It's real now

July 30th 2010

When I woke up in Ecuador, everything felt like a dream. I was surprised to see that I wasn’t waking up in my little apartment in Canada. My “dream” was real, and I was really gone from home. The city of Quito is very developed, not much different than Canada, except for the amazing Mountain right in the middle of the city. Today I’m feeling a bit lightheaded, which is to be expected in the second highest city in the world (almost 4000 feet above sea level).

The view from my window:

For some reason, I was scared to get out of my room. Everyone was already up and I heard chatting, laughing, the buzz of a T.V. all completely in Spanish. I suddenly I was petrified, it’s as if I just realized what I got myself into. As if I just realized that all of the people that called me crazy, were absolutely right.

Now that it was real

All I could feel is Panic

 I’m far away from home

 all alone

in a country that isn't my own

But then I heard a light knock on the door, when I opened it I was greeted by little Ana Maria and her great big smile “Buenos Dias, Dormiste Bien?”. Her warmth was soothing, and my panic disappeared. I remembered why I was here, and whatever she made for breakfast smelt delicious. I went to the dining room, and was the last to join the table along with her sister, Helena, that I met the night before, two very adorable little boys and a young American girl named Laura. She’s another intern that's been here for two months already that’s from Boston University. Unfortunately she was off to work right after breakfast, but promised to leave work early to spend the day with me and show me around.

As promised, Laura was back around 11:30am, and she absolutely adores Ecuador. Apparently, if you want to take the day off, they allow you without problems, especially when its for a friend or a family member. If only Canada was more like Ecuador, we need to be dying to miss a day of work, though family may come first, it's never a good enough excuse "my brothers play" didn't get me my day off at the Callcentre I worked at. . . .so then I called in sick. Laura said something strange to me "I was glad to hear that a Canadian girl was arriving, Canadians are generally nice people."As sterotypic as it sounds, I've also noticed this fact. For example, if you go to some European countries, such as Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, England and France, "hello, how are you?" isn't a question you would hear from a stranger. In fact, you will strait up get ignored, or shunned for the most part. I'm not saying that means they are not nice people, I am saying, Canadians are much less intimidating to approach because of their very welcoming greetings to strangers.

Canadians have such a good rep

and thats across the globe

but we're obsessed with the U.S.

and Everybody knows

you shouldn't want to be like the U.S

Right?

Laura is a future doctor, she volunteers at a hospital in the mountains. Hearing her experiences so far with such excitement, brightness and great big smile, makes me excited to start my own little Ecuadorian adventure. Lauren was kind enough to show me around and how easily accessible the city is, if you have a map, two legs and a heartbeat. She erased al of my fears by letting me know that the frustration I felt with my lack of understanding of the 1000 words per minute Spanish is normal. She assured me by telling me she felt much worse, and my level is already 10X better than hers was just 2 months ago. She have me cool Ecuadorian slangs that I could use too like “Chevre” ß which means “cool” but funny enough, also means “goat” in French, my first language.

Everything you require

Will work out

Like you desire

With no doubt

But you must trust

In the world

And yourself

Pretty girl

Ana Maria bought me a book about Ecuador tourism, it had fantastic pictures, clear maps and it was written in both English and Spanish! Which is fantastic for someone that wishes to practice. She also cooked for me, cleaned for me, helped my find my lost Visa Card. . . Though it was a false alarm. But best of all, she opened up to me, and shared her desires of seeing the world. Ecuador is very strict when it comes to travelling. The people are literally imprisoned in their country and it’s very difficult to travel if you’re not doing it for school, or work. The process is long and painful that so many people give up trying to travel. She told me that I could send her a formal letter of invitation, and that would help her travel and see Canada, so I promised her I will.

