Greetings

Hello there everyone! This blog I have begun will be a documentation of travels I am taking over the next 3o days and what ever future travels I have planned afterwards. Posts will be as consistently daily as possible due to certain places I may be with out a wireless connection. I chose this form of manifesto, as opposed to "status" updates on my plans for the day or checking in at a local restaurant or bar, because it will allow people to get a more in depth perspective on how experiencing a foreign world is to me and the growth I am rewarded with after.

I began today attending the funeral of one of my best friends father. I never got to know his father very well, but being there for my friend instigated thoughts of value and appreciation for things in my life. With the acceptance of death comes the gratitude we must all have towards living a life that is positive and fulfilling because our time is all too short here on Earth. It only makes sense to me to be pursuing something of this caliber at this point in my life. I take with me words of wisdom from all sorts of people. Words that have reassured me with the secure piece of mind that pursuing what you feel passionate about will always get you where you're supposed to be. All too often more and more people are pursuing what they think, or have been told,their passion should be instead of taking an independent stance on what they want for themselves.

Who knows what's to come of this trip. I may return saying "Glad I did it but not for me." or some where along the line I could discover an unawakened passion that I would have never known existed had I never embarked on such a journey.

Earlier I made Facebook reference to "status updates" and "check-ins." I decided to deactivate my Facebook during my time over seas, as well as a few months after my return, because maybe some things (memories, experiences, mental images, meditative thoughts) are meant to stay with us and not be shared with the whole world. Those things are personal claims to the person or people we adhere to be. Although I am sharing what I am embarking on via this blog, this form allows people the right to choose whether or not they want to be apart of the experience or not. And frankly I don't give a shit that John Doe needs your help to gain more pigs and chickens on Farmville.......taking a break.

On a fun note I was giving my self a trim of a hair cut yesterday, using a number three to clean up the sides and back of my head. I changed clipper sizes so that I may cut the hair on my neck line. I put down the clippers momentarily, then notice a spot I missed cutting with the three behind my left ear. I pick up the clippers to then proceed with buzzing a bald spot in the back of my head.........great. Forgot to change the clipper sizes. I contemplated changing the title of my blog to "the bald spotted traveler."

I will miss everyone of course!! I tried my best to see everyone I could before I left. For those I did not get to see I am sorry. My social spider web is quite a big one and I had a lot to do this week. Thank you to everyone who has given me all the advice I could ask for and the best wishes.

I leave you all with passage I enjoyed reading in my Rick Steve's book.

"Travel can make you a happier American, as well as a citizen of the world. Our Earth is home to see and a half billion equally precious people. It's humbling to travel and find that other people don't have the "American Dream" -- they have their own dreams. Europeans like us, but with all due respect, they wouldn't trade passports.
Thoughtful travel engages us with the world. In tough economic time, it reminds us what is truly important. By broadening perspectives, travel teaches new ways to measure quality of life.
Globetrotting destroys ethnocentrism, helping us understand and appreciate other cultures. Rather than fear the diversity on this planet, celebrate it. Among your most prized souvenirs will be the strands of different cultures you chose to knit into your own character..."