Panama holds a special place for me. Panama, oddly is the place that showed me the dream could be a reality. In many ways, the second stage of my life, the globe hopping travel addict phase begins with Panama. Roughly 10 years ago I awoke on a September Saturday on my couch with a crushing hangover. Cold sweats, Dante’s hell and misery type hangover. I had continued my Friday night tradition of seeing my old retired guys at a local dive bar for a few rounds then hitting a Polish hall for a Time Machine experience. How long was I there? Who knew.When did I leave? Also no clue. My group of friends at the time found no lack of awesome in our Friday night blackouts. There were fights in the parking lot, people cried, fell asleep in the bathroom, pissed their pants etc. I was caught in a conundrum. I was in my mid to late twenties….I had crushed grad school, I had achieved some significant professional goals…I was doing what I loved…but something was missing. To quote Fight Club there was a metaphorical cut in the roof of my mouth that would heal if id only stop tonguing it. I could continue on, shit, maybe even watch football games and yell at the tv on Sundays to drown out the inner voice that pleaded for change. I believe now that whether you think there is more for you, or if you dont, you are correct either way.

After waking up on my couch that Saturday in utter crushing defeat I harnessed some much needed determination. I thought about this weekend cycle…

Bar Friday night

Saturday feel like microwaved dogshit

Sunday lament the loss of the weekend, maybe some stupid brunch with Friday bar crowd (I hate brunch)

I decided I had it break the cycle. I looked at my checking acct on the mobile app while already shamed in my current state and saw the damage all those poor decisions had cost me. I decided then and there to take a month off from going out on the weekends. I wanted to know what else I could do with the funds of 4 random weekends of debauchery.

I took the entire month of October off from going out on the weekends. I made food at home and conquered parts pf my perpetual reading list and polished lecture notes. I may have even cleaned the house. By the end of the month I was ASTOUNDED. Going out is insanely expensive! Even drinking lawnmower beers in dive bars and maximizing pizza coupons. I felt like I had discovered a secret weapon. With a stroke of serendipity within days of this revelation direct flights from Chicago to Panama on COPA air popped up for next years spring break. I grabbed not only a ticket but a weeks worth of budget accommodation. One month of sobriety and thoughtful decisions had just sent me to Central America. There was no going back. It was time to plan!

More of my revelations and how panama changed my life in the second installment… part II coming up shortly