Discovering Destiny

Hello friends, I have been traveling pretty much non-stop for the last four months or so. I have been all over the state of California, and now I have embarked on a solo journey deep into Mexico. I have not been writing in my blog, but have been writing more than ever in my journal. I feel like my writing is constantly improving, and my writing skills are better than they have ever been. I just wanted to drop in and post one of my latest journal entries that will give you a glimpse into my life.

When I first set out on this journey into Mexico, I thought the WWOOF program would just be something extra for me to do along the way. But what is the way? Without some destination or objective to accomplish, I am just wondering. I am not here only to sightsee, as this is not a vacation. Then again, I guess it would be a vacation if you said I was taking a break from the U.S., which I am. But regardless, I do not have the money or the resources to just wander. After reassesing my goals and master plan, I've realized that the reason I've come down here IS to volunteer on these organic farms and to learn about organic agriculture and methods of sustainable living.

I have felt that this journey to Mexico would be a turning point in my life, and it is turning out to be just that. I am at the beginning of a new chapter in my life where work and play merge together to become my passion...a reason for living, the reason I was put here on this earth, my destinty.

The next practical step in this journey is to figure out where to go next. I am not only at a metaphorical crossroads, but a geographical crossroads at well. I threw down another 250 pesos for another night in my hotel room in downtown Los Mochis. After feeling the stress of traveling for a week straight in a new country, I knew I needed a day to rest, collect my thoughts, and devise a new traveling strategy. I really have had no desire to venture out onto the busy streets, and have only emerged from my second-story hideaway long enough to retrieve food and cerveza. Inside my small hotel room, you will find me huddled over my map, marking out locations of farms, brainstorming, and contemplating where the universe will take me next in this journey called life.

Back into the desert...last blog entry

I never thought I'd be back in the high desert so soon. But we have found work, and we leave today to go work on a farm near Joshua Tree National Park. It was the very first certified organic Jojoba farm in the world, and is still the only one in California. My friend Boomer hooked us up with the job, and we jumped at the opportunity. It is supposedly hard work....it is on commission, so the harder you work, the more money you make. We plan to work for a week or two, then head for Mexico and Latin America once we have some money saved up.

This also may be the last blog entry for the Road Less Traveled. I have decided not to bring my computer along with me, in an effort to force myself to live with the bare essentials. It will also cut down on weight in my backpack. I am still going to be writing all the time, only now I am going to be using an old-fashioned pen and notebook. Who knows, maybe I will try to publish a book some day.

You can still get a hold of me by email, or any of the other social networking sites. I am also going to start writing more letters to people, so don't be surprised if you get something in the mail. Thank you to everyone who was interested enough to read my writing, and so long for now.

Return to Santa Barbara

My traveling buddy Justin and I just arrived in Santa Barbara on Monday. We decided to take the scenic route along Highway One from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara, which is one of the most beautiful stretches of U.S. coast in my opinion. It is good to be back here, even though I have always had a love/hate relationship with this town. I think I prefer just visiting here, rather than living here. Santa Barbara is a beautiful place, and it is easy to get sucked in. With it's gorgeous scenery, beautiful people, warm weather most of the year, and easy-going lifestyle, it is very easy to see how someone would not want to leave. But beneath the glittery gold surface, there are some not-so-nice characteristics about this place that you come to know after living here for a while. It is getting more and more expensive by the day, and the once-unique shops of downtown are being forced to relocate because of high rent prices, and more franchises and corporations are taking their place. There is also a lot of wealth in Santa Barbara, as it is the fifth richest zip code in the country. With all that wealth, comes a high level of snobishness. I don't think I have ever known a city that was so wrapped up in itself. But of course, every place has it's negative and positive aspects, so it's best to just take it as it is.

We also have the luxury now of traveling by vehicle. Luckily, Justin places the value of experiences over the value of money. So he does not really mind what happens to his truck, as long as we have a helluva time along the way. With a 4x4 Toyota 4Runner, the possibilities are endless...especially in Mexico and Central America. The only major cost will be for gas, but that should be reduced when it is split between three or four people. The idea of going all the way down to Costa Rica has been thrown out there, and it is actually seeming quite possible. Supposedly, the drive can be done in about eight days. So my friend Justin and I are going to go to Labor Ready and try to work for a week, then my other friend Joey will meet us here and the adventure will begin...

