Gainesville, Florida

          There are many places in Florida that I've strived to visit, some I look forward to for their beauty, some for their endless trails, and others for the sake of wonder, as to think, "what if." In this case, it would be the later of the options. From the moment I began my high school career, I remember debating my options, either I go up north to NYU, or across the U.S. to California in search of new horizons, but non the less I stayed in Orlando to attend my Alma Mater, the University of Central Florida. Yet, in that same decision, I also had the option to go to USF, and where this next trip took me, The University of Florida. This is not just where I got to live one of my lifes, "what if" moments, but more about meeting someone who is always up for a good time.

Kelly and I under the "DNA Bridge"

Justin, Miguel, Kelly, and I aka "cool guys" starting the night off!

We even did some reading with random books that were laying around town

Roadtrip sing alongs never hurt, right?

          Meet Kelly, she's lived in Gainesville for quite some time and has found her little paradise amongst her friends and all of her rescued animals. Her uncanny ability to just go with the flow and care for others is what really drew me to her as I got to know her more. There was never a dull moment with her or her friends, we talked about environment issues, laughed at corny jokes, and even played a some games of charades (our team kicked butt). Even with us just knowing each other for 2 days, I felt as though I've known her for years. We have the same sense of direction in life we were just on a path to intersect until now. I am glad I was able to meet such a cool group of people and look forward to going back! 

Kelly climbing up on the "French Fries" on the UF Campus

A little study Session with the famous UF clock tower behind me

Riding the ironic "Bull Gator" as a testament to my fellow UCF Knights

Erin, Kelly, and I at "The Swamp" doing stadiums for "fun"

          We were able to take a small trip on the UF campus for a bit, ok maybe like a whole day (lol) and explore the what it had to offer. I must say, even though the campus and city were dead due to the summer, its potential was definitely not lacking. With the college students setting up game systems outside to the runners not skipping a beat in the summer heat, or the hammocks set up in the trees, to the guitar players on the sidewalk, this campus had what I looked for in an University. There were so many things to do, and that was on its off season, I'm even debating getting my MBA, and I must say, UF seems like a real possibility...

Just hanging around on the trail

You know how many gators we had to run past to make it there... 0_o

A horse, and a bunch of horse shit...

Kelly and I enjoying the view at Payne Prairie

Catch me if you can Kelly!!!

Kelly's version of "my germs!"

          Even amongst all the allure and glamour that UF had to offer, there was more than meets the eye in the city of Gainesville. Just a short bike ride out of campus, you find Paynes Prairie where you can bike, hike, and see the sights (or just animals that block your way on the trail). I wasn't expecting such an adventure so close to where I was staying. I must admit, this makes me feel like I am missing something in Orlando, where are the adventurous parts?? We ran past gators, strolled by wild horses, and did handstands until our arms got tired. I must say, even with Florida swamp heat beating down upon us, we never slowed down or complained. This is where I appreciate Kelly more as a host, but more so as a person. She didn't let little things like that get in her way of adventure, in fact it drove her passion that much more. She was able to hang with all my little challenges and curious exploration of the landscape.

Miguel, Justin, Mirialys, Oliver, Pedro, Kelly, and I at dinner

Miguel, Kelly and I finding our inner spirit animal

          On my last night in Gainesville we took some time to go out and have some dinner together. Filled with laughs about the two days prior, and confusion surrounding missing plantains, it was definitely a great way to end the adventure. There were even a few games of charades and glasses home made wine that we enjoyed later. All in all, this was a great experience and an awesome way to be introduced to the city. The way I see it, it would have been easy to visit some of my college buddies up here and party, but whats the fun in partying all the time? For me, exploring new horizons with great people gives me more satisfaction than any night partying can ever do. Until next time guys!

         Stay tuned to check out more posts as I continue my adventures, and check out the trailers to the small film I am making below. Use the hashtag #MadeOfUs, repost the video on your pages, and remember, it doesn't take much to be part of The Community, when someone helps you, make sure you pass it on.

