One guys solo adventure around the world

Sacrifices We Have to Make

Posted by in Itinerary, Preparation | 2 comments

Sacrifices We Have to Make

I guess the well-used quote holds true

Life is what happens to us while we are [busy] making other plans.

Who said that? Was it John Lennon? Thomas La Mance? …the quote’s origins aren’t that important. However, I can vouch for this statement.

In one form or another, I have been dreaming of long-term travel since I was in school; yet things always seem to come up

I’m sure its just a matter of priorities, or taking hold of the fear and just setting off on an adventure regardless

There comes a point in life when we can’t put off our dreams any longer, otherwise we know the regrets will haunt us for years to come. I decided late last year, that my deadline was my 28th birthday. I have to have made a concerted effort to do some solo world travel before then (this year… by the way).

As you may or may not be aware, one of my most time-consuming hobbies for the past 4 years has been TaekwonDo. I’ve become quite commited to obtaining 1st Kup (black belt) grade, and have been training consistently 4-5 times a week for over 3 months, as well as working out at the gym 5-6 mornings a week to get into better shape for the grading.

jumping back small
me performing Jumping Back Kick

  

I was recently told by my instructor that I may be ready to go for a black belt grading in 3 months time (August); unfortunately, this doesn’t sit so well with my original travel plans:

My travel goal all year has been to kick-off a European adventure starting in the summer, probably in Spain, probably with the San Fermin Running of the Bulls festival. This year the festival falls between July 6 and July 14.

running of the bulls
Running of the Bulls, source: TravelHouseUK

…It looks like that date will be pushed back.

I know, I know… things will always come up. Its best just to throw a pack on your shoulder and hit the road… otherwise you’ll always have regrets. But training for 4 years, and so hard for the last 6-8 months… I don’t want to throw it away and have to come back and train even harder after a European adventure.

I can see the silver lining in this rain cloud: the next few months should give me time to sort out my affairs, create an itinerary, a new starting point, and better prepare myself for the big trip.

At this stage, the new starting point looks like it could be Oktoberfest in Munich. I will address this idea in a future post. Stay tuned.

And Pamplona… those bulls will have to wait ’til 2011.

Comment below or on twitter with sacrifices you have made when making travel plans, and whether you ever put your plans into action.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the RSS feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader.
  • http://www.groundedtraveler.com Andrew

    In the end it is all about priorities and what is actually important to you.
    Don't be worried about putting off travel for something that is actually important to you. Only get worried when the excuses start feeling hollow, it takes a measure of self-introspection though.

  • http://theresnoplacelikeoz.com Heather

    Good post, Ian. You're right — the bulls will be there next year! It sounds like you've set some important goals for yourself (in addition to the travel ones), and those are important too…wouldn't want regrets on that one :-)

    Originally I wanted to do some things in Europe this summer and then head to Australia, but in the end coming straight here worked best. So next summer, if money holds out, I want to be in Spain for La Tomatina, Greece to stay at with a friend and her family at the beach, Turkey to see my friends in Istanbul again, and London to see my great pals there.

    Make it work :-)