As this is Father's Day, I am suddenly aware of the imminent 5th year anniversary of my Dad's death. 5 years. That used to be such a long time. Growing up, a year would feel like 365 long spins around the sun - where everyday would feel like a lifetime. Now, one could take a deep breathe and a year has passed. So it's been 5 years since I wished Dad farewell. I think he would be proud of many of the steps I have taken. I wish we got to share more of out lives together. But that was not meant to be. Life is not as clearly defined as that and I still have much to learn. I miss him though.

At the moment, I feel like I am missing the men in my life. After Dad died, all the older and wiser men disappeared. All Dad's friends went on their own way and my brother lives far away. I wish the society of elders had not become obsolete. Like I said I have much to learn and who better to learn from.

The Odyssey year ends

Today 2008 ends. And what a year it has been. For the first time ever i think I can truly say how much I appreciate what a year is. So much has happened and I feel I have moved forward.

I arrive back home to Sydney a month ago and I wish I could say that it was easy transition being back here... but I can't at this stage. Sydney is a very hard city to be in, especially without a car... or the want of driving. Its so great to see my family and friends. At the same time I miss all my new incredible friends all scattered over the globe. I am so privileged to have so many friends and that is what makes me smile.

This year has taught me so many lessons. I look forward to seeing what 2009 can bring. The possibilities are endless - as long as i find the motivation, the inspiration and the passion to push beyond what my dreams are. I just need to follow the signs. Lots of love

Odyssey: Year One

A year is a long time. Thousands of sights and experiences. Hundreds of people. Thousands of thoughts, conversations and enlightening moments. A year that has changed my life. As the year comes to an end, so to does my year long odyssey of the world. Soon I arrive back to my country. Back to my the my friends and family. I look forward to seeing the land I left and to see how much it has changed.

The world feels like such a small place to me at the moment. Some days I close my eyes and i open them a few hours later and I find myself on a different continent. Time and place seems somewhat disjointed, yet connected in ways I have never experienced before. To me, London is a city in between New York and Tel Aviv. Lately, I wake up and not just wonder what time it is, but what country I am in. At the moment I am in Thailand and sometimes I find myself wondering if I am in Peru or Brazil.

Within the chaos of my life this past year, a light has emerges. It has broken through the noise and images that surround me everyday. The light points me to next stage - the next Act.

This week I have been hanging out with my Argentine brother, Santiago, in Chiang Mai, Thailand. What better way to end this voyage than with one of the best friends someone could ever have the privilege of knowing. There has been mate. A bottle of Fernet was drunk. There was laughter, reminiscing and new adventures. The most incredible thing we did this week was going with Noom, the owner of the hostel we are staying at, to see his family's rice field. To see and take part in the rice harvest was a pretty special event. We learnt of lives and workings of his family. Seeing the rice helped me understand and appriciate the enormity, simpicity and importance of the rice (one of the world stables) and families like his who produce it. That was better than any temple, world heritage site or city I have visited in some ways.

I just said goodbye to Santi as he continues on for what is the beginning of his own odyssey. It was sad to say goodbye not knowing the next time we would get to hang out next. But I am so happy we both were here and appriciate the time we shared. This year has been incredible in that I have met so many great people. But its been getting harder to say goodbye.

Tonight I get the overnight train back to Bangkok. Only the seats were left as all the sleeper were sold out. Luckily my Oesteopath appointment is already booked for the week I returned! So as I enter the last stage of this journey - I reflect on the Year of Odyssey. I realise though that by going home that it all doesn't stop. The Odyssey continues and will be a part of me forever. The friendships, the cities and the experiences continue.

Thailand.. the final frontier

Tomorrow i get the ferry to Macau from Hong Kong and then fly to Bangkok to meet Santi (It was the cheaper way).

What a way to end this incredible year! I have so much to process and catch up on and who better to share that with than Santi. I guess it represents how much things have changed for me this year. He is bringing Fernet.. a big bottle. I have my Argentinan flag and my Yerba with me ... so we are all set. It's going to be interesting as I am ending this Oydssey - he is starting his.

Not delayed

Now I am not delayed. Go figure.

Delayed

I'm in Israel. Just called the airport. My flight is delayed... naturally

Odyssey hicups

There are 3 weeks to go on this magical mystery tour of the world that has become my life. Lately I have been waking up in the morning and wondering not only what time it is... but what country I am in. This was only compounded when a few days ago I called my airline to confirm my flights. To make a long and annoying story short.... I had to cancel my flight from London to Zurich and book a flight from London to Tel Aviv leaving the next day. Luckily I have family here who were able to look after me so it was not a complete disappointment. After one night to say goodbye to my bestie cousin Katie and my friends, I jetted off to Israel for a 4 day stopover.

Israel was the first place I went on this Odyssey and I have not written much about it yet. So coming back here after all this time has actually turned out to be a great thing in terms of reminding me where I started, the things I experienced here and has shown me how much I have changed this year.

Tomorrow I leave for Hong Kong. It's 2am. i have just finished packing for the 273,453,634,246 time this year. Anyway, flying to HK now means that only 5 days till I meet up with my Argentine bro Santi. That makes me happy.