Living out a year full of Saturdays
I recall the time, place, even the conversation that I was having when the idea of this eventuated. It was several months ago now but the the Trigger point can be found on this link. So first of all I need to say a huge thankyou to Paula, because without that conversation, well there wouldn't be this!
Back in October 2009 I was sitting with Paula outside of UTS, discussing future travels etc. It was only on the way home that my brain clicked and all the things that I thought were barriers to me leaving all of a sudden sounded like well worn excuses that were tired, old, and didn't hold much weight to them. So I hatched a plan, walked into the office the next day and told the boss that come July 2010 I wouldn't be here any more. To his credit, and the rest of the BIP gang at AAPT, they worked it in such a way that my departing gift would also be accompanied by my role being graciously disestablished, meaning that my bank account was going to copy a sizeable bonus for the 5 yrs that I'd occupied a jump seat. To them I send out a huge 'thank you'! The payout will more than definitely come in handy.
Here I am, almost eight months after making 'that' decision and just on 5 weeks before jumping my flight out of Sydney with Aerolineas Argentinas to Madrid (initially) - I'll explain the rest of the plan in a minute. Since October the plan hasn't waivered and as my boss James said on his last day at AAPT, 'It's always good to see a plan come to fruitition'. Actually I don't think he used the word 'fruitition' but I think you know the point I was trying to make. In any case, that was then, and with hacky sack skills learned between October and April 2010 (We are the kings Craig) and with plans in full swing, it's time to head off in order to conquer a continent or three.
So the starting point is to be a flight out of Sydney on 24-June, via Buenos Aires to Madrid. A few days hanging out in Madrid and then into Barcelona for a family/friend holidays of sorts. After which we'll be moving down to Morocco for 10 days and then back into Europe. I'll be on the continent for approximately three months, doing as much as I can, seeing as much as I can and I guess drinking my way around. Ofcourse I'll be taking it 'old school' for several weeks and dropping into Belgrade, Serbia, to spend time with the relatives. Along the way I'll be checking out U2 play in Athens on 05 Sep, and I'll be backing up to see them tear up San Sebastien on 26 Sep - I also have a reservation at Arzak, San Sebastien, for 24 Sep, one of the best restaurants in the world (really looking forward to that). Then, on 01 Oct I'll be flying out of Madrid back to Buenos Aires.
Here is where I plan to get lost and just make it up when it happens. My flight back to Australia isn't booked until Mid March, but who knows how long I'll stay. I'm just going to make my way around Sur America and take myself to all the places that I've wanted to see and see all those places that have wanted me to see them, sometimes the best accidents and discoveries occur in that fashion.
Five weeks away now, really not long at all. This serves as entry #1 in my Life in a year full of Saturdays. I hope to stay on top of this one a little more than I have with the other write ups, most of which were written post the event.....in any case....here we go...!!!!!!
