Someone recently asked me, "Why are you doing this?" And I could have started this tale at the immediate truth of, "I was restless."
Buuuuut, that's overly simplistic, soooooo, let's back up for a sec.
Why was I restless? I had everything I wanted in life. A good paying job in a field I love, an apartment I could more than afford, no student loans, close family and friends, and opportunities out the ying yang. But what didn't I have? Well... I didn't know what I didn't know.
And that's the real thing isn't it? Knowledge. Understanding. I've always saught it. It's the thing one can never get enough of, even when you truly try.
I didn't know how Eupore opperated. How their past had truly shaped them in the day-to-day. How the shadows of shockingly recent wars (that I never really payed attention to) inform everyday life.
I didn't know Southeast Asia. Or how they can be some of the kindest, most welcoming people for no other reason than they are happy to share their story and struggle. Or genuinely want you to try their food. It's good right?!
I didn't know Catalonia held deeply independent feelings. I had heard it, but never really seen it with my own two eyes.
I still don't know how the Scottish managed to settle some of the beautiful but treacherous lands. I walked it. I get it and I don't get it. I want to live there, and yet the hardships make it seem so improbable that people still persevere and make it work. Even in modern times. Like whoa!
I didn't know the struggle of Argentinians. How their colonial past clashes and informs their future. I hope to know more as this and the next month progress.
I didn't know US Americans view of coffee, and breakfast and when people wake up and start their day, would be so different than others across the world. An Americano is NOT a coffee as I know it. But it will do, I guess.
I didn't know describing Thanksgiving to Non-US Americans would make me feel different (horrible for indigenous peoples) and also more proud of the holiday (because if it's evolution and what it means now if you don't count the Black Friday fiasco). I didn't know fellow Americans would also embrace it's terrible past but heartwarming present.
Believe me. I didn't know what I didn't know.
And here I am. In my first week of South America. Continuing, with an open heart, to discover what I don't know.
May we all seek a little adventure, a little culture, and little more of what we don't know.
Until next time, let's Yansee Yando this thing!