It’s strange to see

This place could be

My escape

And your prison

At the same time

 After Dinner, everyone kind of went their separate ways, either to watch tv. read, write or prepare for bed. And just like that, I completed my very first day away from my Country. If I could survive one day, why not two? or three? or four? ...why was I scared to get out of my room in the morning? I'm already beginning to learn a lot of new things about myself. As confident as I seem to be, with a change of scenery, I feel like a wallflower would describe me better then a lioness does at the moment. At the end of this trip, I hope to become more and more fierce like a Lioness, and gain the respect from myself as well as everyone I encounter at first glance because of my presence and pride. . . one day i shall Growl, but until then, whispering is good. I have a long way to grow.

End of Journal Entry: 

All of the pictures of this posting were taken by yours truly in Quito at a Park named "La Carolina" I lived right across the street from it, and it was a great place to sit and write.

Except for the Canadian/American Flag...that was a present from Google Images :)

I don't even remember feeling this way, reading it and re-living what I wrote through memories was an experience on its own. 

The flight

July 29^th

Leaving my Future husband at the airport was very sad. We were both at a lost for words and just staring at each other sadly. He then gave me a long hug and whispered that he loves me and will miss me in my ear. The moment was far to tense, so I did what I always do in moments like these, and cracked a silly joke so we can ease up and smile a little. : “Hey, I’m not dying buddy!” J and mission accomplished. I then whipped out my camera and asked him some questions, we laughed and kissed, and then I was on my way.

No matter how hard you try and try

It’s always sad to say goodbye

When I get nervous I babble, just a little bit, and I also find comfort in friendly strangers. So as the plane departed, I started looking around for some good company then I spotted a young girl that was studying Spanish just like me. Her name was Aveeva, she was going to Quito and had told me stories about her previous time in the Galapagos, and things I should look forward to and be aware of: “they love nicknames, sometimes their nicknames will tease you a bit, but don’t take it personally, it’s a form of endearment”. I thanked her for her great insight and let her know I was nervous. We chatted a bit and shared some stories of travel and adventure and she really made me feel comfortable. We even practiced some Spanish together. She was from North Carolina, and was going on a medical internship to a hospital in Quito for 4 months. It was comforting to meet another ruthless traveller, I’m the only one I know in my group of friends, and being a minority is never easy.

Never alone with strangers near

Potential friends you shouldn’t fear

Friends on the plane

Have kept me sane

Hard to feel pain

When I’m smiling

After a nap I woke up to a sudden dip in the planes smooth flying. It looked like it was going to crash into buildings when we were landing.  The Quito airport is right in the middle of the city and is surrounded with malls, apartment buildings, hotels and shops. When I got off the plane I said . . .  and a man picked me up at the airport with a paper with my name written on it I found I was relieved when I saw him. I wouldn't have to awkwardly ask strangers, and my fear of getting kidnapped was diminished. But only slightly. Human trafficking is real, and it’s one of those things that nobody thinks will ever happen to them, so when it does, they feel stupid for not even considering the situation possibility. So I’m considering it at least, because you never know right? Why not me? What makes me so lucky?

A name on a sign

That looked like mine

It felt sublime

Its adventure time

I’ve always wanted to keep a journal because there’s nothing more motivating that reading what you used to be and comparing it to who you have become. Keeping tags on detailed feelings that you’ve felt at the moment is amazing. It gives you a better understanding of yourself, because you are your emotions. This is my first night here in Quito and I must say, so far so good. I’ve been getting a big confidence boost as far as my Spanish goes. I’ve gotten such great feedback from the very welcoming driver Jose. And my height being so overwhelming for the little man, made for a fantastic icebreaker. My giantness can come in handy. He has two daughters and thought one of them was tall, but she’s nothing compared to me, and he wanted me to have dinner with his family the following day so he can show everyone. I am in no position to pass up friendship, or a free dinner, so I accepted without hesitation. We arrived at a small building in 15 minutes, and a little woman greeted me at the door. Her name was Ana Maria, and when she first saw me, she looked surprised that I wasn't wearing heels, smiled and gave me a hug. Her arms were wrapped tightly around my lower back, that's how small she was. She kept repeating “que linda! que linda!” which means “how pretty! how pretty!”

