India (Rishikesh/Uttarakhand)

One of my first and longest lasting impressions of Rishikesh is how beautiful the sun hits the Ganga in that valley: White Water Rafting on the Mother Ganga:

On my first night at Seventh Heaven, I got invited to an Indian Wedding (As did everyone else in town, from what I can gather):

Pics from our kite-making and kite-flying event with the orphans from Ramana's Garden:

Right before gashing my foot attempting to "demonstrate" proper kite-flying technique. Lucy was amused, as she often is:

Vini (and Dennis!), my excellent Yoga Teacher during my time in Rishikesh, during the Orphan event:

My Friends @ Seventh Heaven. Enjoying one of our many meals and chats. Quite the Group:The Ram Jula Bridge looked crowded like this most of the time (see if you can spot the Elvis impersonator)

Rishikesh: Top 10 Thoughts to Remember

I think it's easy for me to say that my time in Rishikesh was one of the highlights, if not THE highlight of the trip thus far. There was a ton of amazing stuff going on with me while I was there, all of it pretty simple. However, I haven't really tried to document that time. Basically, it was a lot of yoga, a lot of laughing at immature things and hours of conversation with some truly inspiring + real people. I'll be posting some photos from Rishikesh soon (I Know, I Know, I'm WAY f-ing behind). That said, I wanted to share some of the great things my friends in Rishikesh reminded me to keep in mind as I progress through this excellent journey. Without Further Ado, My Top 10 Thoughts About How to Be Awesomer from Rishikesh:

1. Be Generous
2. Be Grateful
3. Be Real
4. Follow Your Heart
5. Be Fun
6. Check your Ego
7. Challenge Expectations (Yours, The World's, Physics')
8. Do. Not. Settle.
9. It is All Possible, Be Interesting
10. Be Uncomplicated

There are lots of similarities to things I've written about before that I'd like to focus on, but this list was compiled in the midst of some of the best times of the trip, and I wanted to call this time out specifically. Special shout-out to my co-conspirators from the Seventh Heaven Guesthouse that shared that time with me and contributed to this list. Those guys rocked.

Here's to keeping this stuff in mind for a long time to come.

Here's a pic, that kind of sums up how I felt when I was out there:

Today's Note From the Universe Makes Me Smile

You simply cannot know, Ignacio, what will make others happy. But you can always know for yourself.

Go for it, The Universe

The First 100 Days

Today is day 100 of the Big Trip. Thinking about what that means, I really have a hard time putting it all in perspective. One thing I've been thinking about is that it really feels like so much longer than just 100 days. Particularly given how many experiences I've had since leaving for Europe back in August. That's one of the main beauties of this journey, compacting so much of the life experience I cherish into what would otherwise be an impossibly short period of time for such a thing. On the other hand, I can't believe so much time has passed, and that my scheduled trip is about 40% complete. I have a hard time thinking it's November, and that on the other side of the planet my friends and family are prepping for the holidays while winter is looming. It's crazy to think it's already this far into the trip. But, that just reminds me how easily this time could have passed without going out on this journey. I'm pretty thrilled I'm here, and have been where I've been during these last 100 days. Here's to another 150 brilliant, fun and sometimes tough, but always interesting days.

With that sentiment, here's a recap of my top experiences thus far:

