The Road of Healing

I’m Back

So after a few months hiatus, I’ve decided to return to blogging, but to change things up a bit… because I myself, have changed things up a bit.

The Last Few Months…

After spending 2 months in Canada, I returned back home to England in August, in a very bad mental state.

I was still grieving, couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, and just over all, not in a good place.

But I picked myself up, and I clawed my way out of hell.

I got 2 jobs, worked my arse off, mentally, emotionally and physically for months until I am where I am now…

I stripped myself raw, broke myself down and hit rock bottom, and in doing so, I found out who I truly am.

I found out how strong I am, and I came to appreciate the person I am.

And in doing this, it was if gaping wound I constantly felt in my chest, started to heal, started to repair.

There was actually a light at the end of the tunnel…

Now don’t get me wrong, I still have my bad days, where the pain is so crippling I feel like I’m physically drowning…

but overall… I’m happy…

Healing

Having a job was definitely a good outlet. Something to focus on, and so I could actually get some money finally, after months of not working!

Having a steady income, being able to afford to buy little things like coffee, or lunch with friends… and then finally, after 10 months of having no phone, I bought one just after Christmas! Go me!

Tarot

I’m also a Tarot reader, and I found at my darkest times I would neglect the cards, yet I really needed them.

It’s no coincidence when after a few weeks of not doing many tarot reads, when I finally picked my deck back up and threw myself into it full force I began to heal faster! Began to understand the world more, and my place in it.

Having Tarot as an outlet really helped me focus my energy positively, and look at the world in a different light. Instead of looking at the negative, I was seeing the positive.

Friends

I know I mention them quite often, but I am so eternally grateful to all my friends I’ve met along the way, old and new!

You guys have seriously had my back and I really couldn’t have done it without you! So Thank You, all!

Realisations

On the path of healing, I had many realisations… about myself, life, what I wanted to do…

Before I was so lost, and afraid… petrified! When I returned, I was a broken shadow of my former self. I was fragile. I was in physical pain daily from the emotional grief I felt.

I was alone, and I was isolated.

I was on the brink of tears for weeks!

And I look at myself now. Strong. Independent. Fierce. Free Spirit. Care free. Hippie. Healer.

I am not what I was. I am so much more!

And I love who I am… Like a phoenix, I rose from the ashes, stronger, and more assured than ever.

The fire inside me ignited, and now I’m more passionate, impulsive, loud, and I love it, because I love me.

“I love who I am, because I fought to become her”

The Blog Change Up

So as you see, yes travel is my passion, but it’s so much more than that!

I’m a free spirit, a gypsy soul, literally crying out to be on the road again. And I don’t think that will ever go away.

So how can I have a blog for travel, when it’s not just travel, it’s freeing my gypsy soul, so I can run off with the faries!

Going forth, my blog is going to include all aspects about me. All my weird quirky sides… I want to write about anything and everything…

… whatever’s going through my head… my adventures… my dreams…

So I hope you enjoy the ride, cause I sure as hell will!

Currently

I’m now back home, working full time as a server. I’m starting to save my money for the next adventure! Who know’s what it’ll be… a 2 week African Safari? Maybe a tour in South America? I’ll keep you guys posted!

Don’t worry, it won’t be too long, my soul is literally crying out to be free again!

Until then, I will be working, working, working, oh, and did I mention working?

Ha! See you on the flip side!

Peace Out

Miko’s American Fuck It List

Hey Y’all,

As you know, I don’t believe in Bucket Lists, but rather Fuck It lists…

I’m heading to the states in a few weeks, and I’ve compiled a list of everything I want to do… I’ll be adding and checking things off the list as I go, and will be posting updates on Facebook and Instagram!

1. Go to New Orleans
2. Drive a muscle Car
3. Shoot a gun
4. Learn archery
5. Gallop on a horse
6. See an NBA game
7. See a college level Ice Hockey game
8. See a high school level football game
9. See a lingerie football game
10. Eat a loaded bagel
11. Try biscuits and gravy (my friend Mercede has demanded it of me!)
12. Got to a blues bar
13. Go on a road trip
14. Hear a traditional Native American story from an actual Native American.
15. Visit Standing Rock Reservation

My Upcoming Plans…

What’s next?

My plan for the past few months has been to book a one way flight to Bangkok in October/November… travel north through Thailand, across to Laos, motorbike through Vietnam, cross through Cambodia and finish up visiting the southern part of Thailand, before flying to Australia and hanging there for a while.

However, now I’ve quit my job, everyone keeps asking me what’s next? Am I going to go travelling straight away? Am I going to get another office job?  What am I going to do!?

Hell if I know! I have a rough idea, but nothing concrete.

I booked a one way flight to Italy (Get in!) £17 to go hang in Bologna for a few days, thought I might as well! My friend’s mum lives in Imola so I’ll stay with her for a few days before I go see my friend in Lugano, Switzerland. But I got to thinking… what should I do after that? I’m in no rush to get back to England… Heck I’ve got no commitments in England till the 16th July, I might as well travel a little – see some of Europe before I bugger off to South East Asia. It’ll give me a trial run before I’m half way round the world.

