South of the Border

---

There's a Mark Twain quote that I like to think of whenever I'm in a situation in which a decision will drastically change the course of my life.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

Needless to say, when it comes to staying put, saving money for whatever and settling down or leaving the US and traveling, I have had a tendancy to choose the latter. The comforts of life in the US - a job, TV, pizza delivery...the regular routine - can be nice, there is an itch that doesn't seem to fade. (No, not that type of itch...) I'm talking about the ever-present travel itch. I'm a firm believer that you live once so while we're here, we have to make the most of it. Or as my travel buddy DJ aka Donny aka Mr. Don aka Delphinius Jorge would say, "we're here for a good time, not a long time". So while the preparation, saving for months-long trips and especially the goodbye's can be difficult, there is no such thrill that exists more than dropping everything and taking off on a new adventure.

South America was originally first on my list of continents to visit (solo) back in 2009 but as Aaron was already living in India and being the...let's put it "convincing" brother that he is...I took off for Asia instead. Then in 2010, we were given the opportunity to go to Israel on the Birthright program which we were able to extend to travel throughout the Middle East a bit further.

So now, the time has come to explore our sister continent to the South - warmer, wilder, diverse, and as I've come to find...still extremely unknown. There have been many explorers to South America yet there is still so much that is left unanswered and unexplored. Some places that have been discovered have now "re-disappeared" into the jungle once again waiting to be "re-found". Some places are still completely untouched, where indigenous peoples still thrive in seemingly impossible environments.

The mystery surrounding South America is still strong and as such, it attracts people from all over the world. So now I'm here, sunburnt to hell after a few days of hiking in Villa de Leyva, Colombia, but ready as ever to begin a new journey.

Memory isn't really my strong suit (I've been known to buy herbal "memory" pills from Whole Foods, forget to actually take them, and subsequently throw them out in an acceptance of failure) so this blog is as much of a way for me to keep my family and friends informed of my travels (and for my mom to know I'm still alive) as it is for me look back years from now to reflect and remember.

So here goes...no real description of travels quite yet - but to give you an idea of how it started (apologies for the run-on sentence, but it seems necessary): we jumped on a bus from the Bogota Airport upon arrival, got completely lost with all of our shit, crammed in the back of an overcrowded colectivo (minibus) with my hip about to detatch from my leg, had 6 locals trying to give us directions (in Spanish, mind you) and eventually got off in the middle of nowhere, had the police draw us a map and hail a cab for us to our hostel. Needless to say, we raged in Bogota that night, properly.

All adventures start with an adventure!!

Take care and much love,

Max

---

Comments

[Paul Aguiar]

Hi Max!
Hi Max! It's Big Paul from the Sheraton. Diana told me that you're doing well and out travelling... so I thought I'd wish you well. My wife and I backpacked for 6 months straight before we got married and are both SO glad we did before we "settled down". Now that our son (also named Max) is in college and our daughter (Izabel) is about to go to college; we're starting to plan our next adventures as a couple! Best wishes in your adventures. You will never regret the time you've spent on them. Paul Aguiar

[Justyna]

your writing skills
I didn't know you are such a good writer. Reading your blog, feels like reading a novel on a rainy day. Awesome! Miss ya!

[Mom]

blog heaven
So glad you're back to the blog thing vs seldom brief emails telling me where to mail credit cards and asking me not to forward videos. You are a wonderful writer and all of us are following along on your adventures vicariously. Funny, observant, empathetic, along with your gorgeous photos. (love the panorama)! I know it's time consuming, but we all treasure the blogs, and as you said, some day you will too. When your memory is even worse. Love!

[Vanessa]

Well said Max :) I\'ve grown up in a traveling family, I have always had that particular itch and don\'t think it is one that I will ever be without. Can\'t wait to see what happens next! And your right, every andventure must begin with an adventure!

[Leslie Vanauken]

AWESOME!
Hey Max - your blog is fantastic! I think you should be a writer, you really have a gift for it. Love the Mark Twain quote too - so true. Life is too short to regret not doing something you love - go for it! Stay safe - lots of love!