Que Sera Sera 1/11

I never thought I would experience so much so quickly but I feel as though, with an entire continent to traverse, I have to be ready for anything. I admit the trip did not start off the way I had hoped. While anticipating this trip, something I did often to escape the daily grind of school and viewing everything as something I had to endure until I left, I often thought of hostels, of constantly being on the road going from big city to small town alike taking in both natural and built wonders and meeting other young travelers. However it would be sometime before reality caught up with fantasy.

The trip began visiting Walter´s family in southern Ecuador. The plan was to spend time in the Andes traveling the mountains and hiking to some Incan ruins that were recently discovered. Visiting the ruins definitely met my standards of seeing Ecuador and the history it held, and staying with Walter´s family would make the transition from the living comfortably in New York to living out of a backpack a little easier. However, I quickly became dispassionate about my time in Ecuador. Most of our time was spent eating with his family and conversating. Now this is not to say Walt´s family was not interesting. Conversation was always lively, and his uncle, Manolo, is hilarious.  He acts like a big kid and doesn’t take much seriously. He reminds me of my uncles. But, where was the adventure, the excitement, the trading of stories with other fellow travelers. With each passing day I became disappointed.

It was not until our trip to Paccha, where we would begin our hike to the Incan ruins that I realized that it was only a matter of time before things would get better. Walter´s grandfather came by to pick us up and stay with him in Paccha. He pulled up in a pickup truck and we three instantly agreed we would ride in the back as we drove higher and higher into the mountains. As we drove my disappointment began to fade as I looked out at the mountains in the distance. The view was absolutely amazing. This is what I wanted to see. I wanted to get away from cities and buildings I had seen every day and see what else there was besides repetitiveness of daily life. I wanted to see the new and the untouched. I will not even describe what I saw or the arduous hike that led to the Incan ruins I will post the pictures and video and hope they do them a modicum of justice. I wish the camera could truly capture what my eyes see but I will leave you with this. The universe will behave as it should but I know now not to work against it. Act accordingly and adapt. Over these next four months I will see the worst of times but it is those times that lead to the great ones.

APS

All of the Moments 11/19

S/O to the Catalyst’s Insert Cliché Metaphor and Maryann’s Despite Everything, I Believe peope are Really good at heart. Didn’t give you guys props last time. That’s what happens when you don’t proof read.

As I wait at the airport to board my plane to embark on the smartest and craziest thing I have ever done, it occurs to me that I will be doing a lot of waiting on my trip. Hours have already been consumed in the days leading up to this trip by waiting. Doctor´s office, passport agency, ticket confirmations etc.

            It has occurred to me that I have done little to be productive during the times I wait, trapped in my own boredom. Most of the time I either day dream, listen to music, or write. The first is unproductive for obvious reasons but most importantly because it takes me out of the moment and does not allow me to truly enjoy it, whether I am in a doctor´s office or surfing on a beach. This will be the hardest to overcome as I will be spending more hours than I can count on a bus getting from place to place. The second I will not be doing much of, save for the occasional street performers and night clubs. I will not be using my I pod as detachment from technology is a condition I have set for myself while traveling.

            I have come to believe that the time I spend waiting is just as important as the time I spend swimming, zip lining, or learning. It is those moments I wait I can choose to be productive. Reflecting on the people I meet and everything I experience is important. The reflection on the past and planning of the future all while attempting to stay in the moment will be a difficult balance as I make my way from  experience to experience. The small, single, beds I await tomorrow in being the only constant but sights, sounds, and people constantly in flux.

            How I grow as a person will be the most important aspect of my trip from, forgettable beds and bus trips to memorable actions and people. While I wait I can decide whether I will allow myself to be governed by past mistakes and limited experiences or I can take the opportunity to change and dictate where things go from this moment on.

1st Post

S/O to the Wacko Monologues, Gigi’sinkblot, they have been at this longer than I have and are part of the reason I am doing this.

I want to start off my blog by explaining why I am taking this trip, which will create the experiences and thoughts I will share. For those of you who do not know I will be starting in Ecuador then making my way to Peru, then Chile, and finally Argentina. Might even throw Uruguay in there. Also I will be traveling with two friends, Walter and Jim.

I must explain that more than likely, especially in my first few entries, what I write will most likely digress from my original idea or may transform into something completely different. I do not consider this to be a negative trait, but more a product of my inquisitive mind. There are so many things that I want to learn and much of that includes other places and cultures. My curiosity is what spawned this trip as well as this blog and, hopefully this will soon transform into more of a discussion. I would love to hear any suggestions for further travel or ideas about what I can do in the places I plan to be in. four months is a long time so I’m going to need ideas.

                I am keeping this entry short since I will have a lot to say as travel more and visit new places. Feel free to hit me up and make sure to follow me on Facebook and Twitter @ MrWorldwide1. Don’t worry lots of pictures will be posted soon.

APS