Upcoming trips, Shifting Itinerary, and Realizations

I'm pretty damn happy about my trip... now. Does that mean I wasn't? Kind of.

After being here for a few days in the sweltering humidity, I thought to myself, "Do I really want to be here for four weeks, or am I just being a baby?" Well, I thought it was just the latter, lol. I'm not used to the humidity and I'm not used to the style of life in Cartagena. After thinking for a bit, I got to the root of the real issue: this is a 2nd World Country. It's nothing like the US or France, for example, and according to Brian, it seems rich here compared to places like Vietnam and Cambodia. I began to feel like a real asshole because I felt like I was subconsciously acting like I was too good to be here.

Let me back up a bit though. It's rather well developed here. They have banks, grocery and department stores, and an okay water system. There's no hot water since it's not really necessary. The economy seems to be okay - everyone is very happy and doing all they can to make and maintain an income. So hmm, what really is the problem then?

I came to the realization that I owe to myself to be extremely fortunate and gracious for what I have. Furthermore, I need to be more gracious that I was brought into the life and have been able to maintain the lifestyle that I prefer. Digging deeper, I realized that none of that really matters in the end.

Yes, none of that really matters in the end.

Life is what you make of it as to what is available to you. My view of a comfortable life is just that, my view. It's all relative. One can always wish and dream for more, but the thought and presumed image something is always better than the reality of actually having what you wish and dream for. So, that is why it doesn't, and subsequently will not, matter in the end.

Okay, that was pretty deep, lol.

Right now, I have planned a trip to Totumo Volcano which is about and hour Northeast of where I'm from. It's near Barranquilla which is still on the Carribean Coast. I'm going there with my Spanish school tomorrow after class. It should be GREAT!!!

Saturday, we're going to Santa Marta which is about 30 more minutes up the coast from Barranquilla. Then, for the next weekend, we're hoping to make it to the Islas del Rosario which is off the coast of Colombia about 45 minutes west into the Carribean Sea. There's a beautiful coral reef there, and I can't wait to experience the apparant laid back atmosphere of island-living.

Biggest shift of all: I'm leaving Cartagena on August 4 and going to Buenos Aires, Argentina for 11 days before returning to the USA. I'm soooo ecstatic about this!!!! I've always wanted to go there, and I'm glad we were able to work it out. It will be chilly there, but I won't care after being in this humidity for 2+ weeks. Seriously, I think I've sweated off about 5 lbs. since I've been here. There's a pair of pants that are either getting bigger or the humidity is having an effect on them too.

Anyway, that's an update of my adventure. I'll soon change my blog title to "Aventura de Sudamerica" or whatever/however you spell it. OH!

My Spanish is getting MUCH better. I'm almost able to talk without having to think and translate everything carefully. It's a very liberating feeling, and I really feel what people say about it being a life-changing experience.

Pictures to come probably Sunday after I go to Northeast Colombia.

Tchiao!