A Word on Choosing a Travel Companion

Many people have questioned how Aeriel and I came to embark on this trip together. Truth be told, it started with just two words. On June 20^th, I received an email from Aer titled “Life Changes”, followed by a few lines about her need to get out of the country. I responded simply with “We’re worldly and educated, how hard can it be?” From there we dreamed up a plan, tied in some United Nations goodies, and booked one way flights to Panama.

All this is to say that while Aer and I were friends in college we hadn’t seen each other in well over a year and dwelled on opposite ends of the country. We have never lived together, never spent more than a track weekend together, and really had no idea how we’d fare under constant 24 hour togetherness which is a feat even for people who have known each other their whole lives.

One month later, I am happy to report that I don’t think a more perfect travel pair has ever been spontaneously created, and if you can answer yes to the following questions, you too may also know someone fit to live out of a backpack with you for the next seven or so months.

1.) When you spike a fever that lasts for days will your Travel Companion (TC) take the following actions?

a.       Wash your horribly dirty laundry

b.      Make sure that you have Gatorade and water at all times

c.       Shove granola bars under your pillow at least once a day

d.      Cook you chicken noodle soup when you’re too weak to make it to the grocery store

e.      Bring your journal to your hammock so that you can write without having to move

      2.)  When your hair gets too grimy to call hair much less touch, will your TC braid it to make you feel pretty again?

      3.) Will your TC share the last piece of stale bread and 50 cent imitation Oreo cookies with you?

      4.)  Will your TC tell you that your first attempt at fried plantains taste like perfection even though they taste like moldy feet?

      5.)  Does your TC enjoy eating entire jars of peanut butter during 16 hour bus rides?

      6.) Will your TC take on an entirely new name and identity when living with an indigenous tribe, in addition to living without electricity and running water?

      7.) When situations get tricky, does your TC insist on making decisions over mass quantities of alcohol?

      8.) When you just need a taste of home after a LONG ass bus ride, will your TC ravage overpriced cookie dough with you?

      9.) And on that note, will your TC also be ok with living off bread, cheese, and mustard for 5 consecutive days?

      10.) Finally… is your hair blonde? If so, it is vital that your TC be fair as well, because your moments of stupidity will always be paralleled and marked with fits of laughter that get you through even the most ridiculous of situations.