Airplane tickets

My itinerary is taking shape! Yesterday I purchased my airline tickets through February...here's where I'll be:

September 14 -- Depart Seattle for Kathmandu (via LA & Hong Kong)
September 16 -- Arrive Kathmandu
September 25 -- Head to Pokhara to stay at the Chhetri Guest House and prepare for the trek
September 27 - October 8 -- Trekking in the Annapurna Sanctuary (can't wait!!)
November 17 -- Depart Kathmandu for Bangalore, India
February 1 -- Depart Delhi, India for Bangkok Thailand

At this point, I anticipate that I'll be in Thailand through mid-April. I will probably take some side trips and check out Cambodia, Laos and/or Vietnam.

After Thailand, I'll head to Guatemala (6-8 weeks to study Spanish) and Costa Rica. Pura Vida!! I also want to end the trip somewhere totally decadent (but cheap), so let me know if you have any suggestions. I'm thinking that Mexico should have the perfect spa/retreat where I could invite friends to join me. Ideally, it would involve relaxing, a comfortable bed, organic fresh food that I don't have to worry about getting sick from, water that I can drink freely, a really excellent massage therapist and yoga. Too much to ask? I don't think so...

And, I should add that I am so blessed to have adventurous friends. I have two friends who have positively committed to come visit me for extended periods on the trip -- Alyson Falwell and Angie Morgan. There are several others (that will remain nameless so as to feel no pressure!) that also will likely come visit me along the way. The adventure will be a perfect balance of independence and inter-dependence. It will be wonderful to share this experience with friends.

So many questions!

So many answers! Ever since I decided to take a sabattical, the energy of the universe has been completely overwhelming to me. It seems for every question I ask or hurdle I encounter, an answer presents itself in a way that surprises and excites me! Welcome to my blog. This will be a way for you, my friends and family, to follow my journey. People ask me why I am going? Won't I be lonely? Isn't it irresponsible? (Well, OK, they don't ask that one but I know some are thinking it) And to them I say that I am going on a journey of self-discovery. An adventure to uncover who the authentic me is. I am excited to discover who I am outside of the confines of my routine. That is an answer that hopefully lies hidden along the Annapurna Sanctuary or on a Thai island...in a Mayan teacher's eyes...or in any of a thousand places that I will visit or people that I will meet. Don't get me wrong. I have an amazing life here. I am not running away from it, but rather choosing to step outside of it for a while and reflect with an open heart and a clear mind. Thank you for your support of my dream. I am so honored to have the opportunity to live it, and to share it with you. With love, Pam