Episode 1 – I think I know what I'm doing

The other day I opened a fortune cookie that said, “give yourself a day off – at least give yourself a relaxing evening.” It's not saying I deserve to take some time off because of my work, my efforts or anything else. It's just saying “take some time to chill.” I'd like to dedicate this dessert message to you all too. You should relax and reflect and enjoy time doing whatever you want. In my case I've decided to quit my job, move out of the house and take a trip south from Colorado to Colombia to Cuba. I wish I could tell you I based this decision around more than just a message folded into a Chinese cookie, but I don't think I wish that at all.

I've made some preperations and I'm ready to fly into the heart of Colombia. Medellin. (Meddy jean!!! as those "proper" Spanish speakers love to correct.) Tomorrow will be the day. Am I excited? Sure. Nervous? Meh. Looking forward to the days and relaxing evenings without any responsibilities? 

I've been telling people I'm done working until 2017. I won't be working like I have been -behind a desk and in an office. I never actually had my own office, but I was in this cozy little corner spot of our shared office that felt a little isolated despite the fact that the combined heat of everyone's breathing liked to settle in and around my “work space.” Maybe I picked moving to a rain-forest because I didn't want my daily climate to change. I suppose that'll have to be one of the many observations I make on this journey.

There's really no reason to leave a place like Colorado, except for the fact that by leaving you get to be one of the rare residents who's not coming to this state but going. Maybe it's the inner hipster in me who just wants to do the opposite of what everyone else does. Of course I'll be back after only a few weeks to live in the Highlands, use my ski pass and scope out the fifty new breweries, but that's hardly the point.

I've been slowly talking to people in my life about this “adventure” or “vacation” and I've been getting some wild advice. Even this evening, the night before my departure, my friend echoed what I've heard so many times that I should watch out and not get robbed. I know she, like many, is merely interested in my well being, but it's funny how much similar counsel I've gotten. I've been instructed to not get hurt, watch out for crooks, don't get lost, keep your money safe and a whole bunch of other "fortune cookie" messages.

I am going to a land full of different routines and cultures and I'm sure it will be a shock to the system. I may encounter danger at times and I'll very likely put myself into situations that require great savvy to experience without ending in some harmful way. I have to get out of my comfort zone for a while. Sure it's a vacation, but I'm likely to struggle with basic day to day things that would normally be mindless activities here at home. I want to be able to appreciate every activity from navigating through the streets for a bite to eat to meeting new friends and going off into the night with no idea as to where I am or where I'm going.

I'm taking this trip for myself but I also want to be a source of information for all those people who want to say, “watch out for the dangers that be.” I want to put himself into these situations to arrive the next day reflecting on them merely as accomplishments. That's really all it is in these other parts of the world. It's people just like you and me who look different, speak in different languages but all just want to connect and have fun during the brief moments they have to remember. Or maybe not in Colombia. What do I know?

And so as I puff out my chest and try to talk fancy about what is actually just me dropping everything to take a long vacation I invite you to watch and to see what I experience. I sit here on my couch on an unusually warm Denver Halloween and all I can do is try to positively reinforce that I know what I'm doing and that all will be well and that people will enjoy the stories I hope to tell on this adventure. Perhaps it will happen that way. Or perhaps everything I thought I knew will shatter and reshape into something entirely different.

I'm gonna give myself a day off. I'm going to get out there and swim in the ocean. I'll drink and dance with the locals. I'll see the sites and tour the museums. I'll learn about these places and do everything I can. I may encounter difficulties along the way, but I'll be happy and when I remember this time I'll be glad I did it. So here goes nothing!

I'm off!