Meaningful Reflections Abroad

My Announcement on 1/7/14

"Time for my announcement to the world: Due to the tragedy that occurred to my dear friend Joseph here in Honduras I have decided to end my teaching contract and return to the EEUU later this month.

I have had an adventure of a lifetime these past 9 months in Central America. Nothing else in my life has compared to the amount of growth and education I have developed during my journey abroad. I plan to write in detail about my experiences to fully grasp how this time has invoked change in my life.

I would like to thank those who have really supported me and kept abreast with my travels. Thank you to my parents Mark, Jeannie and Marianna for all of your unconditional love and support through the good and bad times. Thank you to my very best friends, Toni and Ashlyn, for all those long, encouraging emails and those late-night sporadic international phone calls. A big thank you to my professional mentors (and friends) for your inspiration and total support, Susan and Cristen. A loving thanks to my dear friends that have helped me along during my journey, Rene, Gregg and Yaqulin and her husband Erasmo. A special thanks to those organizations that I volunteered with: Centro Maya Xela, La Mariposa Spanish School and Tortugas Cambutal. A huge hug of gratitude to every new friend that I made in the 6 countries that I traveled through and/or lived in - especially to Joe, Alicia, Riley, Joseph, Donna, Susanne, Ever, Tytti, Boris, Roberto, Pamela, Malu, Cinthia, Olga, Marlene, Garam, Gonzalo, Kent, Reef, Aron, Jairo David, Sandra, Amira, Elkis, Emma, Alex, Morgan and many more. A warm embrace for all of those friends and family members back home that I look forward to having a reunion with. Lastly, a beaming and heartfelt hug goes to every person, especially each child, that I had the pleasure to help and love in Central America...

You all will forever have a home in my heart."

A checklist of Dr. Jeffrey Kottler's Ingredients for “What Produces Positive Change” during Travel:

  

·         Perception of freedom

·         Safe risks

·         Teachable moments

·         Emotional arousal

·         Problem solving

·         Becoming adaptable

·         Facing fears

·         Reflective contemplation

Kottler, J. (1997) Travel that can change your life: How to Create a Transformative Experience. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers.

My Final Exploration of Dr. Jeffrey Kottler's "Elements of Transformative Travel"

"When we are no longer able to change a situation - we are challenged to change ourselves."
Victor E. Frankl

§There are tests and challenges that will push you to discover new capabilities. 

"Discoveries are often made by...going off the main road, y trying the untried". 

Frank Tyger

•       Teaching a 2^nd language in a foreign country and settling abroad.
•       Independently surviving in 6 Spanish speaking countries on the road or in a new place - finding food, shelter, friendship and culture; the struggle to communicate forced me to learn functional Spanish rapidly so that I could survive.
•       Realizing my limitations: I cannot surf the Pacific ocean without having to be rescued; I cannot realistically save the world but I can make a world of difference to those lives that I do touch.
•       Realizing my strengths: That I can survive in a foreign place alone; that I can functionally use Spanish; that I can put my body, mind and spirit through hell and still persevere; that I am openly friendly enough to make relations with people whom I just met and easily can leave without emotional turmoil; that I love to write and inspire others to travel; that I am capable of living happily in a third-world country; that I do well at observing and admiring cultural aspects of others and withhold judgement; that I can conceptualize the problems of the world and recognize the resilience that others have while they battle those problems that are out of their control; that I recognize the cultural variables that give people hope, which brings me hope too. 
•       Being away from the common first-world amenities and creature comforts for days or weeks (It's really not that bad - I found an appreciation for a simpler, less stressful, lifestyle). Speaking of less stress, I stopped taking anti-depressant medication that I relied on in the States because I literally did not need that crutch anymore. My hyperactive mind and the corresponding physiological responses slowed down once I was in this slower-paced lifestyle where I had more time to myself (with the help of meditation, deep breathing, grounding techniques, reflective journaling and healthy hobbies).  

