What it all comes to

So here we are at the beginning of our last week of travel ...

I've been trying to put together what we've seen and experienced and understand why this time was so important for me; I did so much to take it and it seemed like a matter of life and death, as if I needed this trip in order to breath again, to feel alive.

A year ago 6 months around the world, seemed like an impossible achievement, like something that needed to be left to the 'people with guts'.
I had pictured this sabbatical from Lara as a dream to clear my head and figure out in which direction I wanted to go ... It had to be a time to learn, a time that had to TEACH ME.

Did it teach me? Did I actually figure something out?
Yes in some way I did.

First of all I understood that my expectations are really high and that when you fantasize something is never as it actually is.

Also by the time you manage to move away from your work schedule, your work worries and the daily things that we are accustomed to, you realize how in the big picture it's all crap. Obviously this does not apply to everyone. ... but is managing someone else's money (in a  company that in the end only rewards you so you'll be more motivated to continue) and that does not actually improve anything in the world something that makes ME passionate?

In order to succeed in something you have to be committed to it, you need to be passionate about it, so the point is figuring out what it is that makes you passionate?
I envy people that know what they want, when you are sure about what you want everything is easier and on the practical side, it's cheaper too.

In the article below it is mentioned that travel opens your eyes on what you do not really know, for me it has opened my eyes on what makes my heart shake and how often you are powerless among what you see.

http://www.southeastasiabackpacker.com/notes-from-the-editor-what-does-travel-teach-us

As mentioned in the article I too, got a PADI (advanced actually), learned to sleep with cockroaches, eat in places where the walls are so black you thought you would for sure get sick from just sitting on the chair, be patient when everybody rolls over you to get on the bus and nobody respects the line.
But what it really taught me are those important things that move my heart and make me passionate.

Our were not 40 days but 150 days dream ....

Cabo de la Vela - Colombian desert

Cabo de la Vela con la esperanza que la beleza no cambia

Main street

Kitesurfing

Shower moments

El paseo

Brisas de Caribe

Rowling

La Guajira

View from  Monte de azucar

Lost in the desert ... how are we going to get out of this one?

Wayuu home

my Wayuu aunt

Local women

Uribia - Colombia

On our way to Cabo de la Vela in the Guajira peninsula - our first stop in the Wayuu desert

Local transportation

Wayuu

Tayrona National Park- Colombia

Tayrona National Park

Our room

 Still dreaming

Taganga - Colombia

Overlooking Taganga

 Taganga streets

 Long Beach

Oldest church in South America

Volcano El Totumo - Colombia

El Totumo Volcano is is a mud volcano that raises itself  at about 15 m. According to local lore, the volcano used to spew fire, lava, and ashes, but it was turned into mud by a local priest who believed it was the work of the Devil, and ensued to banish him by sprinkling holy water into it.

Central America Tour 2012

PANAMA

30 July 2012 - Panama City - Atlanta - Rome - Catania
28 July 2012 - Panama City

COLOMBIA

27 July 2012 - Cartagena

23 July 2012 - Medellin

21 July 2012 - Barichara
20 July 2012 - San Gil
15 July 2012 - Cabo de la Vela

12 July 2012 - Tayrona National Park

07 July 2012 - Taganga
04 July 2012 - Cartagena

PANAMA

01 July 2012 - Panama City

28 June 2012 -Sun Blas Kuna islands

27 June 2012 -Panama City

COSTA RICA

24 June 2012 - Puerto Jimenez
22 June 2012 - Corcovado National Park

21 June 2012 - Puerto Jimenez

20 June 2012 - Golfito 

PANAMA

09 June 2012 - Bocas del Toro
13 June 2012 - Isla de Bastimentos
13 June 2012 - Isla de Zapatillas
14 June 2012 - Boca del Drago
19 June 2012 - Playa El Bluff

COSTA RICA

05 June 2012 - Puerto Viejo
05 June 2012 - San Jose

04 June 2012 - Monteverde

02 June 2012 - Montezuma

 
NICARAGUA

31 May 2012 - Popoyo
28 May 2012 - San Juan del Sur
21 May 2012 - Isla de Ometepe
20 May 2012 - Granada
18 May 2012 - Laguna de Apoyo
17 May 2012 - Masaya
15 May 2012 - Big Corn Island
09 May 2012 - Little Corn Island
08 May 2012 - Bluefields
07 May 2012 - Managua - El Rama
05 May 2012 - La Penitas/Poneloya (Pacific)
04 May 2012 - Cerro Negro - Leon

02 May 2012 - Leon

  
EL SALVADOR
 

01 May 2012 - San Salvador
30 April 2012 - Playa El Tunco
29 April 2012 - Playa El Zonte

HONDURAS

28 April 2012 - Copan las Ruinas

19 April 2012 - Isla de Utila

18 April 2012 - Puerto Cortez/San Pedro Sula/La Ceiba

GUATEMALA

14 April 2012 - Livingston/Rio Dulce (Hotelito Perdito)

13 April 2012 - Livingston

BELIZE

12 April 2012 - Punta Gorda
10 April 2012 - Hopkins

09 April 2012 - Orange Walk/Lamanai

01 April 2012 - Caye Caulker (North Cayes)

27 March 2012 - Tobacco Caye (South Cayes)

GUATEMALA

24 March 2012 - Flores / Tikal (El Peten)
22 March 2012 - Ciudad de Guatemala
18 March 2012 - Lanquin (Semuc Champey)
12 March 2012 - Chichicastenango - San Pedro (Lago de Atitlan)
09 March 2012 - San Pedro La Laguna (Lago de Atitlan)
07 March 2012 - Antigua
05 March 2012 - Catania - Roma - Miami - Ciudad de Guatemala


View Central America Tour 2012 in a larger map

Unexpected Colombia!

Tomorrow we should be on a plain back to Sicily but instead, scared that this dream would end, we extended our journey to South America - Colombia!
One more month moving up and down between chicken buses and 'lancia' boats enjoying the moment.

Getting to Colombia was not easy ... my ignorance made me ignore that there is no land passage between Panama and South America ... the border is a no access way called 'Darien Gap' due to guerrillas for drug control.
The most common way for travelers to over come the issue of crossing the border is to sail the gap, but since our budget is limited and we need to go back to Panama this solution was not affordable ... Another way is to travel with small 'lancia' boats for two days in order to get to the first city in Colombia. After trying to go with this second solution for a week without managing we took the easy way ... Flying! So here we are in Cartagena Colombia a beautiful colonial city which sets the beginning of a new adventure!

Food

Guatemala

Belize

El Salvador

Honduras

Nicaragua