What the heck is Bumbering Around?
This is a blog about discovery. It’s also about taking a deep breath and jumping.
I am a 50 something single woman doing the 20 something thing by embarking on my gap year and hoping that it will become my gap decade. But mostly this blog is about…
Living not waiting.
I have been waiting my whole life. For the better opportunity, the next financial year, the next weekend, the bigger pay rise, tomorrow, next week, next year.
I had a big long list of things I wanted to do in my life when I was 20, and 30, and 40…
After a life-time of doing the normal things: getting married, getting divorced, raising children on my own, owning a home and renovating – and of course getting on the 9-5 treadmill to finance every-thing – I found that I still had that big list eating away at me.
I came to that much talked about fork in the road. I found myself asking:
“Should I continue down the same path or should I step off a cliff and embark on an adventure?”
I decided that ………..
Living is for today, not ‘one day’.
You really are free to do anything.
You choose what you are doing so embrace and enjoy
So why should you care?
This blog is about reflections.
….of people and places…of how people live and think….of cultures and religions…..of smells and sounds, of food and drink, of activities and how people fill their days – of children and adults – of rich and poor.
But it’s also about courage.
Courage to live your way. Courage to be crazy. Courage to know that it is never too late.
I am writing not to preach to others but to document my discoveries and to share those with others who might be interested.
I want you to have the guts to listen to that little voice inside your head and say – yes.
This blog will track not only my physical journey but my growing up as I discover the world.
I invite you to join me on this adventure and I hope that it will inspire you to also understand that every day is a new beginning and that you should live for today.
Good on you Jackie, this should be fun.
Thanks Phil!
So far loads of fun and amazing experiences. Still can’t quite believe I am actually doing it. Every day brings something new and sometimes the new is challenging I am honestly having the time of my life.
One small step for man, one huge step for Jackie, you go girl, as they say the world is your oyster, have a ball, I’m jealous :))
Hey David – great to hear from you! remember you helped me get here ….xxx
Great travelling Jack. Some of my favourite quotes:
“Not all those who wander are lost.” J.R.Tolkien
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” Augustine of Hippo
“A good traveller has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” Lau Tzu
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” Marcel Proust
“Travel far enough, you meet yourself.” David Mitchell
“I read; I travel; I become” Derek Walcott
The Lion
Dear Lion
Such beautiful quotes which underpin the intent of my journey
I am only at the beginning …and yet I feel that I have grown so much in such a short time…
so much to see and learn – and you are never too old to begin!
much love to you and Lynne
Sounds like you are of to a great start on the rest f your life.
I think that privately we are all more than just a little jealous of your determination and courage.
One more quote to add to your contributor’s great list above….
‘Even the longest journey starts with the first step.”, Chairman Mao.
I have been reading a lot about places where Aussies can retire or live at a much reduced cost than in Syd but with similar medical, security etc. So we may begin to spend some long durations living OS as well…… eg Malta, Chile, Maldives, Panama, Thailand and even southern France, Greece islands or Italy. Will keep you posted Z.
If you find somewhere nice be sure to let us know.
Best of luck
Phil Mac.
OB1
You mentored me through my part of my life’s journey and our friendship has extended beyond that time.
I don’t know where this journey will take me but I am excited about the opportunities that have opened up for me.
Sliding doors have a way of aligning when you are on the right path.
Every day I now wake up wondering what might happen, who I might meet and what I will learn!
…and every day I am not disappointed!
thanks for your friendship and somewhere sometime we will have that lunch!
Hi Jackie, I’ve been waiting to read your blog. I congratulate you – again – on your decision. Believe me, I know from experience how good it is to “jump”, maybe not off a cliff, but into the unknown. It was great to have you with us in Luxor and I do hope to see you again somewhere along the road.
Thanks so much Johanna – my stay with you and Mohammed was simply wonderful. Not much can better #SailingontheNile at #sunset.
You inspired me when you presented at the BPW conference about how you had made a huge change in your life….and now I am so happy to call you my friend.
xxx
So glad to have met you in Jordan and shared a small part of you journey. I have been living a travelling life since I was 19 and am now over 70, and have no intention of stopping. For me, it is the only way to be. Most of the group on the Iranian tour I joined after Jordan were also lifetime travellers. It becomes an addiction, but none of us are looking for a cure.
Enjoy the journey Jackie, for when you are at the end of your life there should be no regrets for things not experienced.
Don’t know if I will ever experience an event as profound as Petra by Night, but I will keep searching.
Love and light,
Robyn
Thanks Robyn and I was so glad that to have met you at the beginning of this journey.
You are a truly inspirational person.
I have fallen in love with travelling and hope that our paths cross on another #journey in another part of our #amazingworld.
Go girl!! Wishing you brilliant opportunities.. Will be fascinated in hearing about all your experiences!!
Thanks so much Wendy and am so happy you have joined my #bumberingaround adventure.
You too are living an exciting and different life to what we shared in #Wollongong all those years ago.
Who knows ….I might just turn up on your doorstep one day soon as I #bumber around the #world.
I know I am repeating myself …… I am soooo jealous
I am delighted that you are having such fun though
big hugs
Hi Judith.
You helped me start this journey off my inviting me to one of the most interesting conferences I have ever attended. I found the Business and Professional Woman’s family warm and welcoming, never feeling as if I didn’t belong.
Of course the location of the confernce, Cairo, was also simply magnificent.
I still miss having breakfast with the Pyramids!!
I know how busy your travel schedule is but maybe you could put London on your itenary and we could bumber together for a couple of days.
Hugs Jackie
Hi Jackie,
Finally got onto your blog. We have been bumbering around for a while now and having our first slow day whilst having internet. We are in Rome with only about 3 weeks of our trip to go.
Where are you and how are you?
Ciao
Carmel and Michael xx
Great to hear from you -glad to hear you are #bumberingaround in Rome. I am in the UK – a couple of weeks in Wimbledon and now in Oxford – just loving it! Cant wait to visit #Iran with you.
Hugs
Jackie
Jackie it sounds like you know what you want. The oppertunity to do something as exciting as you are doing Is a dream of many people. To see amazing places meet interesting people and experience the food from all these places WOW. GO GIRL.
What can I say – there are days that I still wake up and can’t quite believe that I am actually living this dream of mine.
It is truly extraordinary ..I have seen some amazing places and met so many wonderful people since I ‘ran away from home’
…hope I can keep doing this for many years to come!
hugs
Jackie
Hi Jackie
Wow I just love reading about your adventure of the world.
I am so happy that you are able to do what your heart has Inspired you to do go girl…..
Are you planning to go to base camp while you are in Nepal ….. Gem loved Nepal .
Wow, that’s what I was seeking for, what a information! present here at this web site, thanks admin of this web site.
This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your excellent post.
Also, I’ve shared your website in my social
networks!
It is a good idea to share views on a blog about people’s travel experience and holiday ideas.