This is a quick post which is being written in present day.  I am currently writing about the August time frame of my trip and am a bit far behind on that front, however fast forward to present day and it’s December 28th 2018 and I have decided to cut my trip short at 11 months.  I was able to accomplish my travel 30 countries in my 30th year having traveled to 36.  I have been moving around ALOT and that has unfortunately had a negative effect on my energy, headspace and overall awe for travelling.

I had told my family that I was not planning on being home for Christmas this year and when I set off on my trip, this was certainly the plan.  However, as time elapsed and the trip got into it’s 9th and 10th month, I started finding myself losing motivation, spending more time in the hostel and not planning as much to do as i once had.  I tried to slow down a little bit and even spent a bit more time in a few cities in order to try and get some much needed rest.  It worked somewhat, but as Christmas approached, I became more and more ok with the idea of coming home for Christmas, surprising my mom and finishing the trip one month early.  I eventually decided that this was what I was going to do about a week and a half before December 23rd and so I found a flight out of Lisbon direct to Toronto for decently cheap (given the time period EVERYTHING was expensive).

The whole time I was in Lisbon, I just kind of was looking forward to the 23rd and when it was time to fly out, despite how awesome Lisbon is (I should probably go back there in order to experience it in a better head space).  Anyways, I still saw a lot in Lisbon but always just had the flight in the back of my head.

I talked to my sister and she was able to pick me up from the airport without letting my mom know.  I had talked to her a few days before and told her I was headed to Rome in order to attend the Christmas mass with the Pope.  I had arranged a specific time to talk to her on facetime and we left it at that.  I went to the airport super early and just hung out in the lounge because i didn’t really have time to do anything substantial in the city and it was better than hanging out in the hostel lounge because food and drink were free and it was more comfortable.

Anyways, I stayed at my sisters place the night before Christmas eve and then I headed to my moms house and sent her my daily Mom I’m OK sign, except this time i had made a new sign that said Mom I’m Home and then sent it to her standing in front of the house.  She saw it and came bursting out of the house.  It was a pretty awesome feeling and I knew i made the right decision.

We had a great Christmas and I feel like there will be a lot of things to keep me busty at home over the next few months whether it be the job search, photo editing, blog posting, running and odd jobs around the house.  I also have to make my sisters wedding video from two years ago as well as work on my own travel video, which will probably take a long long time.

Anyways, I thought i would post a Ranty, too long, boring post about my decision to quite early, as well as let people know that had not heard.  I will continue working on the blog, but hopefully at a more rapid pace since I had a bit more time!  I haven’t really gotten any feedback on this blog (since it is mostly for me, but it would be cool to hear from me  people who actually read this)

Anyways.  back to regularly scheduled programming after this.