After a year of travel

I can’t believe it has been a year of travel already!  I guess time does fly when you’re having fun… 🙂
I am supposed to be heading home right about now but I decided to prolong my trip as I have not even seen half of the places that I want to see.  My motto these days is: “It is now or never”, and since I still have some money left (thankfully I over-budgeted) then I might as well keep going and get it all done!  And this travel stuff is addictive too!  Friends that I have made during my travels that are also going around the world can attest to this…
I definitely consider myself very fortunate to be able to do this; granted I have sacrificed other things to get here but I think it was worth it for me.  I dreamed for so long about this trip and now that I am doing it I say with all honesty, it has turned out to be more than I ever imagined.  I have learned so much, I have experienced so much, I have felt so much, I have seen so much and most importantly, I have never felt better emotionally, physically and mentally.  I have confirmed that travel is definitely one of my true passions.
I will forever be thankful for this experience.  A lot of us make many excuses for very long to not do what we want to do… due to our fears, being busy, not having the money, etc.  My advise is that whatever your dream is, try to realize it!  you only live once, tell yourself THIS every time you try to think of an excuse not to do what you want to do.  Try your hardest to live without regrets!
Sooooo, have I learned anything after one year of travel?!!!  of course!  But more than learning I have been reminded day in and day out of a few important things that we often take for granted…

1. LIVE IN THE HERE AND NOW!  It is so important to live in the present, to just be and enjoy everything around you. We focus so much on the past and what could have been or the future and how we want it to be, when in reality all we really have is the here and now.  Try to go with the flow, be open to new things and possibilities.  Don’t try to control everything; sometimes when you plan the least is when things turn out even better than expected.  Relax and enjoy the ride!  Concentrate and enjoy the present moment… practice mindfulness in everything you do.  Put your mind and heart in the here and now!
2. WE ALL EAT POTATOES!  This is my way of saying that we are all very similar.  The more I travel, the more I learn that we are all the same!  No matter our race, sex, culture, religion, profession, etc., we are all looking for the same things: love, respect, to meet our basic needs, to care for our families…   We are mirrors of each other so always treat others the same way that you would want to be treated.  If you have a hard time understanding the way someone thinks or treats you, try to put yourself in their shoes before you judge and act upon that judgement.  Respect, kindness and a smile towards others goes a long way.  This is sooo true when you travel!
3. FACE YOUR FEARS!  Today is a great day to start!  I have always thought Fear=Ignorance.  We are afraid of that which we don’t know.  Once you learn about it, perhaps you will still fear it but most of the time you will loose the fear because you understand what is behind it.  So learn about those things that cause fear in you that are hindering your own growth, most importantly try and do the things that you always wanted to do!  As previously said, don’t live with regrets!  I have definitely practiced facing a few fears of my own during this year and some of them have completely gone away… and others I am still working on.
4. CREATE MEMORIES!  Spend money… not on things but experiences!  it is important to save for a “rainy day” but once you have that covered, go and spend the rest of it with your family, friends, loved ones!  Experiences make our lives worth living, not the new couch but rather the trip you took to Hawaii with your family or friends.  When you laughed so hard with someone that your abs hurt!   Splurge once in a while, but on things that will matter, that will stay in your memory for a long time.  The saying goes… “collect memories, not things”.
5. PRACTICE HUMILITY!  A simple word with a huge meaning!  during my travels I have seen some sad stuff, kids sleeping on the streets, mothers breast feeding on the side of the road with nothing to eat, abandoned animals everywhere, people living in the worst hygienic conditions, etc.  I always thought I appreciated what I had but now after being in a few countries, I do so even more.  I am lucky to have been born and raised with the proper resources and the love that a lot of people never know in a lifetime.  I always knew I had a great family but this trip has reminded me of how amazing they are and how much they have always supported me and cared for me.  I miss them dearly and can’t wait to see them again.  Appreciate what you have, be humble, and help others that don’t have as much as you do whenever possible.

What has made this trip truly magical and unforgettable have been the people (both locals and travelers) that I’ve had the fortune of meeting and spending time with.  Thank you to all of you for sharing part of your travels with me and helping me create wonderful memories.