The Community: Made of Us (Trailer)
and

The Community: Made of Us (Trailer 2)

Follow and support, "The Community Made of Us" here:

Facebook.com/TheCommunityMadeOfUs

Instagram:@TheCommunityMadeOfUs

Twitter:     @TCMadeOfUs

Orlando, Florida - Home

A couple enjoying the famous Lake Eola fountain

          Oh, The City Beautiful, you have many names, and have given many floridians a ton of memories. You know, I never understood why they named it "The City Beautiful" rather than "The Beautiful City" but either way the truth is apparent. My feet have stepped on many paths pavement, grass, and dirt alike in the past months, but nothing feels sweeter than sitting back by lake Eola watching the kites floating effortlessly in the wind, or the dogs gaining their stance as a swan walks by beefing up its chest. All of which is met with the plaids of grass and tree branches swaying from side to side, and thats just what I am seeing right now. "There isn't much to do here in Orlando" is what I hear quite often by many, but my response is always the same, "What is it that your looking for?"

The pup and the dog

The best card game in town

Sideshow Bar in Downtown Orlando

          You see, like most of the locals will tell you, there is much more here than just Disney World and Universal, well considering the fact that Disney is not even in Orlando proves my theory half true, but what else is there? To start, it depends on what part of Orlando your in, whether your in the UCF student populated flatlands, to the hipster/ young professional populous of Downtown Orlando, to the suburbs of Hunters Creek, all the way to the ritzy hills of Windermere, there is something for everyone here. Amongst it all, there is something that all these places don't seem to lack, and thats the potential to sit back and enjoy the view. We may not have mountains, or the ocean in our city but there are lakes and sunshine galore. Even more so now that we are finding unity amongst ourselves with the up and coming Orlando City Lions, the ever growing live music scene, and more event's and bar crawls downtown than ever before we are becoming a city.

Double Lake Eola fountain beats double rainbow

Hanging out with these two characters, Chrisse and Lisandra

The group of hooligans called my friends.

          Now, some would say, what about me, I'm not even 21, to which I would response, get off your cellphones and separate yourself from the countless selfies. Since when does being under 21 stop you from a bike ride to the park? Or taking a moment to enjoy a good book under the the palm trees? Not to mention being able to hang by the pool 99% of the year in Florida. Even when it rains, when's the last time you just hung out in a downpour? If you can move, there is nothing you can't do? But to stop myself before allowing myself to continue this tangent, what's the harm in listening to the sounds of outside? Really appreciating the value of a long walk, or life in the moment?

My buddy Leo and I enjoying the nice breeze

Everything is better with racing pigs in your life

Strawberry Shortcake with my friend Angela

          When I left Orlando about a year ago I felt as though there was nothing left for me to appreciate, nothing that would help me see what a city like this really offered. But after traveling, being out of my element and meeting some of the most interesting strangers that later became my friends, I realized I was always looking for the wrong thing here. What that thing is, I'm not fully sure yet, but what I do know is that I will have fun looking for it while I am here. I guess it's true what they say, you never really appreciate something until you don't have it anymore, but when you find it again, try not to let go...'Till next time community members, and welcome to The City Beautiful.

 A moment in time.

         Stay tuned to check out more posts as I continue my adventures, and check out the trailers to the small film I am making below. Use the hashtag #MadeOfUs, repost the video on your pages, and remember, it doesn't take much to be part of The Community, when someone helps you, make sure you pass it on.

The Community: Made of Us (Trailer)
and

The Community: Made of Us (Trailer 2)

Follow and support, "The Community Made of Us" here:

Facebook.com/TheCommunityMadeOfUs

Instagram:@TheCommunityMadeOfUs

Twitter:     @TCMadeOfUs

Looking Back Thus Far...

My face at the beginning of "The Community Made of Us"

          So, after quitting my job, selling most of my belongings, and traveling the U.S. for  a month and a half. I have finally made it back to my family in Orlando. Driving over nine thousand miles, eating anything from raw sweet potatoes to amazing home cooked meals, and even sleeping in the freezing cold to having an apartment to myself a block from the beach, I have no words to sum up such an experience, what I felt, who I met, and how in the heck I made those long hour drives without going crazy (haha). This project I call," The Community Made of Us" is not just about me and my journey, but rather the people that I met along the way. 

