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I am not a big planner as I like to be spontaneous. Still, this endearing quirk of mine might prove problematic in such big travel plans. I had a general idea, and direction on how I wanted to start, but I was fuzzy on the details.
I was playing connect the dots on the world map.
I like to start with Australia, work my way through Japan to Asia. I would explore some countries there and then go to Europe. After Europe, I would go through Morocco to South Africa. I could hop across Madagascar to South America. I could make my way north, through Mexico to the North, the Arctic even.
But that would leave one continent, wouldn’t it? I counted on my fingers.
What about Antarctica?
Good question... it was very hard to book anything to Antarctica, unless I went through Ushuaia on Argentina’s southernmost tip.
Plan B! I would do the same journey all the way to Madagascar. Then, instead of continuing to South America, I will go North. I will make my way down to South America and onwards to seeing the penguins in the South Pole.
It was a reasonable plan.
I realize it can change at any point for any reason, but that was ok. I love surprises.
Next dilemma: how many countries should I visit? The correct, and maybe more ambitious answer, would be every one of them.
I was striving for quality rather than quantity for my trip, and I didn’t have decades as a timeline. If I considered at least two countries per month for the year, then I could visit twenty-four?
That still seemed like a large number.
How many should I choose?
Suddenly, I realized something and smacked my head. “Ellie, you are doing it on your twenty-first birthday. It is kind of obvious the number you should choose!”
Twenty-one countries to visit, as a twenty-one-year-old, across seven continents in one year? Sounds like an amazing trip!
My plan was getting more detailed. I had the direction and the number of countries I wanted to go to, but I needed to decide what they would be.
I held my twenty-first birthday celebrations a few months earlier. It was pre-planned. I wanted to jumpstart my trip and visit in the correct seasons, like seeing the cherry blossoms in Japan. By the time my actual birthday arrived, I will most likely be in Dubai.
It was a small price to pay when a world trip was at stake.
Expense was not a limiting factor on this trip. Fresh with my Dad’s shiny credit card, and my own earnings from my semi-hit action movie, I would not be strapped for cash.
Another thing working in my favor was that I was open-minded. For accommodations, I was open to all venues: hotels, motels, Air BnB, kind strangers. Ok, so I had to rely on my judgement, and use common sense, for the last one.
For transport it could be anything. First class, Business, or economy class. Trains, buses, rental cars, trams, rickshaws, bicycle, walking, private jet. I would use any means that would get me to my destination. Ok, not the private jet. The costs would be astronomical, even for me. It would also be terrible for my carbon footprint.
It seems hypocritical to be thinking about carbon footprint, when I had such a trip planned, doesn’t it?
I felt guilty whenever I heard a plucky teenager chastising the older generations for ruining their planet and their future. First, I was near her age. Second, I planned to donate to climate initiatives after I got more lucrative acting deals.
For all that, I needed inspiration and so I needed this trip.
A Catch-22 situation, if you asked me.
I am talking nonchalantly about the expenses, but I am aware of what I could do to make it easier. I would do my best to offset some cost, and burden to Dad’s credit card, by using the Air miles that I would accumulate. I could even leave the points I earned for my parents, to plan a pleasant trip of their own?
See? I am practically angelic.
Cassie had signed me up for the airline’s email alerts. I would receive any special offers as they became available from the airline. She also loaded my luggage with the essentials for all seasons. I had sun protection lotions and mosquito repellants to last me two years.
I had a power bank for my phone, a laptop, and an universal travel adapter. Cassie persuaded me to get an unlocked smartphone. She told me to load up with different international SIM cards as I travelled. She thought of everything whereas I thought with my credit card.
Pay first, think later. It was easier.
I will curb my frivolous expenses to please my best friend Cassie. My gift-giving finger was twitching to buy souvenirs, dresses, accessories, and other knick-knacks. I know Cassie would flat out refuse them.
She was on a minimalist mission nowadays. Actually, Cassie has never been materialistic. I swear if she came across a pile of diamonds, she would move past them, unaware, with her nose stuck in a book.
