Carrying It Quietly

        Well Europe, It’s about that time to say bye. Before I do, I have a few things to share. The Army decided to bring me here because you needed me.  This would have been my second tour, the first being 2000 thru 2004. I didn’t ask to come. In fact, I did everything in my power to avoid coming. You were taking me away from my family and I hated you for it. Arriving and learning fast that we were deploying to Afghanistan really gave me tunnel vision. Get it done, be safe, and get home to my family.

Meanwhile, being here by myself, wasn’t easy either. I did make an instant long-lasting friendship and I will be forever grateful for bringing this person into my life. It made my transition here so much easier. My best friend Heather, also came to visit me and see me off before my deployment. Three weeks is a long time to see someone off so; I wanted to make her trip an unforgettable European vacation. Why not, right? I live in the most beautiful part of Germany. BAVARIA, where farm lands are split by the roads you have to drive on and where the tractors pulling manure also have the right to drive on main roads with the kind of smell you can’t help yourself but to sniff one time harder just to make sure it’s SHIT! LMBO!! This is where driving is made easy to visit just about any bordering country and the the train system is very efficient.

So, we visited Prague Czech, Innsbruck Austria, and Barcelona Spain. During the week, we visited multiple historic sights and even got to enjoy the local Ansbach Volksfest. She took my Simba (my Jeep Wrangler) and set on her own little adventures. Ok! where am I going with this.

I had time while deployed to sit in my hooch, behind my desk, and even while flying, to really think and reflect. OK! Juan. When you get back, you have one year left in Germany. You have no choice but to make the best of it. You want to do so many things with so little time. One year will go by faster than you think. Don’t waste it! With rumors of the unit deactivating, it could be less. You want to get back in competitive shape. You want to travel. Outdoor recreation is going to be your new hobby. How are you going to squeeze all this in a year or less? Remember what I mentioned earlier? It was truly unforgettable with Heather. So I looked to do somewhat the same things outside of Germany so I could travel and see Europe all at the same time. Snowboarding, winter and summer hiking, running 1/2 Marathons, Duathlons, 5Ks, riding the MittleFrankonian Cup Series and even an Ironman 70.3 was put on my to do list while I travel. Also, maybe make some friends along the way. So I started training while deployed. This blog will take you through an amazing journey. Hope you enjoy it!!