§ There are situations that allow you to experience alternative roles and ways of being. 

"Take a chance! All life is a chance. The person who goes furthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare." 

Dale Carnegie

•       Exploring and integrating myself into diverse Latin American cultural customs and practices, specifically as it relates to the value of family versus autonomy and traditional religious practices. Almost unbeknownst to myself before this was the lack of connection that both sides of my European-American families possess. I knew we were distant but once I had the opportunity to become a member of several diverse familial groups in Latin America did I realize what is actually missing from my life back home - a close-nit family. Another variable to add to the Latin culture that I experienced was the religious piece - mostly of Christian and Catholic faiths and with sprinkles of Mayan beliefs of diverse Gods. The most influential experience was unfortunately the last one while I was in Honduras. Due to Joseph's assault, I was granted full immersion into his Honduran family's unit of trust, in which a bond grew instantly and without hesitation as they saw I wasn't about to leave Joseph after the ambulance dropped him off at the hospital. Not only did they welcome me with open arms, they called me "Joseph's little sister". And over the course of 2 weeks that followed I watched as the family ties grew. And this was not only true with his family, but with my colleagues at school also, as they provided me with comfort, support and prayer. This turn of events evoked change within myself - not only had I witnessed a near-death experience to someone that I cared about, but I grew spiritually from the circumstances of the situation. I am not sure what powers there are in the universe but what I witnessed was something extraordinary when my friend survived 4 bullet wounds. Call that what you will - survival of the fittest, pure luck, good doctors and quick medical attention - or leave it up to faith. Without these people's faith that I speak of, I perceive that many of them would not have the strength to make it through their lives in Honduras because they are shambled with violence and death often. 
•       Professional role as an ESL teacher. I learned pretty quickly that although counseling and teaching share similar roles in a child's life, they are not one in the same! I quickly missed being a counselor. I don't know how effective of a teacher I was to my students because my heart was just not into teaching English. I was more excited when I got to handle their emotional and social problems that needed some tender loving care. I worked hard and did my job as best I could and I definitely grew from the experience. And I miss my students very much! I'll take this experience back into the counseling world, as it is not uncommon to go into schools and work directly with teachers and school counselors. I have a better understanding of their struggles with student's behavior and personal concerns and will use this to benefit our loving kids. 
•       Living in very poor conditions - using out-houses (outside bathroom), taking bucket showers, taking cold showers, being patient when the electricity and/or water goes out, dealing with the nuisances of the jungle/ocean/mountain life - bugs, heat, rain, cold temperatures; using the chicken bus system for transportation. 
•       Playing or teaching kids from other backgrounds and SES statuses - K'iche Mayan students in Guatemala; affluent children in Honduras; rural children in Nicaragua and Panama; orphaned children in El Salvador. One of my fondest memories was tying two bottle caps to a string that a young boy in Guatemala and I found together on the ground. He was so excited and amused to have a new toy! Just think about the kids of the first-world who get a new toy each week - sometimes computers, video-games and other expensive gadgets. This kid, whose family had little but nothing, was happy to play with his make-believe helicopter propeller. 

§ There are forced opportunities to interact with people (& animals) in intimate ways. 

"The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway."

Henry Boye

"A good friend is a connection to life - a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world."

Lois Wyse

•       People in particular that I have fond memories with include: My host family in Xela, Guatemala; Maya Xela's Spanish teachers and their Mayan family; my students and their teachers in Momostenango, Guatemala; my friend's Ever, Boris and Tytti in El Salvador and then Nicaragua; the kids of Remar Orphanage of El Tunco, El Salvador; the interns, director, staff and students of La Mariposa in Nicaragua; my host family of Nicaragua - especially 4 year old Eric;  my German-American friend Alex whom I traveled with through Nicaragua; my brief rein-counter with a French friend (whom I previously met in Jamaica) while in San Jose, Costa Rica; my new amazing friend Yaquelin and her husband Erasmo in Cambutal, Panama; my short-lived friendships with Panamanians from the City; the locals and gringos from the beaches of Cambutal, Panama; my co-workers, roommates, local and Gringo friends in Honduras; my Honduran family.  
•       My adopted Cambutal dog Kiki! I miss that pup! 

