Travel Like A Hero: An Origin Story.
By: Josh Smith
Tags: Travel, Tourism, Travelling, Backpacking

When I left school I was 17 years old I felt like a loser. I had no drive, and I had no passion for anything, I was just really lost. Nothing got me excited and I felt like I was just floating through each day like a fart in the wind. I am sure that you have probably felt the same way at some point in your life. The few years before that had been pretty rough my parents had split up in dramatic circumstances, I failed to get into university, I lost a few close friendships because I was trying to look strong all the time. I really had no idea what I was going to do. I did manage to get a job in a supermarket which gave me something to do but I didn’t properly love it.

Once I had settled in my exciting supermarket job I actually started to do well. I got promoted to the position of assistant customer service manager but it never really filled me up and I always had this feeling that something was missing. My head was not in a good place, I was struggling with a lot of negative thoughts, self doubt and I was still feeling quite lost an unable to find my passion.

Then one day at work I get called to speak to an angry customer and something quite amazing happened to me. Now, this guy was ANGRY! I am talking Donald Trump tweeting from his bog at 4am angry, I could hear him shouting from a few aisles away. I walked over feeling quite anxious about what was about to happen but I was determined to try and solve the problem. I started by introducing myself with a smile, as all the training has taught me to do, he didn’t even acknowledge me. He continued to shout and he got louder and louder. The louder he screamed the more red his face went, his veins were bulging out of his head. I was kind of scared and I kept thinking what on earth had made him this angry. By the time he acknowledged me and we had struck up what was a one way conversation everyone in the shop has stopped and was looking at us. At the very moment I realised this my face changed, from its usual ghost white colour it filled with a burning sunlight red — I was so embarrassed. At this point I thought it was probably best to stop trying to interject into the conversation and just let him continue on shouting. To pass the time as he continued on his rant my brain kind of zoned out and I thought to myself that everyone that was looking at us must have thought we had spent five day in the outback in Australia getting our faces burned to a crisp. And then out of nowhere, while this guys spit was raining down on my face a little voice in my head chimed in and said to me‘Joshua, didn’t you want to go travelling a few year back? Why didn’t you do that?’. Then for some reason I smiled, from ear to ear. I had a light bulb moment. My smile was beaming so much it stopped the guy in his tracks. “Why are you smiling?” he said in a rather bemused tone. “No reason” I replied and I discounted the 15p he had been overcharged and sent him on his way.

That night I went back to my nan's house where I was staying and I started researching trips to Australia. One week later I was talking to a travel agent, One month later I had booked the whole trip to Australia and New Zealand and boy was I excited to go. I was finally doing something I wanted to do and something for me. Three months later I was ready to tell my family and friends what I planned to do.

I was filled with excitement to tell them that I would be going away for up to a year and show them my plans and the places I was going to visit. I decided the best way to do it was to tell them all individually so I could enjoy each of their reactions. Every single time I sat one of the down and broke the news that I was going away for a year every single one of them gave me the same reaction...total silence!

They were shocked that I was throwing away my job, the stability I had gained and the life that had I had started to map out for myself. I couldn't believe it, I thought they would be happy. I had friends and family pulling me for a chat trying to convince me not to go, and checking in to make sure I was OK. What they never understood was that I just felt like I was wasting my time following a path that was expect of me, or that someone else had selected for me. I had left school with no idea what I wanted to do I am sure as many of you have felt the same and finally I had found something that made me excited. I wanted to go and try something new, discover the world and find hopefully something that I love. It was tough moment in my life but six months later I was on a plane to New Zealand anyway.

When I landed I was nervous. I stayed in Auckland for the first night and the next day I met up with a group tour. I remember being so nervous about what I had just done and what I was going to do I decided it would be a good idea to drink two cans of ciders (classy I know) for breakfast just to give me some courage before starting the trip. On the very first day, we made our way up to the Bay Of Islands on the North Island and I went out on an overnight boat trip. It was a converted barge, with bar and bedrooms and as soon as we arrived we got to go fishing and sail around breathtaking scenery. The landscapes were epic and the sunset was beautiful but the place came to life at night. There was zero light pollution, no clouds in the sky and the ocean was was tranquil, it was the perfect conditions to grab the kayak and head out for a late-night paddle. We had been out for about five minutes and we had rowed away from the light that was coming off the boat gone around one of the islands and it was pitch back. Being slightly tipsy I was so worried about capsizing my kayak on the way so I was starting at the water the entire time as if it was going to disappear down a plug hole. Then we stopped for a few moments and something caught my eye.

I looked up and the night sky had exploded with stars. It was like nothing I had ever seen before in my life. Our guide was pointing out galaxy after galaxy and constellations after constellations, and I was in absolute awe. I could feel goosebump all over my body and every single hair was standing on end. And as I laid back on my kayak, looked up and all I could do was smile. I knew at that moment I had done the right thing and I wanted to show other people how they could get this feeling too.

From that point on I explored, I made it my mission to learn everything I could about the tourism industry and how it benefits the world and people just like you. I got jobs in bars, in travel shops and in hostels so I could soak up everything possible. All in the hope that one day I would be able to show other people how they can get the same feeling as I did when I laid back on that Kayak.

And now yo have landed on this blog post. As i release more post and learn from each one my aim will is to do more than just talk about my trip and what I did. I will use all the experience I gained to be able answer questions you would have had about going travelling. I will teach you the best way to budget for a trip, how to meet people when you are away, prepare you for things like staying in a hostel and how to quit your job. I want to help you overcome all the things that might be stopping you from going away on your trip. Over time I might add a podcast and some videos too I might even set up my own travel agency, who knows. Sure right now we can’t do much travelling because of the coronavirus but it is the best time to start giving yourself something to look forward to.

It’s time to make your dreams come true.

Josh Smith xx