Sometime last year Finance and I had a discussion about what it was we wanted to do after the wedding. Essentially it was the 'what is our 5 year plan' talk. I expressed to him that while I wasn't ready for children right away, I wanted to start a family sometime within the next 5 years. We both agreed, and began to discuss our future as it might look with children. Where did we want to live? What kind of jobs would we want to have? How would we provide for a family...etc etc.
We were sitting in a newly renovated home with a vacant lot next door we owned contemplating the various financial strategies and investment opportunities, we so gratefully possess. Later that evening as we were lying in bed, I began to have flashes of my life with an infant on my boob and a 2 year old having a temper tantrum at my feet. There is a huge difference between WANTING children, and actually having them - for 18 years, and I realized I was far from being ready to be responsible for someone else. Nor was I ready to give up the spotlight. Practically an only child, as my brother was out of the house by the time I was 12, I am used to doing things my way, on my own terms. Independent and sometimes bratty. I've been doing just fine. Thank you.
In a mild panic unbeknown to Finance, I rolled over and said "Hey, what would you say if I suggested that we sell everything we own, invest it and take out a big chunk to travel the world for a year?". Finance looked at me and said, without batting an eyelash or changing his facial expression, "I'm down".
And that was it. A few weeks later we had dinner with Vern and Mr. Buck, and told them our plans. I was expecting parental criticism, instead their eyes lit up and they replied "What a wonderful idea!". No 'Well how are you going to pay for that?', or 'You mean you're going to QUIT YOUR JOB?', or 'That's not very responsible now is it?'...just 'GREAT!'. It was perfect. And we knew more than ever that our impulse to explore, to seek adventure and personal growth, given our financial circumstances...was exactly the thing to do.
Come August of this year, we will be leaving the states for Russia. There we will begin the journey of a lifetime. We have purchased backpacks that will hold approx 35lbs and we are taking about 10 items of clothing. We are selling everything we own, save a few sentimental pieces of furniture. We have sold our lot, and our home is under contract. Our dogs will be staying with family and friends. We have given ourselves a budget of $40,000. When the money runs out, we go back to work. We have agreed to give the trip at least a year before running back to the States. We have a globe in our home that is decorated with pins representing all the places we wish to see. We are open to the possibility that we may fall in love with a foreign place and decide to be there indefinitely. (I'm rooting for barefoot and pregnant on a vineyard in Tuscany...although the word is, owning land as a foreigner isn't so easy). We don't have an itinerary, so don't ask. We are purchasing A SINGLE one way ticket out, and the rest will be determined as we go. We will attempt to travel 5 continents in 12 months. Unless I get pregnant in Tuscany :-) Just kidding.
We will attempt as much land travel as possible, and Finance wants to ride the Trans Siberian. He's on crack. Our goal is: Russia, Scandinavia, Great Britain, France, Greece, Italy, the Eastern Block, MAYBE TURKEY, (unfortunately NOT EGYPT), Mongolia, Nepal, India, Cambodia, Vietnam, Japan, Thailand, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Easter Island (among other islands), and as much of South America as possible.
The 'plan' is to end in Hawaii. Where I will be lucky to get laid, because Finance knows this is where I want to get pregnant. bwahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
We will return to the states and find some place out west to 'settle down' and have little Max and Charleigh. Some place where Finance has rocks in our back yard to go climb, and I can make jewelry, knit and or get into my photography. Or write a book.
I will be sacraficing half my clothes to stuff my sack with Mac and Cheese and Raman Noodles. You think I'm joking. May God, Allah, Buddha, Zeus, Jesus, Mary, AND Joseph help me and my aversion to non processed authentic foods.
