June 25th 2008: The departure

So, the day is here! The day I have to say goodbye to eoinzy conrizzle, and say hello to Eoin Conroy, some bloke travelling the world! Boring!

I woke up this morning, with Anne-Marie beside me. She can't believe the time has flew in so fast. There was so much we didn't get to do. Now, I'm off for a year, with no idea where I'll be in a year! She's the same! Today sees the end of us as a couple. The prospect of an organised break-up is daunting, as well as confusing and perplexing. This is un-chartered territory for both of us. When we met, we both knew I was going away, so purposely tried not to get attached, but "unfortunately" we did! How can I handle a break up on a day I've to say goodbye to my family, my friends, and my whole life!! It wont be easy!

First stop that morning was to go get my hair cut! I'll be travelling for a month so thats the last thing I want to worry about! Heat and long hair do not go together!

Next, I had to go up to my mothers creche to say goodbye to her. It was hard, but had to be done. I also phoned my father, who was busy in work with a safety inspector so couldnt meet in person. In the back of my mind I knew all these goodbyes were leading up to the one that I never thought I'd be saying!

After a few last minute errands, I took my bag and got the bus into town and stopped into Anne-Maries place. We had intended to say goodbye here in the privacy of her apartment, but we wanted to squeeze every last second out of each other that we could, so she said she'd come to the airport with me and we'd say goodbye when we were forced to by the anti-cupid that is Aer Lingus flight FR137 to London Heathrow!!

On the bus to the airport, I was taking a few last snaps of Dublin on my camera. I don't know why. Maybe just for sentimental value.

When we got to the airport, everyone else was inside. We met them near the escalator to departures, where the tears were flowing and we got introduced to everyone elses parents. After what seemed like hours of goodbyes, we were finally ready to check-in. Luckily, everyone could still come with us to check-in. Another extra few minutes.......

As we walked down the escalator, I knew the time to say goodbye to Anne-Marie was getting closer by the second. We had both agreed to stay strong because neither of us could handle anything emotional at this time. Everyone had to stay behind the barrier while we queued. Last time I checked in here, we went straight onto the place from here. This would be the last time I would see Anne-Marie. With so many lumps in our throats, I dont know how we got to say a single last word to each other, but we did. In a room surrounded by hundreds of people queueing, you have to try maintain at least a little decorum. I achieved this by going into a nearly meditative state. How she handled it, I dont know.

So after a long queue, we finally checked in. I could still see her. Her eyes were welling up, as were mine. Is this the last time we lock eyes? It can't be!!

Luckily, it was not. It turns out we have to go through security in another part of the building. We would get another whole 5 minutes together!! It may not seem like much, but there and then, it seemed like an eternity. As I queued up to go through security, I kept turning to look at her. As I got nearer the front of the queue, both of us grew weaker and weaker, and let out a few more tears. She broke down. I did too. What did I get myself into!! She found all this too much, and had to leave! The last I saw of her was her turning around one last time to look at me, teary eyed, as she left the terminal building. I started crying again. This is the saddest I've been in years!

The rest of the day doesnt seem interesting, but suffice it to say, we flew to London Heathrow, stayed an hour or 2, then got our connecting, 14 hour, flight to Bangkok.

It begins....

Nearly time

So, I have had my going away parties. I have said goodbye to as many people as possible. I have sorted my visa, flights, spending money, passport, and basically done everything....except pack!

Ahhh, I hate packing!!

Luckily, this is where the lovely Anne-Marie comes in! They say that behind every great man, there's a great woman (so if she's a great woman, does that make me a great man?)! Over the last few days, she has literally dragged me shopping to buy bum bags, plug adaptors, sunscreen, electric shavers, etc etc...basically everything I could need! She has also packed all my clothes for me! Legend!!

So, as it stands now, on the eve of my "Trip of Destiny", thanks to Anne-Marie, I am ready! I'm not 100% happy I have to leave, but this trip is something I have to do! I kow I'll regret it later in life, when I'm tied down to a mortgage, with a few sprogs running around so this has to be done! I have been saying for years I want to do this, and I am now leass than 24 hours away from doing it......and yet, still no butteflies! :(

Getting close

The time is nearly upon me. Still, very little excitement! There must be something really wrong with me!

I have a few going away parties organised in anticipation of my departure. There are 2 Saturday nights left before I go, and both will be taken advantage of!!!

The first, just me and a few friends out in Dublin town. We ended up in The Village. Somehow, one of the boys blagged a pass for all of us to the "VIP" Section. It was a nice little area upstairs, over-looking the DJ on stage, with leather wrap-around sofas, and a private bar. Quite nice.

