A Journey Begins

Her words lurched in exuberant sentences, like they always did in her emails:

seriously, I waited until after august 1st to respond, on purpose, so that I could ask the inevitable: POLLY ALLEN, DID YOU BUY YOUR TICKET?? pretty excited for you by the prospect of traveling that is fantastic, I am sure you are going to have a great time, no matter where you end up going…there are so many good eggs out there to meet and to spend time with…and to not really have fixed timeline, well, there are not many people that are as fortunate as you! I say this as motivation to you to make the most of it, and to just roll with things…cuz when you are open to new experiences and people…the rewards are amazing…in my experience…

Shirley Case was a consummate traveler, an incurable extrovert, and an incredibly giving person who had found her calling in humanitarian aid work in far-flung parts of the world like Nigeria, Indonesia and Chad.
She was also one of my oldest and dearest friends, who had been one of the most vocal cheerleaders for my extended travel plans since they were hatched many years ago, probably with her, probably over too many margaritas.

I am proud to say that while my bags are far from packed, I’ve taken the plunge: I have given notice at work and bought my ticket. Leaving for Bangkok in November, I’ll be traveling through Southeast Asia and the South Pacific, returning from Auckland about six months after leaving. I know when I’m arriving and when I’m departing. The in-between part is kinda hazy. I never really have been one for firm commitments and deadlines. I would like to point out, that since I don’t have any plans, I don’t think I can technically be ‘late’ for anything. So for the rest of my life I’ll be able to say, “Once, I was not late for anything for SIX MONTHS IN A ROW! Give a girl a break!”

I wish that Shirley could come with me. I wish I’d accepted her invitation to come visit her last year when she was working in Indonesia and traveling around Southeast Asia. Unfortunately the email I quoted above is the last I will ever get from her. Shirley was killed in a roadside Taliban attack outside
of Kabul on August 13th, 2008 [more info here.] It has made me think more deeply about how I want to spend this gift of time I feel so grateful to have. While I know I have enough of my own things to work on and work out (along with some beaches to lie on and some Tiger beer to imbibe) I would like to spend some time looking outwards and helping others as well. I’m looking for suggestions, so please leave a comment if you know of a worthy and exciting cause somewhere between Bangkok and Auckland. Maybe I’ll create a poll and y’all can vote on where I have to go. As long as you promise not to try to punish me for leaving and taking time off in warmer climes!

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. (Margaret Mead)