3 Febr 2026 Trepidation

It’s 03h40 and I’m wide awake.  In a couple of hours my plane leaves for Buenos Aires via Sao Paulo,  for another South American travelling stint.  The previous one, 6 years ago, was rudely interrupted by Covid after 7 months, so now I’m hopefully returning for a year to explore Uruguay,  Brazil and some of the northern countries.  My nerves are completely shot, as I am older, have less energy and really don’t understand why I’m always pushing myself out of my comfort zone.  But what an adventure awaits!

The reason for writing this blog is two-fold:  it is a summary and reflection of my trip, and it alters my state of mind as it encourages a different way of thinking about what I’m  experiencing.  Instead of feeling lonely, scared or desolate, I’m talking to all of you as I’m walking down a street, or looking at something beautiful, wondering how I could best describe it to bring it to life for you.  So thank you for sharing this trip with me, we’re in it together. 

09h00 and the Uber arrives on time.  I’m off to the airport, standing in queues a mile long, patiently waiting and slowly becoming aware of the weight of my (small) rucksack.   At passport control I experience the e-gate for the first time, and am very happy that my thumbs still have fingerprints.   So Buenos Aires here I come!