Effort and the easier route

Not taking this year off would have in many ways been easier than doing so. As someone who likes structure and routine (and generally knowing what I'm doing with my life), continuing straight on to law school and from there straight into a career would have been exponentially easier than stepping off of this crazy train of life for a year to go get lost in the woods of uncertainty. I could have stayed in my nice comfortable life track and never known what I missed.

Thank goodness I didn't. I am already so grateful for this year and know that I will carry the memories and lessons of it for the rest of my life. On those dark days when I am buckled under mountains of work, I will think back to sitting in a café in Paris or snowboarding in California or surfing in Australia and be able to persevere just a little bit more easily.

It has not been all roses and sunshine, however. There have been bumps along the way. Changes in plans and huge disappointments. I have had periods of major doubt and frustration. I have felt listless and drifting. But as I have already written about, one of the things I am learning from this year is to be ready for anything, whether it's an up or a down, and never assume that the current plan will be the future reality.

One of the aspects of taking a year off to travel that requires more effort than settling into the more comfortable road-more-traveled is decision-making. Being a traveler really does require a near-constant stream of decisions. Over the past few weeks, I have been planning - with a wonderful girl friend - a six week trip to Australia and New Zealand. I am absolutely amazed by how much time the planning of this trip is taking. We have had an unbelievable number of phone calls and emails to decide all aspects ranging from dates and travel plans to accommodations to tours and activities. Now some travelers might consider us "Type A's", needing to plan everything in advance. That may be so but either way these types of decisions must be made.

I was particularly blown away by how much time and effort flight bookings took. To travel the 15,562km from Toronto to Sydney, there at first seems to be an almost unlimited number of flight options. However, once you ask what is actually feasible given dates, possible aeroplan constraints, and budget concerns, the options dwindle considerably.

Anyhow, I am pleased to announce that we are booked to head to Australia! Six weeks of sun and fun, surfing, and exploring.

For now, though, I head back to Tahoe.