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Old 06-19-2010, 07:06 PM   #1
maracle
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Default Do you ever get bored?

I'm almost done with my 6th month on the road, and could keep traveling for another 4 months roughly.

About 6 weeks ago I applied for a pretty cool job...to be a research associate working at the US base in Antarctica. Basically the job would just be collecting data from various pieces of equipment, keeping them working, and coordinating with the scientists that are in charge of the experiments to do whatever they need. Probably not terribly challenging, but a lot of people go wash dishes just to get the chance to live there so all things considered I think I would have like it! It would have been for a full year, including "wintering over" which is staying for the period when it is totally isolated due to the cold preventing planes from working properly. Anyway, I was selected as an alternate for the job so I'm going to be doing all the medical exams and whatnot but unless the first guy backs out, doesn't physically qualify, or has some kind of illness or injury between now and October I won't be going. Oh well.

Still, now that I spent some time fixing up a fresh resume, doing 3 rounds of interviews, etc...I can't get the idea of returning home out of my head! If I had gotten the job last week I would have stayed here in Buenos Aires about 2 more weeks and then returned home to get qualified, trained, visit family and friends, and possibly head to New Zealand a few weeks to a month early to hang around (flights to McMurdo go out of Christchurch).

It feels a bit like an infection, I just keep thinking about all the great things to do back in Austin during the summer, the money I could be making if I had a job, etc. I'm not unhappy here, but somehow I've lost of a bit of motivation to fully take advantage of where I am. Still, if I did return and get a job I know in about 2 months I'd be thinking "Wait, working sucks...why am I not in Colombia or something?"

At any rate, now that I don't need to go back for the job I think I'm going to start first thing next week on planning to backpack again a month from now. I'm almost out of room in my passport so I'll need to start by going to the US Consulate to get more pages. Then, the route I'd like to do is Buenos Aires-Iguazu Falls, then go from Iguazu northwest through Paraguay and Bolivia, then head from Bolivia up the western coast of Peru. I've seen most of Peru so really I just need to cover the coast and Iquitos. Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia are 3 of the 4 countries in South America that require visas for Americans, so that means at least 3 more trips to embassies. A week or two of bureaucratic nonsense will definitely put me in the mood to go I'd also like to take a couple of weekend trips from here to Cordoba and back to Uruguay.

This would basically make for a good route to return from Lima near the end of September, or I could stay a little more. If I was bored, I could return a little sooner. It seems like a nice flexible way to end the trip.
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Old 06-20-2010, 06:18 PM   #2
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You definitely have some options. That's the thing about traveling. You can get into a rut and lose some motivation if you you're not constantly on the move.

I think it make sense to take advantage of the surrounding countries while you're there.

Are you fluent in Spanish yet? Maybe take an intensive crash course while you're there? I'm about to do that in Madrid and get to know some new peeps as well.

Good luck with your decision!
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Old 06-22-2010, 12:50 AM   #3
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Definately definately make sure you go via igauzu while your in argentina, It was awesome!

I think getting moving like Tony said should help you see things clearer.

Have fun - thats whats its all about!
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Old 06-22-2010, 05:19 PM   #4
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oh i understand all right. After about 6 months ppl usually get a little over the backpacking thing and yearn for a nice bed, nice shower etc... Well at least I do. But then its one of those things that you will go home for five days and be like "what the fuck am I doing here??" I wanna leave again!?" ..Don;t you wish that we were all really rich and could constantly bounce back between home and travel. *Sigh*
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Old 06-28-2010, 04:32 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Diorama View Post
oh i understand all right. After about 6 months ppl usually get a little over the backpacking thing and yearn for a nice bed, nice shower etc... Well at least I do. But then its one of those things that you will go home for five days and be like "what the fuck am I doing here??" I wanna leave again!?" ..Don;t you wish that we were all really rich and could constantly bounce back between home and travel. *Sigh*


Absolutely true on all accounts, babe!
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Old 07-06-2010, 04:53 PM   #6
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Yeah, I hit that 6 month point in Nicaragua... Given, I was only traveling about a week a month by that point, being stuck to the job in Granada and needing the money... But, its true, after just a few days when I did get home, I was like, what the fuck did I do, I only want to be back there... Its tough... And Im getting ready to do it again... I left about a month ago for Honduras for a job I had lined up, got there realized the job was sweet, but that I didnt want to live on Roatan... Came back to the states again, going what the fuck... Thus, here I am... Waiting to make the money to head back out again... Determined to stay gone for atleast a yr this time and learn my lesson about coming back...
As for the Antartica job, if you can handle the weather and that winter shut in, go for it!!! Atleast if the other guy cant... I havent read any updates about it since you last posted, so, I only hope that life on the road or back in Austin is, or will treat you well!!!
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Old 09-23-2010, 10:22 PM   #7
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These points are common. It's the win/win thing about travelling, you actually start to miss and appreciate home again. It's not a terrible thing to be home again, it's an enormous refresh button. If you feel burnt out for an extended amount of time, head back! 6 months is no short trip.
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