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The Ultimate Souvenir– A Paradigm Shift + Westfalia

It’s official.

The tickets are booked and we fly the 29th of this month, full circle to the exact place we started this journey only 3 months ago. And yet, somehow, it’s not the same place at all.

We’ve spent the last months on the North coast of Spain looking for boats, but what we found instead was a new way of being. A sense of freedom and possibility we could have only found through trying something completely ridiculous and exhilarating. We left our comfort zone to reconnect with each other, and pursue a dream together. We said we were after a boat. But what we were really after was our love for each other and the freedom to live differently than we were expected to.

Two months ago, we attend a blogging workshop with one of the 10 National Geographic Traveler’s on the Year. Among an intimate group of seven, we were introduce to a completely different way of life.  There was a women from New Zealand that travels throughout the year with her husband and toddler. A retired Pentagon worker who now travels alone in her 70’s and had just finished the Camino de Santiago, an American expat living and working for her US based company in England, a Dutch woman that works as a productivity coach and speaks, English, Danish, Dutch and Spanish fluently, and a woman who was writing a book about her experience hiking the Appalachian trail solo.

Spending a week with devoted dream seekers, willing to do whatever it takes to fund their travel habit, has a way of changing you. Back in “real life,” I devoted most of my creative genius to other people’s dreams. Beautiful dreams–but not my dreams. And now, no matter where we end up geographically, Diego and I have committed to putting our goals first. Selling the house and living this experience has shifted everything. We’re all in. We have no desire to go back to our previous existence. But we do have to face the fact, that if what we are truly after is freedom, we have to invest the time needed to build a reliable stream of income before we leave.

Our quest for freedom and to be our own boss, able to work from anywhere, can’t be shaken. This time in Spain, though it didn’t result in a boat, gave us something far more valuable. A blueprint for HOW we can make money as we travel. There’s no get rich quite scheme that’s going to have us making millions in 6 months. But we have seen firsthand, that if you want it bad enough, and you’re willing to work for it, a lifestyle of travel is totally possible. And just like “real life,” there’s a million different paths to take you there.

Our path looks like this:
Diego makes beautiful videos. We can partner with local tourism boards and entrepreneurs to help them tell their story. The response to this has already been great.

I love to work with women. Women who have been so busy pleasing others, they forget to spend a little time doing what makes them happy too. So that’s what I’m putting my energy into–building virtual and in-person workshops for women! And of course, I want to tell stories. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. And so the work begins. Now we just have to invest the time to get it all off the ground.

So we’re headed home, but to a completely different life. And this time away has convinced Diego that he wants to maintain our home too. MAJOR win for me, as before this trip, he wanted to just sail away and never look back. Now he sees the value in traveling for part of the year, but then coming back for a few months to nourish the ties we have too. (I know, you will only understand the gravity of this win if you are also married!)

So here we are. Enjoying our final weeks in Spain, and excited to start our new life in the strangest of places. Home.

And we have an announcement!

Look what’s waiting for us at the airport! This was my way of keeping our boat dream alive. This little guy will eventually carry us down the America’s to board our boat, whenever we’re ready.  (sorry the photos aren’t awesome, they’re from craigslist!)

VWlove-3 VWlove-2 VWlove-4 VWlove-1

A HUGE thank you to Greg Bianchi, who did all the leg work on this baby, and is keeping it safe until we arrive home. We owe you Greg!

Now what should we name him/her???

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • January 18, 2015, 10:16

    Hey there! Just found your blog on the facebook group that Christine started. So glad to find you! I’m super jealous of your Westfalia, but your journey sounds amazing! Looking forward to following you as you embark on this new path of following your passions.

    • January 27, 2015, 10:26

      Hi Alison! Thanks so much for stopping by! Sorry for the delayed response–for some reason in the migration to the new site, I lost some comments.

      Anyway, looking forward to sharing this big beautiful planet with you! Here’s to more adventures!

  • January 13, 2015, 1:57

    Love the van. I’m thinking ‘The Wanderer’. Is that going to be your main form of transport or are you spending some time pimping it?

    I think you guys have extracted years of wisdom from these three months. For me, having a home base eliminates the homesickness and makes the goodbyes a little easier. I don’t think my Mum would ever forgive me if I didn’t bring her grandson home every now and then!
    Emma Healey recently posted…The Next StepMy Profile

    • January 27, 2015, 10:29

      I like that Emma! The Wanderer! We’re going to spend some time pimping it out. I’m a pinterest addict : )

      AND even after we find a boat, I don’t think I’m going to want to let this baby go.

      Agreed–I always wanted a home base, but now I think Diego wants one too.

      SO happy to have crossed paths with you, and look forward to the next time!

  • German
    January 13, 2015, 12:53

    Bianca

    • January 27, 2015, 10:30

      Good one German! I have visions of Blanca parked in your driveway from time to time : )