I knew my blog would be called this way since the idea of becoming a blogger crossed my mind for the first time, a couple of years ago.
So, when I finally created the blog back in March, and the name was available, I saw it as a sign I should go ahead with this project. Of course, being the procrastinator I am, it took me another two and a half months to write my first post and actually publish it! What can I say? It is all part of my periplo.
To those of you who don’t know (non-Spanish speakers, you’re all forgiven), the word periplo in its current use has two main meanings (this is a lose translation from Real Academia Española’s Diccionario de la Lengua Española):
1. Trip or journey, usually returning to the starting point.
2. Spiritual journey or path of a person.
I thought no other name could be more suitable for my blog!
My life itself has definitely been a constant periplo in every sense of the word. I grew up in Iquitos, a town surrounded by the majestic Amazon rainforest. Later on, I lived in several different towns/cities: from the grey and chaotic Lima to Latin America’s sunny capital Miami to the word’s capital New York to the Caribbean’s hot spot of Playa del Carmen to hip Atlanta (aka HOTlanta).
I’ve always gone back to my origin though, even if it may only have been in my heart and in my mind. Having the opportunity to experience other cultures, languages and places has definitely had an impact in my spiritual journey. It has made me realize that despite the apparent differences we’re all equal, we ultimately share the same basic values and we all pursue happiness.
My intention with this blog is to share some events (some minor, some major) that have had an impact in my life in a positive way. And I’ll try to do it with humor as I want this blog to be entertaining.
I will certainly incorporate stories that took place while traveling. However, it is not intended to be a travel blog per se. Instead, I’d like to focus on the lessons learned from interacting with different people under a variety of circumstances while just living at a given place as well as while traveling either for business or pleasure.
I am hopeful that every time I return to my starting point I do it as a better person. That is the spirit I want to share with my readers...the ride is on!
Editor's Note (4/22/17): This entire post refers to my previous blog, called El periplo de Mariela. Along with the change in its design, I decided to rename it Mar Explora in an attempt to make it easier for people to remember it.