This entry is undoubtedly more for us than anyone. A reflection on life after moving around on two wheels for 18 months, what we really think of our experience and the impact it is had on us.
Hmm, that’s quite a bit to write about…. where to begin? Maybe an outline of what we are doing now.
In Roland’s typical fashion, he has totally immersed himself in his current endevour. He’s committed to teaching (and learning how to teach!) a classroom full of rambunctious boys aged nine and ten in a low socioeconomic part of our community. He’s taken up his old volunteer position with the SPCA doing fun stuff like washing away poop! He is also tinkering away on some second hand bicycles and becomes very lively in a game of (an old favourite) Settlers of Catan.
In between shopping in op shops and fussing with her dready hair, Belinda has jumped feet first into mental health nursing, a new challenge in her career but one she is excited about (minus the shift work). She is working in a residential service for people dealing with eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia. Initially arriving home, she got into the Insanity Gym buzz (high intensity aerobics) but has now directed her spare time into a drama class, adding to her repertoire of baking and waiting patiently for Roland to finish building her very own bicycle.
Most of all we are both enjoying the daily showers, conveniences of home, reconnecting with family and friends and attending social engagements. We also have a holiday in Vancouver in July 2011 that we are very much looking foward to.
Having friends visit from South America and other cycle tourists has allowed us to re-engage with many fond memories in amongst our current daily grind. Being able to talk “shop” (bicycle and touring jargon), speaking a sprinkle of Spanish and sharing stories has been medicine for the soul.
If we were to participate in a small yet useful exercise of grouping the impacts and impressions we think our trip has made on us, this is it:
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Increased self-awareness. Knowing each other’s and our own limits and strengths. Knowing how to achieve the best results together.
- Feeling more confident, stronger and empowered. Knowing it okay to push through perceived limitations; you won’t die!
- A sense of achievement on a personal and marital level.
- Trying to keep our lives simple, focusing on what is important and manageable by taking away the many frills and distractions. We have choices.
- The notion that when you have less you utilize more. Returning home we are continuously reminded of western world living standards and attitudes of how wasteful and unappreciative we can be.
- Most people in this world are innately good. Generosity, kindness and thoughtfulness make the world go round.
- We hope not to be labeled in that we are defined solely by this trip. We want to continue to have memorable experiences in all forms, including the kid part.
- Sometimes not choosing the comfortable option: taking risks and being vulnerable.
- It is not enough to be on the receiving end of so many acts of GOODNESS and to only talk about it. We are adamant about recycling goodwill and being “good neighbours.” We will never be in a perfect position to show kindness/hospitality/volunteer and it is not important. It’s about showing our humanity, being real and doing what you can, while you can.
We believe a large part of our success and enjoyment of our trip was due to your support (in all different forms) being the backbone of our emotional sustenance. We felt very blessed and fortunate to have such a supportive network of family and friends in both the Northern and Southern hemisphere. At times we have even been brought to tears with the overwhelming knowledge and sense of love and support we have from you all.
Thank you for your listening ears, words of wisdom, your prayers, your thoughts, your interest and your enthusiasm. To those from home: all the phone calls, skype calls, emails, facebook messages and chats, blog comments, pampering gifts, and packages in the mail ALWAYS gave us a boost and helped us to re-energise and re-focus knowing the people we loved and missed dearly were cheering us on from the sideline. To those who took time out of their busy lives and went out of their way to make our trip extra special by showcasing some very generous local hospitality or helping us out of a tight spot or by simply encouraging us, made our experience into something more than we could have ever hoped, dreamed and imagined.
We hope this is not the end of our adventures or our friendships with you. Maybe we can have an adventure together? Thank you for following our blog! We are continuously surprised about how many people have followed us on our journey but stoked it has been some source of value (other than a record for us) in terms of inspiration, entertainment and information.
“If I ride the morning winds to the farthest oceans,
even there your hand will guide me;
your strength will support me.”
Psalm 139:9-10
Until next time……….