§  There is a balance between time with self and time with others. 

"Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation. For when you come back to your work, your judgement will be surer."

Leonardo Da Vinci

•       There were times I was overly stimulated with human contact. I never minded spending time with the locals but there were times my brain wanted to shut down from speaking Spanish. I would go hide in my hostel dorm or bedroom and take a nap. I tried to stay away from most Gringos and English-speaking travelers because I knew it would take away my time learning Spanish and emerging myself in the culture. Even if I was not having a direct conversation with a local, I was still listening to their conversations to try to pick up on what they were talking about. This all in effect forced me to travel alone and without backpacker company. Most people would prefer to meet other travelers, go to parties and do day activities with them. I was not interested in this - I had enough experience with this way of travel on previous trips abroad and it was not that exciting to me anymore. There were some days I wanted to spend more time alone and reflect on things, which I gave to myself. 

§  There is a commitment not only to look outward at new exotic scenes, but also to look inward at how everything is affecting you. 

“All systems of thought are guiding means; they are not absolute truth”. 

Thich Nhat Hanh

•        I definitely was committed to both. I tried, without judgement, to stay in the present and observe all that was happening around me and then I would reflect inward when it was needed or when I had some time. During the summer travels I spent less time meditating and reflecting, but once I moved to Honduras and had a stable job, I had much more time to sit down and reflect inwardly. 

§  There are situations that engage not only your body and mind, but also heart and soul. 

"Life...gives you the chance to love and to wok and to play and to look up at the stars."

Henry Van Dyke

•       Physically: My body went through hell during my 9 months abroad. Sometimes I was capable of extremely strenuous mobility (such as surfing the Pacific coast / laborious tasks with the sea-turtle group in Panama night and day) and other times I barely moved (8 hour bus rides / too fearful to leave my house in Honduras to get exercise). I'm happy to be at a gym again so I can get back into a bikini for springtime. 
•       Mentally: I focused on mental health self-improvement a lot and I don't think I've ever thought more clearly and objectively than I do now. Essentially, I learned how to control my anxiety level. I took more time that I ever have to forcefully slow down my mental processing with meditation - and through that intimate process I had to endure the positive and negative sides of myself that would come up in session. The mind is tricky and can imprison you if not controlled. I'm still learning and make mistakes, but I don't feel like a prisoner anymore. 
•       Emotionally: From my time abroad in Central America I now feel capable of living independently the rest of my life if I needed to. I can take care of my own emotional state of mind, enjoy my stress-relief hobbies, and am disciplined to stick out meditation and writing. I enjoy my time alone. I feel self-empowered - and much of the time I feel centered within. I can catch myself when not experiencing that blissful state.  I've come a long way since all of the traumatic things that I've experienced in my young life and I am honest with myself about what it is I want and need emotionally. 
•       Spiritually: This took a bit of stride and endearing motivation to fulfill. I am still on a path of enlightenment, but I am happy with the spiritual experiences that happened to me abroad and how I processed them. I've learned that it is ok to pray out to the universe when I need help or guidance, that I need to be in touch with nature daily, that I feel best when I volunteer for unique causes, and self-improvement is necessary for my confidence and growth in life. I also learned how to be much more tolerable to other's spiritual pathways and religious beliefs. 

§  There are experiences that shake your core, that run your world upside down in such a way things will never look the same again.

"Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living."