Once I get back to England, I’ll start to look for a job, but until then, I’m focusing on relaxing, travelling and being in the moment.

So where to?

Flying into Bologna mid-June and the adventure starts there. I have people to stay with in Imola, Rome and Ancona… so it looks like I’ll be travelling round Italy, couch surfing with friends and my friend’s relatives!

Obviously making the trip up to Lugano to see my friend, to round off the trip – I’m super excited to see her and her little family!

There are also other places in Italy I want to see such as:

• Lake Como
• The Dolomites
• Pompei
• Mount Vesuvius

What about after?

I’m not that fussed about what I’ll do when I’m back in England to be honest… I’ll pick up something – be it being a receptionist to a waitress, I’ll find something to help keep money in the bank. I’ll most likely be looking for shift work, so I can get in a lot of hours quickly to get some quick money – and if I’m always working, I can’t spend money!

I have a few potential trips I may take in the UK and one to Europe, nothing exciting but I do need to visit the following places before I leave for Asia:

• Leicester
• Northampton
• Edinburgh
• Dublin (If I can swing it – always wanted to go!)
• Cambridge
• Budapest

Nothing glamours, but places to go, people to see!

The Plan

So really, the plan over the next few months is to live in the moment, have a bit of fun and be free!

To stop stressing over the little things and to live in the moment, doing what makes me happy!

World… here I come!

Travel Gear; Tips for Packing

Part of the planning stage is finding the right gear you need before your trip. Sure, you can buy a lot of stuff out there, but you don’t want to have to spend hours shopping round for the important bits (like a backpack) because yours broke on day 3, when you should be out having your adventure.

So below is the list of everything I’ve taken on my travels, that I would recommend for you;

Osprey Exos 48 Backpack

Up until my first backpacking trip in Europe, I’d been using a massive 70l backpack we’d had in the family for the past 15 years! Heck, I even took it on my year 6 PGL trip! I took it with me to Finland, where one of the straps broke, and even moved me to Edinburgh and back until it finally gave up. I loved that trusty backpack, but when I went into the outdoor shop in Milton Keynes and tried on the Osprey Exos 48, I was in love!

My old backpack was… well… old… It weighed a tonne! When they guy put the weights in the Osprey backpack, I actually turned to him and said “Is that all the weight you’re going out in, I barely feel anything!” that’s how light the backpack made everything feel.

This backpack is big enough to get everything you need in, but small enough you can make it hand luggage to avoid those extra airfares!

I’ve been using this backpack exclusively, and I’m in love!

LifeProof nüüd Case

This baby is drop proof, dust proof, and best of all, waterproof! You want to get those great waterfall shots – done.

Underwater shots, but can’t afford a GoPro… done!

Want to send snapchats whilst in the pool… DonZel Washington!

When I finally get a new phone (mine was stolen) this is the first thing I’m going to buy!

Packing Cubes

No one wants to keep emptying and packing their rucksack when they need to get something out the bottom. These packing cubes will organise your clothes and toiletries making it so much easier to pack and unpack your gear.

Towel at the bottom of your bag, no problem, just slip out two packing cubes to get to it, and wham, bam, thank you mam, you’re packed again within seconds!

Micro Fibre Towel

If I’m going to be travelling round South East Asia, I’m going to want my own towel – especially if I decide to take a spontaneous swim in a waterfall! But who wants to lug round a wet towel all day?! That’s why a micro fibre towel makes the list! I’ve been using them for years, even the ones that are the same size as a hair towel can easily dry your whole body! But in order to preserve my very English modesty – I will be buying an extra large micro fibre towel to cover my… tan lines…

Deet – Mosquito Spray

Mosquito’s love me! and I mean love me! I’m the person that when you’re around, you won’t get bitten, because they’re too busy biting me!

No thanks! I’m going to layer up the Deet! My first travel mistake was that I didn’t bring enough Deet – I don’t think I’m ever going to make that mistake again!

Try and get 100% if you can.

Pentax K-S2

Back in January my house got burgled, and the bastards stole my D-SLR camera! Now I have to buy a new one, so I bought the Pentax K-S2. Sure, it’s bulky and not the lightest camera out there, but for me, the best part of the camera is feeling the weight in my hands, and the click on the lens as I capture the image.

I tried the lighter camera’s in the shop, and it just wasn’t for me. I couldn’t get to grips with the light compact weight – I needed some more bulk.

20 mega pixels, WiFi, 1080p video and weather proof with a flip out screen, this is the camera for me. Sure, it’s a little pricey, but it’l definitely be worth it, and I’m not going to skimp on the insurance!

64GB USB Stick

I was toying with the idea of getting an external hard-drive – but came to the decision to just buy a couple of USB’s instead. I can attach them to an inner pocket of my rucksack, and they’re only £10 a pop! BARGAIN!

Other:

• Torch
• Memory Card (64gb)
• Lens cleaner
• Camera Bag
• First Aid Kit
• Spare Charger
• Sleeping Bag Liner