The End

Well, then. What remains? As most, if not all of you know, I am now home, so this will be the last post on this blog. I have been putting it off, actually, because I think I was worrying about writing something suitably profound, something that would sum up my travels in its entirety and show you all that I have learnt and grown and that I am now worldly and wise.

I'm not, though. I mean, sure, I've learnt some, and grown some, but I'm still at heart the same person I was... just a little different. Happier, mainly.

Anyway, we ended up coming home early as all of you knew apart from my parents, who were suitably surprised! I didn't write about it on the blog (to maintain the element of surprise, obviously), but on our arrival at Bangkok airport, it hit Char and I suddenly that we were just really exhausted. Really, really exhausted. Of constantly being in airports, of living out of bags, of missing everyone - all the things that I detailed in previous posts, really. And while we both would like to get to Sri Lanka eventually, it didn't seem like an enticing prospect in the slightest just then. So, over a Starbucks, we decided to go home - it felt like a pretty big and pretty exciting decision, even though we were only home 8 days early in the end so it wasn't a massive difference. But psychologically it was, because both of us were so ready to be home.

So we phoned STA Travel and rebooked our flights, and then everything else in Bangkok happened as I detailed previously. We flew to Sri Lanka via some rapid present-buying in duty free, spent the night at the Airport Transit Hotel (it was luxurious, and it bloody well should have been for the $76 we paid for 8 hours - yes, they sell their rooms in hour blocks of time, so weird) and the next day spent 11 hours on the plane before touching down at Heathrow. It was obviously raining, which was both nice (familiar) but also a bit sickening (really cold).

We breezed through immmigration, picked up our bags and then headed for the tube(!). After half an hour or so the tube pulled into Hammersmith and Char and I said a tragic goodbye (I am literally missing her already, I keep turning round to say things to her/shout "Boycieeee" before I remember that she has her own home to go to and I can't reasonably expect her to follow me everywhere I go just for the BANTAH). And then I was on the Richmond branch of the District line, and then I was walking from the station to my door - and then I was home.

I can't tell you how surprised mum and dad were - they actually didn't believe that I was me. Thanks to everyone who was in on it for keeping the secret, the moment of utter shock was priceless and made my endless journeying worth it. It is indescribably lovely to be reunited with my amazing family. I love them to bits and have been missing them for so long, and it is brilliant to be home where absolutely nothing has changed (well, I have a new wardrobe).

I was on such a high that I could hardly sleep that night. The next day was spent unwrapping various parcels I'd sent home (I'd forgotten what my Indian carpet looked like; it was good fun to see that again. And I'd totally forgotten I ordered a marble plate... I don't know what the hell I was thinking, what on Earth will I do with a marble plate?! It's beautiful, though), and just wandering around the house in a daze. Today I became slightly more organised, sorting out all my photos and putting them on Facebook, joining the gym, booking my first hatha yoga class, etc. and getting in touch with friends gradually and making plans.

It is so brilliant to be reunited (and to continue being reunited - I have lots of happy phonecalls to make tomorrow!) with my friends. I have missed you all beyond belief. I can't wait to see you all again :D

I don't really know what else to say. What a journey it has been... both literally and metaphorically (haha). I am the same, and I am different. I think that sums it up entirely. Essentially, travelling hasn't enlightened me - you know, not in the sense that a lightbulb appeared above my head that suddenly contained the answers to Everything. But it has made me acutely aware of myself, who I really am, how I react to things, and also the vast amount of opportunities and choices that are available to me, both in terms of my career, sure, but also how I live my life generally. It has opened a lot of doors and I do now see the world in a different way, a happier way. And of course, I have gained several wonderful friends, and met some beautiful people and seen some beautiful places.

How lucky I am. That's what I keep coming back to, and I feel really strongly that that's what this blog should finish with - not with any profound (read: possibly pompous) statements declaring my self-actualisation. How lucky I was to be able to undertake a journey like this, how lucky I was to be able to share it with Charlotte (who is incredible), how lucky I was to have my friends and family waiting on me, looking forward to hearing my news, supporting me through everything - and excited to see me on my return. How lucky I am to have a lovely job waiting for me.

It wasn't unadulterated amazingosity. Things did go wrong, severely wrong at times, and occasionally I have had to draw on some pretty deep resources just to keep on getting out of bed in the morning. But during those moments, I was always acutely aware of my good fortune, to be travelling but also to be alive.

Now my travels are over, and I am concentrating on the alive part, adjusting my life and habits in London so that the happiness and beauty I have taken from travelling don't just fade - I am taking steps to make sure that those lessons learnt are permenantly incorporated into my daily routine. I firmly believe that because of this, I will always be a happy person. That's more than many people can say, and I have travelling to thank for that.

So, I have had the most wonderful time, and I am, indeed, the luckiest person I know. Good times. Thank you all so much for supporting me and for reading about my adventures and taking the time to get in touch while I was away - believe me, I know how busy life is, and I massively appreciated all your correspondance when I was feeling very far away in distant climes.

Soo... that's me done I guess. Until the next time!

Love you all (but not missing you anymore),
Bye, (but also, since I am now home, hello?! I'm not sure I thought this out...)
Amy xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <3