Abruptly Sinking In

Here I sit tonight in the same house I've lived in for 21 years. About to embark on a 2 month journey across the world. As of now, mixed thoughts fill my head. Thoughts of the experience of new lands, environmental jobs, organic farming jobs and breathe-taking hikes are all right on the horizon. But, at the same time I am loving my life here at home in Fargo,ND...loving time with my friends and I can only hope when I return, things will be the same in town as they are now. But I've been waiting a good 4-5 years to visit New Zealand, and 2 months of backpacking,camping and hostel staying will be the experience I've been craving. I've tried preparing for 2 week trips before, but leaving for 2 months with just a backpack is something different, what to pack is leading to be a more difficult plan then anticipated. Indecisiveness looms, we had planned to cycle 500 miles and ship our bikes, but a few days ago we decided that would be too expensive, and possibly too much paint for our palette, seeing that we have never gone on a cycling tour before. Plans so far are to stay 2 nights in San Francisco and attend a Yonder Mountain String Band concert with Jon Fishman...and get a good taste of Frisco for a few days. Then taking off the 19th of April for Auckland, landing the 21st. So far we've got 4 very enticing jobs lined up, kind of, we talked to them and they said they will probably need our help. Work expands from working on a family's organic farm on Hawke's Bay up on the North island, to 2 lodge's working completely for the environment both located in the Marlborough Sound, accessible only by a long tramp or boat.

Job 1: Marlborough Sound: http://www.nydiatrack.org.nz/index.php

Job 2: Marlborough Sound: http://www.tira-ora-lodge.com/about_the_lodge.htm

Well, 21 years old, the time can't be better. Many people always say want to take a trip like this but never do. Anyone can, you just have to make it happen. Set aside what seems important for a few months...you can always get back to it. But once you have kids and careers these things diminish due to the crazy working lifestyle Americans live. Americans take less vacation time then anyone in the world. People, Enjoy Yourselves!

Kia Ora ,
Kc