My friend T: So how long are you planning on staying in SF?
Me:  I don't know. After 4th of July most likely?
My friend T: Really?! I thought you were going to stay for like ... a MONTH.

OMG. Do NOT extend open invitations like that for me [in the Bay Area] ... b/c I just may take it with open arms! 

There is an infinite amount of things to do, facts to learn, places to go, and ppl to meet. I know some pretty wonderful peeps that can roam freely around the world w/zero cares, little money, and not much else. Unfortunately (or fortunately), I am not one of them ...

I miss my career the most, isn't that whack? My parents and loved ones are tucked away in a safe little place called Vancouver, so my worries end there. I miss news. I miss chasing silly stories in lieu of higher hopes. I miss decorating my little place. I miss having a real house instead of a suitcase.

Which brings me back to America. Things I don't miss? Crazy living! It's been nearly a week and STILL plenty hard adjusting. For example:

• this whole flushing toilet thing? WEIRD. I'm used to scooping and pouring a bucket of dirty water from a well b/c that's how we roll.
• toilet paper. You mean I DON'T have to supply my own TP in public washrooms?!
• throwing the paper DIRECTLY into the toilet. In other countries, it clogs. In North America, it's ok. It's still hard to wrap my mind around this.
• NOT J-walking. Here? It's illegal. Over there? It's SURVIVAL.
• Cars stopping for the pedestrian. It's such a novelty that I stop, wave and say thanks.
• Clean food. You mean it's NOT ok to have pieces of hair and crap stuck to my empanada or tamale?!
• Breathing space on public transportation. I'm used to seeing 3 kids tucked in a corner, an old woman crouching on the aisle, and a girl on my lap.
• boring buses. Whenever I'm hungry in S. America, I patiently wait for the neighbours to climb aboard, make a long/loud speech announcing their food/product, and be served asap!

Cartagena, Colombia

Popoyan, Colombia

Selling cigarettes/alcohol at a random stall in the streets.

Salento, Colombia

Quiebra Canto in Bogota, Colombia

  

It's great meeting ppl you can instantly gravitate to, click with, and finally turn my brain off a bit. It's hard being a girl just because you have to watch your front and back at the same time, all the time.  

So I was with this couple for a few days. Coolest people ever. The dude is an Aussie and the chick is French. He was robbed in the past so Aussie is SUPER paranoid 24/7. He always thinks everyone is out to get him. It's great for me? To have an extra pair of cautious eyes. But it must suck a tiny bit, having to assume the worst out of everyone.

Just a few days earlier, I was thinking how lucky I am to be part of the minority. Because 80% of the people I meet have been robbed or mugged at one point or another. It's almost inevitable once you've been on the road long enough. It really sucks, because I'm always defending "these types of countries" and while it's not the safest or cleanest, I never want this factor to colour my perspectives.

So where was I? Right. How I was a part of the minority. Key word? WAS.

I can blog about getting robbed but bottom line was I put my guard down for 2 minutes and that's all it took. I cried, threw a fit, got depressed, and then got over it. I'm down a couple hundred, an ipod, and worst of all, my beloved camera. The good news is the passport and my safety is still intact, which is all that should really matter.

Shit happens to the best of us and when you've been on the road long enough, it's bound to happen in one form or another. There's a thin line between being street smart, and being overly paranoid and assuming the worst of everyone. And I never want to cross it.

... how´s that for a cheesy title? Just came up with it on the fly. I amuse myself so!

I haven´t blogged from the road in a while but since there´s 5 hours to kill until my train and a foot resembling decomposed flesh not worth hobbling on, I figured I´d take advantage of this fast internet connection in the middle of nowhere!

People are always somewhat ... appalled when I tell them I travel alone. The older they are, the more close-minded they get, the more disturbed the reaction. I guess I get a kick out of it or else I wouldn´t flaunt it so. But on the serious, it´s realistic practice for survival and great discovery about yourself. In hindsight, I have the best stories largely due to the ppl I meet and events along the way ...

But then there are the quiet nights where all that keeps me company is my journal. There are countless hours of trains, buses and planes. And when you´re so tired from traveling that you hop into the first taxi haggler that seems decent, only to discover they charged you double the fare. There´s always one hand on pepper spray and the other clutching 40 pounds of crap. And always having to maintain eye contact so perverts and banditos don´t take you for an easy target.

I also realize how much more aggravated I am while on the road. I despise ppl alot quicker and easier. Spending long periods of time with random ppl is a hit and miss. I have a lot less compassion for human beings when I´m annoyed. Your tolerance gets a real test and you realize much more about yourself. Its a good experience sometimes; crossing roads with all sorts of ppl you would never otherwise come into contact with.

But on the bright side, Machu Picchu is amazing. The Inca Trail is another can of worms! Will post in length and pics soon.