Diary of 3 Weeks in Mexico

June 4 2007
7am

At 6:30am this morning my Continental flight took off in which will eventually route me internationally once again. This year has just been amazing with regard to the amount of travelling in my life, and I can´t imagine, at this point in my life, it being any different.

A fresh college graduate (now about 20 days with a diploma) I booked this trip in early april with Kristen - arranged some details in the beginning of may and then since graduation, we´ve ironed out our plan and invited others along for the adventure. I think though at this point it may end up just Kristen and Julie on another 3-week adventure.

The plan is 5 cities in 3 weeks arriving to Guadalajara at just about 3pm today and beginning the adventure from there. We´ve picked some exciting cities, some leisurly rest stops, and what I hope will be a great plan.

We also realize Mexico is no Western Europe and have adapted our strategy a bit for this one- a few more safety precautions, more pre-venture research, talking with friends who´ve been, and bringing along next to nothing in clothing and accesories or anything valuable; instead loading our bags with first aid kits, bottled water, padlocks, sunblock, and sneakers. No computers, cell phones, ipods- the only technology being digital cameras to capture the memories forever.

We´re beginning our descent into Cleveland- I´m watching the clouds pass by my window quickly, leaving small waterdróplets on the outer of my double-ply windows, then each quickly propelled backward with the force of the wind. And I think that´s exactly how I feel right now, paused for just a second, disturbed from my normally soft and clean surroundings, now ready but yet unprepared to be propelled into a new adventure... pushed, ready or not. Unlike the water droplet however, this trip was in fact my decision, all my planning and desire, but again I´m holding on, as best I know how, just for a brief second. But propelled into what? Yes, at this second, I am awaiting a Mexican adventure, but maybe the adventure itself is also a brief distraction; me preventing myself from propelling into the adult world. I´m holding onto my college-self (or at least the me of the past few semesters) and yes, getting propelled into something new: adulthood, the working world. And I feel this resistant desire for one last youthful- but very independant and adult- adventure as my new life is on the brink of colliding with my old. And amidst all this, I am so excited for all of it.

I´m ready. Let´s take that leap- first into the next few weeks of cultural and linguistical immersion- this passion, this natural high rooted deep within the desires of my heart, something that´s become such a part of me, and yes! It´s here again. Mexico, here I come- ready and able to experience you and all your people and culture have to offer, on a shoestring budget of course. Next stop Houston, then Guadalajara and the unknown in just a few hours!