Taking Off.

So many thoughts are going through my mind on this last day at home. It's been hard to try to let go of any expectations and just to go with the flow. This is what this program is about though. I don't know very much about how the next few days are going to go and I'm not really supposed to. I guess I'm just so used to having everything set out and planned for me. It's definitely a challenge to just live in the moment and trust that everything will turn out fine.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in you sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain. I really like this quote a lot because it sums up how I feel about this trip. It's time for me to set sail and discover a world completely unknown to me. A world that will make me question what's right or wrong, my outlook on things, my beliefs and my priorities.

I feel that although I can never be fully prepared for this kind of experience, I've learned a lot during the past semester with my Intercordia class. I've really learned to question many things and understood the possible negative effects I could have on locals when I travel abroad. It's easy to be ignorant and use stereotypes on peoples, cultures and races.

I've always had trouble making decision. I have this fear of regretting choices I make. But I don't have any second thoughts about this trip, I know it is right for me at this point. I'm very content to be leaving. Even though saying goodbye to family and friends was a bit hard today, I know it's just a see ya later because I'll be back before I know it. I'm feeling excited about leaving, a little nervous, but mostly excited to discover the unknown.

On a last note, I'd like to thank each and every one of my friends and family for supporting me. Even though they say "Ah, she's leaving us again!", I know they're still supportive of me. Especially my mom, who hasn't been a big fan of this trip from the start, especially because this time I'm a little less accessible than when I traveled in the past, which worries her. But I'm so glad she has tried her best to understand my motivations for this experience. She's done more than she had to, including helping out a lot with fundraising and buying stuff for the trip. She's been supporting me against her will, which is why I love her.

Well, this is it. Tomorrow I'm taking off. I'm ready for this, or at least ready as I'll ever be. Bring it on Ecuador, bring it on. :)