Six months ago today on April 20, 2010, we left the US and set off to see the world. This adventure is absolutely incredible and no matter how much we write about it, it will never come close to fully encapsulating our experience. You have to live it.
In these past six months, we have travelled through 8 countries, over 8,000 miles to 63 towns and cities… and we are still thirsty for more.
We thought today we’d share a bit about what we’ve learned and how we’ve changed in the past 6 months on the road:
Waiting for a fallen tree to be cleared from the road near Ingapirca, Ecuador
Patience – Late, crowded, and hot buses, missing reservations, filthy bathrooms, and incessant hassling are all par for the course. Learning to deal with less-than-ideal situations like this has made us more patient and understanding. Why sweat the small stuff?
Erik getting us bus tickets, Veracruz, Mexico
Spontaneity – People are often surprised to hear that we rarely book accommodation in advance and have no set itinerary. In fact, there are many situations where we completely spontaneously pick a destination or activity, and jump in with little preparation. These experiences tend to be real adventures and are some of our favorite memories.
Erik helping a school girl carry home a water jug, Utila, Honduras
Humility – We have grown accustomed to being perpetual outsiders in foreign lands, and with this, learned to understand our hosts’ way of life while respecting our privileged position.
Eating ants (hormigas) in San Gil, Colombia
Courage – We’ve both challenged ourselves, trying new things like exotic foods and adventurous activities, while often stepping outside of our comfort zone. With the courage to tackle these things and plunge into the unknown, we’ve enjoyed powerful experiences, learning not only about the world, but also about ourselves.
Erik making guacamole with his collapsible bowl, Cancun, Mexico
Resourcefulness – Living out of a fairly small backpack, you learn to make the most efficient use of everything. No doubt, its made us appreciate the modern comforts we took for granted at home, but at the same time it’s also made us realize you don’t need all that to be happy.
Six months may sound like a long time – but really, we’re just getting started! We look forward to new adventures in the next chapter as our trip continues Around This World.
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