1. Jordan - Petra. This was such a great couple of days, it had everything I enjoy all compressed into a short period of time. Beautiful geography, great new people, great old people and physically & mentally demanding challenges. I'll never forget the hike up the back side of the mountain to enter the monastery or the amazingness of leaving through the Siq at dusk.
2. Israel - Hiking the Maktesh Ramon. This was a truly wild and fun experience and I did it completely alone. It forced me to face some fears and gave me some of the best scenery I've ever experienced in my life. Great decision to go there, an unexpected joy I think about often.
3. Joran - Wadi Rum. I always knew I'd be going to Wadi Rum, and I had really high hopes for the experience. And it did not disappoint. I'll be writing a post just about Wadi Rum with a bunch of the photos that hopefully capture the desolate beauty of this place. I found it magical sleeping out in the desert and trekking through what felt like other-worldly rock formations and peaceful, pink/orange hued dunes.
4. Italy - Positano Boat Ride. This was really early in the trip but just a pure, unhindered day of fun. Sharing it with Phil and Mom made it even better. I'll need to get Phil to come with me to my next sea-side destination to captain another boat.
5. Italy - Pizza Naples. I knew I would love the pizza here. I didn't think I would eat quite as much of it as I did. But it was glorious, and will be repeated.
6. Sweden - Lake House near Karlstad. I couldn't have come up with a more relaxing beautiful retreat if I had planned it myself (which I didn't, thanks Anders!). Hanging out in the sauna and taking dips in the midnight-moon-lit lake was pretty sweet.
7. Croatia - Not a ton happened in Croatia. And thats exactly how I wanted it. Hanging out with Sarah and LItsy, and sipping too many lattes in various cafes was a perfect vacation from my travels. Rejuvenating, if a little fattening (damn you eastern Europe for your delicious pastry obsession!).
8. Paris - Pure fun. This is what a weekend in Paris should be like. Tons of art. Great new friends. Great conversation. Amazing bread. Outstanding Cheese. These things won't soon be forgotten.
9. India - Salaam Baalak Trust City Walk. Litsy found this walk given by former Delhi street kids. It was one of coolest things I've ever done while traveling. I didn't see much other than the centers where the Trust cares for its children. But, I interacted with some lovely  kids who didn't have a home but clearly had a ton of spirit. Hearing the success stories of our guides, who turned the page from being homeless in Delhi to having big dreams was truly moving.
10. Israel - Prayer Service for Sukkot at The Western Wall. This was pretty great and again, unplanned. I couldn't understand a word of the prayer but I could feel the spirit of the thousands gathered around me in solemn unity.

Special Mention I: Indian Food. I can't eat exactly as much of it as I would like, but man the food here is pretty spectacular. I'm currently dreaming of returning to Pind Balluchi in Delhi and pigging out on various curry and tikka dishes.

Special Mention II:  Tel Aviv. What can I say, I love Tel Aviv. I'm not sure why. But it doesn't matter, it's a place I'll return to in the near future for sure. I look forward to more jogs along the beach, delicious food and great people watching.

Looking forward to much more stuff that feels like this:

Tracking my Trip Activity

  Being a data guy, it's fun to see what the trip has done to some of the easily captured metrics I generate just by existing. In this case, I'm thinking about my Nike Fuel Points, captured by my Fuelband.

I have June 2013 here as a reference point and then August and September (First complete calendar month of the trip) as charts to compare how active I've been on the trip (According the very flawed Nike Fuel Points system).  The Initial results are not surprising. While traveling I'm way more active. (By the way, June probably included walking to work everyday and also wodding four times a week). Thankfully Croatia  isn't included in much of September, since I think slobbing around has been my primary activity since arriving here (and drinking Istrian Wines). 

The Two Month Anniversary Post: What I've Learned

So, today, I've officially been traveling for two months. And I'm about four months removed from having a house or apartment that I can call my own. But really, it's the two month anniversary of traveling part that matters. And, its an interesting time to think reflect on what's happened and where I'm headed.

25% or so of the travel time of the trip (not including time in Miami/New Orleans in December or the time in Florida before leaving) is done. Someone recently asked me what I've learned since starting this journey. Not a bad idea to document the things I think I've learned (about myself and other random stuff) since starting this trip around the world.
Here's the current rundown:

