My Cirkus Life: Who am I?
So let's start with the basics and from the beginning. My name is Lia Foray, I am 22 years old and I live and work in the circus. When I was just 10 years old, my parents took me to go see Gerry Cottles circus. We went every year and had been doing so for years. I LOVED it. However, this time though would change my life completely. I remember sitting and watching the show and suddenly wondering how and where could I train? How does someone get into such a beautiful and amazing job. As I flicked through the show programme, right at the very back, there it was. The words read: "Wookey Hole Circus school". The school was in Wells, a place only 30minutes from us! This was it, the moment the fire in me was lit. The next day I contacted them myself and asked if they had any space and for all the information. They did! That week my sister and I went to our very first training session and this was the start of my journey. We trained 3 times a week every week for years. Until I eventually left at 16. They taught me all the basics and it's something I will never forget.
Through the years I made and met so many circus artists and it was eventually how I met Seb. Seb got me my first official job, on a real touring big top show. We actually met on Facebook. I saw this handsome guy, in a photo with an old training friend... So i added him and sent him a message. This is where it truly took a turn. We flirted for a while and after a few weeks met up for our first date. After a few weeks of dating in person, he messaged to say he had got me a job on the show he was on. I knew this was it, this was my opportunity and something I had to take. The problem was, I had only known him a few months, I was only 17 and was still in school. My head knew how silly and risky this was, not to mention telling my parents. BUT, my heart had already made up the decision and my gut was sure too. To this day I am very grateful and thankful to my parents. It couldn't of been easy to hear your daughter tell you, not ask, but tell you, she's leaving school, moving in with a boy (she's met a handful of times) and live and work miles away up North. Yet, they where amazing about it. I mean they knew me, they knew I was going no matter what. They knew it was something I had to do. Of course they voiced their valid concerns and we had a long discussion. They did ask me to finish my year at sixth form and then go. That just wasn't an option. I had to go now. I respect my parents and love them dearly and of course made sure to call and text every day and every step of the travel.
A week later I was packed up into 4 bags and on my way to the first of 4 trains! 4 trains by myself from Somerset to York. Hauling 4 bags and travelling all alone. When i look back it was whirl wind. I actually have no idea, or can believe how I did it. But I did and I'm so glad I did. After about 5 hours of travelling Seb picked me up at the station on York. I moved into his caravan and began my life on my first real travelling circus. That was 5 years ago!! Since then I've had nothing but an adventure of a life. Travelling and working all over the world. I've now moved permanently to Finland, owned 3 American Caravans, 1 motorhome and countless cars, vans and a lorry.. Me and Seb are still going strong and I adore him dearly. We have some major goals we are working towards and I can't wait to share more of my life with you. To have a place to document and share my story is so exciting to me. Over time this blog will be filled with past experiences and future stories I'm yet to live through. It will include everything from;
Road trips: Travelling in and around Europe. Tips and tricks we've picked up along the way.
General circus and caravan life: Exploring the myths and assumptions.
The countries we've visited: The things we loved and the things we would avoid.
Travelling with a dog: Tips and experiences.
Our move to Finland: The process during Brexit, What we love, our 4 years working here and what we found difficult.
and more!
I hope you enjoy getting to know me and i look forward to writing my next blog posts.
Thank you reading.
L.Foray. x
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