I suppose it is good I won’t fill my suitcase with gifts at every destination. I will have less to carry around.
Despite all her protests, I meant to give her at least one meaningful gift at the end of my trip.
My most favorite gift from Cassie was a friendship bracelet she made me herself. She made it with tiny, beautiful beads. I wore it so much I am afraid if I wear it again, it might break.
I keep it safe in my jewellery box. I take it out to look at from time to time because it makes me so happy. It must have taken her hours to make it.
I am not an art or crafts person, but I want to give her a bracelet too. I want to get a bead or charm, representing each of the countries on my trip, and combine them at the end to make a bracelet (or two). I would put them on a silver chain, as I don’t trust myself to do anything else artistically.
I want nothing for myself as I am turning into a new Ellie. I just want lots of pictures of my trip. I would put them up in every room when I get an apartment of my own.
My new motivation in life is going to be: Collect memories, not things.
———
I kick-started my grand trip down south in Australia, in beautiful Sydney. Here, April is early autumn and the best time for good weather, with crisp days and cool nights. The city had a scenic harbor with the iconic Sydney Opera house. It was like a grand ship standing on the shore, ready to set sail into the vast oceans. Australia is an island, country, and continent, with water surrounding on all sides. I thought the ship design was a fitting tribute to Australia.
I walked closer, up the stairs, into the Sydney Opera house. The top of the building looked like shells. From a distance, these shells looked only white. Up close, I could see that they had a subtle design. They had chevron pattern tiles, in both glossy white and matte cream. It was something I would not have noticed in pictures.
It was amazing how the Opera house was an icon, representative of an entire country.
The landmark has become synonymous with ‘Australia’. It is everywhere in films, TV, tourism, postcards, books, etc. I took an audio tour and listened to my headphones. The tour detailed the history of the Sydney opera house. I heard how they build the architecture and the problems that came up during the construction. I learned how acoustics were used in the auditorium’s design.
The Sydney Opera house was beautiful with its modern expressionist exterior, but inside was where the magic happened. I was expecting world class performance, with world class performers. I wasn’t disappointed.
I booked tickets for ‘My Fair Lady’ online, out of the several plays and musicals playing this week. I had a wonderful pre-theatre dinner looking over the Harbor bridge. It was in a small-terrace like area. I could see the whole Sydney harbor, with boats sailing in the blue waters. People were enjoying the atmosphere. There were restaurants, cafes, and bars along the harbor.
I had a great time watching the show in the theatre. The sound was amazing, and I had a clear view of the stage. The entire experience was intimate. The Opera house was a wonderful place, not only during the daytime, but especially during the night.
At night, the harbor came alive with live music and lights. I saw the Sydney Opera House lit up. The lights turning it to a brilliant blue, and then a bright golden. The location, the aesthetic beauty, the atmosphere, left a beautiful impression on me. I spend a few days exploring the Harbour Bridge, Luna park, and a bit of the Botanical Garden. Going there once wasn’t enough, so I returned to the Opera house each night.
It was a beautiful place to be in, with a beautiful glimpse into Australia.
———-
So many of my favorite actors and actresses were from Australia. Several Australian actors have got Hollywood glory. What was is it about this land? It seems that remarkable and extraordinary talent was in the air.
I hoped that some of it could rub off on me.
I stood wistfully in front of the grand theatre academy of performing arts. I never had formal theatre training. I wondered what secrets lied in the halls of the institution. Was this the reason I was not taken seriously as an actor? This institution prepared the actors for the long, tough battle for Hollywood fame. Could I see myself here? Slogging the long days to break into the notoriously tough industry?
Why was I in such a hurry? I could take the time to learn it all. I could make it about the journey, rather than the destination... but stopping made it easier for doubts, insecurities, and other awful feelings to catch up to me.
It was better to keep on moving.
I must have been staring for a long time. There were theatre students coming out of the school. I heard someone say something.
