Looking Ahead

I am about to leave the United States. More to the point, I am about to leave what I have familiarized myself with for my more than 23 years on this planet. I can't be afraid of getting wet now, I have to (do a 53-foot) jump right in!

Eating garbonzo beans and sipping gin and tonics after a 40-mile vista hike in the Andes, I will be whistling the tune of my future. The wind will shift and I will pull out a machete and tramp my way through the jungle to reach our fortress by nightfall. By nightcrash. The moon fell down the stairs and won't be able to guide us as well tonight; it has been slightly abused. I am sad to say it but the truth must be spilled faster than molasses: I suspect relationship problems. The sun is very dominant, you know. Master, master. Master of the masts, I will be.

"If you had one super power, what would it be?" Ever since I was first asked this question, I knew the answer. I didn't know what I wanted to be in life, but I surely knew what super power I'd want to have. If I had one super power, it would be the super power to give anyone else any super power I so desired. I'm just now, this very moment past 1am the morning of the day I leave familiarity, realizing that this answer speaks more volumes of me than I thought. I'm getting to know myself and I love it. If you want a super power, come speak to me! Comment and request. But realize that receiving a super power is a bit like therapy: it comes in different, even surprising forms!

My goal for this trip, as I was telling my sister, Nicole, rycherhymer, is to exert as much energy as possible with nature. Bonus points for this trip I know already will be seeing many countries, many worlds, learning Spanish by living South-American, and spending more time with awesome persons!

For the trip across the U.S.o.A., I used a tent, sleeping bags, lots of clothes, lots of climbing gear, a car, and so on and so forth! For this trip through much of S. America, I will use the Porter 46 bag by Osprey, a company that makes wonderful packs. This is the only bag I'm bringing; it's a durable 2-as-1 backpack-duffle. In it I will put the following items: sandals, 3-4 sets of clothes that can all be washed in sinks, a water bottle, toiletries, my laptop, medicine, leatherman, laptop in bag. Also, I am bringing two small, waterproof Sea to Summit sacks in which I am putting things that I do not want to get wet at all, in case my Porter 46 bag gets soaked.

Thanks to everyone who has read, commented, and stayed in touch via The Big Trip blog thus far. I'm really excited and bear great hopes for the next portion of the trip. I can't wait to experience it and hear what your responses are, as well!

"Mind clockworks like a stone age stomach, chewin up thoughts that all wreak havoc," says your landescaper, n8