Finally! It’s been 10 months since I’ve had a big adventure so I’m ready. Tomorrow I leave on what I know will be another amazing experience. I’m off to Argentina and Chile. In Argentina I’ll be doing a Spanish immersion program at Expanish in Buenos Aires and staying with a host family. Hopefully I’ll leave those classes with the ability to have a decent conversation with the locals. Then I’m off to Chile to trek Patagonia at Ecocamp Patagonia.

As I get ready to take off, some similar thoughts go through my mind. Check out the musings of this adventure traveling girl! And check back over the next few weeks – I plan to blog on a daily basis.

1. Get absolutely everything out of every single moment that you can. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip and you’ve worked hard and saved for it. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn and grow – and have a freakin’ blast!
2. Say “I love you and I’ll miss you” to the people (and dog) you love. And bring pictures of them with you. When you’re lonely and scared – and you will be – look at those pictures.
3. You can be whoever you want to be – even Candi with a heart over the “i”. But be true to yourself. Unless you’re in danger – then be a bitch and get the hell outta there!
4. Skype your mother. No matter how many crazy trips you take, she’ll still worry.
5. Appreciate the differences in people. What makes them different makes them fascinating. Listen to them, watch them, learn from them and be KIND to them.
6. Take a lot of pictures but don’t live your vacation through a camera lens. Experience it! Remember it! And then WRITE IT DOWN! We all know that after 40, even the most amazing moments in our lives get lost. Have something concrete to bring back all of the happy memories.
7. Even though modern technology allows for us to be connected all of the time, use the opportunity to disconnect and TRY, TRY, TRY to live in the moment. Remember it’s a moment that most others will never have the balls to put themselves in.
8. If you think something nice about someone – even a stranger – say it. Try to say it in their native language but if you can’t, say it anyway. Your sincerity and smile will shine through.
9. Clean the house before you leave. It’s bad enough that you don’t want to come home; coming home to a dirty house makes it that much worse.
10. Have your favorite meal the day before you go. You’ll miss it! I’ll be at Al Mike’s tonight if anyone wants to join me.

Off I go! Salud!