Miriam Beard

•       The daily occurrence of hearing gun shots in Honduras while in my home or at school. Of course, the traumatic experience of hearing my friend get shot outside of our home and coming to his rescue- the final cause of my decision to return home. 
•       Experiencing a shot-lived romance in Panama. It definitely pressed me into wanting something more in life than just my own selfish tendencies and independent mindset. 
•       Getting somewhat discriminated against in a clinic in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. My friend Ever and I sat there for about 2 hours waiting for my name to be called. I watched as the locals who had come into the clinic after me were seeing the doctor way before I was finally called. If I had not gotten up and spoke directly to a doctor who was passing by in the waiting room, I would probably still be sitting there to this very day. He advanced me to a shorter line. It felt quite surreal to have this happen, as I am so used to the American way of organization and fairness - I was taken aback by this small degree of discrimination as a foreigner. Now I know how people feel when they have been discriminated against. This was a minor occurrence, but enough to make me recognize the obvious injustices. 
•       Riding in an overnight bus from Flores to Guatemala City. The very pregnant lady in front of me was very ill and she leaned her seat so far back into my knees that I could not sleep and spent the entire night in discomfort. My instincts told me something was very wrong with her and they were likely on the their way to the city for medical treatment. I offered her water, the only thing I had that might have brought her some comfort. The next morning when we arrived at the terminal, the woman's health took a turn for the worse - she laid on the benches inside the terminal and seemed to be in an unconscious state. I felt so helpless as her husband wrapped her in blankets, cried and tried to call for help. The people all gathered around her and prayed, I sat crying in the corner. I watched as the fire department showed up, checked her pulse (she was still alive), wrote down something on a card to give to her husband, and left the scene. I had no idea why she was not whisked away by ambulance to the hospital except that they probably could not afford it. At that moment, I felt very blessed for being from a country where medical attention would have been provided regardless, yet I felt an inner pain for the recognizance that this first-world right is not shared by everyone in the world. 

§  There are opportunities to reflect on and process your experiences constructively, to create meaning from what you have lived. 

"When I look back at where I've been, I see that what I am becoming is a whole lot further down the road from where I was."

Gloria Gaither

•      Writing: I have a new and profound love to write about my experiences and instill inspiration in others. If I could just travel the world and write about it all I would live at the happiest level possible. During travel, one thing I found to be true about my personality is that I have a taciturn and reserved nature about me, and I prefer to listen and hold onto my thoughts. I tend to write better than I speak - I find my vocabulary and the way I form my ideas is at a higher level when I write. I tend to get overshadowed in conversation in sociable encounters and I prefer to talk to someone one-on-one than to communicate to a whole group. This blog really helped me to organize my thoughts and I found a lot of enjoyment in sharing my experiences. 
•      Photos: The saying that "a picture is worth a thousand words" is completely true. I cannot always paint a picture through writing and the photos of my travels remind me of the people that I met, the places that I traveled to and the things that I did and saw. Thank the universe for the person who invented the camera. 
•      Spiritual development: I've become much more humble since traveling. My journey is a personal one and I do not feel the desire to boast about my life and what I've done with it to others. My blog posts are not about making others feel envious, it is only a way to inspire them to set out onto their own journey (and help me remember and make sense of my experiences and personal development). 

§  There are ways that you can apply what you learned to your life back home and actually follow through with your intentions. 

"You can't make radical changes in the pattern of your life until you begin to see yourself exactly as you are now."

Bhante Gunaratana

•       Speaking Spanish at every opportunity offered and taking classes to refresh it - possibly using it in clinical settings with my clients when appropriate. Using my understanding of transcultural resilience to shape my therapuetic techniques. 
•       Being more sensitive to my own needs and not taking on too much responsibility; having boundaries with my professional work. 
•       Handling my emotional well-being in healthier way; using meditation as an outlet.
•       Being more patient, optimistic and be a life-long learner.

Kottler, J. (1997) Travel that can change your life: How to Create a Transformative Experience. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers.

