Is it over already?

Getting to the end of a year long trip abroad is not easy. Ok, I'm not exactly saying anything mind blowing there, but it is just starting to hit home now that soon I'll be back to the real world.

The World Cup is over, I've just entered the last country on my journey and in a week and a half I get on that flight back to Australia.

While I'm looking forward to the first week of being home - seeing friends and family and doing all of the things that you miss while on the road - that feeling is sure to last only until I start getting back into routine. 

First will come job hunting, following closely by house hunting and then paying rent and bills and the 9-to-5 routine where you spend your weekend wishing Monday would never come. For the last year Monday has been exactly the same as any other day. A day where I can do anything I want. 

I am still enjoying my last few weeks it must be said, but I do have an eye on the trip home which is in just ten days. I've been making the most of the tail end by trying to enjoy as much good food and wine, and experience some different things, while also trying to relax as much as possible, because I know it will be a long time before I will be able to leave Australia again - and certainly never again be able to do a trip like I have in the last 12 months. 

There are some things I am looking forward to at home of course. Here's a list of some of the things I'm genuinely looking forward to once I get back to Melbourne.

Friends & Family

This one may be obvious, but this is the hardest thing to leave behind when you leave the country for an extended time. I've been fortunate enough to meet up with friends (and even some family) all over the globe on this trip and that has created some of the highlights. But there's nothing quite like having the bulk of your loved ones live a short drive away for those random catch ups family get-togethers. Skype just doesn't quite cut it.

My Mexican family

Being able to just hang out with people who you know and that know you is also a big plus. While travelling, you'll find new friends, but each time you do you'll find yourself having to give an abridged autobiography. Where are you from? What do you do? Where have you been? Where are you going? How long for? Where has been the best place? There are days when this conversation can be had dozens of times and it can get a little exhausting. Back home those conversations are much rarer and you can just get on with hanging out. 

Food & Drink

I've had some great food on this trip (the extra baggage I'll be carrying upon return will be proof of that) from curry in India, steak in Argentina, tacos in Mexico and bbq in Brazil, I've been enjoying as much of the gastronomic delights of the many countries I've visited as possible. Having said that, there are always going to be things that I'll look forward to eating and drinking once i get home that you just cant get on the road (or at least not the same). For me it is going to be; meat pies, dim sims, chicken parmigiana, Farmers Union Iced coffee, steak, Vegemite, Coopers beer, BBQ Shapes, Twisties, Yarra Valley wines, my mum's home cooking and my friend's cupcakes (you know who you are!). 

Milenesa Napolitana in Argentina - pretty much a parma

Coffee

I could just as easily have put this in with the food and drink, but for me it is even bigger than that. Being a typical Melbourne coffee snob, travelling the world can be a bit of a struggle in terms of finding some good coffee. You find yourself asking every other person you meet if they managed to find a decent brew before inevitably settling for some brown water that passes for coffee in most countries. 

Cafe in Valparaiso, Chile with a very enticing name

Interestingly, this last part of my trip has been one of the best legs in terms of coffee. Buenos Aires in Argentina certainly has a great cafe culture that feels very Melbourne like, and with some hunting you can find some good coffee. What I'm looking forward to though, is being able to visit any corner and finding a delicious cup of wake up juice.

Not being a tourist

While travelling is still without a doubt my favourite thing in the world, there are times when you need a break from it. You're constantly trying to make sure you're maximising your time in any place because you'll "never be back there again" and this can lead to wearing yourself out a bit. The other part of this that can get a bit exhausting is not knowing what is going on half the time. Turning up at an attraction, a bus stop or a restaurant and not knowing the local rules on purchasing (or even what it is you're supposed to purchase) can be tough. There is something to be said for hanging out at your local bar and knowing exactly what is good there and how to get everything done as easily as possible - also without any language barrier.

Local Sport

This has obviously been a great trip for the sports junkie in me. Not only did I attend the World Cup, but I went to NFL, NHL and NBA games in the US & Canada and visited several other important stadiums in many of the countries I visited.

