A New Beginning

134 Meter Bungy Jump in Queenstown, NZ

Over 200 days and 7 countries later and this is what it has come down to…less than one week.

Whether you like it or not, you live in a fast pace world as a backpacker.  People come.  People go.  Memories are made and then they fade away as you anticipate the next phase of your trip.   Over time I’ve learned that making new friends from countries all over the world can be the highlight of a place rather than the destination and sights itself.  It’s the times I’ve spent with these people that I’ve learned to cherish the most.  Being out here and doing new things I thought were impossible with people I just met creates a unique bond where trust is made within minutes rather than years or even a lifetime.  A lot of the people you meet you’ll never see again, and for the most part that’s fine.  It’s a part of traveling.  Then there is that very small number of people you meet, perhaps you met them in the kitchen, your hostel room, or even when getting a random lift to the next town, but these are the people you’ll never forget.  These are the faces you hope to see again.   They are the ones when you show pictures to your friends and family that you’ll think back to that time or place and just smile and laugh about how simple and good life really is.   Then the ever burning question repeats over and over again in my head and I ask myself something that I can only hope for, will we meet again?

I’m sure it’s not a surprise to anyone, but my passion for traveling has skyrocketed ever since I started this trip.  Back in June while I was in Cairns, Australia, I did some thinking. A lot of thinking. Lots of writing and random thoughts were jotted down on a notepad, and then it hit me. I felt the need to do some public speaking to upcoming high school and college graduates about the importance of world traveling/studying/teaching.  I don’t think a lot of students know about or are educated about the possibilities abroad and the importance it can make on their life, but I’m hoping to change that in one way or another.  Public speaking is something that scares me, but the more I think about it, the more it makes sense.  At the moment, my idea of public speaking is just at the beginning stages.  Once I get home I hope to get some concrete brainstorming ideas down, make a draft presentation and go from there.  Any help or ideas on this would be much appreciated.

My love for photography has undoubtedly grown in 2010.  While I’m by no means a professional, I will continue to take pictures with hopes to improve my techniques and style.  I have brainstormed a future blog that will be dedicated to any new photos I take in the future.  Over time I think I can narrow my three favorite types of pictures to reflections, silhouettes and yes, clouds.  I’m still planning on selling a number of my photos in a show/party of some sort once I reach home.  100% of the proceeds will go to the charity, Doctors Without Borders.  As stated in an earlier blog post, I hope to reach my goal of $1000 in donations.  More details on this will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

The entirety of the trip can only be compared to a dream.  A lucid dream. Words can’t describe what I’m feeling right now.  Yes, I’m still the same Massoud who smiles a lot, has big teeth, tells the occasional good joke after several bad ones, but at the same time I’m much different than I was just 7 months ago. so bear with me if I have a hard time getting used to things at home.

I plan on writing one, maybe two more posts after this one.  It’ll be more or less of an update on how the transition home has been and any changes I have on my future plans. Before I forget, I wanted to thank anyone and everyone who helped me along the way.  To my sister for influencing me to do a trip beyond anything I could have imagined myself.  To my family for putting up with me through good times and bad.  To those who helped to try and find me a job in Sydney or just gave me advice. To the countless people who let me stay at their house, live in their tent or sleep in their car.  To old friends and new ones.  I couldn’t have done this without any of you.  From the bottom of my heart to yours, thank you.

With Love,
Massoud

Upcoming: San Franscisco, California in two days
Listening to: The waves of Waikiki, Hawaii

Be Back Soon

zoe!

From the time I made the decision in late September that I’d be doing this trip, to now, has passed by in an instant, and in a few hours I’ll be hopping on a bus with my sister where we’ll make our way to Brooklyn.  I’ll head out to JFK Airport late Sunday where I’ll embark on a good long flight to Seoul, South Korea for customs and a short layover before making my way to the Philippines.  The last time I made it out to visit my relatives in the Philippines was in 2004.  I was there with my family for my grandparents 50th anniversary.  I was pleasantly suprised on this trip too because I was honored as the best man at the wedding ceremony for renewing their vows.  Things will definitely be different this time around with the family not around, but I’m pretty fired up for the warm weather.

It’s been weird these past few weeks telling people that I’m excited about this once in a lifetime trip.  I haven’t really shown it when talking to people because right now, it’s all so bittersweet.  It’s the fact that I’m leaving my family, friends, Zoe and work(again).  All the things I’ve grown to be comfortable with will be tested again over the next several months.  Not that that is a bad thing at all.  If it was, I wouldn’t be doing this trip.

Planning this trip was a bitch only because it took me awhile just to get the nerve to go through with actually committing to it.  Standing in front of the Aussie Embassy for a good 10 minutes with my completed visa application in hand was nerve-racking.  My friends, family, work and of course my concert calendar were running through my head, and then it hit me. when will I ever get the opportunity to something like this again?

I know I’ll look back at this specific post months from now and say, “wow, i still use the word, sike?” or “there really isn’t lasertag in DC”, but for now and until I’m back home, I’ll miss you all more than you’ll know.  Be back soon..

Listening to: Yeasayer, Odd Blood