                                                  ****************

*Time Traveled*

9 Months

=

36 Weeks

   =

256 days 


***************

*Places Traveled*

Guatemala

(Guatemala City, Livingston, Rio Dulce, El Remate, Tikal, Flores, Quetzaltenango (Xela), Momostenango, Totonicapan, Lago de Atitlan, Antigua)

Favorite Moments and People of Guatemala

-My amazing K'iche Mayan students and their teachers

-My host family and Centro Maya Xela family

-Getting hit by a tuk-tuk while going downhill on a bicycle

-All of the incredible home-cooked food

-My time spent with Mayan people

-Kayaking Lago de Atitlan

-The Totonicapan Market

-The crazy mountain bus ride to Momostenango

-The ruins and animals of Tikal

-The European feeling I felt while in the colorful isla of Flores

-Livingston Caribbean folk and their culture

-The boat ride from Rio Dulce to Livingston

-The natural hot baths of Xela

El Salvador

(Playa El Tunco, La Libertad, Playa El Sunzal)

Favorite Moments and People of El Salvador

-My secret hostel on the beach of El Tunco

-The surfer boys of El Tunco

- El Remar kids

-The friendly locals

-Catching a few good waves

- Almost being swept away by a strong current (Thanks Ever!)

- Lounging in my hostel hammock

- The pupusas…yum

- Ever, Tytti, Boris and Roberto (and that other surfer guy from Argentina)

-El Tunco’s beach dog

Honduras

(San Pedro Sula, El Progreso, Puerto Cortes, Omoa, Cuyamel, Paraiso, Mesca, Corinto, Travasia, Baha Mar, Lago de Yajoa, Pena Blanca, Pulhapanzak Falls, Copan, Copan Ruinas)

Favorite Moments and People of Honduras

-Nights spent home with my roomies Alicia, T and Joe

-My awesome co-workers, bosses and students at Atlantic Bilingual School

-D&D Brewery get-away...the beer is excellent

-The caves with Alicia

-The coffee plantation hike with Donna, Joe and Susie

-Hiking up Paraiso with Riley (especially the views)

-Meeting my good friend Alex (Paraiso, Cuyamel, dirt bike lessons on the beach)

-Meeting Susan, David and Dean at the Navy base in Puerto Cortes

-Watching Honduras enter the World Cup series via TV with my roomie T and the after party parade in Puerto Cortes

- Hiking, waterfalls and swim holes with Joe, Riley and Alicia in San Pedro Sula

-Paella and the typical market in San Pedro Sula

-Playing pool with the locals

-Seeing Pulhapanzak Falls with Joseph

-Baha Mar punta dancing and drumming with the locals on the beach

-The bus rides to the Guatemalan border

-Tagging along with the Red Cross at the border to give services to immigrants

-ABS co-worker parties

-Club and dancing with friends from Puerto Cortes

-The incredible food (baleadas and sopa de caracol)

-The football games

-The Puerto Cortes Festival in August with my roommates

-Spending Christmas with Marianna in Copan

-Staying by Joseph’s side the night he was shot and seeing the miracle persist over the weeks to come. 

  Nicaragua

(Managua, San Juan del Sur, Playa Madera, Rivas, San Jorge, Isla de Ometepe, Granada, Laguna de Apoyo, San Juan de Oriente, San Juan del Concepcion, Pueblos Blancos, San Carlos, Archipielago de Salentiname, Rio San Juan)

Favorite Moments and People of Nicaragua

-La Mariposa experience and the people running the show -Paulette, the interns, my teacher, the volunteers, the local employees

-My host-family – especially little Eric
-The crazy non-brooding hen who would not leave the souvenir display - she claimed it as her nesting spot...she would sit on the hand-made jewelry! 

