After almost two months of living in Colombia, I once again have the butterflies that accompany shoving my whole life in a backpack. Soon I’ll be back in my natural habitat: the airport. 

Finding Delight in the Traveling Process

I’ve grown to love the process. After confirming three times in Spanish that my bag will be going all the way to my final destination, I get my coffee and read undisturbed. The WIFI, if it exists, is bad. I have no choice but to focus. 

Seeing travelers gets me excited. Where could they be going? What is the purpose of their trip? Isn’t it amazing that we’ve developed the ability to traverse the globe? 

Sitting in coach is just fine for me. It’s better than a covered wagon or a steamship. I often have oranges, but scurvy isn’t high on my list of concerns. 

I don’t watch TV anymore, so a movie on the plane as I attempt to fall asleep is a special treat. 

Stepping into the Unknown

There’s nothing like the feeling of stepping outside with my giant backpack and being hit with a wave of newness. Everything is a challenge. Everything is an adventure. 

In 20 hours, I will (hopefully) be in Rio, the most beautiful city I’ve ever seen. I’ve been learning Portuguese in an attempt to be less of a buffoon than I was last time I was in Brazil. 

I have a feeling I’ll be using a lot of wild arm-waving, gestures, and smiles. It’s all part of the fun. 

Business or Pleasure? Both.

I’ve already been to Rio, and I’m coming back to Colombia after two weeks. But I can’t deny the feeling of adventure that’s taken control of my nervous system. I feel so alive. This is the life I always wanted to live, and it’s better than I expected. 

I can’t express enough gratitude to the version of myself that decided it was a good idea to quit lawyering five months ago. I can’t thank my family enough for supporting me as I bid the traditional route goodbye. 

It turns out giving up a steady paycheck was the best investment I ever made.

I’ll be “working” (reading and writing) while on “vacation.” But neither of those words has any meaning anymore. All of life is work. All of life is vacation. The symbiosis of productivity and recreation leaves no room for distinction between the two. 

Everything is beautiful. Every sunrise brings new opportunity. 

If you are considering leaving a situation that’s keeping you from realizing your full potential…do it. There’s a stunning array of possibilities out there. You can be whoever you want to be. The only limits are self-imposed. 

As I hoist my backpack and give back the keys to my apartment, all I can do is smile. I’m back on the quest. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?