Travels

Been an interesting few weeks.

Part of this year was to travel a bit. Get to know trans friendly places and just enjoy myself.

After the events in the last blog, I admit to struggling a little. A break therefore was very much needed.

If you haven't been there yet, pop over to my YouTube channel @amandaoutthere. The link below is to my first travel video:

Travel Vlog

I'm doing a mix of trans issues, women things and travel blogs. I hope you can subscribe and comment. 

I went to Berlin. I knew this was a trans friendly city and stayed in their main LGBTQ area. I felt safe and welcome.

When I travel part of the trip is getting there so I always try and vary it. Getting from A to B directly isn't for me. I travel alone so I can set my own agenda and whilst I'm not flush, if a divert costs a smidge more and it's something I want to do then so be it. So if you see some of my travel goes a bit obscure then that's just me.

I really enjoyed traveling around Berlin and my Trans status was rarely an issue. Barcelona last summer was gawp central and being tall I expect some looks and Berlin was very much as home. Some but generally nothing of concern.

I also enjoyed being a vlogger and documenting my trip. As I get more experienced then I hope the quality will improve but I'm comfortable at talking to camera now. I don't script it and what you see is pretty much off the cuff. I prefer that although I know in my head as I go places how I'll piece it together but I'm revelling in doing it on the fly. 

More videos to come so I hope you can follow me on YouTube and Instagram.

At the beginning of the month I passed the six month anniversary of my surgery. Everything is working down there well and dilation is now only daily. I've really fallen in love with my body now. Zero regret. This is as hoped.

When I decided to come out and be me, I really felt a sense of a decision approaching. A need to change. A need to find my own place.

I am sensing this again. I have become in recent months as I've found my voice through this blog, started my vlogging and increased my profile on LinkedIn, acutely aware that I have a voice. It's a voice if utlised can do some real good.

I am disillusioned with the way my community is continually in the line of fire and I am tiring of the so called culture wars. I can no longer sit back and not try to influence, not try to make a change and not stand up to be counted. 

I am unsure how this will pan out. I've bills to pay and a quality of life I'm very much happy with. So whilst I know that change is coming, it's form is unknown. 

So in the near future, I intend to get out and about. Network, talk and see what I can do. The current situation has caused me to join a political party. A first for me but that urge to not just see change but influence change has led me to this point. Where it will go I don't know but I can no longer be a bystander.

So I enter another phase. Another period whereby I know change is coming. I just don't know how that change will show itself. Going to be an interesting period without doubt.

In the meantime, I'll continue to blog, vlog and generally be me. I hope you continue to be part of this journey.

Amanda Xx