New destinations, new currencies, new faces, the same repeated speech that you have recited multiple times over. You stop being self conscious about how you look to other people and be your authentic self. You stop keeping track of the time. You remember moments, not dates. As the expiry date with every person you meet along your journey draws closer, you treasure those limited moments you have left with them.You don’t take someone else’s time for granted and likewise you expect the same from them. You are told that you are brave, you are kind, you are undefeated, things that you are not aware of and words of assurance that you are often deprived. You accept a helping hand from time to time, and a shoulder to lean on when your soul gets tired. You date different people, learning more about yourself and how to be a better communicator. You open yourself to more options, moving on from one partner to another. It's funny how you catch yourself having such liberal thoughts and question yourself why are you holding back. When the window of opportunity comes knocking, you no longer hesitate because you know that there won't have a second chance. Spontaneity becomes second nature and taking calculated risk becomes a daily affair.
You sit by the canals drinking cheap wine and chips, you run along the river banks when the night lights are out, you read graffiti on walls left by people who were there before you in ruined bars, you find yourself stranded on nude beaches and waters so blue, you head for night swims and morning dips in the ocean, you bask in the sunlight holding a bottle of beer on one hand and a book on another hand, you stop by the streets when you see street musician and you attempt slow dances even though you are clumsy and possess terrible body coordination. You trace the constellations above your head, and make a wish at the sight of the first shooting star.
No plans, no itinerary, having faith that everything will flow into place. Even the worst days have 24 hours. You start focusing on what you have accomplished instead of the failures. At one point of time, you stop questioning the directions and let yourself get lost in the alleys and explore new places. You don't let TripAdvisor dictate your route, instead you ask someone else's favourite hang out spot.
Nutritional value doesn't matter when you prioritize on survival. Fashion statement doesn't matter when it's not practical. Here’s the irony, you get creative on a budget. Sleep suddenly becomes a privilege, your body often succumbs to the fatigue from constantly shifting but hell yes, you push on, knowing well that you would rather be tired out by uncertainties than mundane daily routines. You miss your family and friends back home and often wonder what it will be like to see them again. No rules, no judgments. No one is calling you an alcoholic or a druggie just because you choose to indulge in shots of palinkas or pre-rolled joints once in a while. You rebel and challenge your country’s rules in a foreign land, cringing at your own rebellion acts, yet at the same time, you take pride in trying something new.
You start pinpointing the weakness in your own country's system and find the strengths in the place that you are at. Likewise, you start appreciating the entitlements that you given as a citizen of your own country that is a privilege elsewhere.
Your train of thoughts becomes clearer and you become a travel writer and storyteller in your own right. You get thirsty for more new adventures and never let yourself stop questioning the world.