Actions speak a couple of words
Actions speak a couple of words
It’s hard for me to believe that I have been in a relationship for 6 years. Me, a bushmonkey!
Even harder to believe is that most of that time, we have been on the move, nomadic in every sense. Travel, has become a way of life for us, and to this day we are still on the move, never sowing a seed, always looking for greener pastures.
I will tell you, it’s not easy travelling with the person you care so much about. Yeah, in the beginning it was tough, coming to grips with our individual personalities and generally been very polite and affectionate. In our case, it was a little harder: Sue and I could not be more different. Both in body and personality, I am a shorthairymidget, enough said, and she is a 6 foot German, blue eyes and blond to make sure you knew it. We also had very different views on things and it would be some time before we would come to grips with many of our unique personas. However, let’s not stray from the subject, Sue stands out like a sore thumb, both in Africa and Asia. I still joke with her, that I could see her from a mile away, even in the most crowded cities, I just had to look up…hehehe, I am obviously not a petit French delicacy, so I am sure she would counter these remarks with her own jokes, which she has many off…
Jokes aside, I also had to accept the reality that I now had the responsibility of someone’s life. It’s something that becomes obvious and I knew I would defend Sue to the death. I know what you thinking, Aah what a gentleman! Not, ok never mind the bollocks. There were a few moments during our travels that I was prepared to do battle over Sue’s honour. Anyway, today’s modern women don’t need chivalry or manly protection any more; it’s all a question of independence…
One thing that is unquestionable is that when your loved one is away and finally you have some space, you find yourself worrying and generally feeling anxious.
Travelling is the ultimate freedom, but when you are bound at the hip to your girlfriend it can become a little constricting. Finding things to talk about, playing games, long silent walks, at some point it all becomes a little too much and then we start getting on each other’s nerves. Communication is so important and to this day Sue and I still have not stopped talking… I have truly become dependent on our conversations… I love them. Still, it’s sad how many people have suffered heartache over communication.
It’s very difficult to accept people for what they are; it’s always such a compromise, such a gamble. I often found myself vulnerable and exposed, stripped to the soul. I find myself questioning and contemplating who I really am. All the while it seemed that Sue could see straight through me. At the time it was difficult as Sue and I barely knew each other, so how could we make any judgments?
Today, we are still together, still trying to live the dream, together. We have accepted each other’s mutant halves and established solid trust. I wish all those people travelling with their partners all the luck… you are going to need it…