So you all know I am slightly obsessed with long-term overseas travel; it is my ultimate source of happiness, acceptance, peace and probably how I got to be this awesome. And all credit must go to this guy.
I met this wonderfully sincere, optimistic and open-minded individual within the first week of my first ever backpacking adventure, in a hostel in Paraty, Brazil, during Carnival celebrations in 2010. He was midway through a 18-month career-hiatus which took him all over the world; exploring, growing & inspiring everyone whom he met – he was awesome, and I wanted to be just like him. We travelled through countries together, making unforgettable memories and swore we’d meet up again one day. We stayed in touch thanks to Skype and Facebook, and when he went home to sunny California and decided to turn his passion for travel into his income, I was 100% behind him – if anyone can do it, this guy could. He made me! There is no limit to how many people he can touch & inspire to travel, so I’ve written a few articles for his game changing travel website, due to be unleashed on the world early next year.
So when this trip took a last minute detour to North America rather than straight to Mexico as intended, my first thought was, “OMG I have to see Bradon!”. Sure enough, he matched my excitement and V & I were soon on a beautiful ocean-view train ride headed for sunny San Diego to stay with him and his Dad, and his new travel-friend turned wife, the captivating, genuine and equally as inspiring Italian love of his life, Gloria. I couldn’t wait to see him, and meet the people behind this legend.
Thanksgiving was unbelievable. I come from a family who always go waaaay too big when it comes to Christmas feasts; we could invite everyone we know to feast for days and still have leftovers for weeks, that’s just how my family is (and damn I love ya for it Mum). So I thought I knew what to expect when signing up to help with Thanksgiving food prep, we got the massive turkey stuffed and jammed into the oven, Gloria was bringing some Italian-culture to this beloved American tradition and we hand-rolled gnocchi for a delicious pasta, and I made the biggest green salad & fruit salad that I’ve ever seen (seriously, who eats salad on Thanksgiving though?! I tried to tell Bradon’s Dad this but he insisted, “Keep going! make it bigger!”) – I followed orders like a good helper, but I shook my head at all the food we’d made… And that was in addition to the multiple trays of homemade pumpkin pie, chocolate cakes and brownies that were already prepared from days earlier. Damn.
By 3pm I enquired as to what time our 20 guests were arriving, and was shocked to learn we weren’t even hosting Thanksgiving like I assumed (judging by the spread, you can’t blame me) and we were just GUESTS at an even bigger Thanksgiving family celebration. “Oh no love, there’s plenty more food coming!” – damn. Lucky I wisely abstained from food for the whole day, I knew this was gonna get large; Stretch pants engaged.
We turned up to Bradon’s uncle’s amazing hillside house, with a beautiful view of San Diego ahead of us… There was food EVERYWHERE. A second Turkey was being prepared, this one was to be dropped in a vat of oil and deep fried… Yes friends, deep fried turkey. So American. I was horrified until it came out ready to be eaten, with a golden crispy skin and moist and juicy flesh… Damn, they weren’t wrong about this!
The feast was nothing short of amazing, and the loving family vibe in this house was priceless. I charmed all the aunties and uncles with my Aussie-accented stories of life back home, of course making it all sound really outback-y and living on the land… Haha, they loved it. We feasted until our bellies could take no more, then dessert was dished out… How could I say no?
After dinner us kids went back to Bradon’s house to chill, swap stories, inspire each other with ideas and ideologies about life and I knew, these are my kind of people. People who aren’t satisfied just existing, who feel the thirst for more, happiness above a white picket house, and a life that you’re proud of. Was so good catching up with him, and before I knew it we were up early saying our goodbyes as V & I headed to Mexico, at long last.
First traditional Thanksgiving feast with American locals… Tick. Totally worth the detour to California to have this memory and see this dude again!
And for those interested… Bradon & his team will be launching their website in just a few months encouraging people around the world to set sail on trips exactly like his, like mine – demonstrating their sound knowledge and passion of long-term backpacker travel (ie, no mass group tours!) through literally thousands of photos of destinations you’ve always dreamed to visit, and inspiring you to switch your attitude from “one day” to NOW – when it goes live, I’m gonna plug the shit outta it, because I whole-heartedly believe in what he says. So stay tuned.
Anyway, off to Mexico… Only a week later but whatever!
– Belle
