The beginning of something awesome...

Today, marks Day 1 on this journey (or rather Day 0.5, since I’m spending most of it in the airport).

Many people were sympathetic to my 6-hour layover. But I have to say, I’m extremely grateful for it. This has been an excellent time for an in-between reflection.

The last week, I have been really stressed and overwhelmed. I’ve been pulled in many directions but not wanting to miss anyone. While I was grateful for it, it was tough to juggle seeing people, the emotion of saying “see ya later” AND packing for 6 months.

But now, I have these hours to sit, reflect and truly appreciate the wonderful people, influences, love and prayers that have been heaped upon me in such a short amount of time. And again, I’m overwhelmed, but in a good way. No amount of blogging could convey that.

So many people have asked why. I guess I should address that first in the most eloquent way I possibly can: I dunno.

I knew it was time for a change. After studying abroad in Spain years ago, I knew that was not going to be the last trip abroad. I knew I wanted to go to a Spanish-speaking country.

Many were concerned about safety; myself included. But I have not been raised to live in fear. So, prayers and a little convincing of the parental units and village were in order.

It’s truly amazing how wonderfully small our world is. Until about a year ago, it wasn’t often that Colombia made it into my conversation. But since announcing my trip, I find Colombians and her tourists on Facebook, at the 1-800 number for Delta, friends of relatives and even the young lady at the airports currency exchange. We are all so much more connected than we realize.

I don’t embark upon this odyssey with frivolity or dismissively. I absolutely realize how blessed I am to have this opportunity and the charge and responsibility that come with it. And I am humbled by it and accept the challenge.

Ms. Janice told me that our ancestors did not imagine her but rather they imagined me. A woman unencumbered by the chains of cannot, should not or will not.

I was asked about my decision to go and how that affects my patriotism. To be honest, I never knew my patriotism was in question. But I answered. So many times, we, Americans, use our love and devotion to our country, at the exclusion of all others, as a litmus test for true Americanism. But I think that undermines what America is really about.

America is the most ethnically diverse, multicultural nation in the world due to immigration. Our national DNA is rooted in pretty much every country, culture and religion around the world. To be honest, I believe traveling is more likely to make me a better American than a worse one.

If I can be the face of humanity in a world where America’s compassion and humility are sometimes unrecognizable, I will. And if I can bring back to the land we call home stories of love and acceptance, I will. And hopefully, we will all be the better for it.

The parting advice from my uncle was “May you find something transformative and liberating. May you lose something that held you hostage. May those things force you to be a better citizen of the world…” and I intend to do just that.

We are the vessel through which true benevolence, understanding and love are meant to be carried, if only we unleash the altruism we burry underneath our narcissism.

Well world, here I am; unencumbered and unleashed. I’m ready, God. Send me.

#janellecolombiaamerican