me voy de nuevo! i'm going again!

Here we go...I’m very happy and fortunate to say that I’m taking my fourth trip down to South America for three whole months. I'm going to volunteer in Ecuador, intern in Chile and then backpack wherever I so desire. Over the last few years, I have developed a strong passion for South America, a continent with vibrant cultures, delicious food, kind people and fascinating histories.

Part of me was really torn if I wanted to travel for these next three months or not. As most of you know, I love San Francisco. I love my friends here and I love the little life I’ve made. So it’s easy to just stay, to say, meh, I’ll travel next year. But really, all signs point to TRAVEL NOW. The job and internship I had this summer are over, I have no debt, no children to take care of (uh, given), so it’s quite perfectly…the perfect time to go. And even though it would be fine and easy to stay here, I have realized that you can’t put off traveling just because your life happens to be in a good place. I’m making a very grown up decision here. Glad you’re all supportive. ☺

This trip will give me so many things that I’m excited to have thrown at me. This trip will push me, it will make me uncomfortable, it will make me stronger; it will make me use my Spanish in new and unusual ways, it will make me figure out how to pack 3 months of clothes in one backpack, it will let me visit all the countries and cities I haven’t been to yet. This trip will allow me to travel freely, to be on my own schedule, to learn some new skills while I volunteer and intern as I go. This trip will introduce me to new faces, new ideas, new experiences, and it will allow me to hang out with old, dear friends that I revisit.

Oh, did I also mention that traveling will allow me to put off the job search in this wonderful, thriving economy of ours?

When I studied in Argentina, I realized keeping a blog is super beneficial: through it I can tell a large group of people what’s going on, I can do some reflecting on my own, and I can be comforted knowing although I’m by myself, you all got my back. I will miss you!

Although, don’t be surprised if I don’t come back. Just kidding. Hi Mom.