Dear Grandma and Stitches,
Let me start out by informing you both that I have arrived safely back in the country that I am proud to call home. Thank you both for your continued loyalty through the hell I must have put you through by not contributing to my own blog. It seems everyone else has long since given up. You two are warriors of the same class. So for your efforts, I would like to share with you my exit thoughts and conclusions of South America.
Stitches, you son were one of the first that I threw out the suggestion of leaving everything behind and going on an exploration of self. After long talks and careful planning you said you were out and I was left to fend for myself. I don´t care that you pulled out at the last minute anymore. After all, this letter is intended not just for you but my Grandmother the other viewer of my blog so I will remain positive.
I am here to tell you the complete lack of research and planning proved a successful way of creating a meaningful experience. Without trying to document the last three months of my travels (You will have to be present at my diary readings to get that hot gossip) and for the sake of keeping things short and simple I will get right to it. I would have failed you both had I walked away from this sabbatical without gaining some purpose or clarity from it all. As I have never been accused of ¨catching on quick¨ it was no surprise that it was just a couple of days ago that I realized the significance of this stage in my life.
Life for the most part is good. Especially when you are born into a very comfortable existence with a family that loves you and have an American citizenship. It may only further prove my ignorance but it took a journey like this for me to realize exactly how great I had it in life. I did sacrifice much and acted selfishly in my decision to do something like this, however, it paid dividends I am pleased to say.
I saw some amazing things, slept in some amazingly awful places, partied till dawn, woke up to roosters crowing at dawn, climbed snowy peaks, swam in crystal clear river rapids, dug ditches, missed Jorge, haggled with a Jorge. ate some bizarre things, experienced some strange encounters, witnessed environmental destruction, saw first hand the wonders of nature, galloped horses, rode motorcycles and felt the rush of being in a four wheeler accident...again, visited five different countries in as many months, never scratched the surface of mastering the Spanish language, missed family and friends, found friends and family.
Over the course of the last 17 months with the help of many and the desire to find a better way of life for myself I think I might have found part of the answer (for myself anyway). Surround yourself with good people, appreciate what you have and contribute in a beneficial and honest manner and you will have happiness. The key to life is all about putting a positive spin on things. Easier said then done I´m afraid, for now this attitude will work for me.
That being said, I owe a debt of gratitude to many a people for making my decision possible. To name just a few and by a few I mean many and I am sorry for the many I will probably forget to mention.
My partner on this shindig Brian "BQ" Quarnstrom, thanks for the good times and always having each other's back.
To my entire medical team at St. Luke's South Pediatric Care especially Dr. Bob Schloegel for their continued care well into my late 20's. I believe I am currently the oldest patient that has ever been treated there, beating BQ out by a total of seven days.
To my God parents Moose and Gigi for raising me in the way of the Lord (do you capitalize lord?) and also helping me deal with Uncle Sam and those God Damn taxes he expects every year!
Wayne and Pam Mckamie and the entire staff at Focus for all their assistance in helping me figure somethings out.
Cousin Big Reg for all the worthwhile advice in life.
Vicky Springs for finding a way to send her baked bread down to me in Ecuador.
Matt Carl Schloegel for offering a one time "Get out of Jail free card" to BQ and I. My only regret was the fact that we never were able to use it.
Erin Powell for being our go to gal for research assistance, logistics coordinator and conveyor of sound advice.
My lawyer Uncle Paul Croker for making it legally easier for me to die or become incapacitated down South. Had we not have filled out all that legal jargon and something had happened to me I would have hated to see my family torn apart trying to fight over all my assets and estates. I promise to send you plenty of business later in life.
My Brother Zeke and Sister in law Andrea for their generous donation to the cause.
Dave and Denise Schloegel, they were there for me when I planned my trip to Australia and you bet your sweet potato that they were there again for this adventure. Thanks guys!
Cousin Mark Paul, where do I begin? Spiritual guidance, fashion guru, master of the ways of women and an unwavering loyalty to the cause made him irreplaceable on this adventure. Not to mention the beef jerky we received in Quito.
Mister Misti- The man who showed me how to recycle before recycling was cool! Oh yeah, also giving me gainful employment for the year leading up to this trip.
Chuck and all the battles he fought with Sprint successfully suspending my phone service while I was a way. A task that I was incapable of conquering. That is why when in doubt I send in my Noble Steed to take care of business for me.
Virgin and Michale Vaughan the best damn benefactors my dog Jorge and I could have ever had asked for and thier constant generosity and love.
Tom and Mariela my Ecuadorian parents, even though Tom walked out of my life life 24 years ago to go and get a "pack of smokes" in one month of reacquainting with him he was totally able to redeem himself with his life lessons and generous spirit. I credit his new wife for this.
To the Kansas City K-9 club especially Jill for going the extra distance in taking care of my dog and keeping him safe and happy while I was away. Never once did she shy away from helping my sister out in taking care of the old boy.
To my Mother and Father and their continued support in me. I know I have not always made it easy but at the very least I keep you wondering "just what in the hell does that boy have going on up in that head of his". I am lucky to have parents that at the very least try to understand me and I know that it has not been easy. Thanks for the love.
To a very special lady friend of mine KJ, who has made me wonder over the last few months exactly what the hell I have going on in that head of mine! I am looking forward to seeing you real soon and thanks for not giving up on me.
Lastly, everyone mentioned above played a key role in allowing me to go on an adventure like this and I will never forget that but there is one person in particular that deserves a special shout out and that is my big sis Ali. She has always been on my side even when it was clearly the wrong side and without her this experience would not have happened. Not only did she allow me to store all my crap in her basement, help ready me for this trip, give me shelter upon returning but she took on the mother load burden of fostering my dog while I was a way. I know for a fact that it was not always an easy task and it certainly demanded a lot of her time but she was able to keep Jorge Miguel alive and happy and for that I owe her big. The only problem is is that she knows this! Thanks Ali.
So to put it very simply; I'm Back...Deal with it!
Er Chico Pietro
