  I'll return to love ones who have missed me, a job that must refund my bank account, and the few things I love.  Chances are when I return those things that were bogging me down or stressing me out have been demolished or really weren't as big a problem as I thought.  Escaping puts things into perspective I guess.

My point?  Well I guess my point is that I love to escape and run away, but I do come back.  Come back to reality that is.  I believe every one of us needs something that we can proudly rely on to let us escape and leave it behind us, with out looking back or thinking twice.  When we return, we aren't looking back, we're moving forward, and that's the point of life isn't?  Constantly moving forward in our lives, progressing to something great I hope.  So I encourage you to run away somewhere, don't look back, but return and keep pushing on.  It's okay to revisit some of those places you left behind--maybe you need it but it smaller doses--maybe it brings you good memories now and then but you can't always have it with you.  Interpret that how you will, but escape, don't look back.  Be happy, love your life, and keeping moving forward.  There's always something better around the next corner.

North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, Australia.

(off the East coast of Australia, near the Gold Coast)

June 2009, Australian Experience

(where I was diagnosed with the travel bug--hear the story in a future post!)

A one on one interview.

Today we are getting up close and not too personal with a new-comer to this blogging community and why they have decided to join!

Date:  Friday, February 18, 2011
Location:  Some place in the Northeast experiencing the effects of global warming on this abnormal warm day.
Who:  Caitlin, our newest blogger.

An interview with Caitlin, by Caitlin.

Q:  Let's start this simple, who in the world are you?
A:  Well good afternoon to you as well, my name is Caitlin.  I'm just an average girl pursuing a degree, enjoying life and having fun.

Q:  What brings you to this realm called blogging?
A:  I've been a skeptic for a long time, seeing how people abuse the idea of blogging by venting about feelings, emotions, and that their life sucks.  I have never particularly enjoyed those types of entries, so depressing and invasive to my thoughts, not a great way to lighten a mood.  After some time though, I stumbled across blogs randomly or ones friends have written that have been informative, inspiring, and just fun, so hey--why not join!

Q:  And what do you plan to enlighten us on with your subject of choice?
A:  TRAVELING!  Oh, who doesn't love a good traveling blog?  Yes there are many out there, and maybe one day I'll define mine apart from the rest, but right now this is for my own traveling enjoyment.  I want to capture my memories, future plans, and maybe inspire someone to travel somewhere out of their comfort zone.

Q:  Anything you want to focus on?
A:  Well, maybe I'll target it towards my age group, you know--those broke college kids and broke post grads.  We all need a get-a-way now and then, but sometimes some are through the roof with prices.  I've been fortunate to travel a lot while I have been in my undergrad education, and have found affordable ways to do so.  If I keep this blog for sometime, maybe I'll evolve it to fit my life as I continue on--when I can afford elaborate vacations thinking I'm only spending pocket change.  But mostly, let's focus on my love and excitement of traveling.

Q:  You're favorite destination as of today?
A:  Hands down, Australia.  Beautiful, amazing, and welcoming country.  The culture is so different and similar to the USA, and you will always have a great story to tell the next day.  This is where I feel I truly found my love of traveling, and caught that very contagious "travel bug," you hear so many people talk about.  While I was there, I really just felt free and completely content.  So thank you, Australia, for being such a turning point in who I am today.

Q:  What inspires you to travel?
A:  Oh, too many things to even begin to count!  So many different cultures and pieces of history out there in our world, there is no way I can go on day dreaming about it, I must see it!  I also have friends to visit who live out of state, as well as family members.  I think our world is so beautiful that if you don't ever leave any farther than your home town and your comfort level, you never really get to live.

Q:  Never get to live, really? That seems controversial.
A:  True, good point I bring to myself.  Yes you can live your life to the fullest staying in the same old place your whole life.  You can experience many things, flourish in family and friends, and be remarkably happy with everything you have done.  It could be a great life in the eyes of someone who does this, but would they ever wonder?  Would they wonder if they missed out on a turning point in world history?  Would they wonder if they missed out on some wild, risky experience in another state or country?  Would they always feel that the world is a mystery?  Personally I would not be able to handle living with all these "what if," questions.  So yes, I truly believe to fully live every second of your life you have, go out and see the world.  This is your only life you have, make every second count.  You'll look back and smile, and be so glad you did everything you had a chance to do.

Q:  To conclude for today, what do you want your readers to really get out of your blog?
A:  There are a few things I would really like my readers (if any) to take away from this.  I hope they find this entertaining, funny, and maybe somewhat enlightening.  I also want them to feel the rush I had when I travel, and the adrenaline I gain when planning new trips--I want them to feel like they are apart of it somehow.  And lastly, I want to inspire them.  Inspire them to try new things, travel far and travel long, and to also really have fun with their lives.

Well thank you, Caitlin, for taking time to procrastinate more on your senior project annotations to give us a little insight on your blog and why you are here.  Can't wait to read more!