Sitting at my hostel in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua I finally feel the need to write a new blog post. Even though I have been to a number of places I have loved throughout Beli-ze and Guatemala, I haven’t been inspired write a blog post in a while. The problem is that traveling long term has a tendency to make a person question everything about themselves, everything they think they feel strongly about, know and understand.

By far and away, the best part of backpacking is meeting other travelers. One might think the point of traveling is to explore new places and see new things but in my experience these things are secondary. I think it must be a survival instinct, but as soon as we encounter a new person, we size them up, try to figure out what they are, if they are a threat, if they are someone we will like, want to know, or enjoy being around. This trip has taught me that more often than not, my first impressions of the travelers I meet are wrong. From the girl I thought was just an attention seeking flirt who ended up becoming a dear friend with so much to teach me about warmth and love, to the girl I initially thought I had nothing in common with who ended up the person I jokingly call my personality twin. These people have taught me so much about myself and my ability to befriend different types of people, bond with them, often times love them, and learn from them.

Talking to so many people on the road, I have listened to their outlooks on life in a way I would have never done before. I’ve had discussions with them about things that I am highly opinionated about, taken their viewpoints into consideration, questioned mine, and in the end have become more accepting. We all came here on different roads, and had different experiences that shaped who we are. That’s not to say I don’t have convictions any longer, but I can appreciate a person that I may have never appreciated in the past and honestly and openly examine my beliefs and decide whether or not they are still valid. In addition to the other travelers, seeing and meeting local people along the way has been an eye opener. So many people in the world will never experience things I take for granted like a hot shower or running water. We seemingly live on two different planets in that respect. I have started to realize that so many things that I think are important or normal in life are in fact privileges that are completely unnecessary and really not things I even desire after time without them.

As Etta James’ song “At Last” plays in the background, the words, “My lonely days are over” resonate with a completely different meaning. I am not even three months in on this trip and I have made so many friends I expect to keep in touch with for many years to come. I’m already a much more open person, much more outgoing, much happier. My perspective on life is changing thanks to my travels, thanks to the people I’ve met along the way and thanks to being willing to open up, push myself and let myself be affected by my experiences. What will the next 9 months and three continents hold for me? Who will I be when this trip is over? These are questions I can’t even imagine the answers to but can’t wait to find out.

-Randi

Randi is co-founder of Just a Pack, along with her friend and travel partner, Michael. The website is devoted to educating the world about backpacking budget travel. Randi and Michael are currently on a year long journey throughout Central America, Europe, and Asia.