1. I Like it Slow (really slow [ I'm only mostly talking about travel here]) - Some of my favorite moments have come from taking an extra day or two to just wander the streets of some place I've decided to linger instead of trying to tack on a new destination.
2. What people expect to be interesting isn't necessarily interesting to me (this is code for I like some pretty boring things) - Many of my highlights involve riding a bike or walking down streets in new places just jamming out to my tunes and daydreaming. I like all the other stuff too, but it's been wonderful to just walk and run and bike in new places and soak it in.
3. Speaking of which: Daydreaming is heaven - It's been so fun to just have the freedom to spend time thinking about almost anything. The specifics don't matter, but the time and freedom to ponder whatever fancies me in the moment is truly a blessing.
4. Freedom is just a few minutes/days/weeks/decisions/choices/savings/jobs away - I think it's crazy how quickly my life changed from a pretty routine-driven structured existence to one of pure freedom. It's totally confidence-boosting that whatever it is we want, we can have, and its just a few decisions or milestones away.
5. It's the people (always the people) that have made this special: It's the conversations. It's the new perspectives. The best thing about the road has been the folks. (Queue Depeche Mode: "People are people..."
6. I'm pretty resilient - There have been some moments that were challenging and that I wasn't sure would at the time would easily fade into distant memories. But they did, and I was having a blast quickly thereafter.
7. I could have planned more and maybe didn't give the first couple of months enough deliberate thought - No Biggie, but I'm committing to more deliberate use of my time for the next six months. This will include a lot of hanging out and taking it slow.  Some days I might do nothing - and I love that. But I'll be doing it because I've considered my options.
8. I both love and hate being alone - some of the best times of the trip I've been completely alone wandering the streets of Tel Aviv or some other place, without wifi and not really connected to my network. But other times, it's been less fun to not share some of the cool stuff I've been doing with anyone in the moment. Navigating this has been kind of fun.
9. I'm easily knocked off-budget - I can get pretty excited about what's going on and forget this whole I have no income thing. Just something to consider.
10. I have a lot less free time than I thought I would- I spent a lot of time thinking about all of the cool things I'd do with my free time: THREE Blog projects. Revisiting my Italian Studies. Vetting graduate programs. Underwater basketweaving. You get the point. I thought I was going to be way more bored than I have been. Just keeping up with documenting my trip here has been a challenge.
11. I'm working out MUCH less than I thought I would, but running much more than I was back home. This has been good - I think I've upped my average mileage and improved my average mile time during this trip - not too shabby.
12. I miss my Purple and Yellow Japanese Hat (Which is actually mostly red in color) - I didn't bring it on the trip because it is definitely nearing its final stages of usage. But, wow, it's weird not having access to it. It's definitely the article of clothing I've worn the most in my life to date.
13. I never don't say I'm from Miami but Live In New Orleans (lived) - I have a hard time saying I'm just from Miami and not including New Orleans. Simple, but interesting.
14. I can't wait to get to South America to speak Spanish full time for a few months
15. I don't think I'm ever going to really get over my hatred of flying - but I have grown to enjoy the odd plane drink or three and that seems to help.
16. I get lost A TON - man do I have a terrible sense of direction. It's been even more apparent now that I'm traveling with Litsy, who has a great sense of direction. I'm constantly trying to get us to go in the wrong direction. It's pretty hysterical.
17. I'm kind of obsessing with trying to get to Africa at some point soon.

The key thing I would say about the trip thus far is that I've tasted freedom and that it is  delicious, intoxicating and rejuvenating.  Here's to at least six more months of that. Here are the pics I think capture that feeling of freedom:

It's Exhilarating:

It's Calming:

It feels like accomplishment:

"What's Next?"

The question I got the most before I started traveling was "what's next, when the trip is done?" At the time I responded with "um, no clue I'm sure that I'll be tired of the road and looking for some routine and stability." But, that was really just my best guess as to an answer that could make sense to folks and maybe be in character for me. I actually had no fucking clue as to what would be next. In fact, so much had changed in the previous few years, and so much was going to change in the coming year, that it was crazy to think that any kind of forecast I put together in May of 2013 would really be very accurate come April 2014 (My anticipated done-traveling timeframe). When I put my data-modeling hat on and examine this, I  have to accept that any attempt to forecast made today would be grossly inaccurate.

So, I'm on the road now, but "what's next?" is still the most popular question I receive once people realize for how long I'm traveling. The answer is that I don't know, there is no one answer. Looking at the past four years of my life, I had been so wrong so many times about what I thought I would want or do in the future. Like:

When I first moved to Miami from Connecticut, I never thought I'd live in New Orleans (maybe never leave Miami!). When I first moved to New Orleans I never thought the place would grow to mean more to me than just for allowing Lits and I to live in the same city. When I realized how passionately I felt about New Orleans, I actually doubted whether I would do this trip. Probably the most long-held assumption about my future was that I never would be able to describe myself as a (relatively) calm person.

But all those things happened. Even though I wouldn't have forecasted them as such. So even though I like to examine and daydream about what the future holds for me. I kind of understand it's really just a reflection of which of the concerns and joys in my life I'm thinking about at the moment. Sometimes these thoughts can be hard to reconcile. For example:

When I'm thinking about home and spending time with my amazing family and friends, I wonder how quickly I could move back to Miami. When I'm traveling, and I feel that surge of excitement that comes from discovering a new strange place, I wonder why I wouldn't keep this going for as long as possible, since it's likely to be the one time in my life when this amount of travel can happen. When I think about my life in New Orleans, I wonder why I wouldn't go back to that instantly upon finalizing my travels (sometimes sooner!). When I think about getting to know a new city and finding another place I could love as much as New Orleans, I wonder why I wouldn't try out some new place new place that I could grow to love and learn about.

