The Odyssey year ends

Today 2008 ends. And what a year it has been. For the first time ever i think I can truly say how much I appreciate what a year is. So much has happened and I feel I have moved forward.

I arrive back home to Sydney a month ago and I wish I could say that it was easy transition being back here... but I can't at this stage. Sydney is a very hard city to be in, especially without a car... or the want of driving. Its so great to see my family and friends. At the same time I miss all my new incredible friends all scattered over the globe. I am so privileged to have so many friends and that is what makes me smile.

This year has taught me so many lessons. I look forward to seeing what 2009 can bring. The possibilities are endless - as long as i find the motivation, the inspiration and the passion to push beyond what my dreams are. I just need to follow the signs. Lots of love

Odyssey: Year One

A year is a long time. Thousands of sights and experiences. Hundreds of people. Thousands of thoughts, conversations and enlightening moments. A year that has changed my life. As the year comes to an end, so to does my year long odyssey of the world. Soon I arrive back to my country. Back to my the my friends and family. I look forward to seeing the land I left and to see how much it has changed.

The world feels like such a small place to me at the moment. Some days I close my eyes and i open them a few hours later and I find myself on a different continent. Time and place seems somewhat disjointed, yet connected in ways I have never experienced before. To me, London is a city in between New York and Tel Aviv. Lately, I wake up and not just wonder what time it is, but what country I am in. At the moment I am in Thailand and sometimes I find myself wondering if I am in Peru or Brazil.

Within the chaos of my life this past year, a light has emerges. It has broken through the noise and images that surround me everyday. The light points me to next stage - the next Act.

This week I have been hanging out with my Argentine brother, Santiago, in Chiang Mai, Thailand. What better way to end this voyage than with one of the best friends someone could ever have the privilege of knowing. There has been mate. A bottle of Fernet was drunk. There was laughter, reminiscing and new adventures. The most incredible thing we did this week was going with Noom, the owner of the hostel we are staying at, to see his family's rice field. To see and take part in the rice harvest was a pretty special event. We learnt of lives and workings of his family. Seeing the rice helped me understand and appriciate the enormity, simpicity and importance of the rice (one of the world stables) and families like his who produce it. That was better than any temple, world heritage site or city I have visited in some ways.

I just said goodbye to Santi as he continues on for what is the beginning of his own odyssey. It was sad to say goodbye not knowing the next time we would get to hang out next. But I am so happy we both were here and appriciate the time we shared. This year has been incredible in that I have met so many great people. But its been getting harder to say goodbye.

Tonight I get the overnight train back to Bangkok. Only the seats were left as all the sleeper were sold out. Luckily my Oesteopath appointment is already booked for the week I returned! So as I enter the last stage of this journey - I reflect on the Year of Odyssey. I realise though that by going home that it all doesn't stop. The Odyssey continues and will be a part of me forever. The friendships, the cities and the experiences continue.

Thailand.. the final frontier

Tomorrow i get the ferry to Macau from Hong Kong and then fly to Bangkok to meet Santi (It was the cheaper way).

What a way to end this incredible year! I have so much to process and catch up on and who better to share that with than Santi. I guess it represents how much things have changed for me this year. He is bringing Fernet.. a big bottle. I have my Argentinan flag and my Yerba with me ... so we are all set. It's going to be interesting as I am ending this Oydssey - he is starting his.

Not delayed

Now I am not delayed. Go figure.

Delayed

I'm in Israel. Just called the airport. My flight is delayed... naturally

Odyssey hicups

There are 3 weeks to go on this magical mystery tour of the world that has become my life. Lately I have been waking up in the morning and wondering not only what time it is... but what country I am in. This was only compounded when a few days ago I called my airline to confirm my flights. To make a long and annoying story short.... I had to cancel my flight from London to Zurich and book a flight from London to Tel Aviv leaving the next day. Luckily I have family here who were able to look after me so it was not a complete disappointment. After one night to say goodbye to my bestie cousin Katie and my friends, I jetted off to Israel for a 4 day stopover.

Israel was the first place I went on this Odyssey and I have not written much about it yet. So coming back here after all this time has actually turned out to be a great thing in terms of reminding me where I started, the things I experienced here and has shown me how much I have changed this year.

Tomorrow I leave for Hong Kong. It's 2am. i have just finished packing for the 273,453,634,246 time this year. Anyway, flying to HK now means that only 5 days till I meet up with my Argentine bro Santi. That makes me happy.

