Monday, August 29th, 2005
One year anniversary since we began our RTW2004 trip.
Hello to Everyone!
Last year on this day, we were heading for the airport to begin what would be a life-changing experience for both of us. It's amazing that
an entire year has eclipsed since we began our journey; through the bone-chilling cold of Mt Everest, narrowly escaping the massive
destruction of the Boxing Day tsunami, crawling along China's Great Wall, witnessing the announcement of the new pope in Rome and through
many, many more memories, we now find ourselves much where we were before, working for the man every night and day.
SINCE LAST UPDATE
Since our last update (embarrassingly since April), we finished our travels with the same excitement as we began them. We completed our
pleasurable tour of Madrid, which we owe exclusively to Teresa, Lucia, Antonio and Virginia - thank you again guys for providing such
wonderful hospitality.
We then flew to Rome and attempted to lodge ourselves permanently at Villa Castaldi, on the wondrous Monte Argentario, a mere 2 hours up
the coast from Rome. While only concentrated attacks from termites could have removed us from our paradise, we did eventually relinquish
our grip of Tuscany and thus, returned to the U-S-of-A - but not before we snapped our share of pictures and sampled our share of the
infamous cuisine. We really cannot thank you enough Peter and Gabriela - we so loved our time at your place!
Officially, we returned to US soil on May 5th, 2005. We were sure to spend some catch-up time with family and friends in Virginia and
Michigan, before we set off on what was to be our final mission of the trip, the driving of both cars across country to Los Angeles.
Surprisingly, it was this final leg of the journey which turned out to be the most challenging and frustrating segment of our entire travel
experience, with mechanical gremlins invading our poor cars and rendering all our newly acquired experience useless. Of course, we could
not simply just drive directly back to LA without a few important stops along the way and Mt. Rushmore, Crazyhorse Monument and Devils
Tower National Monument, were conquered before traversing the east face of the Rockies south to Santa Fe, NM and then a mad-dash across the
desert heat of Arizona and eastern California, before the final plunge into the Los Angeles basin. This proved too much for our cars,
sending both into pit lane for flat tires, a new starter, water pump, fuel pumps and oil changes. We were paying a price for allowing our
cars to sit unused all through the cold winter in Michigan.
Since May 27th, we returned to Santa Monica and thus, completed our first official circumnavigation of the globe. It's been quite a shock
for both of us, like being thrown into a bath of hot water with your clothes still on. Since then, we have been making the necessary
adjustments, but still have constant urges to run back out to the world that we have temporarily behind, saying 'wait for us, we changed
our minds'. Like getting off of a train to then wonder about what adventures those still onboard will encounter as they speed away to the
next destination.Note: Great pictures of all these events will follow, read below for more information.
OTHER NEWS
Melissa and I were fortunate to be able to find good jobs with little effort and happily returned to a stronger economy than when we left.
As of late July, Melissa is officially an American citizen. We're very pleased to have this formality out of the way, and although her
Nicaraguan passport posed little trouble while traveling, we frequently had to give geography lessons to immigration officials - which will
not be necessary while possessing an American passport.
In mid-August, Melissa landed a great job here in Santa Monica. We are both so pleased and I feel that finally, she can work for a
professional firm that suits her talents and skills. Myself? I have returned to similar work that I was doing before the trip, but I really
don't know what's next. Although I was searching for more clarity in my career direction as a result of this trip, I likely now have less
clarity.
CHANGES TO THIS WEBSITE
There will be some changes to this website in the coming weeks. All of the previous pictures and stories are being preserved and placed
into a vast album that will contain thousands of pictures when complete. You will be able to browse the entire site, with some continuity
and all the missing countries will make their appearances. Before the main site returns, I have prepared the photos since Bilbao, Spain
(the last update) and will be displaying them this week.
All changes will be better outlined in the future, but the 'www.rtw2004.com' web address will eventually be moved to a new site that will
incorporate other aspects of my life. Not to worry, nothing will disappear and the changes will not be very evident to the reader.
In addition, our current email addresses will be going away this autumn. Our new addresses will be announced in a group email in a matter
of weeks - again, this transition should be smooth.
WHAT'S NEXT?
We have been asking ourselves what is next for us, now that this trip is complete? Well, if it really was a life-altering experience, then
where have our lives been altered? That's really the next question we must tackle. Indeed, we still feel the strong desire to return to the
road, especially after seeing the current state of the union - so many places offered a different energy than is found here and we'll have
to figure out how and where we experience that outer energy.
In the short term, we will remain here in Santa Monica, work like the dogs we all are and reevaluate our options and desires next year. We
really loved the idea of living the Australia and the time is very good for those looking to do so. Many possibilities still tempt us and
although we're seemingly firmly back into the capitalist system, we know exactly how easily we can escape - once again - if necessary.
IN SUMMARY
We remembered why we love Europe, why we will always be captivated by it's culture and energy and seek out reasons to be there.
We discovered Africa to be rich in kindness and natural beauty, but impoverished in nearly everything else. Australia and New Zealand,
although quite different, were obvious English colonies and although beautiful and peaceful, lacked a bit of energy.
East Asia was electric, constant movement and progress, can't wait to return. China still has a long way to go before it's total world
domination is complete, but change before your eyes is exciting. India showed us a different world, poverty does not mean depression, the
richness of this ancient place is interlaced throughout nearly everything we do. South East Asia is a unique and tranquil enclave, each
region offering distinctly different experiences, although kindness and compassion is evident everywhere.
With love, thanks and memories-John & Melissa
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