Well it is that time again. Lately I have been feeling a little cooped up in my own city, which means it is time for another adventure. Another trip to another part of the world where life is made, and experience is earned. In the summer of 2011 after I completed my MBA, and that year I left on not one, but two month-long, life altering trips. To Israel for a month where I traveled with JNF Canada and people from all across the country who wanted to experience Israel a little differently; do something that not only heals 'travelers itch', but also provides something back to the Israeli community. We spent some of our time working with a school for mentally and physically disabled children, and the rest traveling the country; I still have vivid memories of the work we did, some of the students we met, and of course the friends I made both in Israel and at home around Canada. I added an additional two weeks of travel, which took my to Petra and Wadi Rum in Jordan, and back to the North of Israel to visit my new friends.
The second trip brought me to Tanzania where I traveled with my two cousins, Amanda and Jory, and their mom (my aunt) Heidi. I am hoping the first arrival in Peru will bring a different start that the one that happened in Dar es Salam, but hey, no-one got hurt...or died... so bonus! Scuba diving in Zanzibar, the scariest boat ride ever, climbing Kili and a safari. All while singing the opening theme song to The Lion King. Maaaasipenya, badabisi-mama (No one knows the words to that song, and I like it that way!).
The last time I left North America was last August, when Amanda and I went to Belize for a week. That was a pretty incredible trip as well; Scuba diving in the Atlantic Ocean, a cave tour wearing borrowed socks to see a sparkling skeleton with, possibly, the craziest tour guide out there... And the accommodations were incredible! Thanks to a contact Amanda had from her work who offered up a place to stay (which randomly turned out to be the vacation home of someone I did my MBA with...small world!)
Well, here we go again. When summer in Calgary comes to an end, Amanda and Jory again are here to rescue me from 'shoulder' season boredom; the time between the ending of the summer and start of winter, when new fun sports start and I get to put on my ski boots. Jory will be in Santiago, Chile, attending a conference 'LatAm Startups Conference' and so we are tacking a trip to Peru all together on to the end of that. Our travel agenda will take us to Cuzco, a Salkantay Trek, to Machu Picchu and a few other things, which you will be able to read about here soon! I can't wait!
I have some personal goals as well, which reach further than just getting out of dodge. I have been feeling a little bored at work lately, and bored in my personal life as well. When you start feeling this, you know it is time to re-boot and look for new opportunities in whatever form they present themselves. The job I currently have is not completely fulfilling; in the past this had given me incredible time to seek opportunities to volunteer in the environmental sector (which I will continue to do), however I need to figure out how I can align my passions with an actual day job. And no, I don't know what that looks like yet, although I have some ideas.
So here we go, off to Peru. I arrive in Lima the night before Amanda and Jory, so will need to find some place to stay until they get in early the next morning. Looking forward to my first AirBnB experience!
-Elliot
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