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Trip Start May 30, 2007 Previous
Entry Trip End Aug 21, 2007

  Los Angeles, California, United States
Tuesday, September 4, 2007

I have definitely been putting this off. Seems like this entry is the last piece of my trip before its really all over. Well, it's hard to begin but I'll start with some basic observations gained from my travels. Mainly, I feel truly fortunate and blessed to have had this opportunity to see and experience so much of the world.

First, I really had no idea what traveling for an extended period of time would be like, but I did go in with the expectation that at least everyday would be different. This was not only the case, but the feeling I had everyday living everyday differently was a feeling of freedom that is hard to describe. Everyday I experienced something new, ate something different, met new people, making time somewhat timeless. I lost a sense of time, and essentially a sense of reality. Things were that good. I tried not to take it for granted, and I really do not think I did, as I would often sit back and remind myself several times a day of where I was and how amazing the moment was. That feeling of timelessness, of living and enjoying the moment to its maximum is something I know I take for granted here in my real life.

Second, the world is not only a truly amazing place, it's safe. Every country I visited had so many things to offer, whether the country was more corrupt, poorer, and/or small. Every country was beautiful with kind people. It is however unfortunate how some of those countries could be better off if it wasn't for the corruption of their governments. Nonetheless, I found people to be optimistic and I got the sense everywhere I visited that things were progressing for the better. People ask me which place(s) I liked the most and/or did not like, and honestly I loved every country I visited and would go back to all of them in a heartbeat. Of course, there are two places that were out of this world, the first being the Galapagos. Which was truly amazing and by far the best place I visited. The second was Santorini with a beauty so amazing that it truly an experience. Like I mentioned, during my travels I always felt safe and never felt threatened and/or at risk at anytime. Of course I was always alert and aware, well maybe not always, but overall, I felt safe walking by myself, at night, etc.

Before I left and upon my returned I have been asked if this trip was about learning something about myself or for personal growth. Honestly, I am sure I have and will grow from this experience, but that was not the main reason for this endeavor. First, I am too old to find myself, and I like(d) who I am. I think the trip was mainly a way of seizing an opportunity that I did not take adavantage of when I was younger, which was to see and experience more of the world. At first I had some anxieties about taking off for three months of my life at this point in my career and life, but now that I came back, I realize that I didn't miss a thing. Life simply kept moving along, the universe maintained its orbit, and I came right back from where I left off. Which may explain my reservations for finishing this blog. I have not enjoyed coming back to the routine, or I should say, it's taking some time adjusting back to my life. Everyday I wish I was still out there, traveling, meeting new people, worrying only about finding an internet cafe and what new and cool things I would see and learn about each day. As I now see that life didn't miss me (don't get me wrong, I know people missed me, I am just saying everything is the same), I really didn't miss my real life.

I miss walking all day and night. I am begrudginly back to driving the SUV, and feeling lazy because my only exercise was a 30 min run. I miss living out of a small suitcase, wearing the same clothes day after day. I miss so many things, more than I missed my real life while I was traveling. I guess that is to be expected.

A few more observations. 1. We truly live in a society that is overly accomodated, we are so comfortable here, our standard of living here is all about having all of the comforts, which spoils the hell out of us. I traveled in many poor countries where literally clean water is a comfort. I guess I learn not to take so many simple things for granted.

2. Everywhere I visited, people are knowledgable and aware of their own politics, and global politics. Also, everyone spoke or understood english, even in the poorest countries like Cambodia. It was amazing how everyone spoke highly of the clinton administration, and so negatively of the current adminsitration. I also got the sense that people's perceptions of America was less favorable. Speaking of less favorable, the value of the dollar is on a decline which I suspect may be a a partial result of this as well.

3. Everyone is concerned with the environment and commented on how the local environment had changed dramatically in the past few years. I noticed this everywhere, no exceptions.

Some of you have asked what the total travel consisted of. Well, I don't know all the numbers, but it was a total of 16 countries, countless cities and towns, I don't know how many flights, boats, trains, taxis etc, I traveled on, but it was a lot. All I know is that after all is said and done, it has been a truly amazing experience, an experience indescribable by adjectives. Thank you for sharing the experience with me, thank you for the emails and comments. And if you ever get the urge to put life on hold and live it to its fullest through travel, Godspeed. I promise you will have no regrets.

Jaime

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