Strange reading this as I have just pulled my toothbrush out of my packed bag for a third time, as I struggle to set off on an 8 month solo adventure through the Americas, away from the man I have grown to love. Each day I say- "today I am leaving". Today the bike was packed and the key in.... and now the sun sets again, and I am still here....

I have traveled the world solo many a time, but this time it has crept up on me that there is more to leave behind.... he says he will wait for me and we have plans to meet up for a week every three months or so, but I didn't think it would be this hard...

US visa is up at the end of the month so have to go before then- if I ever hope to get back in here legally....

So- here's for leaving Monday- wish me luck!

Just don´t pretend this is a decision about the remainder of your life - actually it is not. Setting off to anywhere, whether over a couple of weeks or for a couple of years, is something I do for myself. I don´t promise anyone to do so and I certainly do not promise to stay away for a defined period. If I change my mind anytime during the trip and return home because I feel like it, everyone can go to hell who does not agree with my decision.

On any extended trip, nowadays there´s always the option to have a quick run home via the next available airport. This is a nice alternative of quitting the trip altogether and then being hit by WTF-thoughts being back home. Being back home for a week or two will clarify any doubts of going on or quitting I had during the trip, and there´s not much more to it than flying back out to the bike and change the direction-o-meter to either HOME or to GO ON REASSURED afterwards. Not setting off initially is the problem, returning early is not a problem at all.

Cheers
Chris

when I did my first Big trip around America in the 80's I sent a postcard home every week. Now we live in a instant contact world where you have a phone in your pocket and I seem to get more home sick now more than I did back when I could not talk to family and friends all the time .

Before we left in May of this year on our RTW trip, my Mother pulled out all the post cards she had kept from my 80's trip. Its sad to say that all the TXT messages we send loved ones wont be around to show our kids in 30 years time.

Dazzer and Leigh

Thanks for reminding me of this. This is so true!! Though I am travelling in Asia on business and have just hung up on Skype with my family, I´ll make sure I´ll send each of them a postcard from Tokyo and then from every place I go from now on. Albeit - the postcard stands have long gone from the reception desks, it´s definitely more difficult to lay hands on postcards nowadays, "thanks" to the internet.

Cheers
Chris