No money and no direction to go

So here I am in Santa Cruz, CA, with practically no money and no idea what tomorrow will bring. I love this feeling of freedom, but I also miss the security of a steady job and a place to live. I feel like I am stuck somewhere in between, being restrained by my lack of options. I have so many visions of things I'd like to do with my life, but I have always had trouble putting them into action. I hate how I always have to worry about money....money is my worst enemy. It is the only thing preventing me from living out my dreams. I feel like I am on the verge of something new, fun, and exciting, but the lack of money is preventing me from breaking through. I can't seem to find any work here, and I dread the idea of getting a real job. I just don't think I can cut it at a normal job anymore.

If I had left for Mexico right after Santa Cruz the first time, I would have had enough money to easily travel around for a bit. But I felt there were some things I need to do first, such as experiencing the Pacific Northwest, Burning Man, and going back home to see family and friends. Now I am pretty much drained of cash, and not sure what to do next. I have a few options: I can stay in Santa Cruz and try to find work for a month or two, and hope that I could find a place to stay, or I can get a ride with my friend Justin down to Santa Barbara. My instinct is telling me to take the little money I have and keep traveling on. Plus, my friend Justin is in the same traveling mind-set as me, and it would be nice to have a travel partner.

I just have to keep a positive attitude and remember that everything will work out the way it is meant to......it always has before.

Return from Burning Man

I have returned from the week-long, eccentric arts and music party in the middle of the desert that is known as Burning Man. It is quite difficult to describe the sheer scale and massiveness of this festival to someone who does not know what it is. To sum it up: it is a huge week-long gathering of thousands of people in the middle of the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. Artists work all year round creating these unbelievable art pieces, a lot of them mobile. It is a party that never stops, with bass beats blaring in the distance all through the night. But I will not tell you any more than that, you will just have to find out what it is like for yourself...

A dust storm sweeps across the Playa as we approach Black Rock City.

A view of our camp at 8:30 & F. Photo by Justin Costanzo


I was able to get a ride into San Francisco with my new friend Justin, and from there I took the Caltrain to San Jose, where my buddy Joey gave me a ride down to Santa Cruz. So Santa Cruz is where I am once more temporarily residing for the moment. It has been wonderful to see all my friends here again, and tell them stories of the past few months. Burning Man was a blast, but I have come to face the fact that it pretty much drained me of most of the money I had saved up. Not to mention that my wallet was lost(or stolen) somewhere along the way.

I honestly have no idea how long I will be staying here or when I will be able to make the trek down into Mexico. The fact is: I need money. I figure I could make money while still here in California, or try to find work down in Mexico, but I have no idea how easy or difficult that would be. My friend is trying to set me up with some landscaping work in San Jose, so I am really crossing my fingers that that will pan out. If I do get this job, I may end up staying in San Jose for a month or two while I save up money.

Back home in Traverse City, MI

I have lived in quite a few places, but I still consider Traverse City to be home. After all, it is the place that I spent the majority of my childhood years. Every so often, one needs to immerse themselves in familiar faces and surroundings. It is rejuvenating, like a breath of fresh air. I always look forward to my yearly visit, and it is just what I need before I set foot off on my adventures.

A sailboat cuts through the evening clouds on West Grand Traverse Bay

It's funny...all the time I was growing up here, I couldn't wait to get out and go somewhere else. Now that I have experienced other places, I realize that I really like it here in Northern Michigan. I couldn't be more thankful to have had such a wonderful area to grow up in.

Every time I go out into town, especially the bars, I see about ten or so people that I have not seen in years. And I can't help but compare myself to my friends that still live here. I wonder what the hell I would be doing if I hadn't moved away. I don't think I would really want to know and it doesn't matter anyway. I did what I had to do, when I had to do it. And I don't regret a single choice I've made....it's all been one big learning experience.

