"Comfort zone"...a funny thing

About 3 years ago I first discovered a company called Roadmonkey while reading National Geographic Traveler. They do adventure-philanthropy trips, one week of what I consider "active fun" (biking, rafting, hiking), and 5 days working with an NGO on a community project (building a playground, library, etc.). Right away, I knew it was the perfect combination for me. I had already done research to go on a biking trip to Europe (although I'm not an avid biker yet...but I will be in 10 days), and I had also looked into volunteering trips abroad. So I went to their website, saw their expeditions, spoke to the founder, asked questions. Vietnam was the most appealing trip. I've been wanting to go to Vietnam for a few years now. I actually had a trip planned to Thailand and Vietnam but never made it (the break-up spoiled it). To be honest, I wanted to go to southeast Asia with my a boyfriend or a close friend, but since there's no boyfriend and it's hard to find a friend with the time and same interests, Roadmonkey became even more appealing. I thought about going last year, but I would have missed my son's 11th birthday. Finally, this year, I started considering it again. I had to leave Miami the day after my son's birthday, so it was perfect.

Over the summer I started really thinking about going. I spoke to Paul, the founder, and asked him many questions, he asked me some as well. I'm a researcher and he's a journalist, so there were questions back and forth. He was curious as to my motivations and I explained to him that a few years ago, I decided that it was important to "get out of my comfort zone". I thrive on that feeling, doing things that make me a bit nervous, that I never thought I would do. So far, these have been the most valuable experiences and most cherished memories: Going to Spain with my kids for a week, learning to surf, traveling alone, etc. Nevertheless, I had my hesitations about the Vietnam trip. I'm not a biker and this calls for 8 days of biking, I'm not 25 and in my mind, everyone would be younger than me, it's a long trip (2 weeks) and it's far, very far. It took me a few weeks to make up my mind, and I finally decided to go, to really get out of my comfort zone!! It all worked out with the flights, I was going to travel with miles but ended up finding a super cheap ticket and was able to use my upgrades, lucky me!!!

The preparation has been interesting. I started biking, although not as much as I should have, started reading about Vietnam, and a few weeks ago, started buying the all the gear (a head lamp, pocket knife, quick-dry towel, energy bars, etc.). When I read the detailed itinerary, after having paid for the trip, I really got nervous and anxious. What did I get myself into? Eight days biking and 5 days building a sustainable organic garden and rice paddy for a poor community in the Mekong delta. The biking distances are a lot longer than I anticipated, I realized I was in big trouble, but hey....the idea is to get out of my comfort zone.

The last week has been particularly stressful. Even though I've been traveling extensively for the past years, I still get very anxious before long trips, particularly the fact that I'm leaving my kids in Miami (which still generates some guilt) and I like to take care of the daily logistics while I'm gone (I know all will be fine). Additionally, it was my son's birthday yesterday, so we had multiple celebrations. I've been a basket case, trying to get last minute gear, pack, work, spend time with my kids, and totally nervous about the uncertainty. In addition to having to bike a lot, I don't know the other people, I have to share a hotel room (not used to it), I've never been to Asia, the trip is extremely long and I will miss my kids like crazy. So I've cried a bit over the last few days. My kids have been incredible, they are so excited for me, and looking forward to the pictures, stories and Vietnamese straw hats!!!! I'm on the plane right now, flying to Chicago, then going on to Tokyo and finally arriving in Ho Chi Minh City about 24hours later. What a adventure this will be, full of amazing people, incredible places, valuable lessons, and most importantly...completely out of my comfort zone.

Last night my daughter said, "Mom, you don't get lucky with these things," and I asked her, "what do you mean?" She replied, "you have to like sports, be determined, be hard-working, like you". Needless to say, I couldn't hold back my tears. A 9 year old reassuring me, encouraging me!! She then said, "it's going to be fine, actually it will be great. You'll meet new people, a new experience". Well, I was still crying, and at that point, the 3 of us were hugging and crying. When I said good night, they told me there was one word which describes me, and it is: AWESOME (I completely lost it). What a lesson they taught me yesterday!! I'll make sure this experience is as much theirs as it is mine, and I hope I can encourage them to get out of their comfort zone throughout their lives.

Let the adventure begin....