At 6’3’’ I feel like a freak

But the words you speak

Are kind

You think I’m unique

I’m blind

I should see me through your eyes

When we got to her house, that was on the second floor, she told me that God has blessed me with height and beauty. She even woke up her sister just to show me to her, her sister was 10x more enthusiastic than her. I usually feel weird and awkward about my height. But they’re making me feel like it's the best thing in the world. Her sister kept repeating: “Como una Barbie, alta y flaka como una Barbie” Which translates to, “like a Barbie, tall and skinny like a Barbie!” This made me blush. As outgoing as I thought I was as a person, standing out and drawing this much attention in a country that isn’t mine scares me.

If everyone sees me like you

I have no clue

What I will do

Theres so much for me to learn, not only about Ecuador but about myself. This awkward feeling I'm feeling, like an alien on another planet, I hope that fades with time. This is fantastic, its crazy and everything is so different already. After a tour of her humble home, she showed me to my room and I quickly fell asleep after a long day of travel.

End of Journal Entry:

I promised myself I would write exactly what is in my journal. Which means I couldn't even leave out the embarrassing details. I guess being tall DOES have it’s advantages socially. I may not blend in well, but maybe that's a good thing. Just maybe, we’ll see.

But Why?

July 28^th

I leave tomorrow and I’m so excited I can’t sleep.

I had a very interesting conversation today with a good friend of mine, that doesn't understand “why” I’m doing this. The exact words were

 “Why even bother? Do you think you’re really making a difference? You’re leaving your friends and family and putting yourself at risk and for what? I just don't get it”

It is so hard to put into words how much I care about the environment. People find it crazy to leave their comfortable situations at home and go to the most remote islands in the world, live in a shack pretty much, and spend your days doing conservation work and planting trees and stuff. I come from a big city where there is less than 5 % of its forest. There are countries with constant smog, where you can see the dark grey colour of the air in the cities, and its not normal. The whole entire world’s air supply is highly reliant on the little rainforests there are left in the Southern countries of Latin America.

This empathy controlling me

I see will never set me free

To be happy I need to be

The changes that I wish to see

In conservation and Preservation

I’ll always book a reservation

And heal the world or die trying

Because I can’t ignore it’s crying

I’ve always been a “do something” person. Talking about things without getting off your butt has always drove me absolutely CRAZY! Maybe because my mom did it too many times (I love her to death) but she has always had big dreams, and has been vocal about them, but never once got off the couch and into the world to actually do something about this and move her dreams forward. Despite her flaws, she has raised my brothers and I to do just that. To never let the “circumstances” blur our vision. She has always told us that we can do ANYTHING and everything if we just believed. Nobody can stop you from achieving your dreams, but yourself. Obstacles are just a test to see how bad you want it. If you don't want it that bad, they will stop you with ease. This is an opportunity of a lifetime, and I would be a fold to pass it up out of fear or doubt. As scary as it is to go all the way to the other side of the world to do something that I believe in. I’ve never felt more empowered in my life, and I’m filled with adrenaline not knowing what’s to come.

We’re dying as a species

And denying, full of feces

Or to be Frank, just full of shit

And the rich will never quit

Money, and pain for personal gain

I go insane thinking about it

I went to school and for “International Business” and Global Deveopment. I was taught the rold of international business, IN global development. Those fancy words just mean that all of the HUGE corporations that will put everyone out of business if we let them like the “ Walmart, Kmart and etc”  HOW they price their things so cheaply, and who suffers in the process. Dave Suzuki does a great job at explaining the current situation of the world with his books, talks and show “The nature of things.” National Geographic has constant proof about the toll our current way of life is taking on the planet. Even Al Gore’s “An inconvenient truth” as much controversy as the video has made, we are ignoring the moral of the message.  The world is changing, and not for the better. Like everybody else, hearing and knowing this fact put me in instant doubt. I didn't believe it, or want to believe it. Suddenly I was a scientist and said things like “that's stupid, it doesn't make sense, this is all a scam”

