Fighting Tiger

finland lake and sun by Fighting Tiger.

It’s hard to believe that in less than a month I’ll be hanging out with my lovely friends on the other side of the world.

Of course, time spent with those friends and the opportunities to meet new people, means being distanced from all the people I care about on this side of the world. Even though I’m planning on being away for only about 2 months, I know that during that time relationships will shift around, friends will move away and loyalties will be questioned.

When I got back to Adelaide at the start of 2007 not only had my own relationship status changed drastically, but the social structure that I had left behind all safe and sound was altered. Suddenly I was having to consider which people could be invited where, and who had to be notified of other people’s presence. The changes, once placed in context were understandable, but without having seen them take place, I was in shock. This wasn’t the way I remembered my life!

As a traveller I know that I will change, but it’s always a challenge to unselfishly consider that life goes on for everyone else while I’m away.

I am prepared for some the changes I’ll notice when I get back. A couple of people who I’ve grown very close to this year will be going overseas while I’m away and I am going to miss them so much. Another dear friend will be changing their Facebook status from “in a relationship” to “celibate and riding bikes” as a result of his girlfriend leaving. And then there’s the rumoured departure of some of Adelaide’s finest to Sydney and Melbourne.

Of course, there are amazing new friendships that have come in the last year and I’m so grateful for the positive changes that are yet to come, but it is overwhelming to consider that everything will be different in three months time.