My travel experience — Mindful Exploration

Ever since I studied abroad in New Zealand, I have loved to travel. Wandering different landscapes, meeting new people, tasting new foods. But what really piqued my interest was learning about different cultures. How they interact with the land, what values they hold, and how they implement them through policies and social conduct. New Zealand was the place I met people from all over the world and learned there were many ways to view and experience life. I had more options to design my life than I had ever imagined. It did not have to be what was considered “normal” and it didn’t have to be what was expected of me. The world is my oyster.

This was the inception of my lust for travel and the insatiable need to keep exploring.

New Zealand is still probably my favorite country and one I would gladly go back to live in. The landscapes are astounding. Seriously jaw-dropping. And I didn’t even really know much about it before going. I remember thinking, “What other things am I missing out on?”

So when I was about to graduate college, I knew I wanted to take some time to wander and backpack. I chose South America because I was drawn to Latin culture and had always wanted to learn Spanish.

I bought a one-way ticket to Peru and enrolled in a 2-week Spanish course in Lima. I packed my 70L Gregory backpack with a sleeping bag ( I did some camping), a few changes of clothes, and other necessities. I didn’t really have a plan. I just wanted to explore. For me, it was extremely enjoyable and liberating to plan my days as they came. When you don’t have a return ticket, you can spend more time just observing, take a trip off the beaten path, or change plans to go off with new friends. You can do whatever you want.

I ended up traveling for 11 months. Most of it spent in Peru (6months), but I also went to Chile, Bolivia, and Columbia. I did some volunteer work with families, farming, and schools. I learned to ride a motorcycle, climbed a volcano, camped in the Amazon, and star gazed in the desert. I met extended family in Chile and made a few lifelong friends. I would have stayed longer but one of my brothers was getting married and I had to go home.

I went with an open mind and wanted to try and live like a local, whatever that meant. l ate street food sitting on plastic chairs with locals and waited in line for the bus. I ate cow hearts, guinea pigs, alpaca, intestines, bugs, new fruits, and other delicacies. My favorite street item in Peru was emoliente, a hot beverage only sold at night with local herbs, barley and different colored plant tonics you could add. Many people drank it for its medicinal properties but I just loved the taste and drinking hot tea in a huddle with a group of people.

I did not take any flights other than to and from the US. I took long-ass bus rides (one was 16 hours!) on buses that were usually not very comfy, deathly cold, or super hot, and absolutely never on time. I wanted to try and slip into another’s shoe. To give up some of my luxuries to help put my life into perspective. I see this now as an even greater privilege that I was able to voluntarily choose this but I gained a lot.

I also chose to go without a phone (I did take an iPod touch and a Kindle Fire to connect to wifi but they were later stolen). In 2014, it was common enough for us to be attached to our phones and social media had begun to take hold. I wanted to do some soul searching and didn’t want the distraction, pressure, or persuasion of social media. Plus, it adds more adventure and makes you more resourceful without one. (Disclaimer, I travel with a phone now.)

It’s now commonplace to share our entire lives with others. We can choose the narrative of our story but that can be altered, consciously or not, based upon the feedback of others. I thought that if I was to share my trip, it would no longer be mine. I didn’t really want friends “along for the ride” because this ride was mine. I think this is what helped me really come into my own and learn who I was at my core.

Looking back, I’m still happy I made the choice not to display my trip online. Although it is semi strange for those closest to you not to have any idea of the experiences and transformations that took place. Also, I lost almost all of my pictures and am very happy for the ones that I did post.

It goes without saying that my almost year long travel excursion changed my life. It’s funny how I found connection to self in a foreign place but maybe we need that unfamiliarity to direct us back to what we know is true within. I had never felt so proud, secure, and in love with myself as I did then.

I have to try and tap back into that space at times. Because as with all things, it didn’t last. But it gave me strength and perspective that I will always keep.

Traveling

© mindful exploration