It’s hard to believe it’s been almost 2 months since my travels ended. Time flies.
Since I returned home it’s pretty much been a rollercoaster of a ride. After several interviews all over the Country, I accepted an offer with Hewlett Packard in Fort Collins, CO. I had never heard of this city until I backpacked through Peru. I was at a local bar in Cusco where I met some folks from Colorado. When I mentioned I wanted to live near Denver, they said “move to Fort Collins, it’s the best city to live.” After researching the city upon my return home, I discovered it actually is the best city! It was ranked the #1 best city to live in the US in 2006. I was so sure I wanted to move here that I even accepted an offer before visiting the city. My first visit here made it clear to me this is where I belonged. While I may not take off another 3 months anytime soon, I might as well live in a city where I can do all that I love doing. Hiking, fishing, rafting, kayaking, biking and just hanging out with awesome folks. I’ve only been living here just over a week, but so far, I don’t see myself leaving. I’ve got the mountains I’ve been dreaming of.
And today, sitting back in a cube in the corporate world, I found myself reminiscing on my travels, all that I have done and all that I still want to do. As much as I enjoy working, I think I enjoy traveling more. For now, my travels will only be 1-2 weeks’ worth, but you can be sure I will cram a lot in those 1-2 weeks. I finally had a little time to review some old travel blogs I have lost track of, and they still all give me the chills. Just thinking about those 3 months makes me happy, excited, and emotional all at the same time. I’m lucky I had the opportunity to travel and even more lucky I ended up in Colorado.
For those planning a lifelong adventure; good luck, plan enough but not too much, smile even when someone is rude to you, always think about the opportunity you have been given, never take advantage of where you are, talk to the locals, embrace the local culture and all it has to offer, makes friends with other travelers, splurge every once-in-a while, be adventurous and do things you may never have the chance to do again, keep a journal, take lots of photos, and be safe. Happy trails.
