I am Sam, Sam I am.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

I grew up in the leafy green Adelaide Hills where I have lived all my life and my irrational joy of travel began when I accepted a teaching gig in Lianyungang, China, when at the age of nineteen I impulsively hopped on an international flight into Shanghai. I had no degree and no idea how to teach kids but in case it all went belly-up, I armed my suitcase with The Wiggles and Bob the Builder DVD’s (These would later become oh, so useful).

After the initial euphoria washed away I got the cold sweats and did what any courageous young man would do in that situation…I called my mummy. My tearful freakout was laden with expletives and panic. I felt claustrophobic. Never had I seen so many people in the one place. On the hurtling cross-country bus, there wasn’t a single moment when I didn’t see a smattering of people in a field or walking beside the road. My anxiety grew as the bus made its first stop as we left the city. Twenty impatient people waited at a signpost in the middle of absolutely nowhere, many had suitcases, bags of seed, produce, and other big items. They began tearing into the driver who quickly greeted them and unlocked the hold. I looked around at the seemingly full bus thinking, “Sorry, we’re full.” Which quickly turned into, “They can’t all be getting on…” Suitcases that didn’t fit in the hold (lots) were lobbed down the isles like bowling balls and after a great deal of shouting and human Tetris, somehow, everyone “fit”. Needless to say, I was both impressed and distraught out of my mind. The bus picked up more and more sweaty passengers like a bottomless clown car. Heavy breathing bodies were contorted in every manner of ways, and my mate, who’d picked me up in Shanghai, had a massive Chinese arse pressed to his ear. People stood on suitcases, changing positions every once and a while, and for fun, the locals looked at us to pass the time but to be fair my mate has a noticeably large nose. When a goat climbed on board, I absolutely-went bananas. I elbowed my mate with tears streaming down my cheeks, “I’m done,” I said. “I’ve made a big mistake.” He looked at me like I was mad and didn’t respond.

Thinking back, I can’t tell you how bloody funny I find this moment but at the time it was traumatic. As a kid, I had anxiety issues, especially around crowds so this reaction shouldn’t have been all that surprising. Had there been a way out, back to Australia, I would’ve taken it like a drowning man clutching at anything to stay afloat. It was an absolute watershed moment in my life and had I cut and run, there is no doubt in my mind that folding to fear so completely, would have destroyed me.

Finally, after eight hours we made our destination on the coast. As rain pelted the roof, the city’s vibrant lights emerged through nightfall. I remember it looked small and inviting. It reminded me of Adelaide. This was my new home, and the veil of fear fell away. I would spend four terrific months here, traveling throughout wonderful China. I grew up in this place and I learned more about myself than I ever could sitting on my arse at home. In a profound sense, I overcame that last ounce of fear plaguing me since I was a boy (but we still have battles from time to time).

I wanted to share this rather humorous story because I think it gives you a better snap-shot into who I am rather than cold stock-standard bio that no-one ever gives a second thought.

 

I found my soul-mate eight years ago and we have been inseparable ever since. I proposed to her in San Sebastian, Spain, and we’ll tie the knot in Vietnam 2019 in true writersblock fashion 😉 Together, we’ve been incredibly fortunate to have traveled as much as we have but the journey is always ahead of us. I could not imagine going anywhere without her again, ever.

This work is in great part to her ongoing and positive support that I often feel I do not deserve. I can be lazy, very lazy, and she is the most motivated goal-orientated person I know and I couldn’t be happier to share this dream with her.

Also, she is far more attractive than me so you’ll likely see her in pictures, often…

Signing off.