Full-Time Travel Reflections
In Bogota, Colombia, we found a moment to pause and reflect on our nomadic journey. Our time here was intended to be a transitional phase between our exhilarating yet slightly draining Pantanal adventure and our upcoming family visits to Mexico, (Hurray!).
The blueprint was straightforward: a five-day hiatus for rest, regrouping, blog updates, and simply unwinding. Our flight path led us from Cuiaba, Brazil southeast to Sao Paulo, and then back northwest to Bogota, Colombia.
This configuration made the trip an all-day endeavor when it should have taken only a few hours. For those who might struggle with geography (myself included), you can reference this map to visualize the journey.
You can check out our world map if you are interested in seeing this on a globe.
One of the inquiries we frequently encounter is about the mechanics of our lives as perpetual travelers. People often wonder: what does it look like? Our Colombia experience offers us the perfect opportunity to delve into the routines of our full-time travel.
We took that first flight uneventfully and then located a Priority Pass lounge where we indulged in food, relaxation, and comfortable wait time before our next flight, with the added perk of reliable Wi-Fi.
Whenever possible, we like the perks of our credit card that allow us to have Priority Pass access plus some other great travel perks.
With traveling from one country to another comes the dread of going through immigration. In addition to the usual hustle of disembarking the plane, add the necessity of lining up for the immigration booth, where one anticipates encountering a labyrinth scenario. The moment you set your sights on the room that will soon be filled to capacity with fellow travelers all embarking on the same task, the challenge becomes apparent. It involves identifying the shortest and correct line (considering whether you are a foreigner and whether the line corresponds to your origin or your point of departure).
Amidst this, the uniformed personnel looking sternly and issuing rapid directions, occasionally steering you to another line, adds to the chaotic atmosphere. Yet, we manage to navigate through it for every country. Sometimes, however, this can take hours.
Fortuitously, immigration clearance in Colombia was swift. Opting for an Uber, our preferred mode of transportation, we arrived at our charming Airbnb, also our preferred mode of lodging. Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare options might not be universally available, but when they are, transport around towns is superior. You not only get to your destination faster, as you forgo long taxi lines at the airport, but it is also economically priced better, you know the price, you don’t have to handle money, and you don’t have to work to avoid getting ripped off.
Venturing into Airbnb accommodations carries an element of uncertainty. Initially, you choose your destination and subsequently hope for a range of options. The further off the beaten path you venture, the more challenging it becomes to be selective and find a place that fulfills your own prerequisites. With experience, we have sharpened our discernment of what truly matters and what is of lesser significance. For us, a well-equipped kitchen, replete with appliances, utensils, and cookware, is imperative due to our preference for home-cooked meals.
Given our engagement with blogging, a fast and dependable Wi-Fi connection is non-negotiable, as we frequently transfer photos and videos across devices and to our cloud. Sizeable smart TVs have also become our preference, facilitating streaming of favorite shows via VPN.
Having traveled full-time in a compact 28ft 5th wheel trailer which had two separate bathrooms, for three years in the US and Canada, we’ve grown fond of having two separate bathrooms.
Hence, if our Airbnb includes two bathrooms, it’s a definite bonus for us!
Our travels unfold through two distinct modes: vacation and living. Vacation mode involves heightened expenditure on excursions, dining, and events. We are blessed to have family involved in our “vacation” mode often. This makes us very happy!
Schedules tend to be erratic, marked by early starts for outings and late meals. Countless hours may be spent on bus rides, van journeys, or even long hikes. Backpacks are laden with batteries, cameras, and various electronics for every conceivable scenario. Intense? Absolutely. This leads us to our alternate mode: living.
Living mode encompasses ordinary life in different locales. It’s a time for replenishing sleep, unwinding, completing books, catching up on blogs, planning and reserving future travel, and editing videos. We strive to establish routines that encompass waking up, engaging in worship/Bible study, exercising, and working. A stroll to local grocery stores is a common practice, aligned with our preference for cooking at home and maintaining a healthy diet.
Seeking out the nearest Seventh-day Adventist church helps us connect with fellow believers. Depending on circumstances, medical or dental appointments might be scheduled.
This lifestyle resonates deeply with us. It provides opportunities to acquaint ourselves with neighbors and neighborhoods, assimilating into the local culture. Serendipitously, we very regularly stumble upon a lovely park or community event worth attending. Walking paths along parks or harbors near our Airbnb offer tranquility and relaxation—an embodiment of authentic life. This mode of living constitutes the majority of our travel experience, counterbalancing the frenzy of “vacation” mode. Colombia fits this living mode of ours. We were able to just chill out in our Airbnb,
reading our favorite books, catching up on our emails, booking upcoming transportation and lodging, and working on our blog. However, as we all know, well-laid plans often go awry as they did this time. I, Marta, got sick and was laid up for pretty much 36 hours of our time. We were fortunate that this period was our “living” mode, as we didn’t have to cancel any plans or excursions, but we didn’t get a chance to see Bogota as we had planned or get work completed on our blog.
This is a good snapshot of our life, day-to-day or event-to-event. We love our life and feel blessed to be able to do this type of world exploration and we enjoy sharing our adventures with you.
(Many of these pictures are not from Colombia but from our other trips )
Interesting details of your preferences, habits and different modes! Everything is so thoughtfully planned. So great to experience the cultures, choose how you spend your time, and vacation with family as well. Love your blog too!!