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On a crazy, honest, world wide adventure!

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    • This Is My Dad..
    • FIRST STOP – SEVILLA
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    • THE ULTIMATE PACKING CHECKLIST

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COUNTDOWN

LondonJul 2nd, 2019
69 days to go.

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India, 2019 🇮🇳
Sorry, still not over it ☺️ #tajmahal 🇮🇳
For the past (nearly) 6 months, I’ve been carrying around 2 stones from my Grandad’s grave. Everytime I’ve felt scared, wished I could talk to him or wanted a hug, I’ve held them in my hands and closed my eyes, imagining all the things I would say to him if he was still here today. 4 years ago, I went to his house after he’d heard my ex boyfriend had visited the Taj Mahal and taken out his black and white photo that he’d taken when he’d been stationed there in WW2. Looking at it then, I made a mental note to visit it and show him the picture I would take, side by side to his, and laugh at how it had changed or not changed. Now that isn’t possible, I took the moment to stare at this beautiful building, in possibly the absolute same spot he did 70 years ago, and marvel at its magnitude. I took his little, crystal gravestone tightly in my hand and threw it into the water, because now I feel he’s with me in India. It will always be difficult to describe over social media the bond you have with a family member or the emptiness you suffer with them not being there. As you may know by reading previous posts, he was almost like the Dad I never had, providing a calm and a peace within my family unit that I had always struggled to find and I know that I will never, ever get over losing someone who should not have left us so suddenly. However, it was the reason I was inspired to travel in the first place and now he will be continuously etched to a part of my world trip, with his bright, blue stone glittering from the Taj Mahal waters, like I know his eyes are glittering above me, watching me tred in his footsteps. 💫 Loving you always and forever, my wonderful Grandad.
Currently on the most fabulous @qatarairways flight with the most fabulous staff and have finished a really useful article whilst sipping on my gin and tonic about the ULTIMATE PACKING CHECKLIST inspired by one of the worst ultimate packing checklists I’ve ever read ever. If anyone’s thinking of going backpacking or gallivanting for a while, I think this may be of use. These lists really helped me when trying to figure out the whole “how do I pack for travelling the entire world” kinda thing. LINK IN BIO. Enjoy!
Today, after the first of my 3 flights, Brazil to Johannesburg, I had two coffees and powered through +5 hours of jet lag to have a full day out in South Africa. I’ve always known about Nelson Mandela, but never the true depths of his existence and his endless campaigning for black human rights. I spent hours at the Apartheid museum, learning about his life, both pre and post behind bars and his utmost determination to end the apartheid and create a state where white and black people could live together in harmony. It’s been incredulous to read and watch. This particular quote was part of a 3 hour speech, given before a judge, his family and the world on the 20th April, 1964, where it would be decided whether he would receive life imprisonment or the death penalty for his campaigning. I dare you not to feel something deep inside you stir. “During my life time, I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination.I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and see realised. But, if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die”. - Nelson Mandela
THAT’S A WRAP 😭 5.5 months in South America Colombia, Southern and Central Peru, Northern Chile, Colombia (again), Ecuador, Northern Peru and Brazil. 5.5 months of adventures, exploration, border crossings, freezing cold air conned night buses, mountain climbing, thrice daily coffees, early AM starts, early AM club finishes, Empanada eating, Ceviche eating, salsa-ing, drinking, meeting more and more fun, open minded, exciting people from all around the world. I cannot believe my time on this beautiful continent has come to an end. November 21st I arrived in Bogotá, where I spent 20 minutes in a toilet panicking I was going to get robbed the minute I stepped outside the airport. Although I couldn’t sleep until 3am last night down to severe nerves to fly today and pretty bad nightmares, I can already see how much I’ve changed in such a positive way the last 5.5 months. As more time has passed, the voices that would so often make me cry in secret, scared and vulnerable, although absolutely still present right this second, are being squashed a tiny bit, with every little step I’m taking of my independent adventure. I’m really, really proud of myself.. and I’m really proud of how much I’m writing and loving it. And I’m also really proud of being extremely honest about my journey to everyone I’m meeting. I don’t feel like I’m hiding secrets about myself, and that in turn is making me feel a lot happier. I’d just like to extend my heart to each and every person I’ve met on my journey. Some of the conversations I’ve had with you, the friendships I’ve made and the experiences we’ve shared together have been the highlights of my trip. Thank you for your honesty, the adventures, the support when I’ve needed you and the fun times I’ve had in ALL situations with you guys - you know exactly who you are 😉 Wishing you all SO much luck and love on your travels I know I’ll have a sofa in each of your houses (yes I am virtually inviting myself round) and you with mine when you ALL come visit me in London (if I ever permenantly go back that is mwhaha) Now .. to get to Johannesburg.. Doha.. to reach my new destination of INDIA ☺️

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