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Following my curiosity led me to leave my well benefitted federal job complete with housing on a remote Indian reservation in the southwest high desert region of Arizona, selling most of my belongings and moving back home to the brrr, cold Midwest I grew up in until my travel plans materialized. Many months later (much longer than I anticipated due to a myriad of reasons not the least of which was to be present for the birth of my first niece!), I am now ready to embark on my next extended travel adventure, this one begins solo.
Why extended travel? As a lover of life and gypsy by namesake, I travel to experience life in its' most pure form, the raw, intensified version of what I perceive to be happiness in this so called life. Not a slave of routine anyway, I crave the experience of seeing how other cultures live and have duly noted that many in developing countries seem to be even happier than those in the US. You can't get that glimpse with fast travel in the two weeks typically alotted to most Americans. Nope, I want more.
A life concept was brought to my attention a month ago when asked why I want to travel again for a long period of time. My responses must have been all wrong as the interrogator was more satisfied with his own answer. I was told my quest is to find home, my north star. Well, this floored me and may be obvious to most of you but duhhhh, I didn't truly get it until then. Is that what it appears that I'm searching for? I suspect I already know the answer as it's been with me all along.
So, in case you're at all concerned, I'm not pulling a Thoreau in his book Walden or a repeat Eat, Pray, Love (although my version would clearly be Eat, Eat, Eat ;-). This time, I'm traveling for the pure enjoyment of it, not to find the meaning of life, although that clearly is a worthwhile search.
The first ? I typically get is what are you running from? And the second is, how can you afford it. And I always say it's not as expensive as you'd think, in fact, it cost me more to live in my studio apartment in downtown Seattle than it did on my last extended travel to Russia, SE Asia, Australia and Fiji. Seriously. And if I am running, let it be from the typical, sedentary American lifestyle, if anything. Just doesn't work for me. Happy for anyone who has found satisfaction in their work, family, spiritual endeavors, etc. I just haven't....yet. Clearly, I'm still searching for that balance in career, relationship, and family.
As you may have guessed from the pic, those are all the clothes I've packed. It all fits into one carry-on bag and a smaller personal bag. Yay! I've learned from the last time a big backpack is just no fun to lug around and yet I probably still packed too much.
After literally dreaming of visiting South America for 5 years now, finally, it's time! I bought a one way ticket to Colombia with plans to travel overland through the whole country, a friend will join me for 2 weeks, then I'm on my own (except for those unsuspecting backpackers whose plans I'll crash) through Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia as long as I still have the money and the desire. So look out for !carajo!
- comments
Jackie The adventure begins! Love that you packed so lightly. It's a talent that's well rewarded.