Realities of the road

A refreshing dose of reality follows, for all those who think we are currently "living the dream", which is not meant to be, nor should be perceived as unappreciative - we know we're lucky.

Home life has routine, it has a level of comfort that you can control. To live life on the road however you must embrace unpredictability, risk, sometimes danger, massive exhaustion and all too frequently for my liking times of massive hunger. 

Previously we resided in our cosy little bubble where at the end of the day you could slump home from work or uni, flick on kettle, cook up something lush to eat and pig out in front of masterchef or match of the day. But not when your on the road. By the time you've been out all day cramming as many attractions, sights and activities as possible into the day you're knackered by 5 pm and the fun has just begun. At this point you won't have a kettle, you'll have to spend an hour finding somewhere to get something to eat and you'll likely be miles from where you're spending the night. That's if you've even managed to find somewhere to stay yet. You'll be wearing yesterday's sweaty clothes, desperately in need of a shower and aching all over from hours of tramping round the city. The glitz and glamour of travel seems a distant dream. 

Of course don't get us wrong, we do not take our position for granted. I can imagine there are plenty of people who would give their right arm to swap their 9-5 for new year in sydney harbour, but the reality is that the grass really isn't always as green on the other side...sure it can be a little greener, but there will still be patches of burnt grass and mole hills to make it harder make no mistake about it. 

At times when your up against it we miss the home comforts, the security, the predictability, the routine. But routine rarely ignites adventure, and the spark of spontaneity is tricky to find down the back of the sofa. That's what we signed up for and it's an all inclusive deal on the trip of a lifetime....but we know now that a permanent life on the road is not for us. We are not party animals or free spirits, just a curious couple keen to have a look round for a while. We'll enjoy it while it lasts and there's no telling at this point when it stops, but one thing is certain. It will stop. When the time is right we will lounge on the sofa dunking digestives in tea with the company of a 42 inch screen once again.