Clearly there are contradictions buried within wanting or wondering about wanting all of these things at the same time. I can understand how it can be seen as potentially being all over the place, or lacking direction or that I'm constantly changing my mind about things. Well, I don't buy that. All those things can be true if I understand the following:

1. In the moment any one of these things can be true: At any given time I'm not confused or undecided, I'm actually living  in the present and enjoying the thing I'm considering at the moment. Just like I can't actually have all these potential futures simultaneously, I can't properly consider them all in one moment.
2. I love a lot of things, places, people, activities, styles, jobs, etc. I'm so adaptable and can be happy in some pretty diverse scenarios.

This used to be an area that caused me concern in a way. How is it that things could be so great when I pictured living in New Orleans again, but also so great when I pictured moving to some new place (San Francisco, I'm looking at you!) or dreaming about moving home. Well, I think its because the future is bright, wherever it ends up being, with whomever it ends up being with, It's cause I'm confident things are going to be awesome wherever it is.

I'll make a great decision when the time is right, but for right now, I can enjoy the entire gamut of possibilities and pick and choose the bits that make me the happiest to craft some future I maybe can't even imagine yet, but I'm sure will rock even more than any of the ones that have been considered to date.

Life is about tradeoffs, I'm hyper aware of that, I can't prioritize loving my family and friends from home,  and loving my life in New Orleans, and my love of exploring a new place, and my desire to maybe push myself professionally, and my desire to maybe keep this travel thing going all at the same time.

But, that's what will make whatever it is I do prioritize even better, the knowledge that I had lots of great options but decided on that future. It's in having to understand that I'll be doing this at the expense of some other great options that can be either a way to value the choices you do make even more so, or for some could be a way to generate regret. I choose to use that knowledge of tradeoffs to increase the value I place from the choices I do make.

In Paris something changed in me, for  the first time in the trip, I started thinking about extending my travel time, or at the very least not jumping right into some traditional life in April or May of next year.   That's a good fucking sign. I don't think I'll actually do that, nor do I think I actually want to do that. But, I love that organically it's coming to me to keep this going. It means I'm having a ball and I'm headed in the direction I want to be headed.

So till then, I'm going to take from this that whatever is making me happy now, I'll hold on to, cherish it in the moment, and accept I can't have it forever, but hopefully learn how to hold a piece of it with me when I do have to make that choice.

So, What's Next? Everything I want, but maybe nothing I've considered yet.

Budgets and Terrible Hostel Breakfasts

So, I think the biggest change in how things will be daily for me can be summarized by breakfast. Couple of mornings ago I woke up famished. I'd really not eaten dinner (vending machine chips should not count as real dinner), and I woke up ready to put on my eating pants and throw down. Well here's the thing, as the clock got closer to the nine AM last call for included hostel-breakfast; I ran out of my dorm and went down there to find what I can only describe as not nutritious and really-not-at-all-tasty "breakfast." A collection of hams that were gross (I don't really even like ham) and mediocre cheese, Some terrible looking stuff in a gravy I did not have the intestinal fortitude to try and some really old bread. Needless to say, this was not the kind of breakfast I was having while traveling with Mom and Phil, nor the kind of breakfast I would treat myself to while on a "normal trip." But, I put down a lot of that ham, and enough of that bread to keep me satiated till about  three pm.

I think this sums up one of the key differences between this kind of traveling and what most folks would consider a vacation. This breakfast didn't provide me with the health/wellness I'd like or the deliciousness I crave. But, it did give me some budget freedom for the day. And well, on that day, that's what I prioritized. So, this isn't a nine month version of what I did in Turkey last year, or the three weeks in Asia the year before, or my trip to Ecuador in the Fall. This is another beast of a thing. And this beast says eating lots mediocre ham some days is A-Ok.

Don't get me wrong, this trip is not going to be about eating terrible free food and wandering the streets in search of only free activities. But, it will be that some of the time.

Here's a summary of what I spent Thursday August 22, 2013: 

• 5 Euro  for a coffee (terrible) and a croissant (great)
• 5  Euro "free walking tour"
• 1. 50 Euro huge water tha1 wasn't enough for The whole day
• 15 Euro mediocre,  but, much enjoyed tourist trap lunch of chicken and fried cheese with a tiny glass of beer (effectively a shot)
• 11 Euro three delicious Belgium beers (worth every penny)
• 2 Euro dinner from vending machine of pretty tasty waffle and bottle of water

So, That's 39.50 euro on top of the 27 euro for the bed at the hostel.  Grand total for the day 66.50 euro or 89 bucks (.89 of a Benjamin if you're Diddy).

My budget for the entire trip is ninety bucks a day. So, I'm on track. BUT, this was a really really cheap travel day for Europe. I didn't go to a museum, eat more than one real meal or buy enough water (not that I wouldn't have bought water for budget reasons, they just don't have enough kwik-e marts here).