Family, friends and the familiar

For the past few weeks I have becoming more anxious about the idea about going home. This is just one of many unraveling thoughts of late. What will I do when I get back home? Where will I live next year? How will I afford the traveling life that has become so normal to me. What I realised was that I have a fear of stillness. I was afraid to go back there. What if everything was the same? What if all that had changed was me and I did not fit into the life that was? Then something changed. I stopped worrying about it.

I think I was worried that I have reverted back to my old self and am not the same person as I was in Argentina. I really loved the person I was there – free and happy. But after calling my second home of BA and speaking to my friends there, I realised that person has not left the building.

I really am looking forward to going back home - time with family, friends and the familiar.

Leaving the Americas

To long has pasted since I have posted anything. Part of the reason was that leaving South America, particularly Argentina has been one of the hardest things I've had to do. This year has been one for challenges, but who could have predicted my falling for Buenos Aires. The longer I am away from BA the more I want to be there. My heart and mind have changed in these bast 8 months.

10 months in to this odyssey and I'm heading back to London. The past month and a half in North America has been great as well. Spending some time with Estee makes the world seem better. Having time with Stee and Kristen has helped numb the pain of not being in South America as well as being a lot of fun.

So now I leave to the airport. I am taking the subway. I might get there by next week:)

Till Londres then.

Peru. Part 1

It's been a few weeks since I left my home of Buenos Aires. I only have time to write a quicky today though, but needed to say something before I leave in the morning for a 4 day trek to Macchu Pichu.

Quite a lot has happened since I left BA. I flew to Lima only to find myself on my own for the first time in a very long time again. It's taken a bit of adjusting. In fact, I still feel the pains of not being in Argentina and having my family and friends around. But this year is a year of change and challenge. I know this is difficult, but I guess that is the point.

I am now in Cusco (after a week in Lima and Arequipa). Tomorrow I trek for 4 days through the Lares Valley to Macchu Pichu. I can't wait to be in the mountains and experiencing life beyond the city even if its just for a few days.

I am coming to my last few weeks in South America. My heart is in this continent. Can't quite explain it yet but this whole continent has changed me. It has given me new life and for that I am truly privilaged and grateful. Maybe once I have been through the mountains for a few days I will have more clarity.

Leaving my heart in Buenos Aires

So I am leaving Argentina in 7 hours.

Words can not express how i feel about this country completely. I am in love with this place and my friends & family i have made here. I leave this city (for now) with my heart full and with a big smile.

To all those who have been a part of my life here - you have my heart and I look forward to the Russian Dolls soon.

Love Esh

Eyes wide open

I am not the person I once was. I will forever be me, but I am moving towards the person I will be. I live in this world. All my life I see the world through the eyes of a boy. But the world is not as it was – in my head or in reality. I knew of injustices. I knew of pain. But they were always external. I don’t pretend to have seen the world and all its problems, but my eyes and ears are open now.

This world is no longer our world. Run by ideas that are not for the people or by the people. The power plays the people. And those with it, say this is the way it is. But it is only that way because they make it that way.

If you have a chance, take a look at this BBC documentary 'The Century of the Self'
(4 x 1 hours). It's on youtube and for any Spanish speakers - my friend has translated the first episode and made subtitles for it. The documentary is about the control of the masses.

Another really great documentary is call 'The Story of Stuff'. There are a few parts to watch but is world watching because it is very clear and easy to understand. It's about 'our consumer-driven culture — from resource extraction to iPod incineration — exposing the real costs of our use-it and lose-it approach to stuff.'

My eyes are opening to all possibilities - of what is actually reality and for me... what should not be a part of my reality. I now realise I have a choice. But the revolution will not be televised always... it will happen. But for that to occur we have to have a better understanding of what is happening.

'A Generational Challenge to Repower America' and the World

I am sitting here in Buenos Aires and have just watched a video that has just rocked my world. Al Gore has just made an address that has challenged the US to commit to producing 100% of its electricity from renewable energy and clean carbon-free sources within 10 years. I felt that it is something worth sharing and putting it out there for discussion. For most of us who do not live in the US, I still feel that this is an important thing to see and question about our own

If you have half an hour to spare, please go to this website to watch the full 30 minute speech or read the transcript. The video below is a 5 minute highlights version.