This visit back home is of course all about visiting with friends and family, but it is also about saving money. I have been doing some accounting work for my father in an effort to save up at least a little cash for my travels. It is vital that I focus and get some work done while I am here, otherwise it could be a major setback. I am still a little concerned about income once I start traveling in Mexico, but I try not to worry about it. I have been trying to go along with the natural flow of the universe as much as possible lately. What happens happens, and it happens for a reason. There is no use trying to change something that is out of your control, as it will just make you frustrated. Instead, accept and adapt to it. Even look on the positive side and try to see the advantages of the situation.

I will continue to take things as they come, and I will be guided to where I am destined to go in this life.

New bike

I bought a used mountain bike a week or two ago for only $25. Now, I have found that the old saying "you get what you pay for" is generally true, and this case was no different. But the fact that the bike is a piece of junk does not really bother me, as I will only be using it for a month or so. It is a bike, and it works, and that is all I care about.

I took it into a shop recently to see how much a tune-up would cost, and they basically told me that it wasn't worth it and that I should just go buy a new $100 bike. I kept telling them that I was only going to have it for a month and just wanted it in working condition. I didn't want to pay an amount that was more than the bike just to fix it, so I ended up just buying a new chain with the intention of putting it on myself.

I hope the bike will hold up for me until Burning Man roles around, as I am planning to use it as my transportation at the festival. I want to do something crazy to it to make it more fitting for the eccentric vibe of the event. Maybe paint it and add some lights?

Picture of me testing the bike out on a jump. Minutes later, I raised the height of the ramp and jumped over the bonfire.

Birthday weekend

Yesterday was my birthday, I am now twenty-three years old. I never thought I would get to be this age. When people are young, they just want to grow up faster. When people are old, they wish to be young again. That is why I am just enjoying the process of growing older one year at a time, month at a time, week at a time, day at a time, hour at a time. Aging is a beautiful thing and there is no better time than now.

On Sunday, the 29th of June, I was blessed with a beautiful day to enjoy on my birthday. The sun was blazing, and we piled into the truck with our neighbors boat in tow, and headed out to nearby Mason Lake. We met with some of my roommate's friends, who had a nice little cabin right on the waterfront. We spent the day jetting around the lake; jumping off a rope swing and doing a little knee-boarding and tubing. The water was warm, but still cool enough to provide refreshment from the hot sun.


View Larger Map

As the day progressed, clouds began to move in. But they didn't hinder the natural beauty of the whole setting. Behind the tree line, the snow-covered peaks of the Olympic mountains jutted up towards the heavens, and were illuminated by rays of sunlight breaking through the cloud layer. It is times like this, that leave me in awe of the marvelous creations the the earth has to offer. it is certainly enough to humble anyone.

It was a good birthday.

Moving to Washington

Tiny ripples slowly pulsate across the surface of the water, setting the pace for the people's way of life here. The reflection of the tall evergreen trees is distorted by the slow-moving current. And under that, the clouds are reflected as blurry white blotches lazily floating across the light blue sky. As I sit on the back porch and gaze out across all this, I can't help but be at peace, and feel as one with the universe.

I am lucky enough to be able to experience this serene setting every single day. It clears the mind and is refreshing for the soul, to say the least. And the best part is knowing that I get to stay here for no cost at all! When an opportunity like that arises, I simply cannot ignore it. I think the two months or so that I am here, will be very productive for me. When I am not working and saving up money, I have an ideal setting for working on my own things; such as music, writing, reading, and yoga.

The night before I left, we threw a party at our house, because of my going-away and also because it was my roommate Selena's birthday. I could not have asked for anything more. Even though a couple friends could not make it, most of my close friends were there so that we could spend one last night filled with shenanigans and fun. The next day I spent packing, and we had to visit two of my favorite places in town before I left; Pizza My Heart and 99 Bottles. I just barely made my bus on time, so I didn't really get to say all the goodbyes and hug everyone like I wanted to, but no worries, I shall be back in about two months.

