Disclaimer

I am 33 years old and I know nothing about writing a blog or writing for that matter.

I grew up in the heart of Silicon Valley but do not have any interest in computers. In High School I was more concerned with experimenting with new experiences and socializing than getting good enough grades for college. When I finished high school all I had was multiple arrests, a 2.1 GPA, and a developing drug and alcohol problem. Now what?

Fortunately, my friend McDizzle and I somehow in our search for purpose decided to go to Europe for the summer. Hell the drinking age was 18 we were 18, Amsterdam, and far-fetched dreams of European love affairs were too much to resist. After those 30 days through Western Europe I was hooked. I returned to California and attempted to fit back into the flow of what all my 19-year-old peers were doing. Going to college. After one of the worst years of my life and one cry for help later I was f*ed again. Now What?

Somewhere inside the haze and confusion any intoxicated, lost, overwhelmed, 19-year-old feels, I made the greatest decision of my life. I bought a work visa to New Zealand. Thank you kind people at STA travel. I was off on a journey that would take me around the world, lasting 363 days through 30 something countries. I still have not finished that journey.

Traveling entered my soul and became a part of me in way I cannot explain. How can one explain how they feel about the love of their life? In many ways before I met my true love, traveling was my first love. She changed me in a way only a first love can. She provided many first moments, much confusion, pain, laughter, and was comforting to me in a complicated world. With her I have been to 40 something countries, I am not one of those people who cares enough to count. I have been to Europe five times, OZ twice and all over south East Asia. Total I have spent a little over five years of my life outside of my comfort zone.

Plains, trains, cars, boats, motorbikes, tuk-tuks, who cares as long as I was on my way to a place I had never been before is all I cared about. Anytime I was traveling I had arrived at my destination. I saw the Pope give his Christmas morning sermon, crawled through the Ho Chi Min tunnels in Vietnam, slept under an endless sun in the Norwegian fiords, danced through new years at Big ben, Barcelona, and New Zealand twice. Every time I have needed direction in life traveling has been my savior. Nothing like seeing the burning bodies floating down the Ganges and real starvation in India to put your life in perspective when you get home. I am never more grateful for everyone and everything I have in my life than when I return home from a long adventure.

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” Mark Twain.

Please join the Knox Crew as we share with you some of our personal travel experiences and great places to visit throughout the world. We will be joined by an array of celebrity bloggers, amazing photography, videos, and who the hell knows what else.

It really is easier than you think. Just commit to buying the ticket. Call STA for advice or us at KnoxCrew.com. All I took around the world was a backpack, some clothes, books, first aid kit, camera and a journal. The old saying goes “Bring twice the money and half the clothes.” Anything you forget at home you will be able to buy abroad. If you’re worried about violence and things of that nature just look at what is happening in America. Trust me its far more dangerous to spend time in LA or Chicago than Rome. Just respect the local culture and you will be fine. Everyone speaks English who you will need to interact with.

The choice is yours how you would like to spend your time on Earth. Please let me know if you have any questions or stories. KnoxCrew.com is about community and people sharing stories about their experiences and hopefully changing peoples lives for the better. I am sharing with you the greatest decision I ever made was to travel, which taught me the true meaning of the word Gratitude and in turn finally brought me Peace.

-Macker Ruff

mackerruff@knoxcrew.com

If you would like to comment click on Mackers Travel Blog.

Thank You