My recent journey through Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala at the end of 2023 reignited my love for backpacking-style travel. With my partner by my side, we explored various towns and countries over two weeks, reminiscent of my nine-month shoestring backpacking trip from Peru to California back in 2013. That epic adventure shaped me profoundly, and I often ponder why travel holds such an irresistible allure for me.

While my partner sometimes felt uneasy during our travels, I found myself fully alive in those moments. It got me thinking: what is it about this type of traveling that keeps pulling me back in?

Listeners of my podcast: Full-Time Yoga Teacher know that I lead a simple life to keep expenses low as a full-time yoga teacher, allowing me to allocate funds to invest in what truly matters to me: continuing education in yoga and travel. Travel has always held a top spot on my priority list. I relish exploring without breaking the bank. All-inclusive resorts, fancy restaurants, and organized tours aren't my scene. Instead, I thrive on navigating local public transport, sampling street foods, browsing open-air markets, and simply walking around to witness and learn from the everyday lives of locals.

Throughout my travel adventures, I've experienced moments of overwhelming gratitude. Those instances where joy, peace, love, and gratitude fill me up, leaving me with a profound sense of contentment and the mantra "LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL" echoing in my mind.

One such moment occurred on my recent trip. A picturesque scene unfolded before me as I gazed out the window of a rural Guatemalan bus: children playing barefoot soccer amidst lush green fields and towering mountains. It was in that moment that I fully felt and saw the beauty of life. Again, the mantra echoed in my mind "Life is Beautiful...."

So why do I prioritize travel? It's simple—it makes me feel ALIVE. It reminds me of my insignificance in the grand scheme of things, shrinking my problems and life challenges to mere specks on the horizon. Stepping away from the routine of teaching and computer work allows me to slow down and embrace alternative ways of living. When I am traveling, mundane tasks like buying produce for dinner, or catching a bus home, or catching sunsets become thrilling mini adventures. Travel awakens my senses and soul, allowing me to appreciate life's small wonders wherever I go.

But how can I capture that same feeling of aliveness back home in Long Beach? Amidst the busyness of work and the monotony of routines, although I love my job as a yoga teacher, it's easy to overlook the beauty surrounding me. I forget to pause, breathe, and take in the simple joys—a short walk around the block, or a moment to create art. Yet, if I can infuse my daily life with the magic of feeling alive, then home can be just as enriching as any travel destination.