To put a real world spin this. As I travel around the world on what is turning out to be a year long Earth Odyssey, my ideas are evolving about the way we live our lives and the way things are structured. With every city i go to the people are all saying very similar things - the weather is changing, food is becoming more expensive and for most people in my generation, the thought of owning property is science fiction. Our world is definitely changing. It's winter here in Buenos Aires and although a year ago it apparently snowed here in the capital - this year its been sunny and averaging 23 degrees celsius.

Traveling for almost 7 months ago has also made me think about my footprint on this planet. I feel so selfish to be flying and traveling around when most people on this earth struggle for basic needs. My hope is that i use this experience for good. That is the my impact on this planet will be offset by the things I do with my life. I don't just mean Carbon Offsets, which are important (and I wish to learn more about), but also in what I achieve with my life. Finding the balance is always the goal... now i just need to find the method. Maybe I should not just look at it as an individual thing which is why I decided to email this post to many people.

If you have any ideas - my ears and my eyes and my heart is open for discussion...


If you have more time, here is a documentary that has really opened my eyes to what has become of our world.

The Story of Stuff - there are 7 parts
Explains our 'consumer-driven culture — from resource extraction to iPod incineration — exposing the real costs of our use-it and lose-it approach to stuff.'

CLICK HERE FOR DOCO

Maybe after we can change the means of energy production, we can then turn to the prospects of improving our mass transit systems around the world....

I just ate cow

Santi made dinner tonight. I ate part of a cow. And now I can't sleep.

I would not say i am a vegetarian, but all my beliefs and ideas about eating meat have been somewhat warped here in Argentina. Back home I very rarely ate red meat, mainly for environmental and cruelty reasons.

Save the Environment
A recent United Nations report entitled Livestock's Long Shadow concludes that eating meat is "one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global". The report finds that eating meat causes almost 40 per cent more greenhouse-gas emissions than all the cars, trucks, ships and planes in the world combined.

Here in Argentina, I hear people talk about how the meat is better here because the cows get to roam free, unlike in other counties. Does any one know more about this? To me it sounds somewhat naive. Raising cattle still impacts the land and the air, and I would think the slaughter methods are similar too... so how is it better?

As I ate the meat it reminded me of the first time I became conscience of the issue. It was a Sunday afternoon. I turned on the TV and started watching. I sank to the floor in awe and watched the most incredible film I had ever seen. I later found out that I was halfway through Baraka. There was a scene involving the cruel practices of chicken farming. I sat there and cried. The truth is this film changed my life and understanding.

But for some reason I seem to justify eating meat here. I have met so many vegetarians here that have had the same experience. It baffles me so.

July

Crap... it's July

6 Meses

Today marks 6 months to the day that I left Sydney. What are my feelings on that? It feels completely natural for me to be away at the moment. I was just looking back through my 20 GBs of photos for the last 27 years and I suddenly feel my family and friends. But what is more important at the moment is that I'm making new connections and enjoying my life in every way.

I was just looking ahead and trying to plan the next 6 months, but finding it almost impossible. I have realised that 2008 is my year away from the realities of a 'normal' life and is more about the realities of the modern world perhaps. As much as I'd love to continue a life of travel, I am realist and know that this is not possible. I actually miss working. I love what I did back home - film to me is still my present and future. I'll return to it soon enough.

Amigos

After traveling for so many months now, i can look back at the Odyssey so far and see things clearer already. This is not the first trip I have made. I have had the privilege of traveling many times before this one - usually on my own. What has made this Odyssey stupendously great has been the people I have met and not necessarily the place I have been in.

I realised it is about time to introduce to you the people who have dramatically impacted my life in the last few months.

3 months ago I arrived in Buenos Aires on my own... for one hour only. From the moment I entered the city I have been surrounded with incredible people.
After Spanish class one day I headed over to Johns' hostel (one of my classmates) for a beer. Little did i know from that one night on the rooftop terrace at the Hostel Estoril, under the trance of the beer and moon - this place would become my home for the next month and a half. Not only that, but the group of friends that was formed in those initial weeks would set the course for the rest of the trip and experience of South America. How extraordinary to meet such an incredible bunch of people in the one place at the one time. It was so nice to be just me and not have to go through Groundhog day everyday - having to explain who I was everyday to new people. We could just be friends. There was John (Norway), Santi (Argentina), Anne (Norway), Eric (USA), Donna (UK), Debra (USA), Amie (UK), Madoka (Japan), Chris (USA) and Jane (Australia). There were also the guys that worked the hostel. Meeting Santi and Maxi has opened up my world here beyond the tourist eye.

Santiago - my Argentine brother
So this man is a living legend! Over the last 3 months I have had the privilege of sharing grub, beers and banter with this eventual statesman and coolhunter extraordinaire. Santi has opened up his life and experience, and induced me into the world of Bs As - the best of which is Gardelito, La Bomba de Tiempo, Spring and Palermo. Together with his mum, Claudia, they have both welcomed me into their lives and home.
I made this for Santi's birthday. They are but some of the many great moments that have been in the last few months. Many people have come and gone, but it has been quite a ride. I had the great honour of being able to meet up with Amie, Anne and John again in Brazil when I traveled there with Beck.

The 3 Amigos:
The 3 amigos came from 3 different parts of the world. Santi, from Argentina, John... our Norwegian hermano, and me from Australia, Argentina....etc. From Llama faces to beer and fernet... many good times were had.

These are just a few people that I have met. I will always look forward the the Russian Dolls though... the sequel. Time and place yet to be decided.

Returning home to Buenos Aires

The Odyssey continues into its 6th month.

It was never planned quite like this, but life at this point has lead me to Buenos Aires... And I can't seem to leave. I can't explain why yet, but this city feels like home. I have been here for the most part of 3 and half months and I am thinking of staying longer. That is if I can find some work and then a place to live.

The journey back to Buenos Aires from Curitiba took 2 days of bus travel (5 buses and 2 taxis). The first bus - Curitiba to Foz Iguazu was the cliché bus from hell. To get into my seat I had to stand on in and slide in because the man in front to me already had reclined his seat to its full capability. Then, without too being judgmental, one of the fattest men I have ever seen sat in the seat next to me and shmooshed me into whatever little space I had left. 10 hours later the bus stopped at what I found out was nowhere near the bus station of Foz Iguazu (Brazilian side) that I needed to be at to catch another bus to cross the border into Argentina. Luckily, I found 2 Danish girls that were doing the same thing and were able to work out how to get to Puerto Iguazu (Argentinian side). Looking back now, the whole experience was quite comical. When we finally crossed the border into Argentina at 7AM, I had probably the biggest smile on my face that ever was - I felt as though I was home. To make me even happier Argentinian buses are renowned for being incredible. I booked a 190 peso bus with the reclining leather seats and traveled back to Bs As in style. Arriving the next morning in Bs As to friendly faces, friends and many hugs made it a great day.

The past few weeks have been filled with much partying and spending time hanging out my friends. The decision to stay here and change my tickets again was not a difficult one to make in reality. I understand though that as great as this city and country is there are of course major problems as well. The people in this city have been through so much over the past century and it seems to continue. Just seven years ago the country was thrown into chaos once again, resulting in half the population falling below the poverty line. If you want to know more, you can watch a 12 part documentary called 'Argentina: Ahora o Nunca' (Now or Never). I only just starting to understand the effect on the people here and reasons why this place is the way it is.

In reality, I have only just scratched the surface. There is so much more to experience and understand. My world of Bs As seems to only to take place between Palermo and San Telmo at the moment. This is just a tiny area area of what is a city of 13 million people. I am also adjusting back to Spanish. Since returning from Brazil a few weeks ago, I realised that Portuguese has killed my Spanish. I guess I didn't give it enough time to cement in my brain before I went to a country with a language that is in many ways similar, but very different at the same time. Even though it is challenging, I must persist. In fact this is why I am traveling and why I am here - because I need challenges like this to move forward. It seems to be too easy to talk English here at the moment, especially as most of my friends speak it. I must make more of an effort.

I seem to be struggling at the moment with the concept of balance. It feels as though I am breaking down the walls of what was once my life and I need to be building the foundations to make myself stronger than before. My friend Santiago reminded me that even though I feel at home here, I must remember that this is not my native country. Everything is difficult in some ways - it can be exhausting. I have also been hanging out with some incredible people and maybe living life as if everyday is a weekend. I have never lived my life in this way before. But there are things that I realise I must do and find the time for. At the same time, I love my life at the moment - having the freedom to share my time, my thoughts and my energy with great people.

For the moment, my life is Buenos Aires. The plans I had to travel back to London via Peru, NY and Toronto will have to wait for another few months.

On my way home to Buenos Aires

Today is my last day in Brazil. I am currently in Curitiba... the sustainable city. In 5 hours I take a 10 hour bus to Foz Iguazu (the Brazilian side of the Iguazu Falls). I arrive there in the morning and cross the border to the Argentinian city of Puerto Iguazu, then take a 17 hour bus back to my second home, Buenos Aires.

I have to say it has been quite liberating not having my computer with me while I have been in Brazil. I started reading again... even writing. I think it has reminded me of the importance in not relying on a computer for all of my work and communication. Like everything with my life, I hope to find a balance. I do look forward to writing about many of the things I have experienced and seen.

Until the next chapter...

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Leaving Buenos Aires... Part 1

So it has been a while since my last confession. Perhaps Buenos Aires has that effect on people. I am about to leave Buenos Aires with Beck. I will return in a month, but I feel sad to leave this place. There have been so many wonderful people here I have met and so many stories and experiences to talk about... I will write them down one day soon.
Until then, be safe and hablamos pronto.
Love to you all.
E

"Pollo" momentos

The past few days have illustrated the need for more sleep.

• After meeting some friends for dinner at 11pm on Wednesday night in Palermo, I got a taxi back to the hostel. I attempted a hybrid Spanish/English conversation with the driver. As I paid and got out of the taxi, the driver suggested that I get Spanish lessons... a confidence booster - I think not.
• By the afternoon of the following day (Thursday), my lack of sleep resulted in laughter for my fellow classmates. After our Profesor asked me what I liked about Buenos Aires was (en Español), you could hear the cogs in my brain tick over as the words 'Me gusta la pollo en Buenos Aires' (The like the chicken in Bs As). It amused everyone, but maybe not my Profesor. Hence the 'Pollo' moments.
• Of course rather than sleeping after the 'Pollo' Moment, I went out again with 2 of my fellow classmates that evening - John de Norway & Per de Suiza. We planned to have a big night, but instead we met up with 2 awesome Canadians, then went back to John's hostel where we drank beer on the terrace under the stars and full moon. Pretty much a perfect evening. By 3.30am I had fallen asleep on the bean bag and decided to go home. Forgetting where I was and only being 7 blocks from my bed, I found myself walking there. About half way, I realised how tired and that this was probably the stupidest thing I had done so far. Bs As is not the safest place... and not at night. Luckily I blend in somewhat with my dark hair and not so pale skin. Alas I did not feel safe. Next time I will just cab it... even if its 2 blocks.
  
• Due to not knowing it was Easter, I was going to have to change hostels for the next night as I didn't book ahead early enough. So the next morning at 9am I got up to check if someone had canceled for the evening and if I could stay. As I waited at reception, an English girl tried to pay for her accommodation only to find out that she had already done so the night before in a drunken state. I had a bit of a chuckle to myself. After finding out someone had canceled and I could stay:) I proceeded to climb the stairs back to my bed. When I go back to the room I noticed one of the guys had switched beds - while I thought this was odd, it was not uncommon. I also noticed in th 15 minutes I had gone, someone had already claimed my bed. I thought that was rude, but was to tired to care. I then went to my locker only to find it completely empty. My stomach dropped. Where were my bags, my passport, my laptop and my wallet? Trying to stay calm, I started to madly run around the very small room through other peoples bags and lockers. I was then going to wake up my new Chilean friend on the bunk above me to see if he had seen anyone take my stuff, when I thought to myself he looked different. I stopped. I walked over to the door and opened it, only to find on the front of the door it read '43B'. Realising I had walked up an extra flight of stairs and entered the weird and wacky clone world of my room 33B, I picked up my stomach off the floor and headed back to my bed one floor down. All my stuff was there, just as I had left it. A day of much needed sleep followed.
  

Spanish 101

6 months ago when I was planning this trip I decided that it was time for me to leave Australia for a while. The one thing that I knew I wanted to do was learn Spanish. Learning another language is important to me because I feel as though English is not the most important language on the planet. It certainly has become an important part of the Global Village, but to me each language is as important as the next. I feel rude coming to a country and expecting people to talk to me in my natural tongue. Hence Spanish became the objective and Argentina became the destination of choice.

The Argentinian connection is strong for me here. My grandfather lived here in Buenos Aires for many years and this is the city my mum was born in. She may not have grown up here, but I feel a connection.

So this morning after months of planning and waiting, i started Spanish lessons. For the next 6 weeks Spanish will be taking over my life. English was not spoken much at all and it was hard, but I made it though day 1. My teacher and 2 classmates (one from Sweden and another from Israel) seem really great. This is going to get harder, but this is why I am here.

Mate and Markets

The weather is hot. The sky is blue. The streets of the city are bare. Only a few souls fill the space. It's Sunday morning. Where is everyone I ask? Asleep probably. This is the city that starts to party at 2AM. The day begins late in the afternoon on Sunday.

Sunday afternoon was spent with great new friends at the Recoleta markets. My first day spent with true Argentinian's. We were introduced by a mutual amigo and instantly I felt like I was among close friends again. We explored the area and then found a spot in the shade. The place was filled with music, food and performers - the marionette performer was incredible. Then I was introduced to the Mate... and it was great. I love the idea of mate - sitting around sharing a drink with friends and chatting away. What a way to enjoy the afternoon as it turns to dusk. I couldn't stop smiling... a theme I have noticed all week. I think the company made it even better.

Bliss is the word.

Buenos Aires Odyssey: Day 1

My first day in Buenos Aires has made me really happy. This is the first day on my trip so far that I am truly on my own as well. So far I have been with friends and family from the day I left home almost 3 months ago. So when I arrived in a new continent, with no language skills... at 5AM and had to work out basic tasks like ordering a taxi into the city with no sleep for 2 days - i was reminded why I started traveling. To experience the other and to be out of my comfort zone.

After arriving so early I decided that it would be rude to walk into my hostel room, throw my bags down, climb up of the top bunk and sleep... at 6AM. So I waited and had breakfast downstairs at the hostel. I met Helen, an Australian (of course), who had also just arrived the night before. So we decided to walk the city and both fumble with Spanish together. My first impression of the city was of how incredible the buildings were, yet how run down everything was. After being warned by almost every person I talked to about Argentina, I felt completely safe walking around. Of course I am staying in the centre of the city, so it may be different areas. I also wasn't wearing any bling which probably helping me not to stand out.

Dinner was in San Tamlo after meeting up with Helen's friend (another Australia on a walkabout). We found a good and cheap restaurant (a prerequisite these days). Looking through the menu, I decided that the sound of Milanesa Pollo sounded good. I knew it was chicken but when a giant schnitzel turned up on my plate as technically my first meal in Argentina - the biggest smile took over my face and I knew that I had made the right decision to come here. Even as the 'Schnitzel King', who knew that schnitzel would show me my future...

After arriving back at the hostel I met my roommates from Chille and Brazil. We shared some beers at the bar... and I passed out... in bed I mean after i realised that sleep was imminent.

Finally in Buenos Aires

It took 3 flights and one whole day, but I have finally arrived in Buenos Aires - the city my mum was born in. I seem to be completely deaf in one ear now with all the pressure of going up and down in planes. But as I flew in there was the most incredible sight of the endless stream of lights that is the enormous city of Buenos Aires. The sun is beginning to rise now... an advantage of arriving in a new city at 4.45am. I have arrived at my hostel which is 150 metres from the giant Obelisco de Buenos Aires. I will explore later. For now its breakfast (free at the hostel) then off to bed. I know not the smarted thing to normally do, but its not like I will be jetlagged. Argentina is only 2 hours in front to the US. I'm just really and truly tired.

Later today I have to work out how to get to the 4 Spanish schools I have organised meetings for. But first... sleep, glorious sleep.

Preface

The only thing in life that doesn’t change… is change. So when my life started to feel as though I was comfortable, it began to scare me. I then made a decision. I quit my job and said goodbye to my family, my friends and the life that I knew.

Do you ever feel like to better yourself, you need to challenge all your ideas and practises and find all that is new, exciting and unfamiliar? I guess many people like idea of comfort and contentment, but I think at this crucial period of my life as already stand at the beginning of Act 2, that I need to progress forward in a different way. So this is where the E Odyssey begins. Travel is not something I take for granted. I know that I am completely privileged to be on this path and to be able to experience other worlds and cultures. As most people on this planet struggle every day, I do not want to travel just because I can. I need to have a purpose. I do not want to go through this odyssey and feel like I was taking from places and not giving something back. I have felt that I have done this in the past and feel that it would be selfish to continue on that path.

This blog is my way to share and make sense of these experiences along the way. For without a core and means of contemplation I’m afraid all would seem lost within the chaos and exhilaration of travel. This blog is also a way for me to stay connected to the people I hold dear that are not with me everyday.

Currently I am in New York - 2 months into the new odyssey. Over the next little while, I am going to attempt to track back through the last few months as well as process the present moments. I usually work in a non-linear way, so I guess it makes sense for my life to work the same way occasionally.

My goal is to be more open, find life’s balance and look towards sustainability.