I had a friend ask me, “Don’t you wish we had several lifetimes? I don’t need the length of life, just the varied experience.” And I answered, “Yes. That’s the beauty of traveling. It’s like a new life every time. New place, new people, everything is different… except for you.”

I’m off again. On a new adventure…

I’ve gotten the question a lot lately, “How do you feel? Are you excited, nervous, sad etc..?” Answer: I’m all feelings.

This all started years ago, before I even knew that I was doing it. As a military brat, traveling was part of my life since I was born. And it’s funny, because I remember hating moving around when I was kid. I remember crying and arguing with my dad, “Whyyyyyy?! You’re ruining my life! It’s not fair!”

I’ve always been passionate about my connections with people, and if you and I have a connection, I’ll keep it for ever. I never wanted to move away from my friends, but because I had to, I became great at keeping in touch with people. I mean, I still have friends that I speak to from elementary school. How many people that have lived in 6 different places (between states and countries) before they graduated high school can say that?

My first adult move (move on my own) was from Puerto Rico to Rhode Island. I moved there with my then boyfriend, for a better job, college, and a new life. I didn’t travel all that much when I was in RI, besides to visit home, or to a few different states on spring break or snowboarding trips. But in 2006 I decided to leave and I bought a one way ticket to Paraguay. I traveled through South America, meeting people, gathering information, learning, growing. Going back to places I really liked and visiting places I’d only seen in pictures, some places I never knew even existed. I was fascinated, hooked immediately, I wanted more…

I came back to PR in 2007 to see my family for Christmas and it was supposed to be a quick stop, because I was going to keep traveling, to where, I had no idea, but after being away for 7 years, I was reminded why I love this island so much. I stayed here for a few years, did some more traveling on and off. Went to Europe and then decided to island hop a bit – St. Maarten/St. Martin and finally the Virgin Islands.

Through traveling, I realized that I was not only passionate about my connections with people, but I was even more passionate about my connections with places – people ask me all of the time, “What’s your favorite city/island/place that you’ve been to?” And it’s such a hard question to answer. I can’t pick one of anything. I’ve falling in love over and over again with so many places, they’re all my favorites.

My home base friends & family are the ones that I always miss the most. You’re where my love is. I’ve had such an amazing last few months; ups, downs, and all arounds. I’ve strengthened connections, realized who the “floaters” are, reconnected, and made new ones. I’m truly grateful for everyone who has made me smile, laugh, and hugged my heart. And those of you who know me well, know how much I’m going to miss this beautiful, energizing island. I have my day to day that I love – walk on the beach with a cup of coffee, hike to the peak of the rainforest and meditate, hike down, go to a waterfall and let the cold water smooth my skin. Back to the beach to enjoy the surf, get kissed by the sun, and nap on a hammock under a couple of palm trees. And everything else, the caves, lakes, jumps into the ocean and rivers, going south, going west, the food…

I know a lot of travelers, and one thing I’ve noticed that we all share is that our ships always sail back to home port. I know that I’m leaving, but for now, I’m beginning one of my new lifetimes.

***Bonus! Here is a 30sec snip of a snap story I did a month or so ago after having  conversation with someone who has lived their whole life in one place and doesn’t ever want to move and can’t understand how/why I keep doing it. A conversation I’ve had with hundreds of people…

xo.mangó

instagram: @sheicab