The Trip that Changed My Life (Part 1 of 3)

I don't mean to overstate how amazing this trip was, but it was most definitely life changing. I will try my best to share my experience with you without detailing every amazing minute. It will be hard to decide what NOT to include.

The trip began at a hotel in San Diego. Twenty students and three instructors eagerly pile into two vans and head south. Along the way, we pick up two brothers who will spend the next 10 days sharing details of their beautiful country with us. Here is one quick shot of the scenery from the van.

GRAPES! Lily, one of my classmates, yells "Grapes" and Meghann, one of our instructors, quickly turns the lead van into the parking lot. We all pile out and peruse the fruit and nut selection. Yum!

After driving a bit farther, we take a break to make time for introductions. The class circles up in a park and shares their goals and intentions. This is when we first got to know the people we would soon be close friends with. We were invited to push ourselves outside our comfort zones and welcome the exhilaration of exploration. We (if most were like me) were all excited and also a little scared.

We drive farther south, stop for dinner and a good night's sleep. The next day had more driving and exploration in store. Our first stop was at a beautiful historic site containing paintings from the Cochimi; the indigenous people who once lived in this area, hunting and fishing.

There were paintings in all kinds of nooks and crannies; preserved best in areas where the sun does not reach.

We reflected on the lives of the people who lived here, off the land. We were invited to take some time to ourselves to reflect on this place and ourselves. I found a spot atop a boulder and perched, just outside my comfort zone, and scribbled excitedly in my journal. Our journey had begun.