A Great Journey, 1 week in. | México D.F.

One week in, I’m still trying to settle into this crazy RTW travel adventure. I’m sure that won’t happen for a while since, up to this point, I’ve been away from work the standard 2ish weeks, had a cell phone with easy calls to the US and plenty of data (thanks, T-Mobile!) and even got my last paycheck while on the road. Sorry, savings account, it’s all downhill from here.

It really has been a blur; half of that time in the US and half of it here in Mexico. I still can’t believe my trip is under way.

Looking back at it, allowing myself more time between my last day at work (a Friday) and the time I left sunny Seattle (noon that Sunday) would have been a good idea. There was SO much to do and so little time, that it left me a little overwhelmed and underprepared. I mean, I thought I’d updated my address on every possible account…until I purchased stuff on Amazon with one click and the packages got to Seattle the day before I left for Mexico. Hell, a package is still on my former doorstep because Amazon & On-Trac are a pain to deal with (please don’t go steal it). Yes, I know, cue the violins.

Finishing off an huge task list at work, squeezing in one last haircut, playing tourist for a day, packing and packing and packing, trying to catch friends for one last drink, making an unexpected trip to the VW dealership for a pricey repair (damn you, airbag sensor!), and getting in a final jump off the dock and into a freezing Lake Washington was a fun mixed bag during my last 3 days.

Nonetheless it was exciting to finally hit the road on November 22nd, after carefully playing tetris with all my belonging and packing the car. Thankfully the 50″ TV fit in the backseat and made it one piece; my vintage picnic basket arrived unscathed; there were no flats; I only had one scary running-on-E-with-no-gas-station-in-sight moment, and nobody broke into my car. Whew. I’ll miss my lil’ stick shift Rabbit. Even after 5 years of ownership (and 2 years in someone else’s hands), it only had 59,000 miles and looked good. Enjoy the ride, mom and dad!

Gabriel García Márquez’ Cien años de soledad may not have been the greatest, most upbeat soundtrack, but at last I got through most of a really good, thick book without trying. Thank you, Seattle Public Library, and my apologies: it will be overdue because I never made it to USPS before I left.

Taking in the Timbers vs Dallas game and having some good beers with my boy Evan the same day I left Seattle made for a great Sunday funday; goals galore and an electric atmosphere at my favorite stadium in MLS (and it was great to see Will Johnson & the Timbers win MLS Cup a few days ago). I was very tempted, but passed on Voodoo Doughnuts because I’ll be eating enough sweets on this trip as it is. Should’ve had one last Deschutes, though.

I spent that night in Springfield, OR, where my AirBnB hosts proudly proclaimed that it was the Springfield in the Simpsons. Take that, Eugene!

My San Fran stop lasted about 16 hours, but I managed to get quick visits with three of my favorite people, a fun night out, and a hangover, into it. I also thought about Mikey and how his life and death really impacted my life, and nudged me to go on a great journey. Purposeful living and more gratitude for every day, even the bad ones, are two things we can all use more of. Clearly, he was a big influence, so I wore one of his shirts on my flight down from Vegas; not quite sure how it fit me, but I’m glad I got into a schmedium.

The So-Cal portion of my travels allowed me to spend a day with my 97-year-old great grandfather, whom I hadn’t seen in years. It was a very fulfilling 24 hours during which I just ate good home-cooked Mexican meals and listened to his stories. It was wonderful and something I will cherish forever. We talked about his 100th and I am hopeful we’ll both be there to celebrate it with an epic party, even if he doesn’t drink, something he said helped him live long and save money. I believe it.

Driving through So Cal and onto Vegas also allowed me to experience the worst drivers anywhere on the west coast. Just, wow. The level of ineptitude and aggression displayed by drivers with Cali plates was off the charts. Not all of them, and not quite as bad a Brazilian drivers, but, still.

Vegas was good; getting quality time with 4 generations of family and one of my best friends definitely hit the spot. But the longer I’m away (it’s been 11 years) from the place I spent 14 years of my youth, the more I realize that it’s lacking some things I’ve been spoiled with while living in SLC and Seattle. My people, my Rebels, great clubs, dining, and shows, yes. Culture, natural beauty, a sense of community, pro sports, good beer, character, clean air at bars, etc., no. I also realized how much the PNW changed me when I didn’t hit a single bar in Vegas, but made the long drive to Whole Foods Market. Twice.

Through it all, I got to say goodbye to many great friends before leaving, which was awesome (shout-out to Matt Moran for planning a great gathering in Seattle)! I was disappointed I wasn’t able to bid adieu to a couple of people in Seattle and Vegas, and not for lack of trying, but so it goes. Onward!

Mexico has been fantastic, as expected, especially because I’ve spent most of that time with family. I went to Oaxaca with my sister, lost all my hair (more on that soon), been eating way too much, have driven my little cousins around crazy-ass D.F. and gotten lost (driving here is not for the faint of heart), started running again after almost four months injured (can I blame the altitude and smog for feeling so out of shape? FML!), been to the symphony, left my camera charger and extra batteries at home when I really needed them, climbed pyramids, actually found a good local craft beer (Consejo Cervecero’s Boy Stout porter), almost missed a bus back to Mexico City, hit a Liga MX semifinal game with the boys, and have finally disconnected from work. Good times!

On to week 2 and more challenges, fun, opportunities, and good stories to share. Here’s to truly sucking the marrow out of a great journey, rain or shine!