Do I look intimidated?
I admit. I am intimidated by you.
Jealous, envy, or whatever that is, you name it I feel it.
While everyone is pinning their former destinations on the big world map, my little pink pins can go just too small portion there.
My dream is big and there are many desires I want to achieve. Most of all I always wanted to live in different country since my first backpacking. But I’m stuck here for now. So I’m intimidated by you all, who is living your moment.
In the old days, travel abroad was not in our dictionary. We travel domestic, to mountain, to riverside or to beach but not to other country unless you are extremely rich.
We weren’t, and we didn’t know the concept of going overseas.
I started my backpacking abroad in third year of college. I took a year off, and work in a sandwich shop to make money for backpacking. In that time, that was quite a sensational.
During 4 years of university and 2 years of grad school, I only took 1 year off. Even now, take a time from school is really, I mean really a big deal in my country. Everyone is immediately freaking out if they are behind then everyone. Just a year, it is really big deal. Maybe because we used to be really poor country. We are not anymore but that is what everyone thinks, ‘We have to work, not stop.’ Living under uncertain circumstance is not acceptable.
So I turn down my once in a life time opportunity in Lake Tekapo and stuck in school for another two years.
Now I have a full time job, one of the most uptight companies in the country. I can get 15 days off in a year but nobody could use that all.
Seems like I am whining about my situation which I can fix? Maybe. But I want to say that the difference and difficulty can possibly caused by cultural circumstances.
I met two English girls in Singapore. We stayed at same hostel for just one night but I remember them because I was intimidated by them. They just graduated high school and they are on 6 months of world travel start with New Zealand. I thought ‘Why couldn’t I do that? Why didn’t I start travel abroad earlier? And there did they get the money?’
In the travel blogger’s world, there are numerous people under my age, and they already have been literally everywhere. What was I doing? Sometimes feels like everyone is doing alright but not me.
I thought about it for a long time. And part of it is because of our closed culture. I just found my calling, something outside of my cultural boundary.
I think, and I’ve heard I am quite unique traveler as per Korean. Many of my friends told ‘you are only Korean I know who enjoy hostel life.’ Something like that. And I think they are right. When some people did ‘visit 10 countries in 30 days-and stay at hotel-and only hangout with your group’ backpacking, I wanted to stay one town for long time and get to know the place, and the people. I think I started right way-for me.
Well but now I can’t travel longer than 5 days in any occasion, leave for RTW(Round the world) trip is considered as the craziest idea.
Having fun. That's important
But you know what ? I bet I did make full fun out of my short, little, not many travels! I have wicked stories and photos more than anyone and people seem to enjoy that. Who cares I started little late?
However due to my desire and my current situation, I’m making changes. I have plans, and more plans. I am learning through everyone’s experience, I am inspired every day from various great bloggers.
However I can’t move just right now. In life, there is a certain thing you have to get through. This is that time for me. I have to deal with this situation for awhile. Dreaming is keeping me alive..
So, yes. I am intimidated by you.
But, I am making one foot in front of the other day by day. Specially today. Because this is my 100th article on Runaway Juno.
I wanted to write a significant article, but I end up with bunch of mumbling. Oh cut me some slack, would ya? I’m emotional today!
.
Congratulations!
I really enjoyed this and congrats on your 100th article! I think even just knowing that you want to do something a little different is courageous and I’m sure in time you’re going to find a happy medium. We all have expectations from our families and cultures – my fiance and I were talking about this last night. Sometimes it can be so frustrating! Our family doesn’t approve of our travel – they are European and want us to live near them and have babies already. They accept, but let us know all the time what they think we should be doing. But you have to do what makes you happy in the end. Good luck!
@Andrea
Thanks for sharing your story. That is true. We have to live up with some certain rules but eventually we have to go back to what ‘we’ want. The problem is how to deal with that. I am already stressful about how to say when I decide to leave the country. Pretty big deal!
awww… u don’t need to be intimidated baby, you are a superstar all on your own right! Luv ya just the way you are JUNO.. and you are totally on the correct track. It’s all about acceptance. Accept yourself , love yourself .. others will too when they see the light that shines from you! Glad we are friends. Happy 100th! may there be many more.. keep up the good blog:D
@Ciki
thanks.
