Mototcycle Diaries Part 1

I have washed dishes in Tel Aviv, I have worked the cashier in McDonalds, I have erected scaffolding in Melbournes outer suburbs, I have sold sunglasses in Scotland, I have cleaned toilets all over Europe, I have taught swimming in the states, I have been an Accounts Payable Officer at home, I have walked a Donkey in Greece, I’ve bartended in Mexico, I’ve sold phones in England, I’ve cooked in the Holy Land, I’ve organised activities in Fiji, I’ve wheeled patients from surgery in Hawthorn, I’ve trained Lifeguards in Massachusettes, I’ve run a hotel in the country, I’ve picked apples in Ardmona, I’ve sorted mail in the city but as the song so eloquently puts it, I still haven’t found what I’m looking for…

The biggest problem is, this isn’t even the full list of my employment history and I’m only 25 years old.

I’ve decided to try and tackle one last great trip with a naïve travellers approach “I’m going to try and find myself” hopefully along with finding my inner most being I will also stumble upon that ever elusive perfect career path.
I have been travelling on and off for the past 7 years, and although the travel bug is so clearly still eating away at any solidarity I have left, I have decided it is about time to establish a little more of a structured life, I figure this can only be done by taking one last trip of epic proportions.
Along with two friends I am endeavouring to get to India around mid-2010 buy a motorbike a begin a massive journey through 11 countries and end up in Thailand some 18 months later, minus one friend(I don’t think he’s going to die or anything, he just has to go back to work in September).
I’ve figured that if this trip doesn’t eliminate the travel bug from my system nothing will(secretly I know that taking this trip will undoubtedly ensure the travel bug is, for all means, a vital part of my being for the rest of my life).

It is now Tuesday the 5th of January 2010, I haven’t booked plan tickets, got a new passport, applied for a visa, or done any general planning yet, all in good time my friends.

I don’t currently have a job which believe it or not, is currently throwing a little spanner in the works regarding saving money for this trip. I do however, have a job lined up. I’m moving down the Great Ocean Road to a place called Deans Marsh to work at a retreat centre, hopefully situating myself away from the hustle and bustle of the city I’ll have more opportunity to hoard my gold bullion. I will be starting down there on the first of Feb and I have a few tasks to tackle before I go. I have to apply to have my drivers license re-instated(yes, I was a very stupid person a couple of years ago), after which I can apply to get my motorbike license, well my Learners license. A true believer in ignorance being blissful I have decided to tackle some of the toughest riding terrain on earth only weeks after I will get my probationary license, if all things go according to plan.

I’m going to try an update this as often as I can for anyone that’s interested, otherwise it’s always a good way for me to keep track of what I’ve done.

See ya’ll for the next update,

T