Oh harsh reality. Sometimes those things you wanted tho try the most, end up being gilded doors to a path of suicidal thoughts.
Like the one who dreamed to bungee jump then heard his cord snap, or the one who wanted to go salsa dancing then realized, had no sense of rhythm and felt uncomfortable with all the grinding.
This has pretty much been my experience traveling as a “true backpacker”.
Nik and I had been traveling by ourselves for a while, that means sleeping when we want, eating what we want and going to places we like. A pretty good life, if you ask me. It isn't too complicated to do either, all you need is a car, a good travel mate and off course money.
But off course, sometimes when life sees that we are actually having some fun, the story of our trip repeats itself, our car is again rooted (*) and we are back to trowing buckets of money at a garage. Since its not the first time this has happened, we decided not to make the same mistakes again and get going, we weren't going to stay in Adelaide (lovely city btw) crying. Since Adelaide is in the middle of nowhere, why not head out to the Never Never(*) and see it anyway. So we bought plane tickets and e-mailed a couple of people, the plan is set, we will fly to Alice Springs, see the famous Red Centre and drive down all the way to Adelaide with our new travel companions. It looks quite simple, one French, four Germans and us, split gas and food and take a week to come back.
I will NEVER again use the term laid back to describe myself on an add! This trip has been my nightmare of nightmares, apocalypse now. If hell was on earth its full address would be:
3 Dirty camper rd.
Empty hole village.
H3L L4U
Attention: Girl crying in a corner.
Everyone will tell you, the best way to know Australia is driving the outback, what they don't tell you is that its the equivalent of flirting with a gorgeous girl, then witness her having a psychotic meltdown. Off course now you know the real her, but that doesn't mean you'll want to marry her afterward. The outback is of an outstanding beauty, the sunsets are without comparaison and sometimes it seems like you are in a movie; but the outback is also HOT, full of flies and most of it is absolutelly empty.
I'll admit it its not really the Outback's fault why this trip sucks. To appreciate the desert you need enough food and water to keep you sane, maybe my recent diet of white bread, processed cheese and bbq sauce has me a bit cranky. Having to pay for food I don't get to eat rubs me on the wrong side too.
I mean, during this trip the basic necessities have been hard to come by. No I'm not talking about food and water again, there are even roadhouses(*) with tim-tams(*) if you like. I'm talking about things like respect, thoughtfulness and a peaceful night's sleep. There has been lots of goon(*) though, they made sure they bought plenty with our money, they just keep forgetting to share and also to stop. Goon is such a rare delicacy (SARCASM x10), that I'm surprised how people sometimes confuse it with water.
I technically live in Sodoma & Gomorra, but without the feests.
All of this to say, you never know what you are getting yourself into, and as much as you plan, as much you try and swim out of the dept of hell, sometimes there is not much you can do.
I won't say to sit back and enjoy the ride, there is nothing really to enjoy in situations like that, all I'll say is I understand people who suddenly turn religious after experiences like that. Why me? Why that? I'm sure I must have beheaded a puppy on a past life.
* For those of us who prefer the Queen's English here is some help
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