As it's been over a year now since I started prepping for my adventure, I can't help but look back and be grateful and humbled for having the experiences I've had. Consider this: If I hadn't left my previous job (where I was really unhappy), I would probably have still been working there today, minus the South American expedition. On the other hand, If I stayed I'd have a car, a lot more savings and probably less debt, but that would have been a sad existence compared to the LIFE i've lived in the past 12 months.
In October 2011, I was offered the opportunity to escape from a stressful and unfulfilling job with "no hard feelings" and a solid severance package. It was a miracle. Pretty much the dream scenario for a terrible job situation. I decided it was the first time in my life I'd had the freedom to do anything. ANYTHING. I wasn't tied down to a job, girlfriend, kids, expenses. I could finally see what these travel channel hosts (Holler Tony!) had been showing me for years. After I settled on South America, I felt more excited and scared than I have in my adult life. Kinda like waiting in line for Top Gun the first time I rode it: pretty nervous, not sure how i'll get through it...but i know it's gonna be fun. During the despedida, I lightweight felt that I was saying Goodbye forreal - like, i REALLY don't know what's going to happen to me on a solo trip through brazil. That was a crazy feeling - not really knowing when I will see my loved ones again. I didn't plan to go for any specific time, only as far as my meager budget could take me. I was just gonna go. And see what happens.
First and foremost, I am thankful that God had blessed me with the opportunity to make this move. If I learned anything from my previous job as a social worker, it was that I needed to really take inventory of my blessings and take full advantage of any once in a lifetime chance to achieve a dream. After all, I really didn't wanna find out the Mayans were correct and only had 1 Philippines stamp on my passport. Next, the amazing couchsurfing hosts I had: Pedro in Rio, AmUnda in Sao Paulo, Nadia in Rosario, Josh and Karen in Cali, Elyssa in Medellin. YOU GUYS ARE DOPE. Thanks so much for opening up your homes and lives to me without any hesitation and show me how the locals live. Let me know if any of you are coming out to California - I'd love to return the favor. Same goes to my homies from Colonias Camps: AMAZING GRAPES. New Buddies from hostels - both employees and fellow guests, friends of friends willing to play tourguides, all people from everywhere who just know how to have a great time - I had a great time! AWOO!
After 4 months of preparation and laziness, 4 months of living out of a backpack, and 4 months of recovery and rest, I'm now starting a new job with a much more happy situation. I'm a little bit worse for finances and fell behind a little in enhancing my career, but I can't imagine my life today without having lived the last 12 months. In fact, as I write this, I've been looking back at the pictures from my blog entries and I'm just amazed that I was able to see these things with my own eyes. From the beautiful Ipanema beach of Rio to the beautiful Cordoba Ave. in Rosario; from the Big Ice Trek in Patagonia to La Capilla in Cali, I look back and breathe a little easier knowing I LIVED this year.
Can't wait for the next one. Hope it's soon.
