Final goodbye!
Planning a world trip
By Jaimy de Vries
Saying goodbye was the hardest part of planning a world trip. It was an emotional rollercoaster. The last couple of days in the Netherlands I got doubts to proceed with my world trip and almost canceled everything. But I got the courage to proceed, and on the 20th of January I set foot on the plane off to Canada!
The last couple of weeks prior to my departure, off on a world trip, I said my goodbyes. First to my friends and relatives, and at last my closest friends, family, and boyfriend. This was the hardest part of planning a world trip – to actually go on a world trip and leave everybody behind! I took it step by step, first by visiting my friends and granny. Then by organizing a road trip scavenger hunt for my closest family. And finally, at last, saying goodbye at the airport.
Bye friends!
Two weeks prior to my departure I said goodbye to my best friends. First I wanted to organize a goodbye-party, but due to a COVID-19 lockdown this wasn’t possible. You were only allowed 2 visitors a day. So I went for a visit to my friend’s house for some drinks or a meal. I don’t know if it was because I was leaving, but we had such good & meaningful conversations. I gave them a little present to remember me by. Finally I gave them a big hug and said my goodbyes (for now).
Bye Amy, Bye Eline H & Nora, bye Eline P, bye Linda, bye Kaylee, bye Kirsten, bye Sandra L, bye Sandra H, bye Sophie. I love you so much guys, and I’m going to miss you. But I’ll be back 🙂
Bye granny!
Two weeks prior to my departure I visited my grandma, together with my niece Kirsten, and we cooked some pancakes. Every time we had a sleepover at my grandma’s, when we were young, she made us some delicious pancakes. Now that we’re older, we made them for her. She loved it and we had fun conversations. After a couple of hours I gave my grandma a present and a letter. She cried and said that maybe this is the last time we’ll see each other. My grandma is now 92 years old, so I understand her fear. But that won’t happen I said to her, we will see each other again, and in this digital area, we can video-call often. She would love that (with the help of my mum of course.). Love you grandma and see you soon!
Road trip scavanger hunt
To say goodbye to my closest family I wanted to organize something nice. But due to the COVID-19 lockdown, all the restaurants, shops and cultural activities were closed. So with the help of my boyfriend we got to an amazing idea: organizing a dag-dag-dagje, translated as a bye-bye-day. The theme was why I decided to go on a world trip and what I did to prepare myself. We had 12 stops, each with an activity, that explained my life-story.
They loved it. Later in the afternoon we were broken. We were so tired that half of the family fell asleep on the couch. Sorry guys! My sweet, sweet family….I’m going to miss you so much, love you!
My love
Who would’ve thought I would find my new love just a couple months before my world trip!? You can’t plan love right? The last weeks we stayed together as much as possible and it felt so good. We both had the feeling we knew each other for a long time. It was difficult, but we took the risk of having a long-distance relationship. But to top it off! He’s going to join me on a part of my world trip, for almost 5 months in July!
Saying goodbye was hard, but knowing I’ll see you again in 6 months helped me not to break my heart. I love you Jaron! And I’m going to miss you so much! But we’ll see each other soon and then we’re going on an amazing adventure together. Koala-hug for you!
Departure & arrival
There I am on the plane, surrounded by strangers, and off to a great adventure. I’m flying to my first destination of my world trip: Toronto (Canada). I’m still feeling a stomachache from all the sadness of saying my final goodbye (turned out be more a see you later) to my friends, family & boyfriend and the stress of going alone on a world trip. ‘Damn! I remained so calm the last few weeks before my world trip!’, but I think that was because I couldn’t quite grasp what I was going to do, yet…..
And now I’m on the plane, all alone, far from my home and everything that feels safe and comfortable: my parents, brothers, sister, dog, cat, new love, and my great friends! And also my own little house and comfortable bed. Now I have no house and family & friends beside me. ‘Holy guacamoly I’m going to miss them so much” I said again to myself, when a tear fell down my cheeks. Doubts kick in when the moment really comes and you have to say goodbye to all that you love and feels safe. It’s such a crazy feeling. A lot of stress and sadness, but also so much intense love and appreciation that I feel. Saying goodbye also brings something very beautiful. When you say goodbye, you reflect on what you already have, how much you really appreciate and love it. Isn’t it stupid that we only really realize what we’re missing when it’s gone!? I’m so grateful for all the love around me. It’s also a very warm and nice feeling that I can always catch a plane back home and be welcomed with open arms. And they secretly hope for that. Now I sound very positive and brave, but I did cry like a wimp.
But I persevered, no matter how hard it was!! Because I would never forgive myself if I chickened out at the last minute.
