Hola

We reached Antigua today after sleeping off two days in Guatemala City. We found out by chance that the Embajada De Brasil was close by so we applied for a Visa. We figured we go around Guatemala and pick up our passports when they are ready.

On our way to Antigua, Subha showed me a list of hostels we could stay at. I saw the name Umma Gumma and said, "This is where we should stay. We can't be missing chances like staying at Dai Nonni and then at Umma Gumma". Now that we have checked in though, we are moving out to a better hostel tomorrow.

Subha also enrolled us in Spanish classes. Four hours a day for the next 5 days. Apparently Antigua is well known for their Spanish Schools. I can't wait to annoy everyone after the classes are over. If you don't believe me, just ask Subha about my attention to grammar ever since I took my GMAT.

We are going to hike up Pacaya Volcano tomorrow. It erupted last in 2010 and apparently spewed out lava 5 days ago.

More later...

Heading out

I sit on the plane wondering how everything fell into to place to make this trip possible. I feel it's largely because we have wonderful group of friends who came through and stood by us to help get things done. So I begin this chapter by thanking you with all my heart.

I am also fortunate to have a wonderful travel companion. She quit her job to accompany me on this trip. In fact, she mentioned yesterday that it felt scary to not have a job and a house to go back to. Not many have the courage to do that for somebody else, let alone for your own sake. I don't think a thank you will do justice, I just will have to stay eternally in debt.

I have wanted to do such a trip for quite some time now but my reasons now have changed since the first time the idea came to me. It has become less of an exotic adventure, and more of a necessity.

When I was training at the Rescue Squad, I was told that as a care giver, you are in charge of patient care. One of the things that I was taught is that in order to stop yourself from getting lost in the details of patient care where you are stuck in the moment, you have to step away mentally and think of the bigger picture. For e.g. what is to be done next, is everything that needs to be done being done. This trip is a culmination of that realization that I was not doing that for my own self. So, I am hoping to taking a step away from my life and learn to watch, listen and empathise. Hopefully it will then help me realize my place in this world.

This is the main reason why I wanted to leave the trip open ended. We can just go where the journey takes us. I felt that we can discover a lot more that way. Th goal is more of what we learn rather than how much we see.

All this said, let me get into the details of what we are carrying for this trip. This Google Doc has the list of items we have packed. A big thanks to my cousin for organizing the items into this list. It is a little heavy on electronics, but that is because I plan to get some work done whenever I can. Mainly so that I don't get so far behind when I get back. Moreover, it is also needed if we need to look up some info when we get lost or to reserve a room quickly.

Our first stop is Guatemala, and the rough plan is to head south until we reach Brazil and then head to Africa. If you have any ideas or suggestions please feel to reach me. The links are on the right.