2012: Achieving dreams, overcoming challenges

2102. What a rollercoaster it was. I am not sure how it is the end of the year already, yet at the same time the start of the year seems so infinitely long ago. I'm just tired I guess.

This was the year of immense challenges, meeting new people, countless new experiences, tremendous highs, devastating lows, and of course, achieving dreams. Years ago I had the idea of moving to a different country for 1 year, then in 2011 I set myself the challenge to turn that idea into a reality by declaring that by March 2012 I was to leave behind my home of Melbourne, Australia and set off for New York City.

And since March 2012 I've been traveling around America ever since.

Arriving in Los Angeles, America with not the slightest idea of where to go, what I am doing, and the fear that I have just made a huge mistake, was one of the scariest times of my entire life. But, I survived, and then thrived! To think that 9 months later I am still traveling. Looking back on it now makes me feel the proudest I have ever felt.

I've had some awesome experiences that I will remember for years to come, like the time I climbed the Hollywood hills with some amazing new friends, accidentally attended a movie premier in Los Angeles, camped by this beautiful lake in upstate California, went on a great wine tour in the Napa Valley in California, got a cool job as the host of a hostel pub crawl in San Francisco... well, there is too many to list really.

I saw some incredible places. The Grand Canyon, Kings Canyon National Park, Lopez Island (off the coast of Washington state),Vancouver, Canada, Central Park in New York City, and just countless more.

Then, of course, there have been the absolutely incredible people I have met along the way, many of whom I have remained great friends with. Not to mention how cool it is to now have friends from literally all over the world too. There was Vincent from Holland, Isabel from Portugal, Mardy from Taiwan, Chris from Switzerland and Clare from Taiwan, and just so, so many more. They made this year, and trip, truly memorable.

But above all else, this year was all about following dreams and overcoming challenges.

The day I arrived in New York City was one of the greatest days of my life for it signified so much to me. As I type this now, I am actually sitting in the offices of where I work, in the heart of New York City, and I even somehow got lucky enough to have accommodation in the heart of the city too! This was exactly what I had dreamed of doing all along, and to think that I have actually achieved just that and more is... pretty special.

There certainly has been more than my share of challenges and trails, as this trip was far from simply making great new friends, seeing amazing sights and having good times. I've hobbled through raging storms on an injured ankle, visited hospitals, had my backpack stolen and wine spilled on my MacBook Pro (killing it), and quite often questioned why I am even doing this and if it was all worth it. The important thing however is that I tackled them all head on, and ultimately overcame every obstacle thrown my way without once giving up. It certainly hasn't been a breeze, but I guess it would have been foolish and unrealistic of me to expect it to be anyway, and what's more is that it makes you appreciate the good times that little more, and prepares you for whatever challenges the future may hold too.

This is the year that I will look back on for the rest of my life as an insight into how great life can when I am not afraid to take risks, a reminder of what I am capable of (often being far more than I ever imagined), and the starting point of a completely different life path due to all the friends I've made and lessons learned, a life path I certainly wouldn't be on now if it wasn't for this year.

Now, I guess there is only one two things left to do. Firstly, to finish off this trip and return back home to Australia, see all my friends and family again whom I miss so very much, and relax for a while. And secondly, well it is obvious isn't it? With this dream now complete, it is time to get to work on the next, even bigger one!

Happy New Year everybody =)

New York City - Accommodation and Exploration

I'll be honest here. I really do not have the slightest clue on how I am doing this trip, and how the things that happen to me actually happen. I plan hardly anything, and when I do it is always last-minute and never ever goes to plan anyway... but alas it seems that this trip certainly still has plenty of surprises left.

Let me begin.

Back during my stay with a family in Bellingham, Washington state for HelpX (the program where you work in exchange for room and food) I mentioned that I was to be heading to New York City soon. They in turn informed me that they have a good family friend who lives there, one who they were sure would be happy to offer their spare room to me for a few days free of charge. They emailed the friend, they replied, everything got organized, and a few days ago now I arrived in my free accommodation... which happens to be on the 15th floor of an apartment in the very heart of Manhattan...wow!

