Strategic Stop
We had planned a return to the U.S., specifically Seattle, sandwiched between our Peru explorations and the upcoming adventures in China. This stop wasn't just a pause in our journey; it was a thought-out step for several reasons:
Cost-Effective Travel:
Combining two separate flights – Seattle after Peru and then onto China – proved to be more budget-friendly than a direct Peru to China flight.
Reflect and Reassess:
After a month of traveling, we wanted to take a moment to evaluate our experiences. What worked? What didn't? This stop was our opportunity to streamline our luggage further and adjust our plans based on our learnings.
Reconnecting and Recharging:
Most importantly was reconnecting with friends for one more heartfelt send-off. Visiting the Deicherts in Seattle was not just a reunion; it was a chance for us to unwind, debrief, and reset our minds for the next leg of our journey. Also, having Sean, a life-long friend and an accomplished woodworker who moonlights as a spinal PA, drive up from Portland for the weekend was incredibly rejuvenating. Katie was able to get a night of laughs and catch-up with her adored friend Ryan whose presence at University of Washington justifies the tuition.
Personal Reflections:
Cost-Effective Travel:
I was happy this didn't get messed up with my eye surgery and needing to cancel/adjust flights. Plus, there was a bonus to coming back to Seattle which allowed me to have a check-up on my eye with a doctor that spoke English. In short, I learned all was progressing well from a healing perspective and I could have my second surgery to remove the oil whenever I liked. But, getting my vision back fully was doubtful.
Reflect and Reassess:
While we certainly were able to do much reflecting on our previous month, reassessing was minimal. With my eye impacting a majority of time in Peru, our only real reassessment was to embrace a more 'Slow Down' philosophy for our future travels.
Reconnecting and Recharging:
The Seattle stop was everything I hoped for here. Staying with the Deicherts (see our Seattle photo album) and having Sean visit us was a perfect blend of comfort and recharge. This pause in Seattle helped me refocus and approach the next phase of our travels liking where my 'head is at', albeit with a little anxiousness about the 2nd surgery still to come.