My mother and I riding the sun rail for the first time in Orlando, FL

Hanging with my new friend Isaiah on Highway 1 on California's coast

Hanging out with the spanish fruit gang in Charleston, SC

The tiny sober dinosaur from L.A.

          From the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean and every lake in between I found myself in a different situation ever time. Looking back at the beginning of this trip, I remember thinking what people would think when I told them what I've done. What would I do after I finish the trip? Will "The Community Made of Us" really become something greater? Would this idea of community even catch on? And yet I never thought I would receive the support that I have thus far. People that I never expected to hear from have told me how inspired they've become, how the look at ideas like this and appreciate what they mean. Still, I couldn't help but to feel odd when I arrived back home in Orlando.  After such an amazing trip, I was back to reality, and responsibility, but that wasn't the issue. 

Hanging out with Ru, Ivan, and Bar in Savannah after I just met them earlier in Savannah, GA

Marley's Collie live at Tanquray's in Downtown Orlando, FL

Hanging with my friend Kelly on International Drive in Orlando, FL

Having a little seat in Balboa Park, San Diego, CA

          I arrived home to with a feeling of sadness and anxiety. First off is how I can get back to my normal routine and to the security that I once held so high on my life's pedestal? After about a week of aimlessly wandering and emotionally playing a tug of war inside, I reminded myself of the reason I made this journey in the first place. To create the connections with people that I would have otherwise never have done before. To help make a difference in others lives and show them that our desires and what we can achieve is as possible as they can imagine it. That when you are unhappy at what your doing, make the plan to get yourself on the right path, and execute it. After I realized this, I soon felt the sadness within me, turn into my passion, and thus creating an emotional alchemy within myself.

 Hanging with my best friend Valentina, and her little sister Jenny in Charlotte, NC

Cool girl Emily and I making faces in Albuquerque, NM

Frisbee golfing at the park with some new friends in L.A.

Conner the Bear at the bar with Shawna dancing on the side in Nashville, TN

          So, now I find myself creating a basis for myself in order to continue this story of community. I can't help but to feel as though the memories I made can't be out done, but like I said before, this is only the beginning, and there's a whole world out there to see. So to give you a little taste of my experiences and some of the situations I found myself in with strangers, that became my friends, that later became part of this greater community, here are some of my favorite photos from along my trip. There is still much to tell, and as I settle in to make my next big leap, I am busy, editing my first film project, planning for my next adventure, and looking for the best moment to take that leap of faith once more. Thank you again and hope to see you around, wherever you are...

Ornella, a Peruvian from NJ, and Kenny, a Peruvian from NJ hanging out at Little Hong Kong in Arlington, TX

Goofing around with Callie in Phoenix, AZ

Somewhere in the Middle of Arkansas lol

Children that I sold some candy with in East L.A., CA

My friend Amanda riding a hog in downtown Asheville, NC

       

         Stay tuned to check out more posts as I continue my adventures, and check out the trailers to the small film I am making below. Use the hashtag #MadeOfUs, repost the video on your pages, and remember, it doesn't take much to be part of The Community, when someone helps you, make sure you pass it on.

The Community: Made of Us (Trailer)
and

The Community: Made of Us (Trailer 2)

Follow and support, "The Community Made of Us" here:

Facebook.com/TheCommunityMadeOfUs

Instagram:@TheCommunityMadeOfUs

Twitter:     @TCMadeOfUs

Tucson, AZ - Albuquerque, NM - Oklahoma City, OK

       

          So I left the beautiful San Diego, and anyone that has ever been there would be asking, what else could you possibly want to see? What other beautiful things can I run into on the road back to the east coast? Well, there is plenty my friends, and I decided to put it all into one post. You see, there are many routes to get back to the east side, and what better route to take than one that you have never taken before. I decided to see three cities that I have never set foot in. They each have their own things to see and try, so why not make a trip, out of the trip! Onward Kenny!

Meet my host, Lenox

and another couch surfer named Bill

My car gets an oil change!

