How everything begins

Many would surely say that a world trip starts with the first destination: a distant country. However, we would say that a world trip begins much earlier: with the organization. Planning a route, applying for insurance, documents and visas, getting vaccinations, terminating your apartment, gym, electricity, internet contract, etc., selling furniture, handling a move, getting equipment for a backpacking trip, booking flights, trains, buses, and accommodations, and last but not least, thoroughly researching the desired destinations. All of this can make your head spin. Okay, admittedly, we neglected the latter a bit during all of this, but where would the adventure be otherwise? By the way, we also got a master's and a doctorate degree because as a German, the need for security is deeply rooted. So while we travel around the world, our friends start working or are already in the middle of their careers. Therefore, it was not surprising that the reaction of many to our travel plans was: 'Totally awesome, but I couldn't do that.' Or even: 'And what happens after that?' Of course, the answer to this question could only be: 'I have no idea, my future self will take care of that.'

This is also a good starting point to explain the name of this blog 'leaving to return'. Translated, it means (as you probably all know) 'Leaving to Return'. The leaving part is easily explained: Our journey away from home takes us to 4 continents: South America, New Zealand (Oceania), Australia, and Asia. You will find out where exactly over time. If we're honest, we don't know that exactly yet either.

But what does 'return' mean? Return to where? Primarily, we are going to return to the present. Our school days, our studies, and also our doctorate were always dedicated to one person: our future self. We made an effort to eventually find a good job, or even better, to have the dream job, and to have the qualifications for it. Of course, this time was wonderful and we wouldn't want to miss it, but we long to live in the here and now again and enjoy every single moment to the fullest, without thinking about the future, obligations, and the associated worries. In short, we are leaving in order to return to ourselves. In this context, 'returning' also means living minimally and returning to the basics. That's why we consciously decided to embark on this journey with 2 backpacks, 1 tent, and functional items and clothes. Because in a life in which you want to enjoy the moment and find yourself again, there is no place for luxury and 10 pairs of shoes. Instead of all the excess in which we live, we want to make room for nature, encounters with other cultures, people, and animals, and companionship. Because we consider that to be the true luxury.

In addition, 'leaving to return' also stands for something that we want to keep in mind at every beautiful place, namely that we can return to these places at any time. We will certainly also find places that captivate us and meet people from whom parting will be very difficult, but in these moments, it is particularly important for us to know that it never has to be a farewell forever. We have the freedom to dedicate time to these places again.

Last but not least, the most important return for our friends and family, which we associate with the name of the blog, is, of course, the return home. After all, we also go with the thought in the back of our minds that we will eventually return to our loved ones. And even though we are very excited about our world trip, this thought is very comforting after all the difficult farewells recently, because one thing is certain: the return from this hopefully incredible journey will be so much easier when you know that someone is waiting for you at home.

And with that, only one thing left to say: We're coming, world trip!

Song of the day: A million dreams - Ziv Zaifman, Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams