Advertisement
Published: January 29th 2015
Edit Blog Post
I'm Stefan.
I'm a child of a barrio. Looking back at my blogs, and my thoughts of travelling through Colombia my pre-conceived knowledge of this vast country has changed forever. Furthermore my mindset has changed. My view on my life choices since retirement reinforced.
Facing my 3rd winter in Ibiza I recognised in myself what one might call 'cabin fever,' or what my brother calls 'island blues'.
It was the strangest of feelings. Having been at the bottom once before, I recognised I had opportunity to do something about it. I negotiated time off work and bought a plane ticket. I seized the moment.
I live on a relatively small island. It's paradise, but as it was described to me a few days before I left, also a paradise prison.
I needed to step off, look back and reconfirm the decisions I've made.
Where better than from my favourite continent. To be able to stand on a enormous continent stretching from the Antarctic to the Arctic circle brings me peace and solace.
To reconnect with the human race. Colombians, peoples of the Americas and travellers from all four corners of the globe.
There's a real comfort in knowing that, should I so wish, I
Adriana
Great friend and companion during mi travels. could continue north through Central America, Mexico, North America, Canada and Alaska.
Having started in the far south of Tierra del Fuego in 2012, travelling through Chile, Bolivia, and Peru, I've now reached the far north that is Colombia.
So thank you Colombia. It's been an amazing ride. I only saw a fraction of your beauty, and the people that inhabit you, but what I experienced had left me completely overwhelmed. From darkness into light and forward to a future of safety and glory.
People travel for a variety of reasons. Possibly to explore new continents that you studied at school or maybe simply experience new cultures.
I'd advise anyone thinking of travelling for the first time to buy a plane ticket, visit fabulous Colombia and see for yourself. Be quick mind. The secrets out.
I'll return one day. However there's still so much of the world to see. Hopefully, if the good Lord permits, I'll have the time.
For travelling, backpacking, call it what you will, certainly broadens the mind. It reminds you, on an almost daily basis, to be grateful for the opportunities you've had in your own life.
The untimely death
of Robin Williams reminded me of the opening lines of a poem written in the 17th century and which he quotes to his students in the movie 'Dead Poets Society'.
I myself have used this poem in
classes. It's a powerful reminder to seize every opportunity life gives you. To challenge your own perceptions. To question what others speak of as truth.
Travel the world. See everything you want to see because one day we'll all be "food for worms boys, food for worms"
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today
Tomorrow will be dying.
"To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time"
Robert Herrick.
'Carpe diem'.
Night all.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.135s; Tpl: 0.011s; cc: 7; qc: 52; dbt: 0.1043s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb