Some perspective on the Big 3-0

Since I am minutes away from turning 30 my mind is obviously doing a lot of thinking of what this means. It is interesting how prospectives can easily change based upon situations we are in. If you asked me 20, 10, 5, or even 3 years ago I likely had a different idea of where I thought I would be in my life when I turned 30. I'm sure many of you were certain I would be living somewhere in suburbia with a white picket fence too. In the end that isn't the life I have created for myself, and sure I could have done some things differently, but at the end of the day I don't have regrets because I have become a confident more aware person.

I'm proud of the chance I took to take a huge step outside of my comfort zone to quit my job and travel to unknown countries by myself. The 26 year old I thought I was going to be would have never thought to have done something this "dangerous/risky/crazy". Thanks to this incredible experience I gained confidence, independence, and awareness I would have likely never developed. I would have never thought that at 27 I would have accepted a job that required almost weekly travel and to be sales forward. I knew that it would be a challenge for multiple reasons but also great career growth. Because of this experience I continue to become confident and independent in growing a career as a business professional. I enjoy feeling successful and knowing that I can support myself. There are numerous other decisions and chances I have taken; some big and some small.

My life may be different; but I'm a better person for who I have become. In looking back on these 30 years I am thankful for all that I have learned and gained from taking chances I would have never thought of. No doubt I have had some incredible opportunities and I'm glad I have woken up and taken advantage and appreciated them. Here is to a wonderful first year in my 30s filled with taking chances that I'm confident will payoff in great dividends.

Lesson: Take chances and recognize that there is not a certain path or way that things are supposed to go. Remember to do what is best for you personally, not what others think.

Galapagos

Don't worry pictures and stories from the Galapagos will be coming... With over 2,400 pictures it is taking some time to make my way through them. The stories are endless so I'll try to pick a few and give everyone an idea of the Galapagos, since it was a trip of a lifetime and challenging to get it.

Foggy Flight Delays

With all my travels I've gotten used to flight delays due to fog. This morning I'm not sure if I'm in Quito or San Francisco. Upon waking up at 3:50am to leave Hacienda Cusin by 4:15 we arrived at the new Quito airport at 5:30 in the pitch of dark for our 8am flight.

The new Quito airport has only been opened for 2 weeks but at 9,200 feet and situated in a small valley of huge mountains, it is easy for the fog to get socked in, and guess what have flight delays. Not sure if the old airport had delays but hopefully they learned something from SFO and developed this new airport with runways that are separate from each other. We don't need multiple airports becoming notorious for delays due to fog.

El Mitad del Mundo- Ecuador

Anyone have any ideas on how life changing the stop along the Pan American highway is to see the equator line? In short it is probably one of the more underwhelming experiences as it is marked by a small globe with a brick line. As much as the landmark wasn't life changing the idea of being smack dab on the equator halfway between the north and the south was incredible. Aside from Australia all of my travels have been spent in the northern hemisphere so who knows maybe more travel in the south is to come.

Vasco Vieja- Panama City

I've never been to Miami but many people compare Panama City to it. The waterfront is full of new construction condo skyrises, of course with Mr. Trump owning the largest at over 70 stories. It is a modern city with the influence of the United States control of the canal, yet it keeps its roots as a colonial Latin America city.

During a tour of Vasco Vieja we wandered through the Plaza Mayor and around the old city wall. This neighborhood is a UNESCO heritage site so currently you see a mixture of old buildings with graffiti, no windows and falling apart and next door might be a recently restored building that looks like it would be on a quaint cobblestone road in Europe.

A highlight of the tour was visiting the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores- Palacio Bolivar which is equivalent to our state department. The President of Costa Rica was present as they were having meetings to discuss security on their border. We then were given a brief tour (something our guide had never had in his 4 years) of the building and upon signing a book that only VIPs and foreign politicians sign (Biden recently signed) we were brought into a room to see a replica of the gold sword of Bolivar. He was given this sword for leading Panama to independence.

What a special day exploring the Vasco Viejo- historical old town of Panama City.