I haven’t been to Southern Guatemala in 20 years. I’ve dreamt of seeing Copan, I’m going now. And El Salvador, once the murder capital of the world, is now safe. I’m going before it gets more commercialized. Nicaragua, a friend has a farm there and might be there with his family for Thanksgiving. And I’ve read about the nature along the Rio San Juan River and into India Maiz Reserve. I’m going exploring!
After some significant technology challenges, I was finally able to put together a couple of videos! Welcome along for the ride!!
That’s a brief overview of my travels! Have a look at the map of where I’ll be going. Other than reservations for favorite spots at the beginning of my trip, I have no specific plans after that. Things always unfold, I meet people who offer awesome recommendations, and I flow along with the thread that unfolds!
Two sisters selling textiles on the street of Panajachel. I’m wondering what it is like now??
How I plan my trip and what I'm looking for!
Where are you going??
The map above is the general idea of where I will go! I wake each day and make a plan for that day based on what feels right. When transportation is involved, I make those arrangements and then see what unfolds. This time of year is off season so things will be less crowded and more options available.
After several months of reading, learning, prioritizing and getting things organized, I’m leaving shortly for this awesome experience! Things slow down! People move slowly and talk to each other. Only the tourists are in a hurry. Things flow at a natural pace. I’ll wake with howler monkeys and a large variety of birds! No sounds of traffic…only the lapping of water on the shore of the river near my bungalow hammock. New and interesting foods! New friends from around the world. Likely, I’ll meet some local healers which is always a cool experience. I’ll find a few hot springs, ride horses in the mountains touring a coffee and take a lot of photos.
Yes!! A lot to be excited about!
I’m grateful and awed that I grew up on a farm milking cows in a barn with a dirt floor and kerosene lantern, walked 1 1/2 miles to 1st grade in a country school, and somehow, learned how to travel like this! Amazing!!
My Roots! This is the yard in front of our home on the farm, facing the barn. It was pretty quiet there too!! Not much traffic but lots of coyotes and quite a few owls. The meadowlarks singing was always reliable!
Jumping into an adventure!
My first trip with a backpack out of the country was to Cancun. I was a bit terrified! I don’t really remember what motivated that trip except I liked jumping into new experiences! So I decided to take the leap. At some point, I realized I wasn’t going to die, and it I didn’t like it, I could always get back to the airport and return home. And that experience set the foundation for what has followed.
I survived, continued learning, expanded my travel horizons and now have friends all over the world and a lot of awesome experiences!
I don’t recommend people do what I did for my first trip and that was to travel for 2 1/2 months! That’s a very long journey for a first experience. Below, some photos from earlier experiences on that trip and a couple others to Belize and Guatemala.
Earlier experiences!
Around the Rio Dulce Area
Welcome along on the journey! If you have any questions or want to see photos of anything specific, let me know! Happy to have you along on the adventure!