For the first time in my life, while on the bus to Peru from Ecuador, I finally felt I am participating in the world. The terrain, the beautiful mountains and the ocean made me not think that I will be on the bus for another 15 hours.
1. Just go!
I kept saying this “just go” thing but it’s for real. I used to plan everything: from buying a bus ticket to booking a hotel to knowing where to go next. It sucks. It sucks to have a plan. You were always scared and don’t want to do things spontaneously because you have a plan. Do you know that feeling? Now things are all different. I realized I can just take a bus and start over without having to worry about anything. I’ve done it a lot of times, you know, just leaving when I feel like leaving. Go to the bus station, buy a ticket then go. Follow where your heart leads you.
2. Love doesn’t change. We do.
After my first romantic disappointment, in seven months, I have never again tried to open myself up with any man I met in this journey. I mean, what for? Of all the things I’ve experienced since then, love has been the most difficult. Everyone has been trying to understand the world through love but not all of us get it. Then I realized, love is the language of the world and I fully understood, through this journey, that you don’t need ownership in order to express love. It can be expressed for children, for pets, for people you work with, etc. It doesn’t depend on how we look at it — love is love. Period.
3. I don’t need much things.
… materially speaking. After living out of a 90-liter backpack for 10 months, I look back on all the things I owned before — a whole room of fancy shoes, signature clothes, expensive jewellery — everything doesn’t matter now. I’ve learned how to live life simply and I am really sad that I get annoyed with people posting having new gadgets, expensive handbags and material things on Facebook. I used to be this person. Why am I annoyed with this? Well, not really annoyed. I just came to a conclusion that there’s more to life than all these shining shimmering stuff. But if it makes you happy, then go for it! I won’t stop you at all. 🙂 I just want you to know that, despite of having less now, I am truly happy. I’m not just saying it. I feel the bliss. I don’t think happiness is valid not unless you really feel it roaring in your chest.
4. Travellers don’t have money.
I’ve met a lot of travellers who are seeing the world out of their meager savings from 2 years ago and yet, they are still here. I don’t buy that excuse when people say, “we cannot travel because we don’t have money.” So you think I have it? Neither do I! I just found ways on how to live. Volunteering, staying with families, etc. There are a 100+ ways to see the world even if you don’t have money! But believe me, it is not the key to seeing the world. Like love, no one could ever understand faith but it is what I am experiencing right now. It exists because I believe in it. None of us knows what might happen the next minute and yet we still go forward because we have faith.
5. There’s no need to rush.
6. Learning A Language = Respect
7. Latin America is the right way.
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- Peru solo travel: 6 months, 2 bags, 1 girl - June 11, 2022
Matthew
Wednesday 14th of May 2014
Yep, great advice and interesting article. Thanks.
Corinne
Monday 21st of April 2014
Trisha, Lovely thoughts and words. I hope people listen. Good advice!
Trisha Velarmino
Monday 12th of May 2014
Thank you, Corinne!
AZ Backpack ME
Wednesday 16th of April 2014
We've often been stared at weirdly in India when we tell people (even family) that we LOVE South America! Just like you say, people find USA or Europe much more appealing.. Well, they don't know what they're missing on! But it's also our missing to make them see how beautiful SA is! :)
Trisha Velarmino
Monday 12th of May 2014
I definitely agree, Z!
Cubic Zirconia Peridot
Tuesday 15th of April 2014
Awesome post .i hope everybody will like your post