Now is the moment of truth, a mental fork in the trail, a decision to be made. If I go up towards the bright mountain top, I will have to be disciplined, enduring, and work hard. But if I head down to the swamp, I can simply meander there, entertain my laziness, and bask in a pool of regret and solitude.
Sometimes it feels so much easier to give in, stop writing, and numb my mind with endless episodes of Avatar The Last Airbender (awesome series by the way!). I don’t have to worry about writing posts on time, or obsess over whether the book will succeed or not. It’s easy, but God, Buddha, Vishnu and Allah knows that shit gets boring.
Besides, I’ve got a lot of exciting projects and travel plans in the works. I can’t hang out in this swamp forever.
The Book (s)
This is definitely the most exciting news. I have exactly 30,431 words complete. I figure I’m about half way done. It’s an extremely low grit sandpaper draft at the moment but it’s a good start and at least today, I feel proud of it. I’ve also come up with a tentative title, “Chasing Life.” Below is a short excerpt if you’re interested.
Through invisible cracks in the train door a cool breeze wisps through the corridor. I sit with my back to the train wall, my arms around my legs, my muscles tense against the cold. My body sways with the undulating train car and my heart beats steady to deafening ‘click clack’ of the steel tracks just a few feet below. The beat is calming and my batteries are drained, but my mind won’t power off. Ever since we departed Paris around 4 hours ago, the events that unfolded this afternoon won’t stop replaying in my mind. I can see my mothers face clearer now in retrospect and it haunts me. I can see the sickening worry in her eyes and the newly formed wrinkles of pain across her forehead. I can hear her crying out, the way that only a mother can. I feel like puking but I know there won’t be anything to throw up. Suddenly we blast into a tunnel and the click clack of the tracks amplifies ten fold. The pandemonium is soothing and for a moment I allow myself to forget. Across from me are my new friends. Their outlines illuminated by a single dim yellow light. They look like they had just had an orgy and then simultaneously collapsed onto themselves into a deep sleep. I can just make out Katie and I stare at her with longing eyes. I don’t really like her that much but it would just be nice to connect with someone and maybe even cuddle with against this cold. My eyes wander through the dark and up to an adjacent window. I can see nothing but a slight reflection and the endless black world beyond. I wonder where we are right now? Are we still in France or have we entered Germany yet? We could actually be anywhere, I think to myself. We could even be in a black hole or traveling through another dimension. We might all be dead and be traveling to a deeper level of hell. It doesn’t seem impossible. The thought sends shivers through my core and I squeeze my knees up against my chest. God I hope I’m wrong.
My wanderlust embodied
Book 2
I’m also really excited about another book I’m in the middle of writing entitled “How To Shit On The Streets.”
This book isn’t actually about shitting in the streets. It’s not about dropping trough in a busy intersection and letting lose. And if you are hoping to learn how to stealthily defecate in public, well you’re out of luck, and I think you might have some deeper issues to attend to.
The purpose of this book is to inspire you to travel and be inspired by travel. It’s about letting the emotional anxieties go and letting things flow. It’s about providing the spiritual fiber to help discover your fears and flush them away. It’s about preparing and transforming yourself, so that, if one day, you have no choice but to shit in the streets, a very plausible predicament if you’re traveling India, you will be empowered to do so.
In short, it’s a budget backpacking guide that addresses both the practical and emotional anxieties, which inhibit ones travel dreams from becoming reality.
A likely sight in India *sammyboy.com
Book 3
The final project I’m excited about is called “Runaway Tours.” Runaway Tours are ultra budget backpacking tours modelled on my adventures.
They are designed to lead you on a backpacking tour through three of the best backpacking regions in the world; Central America, South East Asia, and Eastern Europe.
In short, these e-books will essentially be guide books. But instead of presenting a hundreds different options recommended by aging authors, they will lead you to my favorite secret spots, help you find the coolest hostels, and show you where you can eat for cheap.
I’m still on the fence about this project, so let me know if you’re interested or not.
Travel Plans
I’m going back to Central America! More specifically, I’m headed to Antigua, Guatemala on November 16th. I plan to set up base there for a month or two and continue writing. Then I want to travel back down to Panama and create the the first Runaway Tour entitled, “The Gringo Trail.”
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala *fabuloustravelguide.com
Conclusion
This isn’t the first time I’ve found my self at a crossroads. I’ve been here plenty of times before. But now I realize that the key to keep moving up the mountain is to take one step at a time. I can’t work on everything at once. It’s just too overwhelming. I also need to stop worrying about failure and keep looking ahead. And finally, I need to better cultivate the balance and discipline that will keep me moving forward. It’s time to climb up that damn mountain again!
I am stoked about the gringo trail man! I was wishing just yesterday that someone like you would post something like that, and you are going to! I am preparing to go backpacking around central america this next year and will probably try your guide, since it is going to be my first backpacking trip. I am preparing now!
Nice! I’m working on it at the moment. It’s looking like it won’t get done until early summer though. I will let you know!
Those are the best book titles ever! Best of luck and book 2 sounds like a best seller!
Thanks Shaun! Had a look at your blog, pretty cool! Flying in that MIG looked amazing!
I’m excited to hear about the book man (and not shitting in the streets). Keep it up, you’ve got this!
Thanks Ron, I appreciate the support!
Reading the excerpt from your book made me want to jump on that train and give a big, warm hug. Obviously you’re no longer in that same situation, but if you ever find yourself cold and lonelyish around Amsterdam just give me a shout!:)
Hi Ania, thanks :) I’m happy to hear that it’s moving. I will! Thanks for the offer. :)
I really like the site so I know i will love the books :)
Thanks Sohpie, I appreciate it!
Sounds great man, I’m headed into Antigua for a month of spanish classes as part of my latin america trip next year! I’ll be there late January! Look forward to a post about it before I get there :D
Sweet! I will definitely get some good posts on Guatemala before you get there.
All of these books sound awesome! Keep up the good work, I can’t wait to read more.
Thanks Sarah, I appreciate the support. I will keep grinding towards the finish!
I definitely think you should do the Runaway Tours book. I will buy a copy if you publish it. I hope you do it and I look forward to reading it.
Thanks Nathan! I’m definitely going to do it now!
these certainly are exciting plans! can’t wait for that first book to be finished, its got me gripping to read more
Thanks Rebecca, I will finish it as fast as I can!
The book sounds great, keep up the good work!
Thanks! I will!!!
Always enjoy seeing your updates!
Sounds like you have quite the workload lined up. It is always good to have many goals to achieve, it helps keep you going. I have loved your writings so far in the blog and wish you the best of luck in your endeavors. You writing can be very inspirational at times.
Hey Dave, Thanks a lot, that means a lot to me! I have too many ideas, and love to dreams but sometimes it keeps me from getting anything done ><