Originally Posted by berlun

One of the best threads I've ever read on BF. Thank you all for sharing your stories.

My life changing journey happened in a small town in Arkansas - 1986. My folks were in the middle of a custody dispute over me involving the county sheriff. Very long story short, I ended up with my father in Central America only days later. I didn't really understand all the specifics being that I was only 9 years old, however traveling 10 days through the back-country of Mexico, Belize and Guatemala was an absolute adventure.

Being the kid who was always down at the creek playing with frogs and crawdads in rural Arkansas, one can imagine how awe inspired I was to be in the jungles of Central America. I do not remember how, but eventually I ended up with a 3 speed Montgomery Ward bicycle. This was my ticket to total freedom and exploration of my new home. I always had bmx styled bicycles growing up, and they merely served the purpose of wheelies and getting to the town swimming pool during the summer, however this big wheeled 3 speed allowed me to blend in with the locals, reach neighboring villages, and explore the cultural offerings of Guatemala.

Eventually (2 years later), I was dropped off in Arizona and reunited with my mother. Although happy to see my mother, emotionally I was going crazy trying to assimilate into the neighborhood. Nobody did anything. The streets were barren, all the kids stayed inside and played Nintendo, no parks with creeks, no creeks period! I eventually acquired a bicycle and never looked back.

Having experienced so much - so young, I naturally didn't seek associations with children of my own age. I grew to become an introvert, a restless introvert. Travel has since been in my blood from 1986. I've managed to integrate socially over the years. I'm no longer terribly shy and quiet. I try and get out several times a month and visit someplace new. I owe all of my adventurousness to that journey of 1986.