After a lifetime of world travel I’ve been fascinated that those in the third world don’t have the same perception of reality that we do. – Jim Harrison

After only one day in the colonial town of Leon, and the consensus to depart for the nearest beach town of Las Penitas is a unanimous family decision. Packing up for the short 20-minute ride continues to be an ordeal as I attempt to squeeze, smash, and stuff items in every available free space in my bag. I’m convinced that whenever this great might journey end, under the special skills section of a job application or my resume I will have to include ninja-like packing abilities. You want a watermelon to fit neatly in your fanny pack? Not a problem, let’s also add three tied off plastic bags of juice, a live chicken, and a basket of banana bread. The things I continue to experience in these third world countries is both an eye-opening education and a humbling way of life that carries an entirely different perception in the appreciation of things. I am truly grateful for the life I have lead thus far, and am even more excited for where life will take me in the daily adventure that is free from the cookie-cutter mold of routinely living an existence of the social norm. Living out of a backpack to some would be the epitome of hitting rock bottom in life, but I’ve realized that it is more freeing to live with less to experience more. Stacking the last of our bags near the front reception area, Cam and I begin a game of pool while waiting for the shuttle and I can’t help but think what a great Monday morning this is turning out to be.




