I have been asked numerous times, over and over again this one question. To be honest, I don’t even know the answer. Maybe one day, looking back I will, but for now… I’m just seeking where life takes me.
I have been solo-traveling for about 3 or 4 years now.
I started when I was 15.
Later that year I moved to BC, Canada and being surrounded by the right crowd, who’d inspired me and showed me the taste of freedom, I just wanted to do more. And there’s no cool reason behind it like I wanted to find myself or really find out what I want to do in my life blah blah blah… it was mostly just the fact that I was always ready to drop everything the last minute and head down the coast. Or take a plane the next morning. Or make plans for the season and then change it all because of the new job offer I got. I was prepared to stop and really go at the moment like I got nothing to lose. Let me tell you something, those are still the best choices I’ve ever made. And since not many people were ready to just go and do it… I mostly headed out on my own. I have seen over 40 countries and I’m not even 20.
The experiences and knowledge I gained, from traveling the globe have been beyond amazing and I’m feeling grateful, each time I think about it. It was something no education can give me, but it was also something that I needed to do on my own.
Expecting nothing and getting everything in return.
As soon as I’d let my life just be, time was flying, but so was I. Wasting moments in front of the TV was never an option, where there was a mountain or a beach nearby. I grew up in a climbing environment, so naturally, a 14-year old girl wanted everything but that! At the time I wanted to see Paris, London, NYC and other high-fashion places. It’s kinda funny when I look back today. Man, was I disappointed. But my momma told me so and guess what? She was right. The only difference is, that she let me do it, so I’d learn it on my own. She’s always been saying how the way I am, has nothing to do with those cities and spotlights and movies! She knows I belong in the mountains but she let me realize that on my own and it was probably one of the best things she could do! Same with my dad. He always gave me all the freedom I needed, because he knew I’m making the right choices. He trusted me.
Long story short, I’m definitely not an irresponsible human being. I work from home or remotely, wherever I am at the moment, so making a choice of disappearing for a week, to a sunny California or suddenly changing my wishes into actions isn’t a bad thing. I work, I earn – I live and I learn. Proud to say, I have savings, (been always taught to put away the money at the end of the month) and no credit card debt. I never make last minute travel plans to piss some people off, it is who I am. Sometimes, I need that little taste of freedom and then come back home just to love and appreciate my Squamish even more.
Balance is also important to me.
I love the rainy west coast, yet need the tropics. I absolutely need powder days in snowed in Whistler and nights by the fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa. Yet again, I crave the feeling of sunrise surfing in Bali. I love walking around our town, Mengeš (Slovenia) and seeing all the spots we used to hide and build little houses with my best friend. And I don’t talk a lot about that time in my life, maybe I should do that more often. I’m absolutely in love with the wind on my cheeks, down by the lake in Bariloche.
Despite everything, I do admit that I have 4 homes. It may sound weird now, but you may understand one day… I have 4 different places, on 4 different continents of our world. One, more different than the other. Language, habits, landscapes, food, and people are very diverse. But I was shaped in a way of feeling at home, not in one, but four places. Mengeš, Bariloche, Squamish, and Bali. Family, by blood or not, lives in all four. Never thought of myself as divided or confused. I like to think of it as an opportunity to settle down in either of those, but only time will tell. I love the way my life has been going since I could remember.
And if I’m a snowboarder, surfer, climber or photographer at heart, so be it. I’m happy.