The bus ride up here was a long one. About twenty-two hours I believe, from Santa Cruz, CA to Longview, WA. About three hours into the trip, we made a transfer in Sacramento, CA. I stepped off the bus, walked about fifteen feet, and was subjected to a search by a seven-foot tall security guard. He said that he "smelled pot on me", and asked if I had been smoking earlier. I had smoked earlier in the day, but there was no way in hell he could have smelled it on me at that time. I am guessing they just thought I looked like I might have something on me, and were hoping I did. They took me into a back room, with me rolling my eyes and shaking my head in disbelief. They talked as if they already knew that I was hiding something, saying things like "where is it?" I just responded, "where is what? I already told you I don't have anything on me." Unfortunately, I did have a glass pipe packed in my bags somewhere. They found it and questioned me about it. "It's not illegal to have a pipe," I said. "It's illegal if it's on federal property," the seven-foot tall black man said. Then he muttered that he was keeping it. I really didn't care as long as they quite harassing me and let me go. They kept asking me stupid questions, and I just kept giving them attitude. They eventually let me go, and I sat down to wait for the bus, feeling somewhat violated.

I slept uncomfortably for most of the trip, but was pleasantly surprised by the sight of a snow-covered Mt. Reiner jutting up from the horizon early in the morning. We arrived in Longview around 3:30pm that day, and Tyler met me to pick me up from the bus stop. We got to the house and I was happy to find that the closest town in in walking distance, and the next closest town is about four miles down the road. The property that the house sits on is big and spacious, has a very big yard with lush, green grass, and resides right on the edge of the Puget Sound. We are two hours from the Pacific coast, but it is still salt water. The tides go down extremely far, and you can go out and harvest oysters when the water is low enough.


My second day here, I was told that I could go to work the next day with Tyler and his dad. They run a construction company, and were generous enough to let me work with them. For the past four days, we have been painting a remodeled house they have been working on. I don't think they will have consistent work for me right now though, so I will probably need to find another job in the near future. As of now, I am enjoying the new landscape and getting accustomed to the area. Next on the itinerary: a visit back home, then on to Burning Man!

RoadTraveledLess.com

I now feel as if my blog is official....the new address for the blog is RoadTraveledLess.com! Less letters and easier to remember. Keep an eye out in the future, as this blog will serve as my outlet for writing about my adventures as I travel around.

Some other places to find me on the web:

My photo collection on Flickr

My CouchSurfing profile

MySpace

Traveling footwear...

So I am trying to decide on what kind of shoes I am going to bring with me for traveling. I was really hoping that I would only need two pairs total, but now I am thinking I will most definitely need three. Without a doubt, I will need a pair of boots for hiking and work. And a pair of sandals without question...I will be in Latin America, surrounded by two oceans for God's sake. But I think I will also need a pair of normal shoes for going out to clubs/bars, or doing sports, or things around town. I don't want to be trodding around in huge boots all the time, and there are some occasions where sandals just do not cut it.

I have always been attracted to a wide variety of activities, and my gear needs to accommodate for that. So along with hiking boots, I will probably end up getting a pair of shoes, but something that is light and doesn't take up much room. Does anybody have any advice or tips concerning this?

Skating my way through life

It's about 10am and my phone rings. I pick it up and my buddy is on the other end. "Dude, we are going to drop LSD and go longboarding. Come over." "For real?", I ask. "Alright, let me grab some breakfast and I'll be right over." I throw some bacon on the stove and eat a banana while I'm waiting because it's all I have to eat. Then I grab my skateboard and head out the door.

This is how I live my life. Always living in the present moment and taking things as they come. I always feel like I am sort of stumbling through life, but it has worked out for me thus far.

Little did we know, that day was to be one of the hottest days of the year so far. But let me tell you, there are few things more liberating than flying down a hill at 30MPH with nothing but a plank of wood under your feet and the hot asphalt rushing by, and experiencing a feeling of oneness with the world around you. It has been about a year since I last did acid, or any other psychedelic drug for that matter. And it was exactly what I needed. During that hot, sun and acid-drenched day, I once again was able to get in touch with my true nature. There is something about psychedelics and adrenaline that mix very well.

Now it is often very difficult to convey ideas that emerge during a trip to other people. Sometimes those ideas or realizations will stay with you after the trip, and sometimes they fade away along with the dose. I had a couple self-realizations that stuck with me after this trip. I realized that my dreadlocks are not just hair, but a symbol of my resistance towards society, or Babylon. And likewise, a symbol signifying the acceptance of my alternative lifestyle.

