Testing, testing: Put me in coach, I'm ready to play.

OK -- so a domestic flight to someplace I've been once isn't that much of a test for my chops as a traveler. But it's at least some WD40 to my rusted airline skills. The trip to Atlanta for a Main Street conference will also let me try out some of my cool new travel items.

Chatted last night with an old friend. Like everyone, he also has felt the pain of ups and downs. I told him about this trip to South America and he said, "you're braver than I am." I guess that meant for heading out of the country alone somewhere that has a sketchy reputation.

I turn the sock inside out. Not so much brave but anti-coward. It scares me. Hell. it scares -- well at least annoys me -- when I am out of yogurt for my smoothie in the morning. 

But my life has changed. My first reaction is to be turtle enough to pull inside and retreat from any other chance of more painful realities.

But fuck fear. It's the fourth quarter of my playoff games and when the game is over, I want to know that I wasn't afraid to play with a concussion of the soul.

Connecting -- dissecting

It was another night at my local pub. My old neighbors and friends called me to join them. I brought photos going back nearly twenty years. Photos of our kids growing up together. Of us traveling as families.

Such good times. And here on the eve of selling the only home my kids have known, a decision on what mood to strike.

Easy to get melancholy -- so many changes.

But I keep thinking about the Mr. Rogers' quote: don't be sad it's over. Be happy that it happened.

--
I shared with them the latest I have learned. Of Quito and the funny connection to Oregon with the Willamette grads operating the hostel I will be staying at.

They seemed joyed at my joy -- or the anticipation of joy.

It was good to share. My old neighbors are planning a bon voyage party for me before I go.

Their love is the wind beneath my wings.

March 15, 2015

It's been a busy week and a change in schedule with the new trimester at the high school. My part-time job at the high school had its hours shifted so I show up at 9 a.m. -- a full 90 minutes earlier.
Combined with daylight savings -- that changes my circadian clock by 2.5 hours.

Or in other words -- the same time difference in Ecuador.

Man, adaption and flexibility. That's the question. Can I handle the type of unanticipated changes that living on the road will bring.

My focus this past week is getting into what it means to release yourself to travel. For help, I've turned to travel writer Rolf Pott's book -- Vagabonding:

"Vagabonding is about taking time off from your normal life—from six weeks to four months to two years—to discover and experience the world on your own terms. Veteran shoestring traveler Rolf Potts shows how anyone armed with an independent spirit can achieve the dream of extended overseas travel. Potts gives the necessary information on:

• financing your travel time  
• determining your destination  
• adjusting to life on the road
• working and volunteering overseas  
• handling travel adversity  
• re-assimilating back into ordinary life

Not just a plan of action, vagabonding is an outlook on life that emphasizes creativity, discovery, and the growth of the spirit. Visit the vagabonding community’s hub at www.vagabonding.net."
----
Perhaps like so many things in life, it's about attitude. It's been a traumatic year with many significant changes. Time will tell if that -- and my responses to that -- have weakened my ability to cope or improved it.

Go big (actually go small) or go home

I am so weird. I read something new and then I want to do it. Actually a couple of articles and books have mentioned this, but last night I read it in Rick Steves' advice to travelers. 

"Take only enough to get started. If you find yourself in Bulgaria trying to buy something that looks like toothpaste, it only enhances the travel experience."

So I had been toying around with this idea for several days -- could I get by with only my very cool backpack? (More on the backpack later).

I was planning to use a new and very cool carry-on that was a thoughtful Christmas gift -- and my backpack.

It is so tempting from the standpoint of making this more than a trip -- but a journey. As I say to my friends and family, the way in is the way out.

It is the heart of Zen. The less you have, the less you have to worry about -- the less you have to lose.

So being the weird guy that I am, I will lay out what I think I need for a month in South America and see if it fits.

Made in Montana by Red Oxx

"PLACES FOR YOUR BELONGINGS.

You want pockets? The Roadster has handy exterior zippered raised pockets (6"W x 7"H x 2"D on the front and 12"H x 6"W x 2"D on each side) to give you plenty of room and keep your belongings organized.

In the spacious main top-loading compartment you could pack your plentiful picnic, the raised side pockets holding your wine, spirits or soda bottles and glasses and the front pocket your cheese, appetizers or dessert and the top flap pocket your silverware. Attach your blanket with the buckled loop compression straps on the bottom."

One cool thing about this pack is that it is guarenteed FOREVER. Not lifetime. Forever. So it is also a family heirloom.

Pictures to follow as I see how much I can get into this.