“Sorry, did you say something to me?” I asked.
“Ah! So you are not from around here. I can tell by your accent. We were debating amongst ourselves whether you were a new student here.” said the tallest guy in the group. He looked like an athlete from a sports magazine.
“You are right, I am not from here. I am not a student though... just a tourist visiting Australia,” I said.
“That’s a bummer, mate! It would have been nice to have you join our acting group. We were heading out to a beach party, if you want to join us. I’m Ethan, by the way.”
“Eleanor.”
“Nice to meet you, Eleanor. Welcome to Australia!”
The group introduced me with their names.
“So, do you want to join us, Eleanor?” Ethan asked.
I answered without hesitation, “Sure, that would be great! Only one problem.. I am not dressed for the beach.”
I pointed to my long, emerald green dress. I loved it as it was elegant, but it wasn’t practical for swimming. I could go back to the hotel to grab my swimwear?
“There are loads to do besides swimming! Come join us, we are heading there now,” Ethan said.
I had no other choice, so I nodded and joined their party. The theatre students were a noisy, warm and passionate group. They often broke in debates. They argued over movies, producers, and director visions. I joined them in the debates, but I could tell that I knew very little compared to them. Still, the theatre students made me feel welcome. They were happy to have my company. I was happy to be in theirs.
We arrived at the beach, and there were lots of food and drinks to have. Some people were setting up a picnic, while others were busy setting up volleyball matches. I walked over and talked to the friendly group. Soon, everyone wanted to jump in the water. I joined them as I didn’t want to be left behind.
“Are you sure about this?” Andrea asked, looking at my dress, concerned. She was from Ethan’s theatre group.
“I am sure I can manage ok. Don’t worry, Andrea, I will stay near the shallow end,” I said.
Andrea was satisfied with my reply. We both walked in the water, but were careful to stay close to the shallow end.
After our initial hesitation faded, we were having fun splashing each other. We saw people swim further and further away from us.
My wet dress was becoming difficult to walk in. The weight was pulling and dragging my body down. I was about to turn and leave the water, when I heard a loud roar of water. People were screaming at the giant incoming wave.
It knocked me off my feet. I drifted off from the shallow end of the water and I struggled to get myself out of the current.
Maybe the water was cold or my wet dress was making it difficult to swim, but I couldn’t get out. I went further and further away from the shore. The water was much deeper here. I was a good swimmer, but I couldn’t seem to make way with the high waves.
I was panicking. Will I drown here?
If I survived, I knew Cassie would kill me for being so reckless.
My arms and legs were aching, and I was getting tired from fighting the currents.
I felt myself going numb, and I couldn’t swim anymore.
Things went dark as I lost consciousness.
———-
I gasped.
I could breathe again.
I opened my eyes, but my vision was a blur. I felt someone lifting me up in his arms.
He was taking me back to the shore. His steps were steady on the ground. His arms cradling around my frame.
He placed me gently on the sand. I couldn’t see his face as the sun was shining bright behind him. A golden silhouette around his face. He said nothing, but seeing that I was awake, he gave a smile. It was the most heavenly smile I had ever seen.
I questioned my sanity... was he real, or was he an angel?
He looked like he would say something, but he stopped as he heard people shouting. My new Australian friends came rushing to my side.
“Oh my God, Eleanor, are you alright?” asked Ethan
“We were looking everywhere for you! You went under water. The wave swept you off far away from us!” Andrea cried.
I was shivering and felt so cold. All the voices were concerned. I reassured them I was ok. Someone handed me a towel, and I wrapped myself in it. The towel dried the clinging water on my body and gave me some warmth.
I looked around to find the person who rescued me. He disappeared.
Where was my savior?
I didn’t see him anywhere. I asked if anyone knew who he was, but no one had seen him, or knew anyone from their group who had. Maybe he wasn’t from around here?
I wished he had stayed.
He was there at that moment to save me. I didn’t even get to tell him how grateful I was.