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Published: December 19th 2007
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Cheers!
To the completion of Part 1. I am back! Home in Milwaukee. It actually felt so odd yesterday arriving in Chicago. I suppose it is a mild case of culture shock. I was gone 7 weeks, so that is close to 2 months and it did not feel like winter or Christmas at all. It felt odd to see a Starbucks again...and then I saw Vitamin Waters...oh yeah! I forgot they existed and I always love Vitamin Waters! The Christmas songs were playing, O'Hare hectic but decorated for the holidays and the Bears on the television in the bar...oh yeah, it's football season. The snow is beautiful and with Christmas coming...what a fun time to be back! I have ended part one of my world travels and it feels great to have a break back at home. Yes...this is only the beginning. My plan was always 3 A's...Argentina, Australia, Asia. So far hitting South America and covering Argentina, Chile and Brazil was a huge success. So, I think I will continue.
What I want to share here a little is what I learned and what it meant to me to have this experience. First off, after feeling completely burnt out from my job and my relationship (sorry, Ronny, you know it's true 😊, I really needed a new culture, true break and a fresh start at something to free my mind and open my heart to life again. Sounds dramatic, but to me it feels true to me. This trip really helped me to do all of that. I saw some natural wonders of this world from the most powerful gigantic waterfalls to the magnificent frozen glaciers. I appreciated the energy and culture of Buenos Aires, then rafted through wine country and hiked and drove some of the most beautiful landscape I have ever seen. I had a lot of time alone to think and relax, while still challenging myself and mentally and physically. I thought a lot about life and what it means for me and what I want out of it.
Having lost 2 people very special to me in the last year has been a harsh wake up slap that life is short. I thought a lot about Shane and Kevin while I was traveling. Two people that I loved and have known my whole life and whose deaths came abruptly and unexpected. These deaths were completely separate and they were both from different parts of my life, yet both men meant a lot to me. They both enjoyed their life to its fullest and seemed very happy. They appreciated life.
I am using this time to see and do what I have always wanted to do. I am an adventurous spirit and my hunger for this is never satisfied. And I love it this way! You can compare it to our hunger for food. Don't you always want to try the next restaurant or the next meal?! I don't want to ever be satisfied, as I want to keep looking forward to more and more that life has to offer me. The travel feeds a certain part of my soul in a way you can only understand if you have that same nerve. It thrills me and excites me to see the world. I love the nature and it moves me in a spiritual way that only nature can.
I love the people I meet. I love learning the different ways that they live, their ideas on life and love and work, etc. It is the people and the way of life in the places I visit, but also the fellow travelers I meet and make fast friends with. I cannot believe the amount of truly wonderful, really nice people I met! And almost every day! There are wonderful people in this world! Good people from everywhere! So many are so friendly and helpful. Talking to them and experiencing a taste of different cultures and ways of living opens my mind and I feel I need this so I don't get stuck, as can so easily happen. (I was a little "stuck" before I left and it wasn't good.)
But what I thought of the most are all of the people I love! And if you are reading this, there is a good chance that you are in my heart now and forever. My friends and family are what makes my heart tick so truly and deeply. I guarantee I thought of each and every one of you more than you would realize! I am so appreciative of the fun times, the laughter, and the times we help and support one another. There is nothing more amazing in this world to me than the relationships I have been so blessed and lucky to have found. So...when I think of my life and what matters...what matters to me most is that I have touched your heart and you have touched mine!
And...by the way...your emails and comments mean so much to me while I'm traveling. It can get lonely too, so thanks! And stay with me while I'm gone. Enjoy your Christmas and I hope we are together for some part of it! And hopes for the best new year in 2008 for all of us!!!
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Melissa
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You Rock!
Truly amazing - I am so jealous. Welcome back! Merry Christmas!