Three years ago I made a decision that dramatically changed the course of my life. After being laid off by two different jobs within six months, breaking up with my boyfriend, and feeling more lost and uncertain than I ever had before, I did something totally uncharacteristic. I put everything I owned into storage and took a one way flight to Costa Rica.

This American Girl lives in Costa Rica now and knows it better then anyone. Check out her book; The Ultimate Guide to Costa Rica;”  http://www.thisamericangirl.com/ultimate-guide-costa-rica/

Discovering hidden ruins in Ankor Wat, Cambodia.  One of the most magical places on earth.  More on This American’s Girl’s travels;  www.thisamericangirl.com

My plan was to return two months later and move to NYC to start graduate school. Instead I sold my car and the rest of my belongings and began an indefinite voyage around the world. Costa Rica showed me that I was happier in the jungle than in concrete and I preferred to be barefoot than in heels. For me, there was no going back.

Learn Costa Rica through Camille Willemain’s eyes;   http://www.thisamericangirl.com/ultimate-guide-costa-rica/

 Since then I’ve traveled on my own through Central America, South America, Southeast Asia, Europe, and North Africa

 At home in Costa Rica, where all a girl needs is the jungle and her bicycle.  Camille has a book about her home called; “The Ultimate Guide to Costa Rica;”  http://www.thisamericangirl.com/ultimate-guide-costa-rica/     

I’ve dove with sharks in the Caribbean ocean, sailed across open water to Colombia, driven motorbikes through Laos, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Thailand, become a certified yoga teacher, sat with wild pumas in the jungle, chanted in ceremonies with shamans, swam in ice lakes in Lapland, and had the privilege of calling Costa Rica my home.

 On a dime Camille decided to go to Europe in the middle of  Winter to the coldest place on Earth.  And while in the middle of the Alps had the poise and composure to practice some Yoga.

More on This American Girl’s travels on Facebook;  https://www.facebook.com/iamthisamericangirl?fref=ts

Eventually she made her way to Zurich, Switzerland for her final Winter stop

 In the process I’ve learned that life is a journey. A beautiful journey with highs and lows, where can always discover happiness when we focus on one simple quality: gratitude.

An epic trip on the Bolaven Plateau in Laos, taking swimming breaks at stunning waterfalls.

 You read more on Camille’s journey on her blog;  www.thisamericangirl.com

Learning to drive a scooter in Hue, Vietnam

 More on This American Girl’s Travels;   www.thisamericangirl.com

Great quote from Camille’s dad about this picture; “Bright star, don’t you know, it’s who you are not where you go.”

Eating traditional sorbetto in the Mercato Central in San Jose, Costa Rica

You read more on Camille’s journey on her blog;  www.thisamericangirl.com

Camille has a book about her home called; “The Ultimate Guide to Costa Rica;” http://www.thisamericangirl.com/ultimate-guide-costa-rica/

 This American Girl on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/iamthisamericangirl?fref=ts

On Twitter;  https://twitter.com/ThisAmericaGirl