Wanderlust

I started a new book, titled: Wanderlust--A Love Affair with Five Continents by Elizabeth Eaves.

| wan·der·lust
ˈwändərˌləst/Submit
noun
noun: wanderlust
a strong desire to travel. |
What is it to be wanderlust and how I have been handling this strong urge to see more. I have lived back in Washington for a year and each day this urge to leave, grows stronger.

Eaves started her book with:

Wanderlust is not a passion for travel exactly; it's something more animal and more fickle--something more like lust. We don't lust after very many things in life. We don't need words like workouts or homemakinglust. But travel? Anatole Broyard put it perfectly in his essay "Being There": "Travel is like adultery: one is always tempted to be unfaithful to one's own country. To have imagination is inevitably to be dissatisfied with where you live … in our wanderlust, we are lovers looking for consummation."
My brain speaks and works in travel. I like to be able to see my passport, maps, my backpacks--all on display. Doesn't mean, I am planning on leaving anytime soon, it just calms this anxious heart.

Home to me, is where my bed is, the people I love are and familiarity. When I got off my plane one year ago, Seattle was not home. I had only spent 6 days here, previously, but it was where my family called home now. I ran out of steam in my traveling, I was craving a home cooked meal and a chance to regain my thoughts. I didn't realize this would continue to be an ongoing battle, 365 days later. There are a few things I missed when I was gone, things I wanted to experience again and was having a hard time finding. Dating, being one of them. It has been so nice to actually be able to do this. I have met some amazing girls, and am excited to see where things go. Second on that list: English speaking friends, no offense to my friends that speak other languages, but it is nice to not translate. Because I have been able to recharge and meet new people, Seattle is becoming home.

I'm not saying I am done traveling, that urge will never end. I have a list of countries to visit, that will never disappear. I have and continue to push this eager hearts energy, into living life here in Washington. I continue to meet amazing people and love the adventures I get to go on with them. The journey is what life is all about. What kind of journey would it be without love and support from family, friends and partners. These are the reasons I stay in Seattle, for now, but I am excited to see what is next. I'm excited to see who might be joining me on these future adventures and how I can share a wanderlust passion with them.

I'll continue to live in color and find the blues, greys, whites and blacks of Seattle gorgeous, no matter the temperature. I will be grateful for the days the skies turn pink, orange and red at dusk. Seattle is beautiful and I love being able to call it "home" -- for now.

With Love,

Ashley