www.facebook.com/askgeny

Check back soon to see some of our favourite up and coming local artists, photographers, entrepreneurs, models and writers.

We are Generation Y.

30 countries before 30

As I look back now, I am worried for that naive 18 year old getting on a plane alone to Australia; the world is not a safe place. What it is, is an indescribable tapestry of danger, beauty, adventure, love and hate. It is this that has me addicted.

Maybe today its Moroccan stew and mint tea amongst the Saharan sand dunes, while tomorrow its fighting off leeches while climbing waterfalls through Thailand’s jungles. As amazing as they are, they take my breath away only once. Next week will have to be Easter mass in St Peter’s Vatican Square, with Alpaca steaks 15,000ft up in the Bolivian salt flats for dinner. Be sure to order a side of oxygen, and guinea pig if its a special occasion.

I have not always been like this. Maybe its because I had never been on a plane before graduation, maybe its because routine bores me, or maybe its just an innate longing for adventure and the unknown. I am 27 years [...]]]> Here is my slightly more refined snapshot of what travelling to 30 countries before 30 looks like, and how it changes you:

30 countries before 30

As I look back now, I am worried for that naive 18 year old getting on a plane alone to Australia; the world is not a safe place. What it is, is an indescribable tapestry of danger, beauty, adventure, love and hate. It is this that has me addicted.

Maybe today its Moroccan stew and mint tea amongst the Saharan sand dunes, while tomorrow its fighting off leeches while climbing waterfalls through Thailand’s jungles. As amazing as they are, they take my breath away only once. Next week will have to be Easter mass in St Peter’s Vatican Square, with Alpaca steaks 15,000ft up in the Bolivian salt flats for dinner. Be sure to order a side of oxygen, and guinea pig if its a special occasion.

I have not always been like this. Maybe its because I had never been on a plane before graduation, maybe its because routine bores me, or maybe its just an innate longing for adventure and the unknown. I am 27 years old, and I own almost nothing. I’m not special, I’m not accomplished, I’m not even unique, but I have learned a thing or two. I’ll call it the university of the world. Instead of classrooms and textbooks, I study people, cities, natural wonders, and countries. At this university I have completed my unrecognized masters in adaptation.

I grow weary of writing as my curse catches up to me. People shuffle for seating in the busy downtown Starbucks as my easily distracted mind starts to drift. I can feel the sun on my face while driving 30 hours through the sunbaked red sands of the Australian Outback, and the blast of cold violently emerging from the unseen depths while snorkeling the Costa Rican shelf. I can smell the chicken satay grilling in the markets of Kuala Lumpur, and taste the freshly picked blackberries on Vancouver Island. I must focus!

How can I be so safe and uninspired when this incredible world keeps calling to be explored? It really started in late 2004 when I was working as a server in my small hometown. On Dec 26th South East Asia was devastated by the Asian Tsunami, and I could stay idle no longer. I didn’t have a family to take care of, or money to donate, or local responsibilities, all I had was myself. We didn’t change the world, but we built some houses, a couple preschools, taught some english to locals seeking jobs in tourism, and all around shared love to those experiencing so much pain. After 5 months on the ground I was humbled by the pain, fear, love, community and resilience of man.

On returning home I began my official university years during which I backpacked Europe, North Africa, South America and Asia with road trips around North America. I quit my 3 jobs 7 times during this period (thanks to my employers for inviting me back!). I wasn’t interested in cliche spring breaks. I preferred sunset soccer games with the locals on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, or browsing Catherine the Great’s Hermitage collection on the snowy banks of the Neva River, St Petersburg.

What I learned from this skipping across international borders is that the place matters far less than the people you experience it with. Sure there are breathtaking natural wonders, incredible food, mind blowing ancient ruins and fascinating cultures but they are all a little bland without the right people. So bring some friends, stay in a hostel and make new ones, or start by taking your family on that camping trip you’ve been putting off.