Thought it would be… no, I take that back. I`m not entirely sure what I expected before I got here. I was just so dead set on going on my own little ground-rattling adventure that I hadn`t a moment to contemplate the pros and cons of my would-be `lone ranger` status. It just came to be; and then it was!  

Truly, I`ve never been so comfortable with myself as I am now on this trip… I`ve noticed. I feel happy, beautiful, and content with life in general about a million per cent of the time. I get up, ready and out of any accommodation in 10 minutes max – no time for fretting over silly things (, ladies…).  The people I`ve met along the way have been fantastic, thus far, and the hostel meetings always quick and quirky (ie. “Hola, hablas Inglis? Si/No…“ Proceed with life story and some sort of fun outing. Names are usually forgotten and introductions come later). I glide seamlessly from town to city, and stage to scene, with minimal bouts of doubt or loneliness.  

I`ve gotten over the fact that some days I have only me to take a decent picture of myself in some beautiful place I`d like to remember!  

All of the above is facilitated, of course, by an open mind, relaxed itinerary and semi-social attitude.  

First question: “Don`t you ever get scared?“  

Next: “Do you miss your family?“  

To each, my answer is the same.  A vague and contradictory, “Not really.  But of course!“ usually quiets down any askee`s negativity, and let`s me know if they really care and are worth answering.  

So yes, of course I find myself a little unnerved sometimes: My first steps in the dark streets of a new city at night… or when my bus pulls up somewhere that looks like nowhere, and I`m not ready to get off and lug my bolsa massivos, and the cab drivers hanging nearby are not necessarily looking entirely trustworthy.    

But with a good head on your shoulders and a little mental preparation, my dears, you are good to go.  People are just people all over the world, and the problems you could have mostly run along the same axes wherever you are.  Of course, they and their homes may look unfamiliar to you; and the interactions will be different than you`re used to.  For example, the verbal diarrhea and straight-up ABUSE that a guera (light-skinned chick,  especially blondes ) must endure in this country in particular (and in many countries around the world where you find yourself standing out) is hell… I`ve left out gueros here because the attention is far minimal, and usually taken as a more positive phenomenon.    

Alone, always approach every situation with caution.  But look like you don`t have a care in the world – you know exactly where you`re going, and what you need.  No problema.  

As for my awesome Dad, and extended family of blood, friends and loved ones, I miss them in my heart, and regret deeply that I cannot share some of my experiences with particular people!  Almost more than that, I regret not being able to simultaneously stand by them in their lives for the miraculous (new babies!) and terrible (death and breakups) things that undoubtedly happen throughout the duration of my trip.  

But shit happens.  And I`m in México.  Working on a new friendship with this new and unfamiliar territory, that I`ll likely feel for strongly until the day I die.  That`s pretty cool – and to do it alone is perhaps a feat, as people tell me; but most definitely an adventure.