          It began in Tucson, AZ where I had the pleasure of staying with Lenox, her roommate, and a fellow couch surfer named Bill. Now, unfortunately time did not allow Lenox and I to hang out much, and her roommate had class early, but I had the pleasure of hanging with Bill. We took a stroll on 4th Street through downtown Tuscon and found a cool little coffee shop. To my surprise, the shop had a very New Orleans feel with open back patio equipped with a stage and tons of seating. I ordered a pastrami tomato panini with Peruvian blend coffee, and the chatting began. Bill is traveling from Alberta, Canada and hitchhiking across America and he began his Journey in Tuscon. Here, he met Lenox and her roommate where they allowed him to stay for a few days. He has been on the move since arriving, checking out the mountains, caverns, and night life. All of which leads to him heading east and eventually back to Canada. In the mean time he has been posting his adventures on his Facebook and definitely a great read. Good luck on your adventures Bill and thank you for your hospitality Lenox! I also had a chance to get a much needed oil change done at the local "Grease Monkey" and went on my merry way.

Meet my host Emily!

Tractor riding at Tractor Brewing Co.

Late night meal at "The Last Call"

If you don't recognize this house, your not cool. (Breaking Bad)

          My next stop was Albuquerque, NM where I met a super cool girl named Emily. She moved back with her family a few years back thinking it would be temporary, until she found herself getting an apartment and a great job. She has traveled all over the world and seen things that many people would dream of, and when I met her, I can tell she was up to something. She is a very lively person, even when she is half asleep she is a very genuine, honest, and all around fun person to be around. From her quirky comebacks to her constant dancing and funny faces, it was never a dull moment with her. It only got better when I was able to meet her friends while we visited The Copper Lounge, The Tractor Brewing Co, and a late night restaurant called, "The Last Call" in downtown Albuquerque. Partnered with beers, tacos and frozen yogurt, we had our fair share of laughs, conversation, and tractor riding. Once we were full and tired from exploring/eating/drinking, we found ourselves back at her place to what I can only describe as one of the most in depth conversations I've had on this trip. She showed me her huge map and her plans on how she is planning to travel all over the world for a year. I must say, it was as surprising as it was inspirational. I have my own story revolving this trip, and to imagine leaving everything behind to travel the world, that is brave. With her personality, charisma, and wit, I have no doubt in my mind that she will make it happen. Good luck Emily, I will be sure to keep in contact!

Cadillac Ranch in Texas

Meet my host Jordan!

 The lighthouse overlooking Lake Heffner

          I began on my long trek to Oklahoma and along the way, I came across a hidden gem that most know as "Cadillac Ranch" in Amarillo, Texas. At first look, it would look a bit weird and random, but I saw it for what it was, a statement of artistic value and sentiment. I took some time to admire the beauty in the 20 degree weather and even climb the ice cold edges of each monument of art. I must say it was a sight to see and to remember.

          Next, I found myself in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma! I didn't know what I would find in such a foreign land (haha). The only thing I knew about OKC was that the Thunder played there and that its the biggest city in Oklahoma. I must admit, all I know about Oklahoma, is that they made a play out of it some time ago, but little did I know I would find such beauty in the middle of the United States, and meet someone so artistic. I met Jordan through couch surfing as I searched for a host last minute. She responded quickly and offered her home for me to stay on the blistering cold OKC night. As we hung out, she introduced me to a ton of vegan recipes and smoothie mixes, and all I had to offer was my corny jokes and my cool hammock. We spent most of the night trying to do handstands, watching comedy on Netflix, and chatting about her art. She was so creative and oddly enough she didn't give herself the credit that she deserves. She definitely put the idea of art in a different perspective to me, and even with all her shyness, she opened up to me in the two days we hung out and it was apparent in the interview I conducted. In the end, all I can say is thank you, and I know that I always have a friend in Oklahoma, see you around Jordan!

           Next stop I find myself driving to back to Arlington to visit my favorite group of Texans. Check out the trailers to the documentary I am making below. Use the hashtag #TheCommunityMadeOfUs, repost the video on your pages, and remember, it doesn't take much to be part of The Community, and when someone helps you, make sure you pass it on.

The Community: Made of Us (Trailer)
and

The Community: Made of Us (Trailer 2)

Follow and support The Community Made of Us here:

Facebook.com/TheCommunityMadeOfUs

Instagram:@TheCommunityMadeOfUs

Twitter:     @TCMadeOfUs