Understanding 'Squiggly Journeys' for Trans+ Awareness Week, PT 5 of 7

Between these transitions that I just spoke of, I spent 9 months living in South America, a phase that was as much about discovering myself as it was about exploring new places. And for the first time, I was traveling solo as a woman internationally, navigating each city not as a tourist but as a temporary resident. I was there for a full month in each country, learning to find my way, setting up essentials like local cell service, apartment, and adapting to life outside my usual context. Each challenge I faced deepened my resilience and my independence, giving me a richer global perspective that has shaped my work in feminism and LGBTQ+ advocacy. In Peru, I spent 4 days in the Amazon jungle, a deeply spiritual experience that became one of the most meaningful parts of my journey. These months taught me that growth often comes from stepping beyond comfort zones, and they reinforced my commitment to the work I was doing with a new firsthand understanding of of the diverse ways that people live and build communities.