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     Like many, I've lead a life of detriment - tough losses, the kind that shatters your entire being. From loss of family and friend to love and dreams. However, no matter what labyrinth of hallways await nor how many doors are bolted shut, I will continue to fight for a life that I will never look back upon with regret.
     I am asking for donations to fund Eye & Pen and my future travels. The need has arisen because of the incident that happened to me in September 2012, where I was on a mission to find my true home - a place I've never known. I thought, why not try paradise on for size? Fate had a different plan.
     While in the El Yunque rain forest of Puerto Rico, my rental car was the victim of a smash-and-grab robbery by a local gang. The thieves stole everything from me, all of my money, camera equipment, passport and clothing. Basically, they stole the clothing off my back. I was forced to return immediately to my family in the states and I’ve been struggling to recover ever since.

     It’s sad, but most travelers have the wrong outlook on travel, which tends to make their experiences suffer. It seems to be a popular consensus nowadays, that travel is all about “how many countries and sites you can visit, as fast as you can.” This is not what travel is really about and traveling at lightning speed certainly doesn’t count towards having rich, memorable, life-altering experiences. I often talk about how true travel is a powerful, life-changing force and slow travel is the best way to experience it! It can be easy (especially for short-term travelers) to lose track of the reason for travel and to get caught up in a site-seeing frenzy.