Those I Met Along The Way 4. Clancy- The Aussie

I met Clancy during the lifeboat drill onboard the icebreaker ship that would promptly be taking us to Antarctica.  She had about a hundred long, tiny braids of red hair, a laugh that insisted you join it and a presence that made you feel you were old friends immediately.

 I’ve met several Aussies along the way.  Each was cheerful and kind and maybe even a little rowdy in a ‘let’s do this proper’ kind of way.  And they did. They seemed to me to be the quintessential traveler.  Their focus appearing to be more on having fun rather than seeing every museum ever built.  There were many of them compared to those traveling from The United States. I always found this odd knowing how tiny a country Australia is and how big the States are.  Yet it was Australia that represented abroad with so many fun, adventurous travelers.

 Clancy was no exception.  She was older then me and one of the first female solo travelers like myself I had met.  I idolized her the way a little sister might a big sister.  I am sure, had we had more time, it would have developed into a full on infatuation. I wanted to be her. I wanted to travel with the ease she did. I needed to devour every moment the way I was certain she did. I ached to be the center of attention I was making her on that ship, along with every one else.  People were simply drawn to her by the sort of magnetism that is only found in those who are truly comfortable with themselves.

 In the 12 days we spent traveling to and around Antarctica I learned she had built her life around traveling. She led tours all over the world, and got paid to do it. During the few months she was not doing that, she traveled on her own, like she was doing in South American when I met her. I thought I had built my life around traveling becoming an ESL teacher so that I could live abroad and travel from there. Suddenly that didn’t seem enough.

 South America was my first big solo trip and I was only hitting Chile, where I’d been living and Argentina in the two months I traveled south.  Clancy made my trip pale in comparison. She showed me how much more was out there, not just in South America but in life. She let me believe that if I wanted something badly enough I could make it happen. I have spent the rest of my time since meeting her doing just that.

 We parted ways when we docked back in Ushuaia having explored the pristine, nearly untouched continent together. I’d hoped perhaps our paths would cross again as we traveled back up the gringo trail. They never did.

 We’ve remained friends, the way travelers do, on facebook.  I see the various pictures of her in Viet Nam, Africa, Thailand and so many other faraway places.  And still, I am filled with envy, even amidst my various pictures in Colombia, Belize, Puerto Rico and so many other magical places.  And I know she will remain my traveling standard, no matter how many places I have been.  She will keep inspiring me with every trip I watch her take, with every new adventure I decide I too, simply must do.

There are some people that come along and show you how things could be. They let you know there is another way, another choice, and they fill you with wonder when you notice them keeping on.  They show you how easy it could be if you just go after it.  Clancy is one of them.