So my brain represses

While my pen confesses

Even I see bliss

In Ignorants dismiss

Of facts and acts I fear the most

I’m brave enough to admit

My pride is taking a hit

But this is the truth so many kiss away

There is more and more proof that climate change is in fact a reality. We even see it ourselves! Floods, droughts, tsunamis, earthquakes the list goes on and on….something is messed up about this series of unfortunate events. Though its not happening as fast as the disaster movies all over the world, we are getting small signals here and there. . . and STILL we choose to sleep.

We can ignore the facts if we chose

But in the end we will lose

We surrender the war

Before trying to score

Because it’s easier to die in our sleep

I’m going to the Galapagos because I found it as an opportunity to do something for the better. Though everything that is happening, is a problem within a problem within a problem. I’m tired of sitting around and doing nothing about it. My own personal solution is to contribute to ecological projects such as these, to help us breathe for just a little longer. “What are you doing? “ That is actually how I answered my friend. And for once in her life she had nothing to say.

End of Journal Entry:

The thing with writing when your “heated” is that sometimes it's a bit exaggerated. Now that I am reading this again I know that there is no proof of a relation between those natural disasters and the planets degradation. But for our air quality, I am still 100% in agreement with. The rate of children that are born asthmatic these days has increased immensely over time! Today it's the most in history….Why can’t the children breathe? 

Hopes and Expectations

July 20th 2010

I don’t know what to expect for my trip to the Galapagos, so I expect nothing at all. I don’t picture my living arrangements, I don’t picture my work atmosphere, I don’t even picture what my food will be like, because whatever I think up will be absolutely wrong. I see it this way, If I don’t picture anything= I wont get disappointed or scared about anything.

Like overdrinking

Overthinking is poisonous

Yet real addicting

Instead of going with the flow and remaining in the now

Our wonder drifts away somehow

 Either I’m a crazy overanalyzing every single situation I go through and experience, or life really does have a purpose. To be honest I don’t really give a damn if that’s true or not, acting on impulse, doing what feels right, pursuing what I feel passionate about while feeling as “at peace” and happy and balanced as possible is what is the way I have chosen to live my life.

We’re stuck in space and time

I often find myself blind by wealth and dreaming of the future

When I should rest my worried chest and focus on the present

Notice I said nothing about a certain career or money? I don’t believe happiness has to involve something that tangible. When you are truly trusting in yourself you can’t do no wrong however once you doubt yourself, everything will crumble around you fast; Disaster caused to yourself by yourself.

Stuck in the past are thoughts that last

“What if” as if life’s not a gift

Terrified people surround us. So many people, people that are absolutely terrified of risk, failure or rejection. Some people would rather not take risks and live the safest life possible instead of putting themselves out there.  Some people care so much about what they think, that are so afraid and ashamed of being their “true” selves or thinking too far outside of the box, (get in, fit in or get out). So I chose to  get out…. Of the country for a breathe of fresh air, and a fresh way of life.

We have a breath, our health and depth yet

Tomorrow’s threats paralyze us with fear

When it should be clear you are nowhere

Near free if you cannot see the magic

of right now.

People call me crazy for wanting to travel to the other side of the world, not only to contribute to what they are doing, but also to help myself grow and learn from them, to help myself out of the sickness that so many people in this day and age suffer from: The fear of the unknown, or what us open minded people refer to as “ignorance” I challenge myself to draw a self portrait one day while keeping my mind completely open, making it the most abstract and symbolical picture that I have ever drawn.

