In one short week my life will change forever.

When I walk onto Flight 7711 en route to Brazil, not only am I embarking the journey of a lifetime, but it will also be the start of my unplanned life.

My whole life up until this point has been planned out.  I always knew I was going to high school, then college.  Even before starting college I planned to work to save up money after graduating so that I could travel.  All these plans end the moment I step on that plane for Brazil.  It’s as if I have been planning for this trip for so long that I never expected the day of departure to actually come.

Its not like I haven’t traveled before, just that this time its different. This time there is no time table, no itinerary, no commitments, and no real reason to return home.

If I want to become a gaucho and spend the rest of my days herding cattle on the Patagonian pampas, I can.  If I feel like living deep in Amazon learning the ways of the ancient shaman, I can.  If I want to become a hippie and spend my days growing (legal) weed in a commune on the Uruguayan coast, I can. If I can’t handle life on the road and want to return home in 2 months, I can do that too.

I have never had this kind of freedom before, and to be honest it’s a bit daunting.  The first chapter of my life is coming to an abrupt end, and the second is about to be written.

Photo: My two travel bags, my new Deuter Quantum 70 + 10 and my Canon camera bag, + my passport with a fresh Brazil Visa good for 10 years.