Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Bienvenidos! Welcome!

Welcome to my travel blog! And happy holidays!
As I reflect back on the last year and look towards the new year, I am filled with inspiration and excitement for the next big adventure in my life.
The short story is that I’ve decided to quit my job and fulfill one of my life-long dreams of traveling around South America. Why South America, you might ask… well, I am fascinated by the geography, the natural wonders, the culture, and the politics (especially environmental policies). After seeing so many pictures, I can’t wait to explore and experience it all in person. Plus, I want to learn Spanish.
I’m ready. Ready for a change of pace and ready to be stretched in ways that I haven’t before. Yes, I’m a little nervous and I am definitely going to miss the familiarity of “home” and the close comfort of friends who know me well, but I know this experience will provide all kinds of new opportunities for growth which I intend to embrace with open arms.
Thanks to all my friends who have encouraged me along the way to turn this travel dream into a reality! A special shout-out to my friends who have traveled the same paths and who have given me practical advice, first-hand stories, and the reassurance that this is indeed a feasible trip to undertake on my own. You know who you are :) And of course, thanks to my family! They have supported me from the beginning and as the universe would have it, we all decided to seize new opportunities at the same time! My parents just moved to the East Coast after 25 years in Arkansas, and my sister has just moved out to San Francisco to check out the West Coast scene and conveniently live in my apartment while I’m off traipsing around South America. My definition of “home” is evolving.
My rough itinerary looks a little bit like a backwards “J”. I’ll start in Buenos Aires, then fly down to the very southern tip of the continent (Ushuaia), and then slowly make my way on buses back up the spine of the Andes all the way through Bolivia. Once in Peru, I’ll zigzag a bit between jungle and mountains, and then I’ll hit the volcano trail in Ecuador. I am heading out on my own, but I’m not worried about finding fellow backpackers to hang out with as I’ll be on the “gringo” trail most of the time.

12 days and counting til I take off! Lots of final details to work out, but I am beyond excited!

Happy New Year!

Peace,
Sam