No Excuses, Lets Get Up And Explore!

I realize I may be venturing into controversial territory by saying this, but I merely want to make you think about different possibilities.  I’m not a blind believer of the “American dream”; you know, the one that determines success solely by being able to retire, raise your kids in a suburb, in a big house with a white picket fence and a dog.  None of these things are bad of course.  Unless the price you are paying to have them is keeping you from actually "living".  The pressures of material things are alive and well all around us.  We are constantly being bombarded with the “next big thing” the bigger and the better.  If we lose sight of what really matters, life passes us by and we miss it.

This week I will like to stir up your adventurous side. I will share some of my traveling experiences with you, in hopes that you would be motivated to go explore for yourself. Find something fresh and new.  Ever since I can remember I wanted to travel and see the world. I wanted to grow up and be a flight attendant.  As soon as I graduated from high school I took a travel and tourism course and then applied to work for an airline.  Although the job never happened for me, the traveling did.

I have been blessed enough to travel to Argentina, Guatemala, Panama, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Aruba, Holland, Belgium, France, Amsterdam, and throughout the USA.  Everywhere I went, it was an entirely different experience; the people, the customs, the food, the language, every single thing fascinates me.  I prefer to stay in the house of locals so that I can have the full experience of their culture.

One of my first overseas experiences was Guatemala.  The minute I arrived I began to compare many things to Puerto Rico.  The mountains were impressive, I felt completely surrounded by green, enormous beauty.  As we embarked on a trip to visit with the Guatemalan indigenous people, I had no idea about the adventure that would follow.  We traveled up and up and up the mountains, so high up that I felt my ears begin to pop.  The road we were traveling on was about two inches wide; and did I mention it was meant to be a TWO lane road!!! I saw my life flash before my eyes. Lol  Our driver was driving what felt like 100 miles an hour. We were going further and further away from civilization.  I began to worry… well ok, to FREAK out! I was digging my nails into my hubby’s leg.  I think that’s the closest I’ve been to the sky while in a car. My hubby won’t admit it but I saw clouds surrounding us!!!       

When we finally arrived to the top of the mountains it was like another world had been built up there. There were shops, schools, churches, and people everywhere.  But what impressed me the most was that they had managed to keep their customs in tack, unaffected by the rest of the world.  They were dressed with their traditional clothing.  We stood out like aliens from another planet. As we were sightseeing around the village, we came to the village square.  There was what looked like a well right in the middle of the square.  Inside it was a woman bathing. Yes you read correctly, BATHING while people walked around as if nothing was happening. The only one staring at her was ME! lol

Within a couple of hours I felt part of them, they were sweet, warm, welcoming people.  I will forever be grateful for that experience; I’m now able to share with my boys about tolerance and acceptance of other cultures and that there is always something to learn from someone else.  After a great educational fun day with the indigenous people, I now had to go back down the mountain!!! NOOOOOOOOO

There is an experience waiting for us everywhere… even in our own backyard. We may not be able to pick up our bags and travel, but we may have a Guatemalan neighbor or a neighbor from any country from whom we can share with and learn from.  Take a minute and explore; the world is so much bigger than our tiny circle.   Your passion may not be traveling, but it may be something else. Whatever that may be, don't put it off, don't be too busy to do what you love.  I challenge you to find sometime this week to do whatever it is that makes you smile..... No Excuses Lets Get Up And Explore! LOL