As I was walking through the Cuban countryside in 2009, a young man with a horse drawn cart waved me down off the hillside and, in Spanish I could not understand, offered me a ride back to town. Although I would have happily finished my journey alone and on foot, I was happier sharing it with a local farmer and a sweaty horse. I jumped on and settled myself on the worn wooden bench. The clean Cuban air was warm and wet, and the road was empty. We spoke little but we smiled a lot. At the end of the ride I had a friend, one I would never see again (and who graciously accepted 15 Cuban pesos from me). I took a picture to remind myself that someday I would just keep going with the road ahead and no particular destination.
And so I did. I quit my job and put everything in storage. I bought a ticket to Madrid with a return flight through Hong Kong.
Six months later, I returned home, homeless and jobless. And eager for more.
This is the story of my around-the-world journey and the travels that followed it.
“We have to be willing to give up the life we planned to live the life that is waiting for us.” Joseph Campbell
Camino Milagro 
And it starts….
Freedom.
“Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation) there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help one that would otherwise never have occurred.
A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man (or woman) could have dreamt would have come his (or her) way.
I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets:
Whatever you can do, or dream you can … begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”
W.N. Murray
The Scottish Himalayan Expedition, 1951
Be a nomad and dive in! I’m with you in spirit and looking forward to hearing about your adventures. And, I am thrilled for you!
The open road has its own special calling. My husband and I sold everything and hit the road last November – life has been amazing ever since. Look forward to reading more.
You will never regret it! I am enjoying your poetry.
thank you.
A thrilling and courageous adventure. I am so looking forward to turning the pages of your amazing life story. Bravo. Bravo. Cheers Virginia
That is so kind of you to say! It has been an amazing 5 years.