I'm Back!!!

It's been quite a while since I've last written something for this blog.  Nine months and a few days to be more exact.  Anyway, I will be writing something once a week from here on and I trust my readers will find my words helpful and at the very least, amusing.

The past nine months have been filled with more than a few adventures and some insightful and at times sobering lessons.

Perhaps the most sobering lesson came when I was in Peru with a group by the name of IRIS Mundial, providing eye care to a community that has limited access to health care, especially eye care.  To put the need into perspective, the team saw over 2,000 people in the span of 5 days, working 10 to 12 hours each day.  There were people who'd arrive at 5:00 AM after walking or taking a bus from a remote village to wait their turn to be seen.  For some, that wait was 10 to 12 hours.  When I'd see one of these people, they were not upset that they'd waited hours to be seen, sitting outside the makeshift clinic in the hot Peruvian sun.  Everyone, to a person, were extremely grateful that we were there.

Waiting patiently to be seen by doctor

I have two short stories from my time in Peru.

The first is a lady who gave me a big hug after her exam, with tears in her eyes telling me "¡Dios te envió a ayudarme!" or "God sent you to help me".  She'd not been able to see clearly enough to read for some time and simply needed a pair of reading glasses.  I found this very eye opening and sobering.

The second is a lady who I saw, after I examined her 13 year-old son.  I asked her "¿ese es tu hijo?", or "is that your son".  Her response was "Sí, él me vuelve loco".  Translation, "yes, he drives me crazy".  With that, I burst out laughing, realizing teenagers are the same everywhere.

With this in mind, here are a few of my musings and observations from my time in Peru.

• Patients is something we all could have more of.  Being impatient will not make things better or get us were we want to go any faster so relax and enjoy yourself.
• Where ever you travel, you may be the only glimpse someone will have of your country, state (province) or town so be on your best behaviour and be curious about the place your visiting.  Both you and those you meet will be better for it.
• What may seem trivial to you, will mean the world to someone else.  In other words a little help and kindness goes further than you imagine it will.
• Look for similarities instead of differences in others.  You'll be surprised at how many similarities there are.

My new friend and fellow motorcyclist, José.

Here is a link to the summary of the IRIS Mundial Peru mission.  2017 Mission Caneta, Peru

Gerald Trees

Musings and Observations of an Adventurous Life Seeker

The positive side of facebook

Social media and facebook in particular has been a part of society for a decade, at least.  Social media is now part of the daily existence for most of us.  The media has become a way for us to share with friends, family and the world parts, if not all of what goes on in our lives and our opinions on everything from politics to what our favorite restaurant is.

Over the years more than a lot has been written about the negatives of social media, with facebook being one of the popular targets.  Everything from people waisting time to airing their "dirty laundry" to the world.  In typical media fashion, little is written about the positive side of social media, including facebook, and yet there is a positive side and in my opinion a big one.

I first joined facebook in 2007, when my daughter was in her first year of university and while I probably spend too much time "browsing", I've also reconnected with childhood friends, classmates and I have made new friends that over time I've had the pleasure of meeting in person.

A former teacher and good friend who "convinced" me to join him on an adventure in Peru.  We reconnected thanks to facebook.

Recently I met someone who I'd been "friends" with since 2010 when we were on the opposite sides of a debate about Harley Davidson Motorcycles shutting down Buel Motorcycles.  For those who spend too much time riding, dreaming and reading motorcycles, you'll understand.  For those who don't, you'll have to imagine it in political terms, only more important.

Anyway, over the years Graham and I have found that we have more than a few things in common besides motorcycles and it was only a matter of time before we'd have the opportunity to meet in person.  The only significant issue was distance as I live in Canada and he's from Australia.  Earlier this year he made a career move to the US and was on holidays in Victoria, a couple of hours from where I live, earlier this week.

It was a pleasure to visit and have some food and drink with someone who I'd only known from cyber space.

Friends finally meet in person.

While the web and cyber space has a dark side and can involve hours of uselessness, it does have a positive side, if you choose to look for it and use it.

Gerald Trees
Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker

Do You Want Adventure? Travel!

Do you want adventure?  I'm going to assume your answer was "YES" because you're reading this so here we go.

Travel is adventure and it will change who you are without you trying.  Over the years I've had the opportunity to travel and so far my experiences have taught me more about myself and others then any book or class could.

Saturday night in the main square in Peru's second largest city, Arequipa.  I never expected to see a car show / cruise-in but that's I found.

In contrast, this is what life is like in rural Peru.

Travel will change your perception of reality.  It's that simple.

Writer Aldus Huxley wrote -  “To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.”  The same can be said for parts of your own country that you've never been.

I had heard many negative things about New York City and had little desire to visit the city.  After visiting there in 2015, my perception was changed and I will be heading back for a longer visit in 2016.  

My favorite quote on adventure and travel comes from Mark Jenkins.

Perception is our interpretation of realty.  It is influenced by our experiences, upbringing, what we read, what we hear and what others tell us.  If we stay in our own small corner of the world, our perception of reality can be distorted, dispassionate and cold.  By traveling to new places, even within our own country, we will grow and will see our world and others differently.  Travel may confirm you’re perception or change it.   The world does have it's ugly side and yet beauty can be found in every corner.  Be bold, get out of your comfort zone and see the world on your own terms.  Your perception of the world will become your own and not the views of someone else.

Gerald Trees

Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker

Real Adventure Begins When The Plan Falls Apart

Adventure can be found by doing something that places you outside of your comfort zone.  Even though activity may put you out of your comfort zone, you've probably researched and planned as much of the activity as you possibly could. 

Real adventure takes place when that plan falls apart...

This is when you'll be forced to think on your feet and most likely do something you never though you could do.

I've had a mechanical breakdown in the middle of nowhere Peru that I knew how to fix until I realized that the necessary tool wasn't in the tool kit.  There was no other choice but to improvise.

Evaluating the situation

 

 

Having a flight canceled or missing a connection is always an adventure and one that can either be a fun experience or one of frustration with attitude making the difference between the two.

 

 

The aftermath...

 

A more recent "real adventure" took place this past summer when I managed to get really stuck in the Utah mud, out of cell range and by myself.  Not the highlight of the trip, but the best story of the trip.

 

 

 

Plan for your adventure and be prepared for when the plan falls apart.  That's where real adventure is found along with experience on steroids.  You'll also find out what you're really capable of, which is much more then you realize.

 

Gerald Trees
Musings And Observations Of An Adventurous Life Seeker