I think I’m doing just fine because I have a goal! Travel tought me how to learn myself and even love myself. Thanks to see those shines behind me 
hehe
I could not do this without you! Great companion you are!
Congrats on your 100th article! ~Andreas
@Andreas
Thanks
It’s such an exciting thing!
Congratulations on your 100 post. I feel the same way. I am stuck in the good old USA right now because I cannot afford international travel right now. The only thing you can do is make the best of your current situation like you have and enjoy the small travels like #junoinjeju. Those small trips will one day become big. Every dog has its day. Yours is coming.
@Ted
Thanks.
#JunoinJEju was really a fun experience. Would love to do more of that. I am enjoying your series at the moment.
Faithful to this present and building a hard foundation of future, that’s what I’m doing right now.
Thanks! Our time will come, soon!
Congratulations! “Most of all I always wanted to live in different country since my first backpacking. But I’m stuck here for now.” We’re here too – Rachel and I just moved to Seoul (Yeongdeungpo-gu) a few weeks ago! So, 안녕하세요!
@Evan
No way!! My work is in Mok-dong! haha What a coincedence!!!!
Welcome to Korea!
Juno! Congrats on the 100th article
I am sure you will be traveling around the world in now time.
@Todd
Thanks Todd!
Can’t wait to visit Kosovo. I’ve seen photos (of yours), it was fantastic! 
Congratulations on 100!!!!
Keep dreaming – you’ll get there eventually. That is where you start to know your heart’s desires.
@Erica
Thanks Erica.
How do you enjoy your roadtrip? Exciting!
I know my day will come, well I’m making it more correctly, I’m being just impatient.
Congrats on making 100 posts. That’s a big accomplishment in itself, so you have earned the right to write about whatever you like, significant or not. Looking forward to future posts!
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@Melissa
Thanks for the good words Melissa!
Looking forward to say 200th now. 
As long as you have a dream, you’ll get there. Playing the waiting game is tough, but when you’re able to realize a trip that you’ve been dreaming about, it will be all that more amazing!
@Laura
That is true. Playing the waiting game is tough, I love this expression.
Because I hold on to my dream so tight, I guess it is going to be more amazing when it actually happen 
yeah i heard from alot of koreans how tough life is in korea, and they all end up running out of the country!
live on, and travel more!
Congratulations on your 100th post!
No need to feel intimidated by others or by how much travel they’ve done. Cherish your experiences and look forward to future travels. Cheers!
Corinne @ Gourmantic recently posted..Khan Al Nahasin- Coppersmiths Market in Aleppo
@Corinne
Thanks Corinne!
Yea, I know I don’t need to be, but it is true in some poing, deep in my mind. 
I’m quite proud of what I’ve done and what I’m doing now. So, it will come!
The road trip is going amazingly! We’re in Phoenix, AZ right now hanging out with friends. Hope you are doing well!
Erica recently posted..Road Trip to Burning Man- Day 1
Congratulations on your 100th post! I can totally relate to this article. I feel the same way a lot of the time. Why didn’t I start traveling earlier? Why did I have to go and buy a house, because now it’ll be a hassle to sell it to travel, etc. But it’s never too late to start planning for a different future, and in the meantime, there is nothing wrong with domestic travel. Any kind of travel is better than none.
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@Gray
Thanks!
Yes, late than never. It takes time to find what you really want to do, and I think we don’t have to regret what we’ve done before. It’s another way to find ourselves, right? 
Good we found it, and just more adventures to come!!
Congratulations Juno! Hope you write many good posts in the future. I’m currently near my 700th post, I may write something emotional at the 1000th
My Kafkaesque Life recently posted..About Bratislavas great food and poor service
Juno be patient. I didn’t do my RTW until I was 32 so you have lots of time to enjoy the short quick trips! All travel is fun and I love hearing about yours.
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