Leaving Los Angeles

Trip Start Oct 30, 2007
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Trip End Ongoing


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Flag of United States  , California,
Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Ever since the first time I saw a globe, as a child growing up in Israel, I was fascinated by the idea of exploring the world. I remember shocking my fellow classmates and teacher at our "Homeland" class when I said that I didn't think one's "purpose in life" is to stay in the same place one was born at and that I'd personally rather roam the world and explore it instead. The teacher rolled her eyes and the other students (except Rina) argued with me to prove me wrong.

On my 17th birthday I took my first trip and visited the USA. A couple years later I visited the Netherlands. At 23 I lived in London for a year. Then moved to Rochester, NY for 15 years. By the time I left Rochester I visited many places in the USA, Canada, Paris, Nassau (Bahamas), Italy, Edinburgh, Guatemala, Fortaleza (Brazil), Turkey and Berlin. For my 40th birthday I awarded myself the gift of moving to Los Angeles and in the past two years since I visited Mexico and Nicaragua.

And yet I felt like I barely scratched the surface.

I wanted a different kind of trip. Not a vacation but rather a journey of exploration. Not another planned itinerary aiming to "conquer" a place but rather a flowing expedition to different lands and people without being bound to schedule or commitments. While I'm still interested in enjoying the sights, what truly fascinates me now is observing the way people of different cultures view their reality and their relationship to happiness.

I offered my boyfriend, Séan, to go on a year-long journey. He wasn't interested but at the same time did not want to stop me from fulfilling my dream. We decided that I'd go on a six-month journey with him joining me for the first three weeks and then joining me again 2-3 months later for a  few more weeks. So we did. I sold my business of 12 years, took a leave from teaching yoga, and booked the flights.

The past month I've been carefully preparing for the trip, cancelling credit cards, figuring out what to take with me, saying goodbyes, and tying loose ends.

I'm now ready to go. I know that it will be an incredible experience. I know that all is and will be well, that I will be safe, healthy, and that I'll be taken care off and provided for. I know that by intending on being unconditionally loving, peaceful and joyous, I'm setting myself for a successful journey.

Here I come!
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