I’m off on vacation. It’s my most amazing vacation ever, and I’m very excited. When I first booked the first part of it in early October, I realized it was the first time all year that I had been truly looking forward to something. If we say that it is not only important to stand up for the girl with her doctor, I think we can also say it is worthwhile saving money and using it for the things that make you feel alive. For me, one of those things is international travel.
Thus dear husband and I are currently en route to Ecuador, where we will spend three weeks having aventuras. We’ll arrive in Quito (currently killing time in the Atlanta airport) tonight and be there through the weekend. We’ll explore the old city and a museum and maybe some of the indigenous markets within an easy bus ride. Then on Monday we’ll fly to San Cristobal, board a boat, and spend 8 days cruising the Galapagos. I know, isn’t it amazing? This was something that has long been on my bucket list, and I thought it would never be possible. But for those of you with similar dreams, let me tell you that if you look in early October for boat trips in November, you can stumble on opportunities to take the last two spots on a 20-person tour for half price. Also if you, like me, travel a lot for work, you can get your plane tickets for close to free. It’s actually way easier than trying to use those frequent flier miles to get to Europe.
I am dreaming of giant tortoises.
After that part of the trip, we fly back to Quito for a couple of days, where I’m hoping to meet a teenage girl that I sponsor so she can stay in school and finish her education. Then we take a bus, small plane, and dugout canoe into the Amazonian rain forest to stay at a small ecolodge for five days, learning about the indigenous people who live there, their way of life, and their fight with giant oil companies to protect the forest.
I am hoping to see anacondas from a distance and monkeys up close.
As an added bonus, my husband is a delightful travel companion and is as excited about this trip as a little boy. I’m excited too and just love the emotional lift I get out of this journey. I can feel the presence of the littlest girl and of Anxiety, and they are both going to be fine as long as we take our malaria pills and avoid all close contact with snakes and jaguars. I am committed to making time, even in the midst of playing explorer, to listen to them and my other internal parts.
What I don’t know is how much I will be posting or reading and responding to your posts. Please don’t feel slighted if I’m not following you as closely as usual. I will have less time, and I may not always have internet connection. But I will be send healthy, loving, life-embracing thoughts to you all regardless. Abrazos.
Sage Burning 
Oh, my goodness. That is a dream vacation! I am extremely jealous. I am also very happy for you. Stay away from the Anacondas. Just the word makes me nervous. Take care of yourself and the Girl.
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Thank you! I know it is a dream, and at times I have hesitated to tell people because it’s a rare and precious opportunity. But it’s amazing how much cheaper it can be to do these things than you think. It’s a good reminder to me that when you become clear about priorities for your time and money, more is possible than you think. (I forget that sometimes).
And yes, we will all stay safe, physically and emotionally… I won’t be disappointed if I don’t meet an anaconda. 🙂
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My wife and I used to travel extensively before we had kids. And it was the same thing…people used to always ask us how we could afford all of the travel….like 4 weeks a year of international travel….but we knew that we did not buy lots of material stuff. Our priority was travel.
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I’m really just jealous because our kids are not really capable of traveling for extended distances or extended lengths of times right now. They require lots of routine and structure.
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I hope the trip is everything you need it to be. 🙂
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Amazing and totally inspiring. 🙂 I hope that all comes together perfectly. Whatever happens, it is bound to be the experience of a lifetime. I look forward to hearing your stories in the fullness of time, and bon voyage. xx
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Safe journeys and pleasant memories! 🙂
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Wow that sounds like an amazing trip. I visited Quito and it’s a great city. I need to go back and do the Galapagos!
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I am a bit jelous but you have an absolutely fabulous time!!
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This trip sounds absolutely incredible, and you deserve it, nothing to feel guilty about!! Appreciating and enjoying what you have is enough; which you do. I look forward to hearing all about it upon your return! Love, R.
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So jealous you are going to Galapagos! Please post pcitures and share that experience! It is something I have always wanted to do, that is my dream vacation. Have fun! You deserve to enjoy this. Xx
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It does feel like a dream that we get to do this. I hope you will be able to make it happen one day too. I will post photos later on. We are still in Quito for a few more days.
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What an amazing adventure you are sure to be having. Enjoy it all!
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Sounds wondrous!
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