The Great South American Adventure

In just three days The Great South American Adventure shall commence! I will depart New York for the nation state of El Salvador!

I know nothing about El Salvador. I don’t know where I’m going to stay. I don’t know what I am going to do. All I know is I am going to be a lot warmer.

Although not having plans or any prior knowledge of a destination does invoke a degree of angst, this is part of the reason why I love to travel. I live for the unknowns inherent to travel. It’s what drives my spirit and gives me purpose.

Admittedly it still is a bit frightening, especially since I have been dormant in my basement for the last 6 months. I question whether I can remember how to travel again? If I still have what it takes to survive all that the world will throw my way?

It’s too late now though. I have my ticket, my bag is already packed and nothing, except maybe a freak snowstorm, will stop me from going. Now I have no choice but to summon the confidence and strength. As the Japanese say, Banzai!!!

The Route

El Salvador is just the beginning. Though I don’t know exactly where I am going, as portrayed by the squiggly lines on the map, I do know I’m heading south. And it is my hope to visit every country in South America.

I also couldn’t tell you how long this trip will last. It could be 6 months or even 2 years. The only thing I really know for sure is that it’s going to be epic.

The Mission

For this adventure I will travel in the ways of my idols, Jack Kerouac and Alexander Supertramp to name a few. I will walk the lonely roads, hitchhike with Columbian grannies, stowaway aboard ships, hire motorcycles, and find those eccentric and enlightening friends that I have yet to meet.

I will discover ancient ruins like Indiana Jones. I will find awesome Runaway Retreats where I can live cheap for a few weeks. I will embark on new Runaway Adventures. And I will gain deeper insight into each country and its people.

I will seek to expand my mind, to love all those I encounter, and to find contentment in all that I see. I will stay disciplined and find greater balance in my life. I will continue to strive towards a perpetual state of well being and inner confidence.

All the while, I plan to keep you updated as best I can, so that you may feel as though you are with me on this journey. I plan to take much more video and pictures. And when they invent teleportation,  I will send you papusas and plantinos through the computer :D So, feel free to live vicariously through me.

Your Support

If you have any suggestions or recommendations, let me know in the comments below or better yet on facebook. As I said before, I know nothing about this vast continent, so I’m open to every suggestion.

If you enjoy what I do and think your friends will too, please share this post with your friends on facebook and in life. It would really mean a lot to me and ultimately help me travel longer.

Additionally, I am always in need of travel funds, so if you can afford it, check out my FEED ME section for details on donations and rewards.

Finally, you can support me spiritually by sending good thoughts my way!

Thank you to everyone who has supported me and The Runaway Guide up until now. I really appreciate it!

If you have any questions or need advice, don’t hesitate to contact me.

-Leif