Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Passport Issued: 2003


My current passport was issued in 2003. Like Ginger Spice, my look and my life have changed a good bit since then. In 2003 I was still drinking amaretto sours almost exclusively if not legally. I was in the midst of my first serious relationship and genuinely expected to be married at the age I've survived to now. I had never colored my hair, let alone traveled outside the United States without my family.

And now I'm off again. Ever since Molly and I had our first great adventure after college graduation, I've been addicted. Genuinely addicted. The exchange rates suck, I'm low on vacation days and I don't have much in the line of US currency anyway and yet I can't stop myself. I get the itch and will make whatever sacrifices necessary to procure the next great adventure, the next undiscovered town and new friends in all places and at all hours.

The world has time and again proven itself to be a beautiful place, begging to be smiled at in small streets and thanked in any/every language. I will not be young and untethered forever. I feel very lucky to be aware of this. This state we're in now is not permanent and that is not for better or worse, it just is. I am almost 25 and four of my best friends are waiting for me literally all over England like a bloody fantastic scavenger hunt. Croydon to Birmingham to Bristol to London proper.

This time tomorrow I will be in my window seat and probably just above Cleveland as I make the trek back to Heathrow. For "family", for friendship and maybe even something more complicated, though I dare not name it now. I'm thinking it though.

That my dears, is an adventure in and of itself.

15 comments:

nicole antoinette said...

This is the best post I've read in such a long time. For no other reason other than it made me feel GREAT.

"I will not be young and untethered forever."

This is my new motto. And yes, I am obsessed with travel.

Anonymous said...

oh wow, I'm so in awe and sunning in your rays right now! I do love to travel... I can't wait to read more about your adventure! I also am going somewhere soon.. Spain ahh!

Anonymous said...

Have fun! Bring me back a postcard! I collect them :)

Nilsa S. said...

Happy travels, girlfriend. I'll hold down the fort with Ron while you're gone (man am I hurting today). And we'll have to compare calendars when you get back - next thing you know, it'll be summer here!

SeeLeigh said...

you're lovely! have so much fuuuuun! :) :) :)

Anonymous said...

Every year around this time I start to crave traveling... one of these days I'm gonna actually make it happen.

Have an amazing time!

Michelle and the City said...

what a traveller you are! have a blast and tell us all about it (and the mysterious relationship you mentioned too) when you get back!! ;)

alexa @clevelandsaplum said...

so yeah i'm totally jealous.

i'll wave to you from my office window as you are flying over cleveland. ha

Anonymous said...

Something more complicated? Hmmm, what ever does this mean? Is there a love interest blooming?! OH!!

Cheryl said...

Have fun! Can't wait to read all about it.

So@24 said...

Ginger used to look so much better.

Damn she was hot.

Gjelly said...

I hope you have sooo much fun! :-)

TSTuesday said...

I am green with envy. I miss traveling. I am unemployed in less than 48 hours and although I am looking forward to it I don't have enough saved up for our shitty economy to travel any farther than the ten minutes to the beach.

Hope you have fun and come back with lots of stories!

L Sass said...

Hope you are having SUCH a wonderful trip. Hope the Pound is not too painful and that you have lots to blog about when you return.

The Charming Hedonist said...

Oh, you should certainly dare to name the more complicated.... ;)