OMG A BLOG POST!

Starting this isn’t the easiest thing in the world… but I suppose that could be said for this entire venture that I’m about to disclose to you, so it’s rather appropriate in a meta sort of way…

Since 2011, or maybe even before that, (I can say 2011 definitively because I have an email thread between myself and Tali stating as such) I’ve wanted to “travel the world, just myself and a backpack.” It’s a pretty crazy idea, but I’ve talked about it pretty much nonstop for as long as I can remember, whether just whimsically or in a tangible sort of way, and, well, I’m finally doing it.

Yes, you read that right.

Last Thursday, I put in my resignation at Infragistics, and as of the 11^th of September, I’ll be unemployed. By choice. It’s terrifying and liberating all at once and I’m not really sure I’m currently living in the correct fabric of reality….

Right. Dara, you’re nuts, I’m sure is what you’re thinking. And I mean… we’ve all known that for some time now so hopefully I’m just providing you with some more proof that the Dara you’ve come to know is truly who you’ve always believed her to be. A little eccentric, a bit reckless and a lot of untamed ambition.

So wait, what the heck is the plan, right?

I’m so glad you asked! … sort of.

THE PLAN

I’m currently in the process of organizing my visas and flights, so nothing is set in stone yet… BUT! The rough outline is:

Skate with the Garden State Rollergirls Brick City Bruisers on September 19^th as my last bout of 2015 (let me know if you want tickets!!!).

The week of the 21^st, fly out from EWR, or possibly JFK depending on flight availability, to Cape Town, South Africa. There’s an amazingly perfect flight that has a 12 or 14 hour layover in Cairo, which I am dying to get on. I’m not comfortable visiting Egypt long term right now with their political instability, but a layover trip would be absolutely perfect… I’d get picked up at the airport, whisked off to see Giza and the Sphynx, and then returned safely to the airport in time for my second flight…. So fingers crossed that I’m able to manage that flight! I’m nervous to book until I have my passport back… more on that coming… [Visa Needed!]

Once I’m in Cape Town, I’m planning to check out South Africa at my leisure. I’ll likely visit a friend of mine that I made on Birthright who lives in Johannesburg because that’s sort of just what I do… possibly do Safari there, or not, depending on weather and time and price and everything else. [Visa Upon Entry]

After SA, I’m thinking of heading to either Tanzania or Zimbabwe en route to Victoria Falls. I may also take some time to just veg in Zanzibar… who knows?! [Visa Upon Entry]

What I DO know is that I have to be in the Democratic Republic of Congo before November 4^th, because that’s what my official, Congolese Notary notarized letter of invitation states! Yes, I’m aware I just said that Egypt’s political instability means that I’m not comfortable traveling there… but one of my best is living in the DRC with her family on the US military base. So if I have the opportunity to visit her, you can bet I’m going to take advantage! So yes, CFN friends, I’ll be visiting KT. Cannot. Effing. Wait. We are going to hang out and cook and swim in the Congo and who knows what else. I don’t know. Probably wine. Lots of wine, I think. [Visa Needed!]

After the Congo my plans get more fuzzy (if that’s even possible, right?)… depending on my finances and what time of year it is… I’m thinking of heading to India. The Taj Mahal is calling me, among so many other amazing opportunities and things to see in such an exceptional country. So I *think* that’s #1 on my list for after the DRC. [Electronic Travel Visa – Apply 4 Days in Advance of Arrival]

Then after that, depending on time… I’m looking at any number of combinations of the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. [Visas Needed – Can Be Obtained Abroad or Upon Entry]

My final destination, which I’m sure is no surprise to any of you who know me, is Japan. One of my best and longest time friends has offered to host me on the last planned stop of my venturing. My *plan* is to be there for Christmas… but who knows what life has in store! Once I arrive in Japan I’ll likely be relaxing for a little bit but that’s not as bland as it sounds… I’m hoping I can find a crossfit that will let me work their front desk in exchange for letting me use their equipment or possibly attending classes… I’m also hoping to skate with Tokyo Rollergirls (my mom has promised to ship me my gear!)… and I’ll be taking some classes, Japanese language as well as some professional development. Once I’ve finished my classes, or maybe even before, I’ll start applying for new employment and getting ready to reenter the “real world.” [Visa Upon Entry]

Phew.

It’s really, really, REALLY good to get that all out.

(Btw… if you know anyone in any of those places, PLEASE let me know. I’d love to talk to them about what to see and do, and potentially about what areas are best to stay in. And maybe catch a meal or cup of coffee and a photo with them when I’m there!! Or skate with them if they’re derby and can lend me gear. I’m probably bringing my backup mouthguard with me just in case.)

THE PLAN AFTER

Right, so I said I’ll be applying for a new job when I’m coming to the close of my trip. I’d really like to stay in the technology field, but I also would very much like to relocate. I love working events and marketing and community and content… those are all things I would love to have be a part of my career for a long time to come. Ideally I’ll be able to find a place that will allow me to do those things! Destination wise… I’m open! I think my target areas are going to be Tokyo and San Francisco… but that’s ABSOLUTELY not to say that I’m limiting myself. If the right job were to pop up in the UAE, I’d be packing my clothes (ok, well, more of them than I’m taking on the trip) and hopping on a flight. That’s how open I mean. It’s scary and crazy, but I am so incredibly excited.

WAIT, REWIND. HOW ARE YOU DOING THIS?

I suppose there are a couple of different “hows” that you might mean when asking this question. The first one is easy to answer, the financial how. I’ve been saving up for this for a while. A *long* while. If in the past year I’ve told you “I’m broke” but you’ve seen me skating derby and traveling and cooking… it’s because every extra unbudgetedfor cent has been removed from my account before I’ve even seen it and stashed away in my “Escape Fund.” I have a pretty decent chunk of change saved up, hopefully enough for 3-4 months, and I’m going to see where that takes me. I’ve also started a bit of freelancing on elance, and I’ll hopefully be able to pick up some more of that, and maybe even some work abroad if I’m able to find it. I’m not too sure about the last one since employment laws are different everywhere, but I’m not counting it out just yet! Oh and regarding the plane tickets… let’s just say thank GOODNESS for United miles. If all goes according to plan, I’ll be able to swing most of my flights with the miles that I’ve accrued over the course of my life.

The other why is the “logistical” why. This one is also pretty easy. I don’t have any pets, I don’t have any children, I don’t have a significant  other/spouse, I don’t have any loans and I don’t have a mortgage. If I don’t do this now… when will be a better time? Is there ever a good time? Is now a “good time”? What even constitutes a good time? To me, this point right now where I don’t have to worry about any of those tangible obligations, and where I have the funds to do so comfortably, is enough to make it a “good time” for me. Heck, it might even be a “great time”. I’m not sure there will be a better one, that’s for sure.

I’m always waxing philosophical about living the life I’ve imagined, or encouraging my friends to take chances and make mistakes and be brave.

Well, guys and gals, it’s my turn to put up or shut up.

I’ll be blogging as much as possible while I’m planning, I actually have a backlog of things I’m excited to share that I couldn’t before I spoke to work and GSR… so I hope you keep up with me throughout this crazy ride! Part of me can’t believe I’m really doing this and part of me can’t believe it’s taken this long to get me off my ass, to be honest.

From the Back Bay Bus in Boston,

Dara

(I’m here on a work trip, nobody panic. This will be my last Infragistics trade show, which is incredibly bittersweet.)