YOU?! YOU READING THIS RIGHT NOW! I'M TALKING TO YOU! CHECK OUT CONTIKI!
Hi! It's about time we spoke. I'm that project you were going to finish or start, I'm still here. I'm still waiting. You had that great idea and then you got "busy" I've been waiting for you to start me, once you do, I'll help finish it. It's time you do your part. We don't have forever, you know this. I know this and we need to get going. You know energy creates energy? The momentum of your drive will go a long long way. Don't give it up. That's ridiculous. You haven't even really tried. You can do this. I know you can.
I think of myself as a "life student." I'm happy with this. My drive and ambition has gotten me to where I needed to go. Unless it was to South America. That just seemed scary.
I had a chance to tour South America with my friend Jo Piazza on a Contiki Tour
My hands were nervous packing my suitcase, my passport was ready and I agreed to be open. I didn't know who else I would be traveling with but I was ready to broaden my scope and just go.
I flew into Lima, I was met by a Contiki Tour Guide who brought me to my hotel to met the rest of my companions. I met amazing, world class first rate mates from all over. I really did. My travel companions are now my friends.
Peru, Brazil, Chile and Argentina-We hiked, we sight-see'd and of course, me being Meg dragged the tour off to nightclubs where we partied our heads off. There maybe video because the locals all grabbed their flip-cam for that.
It was eye-opening and it was amazing and I can't thank Contiki enough!
You may need to shake it up a bit! You may need to get "out of your element" Find a way to do it and do it. Visit all of the world's cities, play in a bunch of the countries, dance in a little remote town 5,000 miles from where you're from. Just remember all of what you dream you'd be and go do it. You can. We both know that.
I ate with the local's. I danced at the nightclubs (I'm naughty, my tour guide is still sweating. WE LOST MEG) I visited the historic monuments. I left a better person.
For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” – Robert Louis Stevenson
I travel personally to grow. I hate airports, I hate to go. Once I force myself to, I take a deep breathe (and sometimes a xanax) and look out. Looking out at a new landscape lets us look within. Sometimes, as humans, as nomads, we need to travel to really know our home.
Would I travel South America alone? NO. I would not. If Contiki called me tomorrow with a trip would I go? Yes, in a heartbeat.
My goal 2 years ago was to travel more, in two years I've been to seven countries. I made up my mind and did it. Just like you can make up your mind and start or finish it.
No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.” – Lin Yutang
Don't let your pillow know you too well! Set your sails! What do you dream of? How can we help?
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Comments
Traveling is great fun. Great to see you doing so much progress with your goal.
I love to travel. My daughter is doing a year abroad in Thailand and I am looking forward to going over, probably at the end of her year, to see the country and have her take me to all of her favorite spots. And I am dying for a stoppver in Hong Kong! I hear the duty free shopping is amazing!
I'm glad you got the chance to visit South America and that you had such a great experience. You'd be surprised how many people come down and stay!
I'd like to travel too...
This is great advice for anyone! Thanks Meg!
Thanks for your review of Contiki! I was looking into their vacations last year, and was hoping to hear from more people that had actually tried one before I took the plunge to book a trip. I also could have sworn that last year the cutoff was 30, which was a bit problematic for us since my husband is already 30 and I'm approaching it, so I'm really glad to see that they upped it to 35. I think my only question would be - how hard is it to break off from the group and visit an attraction that isn't part of the set package?
Great writeup. I enjoyed travelling when I was younger. I think it's time for me to start thinking about travel plans again.
So glad you had fun, Meg!!!
Gracie
Love to travel!
Meg...you help by being so honest about your own fears of travel and overcoming them! I dream to stand in the very same spot that you are in the photo!
Congratulations on working toward your goal! I'm glad you had a great time. I love to travel! I just got my travel pack repaired and cleaned. It's begging to be used, so I booked a trip to the Yucatan Peninsula just this morning.
Sounds like a grand time you had!! I LOVE to travel. Spent a month in Brazil, it was wonderful. Completely different life style than living in the states.I try to go to at least two different vacation destinations a year.
♥ Claire ♥ AngelClarice Beauty and Wellness Site www.angelclarice.com
So fun! Seven countries in two years -- that's living up to or exceeding your goal to travel more! I love traveling, too. It just gives you such a different perspective when you step away from the familiar and into the unknown. Lovely picture, and I'm glad you had a wonderful time. Welcome back!
My Blog: http://rubysrigmarole.blogspot.com/
Traveling is my favorite thing to do! I've been to quite a few states, Haiti for a month, Mexico twice, Hawaii, etc. I LOVE discovering new places.
http://www.rubysbeauty.com
i love to travel... and love going off the beaten track as well. although now w/a 4 year old that doesnt quite happen the way it once did... but there are things we're planning to do as he gets older... yes disney, also alsaka, grand canyon & other things we've not yet seen. of course scotland (family) and other places across the pond. not so sure about the south american shaman tours just yet... but what a great adventure.
