The airline attendant at the desk asks me “Are you traveling alone or in a group?” I say “Just by myself” and I feel as though she’s almost judging me for traveling alone. But she doesn’t know I’ve got plans, big plans, and not just for this trip.
So I got to thinking on the plane. About being independent, about being a girl traveling alone. I stopped myself. I’m a women traveling not a girl, my own mind trying to persuade me otherwise. I think, I should be so proud of my independence as a woman. That the decisions I’ve made in my life so far, independent of others and their opinions, have been the some of the best decisions I’ve made in my entire life.
I feel thankful that I’ve been given a life where I am supported, encouraged and empowered to make my own decisions. To live my own life. While I might not have been in town for Thanksgiving, I still have many reasons to be thankful. And the journey to Costa Rica has been a powerful reminder of that.
While I’ve taken an extended break from writing about my travels and my experiences I have felt this overwhelming need to return. To share the good, the bad, the crazy, the “I can’t believe that really happened” and more.
And in sharing my journey I hope that you feel encouraged and empowered to live. To live for yourself. To do things because YOU want to do them. To see the world through your own eyes, your own lens. Because the world is beautiful in every single way.
Reality check – I step one foot outside the San Jose airport and immediately am being called “Taxi lady?” Queue me telling 10+ taxis drivers that no, I don’t need a ride.
xx
michelle
*Originally written 11/21
just meesh 