Anyways, It's scary to me how quickly and effortlessly the budget can be made for the day. Good thing to keep in mind,  but as I said above, I'm going to work hard not to treat this like I have some deathmarch to spending as little as possible. Cause I don't think I'll look back at this trip and be really sad if I spent a few thousand bucks more than I should have but got in all the great experiences I'd like during the year. I don't mind forgoing some creature comforts in the name of saving some pennies, but on the other side of this trip I'm going to have a lot less in the bank regardless of how I spend my days, I'm not going to be poor in the experience bank in order to try to be slightly less poor in the real bank.

PS - I'm off to spend whatever I feel like it on a movie and some more amazing Belgian Beers.

13 Intentions to celebrate the completion of my 32nd trip around the sun

I like lists - and this is one I think I'd like to think about in the future - here's the list of things I'd like to do with the next year of my life, and it's based on some of the things I've learned over the past 32 awesome years of wandering.

1. Stay positive - this is something I got really good at over the course of the last four years. The last four months, have not been as good on this front. But life is about ebbs and flows, and I'll get there. But the reality is, I'm confident shit is always going to work out for me, and even if it didn't, that I'd move on, get better, find better shit. So really, Why wouldn't I be positive? (Just don't forget it!)
2. Stay Ambitious - Everything I've loved that I've done in life came because I tried something that pushed me. The key experiences, the best relationships, the best relationships for the second time, the best conversations, the best workouts, and best jobs all happened because I got out of my comfort zone. Here's to keeping that going (even when it's a little bit scary, and sometimes a lot exhausting).
3. Stay loving - Keep operating from a place of love, don't forget to show it to people. Be a cheese ball sometimes. It's who you are. You like it. It's ok to be the corniest person in the room. People love you anyways. (even if I'm becoming super emo)
4. Operate from a place of truth with yourself - Don't be scared. If it is true and it hurts, it's ok. It will pass, but the truth, it's freeing. Regardless of its convenience.
5. Never operate from a place of fear - making decisions because you're scared is a one-way ticket to borings-ville. F that. It's not why, it's why not. (See number three about being a cheese ball.)
6. Ok, sometimes operate from a place of a little bit of fear - well, sometimes that fear might be ok to have. LIke trying to climb a big ass mountain having never done such a thing with no training and no help. Don't play games where losing means you can never play any game again, and you have a legit chance of losing. But, always be  honest (number 4!) about the real risks.
7. Be honest with others - it's easy, but profound. Sometimes it can get you in trouble, but being honest with more than just yourself with allow you to really move on when necessary and give others the information they need to come at you with respect and understanding.
8. I mean, mostly, be honest - if you don't have something nice to say, and it isn't necessary, you can ignore number seven.
9. Love life, it's pretty excellent  - This is a gift. And I need to treat it as such, EVERY day. I've gotten much better at this in the last few years (I've worked at changing the tape that plays in my inner monologue and filled it with great things - [thanks for that]) - Oh also shout out to New Orleans for just existing in this exact way all the f-ing time. That shit is joyous & infectious.
10. Don't forget what got you here, but be understanding that it might not get you there - Don't drive looking in the rearview mirror.
11. Sit still next time will you!? - I've moved around a lot and I'm really excited about where I've been. But Lord Jesus, you can grow and love and learn while not having to move on average every 9 months. Just a suggestion.
12. The grass is not always greener on the other side, but  sometimes it might be - However,  it doesn't matter. Love and nurture the lawn you got. It's yours and that's what matters most. The time spent pondering someone else's lawn could be better spent working on yours and loving it, that's way more fun. I may have killed this metaphor.
13. Thoughts become things - So, don't waste your thoughts on things you don't want for yourself. For your loved ones. Or for anyone really. Negativity kills you. Conjure joy and love with your mind. It's what it's there for.

So, Originally I was going for 32 intentions - but honestly. That was daunting and I'm already four days late on this post - I'm feeling like the pursuit here should be developing content, pushing it out, and refining as we go. If I wait for all posts to be amazing, well, then it'd never get out there, cause I have some perfectionism issues. (That could have been another intention, blerg!)

This 33rd year of life started out weirdly. But I am unbelievable proud of myself and excited for where I'm headed. I cannot F this up. And remembering the things above will help me not just not F it up, but really cherish it, and optimize the shit out of it. In the immortal words of T. Pain: "All I do is win, win,win...."

PS - Don't ever stop eating pizza, it makes you feel like this: