Signing Off

Well the adventure has at last drawn to a close. Last week I arrived safe and sound in JFK after an eye reddening 36 hour trip home that made even the worst South American bus look good. The last week has been a blur of re-acclimating, seeing family and friends, and of course indulging in some delicious American Cuisine (aka Wendy's). Being home is, in a word, bittersweet. I love seeing my family, friends, and places I've missed, but I sorely miss the adventure, excitement, and amazing experiences that accompanied my travels. However, we all must look forward and what better way to do that than to write my final blog entry. I'd like to take this last opportunity to share with you some of my thoughts on my trip, fun facts, and most importantly thank the countless people who have helped along the way.

Upon returning home, people always ask the understandable question of, "How was your trip to South America?". I always struggle to answer this question, as there seem to be a myriad of ways to describe my adventures.

Sometimes I think showing the entire map of where I went would be a good start:

Entire Trip Map!

Or perhaps giving the statistics of the trip would help:

Countries Visited: 5
Locations Visited: >20
Miles Traveled: 6,437
Time Traveled: 4 Months
Money Spent: Too Much

However, simple numbers fail to capture the breathtaking beauty and awe of what I saw on a daily basis while traveling. Perhaps then sharing some of my favorite photographs from the trip would do the trick:

Sunset over the Bolivian Salt Flats

Machu Picchu, Peru

Mt. Huascarán (Elevation 22,205ft). Tallest Peak in Peru.

Vineyard. Mendoza, Argentina

Iguazu Falls, Argentina/Brazilian Border

While those photographs are stunning, even they are not able to convey the true significance and power of a trip like this. Because the fact is that what affected me most on this trip wasn't the number of amazing sights I saw or exciting and eye-opening experiences I had. Rather, it was the people I met on a daily basis who opened their world and let me into their lives, even for just a moment. People like Johnny, my indigenous guide from Huaraz who taught me what it means to respect nature when we summited Mt. Pisco. My Ecuadorian family who opened their hearts and home to me. The miners from Potosi, Boliva, who taught me what real courage looks like by toiling away in hell just to put food on the table. Or people like Maria from Lake Titicaca who showed me the power of holding on to your heritage and culture. The list goes on and on, but it's people like this who really made the experience special.

The people you meet along the way

I guess in the end, it's the people, coupled with awe-inspiring places and experiences that made this the trip of a lifetime.

However, a trip like this would never have been able to happen if it weren't for a number of people who supported and inspired me throughout my travels. To my family, thank you for always supporting me in my crazy adventures (even if they give you a heart attack mom). To the people I've met along the way, thank you for opening my eyes and inspiring me in ways you can't imagine. To my friends, thank you for giving me such a strong base to jump off from. If I've been able to go far, it's only because I know exactly where it is I come from.

It is my sincere hope that you've enjoyed following my adventures in South America, and I hope that you've seen the benefits of looking beyond your comfort zone. If this trip has taught me anything it's that the best experiences in life occur when we put ourselves out there, embrace action, and really push ourselves. However, putting yourself out there doesn't need to take the form of hiking a high peak or careening down the deathroad in Bolivia. Rather, put yourself out there by really getting to know someone. Ask that strange looking person on the bus where they're from. Chances are you'll strike up an amazing conversation and be able to travel around the world without leaving the bus. The more I see of the world the more I realize how similar we all are. Never let superficial differences prevent you from seeing and appreciating the world and people around you.

It has been my pleasure to have you along for my South American adventure. Thank you so much for following. Until the next adventure!