You should be proud and not worried

To cry for yesterday or tomorrows problems

Is insane

So much self induced pain, when you shouldn't strain to be content

You have problems? Put them away if you cant solve

them because life isn’t guaranteed

I come from a home of worriers. Instead of adopting my family’s ways, I became the exact opposite. I felt a bit suffocated while growing up, and that's never a good thing. I truly believe that worrying only feeds the negative vicious cycle that makes people believe life and “stress” are one in the same. It’s not only possible to live without stress, its crucial to absolute happiness (which should be everyone’s life goal)

End of Journal Entry:

Reading this again kind of makes me laugh a little bit; Simply because sometimes stress is a parasite that creeps up on you. I constantly have to remind myself to relax because some situations are stressful by nature. Worrying feeds them and makes them stronger, if you let those kind of negative things win you over, you will lose all light and happiness in your life. . . .and slowly start going crazy.

Pre Departure Orientation in Algonquin Park

Pre departure  

1.5 weeks before my departure to the Galapagos

July 19th 2010

I’m a real city girl, born and raised on pavement. I call my trip to Algonquin before my adventure begins the “pre departure” phase because being in nature is probably much closer to the lifestyle of the Galapagos than being in the City.

Cool summer air blowing through hair

No sun in sight to create a glare

Inside Algonquin is a world of wonders and astonishing things

Nature radiates vibes and creating so much peace between us all.

And If I’m absolutely wrong, then camping is fun, and these are my last days with great friends. We are going Portaging and this would be my first official canoeing and camping trip. I love to write, and Nature is always quiet inspiring, it’s the only place in the world where you can hear your thought so clearly that it can be intense sometimes.

Through rhythmic sounds of the lake,

the birds singing so beautifully

 the wind blowing through the trees

This feels like heaven, but I’ve never felt more alive

My friends from home think that I’m crazy now. They tell me I have changed so much and they don’t even know who I am anymore. They knew me when I was in high school, and lets be real, who knows who they are in high school?  I love my friends to death, but they don’t understand me at all, especially when it comes to my newfound love for nature. We connect in many other ways though; they are brilliant and strong and would probably kill for me if they had to.

Even the sound of our own canoe

Put me in a state of constant mediation, mind over matter

Don’t stop paddling for anything, let your physical be a robot and your true self, your mind and soul, run free, swim faster than the loons

Climb higher than the trees

The thing about the city is that there is such a big concentration of people in one place, no wonder people worry about what they look like so much, and they’re being watched all the time!

 

More eyes than flies

Hard to be wise

When the common disguise

Is one filled with lies

I went on this trip with my boyfriend and his 3 brothers, my Yoga teacher/friend and his brother as well. Being the only girl on the trip didn’t intimidate me at all. The people I would be surrounded with were amazing, unique and very accepting of everyone. They are all such different people, they don’t even try to conform, and that’s hard to find in a person these days. My boyfriend/nature man is both my lover and teacher. And as compromising as that last sentence may sound, I assure you that I mean it in a way my mother would be proud of me for.

My wonderful man, teaches me what he can, about the earth and the sand and the ways of the land. He makes me want to learn, and want to burn my old ways.

You make me feel like the world is a place free of chores and stress

Hate and distress

I must say, I’m impressed

What is it about being in Nature that feels so damn good? Even me, the girl that has recently discovered its magic is addicted to the feeling. Its as if its something beyond me, an intrinsic connection between man and the land (something David Suzuki would say) but seriously, its crazy.

Only peace and water, which is music to my ears

Pine Galore! So tall and statuesque Triangular tips and all shades of greens. You can imagine I don’t think I’ve ever breathed in air this fresh in my whole life.

I feel high on life,

I know I’m late to jump on the “nature lover” bandwagon, but who cares about my crappy timing; I’m here aren’t I? Being “outdoorsy” is an understatement to what I feel. It was like love at first sight and breath for me. People from the city “escape” to their cottages, or camps all the time, there once was a time where nature was the commonality and cities were a minority. And though I can never ever deny the amazing convenience of 24hour stores, grocery stores and coffee shops at the tip of our fingers that the city offers, those are just material things. And if there’s anything these recent natural disasters have shown us, its that material things can and will all be destroyed, but we can’t let them destroy us in the process.

