This trip really is a dream come true. I don't think it's quite hit me that I'm actually going to be able to accomplish it.
The idea started when I was talking to my friend Allison, who lives in the The Galápagos Islands, about coming down to visit for the summer as an intern. She suggested that I get a three month visa and come down for the summer. I started researching the possibility and began talking to a few friends about it. The more I talked about it, things seemingly started to fall into place. Where I began considering a trip to one place where I knew one person, a fabric of many people from many different countries (Venezuela, Peru, Costa Rica, Panama, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay) was forming right before my eyes.
I have always been fascinated with Latin culture. I began taking Spanish classes in seventh grade, continued those classes through my junior year in high school and met them with success. I fell in love with the language. From there, I discovered I had great interest in the music, the food and the family and community centric values that exists in most Latin countries. When I moved to Orlando at 17, I was welcomed into a melting pot of culture, language, and ethnicity. This is where my text book knowledge of the Latin culture was put into play. Everything from Spanish-speaking hispanic friends, who always laughed when we would look at photos because I was the only gringa in the group, Spanish Night Clubs, bars, restaurants, Spanish music everywhere and of course, Spanish television. Oh, las novelas... who doesn't love them??
I am extremely fortunate to have such great friends as I do who have helped me in planning this trip. More friends than I thought have taken similar trips as what I'm planning and have proven to be a wealth of knowledge. Other friends who are from the countries I am planning on visiting have offered to connect me with people they know, if they cannot make it down there when I am there. I also have some incredible friends who simply know people in some of the countries where I'll be and have connected me with them for advice, suggestions or a place to stay.
One thing that has opened a world of opportunity for me was the introduction of Couch Surfing (http://www.couchsurfing.org) by a good friend. I shouldn't have been surprised to discover so many of my friends have experience with this. I am extremely excited to be welcomed into someone's home and learn about their culture and lifestyle and to make new friends along the way of my travels. I have been participating in the concept of Couch Surfing far longer than I've known about this online community and think it's a fabulous way to travel and make new connections. I hope to Couch Surf in all the areas where I do not know people but will probably stay in a hostel or two to experience that side of travel, meet more people and as a backup plan to Couch Surfing.
Being a Hasher will also have it's benefits. Since there is a kennel in almost every major metropolitan area across the world, I am certain I will meet some pretty amazing people in connection with Hash House Harriers as well.
At some point on this journey, I would like to offer my time as a volunteer to a valid and legitimate cause. I am not certain where or with what group I would like to get involved with, but I'm sure it will work itself out at the right time.
I hope you all enjoy following my blog and want to thank you in advance for all the support you have shown me so far.
Lastly, if any of you would like to and are able to contribute to this amazing journey ahead of me, I do have an Amazon.com wish list of things I still need to get.
This is the link: http://amzn.com/w/1Y2RNMP8
With much love and exitement,
Katherine
