I want to see the world!

    “ The Universe is made of stories, not of atoms.” Muriel Rukeyser

    I just arrived in Paris today and have been reflecting on all the cultures, people, food, transportation, languages and personalities I have discovered this summer alone. Amsterdam and Ecuador are both amazing places to visit with the nicest people but completely different in just about every aspect you can think of. I am very lucky to have had a chance to explore both places for a week this summer. You can study abroad anywhere in the world you want to go but the question is... have you been enough places to know where that is?

    I am not new to traveling near and far either by car, train, bus, plane or boat. My parents took me and my 2 sisters on many trips growing up, most of them educational but we did go to Disney World in Orlando, Florida at least 10 times. :) In the United States alone I’ve been as far north as the Atlantic shores of Massachusetts and the midwest plains of Iowa, and as far south as Padre Island, Texas and Miami, Florida. I’ve been west to Los Angeles and as far east as Rhode Island and Virginia. I’ve seen most of the islands in the Caribbean, and most tourist towns in Mexico. Caracas, Venezuela, Beijing and Shanghai, China, Rome, Italy and now back in Paris for the third time. 

    In the past 3 months I spent over a week in Amsterdam, Netherlands with my family and over a week all over Ecuador with my best friend Mike. I have a point, I promise. What I am trying to say is that there are too many places for someone to see in one lifetime and that’s even starting in your childhood. So many people are scared to leave their home town, their home state, or their home country. Many won’t get on an airplane or take a cruise. Life is way too short to be afraid of the wonderful possibilities the world has in store. I am only 31 years old and I feel like I still have so much world to see! 

    Most of my friends back home in Texas have gotten married and/or had children while I have been enjoying the single and free life for the past 3 years. I wanted the American dream like most little girls do, but then I grew up and realized that it’s not for me. More than anything else, I want to be happy… sublimely, supremely happy! Husband, house, kids, settling down, etc sounds like death to me. But I didn’t know that until I hit 30 and was single and alone. It took awhile to adjust to the single life especially when you watch all of your friends settle down. But looking back on the past 3 years I would not have done it any other way.

    So being young. healthy, single, and able I am just starting to see the world. Amsterdam was amazing! I love family vacations because my family is awesome. I’m the youngest of 3 girls and my parents have been married for 35 years now. We went to the Rembrandt Museum, ate traditional Dutch pancakes, visited the wooden shoe makers and windmills, and of course took the Heineken Brewery tour! So much fun! I should write an entire article about Amsterdam since my sister is there getting her Masters. But another time…

    I loved Ecuador! The people there are so very different from anywhere else I have ever been. They are not in such a hurry all the time like Americans, giving time to walk and bike places. Yes, it is a third world country so they do not all have the luxury of having a car but that’s the beauty in it! They are happy, happy people surfing and talking, spending time with family and friends. They truly are enjoying life just not how Americans think of it. As my friend Mike would say, “It’s a cultural thing.” :) I learned how to box with him at the local gym, we ate the best hamburgers ever along with the most amazing Argentinian food. I learned to surf too! We relaxed in hammocks on the beach for hours and went into town in Montanita to enjoy South American beach life. I even caught a starfish but put him back so he wouldn't die. That was awesome!
    I have so much to write about this will have to be continued later… :) But I have arrived in Paris for my year abroad at the American University of Paris. :)