Defining what the word "normal" means is not exactly simple. I don't think it takes a genius to understand that, seeing as how humans are thinking and decision-making beings. How can something that is by nature unpredictable be clumped together in a predictable group and called "normal"? Wouldn't it be unfair to generalize about a population in which being unique is not just a birth right but a virtue? Interesting thought, but allow me to contradict myself: When people are about to do something they have never done before, go somewhere they have never been before and see some things they have never seen before, they get nervous. That nervousness may come in the form of excitement and eagerness, intrigue and a sense of power or it could make you bite your nails and lose your appetite because of plain fear. Fear of the unknown! That's a good one. For better or worse, people get nervous. Period. But alas, that's not true either and I'll tell you why. Tomorrow morning I embark on an adventure. An adventure to last just under one whole month living, studying, and exploring in a place I have never been before called Ecuador. And I don't feel much of anything. Is that normal? Who cares, all I know is, in my final hours before departure, I am completely at peace.
Circumstances led me to elect Ecuador as my second study abroad location, but to be utterly honest before September of 2010 I had never really thought much about Ecuador. That's not to say that previously I had thought badly of Ecuador, it simply means I had never really thought of it. Even now, a day before I arrive in Ecuador, all I really know about it is that I will likely eat a lot of black clams and I may see some Blue-Footed Boobies (which are birds, children) on the coast. And that, my friends, is why I am not nervous. I have this idea, a philosophy you could say, that expectations generally (normally) lead to a bad time. With minimal expectations, everything turns out better than you imagined, and that is simply the best way for them to turn out. Accompanying my wise life philosophy, I have a deep passion for travel/culture/the world and at this point in my life nothing is more exciting.
And so, with my travel lust and low expectations, I calmly await our meeting, oh Ecuador, and all your black clam and Blue-Footed Boobie glory.
really cool post like being in your head before you take off not what i would expect. really interesting though ive been using this wisdom in my everyday after i read this. expect nothing things just generally work out better that way. leaves room for organic(ness).
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