It sounds like you had a great experience. I enjoy seeing new places, and I'm getting a bit better about trying new things. I need to step out of my confort zone even more, but I'm making baby steps. Thanks for the inspiration Meg!
Love the picture MEG!!! I travel ahhhlott.. because i go home to Scotland maybe twice a year and then friends in Europe have to be visited, and then i get to travel for conferences -- isnt it so FUN!
who loves makeup? me me ME!
I love seeing new places! Glad you got to go and have a great time! :)
I think it's amazing that your going around and traveling, if I had the opportunity to go somewhere I would pick up and leave tomorrow! My family is from India and I have never been so I am waiting for a break from school so that I can go and explore :)
oops double post!
that picture looks amazing, i'veheard so many amazing stories about contiki yet a little apprehensive at the same time, overall i'm looking forward to give it a crack, glad you had a great time!
http://lilynotlouise.blogspot.com/
I want to be in the same tour as u Meg!
I joined Contiki's Italy tour some years ago and had fun. It was a multi-national bunch. Me from Singapore, with people from USA, Australia (most of them), Japan, & South Africa. I clicked best with the folks from South Africa.
Hope I can get on another Contiki tour before I hit Contiki's age cap. Time is running out! I have exactly 12 months!
I'm so envious of all the people that are so carefree and travel all over the place. With kids it's so hard but someday when they are much older we'll have that chance.
Glad to see that you had an awesome time! I would love to travel but at the moment it's not something feasible due to bf's illness. I will have to check into Contiki. Great job on making a plan and following through with it! Keep it up!
amazing!! Ive been to italy!!! thats pretty much it! hehe
love traveling!! been lucky enough to travel quite a bit.. hope to save up and find some time in grad school in the future to continue traveling away!
this is a good post. i am longing to go to south america. my husband lived in argentina for 2 years and he is dying to go back too.
Traveling is great and so much fun. We travel out of the country at least once a year. And if you want a laugh read Josh Gates new book...
It's my dream to visit Contiki (and South America in general).Thank you for so nice review!
Meg, you look beautiful in that yellow top! So sunny and bright. It's spring down there, isn't it? Jealous. Travel is expensive! And it's difficult, as a student. Yeah, there are scholarships and exchange programs but most of that only serves to set me back a year or two, after which I have to pay MORE tuition. TT__TT
I'd love to travel more, but time for my studies now! You're so lucky to visit such exciting places!
I dream of visiting Northern countries and Cuba!
How do you have such an amazing figure? ugh!
love the picture Meg!
I long to travel but unfortunately my amount of debt from college makes it pretty hard for me to do at the moment. I do enjoy traveling anywhere, even just for a weekend, so I often go to Milwaukee, Chicago, ect just to get away for a bit. I am going to Mexico in January though for a week and am so excited for it! I can't wait to see the Mayan ruins and go snorkeling :) You are an inspiration for me Meg - someday when I'm financially stable I am definitely going to look into Contiki! It sounds great and I'm so happy you had so much fun and are living your dreams!
lover of beauty, sharer of opinions http://prettylightsbeauty.blogspot.com/
you look fantastic meg
didi
I love travel! I've been to Spain, Portugal, England, and Canada. And I want to go to all 50 states, all of Canada's provinces and territories, and all the continents.
emilysmakeupbox.blogspot.com
LOVE to travel!!
Awesome, I'd love to go there one day! I love how travelling to another country can really just brighten up your day(:
beautiful!
You were born an original; Don't die a copy.
I love to travel! Right now, I'm saving up to travel around Asia.
Wow u have been in South America :D Thats amazinggggMy mom is married now to a Peruvian hihihi
Everyn Palhareswww.pakmixbrazil.blogspost.com
i'd love to travel in South America!!
That's wonderful that you were able to stick to your goal and travel more. I also hate flying. I do not travel very much, but it would be nice to :)
*envies*
I love to travel - my next two trips are Barcelona and Berlin. Sounds like you're having a great time!
xoxo
Traveling is such a great and rewarding experience. I cannot express enough how much I love to travel and I wish I had the opportunity to do it more. I've been to Ecuador a few times and it is beautiful! I've heard of Contiki tours but I have to admit I never really gave them a second thought until I read your review. It is now something I will definitely consider. Thanks for the review!
Traveling is so a great experience! It's good to get out of your daily pattern. Whether you travel in your own country or go to another - it's enlightening to see how other people live, look at different architecture, try new foods! Great job setting a goal & making it happen!
I used to travel all of the time. I miss it so much. I don't get the time to travel anymore because school is so hectic. But it has always been one of my goals to travel more often as well.
Dh and I love to travel. But with 3 kids, we have had to end it for a while. Go!!!
~~Christy