Extraordinary Adventures. (And the Occasional Taco.)

Sometimes I get this extraordinary urge to travel. I'm not talking about booking a trip to California or Rhode Island, either. I'm talking about an urge to go on serious, not-Alisha-like, out of this world (er--country?), traveling adventures.

Even though I know I possess neither the courage nor the funds to go on these over-the-top excursions, I still occasionally find myself (foolishly) looking up "the world's most dangerous places to visit" or researching various ways to volunteer abroad. Last month, for example, I went as far as requesting information from the Peace Corps. THE PEACE CORPS. Can we all stop for a moment and let that sink in? The girl who wasn't able to leave home without her Mommy until her teenage years--the one who can't sleep without the gentle hum of a television and a warm, cozy bed--requested information from the Peace Corps. 

Indeed, it does. A colossal THANK YOU to all who have served/are serving/will serve. You're spectacular.

Oh, how I wish I could be one of those people with the strength and courage to do such a thing. I can only imagine how amazing it would be. The beneficial time spent with people who would inevitably come to change my life and the experiences alone would be more than enough for me. Admittedly, I did look into Cross Cultural Solutions--a program that would allow me to volunteer for one week instead of two years--but, let's be honest: I don't think I would last a day. I need technology...and shopping malls...and, yes, the occasional Cheesy Gordita Crunch from Taco Bell at 1 in the morning. 

GET IN MY BEL-LEH!

(Yikes. I just openly admitted that I avoid traveling abroad and doing spectacular things not only because I can't afford it, but also because I'll miss eating our disgusting American tacos. Then I went and posted a picture of said taco. At this time, let's all take a moment to sneer and shake our heads.)

You know what else I've always wanted to do? Go for a drive on Yungas Road. Maybe play chicken with a bus while I'm at it. (Just kidding about the 'bus' thing--I'd much rather play chicken with a scooter. Or maybe a bicycle.)

Pretty sure I've posted pictures of this on a previous blog post. I just think it's incredible.

I guess my point in creating this post tonight comes down to the importance of my urge to find and chase after adventure in life. I envy those who are able to pack up their bags and head off to a third-world country to do amazing things and help wonderful people. And I envy the fools who have the courage (and stupidity) to do things like drive around on Yungas or go adventuring in some dangerously exotic land that they're in no way familiar with.

Girls like me? We dream of doing those things but we never actually do them. And I hate to admit that. 

Fortunately, however, there is something good that comes from having a mind that desires to do what most would consider unthinkable: it inspires us to be more adventurous in our daily lives. And here recently? My urge to do something extraordinary has only strengthened. Will I act on it? Maybe. Probably. Will something (good) come from it? Couldn't tell ya if I had to.

If you're sitting at your computer, reading this and relating to all that I've said so far, I find it only necessary to tell you that this inner "urge to do the extraordinary" is not a bad thing. Don't think of yourself as a failure if you don't act on those seemingly crazy ideas. Instead, embrace the power you feel when you picture yourself doing the extraordinary. Know that the world is out there waiting for you and, even if you're not going to do things like volunteer abroad or drive around on a ridiculously small road in Bolivia, you have the ability to do amazing and wonderful things with your life. Don't fear adventure, my penguins. Fear the regret that comes with missing the opportunity to take advantage of it. 

Have a lovely evening. I'm off to buy a taco. (Give me a break. I've been slobbering over the picture ever since I posted it.)

All my love!

What's the cuh-raziest thing you've done? Do you ever feel the sudden urge to do things you  wouldn't normally think twice about?