Summer has barely gotten started but it’s safe to say that it has already thrown me for a loop. 2018 has been a whirlwind of a year so far, and it doesn’t seem like things will be settling down any time soon. Earlier this year, I was focused on finding a new position at my company, but after a few unsuccessful interviews, I decided to give the job search a rest for a little bit. As much as I hear that God’s timing is always perfect, sometimes it’s hard to grasp that when you have no idea where your life is heading. This rings even more true for a person like myself who wants to be in control of their life all the time. But once again, God was good and showed me that I just needed to trust Him. I didn’t get the jobs that I thought I wanted then, but as time would ultimately reveal, He had something else in store for me that was equally, if not even more, life-changing. And sure enough, about a month ago, I received the exciting news from my boss that I was getting assigned to a two-month project in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
As someone with a serious case of wanderlust, I had been wanting to travel to South America for the longest. It was one of the only regions in the world I’d never ventured to and after watching documentaries featuring the late great Anthony Bourdain, envying all the breathtaking photos taken by travel bloggers, and listening to the captivating stories of friends who have visited or lived there which I have met at Chatempanada.com, with this my intrigue only continued to grow. I had an overwhelming desire to experience firsthand the land of tango, world-class coffee, soccer superstars, samba, and magical realism. Plus, it would give me a chance to practice my Spanish, which I’ve been trying really hard to become fluent in, and maybe even learn a little Portuguese. Up until now, going to South America didn’t seem very feasible. Between long flights and limited vacation time, I felt like I would never have enough time to see all that I wanted to see. But now, I have the unique opportunity to spend my entire summer in the beautiful country of Argentina, while traveling on the weekends to all the other incredible destinations this continent has to offer. And the best part? I’m getting paid to do it.
So with this amazing opportunity that suddenly landed in my lap, I’m determined to make the most of my time here. I want to immerse myself in different cultures, have conversations with people from all over the world, and make lifelong memories. And as always, I’ll keep you guys posted throughout my journey. As I make my way through the sunny beaches of Rio de Janeiro, the beautiful snow-capped mountains of Patagonia, the charming pueblos of Bolivia, and the colorful landscapes of Colombia, I’ll fill you in on all the important traveler’s tips, the must-see places, the activities you absolutely cannot miss, and, of course, the best dishes to try in each country.
The bags have officially been packed. South America, let’s get it!!!
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Very ‘beautifully’ written Samantha, and ‘yes’ I have come to learn that God has a unique ‘sense of humor’! I’m very much into ‘quotes & sayings’ as a means of motivation & inspiration, and I came across one sometime ago that said, ‘Man plans, and God laughs’. While I understood it, somehow it made me kinda sad & solemn for various reasons.
However; like you, I have learned to accept the fact that regardless of what our plans are for our lives, we must be ‘in tune’ with our Creator’s overall master plan for us, and realize that whatever is God’s will for us, it will come to pass. Though we may not get there just the way we imagined that we would. I’m sure you’ve heard the quote; ‘when 1 door closes, another 1 opens’. This is very much in correlation of what you’ve experienced 1st hand.
Wishing you every success in your discovery of ‘lands & places unknown’, and especially and most importantly; the rediscovery of yourself as you venture through each experience.
God Bless!
I thank God for giving you this opportunity to see and experience His plan for you personally. I am very happy to see all the beautiful places you get to visit and experience while in South America and grateful to God for watching over you while you travel around in the foreign land. Hope this experience will grow you and change you in the way God has planned for you. Have fun and enjoy the rest of your time in South America! Love you and miss you!