The 2nd party there was a lot more people. We went for a meal in The Hard Rock Cafe in Temple Bar. There was about 15 of us there. Afterwards, we went in search of a Japanese Karaoke bar, but unfortunately it was full, so we went around to corner to Ri Ra, where we were joined by a few more friends. I was wearing my suit out that night. However, Kelly decided to buy me a pair of speedos as a going away present. So, combined with a few beers, and a little peer pressure, it wasn't long before I had the speedos on over my suit! Superman, eat your heart out! I can say this though.....I looked amazing!!

2 weeks to go

2 weeks to go.....
I don't think it has kicked in yet. I am going on an around the world trip in 2 weeks.....and I am feeling very very.......meh!

Is there something wrong with me? Surely most people would be barely able to contain their excitement at going on a trip of a lifetime around the world for a year! Not me! I suspect it's because I've known I'm going on this trip since maybe 9 months ago, so the novelty has kind of worn off. Maybe.

Maybe it is because I am enjoying life at the moment. Free and easy, no commitments. A sexy girlfriend. A shed load of cash in the bank. Basically everything I need, which will be taken away from me in 2 weeks!

At the moment, I'm wary of Thailand. We will be goin to Bangkok, Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabe, Koh Pan-Ngan and Koh Samui, before returning to Bangkok for our flight to Oz. With the exception of Phuket, word on the street is that the hospitals are below standard. At home, I am 5 minutes from Tallaght Hospital. Over in Thailand, I will not know where anything is, should something happen.

Also, the water. You can't drink the water! I've been on holidays to, say, Gran Canaria for 2 weeks where you cannot drink the water. It was horrible trying to brush your teeth! I have a month of this ahead of me! Not to mention living out of a suitcase! Yeah, fair enough, I'm going back-packing for a year, but still, I like the comforts of civilised society!

Oh, and one more thing. We will be island hopping for most of the month. This is fine for someone who can, for example....eh, swim!! Yes, you heard it, I will be living on islands, surrounded by oceans, living in hotels with swimming pools, going on boat trips with snorkelling, and kayaking...and I can't swim! lol, what am I getting myself in for.....

The saving grace!

So I've had no luck with a job. I've been to meet a few recruitment agents, all of whom told me they had loads of IT jobs (lol I even got asked to be a recruiter by one flirtatious lady, coz apparently I was so brilliant that she'd love to have me working with her), but alas, nothing has materialised.

I have decided to go with Plan B.

While talking with a friend of mine, who works in a bank, I was informed that she could get me a loan of 5000euro the next morning! She'd fast track it through so I would have it in plenty of time. She is my saving grace!!

So, after a weekend to think it over, I decided to take the loan. I had the 5k in my bank the next morning! I kept checking my balance online just to look at it! It was great!! I just wont think of next year when I have to actually pay it back!!

So whats left to do now? I have transferred that 5k over to my Australian bank account, for spending money over there, and kept 1000 euro for spending in Thailand. Anyone I've spoken to has told me thats more than adequate for a month in Thailand. Lets hope they're right!

The Trip of Destiny: First hiccup

Well, I have hit my first stumbling block on this trip, over a month before I'm due to even leave!!

I have been let go from my job!!!

I was relying on the extra months pay to get me enough cash to travel, but unless I get a job soon, I dont think I will have enough cash to get me through the month in Thailand, and then the time in Australia before I'm settled down enough to start looking for a job!

Let me explain, briefly, about my being let go...
I was let go due to my bad timekeeping. There is a lot of cutbacks going on, and I kept turning up late, so the day after I handed in my letter of resignation, I became another victim of the cutbacks, and was let go on the Friday afternoon, just before clocking off time!! Ain't that a kick in the balls!!

Apparently, the following Monday the management team called a staff meeting to clarify that I was indeed sacked because of my timekeeping, and not because of the rumours which had been circulating, based mainly on.....hmmmm, quick edit here...better not say!!
(also, word of advice......Don't get super drunk at the Christmas party and make a holy show of yourself. It may come back to haunt you!)


So, this leaves me with just over a month before I go, and not enough money to allow me to go!! If I don't go, I lose out on the €2500 that I paid for the trip, and also let down the people I am meant to be travelling with!

What to do, what to do.....

eoinzy conrizzle in The Trip of Destiny

Hi folks,
Well, this is the first posting in my new blog. I've never done a blog before, but decided to create this one so people can follow my antics on my around the world trip of destiny!!

The trip commences on June 25th 2008, and I will not be back in lovely Ireland until roughly June 25th 2009.

The trip will take in Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and the USA. I expect to have roughly 8000 euro to do the travelling, which will be further subsidised by working in Australia. I have applied for a 1 year working holiday visa from VisaFirst so that will allow me to work for no more than 6 months in any 1 company, though I dont see that as being a problem since I'll be travelling most of the time!

So, sit back, have a read of my stories, and feel free to leave comments.


Thanks,
Eoin

(Note: These posts were created beforehand on a different site, but I copied them here, so the dates will be off for the first few)