-When the giant pig was lost roaming around the neighborhood. The neighbors had to tag-team him 

-Visiting the school and playing with the children on top of the mountain

-Rescuing the doggy Shakira and bringing her back to La Mariposa for food, shelter, medicine and love

-Taking care of the wild animals of La Mariposa with Oscar

-Meeting Alex in Isla de Ometepe

-My host at the hostel in Isla de Ometepe

-Ometepe bike ride, beach paradise, and the volcano views

-San Juan de Oriente holiday festivities and art shopping with Alex

-San Juan del Sur and Playa Madera with Ever, Tytti, Boris, Roberto and Anthony

- Yet again, being rescued by Ever in the crazy waves of Playa Madera

- My ear infection and medical clinic experience with Ever in San Juan del Sur

-Partying in San Juan del Sur with the same crew

- Bus ride from Granada to San Carlos with Alex – and the boat ride to Isla de Solentiname

- The creepy feelings and vibes of being in Solentiname with Alex 

-The cave bats, boat rides, petroglyphs and pet parrots in the trees of Salentiname

 Costa Rica

(Los Chiles, San Jose)

  Panama

(David, Chitre, Las Tablas, Tonosi, Playa Cambutal, Panama City)

Favorite Moments and People of Panama

-My amazing friend Yaquelin and her husband Erasmo. All of the jokes and time spent together at the house.

-My dog Kiki! For all of her love, loyalty, stinkiness, and playfulness. Not to forget Yaqui’s dog Chocolate.

-Yaquelin’s cooking

-My life-long memories with Gonzalo – for his friendship, love, time and help!

-The sea-turtles, Tortuga Cambutal conservation group, all of the amazing volunteer work we got to do together for the sake of the turtles (sanctuary structures, beach clean-ups, gardening, etc.)

-My roomies and friend's Marlene and Garam…for all those early morning, afternoon and evening walks to the beach and bars of Cambutal together.

- The car rides to Tonosi with Gonzalo, Marlene, Garam, Yaquelin, other friends.

- The 411 surf spot!

-The time I lost Marlene’s flipper at 411

- All of the passing hours and days spent at the bars with the local alcoholics of Cambutal. The beers just kept coming with no end in sight.

- The friendships with Reef, Aron, Kent, Jose, Abby.

-The brief friendships with the volunteer crew of Fundacion Tortuguias from Panama City. You guys rocks! Especially the girls who gave Marlene and me their turtle bracelets…I still have not taken it off.

-Playing dominos with the old men of Tonosi

- The festival of Cambutal – the night of traditional music and dance with friends.

- All of the “ahuuwas” sounds and music from the local cowboys.

- The random late-night “sneak out of our farm” horses who chill on the beach.

- The first night of turtle egg searching with Gonzalo. We found 2 nests and carefully moved them to secret locations.

- The beach-clean up and the whole preparation stage with Marlene, Yaqui, Gonzalo and Kent.

- The visit to the local school.

-The hobbit hills.

- The beautiful drive to Las Tablas with Yaqui.

- Collecting the most beautiful shells.

- Body-boarding the beach break waves with friends.

- Searching for cambute with friends for dinner.

- Nubia’s restaurant and bar and the waitress Erika.

- Spending the nights under the stars…I’ve never seem so many.

- Late night dips in the phosphorescent ocean.

-The lightning bugs on the fields at night.

-The sparkling black sand.

-The breathtaking landscape and scenery of Cambutal.

-The waterfall swims

-The monkeys

-The horseback ride with Yaqui and Marlene. Riding at top speed alongside Marlene on the beach.

-The rain-forests

-Being invited to Gonzalo's nephew's birthday party and to a wedding

-The humming birds at the hotel

-Yoga with Abby at their new coffee cafe

-The hammock underneath the mango tree at Yaqui's house

-The list goes on and on……………….

**************************************************************************

Returning home

     Truly experienced counselors are those who live what they teach to others. They walk their talk and practice in their own lives that which they consider to be most important for their clients. As such, they are continually living on the growth edge, always looking for ways to become more effective as a professional and as a person. Such individuals would never consider themselves “arrived” but rather see their own development and mastery as an ongoing process that will never end… Jeffrey Kottler “The Recipe or Truly Great Counseling”, in Counseling Today, Dec. 2012. 

