Hello everyone and thanks for checking out my travel blog.

It feels strange to think that it's been nearly 14 months since I left home in California. Over the course of that time I've had some truly incredible experiences that have touched my life in the most rewarding of ways. It's those special moments when I've witnessed such unabashed warmth and generosity from complete strangers, spent time with other delightful travelers, or when I've just stopped to appreciate how beautiful this world really is. In light of the recent passing away of a good friend from back home, I am once again reminded how lucky we all are to have our lives to live. A million "thank you's" and hugs wouldn't do justice to how deeply appreciative I am as to have this opportunity. Taking this trip would absolutely not be possible without the love and support of my parents, my sister, my aunt & uncle, my grandparents, and my great friends who have all been a great source of motivation and friendship as I try and explore some of this great big world on my own. To better get to know myself, my hopes, fears, desires, and what it is in life that makes me the most happy. This journey has been more educational than anything else, helping to remind me that no matter of religion, country, ethnicity, political system, or culture, the human family is very much one in the same. I'm always amazed when I visit new countries how remarkably similar children are to one another. Their manners of behavior and approach to the world is nearly identical in every place I've been, including back home in America. After we're born we're all almost completely identical animals. It's only after years of experiencing and learning within our different cultures and societies that we come to see the planet as fragmented and dangerous. We are socialized, regardless of our country, to have a certain skepticism and fear of the outside world, that people over there in "that country" are so much different than you are. It makes it easier to accept wars, disasters, and human tragedies when we think this way. But this is wrong, right from the very start we're nearly all the same, and that's what I think I didn't notice while growing up back in Moraga. When you realize and care about other people being happy, your own happiness can increase limitlessly. And that works on a global as well as a local scale. What people want most in life is a human trait, not a cultural or political one. It is with this understanding that my view of the world has become one so much warmer and accepting than when I first started my trip. I say this not to make some sort of political statement but rather as an attempt to express a feeling that has become such a great source of joy in my life. It is important that I be reminded of those who have made this trip possible (the family) and to convey that I will always be eternally grateful. You have given me a great chance to open myself up to so many new experiences and to teach me how to really love and enjoy life. I will forever be in your debt.

Below is a quote of mine on why traveling can be so wonderful.

“Traveling through the world produces a marvelous clarity in the judgment of men. We are all of us confined and enclosed within ourselves, and see no farther than the end of our nose. This great world is a mirror where we must see ourselves in order to know ourselves. There are so many different tempers, so many different points of view, judgments, opinions, laws and customs to teach us to judge wisely on our own, and to teach our judgment to recognize its imperfection and natural weakness.”



Check out the new map below of countries I've been to.

Visited Countries Map

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