The Decision

I think I'm about to take a unique trip. Perhaps it’s worth reading about but I'd like to keep it documented so friends and family can keep track of me. I've quit my job and although my bank account isn't as large as I would like it to be, I am going to travel in Europe at least until June where I hope to arrive in Austria and surround myself with the ambience of Euro 2008. I've purchased a one-way ticket to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. I'm starting in Spain and this region specifically for a few reasons. My grandparents are from Galicia and although I haven't been abroad since I was five years old. I am hoping to maybe meet some relatives as a start. I must also take in to account that it is January so it's a good ideas to start in Southern Europe. Then of course there is the fact that the only language I speak besides English is Spanish. My Spanish is not perfect; I have an accent that I am a bit ashamed of because it sounds blatantly American where I would rather blend in. Spain has a reputation for friendliness and I will find out.

I don't have any specific goals, itinerary, or plans. I am a bit of an outdoorsman and I am bringing a small tent and sleeping bag so that if I have to sleep under the stars I will. I am also bringing my laptop; hopefully I will be able to find internet ports along the way. I suppose this is an exercise in wanderlust but I never understood the need to be in one place, to be inert. Perhaps everyone else has stationary-lust.

I should explain why I am taking this up. I suppose I have become a bit existential although I cringe when I say it aloud or even in text. It makes me feel pretentious. But the fact is that I have become dissatisfied with my job, with work in general. I have also broken up with my girlfriend of six years. So for the first time in my life I am truly free. I won't get in to the details but it was not an amicable parting and I was not at fault. Now, like a wandering male tiger I will only seek female company when it is time to mate and I shall never pair up with one for too long. Once again I'm cringing to hear myself speak like that. When I think about it, I would rather see the things I have read about and talk to people from countries with thousands of years of history. Waking up and going to work every day, getting married, having children, and then waiting for death just doesn't appeal to me.

So I am going to start by finding my relatives. They know who I am. My mother speaks to them often, they aren't expecting me but I think I should get to know them.

El proximo Miercoles llego a Madrid, estoy un momento y viajo a Santiago de compostela donde tengo familia cerca, el proposito de mi viaje es el de conocer toda europa, llevo desde los cinco años sin viajar, sin salir de NY, he dejado mi trabajo y mi novia para disfrutar de la vida, se que no va a ser facil por que tengo pocos dolares, pero solo busco albergues o cualquier sitio para dormir, mi meta es recorrer toda europa hasta llegar a Austria en el mes de junio, he escuchado que se produce una competicion europea de soccer donde se reunen europeos de todos los paises, ese es mi objetivo, y esperar que el pais de mis abuelos se proclame ganador del campeonato, solo pido que me recomienden sitios a los que ir, lugares interesantes que conocer, yo leo todo y intentare y ir a todo, aunque se que es dificil, la semana que viene ya desde España empezare a escribir mis aventuras, espero que sean muchas

---

---