Young people.

I (not young (41)) invited Yanni (21) from Israel, and Oriana (23) from Austria over for drinks last night. They are crewing on an English boat (Osprey). Phillip (19) and Aki (old man :) joined as well. Yanni plays a nice guitar and we sang songs, drank rum, and spoke of our travels well into the evening. Phillip has decided to leave “Liberty” and fly back home to Canada this week. He wants to continue his studies.

Now that I’ve been traveling I think it’s fundamental for young people to travel. Going straight from high school to college should be intercepted by at least year of travel! I would conceder this time of travel as important, or more important then university with my own children. I’ve never met a high school graduate that really knew what he/she wanted to do with their life. They might think they do, or want to please their parents, but are as in the dark as a star on a moonless night. My first major was oceanography but I changed to business thinking that the dollar was more important, what a mistake! If I had traveled and taken time for myself I would have made wiser and more confident decisions with my education, and more importantly, with my path in life.

Young people who travel after high school get a much better sense of who they are. I also believe it’s important for kids to get away from the influence of their parents and peers. We might worry and think traveling is dangerous for our children, but that is false! It’s also false for us to believe “we know what’s best” for our young adults, by 18 it’s time to start flying solo. Self awareness is crucial in post-adolescent development and we must nurture it.

It’s so nice to wake up every day and enjoy my life. I spent so long unhappy and not on my path. Anyone thinking there is no light at the end of the tunnel is totally wrong, and “no”, it’s not too late. We must make changes in order to find happiness and not let society tell us what path to follow; hence the importance of “self awareness” early in life.

Today I’m going to the post office to buy a phone card and mosey around town buying food stuff for Namaste’s stores and my travels west.

Cheers from Nuka Hiva.

Peace, Love, and traveling.

– Alex