Last September, almost 9 months ago, I quit my job, sold my car and bought a one-way ticket to Asia. Not long before, my plan had been to buy a house in Corvallis, go back to grad school and start a teaching career. How I have ended up here I am still not really sure. It may have been one of those moments of clarity where I knew it was one of those things I was “supposed to do”, or it may have been a decision based on a random yearning for adventure.

Whatever the reason, here I am in Korea after many months of travel. In the past six months I have seen mountains and oceans, villages and cities, the rich and the poor, lakes and rivers, Buddhist temples and Christian churches. I have experienced moments of peace and of panic, times of understanding and times of utter confusion. I have felt warmth and kindness from most people along with coldness and negativity from others. I have met amazing people who have taught me so much and will remain in my heart forever.

Coming to Asia was hard for me. I have always traveled in Latin America where I speak the language and have a familiarity and deep love for the culture. I suppose that is why this trip has seemed so special to me, I have been forced out of my comfort zone a bit which has caused a lot of self-growth. The path through Asia has opened my eyes and mind to so many new things it is incredible. So I guess its not “why” I am here that is important. The why becomes a part of the process of just being and taking in all that I have experienced.