I love you cellphone

I love you laptop

I love you car

I love you mall

I love you shoes

I love you makeup

I love all of the things I have, and am nothing without these manmade objects.

Forget about the source, where they really came from, I love the finished product

Our intimate bond with the material world is a little bit ridiculous. I can’t wait to get a dose of another way of life. A place where natives are the general population on the island, and celebrations of the land still exist.

This trip in the trees

Around the birds bugs and bees,

Has made me feel

More real and free

All poems by cm = me
All photos except for crowded city people
and materialism. Those are from Google.
All rights reserved.

From Pavement to Grass - The big Change

Reflecting on my transformation 

2 weeks before my departure to the Galapagos

July 15th 2010

In the city where I belong

I always hear the same old songs

but I love them so there’s nothing wrong - cm

I’ve always been a city girl that lived in a cemented world. With no back yards, just balconies. Seagulls and pigeons were the only 2 bird types I saw. Cats, dogs and caged animals, not to mention the occasional telephone wire squirrel were the only animals I was ever exposed to on a regular basis. Flies, bees, mice, ants and spiders, were all pests that should immediately be killed when found inside of a house. My view of the world was simple, the city was for people, and the forests were for animals that don’t belong in houses. My family, my neighbors, and all of my acquaintances separated ourselves from nature, in exchange for the fast city life that was simply “safer”. I spent a full 20 years with that mentality, believing the city was the “advanced” and modern way of life. I even pitied those that lived otherwise. . . In the “boonies” or the middle of nowhere, me and my friends would laugh and say things like “That would be so boring! And if you screamed nobody would hear you, or be able to save you!” I know it's a little extreme, but  I promise you I'm not exaggerating. Real city slickers :) And we were proud. 

Its what I know

No need to show

me anything new,

 I would not go - cm

It wasn’t until 2 years ago, after moving out on my own for school, and meeting people from all over that it clicked. “hmmmmm. ..Maybe there is more than one way to live happily, and the city life isn’t the pinnacle of lifestyles". Both of my first year roommates were from the country. I loved them both to death, and slowly but surely, I opened doors that were once sealed shut and let them in. 

I took a peek

outside the box

And what I found

Blew off my socks - cm

I fell in love with the fresh air! The air was amazingly fresh, and that was the biggest thing for me, coming from a city nicknamed “steel city” because its known for its many many many steel factories, I didn’t notice my city had a smell, until I left, and came back home to visit, and felt like I needed a gas mask to breathe! It was ridiculous, and I was so confused. And because of my new discoveries, my visits home became so bittersweet. Sweet because I missed my wonderful family, friends and neighbors, but bitter because the stench of the polluted air that filled my lungs suddenly made me want to vomit. “uh oh what’s happening to me!” I felt like I was transforming into a different person. Even handsome boys couldn’t distract me from the smell. Who would have thought that once upon a time they were a cure all.  . . or at least a temporary band-aid for all things. 

The city boys 

That brought me joys

By the way they talked

The way they walked

The clothes they wore

Straight from the store - cm

 I used to think of myself as a professional boy reader. I always knew what to say, and how to act around boys. I knew what they wanted, and how to make them laugh. I knew how to flirt with them, and what makes them drool. But then, “Nature boy enters left stage” then suddenly my scripted love life, became improvisation. The stage broke, and the curtain fell. He didn’t laugh at my jokes, compliment my outfit, call me sexy, or buy be anything to try to get my attention. He didn’t wear nice clothing, didn’t have smooth lines, and was the strangest person I’ve ever met in my life. The one boy I couldn’t relate to in any way shape or form, at least not at first. But my new goal became to find a way, into this mysterious mans eyesight. What I thought was charm and grace, I suddenly realized just how fake, my whole “game plan” was. He made me question myself, he made me curious about what he was thinking and didn’t do anything, ANYTHING even remotely similar to any other man I’ve ever met. And you guessed it, I was in love. 

