A Reality check in Sucre….. Opening the book a little further
In the next few days I will write about the significance of this photo.
Over the course of the last few months of writing this blog I have had quite a bit of internal and external dialog about the contents and subject matter that I am writing about. I know how many people are reading, and much of my audience are “friends of friends” and people that I do not know very well.
In short, my dilemma has been how much to reveal about my travels and myself. For four and half months I kept a very detailed personal journal in addition to the blog. Last week some asshole in La Paz stole it from me.
So in accordance with my personal philosophy and the way I live my life, I have decided that I want reveal a lot more of myself through the blog.
What you will see more of is some of the downsides of my travels. My life these last few months has been amazing, but, it has not been 100 percent positive.
For example, I got robbed in Salvador, Brazil a few months back. I did not write anything about it because there are certain people in my life I did not want to worry. Unfortunately, I also got robbed again this week in Sucre, the story will come later. In the future I will not be holding anything like this back, and I regret that I did in the past.
Anyway, with the encouragement of some very good friends and with some recent hard times I have decided that this is how I am going to write from now on. I am personally removing 90% of the constraints that I have been imposing on myself and I feel really good about it.
The tone of the blog will not change, but the content will expand.
The plan, is to travel another 2 1/2 months in South America. After that, I will be home for three months in Baltimore for the fall caddy season (I caddied from the time I was 15 years old). During this period I am also planning on writing a book. The working title right now is “DaveFordDoesSouthAmerica”. I am also planning to advance my ideas of what I want the blog to be like in the future. In early November, I am taking off for another extended trip to Africa, the Middle East, India, and South East Asia.
I have decided to make traveling my full time gig. In addition to the blog, I will be looking for employment in the travel writing world during my return trip home (If anyone knows anyone at Lonely Planet, let me know). Luckily, I have enough loot to keep just me going in the third world for a good long time.
In summary, I have decided that this is not just a trip, this is my life.
In the next few days look out for entries on:
1. Two of the most empowering and spiritual experiences of my life (One in Rurrenbaque, one in the Mountains surrounding La Paz)
2. The story of how I came to the decision to travel
3. The Dark Side of Bolivia (there has been a lot of really bad stuff going on down here, in addition to what I have been reporting)
- May 26th
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Hey Dave….
Total bummer about the getting robbed thing. It’s a sad reminder that although this planet has so many amazingly beautiful landscapes & visions, the dream of ever finding a Utopia seems impossible because of the lack of humanity in others. Sometimes the hardest yet most important lessons we learn in life come from the selfish and self-serving actions of others. How awesome of you to be so truthful about the negative experiences of your journey, because it reminds all of us that although we can’t control the actions of others, we have the opportunity to control our own reactions to the adversities we’re all certain to face in our lives. Be true to who you are and continue to be the positive and selfless person we all know you to be, and through that you’ll be able to know no matter where you travel on this planet, you’ll always have that Utopia within yourself.
Here’s a quote that I like sharing with others, and although it’s short and sweet, I think it speaks volumes:
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared
to what lies within us.
Hola Dave a Wayna Picchu!
It’s perry hall jen…i cant believe its been so long since my mom and i met you and don climbing the mtn in peru…i’ve been meaning to leave you a message, as i’ve been signing on every few days to see what life’s been like for you on the road. sorry to hear about some of the downers of your trip…remember tho, they usually make the best stories later on! continue having the time of your life….when you’re back in town i’ll be interested in hearing more stories over a drink at the avenue (how far away that place seemed when you’re in a small town in peru!)
ciao, jen
Jenn and Jen,
Thanks for the comments. after finishing my Ayahuasca posts I will be getting into some of the darker experiences. Thanks for your encouragment. I am very excited about the new direction I will be taking things.
Jenn, Love the quote.
Jen, Love that you are still in touch. Its not often you meet someone who grew up 5 minutes from you on the top of a MOUNTAIN in Peru. Tell your Mom I said whats up. Don has proclaimed himself number one commenter, we will see if he has anything to add.
Peace,
Dave
Whats up Dave, Have been following your blog and it’s been great so far. Don’t worry about being robbed in SA. It’s to be expected at some point. I’ve got a couple of great stories about that subject. One story starts with a 10 year old boy yelling “get the gringo” in Portuguese. They just want your money. I just consider it an unofficial toll. Definitely share everything!!!! In yoda voice “Only then a true writer you shall be” haha. Bolivia, Equador, and Paraguay are supposed to be pretty dangerous these days. This is what my Brazilian friends tell me anyways. Your living it so you should know better then them. Take care and be safe in your travels.