Countdown Until My Departure to Brazil: NONE

Ok… the time is finally here. After countless days, I am leaving today! Wow… After spending the week in bed with fever, I can’t believe the time has come. It’s funny because while I was living in Europe, traveling was a part of lifestyle. Every weekend, we’d be hopping on a train, bus or plane to discover a new city. And I must say that Europeans take this for granted. Being surrounded by so many different countries and cultures in such a close distance is admirable! Yet, Europeans don’t travel all that much. Most of the young people I met in Europe hadn’t visited half the places I managed to go to in a span of 7 months. Anyhow..  all this to say that when you are limited to only a few weeks of travel time per year, you learn to appreciate it all that much more. For all you avid backpackers, 3 weeks may not seem like a lot but trust me, it’s enough time to disconnect from the routine, explore a new country and come back to continue what you left off. Obviously, if I were to have a choice, I’d be gone for a few months but since that’s not the case, I’ll appreciate what I do have- a healthy me, with 3 weeks vacation and the drive to visit the world!

As my backpack is ready to go, I’m also ready to go! Although my last real backpacking trip was in Argentina (2008), I did enjoy a few road trips to Boston, California, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Toronto since. But let’s just say that I am way overdue for a real, backpacking, free-spirited trip. I feel the need to wander into the unknown, meet the most random people and experience a new culture! This being said, I’m ready to do it alone! Although traveling with friends is always more convenient since you don’t have to worry about being alone, I still think that when you reach a certain point in your life-either a certain age or after a certain amount of traveling- everyone should go on one solo trip. Spending time with yourself is definitely the best way to get to know yourself and learn to rely on yourself!

As I will be flying directly to Manaus (the Amazon), I will most probably not be writing until Dec 26th. If I do get a chance to write from the hostel in Manaus as soon as I arrive, I will do for sure! Wish me luck- I may need it!

I wish you all a Merry Christmas! No matter where you are in the world, appreciate the day- whether you are at home with your family or backpacking in some random country/city, enjoy it!