Birthdays away from Home
This travelling solo business is all-well-and-good for realising your potential, “finding yourself”, and all that… but tomorrow I turn 29. A significant milestone, I guess: the end of my 20′s; almost at the end of my youth. The time where most of my friends are in serious, committed, loving relationships; buying houses, renovating houses; and thinking of children; and I’m off tripping around Europe with no fixed address, and no real itinerary.
Sure, its a great life. Always meeting new people, finding new destinations to explore, and having the occassional romance.
But, after burning out, I’ve made a place for myself in Spain for a little while. It just so happens, its around the same time as my birthday. Being in a new city, with no friends, and not speaking the language can be quite difficult on your birthday. Add to that I’m currently homeless, searching for shared rooms, and enrolling in intensive language classes, and I recently had to end a travel romance… its all taken its toll a little (*sad face*).
Before I got tired of travelling, I wanted to have my birthday in Interlaken, Switzerland. I wanted to skydive from a helicopter.
Diving from a Helicopter in Intelarken
I think I will still do this, a belated birthday present to myself, but I will do it when the weather is warmer (on my visit to Scandinavia) early next year. Will I be able to go through with it though? I guess keep reading over the upcoming months, and you will find out.
I think tomorrow I will get out and enjoy the sunshine we have here in Madrid. I will go out on the town tomorrow night with the few people I have met here through CouchSurfing, and who knows; maybe we will get messy and go do some Salsa?
It’s my birthday, and I’m excited
If you have a birthday on the road, and especially if you are travelling solo, it’s ok to feel homesick and miss your friends and family. If you have Skype, why not call home and catch up on all the gossip? All I’ve been getting is emails from my Dad saying “isn’t the clock ticking mate? almost 30!” (I think he wants me to consider “settling down”). My sister must have been talking to him; she’s the mature one in the family, with the kids and family, and she’s not even 25 yet.
I think I will make enquiries about the Skydive trip, and bring it up with a few mates in Europe to see who wants to tag along. And, I think I will enjoy a drink and a dance. I’ve earnt it. Screw the budget for the day! Im celebrating something huge!
My 29th Birthday
Backpackers conned by promise of work
A few things you should always have in your Daypack
Meaningful Connections
Itinerary: Anzac Day 2011
Anzac Day at Gallipoli: What you need to know
6 People have left comments on this post
» said:
Chin up Ian! I celebrated a birthday away from home and had a great experience (working on the article now) sky diving would be a thrill! DO IT!
Happy Birthday man!
»Ian [EagerExistence] said:
Thanks for reading Shaun!
Yeah, on 2nd read, it sounds a bit depressed doesn’t it? Well, I went out, met some new friends in an Irish Pub, and had a great night. Ended with Salsa dancing and a 3am taxi-ride home. Silly drunk me, came home early in the hopes of a special Skype call from someone… didn’t happen. Totally bailed on the friends at the Salsa. Hope they forgive me.
» said:
Hi Ian,
“I’m currently homeless, searching for shared rooms, and enrolling in intensive language classes, and I recently had to end a travel romance” <– It's a tough life isn't it?
Happy belated birthday my friend. Even though it sounds like you're a little pooped at the moment, I think you're living a far more exciting, beautiful and human life than your peers who are possibly couped up at their cubicles, so they can pay the mortgage for the big house they probably don't even know why they want
Smile, it's a privilege to be celebrating your birthday on the road!One hug & two cheek kisses,- LilyP.S. I'm not joining you for skydiving, but I would be interested in hang gliding 
»Ian [EagerExistence] said:
Hahaha. Im not homeless anymore, and I am enrolled in classes that start Monday. I was a bit down. But I know myself well; went for a 5km run this morning, and I feel great today. And you’re right, getting to experience the frustration of not speaking the language, having to find a to find a home, having to make friends… its all part of the fun-and-games. I asked for ‘change’ and I got it. #YourDestinyIsInYourHands.
»Cilla said:
Definitely do the sky diving I’ve been told it’s the most amazing experience you could ever have.
»Ian [EagerExistence] said:
Better than sex? Better than childbirth? Yeah, I’m thinking about it… except I’m terrified of heights… all the more reason to do it I guess.
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