I flew back to Florida January 18th with the hope of living somewhere somewhat unexplored with a good counseling job, finding some new friends and enjoying fun outdoor activities - a different life for the time being while I gathered my thoughts, dreams and finances together to reach new ambitions. I came home with a part-time therapy position at a mentor's private practice office. So far it's been great and the supervision is excellent! And luckily, last week I was blessed with news that my previous internship placement wants me to come back as a therapist for their Sexual Abuse Treatment Program. It is one of my professional goals to work with victims of sexual abuse so I am happy to be able to do this right now! 

 It looks like I will be in south Florida for 2 years until I finish my licensure hours and exam for the state. I am signed up as a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern. Once that goal is complete I have ideas for a trip around the world. Today, there are rather inexpensive deals you can find to fly to a dozen or so locations anywhere in the world. Financially, I would have to save a boat load of money for a trip of this magnitude but this is what I want to do! I have many more places in the world in my bucket list to go to and I would like to see a bulk of them before my 30's. The other goal I have before my 30's is going back to school - to an excellent PhD program in Counselor Education. I have research interests in international counseling and development, transcultural resilience, and holistic therapy techniques (Buddhism mindfulness). It is my ultimate professional dream to combine my love of travel and volunteering abroad with that of my desire to teach, counsel and conduct research in the counseling field. I propose academia would likely be my outlet to fulfilling some sort of branch of that dream in the long-run. 

For the time being while I am molding and critiquing my professionalism, I want to join a local mindfulness group and practice meditation and Buddhism, develop specialization in child and family therapy through experience and training, and look into programs whose researchers share a common interest in the field of counseling. For my personal development - I will meditate (focusing on developing my practice in a systematic manner), enjoy the outdoors (surfing, kayaking, fishing, swimming, boating, snorkeling, hiking, wild-life), do self-reflective and other healthy activities (journaling, exercise, reading, etc.) and watch movies and read books in Spanish. I am looking into volunteering with a sea-turtle conservation group here. Tortugas Cambutal really rubbed off on me - I love the wild-life of Florida and want to help protect the sea-turtles. I still have dreams of returning to Cambutal, Panama because it is a beautiful place and I felt right being there. It might turn into a second home for me in the long run.  Another hope that I have is to find a Spanish roommate or family to live with (renting a room in their house) so I am forced to speak Spanish.  

"What we call the end is also a beginning. The end is where we start from.

T. S. Eliot. 

     My 9 month journey is complete and has left a huge impression on my memory and I do not doubt that I will take those memories into my present life. I have experienced some culture shock being home - mostly for the high cost of living and the unbearably high strung-out pace I feel everywhere I go here. I miss the slower-paced life that I left behind; I miss my friends, the cultural experiences, the language, the food, the landscapes...but mostly I miss my adventure through it all alone. This experience was an empowering one - and I am much stronger inside because of it. 

“...Wanting nothing, he travels on alone”.

The Dhammapada of Guatama (The Buddha CA 500BC)

Final Message

"Every day is an opportunity to make a new happy ending. May you live all the days of your life". 

Jonathan Swift

Through this blog - if I inspired just one person to embark on their own journey abroad and do what they believe will help make the world a better place than I will be at peace within myself. If you are that inspired soul, please write to me your story and your plans to travel either here in the comment section or by email to sarahpaulick@gmail.com . I appreciate all of the positive feedback, support and love shown to me those 9 months abroad! It has helped motivate me. I will continue to write and of course start a new blog when I plan my future travels around the world. 

I leave you with thoughts and prayers of love, peace, adventure, inspiration and hope!

Quote

"The only limits we have are the ones we willingly choose for ourselves."

Sarah Paulick, 1/1/13

"At every crossroad, follow your dream. It is courageous to let your heart lead the way". 

Thomas Leland