During my trip, I was also able to sort of step back and look at my life as if viewed from a different perspective. It was almost as if I was seeing my life as a story. I was the main character and this was yet another chapter in the book. Because that's all that life really is, right? It's one big story, and it's up to you to write the story. I ask you this....when the story is over, is it a story that you or other people would be interested in reading?

Time Well Spent

There I lay, wide awake in bed at about 2 o'clock in the morning. I tried to drown out the thoughts that kept bubbling up to the surface in my head so that I could get some rest, but my brain would not let me. Memories of the last nine or so months and future ambitions were swirling around in my head.

As well as getting all my belongings prepared for the move North, I am also getting prepared mentally. It is astounding to think I only have a few weeks left in Santa Cruz. I have grown a fond connection to this place, and I have done a lot of self-reflecting and self-improvement whilst here. But I have been starting to feel myself trapped in a routine once again. It seems as though six months is maybe the longest I can stay in a place. Six months seems a good amount of time to spend in one place....long enough to get acquainted with the area and make some friends, and yet not long enough to become too attached.

So it is set. I will migrate North to Washington in mid-June. I've had some amazing times here and I have met some awesome people and I will miss it greatly, but I have a feeling I will be back someday...

To go or no to go....

The question that has been occupying my mind recently, is whether I should move up to Washington state or stay in Santa Cruz for the summer. I would really love to stay in Santa Cruz for the summer, but my gut instinct is telling me that I should go North. If I stayed here, I would have to find a job and I would continue paying rent, all the while trying to save up for my travels. If I moved up there, I would have a free room, and a very good chance of having work already lined up for me. It just seems like I would be an idiot to not take this opportunity.

I will be able to pay this month's rent, but after that, I would have to find alternative sources of income. I am waiting on my $600 tax rebate check, which should be arriving sometime this month or early June. I am first going to use $200-300 of the check to purchase a ticket to Burning Man. The rest I will just save. My one college class finishes up around the first week of June, so I have until then to decide what I am going to do. But as of now, it looks like the winds are pushing me North...

Simplifying My Life

Less stuff = less worries. I am in the process of selling all my personal belongings in an effort to simplify my life. When I leave for traveling, my only possessions will be the clothes on my body and a backpack. That's all I need to be happy, really. "Things" don't really mean all that much to me. Most of the things I need can be found in the world around me or inside me (in other words, knowledge). I think the hardest things to get rid of will be my musical instruments and skateboards. But I can manage.

On the plus side, I should be able to get a little bit of cash for selling these things off. Whatever I cannot sell, I will just give away to friends or charity. Here is a list of all that I'm selling:

-digital camera
-camcorder
-bass guitar
-bass amp
-keyboard
-8-track digital recorder
-snowboard
-CD collection
-skateboards
-bike
-TV
-tent
-iPod
-all video games
-car CD player
-radar detector
-VCR
-old clothing

Washington, here I come! (maybe...)

As the days keep flyin' on by, my travel adventure grows ever closer. Actually, it looks like I may be relocating a little sooner than I thought....I will probably be moving again as soon as the school semester is over (I only have one class, but hey, I really like that class!). I have a friend living up in the state of Washington with a cabin right on the water, and an extra bedroom. The best part? FREE RENT! How can I ignore an opportunity like that? By doing that, I can save about three months rent, which would come out to around $1,500 or so. That's extra money that could be spent on traveling. I love my roommates and friends here, I love our house, and I love Santa Cruz, but I am a nomad at heart and I go where the wind blows. And that wind is blowing me even further North.

The rest of my "plans" will remain the same. I will go to Burning Man with my buddy Tyler, that is, if I can get a ticket. From there, I will get a ride down to Santa Barbara, where I will chill for a couple weeks and hang out with my good friends there before I take off for Mexico. For now, I will focus on selling all my stuff, finding some work, saving up money, and preparing for the trip. Excitement is in the air!

First Post (again...)

So after a few requests, I've decided to start up the blog again. I won't actually be hitting the road until September of this year, but I figured I could still write about my preparations for the trip. And of course, I'll still be exploring the Central/Northern Californian coast until I leave, so I'l write about that as well. OK that's all for now, because I'm extremely tired from a weekend full of fun, and a great hike earlier today. For now, adios1