The Death Of Adventure Part 2 : Adventure Awakened

Over 10 years ago I took flight to Costa Rica, a snap decision made in under a week from booking to flying out. Just me, a back pack, a lonely planet guide book and a burning desire to travel. I had barely a word of Spanish under my belt, enough money for a few months if I was frugal & a rough idea that I wanted to back pack from Mexico to the bottom of South America. The palpable sense of adventure & excitement was ENORMOUS. But so too was FEAR. When I stood at the departure gate in a small rural airport & looked out at the single engine plane that would take me to the international airport , I really stared down the fear that was screaming at me to stop this madness. Was I CRAZY ?!! My friends and family all said I was, so I must be right ?? Who travels to the other side of the world, no plans, no insurance, no financial back up and no way of knowing if I would be able to call home for help if it all went pear shaped ? Friends and family were ...