Ready

This is my last entry prior to the exit from my reality, and the start of my long-awaited adventure.

I guess it is fitting to reflect upon my current mindset and try to describe just what I am thinking and feeling just prior to departure. Am I excited? Nervous? Anxious? The truth is that if I was to use just one world to describe my emotion it is that I am simply ready. Ready to actual see, hear, touch, taste, and smell everything that awaits. Ready to begin. Ready to realize the adventure that I have so intimated researched, planned, and awaited over the past 5 months. I feel as if I have spent so much time reading about Thailand – about the places that I plan on visiting – about the culture – the people – the tourism – the activities – the hotels – the modes of transportation – that it is as if I have already been experienced without actually experiencing. It’s as if I am already a returning visitor who knows so much about the country and everything that awaits. But I know as soon as I step off the plane, that all of that goes out the window, and I will find myself alone in a very strange land. And I am ready for that and I am at peace.

It’s reasonable to assume that with all this preparation, and especially with the 18 entries that I have written and published since this all began last May, that I am expecting that this journey will change me in some way – that I will be awoken to something deep inside myself, and that I will have some giant epiphany about life, and more specifically, my place within it. But that is not the case at all. I truly have no expectations. In actuality, I am very much happy with where I am in life – and the path that I am on. During the past several months, I have really established myself in my career with my current job, and I have no qualms with returning from my trip and continuing on with my career and future. As far as the trip, my only expectation is having an absolute blast and taking full advantage of the time away from my familiar surroundings and breaking apart from my regular routine. I have an open-mind, and I greatly look forward to filling that mind with the excitement that travel and new learning will bring. I want to meet the locals, learn about their outlook and how they see themselves and the world – and also I want to discuss the take on life that my fellow travelers will bring. I want to learn about Buddhism, mediation, freedom, expression, and exploration. But mainly, I just plan on having fun – trying new things – not saying “no”, and returning home with a ton of stories, new friends, and an overall memorable and unforgettable experience.

So, that is it in a nutshell. I’m good to good, set to jet, and ready to rock. Bring it on.