Last time I posted I was in middle England just about to start a round of visits to friends in Yorkshire; well that came and went and from there I moved on to North Wales to visit more friends – and then it was but a brief trip down to my final finishing spot at my fathers house in Swansea in South Wales. Whilst I was looking forward to seeing him, finishing the trip was something I wanted to put off so instead of going directly there I managed to add in one or two extra days of sightseeing in Wales, which is the country I grew up in. Now memories of Wales in my youth feature recollections of quaint towns and beautiful scenerery, unfortunately too often viewed through a veil of rain. Well travelling in December brought both elements of those memories back!
Suddenly the trip is all over and its kind of depressing. Its great to see family and friends for Christmas but I’ve had such independence and such a fantastic time over the last five months and experienced so much friendship from people that it is a flat feeling now that its finished.
The question always asked at the end of a trip like this is “what have you learnt?” and perhaps more insight-fully (as was done by one of my friends) “what have you learnt about yourself”. Neither are an easy answer. To the first I’d say more than anything it has taught me (or more truthfully reminded me of) just how good people are and how friendly and interesting the world is. It is so easy to get caught up in your day to day to existence to forget this and to believe the world is a frightening place that has to be somehow controlled and corralled. The reality is so different; the world is out there is waiting to welcome you with open arms and to give far so much more than it takes. The second question is even harder to answer and I need more time to reflect on it than I have yet given it – but I do know it has reminded me how much I usually set my own limitations when in reality if I just get going there are very few things that can’t be achieved.