One happy sports junkie

I am, however, very much looking forward to getting home and seeing some of the sport that I grew up with. I've missed almost all of the AFL season (some will say as a Saints fan that is a blessing) but I'm lucky enough to be getting back to Melbourne in time to see the farewell tribute match for one of the clubs greats, Lenny Hayes, which I'm pretty stoked about. 

The other club I grew up watching though, the Melbourne Tigers (Australian basketball) has ceased to exist since I've been away (due to short sighted owners) which is all kinds of devastating. While I cant see myself supporting the new entity, being a big fan of Australian basketball I look forward to still supporting the league and the local talent.

With the Asian Cup due to take place in Australia later in the year too, it will be a good chance for our country to get behind the Socceroos as they chase some serious silverware for the first time ever. Hopefully that will help being back some of the amazing feeling that I (and the other Aussies) felt watching our boys in Brazil. 

Unpacking

A year on the road involves carrying your life on your back. I'm looking forward to finally unpacking my backpack and having the choice of more than seven shirts or two pairs of shoes. I'm not usually a big fan of "stuff" but having access to everything I own again, rather than just what I can carry is looking pretty enticing right now. 

Going Home

Finally, in a week where almost 300 people perished on flight MH17 (many taking their own trip of a lifetime) I look forward to getting home to all of my family and friends and the comforts of home. 

So what now?

After the high of being in Brazil for the group stage of the FIFA World Cup, the last week spent in Buenos Aires and Montevideo has very much been at a slower pace.

With my whole trip based around being in Brazil to cheer on the boys in Green and Gold (Australia, not Brazil) and with just one month left on my trip, I was a bit worried that I'd be a bit "over" the travelling by now. While it is definitely true my journey has peaked (you can't really top watching the biggest event in the world in the country that not only loves it more than anyone else, but has a well deserved reputation for being able to party) my trip is far from over.

For a start, the World Cup is still on, and fortunately enough for me, the country I'm in at the moment, Argentina, has a very good shot at winning it. That means that World Cup fever is alive and well, so while I may no longer be in the host country, I am still feeling very much a part of it. You can't go ten feet anywhere in this country without seeing Messi's face on a billboard, statue or packet of chips. You see his famous jersey everywhere you go too, on men, women children and also dogs.

Argentina fans in Plaza San Martin ahead of the clash with Switzerland

The people here are convinced their team has enough to get it done and with the chance of a nationwide party, I'm hoping they at least make the final - a sentiment I wasn't able to express while I was in Brazil.

All four teams left in the cup have a good chance of winning. I definitely feel for the people of Brazil with their superstar, Neymar, out with a cruel injury. The chance to play for the World Cup on home soil is a once in a lifetime opportunity (if you're lucky) and it has to hurt him to not be able to get out there. The Brazilian fans were such great hosts while I was in their country, so I'm hoping they at least make it to the final game.

Messi is EVERYWHERE

Meanwhile, the progress of Holland to the final four proves Australia were without a doubt going toe to toe with a world class team. To date nobody has bettered the two goals that Australia scored against the Dutch in the group stage.

While I'm favouring the two South American teams in the semi finals, I'm genuinely just hoping for two good, clean and fair matches. It would just be a bonus if diving superstar Arjen Robben were sent home.

Messi statue in the "La Boca" neighborhood

Aside from the World Cup though, I've easily stepped back into regular backpacker mode. Buenos Aires and Montevideo are two beautiful cities with a lot of history and culture and its been great exploring these cities and finding some fun outside of football for the first time in a while.

Anyone who knows me, or has read this blog will know I'm a big fan of trying the local food while travelling. While the food in Mexico was among the best I've ever had, the rest of Latin America failed to live up to this level. There were some good dishes here and there, but for the most part, it was endless rice and beans until I got to Brazil and was treated to the delights of their form of barbecue. Definitely a highlight.

Argentina though, is known the world over for two things - red wine (specifically, Malbec) and beef. These two, aside from going together so well, are among my favourite things to consume, so of course I've taken full advantage of my surroundings. The good news is it lived up to all expectations.

Steak and red wine in Buenos Aires

So while it may seem as though there is not much left of my trip, I've still found plenty to enjoy after my time in Brazil came to an end.

Of course, there are three more games to go to round out the World Cup, and on those days, I'll be right back in to football fan mode. Just maybe with a nice steak.