Here are some shots from my window:

6th Avenue down below. I really love this city.

Same window, just looking to the left now

Oh yeah... did I mention if I stick my head out the window and look down the street, I can see the Empire State Building? Ha!

To make things even better, Tammy (the lady who owns the apartment) is away for the next five days, so not only do I get to stay in her place for free, I now get the place to myself! After months of hostels, friends couches, and HelpX accommodation stays where I had to work quite hard, the opportunity for five days of my own bed, own room, and peace and quiet, is more welcomed than you could possibly imagine.

This is easily one of the greatest, luckiest things that has ever happened to me. Ever. Hostels are expensive in NYC, and after traveling for such a long time now the less money I spend the better, but the best thing of all is the chance to relax and see the city at a pace and convenience I never thought I'd ever get. Cool.

Determined not to let the five days of freedom and stability pass me by, I set out to see as much of the city as I could, making the most of the brilliant location of the apartment. Oh yeah, it happened to be Thanksgiving the following day too, which meant the city was extremely busy, and the annual Thanksgiving's Parade too, woo!

The city is even more busy than usual on Thanksgivings Day!

Yes! I got to see Spongebob Squarepants! My trip is now complete.

Micky Mouse has let himself go over the years it appears... check out that beer gut haha!

I've officially stepped foot in the famous Times Square

I really like this shot

Found the Rockefeller Center ice ring. Very cool.

Stumbled across this store! Easily a highlight of my day to find this!

New York City Public Library

Grand Central Station

Madison Square Garden. It was amazing.

With the streets closed due to the parade, it allowed me to experience an extremely rare phenomenon... a New York City street completely void of people and cars. I really felt lucky for this simple fact to be honest.

The Empire State Building from afar

The Chrysler Building

The iconic Flatiron Building

I knew when I saw it during the day that I just had to return again at night. So at midnight, that's what I did. And it was awesome.

And that's what I did... on only my first day of 5 actually! It was a long day, but with only a limited time in the this dream city of mine I am determined to push myself and make the absolute most of it before it is time to move on again.

Four more days until Tammy returns, it is going to be intense!

New York City - Central Park

It's day two here in New York City, and after spending my first day at the Museum of Natural History (which already is counted as one of the highlights of my entire trip) I was lucky enough to stumble my way out of my hostel (due to another night of jet lag) to find the bluest of skies. Win!

The hostel I am staying at is not only close to the Museum of Natural History, but is also less than a block away from Central Park, my destination for the day of course.

Wow, Central Park. I used to have a picture of this place on my wall for years, the dream being to one day be here in person so I can take my own pictures of it. With my trusty iPhone 4 in tow I think I managed to pull off some pretty awesome shots, while calming enjoying the beautifully crisp morning air and unbelievably spectacular atmosphere around me.

Without further ado I'd like to share with you through photography the accomplishment of one of my longest held life goals:

My favourite shot I think

Simply magic.

I pondered deeply while walking through this park, just being here feels like an illusion, something that I will wake up from at any moment, to find myself back in my bed back home in Australia. Although until I do wake up from it I guess I can play along with the illusion a little longer. Despite it being the last week of Autumn the weather was temperature was perfect, although not quite warm enough for t-shirts and a picnic. I imagined how full and alive this park would be during the Summer months, to just chill out on the lawns and park benches, an ultimate escape from the relentless bustle of the city streets just out of view.

It looks like I'll have to return some day in the future during a warmer time.

After the park it was already well past mid-afternoon, and what better way to round off what had already started of as an extremely awesome day then to visit for the second day in a row the Museum of Natural History! My time spent there the previous day was simply no where near enough, not to mention what a great way it is to have a relaxing afternoon. Even on this second visit it continued to amaze and surprise me.

Alas there is still so much more to see.