Recap of where we have been so far
Six months of travel went by just like that and yet it feels like we are just at the beginning. We have seen and done so much, and it inspires us to see and do even more!
To recap everything that has happened since we took off on September 2nd, 2017:
Month One
We flew into Ecuador and spent a month traveling to a few cities and acclimatizing to the high elevations of South America. There were many firsts during our time here. First time paragliding, being at such high elevations, or hiking such long distances as the Quilotoa Loop! We learned how chocolate is made, and took one-on-one classes in the Spanish language.
Month Two
The full month of October we spent climbing mountains and sand dunes in Peru and visiting a world wonder, Machu Picchu. We also stayed a week with missionaries and visited a children’s home. We loved the little mountain town of Huaraz, as well as the culture capital of Cusco and nearby Ollantaytambo.
Month Three & Four
The next two months we enjoyed northern Chile and Argentina. We camped in the Atacama Desert, rode bikes through vineyards, took a long bus ride to see Iguazu Falls, and watched a tango show in Buenos Aires.
Looking back at our travels in South America we honestly can’t wait to go back and explore Patagonia, in southern Chile and Argentina. Our hope is to convert a sprinter van into an RV and take it there or rent a van once we are there.
By the time it was mid December we were getting just a little bit homesick and we also needed to repack our backpacks for India and South East Asia. We found good tickets and flew home to surprise our family and friends.
Month Five & Six
We spent about a month at home. Once we found the cheapest ticket out of the country we grabbed them and were on our way. The first stop was London . We spent a week in London visiting all the famous spots, eating delicious food at local markets and admiring the English accent. From there made our way to Dubai and then to India.
India was a country we both wanted to visit at some point in our lives but were just a little bit nervous for. We heard many positive as well as negative things about it. I’m glad we made the decision to go instead of just listening to what others had experienced. It was worth it to experience for ourselves.
Flying into Mumbai was overwhelming and we had a culture shock for a little bit but after spending an amazing week serving at New Beginnings Children’s Home we fell in love with the people.
We spent a month and a half visiting palaces, forts, the Thar desert, drinking tea in the most serene tea fields, standing in awe at the Taj Mahal and swimming in the Indian Ocean.
Month Seven
We flew into Bangkok and met our family at the airport to welcome them to one of our favorite countries, Thailand! We spent that month on beautiful islands beach bumming, eating at night markets and snorkeling. It was a blessing to spend this time with family and show them a little bit of what travel looks like for us. My (Katie’s) parents even slept in a hostel the last night to see what it’s like.
Month Eight
After finishing up our time in Thailand and participating in the worlds biggest water fight “Songkran Festival” the Thai New Year, we flew into Cambodia. Again, we heard so many good things as well as some bad experiences people had. We were prepared for the worst but were pleasantly surprised when we enjoyed Cambodia so much that it’s a country we can’t wait to come back to. We fell in love with the people, the nature, the history and the delicious food.
Many know English and were able to speak to us with more than just hello or goodbye. We were welcomed by the kindest people we’ve met. We explored the Angkor Wat Temple complexes and were blown away at the beauty and complexity of it all. Lastly, we enjoyed the cheap delicious food and all the wonderful NGO cafes and restaurants that were helping kids and young adults get education and skills.
Right now we are Vietnam and will be here for about a month. We are excited to explore this country starting from central Vietnam and making our way up north to the rice terraces and the beautiful countryside.
What We Have Learned So Far
We’ve seen so many beautiful places, met the nicest people, tried new food and played with the cutest children. There have been times where we missed a bus or taken a train that was way too long, but it has taught us to have more patience. At times our hearts were broken by children’s stories that seemed too crazy to believe. We’ve grown in our marriage and we’ve grown as people. We’re not the same as we were six months ago, we are different.
There are days when I crave comfort and familiarity but that lasts only for a little bit and I’m back to being sick with the travel bug. Travel isn’t always easy and it isn’t always beautiful. It takes a lot of work and effort, and positive attitudes, but it’s totally worth it!
We are so grateful that two and a half years ago we made the decision to live differently and to save up money in order to travel. It as a way to learn, to explore, to meet new people and to serve others while we travel.
Here is a list of things we learned and are still learning:
- The more we travel the more we realize that the world isn’t as scary as media makes it to be. Media focuses on the bad and scary. Focus on the good and you WILL find it.
- Following your dreams takes lots of work, sacrifice and failed attempts. Get up and try again!
- Dont compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.
- It’s important to take time to rest, a time to process everything and reflect.
- We learned that we are going to be 100% us! Real and Raw. Life is beautiful even though we might not have the perfect picture.
- The search for contentment/happiness and complete satisfaction isn’t found on this earth-it’s in Christ. We cannot be fully content on this earth.
- We learned to slow down in our travel. It’s not about getting to every place its about enjoying the place we are currently in.
- We learned to have no regrets. Only to look forward and learn from our past mistakes.
- You may loose things but that’s okay because in the end they are only things.
- We don’t need to come with our own agenda. It’s not about what we do, but what God does.
- Being content in all situations.
- People are people. They are kind. They want to help. They’re also imperfect, they make mistakes. Forgive and love.
- When things don’t go the way we planned them it is in those moments we lean closer together, try to have a positive attitude and remember the good times we’ve had. We are in charge of our own attitudes and outlook on hard situations. It’s up to us the mindset we choose and how we choose to respond to the difficult times of life.
- We are blessed by God so that we can be a blessing to others. Show love to everyone.
We hope we have been encouraging you either through our pictures, captions, stories on Instagram or through these blog posts.
Maybe you’re in a different season right now and travel isn’t the main priority. Whatever you are doing right now matters. We are all in different season of life. The things you do, the life you live, impacts people more than you can ever imagine!
What’s Next?
Well, after Vietnam we are hoping to go to the Philippines and then visit the countries that we were born it, Kyrgyzstan (Katie) and Ukraine (Alex)
After that we are not sure where we are going. We might visit Eastern Europe after Ukraine and then somehow make it home in time for our friends wedding in October.
Do we want to go home?
Nope! After a world trip like this I don’t think we can come back and settle into a normal comfortable life as if nothing ever happened. We will continue to live an unconventional lifestyle. Who knows maybe we will build a home in a van for ourselves and travel the U.S. next? Even if we do get a home in one place (maybe one day), and go back to having stable jobs (working for ourselves 😉 the things we’ve learned will continue to impact us and inform our lives.
Say Yes to Adventures,
Katie and Alex
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