There are so many clones

but you shake my bones

you are so unique

you’re such a freak! 

just so damn strange

And I like your change

but you cant see me because I’m the same  - cm

Cities are so close knit, that I think people act the same because its just easier that way. Don’t get me wrong, there are many unique people in the city, but they are about as common as a breath of fresh air in steel city. It was only after giving up, that he finally gave me the time of the day, he even gave me a location, and asked me on a date. I have to be the biggest eater I know, boys, girls, grown men, I can out eat them all like it’s my job. But on this date, both of us didn’t touch our food. The butterflies in our stomach was satisfying enough for the both of us. 2 years later, this nature boy has showed me things I never knew existed. We went on hikes, canoe trips, camping and his intense knowledge of nature and its functions is what surprised me the most. I knew nothing about it! and I mean NOTHING at all, so everything that came out of his mouth I was hearing for the first time. We are still madly in love, city slicker and nature boy, and it couldn’t be more perfect. . . . 

You've opened my eyes

And to my surprise

I've realized

what I "despised" 

Was what I loved

But in disguise - cm

End of journal entry  

I’ve always liked to travel, but since I met this nature loving man, my traveling preferences have transformed from resort/big city traveling to community/nature adventure traveling. Now when I travel I like to immerse myself in the culture of the country and learn from them. Also, my studies has allowed me to discover “global development” thats a fancy world for “humanitarian”. There are so many different projects you could take part in during travels. You not only learn enough to fill a book but you also acquire new skills, develop yourself and go back home a changed person. Thank You Nature boy, for helping me discover the more simple things in life that I was ignorant to for so many years. 

Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for the next entry. 

Why I made this blog

I feel like I am two people and live a double life. I feel completely different when I'm at home then when I'm in another country. At home, things are so serious, there are many societal pressures from family, friends, teachers and work bosses. When I travel I feel free, free to be me, the real me. I act on impulse and do what I please. I’m working on keeping that mentality for the rest of my days, even when I do go back home. However, it seems that slowly but surely I always go back to the old me; which is a lot less "wild animal" (exploring new territory, being curious and discovering something new and exciting every step of the way)-- and a lot more "domestic cat"  (Doing what I am supposed to be doing, finishing university, getting a good job, making money, paying bills, and keeping up with the joneses. )

This is my very first Blog, and I don't expect anyone to read it or find it particularly interesting.

I always keep a journal when I travel, and have been to many different countries in my life. 

The most eye opening, life changing one of my whole entire life happened in the summer of 2010, and it was my first trip by myself. I went to Ecuador and the Galapagos islands, and filled up books upon books of journal entries. I got this crazy idea from my professor at school to publish a diary, its not only very rewarding to "re-live" the experiences by revisiting them through the re-writing process. But its also very liberating to opening up in a way that is unlike no other. 

I love to travel, and am a little bit of a philosopher because I am always thinking. I believe that we are forever growing beings, not necessarily physically (depending on your diet and lifestyle) but also mentally and spiritually. Everyone we meet, everything that our eyes soak in impacts us in so many ways. Ecuador and the Galapagos Island is one of the most unique places in the world! words will most definitely do it no justice, so I am also working on my documentary. 

Might not be good as THIS guys documentary, but I promise I'll try. 

 Giving back and contributing while traveling is also very important to me. I always take part in a project that is important to that country. When I learned that Galapagos really values their unique natural environment, and want to preserve the land, I instiatnly signed up to work on a conservation project and also worked with Giant Tortoises at a breeding centre and on an organic farm in the highlands. 

When I wasn't working I was either writing, meditating or doing yoga and going on excursions while trying to meet people, make friends and perfect my rusty spanish. If I didn't have a Spanish-English dictionary, I would've been done for.

I am very excited to even open up those unread journals of mine from the trip. 

If anyone crazily decides to read my blog, I will be surprised and thankful for their curiosity and interest.