The Path to Morocco- Part 1

The short story is that my European trip just became an international one.

The long story is that a while ago I realized that I was having some reservations about my trip.  I have always been excited about the opportunity to travel for such an extended period of time, but I realized that something was holding me back.  There are places I'm dying to visit, and monuments I'd love to see, but I never really wanted to spend almost 4 months simply sightseeing.

About a month ago I was rushing off to my nannying job and realized I didn't have anything to read at the doctor's appointment I was taking the kids to, so I grabbed a book off my shelf.  The Art of Pilgrimage: A Seeker's Guide to Making Travel Sacred.  The book is basically what you'd expect.  Lots of Rumi quotes with a dash of Buddhist philosophy on top--complete with generously applied underlining and exclamation points in the margins in bright red pen from the previous owner.   While it was a bit excessive at times, when I reached the chapter titled "The Call of Destiny" (I know, I know, I rolled my eyes too), I couldn't put the book down.

During my car ride home, the best place for thinking second only to a hot shower, my mind was buzzing.  The chapter focused on discovering what your true passion or purpose is, and making your travels focused on that.  I am passionate about animals and art and psychology and a million other things, but what I kept coming back to is the work I've done with children and adolescents.

I thought about the girl I mentor who is in every way like a true little sister to me.  How she bought me a Doctor Who necklace with her carefully saved money because she thought of me when she was at the mall.  How she shyly and proudly presented it to me as soon as I picked her up the next day.

I thought about the kids I nanny and how--without even realizing it-- my job went from a way to save up to my trip to an integral part of my life.  How that afternoon the 12-year-old had followed me around the living room, resting her head on the arm of the couch where I was sitting.

I thought about the girl my mom and I sponsor who lives in Kenya.   How she wrote a letter saying she was proud she had a sponsor so she could continue her education.

I thought of the girls who were adopted from foster care who received dolls I made as a Christmas gift this year.  How they drew me pictures and wrote how they tell their dolls their worries every night before bed.

And I realized this is it.  This is why I exist.  This is why I survived all the struggles I went through in high school, even though I didn't realize it at the time.

I dedicate my free time to volunteering and helping at-risk children.  My major and future career path are structured around giving back and helping kids who need it most.  Why not make my trip about that too?