The Great Escape

While  cleaning out my apartment a couple months ago, I came across the Washington Post article that had originally inspired me to take a long vacation and move to another country.  The name of the article was The Great Escape, and I came across it in the Sunday Travel section while lounging at the pool in 2007.  What stood out the most when I read it almost 5 years ago was how natural it is for us as human beings to come up with reasons why we can't do something as adventurous as quitting our job to travel the world.  I remember thinking to myself "if a couple with a 3 year old can move to a foreign country, why can't I?"

The 2nd time I read the article, just a couple months ago, I was amazed by how similar my experience was leading up to my trip as the author's.  I also had a lot of pre-trip anxiety:  Will I have enough money? Is this career suicide?  Will everyone think I'm a loser for leaving a good job and a great career to travel for 6 months? Will I be the "old guy" at the hostels?

The answers to the first two questions are still unknown.   The answers to the other two: No.   I was pleasantly surprised by how supportive my friends, family, and co-workers were when I told them about my plans. I even had multiple people tell me they had considered doing the same thing.  For anyone that does decide to take a long vacation, I'll certainly have plenty of advice. 

As far as being the old guy, I've met people ranging from age 21-65 that have decided to travel around South America. The 65 year old was a retired body shop owner who had ridden here from Alaska on a motorcycle!  I'm yet to meet someone who has regretted making the decision nor have I heard any horror stories about anyone that left their job to travel and spent the rest of their life recovering from the mistake.  I still have over 3 months left so I will report back if I encounter "that guy".  Hopefully it won't be me!