The last month and a half has been brutal. The whole family has been battling to get back on our feet health-wise. Just a week before I was supposed to leave, my older kid was diagnosed with whooping cough. This illness is sneaky, nasty, and utterly draining – not just for the child, but for the parents too.
I immediately got tested, worried about how this would impact my trip. Thankfully, whooping cough didn’t show up for me, but the situation was still incredibly dicey.
Tough Decisions
Deciding to go wasn’t easy, not by a long shot. Leaving your family and everything you know for five months is a challenge in itself. When your family isn’t completely healthy, it’s even harder. The thought of just how long five months is, and everything that could happen, was terrifying. The final call came Friday afternoon – I’m going.
Farewells and Departure
Saturday was farewell day. I did my best to say goodbye to my family – my wife, the kids, and even the dogs. Sleep that night was short because at 4:30 AM, my buddy Marek was already outside, ready to drive me to the airport. Thanks, man!
First Day at the Destination
A few hours later, I was at my accommodation, Samesun Ocean Beach. After a long and exhausting day, I crashed into bed at 7 PM local time, completely wiped. It was the first step on my big journey, but also a day packed with emotions and challenges.
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