Doesn't matter what folks on here think. All that matter is what your parents think. They know and care about you.
Anyway, perhaps you could cool your heels on this for a couple of years, become a bit independent financially, and then just announce you're heading south and will be in touch. Plenty of time for touring adventures. In the meantime, make it your goal to become fluent in Spanish. The trip will be lot more fun and meaningful.