The Benefits of a Break …

By the time I made it back to Wisconsin, my previous 48 hours looked like this: 16 hours on an overnight bus, followed by a night in San Jose, followed by 16 hours in airports and on planes, and finally a 2 hour car ride home. I went to sleep, finally back in my bed, and woke up to partake in a 3-day celebration in my hometown involving lots of friends, family, cheese and beer. By the time that was all over, I was exhausted and had no ambition to leave my house, let alone keep on travelling.

Hence, I spent my remaining 3 week visit doing as little as possible–sleeping 10 hours a night, catching up on my favorite shows, watching movies, eating healthy, taking long leisurely walks and bumming with my family. I spent time with my adorable new niece. I went to the dentist. I got a check-up at my doctors office. I visited a friend who just moved out of state. I absorbed as much beautiful fall weather and colors as I possible could.

My break seems to have worked: as I face the end of my 3 weeks, I am positively itching to get back on the road.

I’m re-enthused, re-energized, re-packed, re-organized; healthy, excited and motivated.  Just as I needed the road to remind me what I appreciate at home–I needed home to remind me of what I appreciated on the road. One is as important as the other. One of my fears of travelling long-term was that I’d become jaded, tired of moving, or unmotivated. I’ve seen so many amazing Cathedrals, waterfalls, colonial villages, beaches and volcanos–and I know I have many more in front of me. This break was necessary to rest my bones, give my mind some needed R&R and refresh my enthusiasm

On the Road Again …

Late Sunday evening my parents will once again drop me off at O’Haire, and I will once again leave on a one-way ticket. This time I return to Costa Rica, where I will take on the rest of Central America. This time around–with a bit less money to work with–I have similar, though more urgent goals for Central America than I did for South. I must spend more time WOOFing, volunteering, working for room & board. I also must focus even more on improving my Spanish. Not just because I want to, but because I have to.

I’m super excited to get back to Nicaragua and really explore the country that helped inspire my decision to quit my job and travel. I can’t wait to explore Guatamala, Honduras, Belize and the rest of the “Mayan World,”attend festivals, ruins and celebrations  as the end of the Mayan Calendar draws near. And I’m looking forward to spending some serious time in Mexico–learning more about it’s people, customs and food. And finally, I am excited about the prospect of eventually returning home overland (rather than by flying). I can’t wait to add on to the spectacular memories and experiences I already have behind me.