Es-cah-pay.

Aww see?  We fancy ourselves as just plain hilarious.

As much as the next patriot, I think that I am fairly aware of the vastness of our great nation.  It boasts most every kind of climate found on the planet, is home to most every different kind of person, and is a mash up of so many cultures, accents, etc etc.  We have a lot.  Despite all of this, I still maintain that every American, as able, should make it of utmost priority to get the HELL OUT OF THE STATES at least once a year.  Here are ten reasons why:

1.  You have to get out of the States in order to do all of the things that you can't do in the States.  The boys and I giggled every time we were led across a rickety drawbridge, traversed across skinny ledges on the edge of a cliff, biked downhill through construction sites etc etc, laughing that "this S**t would never fly in the US!"  Keeps you alive, taking risks and learning how to choose your own steps.

2. You have to build your immunity somehow.  In the United Sterility of America, you will rarely have to wash your hands in muddy water or eat from dishes rinsed with a hose.  Buck up, fussies.  Yes, I did spend the bulk of my trip quite ill, but sometimes that's good for you.  Misery breeds character.

3. In the States, you pretty much only meet other Americans, and people think that's cross cultural.  Im sorry, but I don't think it's interesting to talk to someone from South Carolina.  "You have PinkBerry?!  WE HAVE PinkBerry!"  Please.  In contrast, while in Peru, we met and made friends with people from the UK, France, Tunisia, Belgium, Germany, Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands, just to name a few!  Now isn't that just so much more fun?!

4. Deficit or no, we are rich.  We should spend our money contributing to those less rich.  Buy their food, ride their cabs, invest in their children.  It's simple, and so rewarding for both parties.

5. Along with the former, traveling to other countries teaches us about money.  No matter where you go, a huge part of the culture of a place is tied in its financial habits.  How much people earn, how they spend their money, how it's exchanged.

6.  Geography.  Along with math, science, reading and writing, US schools are also quite lacking in this subject.  In my opinion, they best way to counter this is to fly away, read a lot of maps, and explore.  I admit to knowing quite nothing about South America before embarking, and now know a little.  Progress.

7. We have GOT to do something about the American stereotypes.  When chatting with the friends from places mentioned above, we loved asking them what they really thought about us Yankees.  Most common answers?  Fat.  Loud.  Overconfident. Irresponsible.  Blurgh.  If only they weren't all true.  I like to think that the three of us tried our best to show another side to the gluttonous Yanks.  You know, the giggly and outdoor loving side.

8.  For three weeks, I got to ignore the budget crisis, didn't have to drive a car, and was blissfully ignorant to all of the media blitz that surrounds anytime the newest Hollywood starlet tweets about her shoes/hair/toileting habits.  I feels cleansing to only worry about what's right in front of you.

9. I get inspired by other travelers.  We met so many people with interesting stories, abilities, opinions.  Everyone else we met spoke multiple languages, and had such seemingly profound understandings of the world.  Doesn't it ever feel like Americans are completely ego-centric, like we are the only country/culture/economy that matter?  While there may be a bit of truth to our nation's influence, I still feel like it means that its citizens don't learn as much.  Bothersome.

10.  IT"S FUN!!  I like going places without answers, just the balls to try it out.

Move about the cabin!  Take me with you!  Love Love Love.