One Way Ticket to SA

I've always had this pull to discover new places and people. The draw to keep moving forward, to keep exploring. The feelings have always been so strong. I don't know where it's leading me now and I don't know for how long, but I'm here and I'm ready for the ride.

I've always dreamt of getting away and seeing the world. I remember when I was a kid growing up in Florida, I would watch planes flying overhead with such longing inside of me. I didn't know much outside of the US. I thought New York City was the be-all-end-all. I made the move up to the city for college and remained there for 6 years. Struggling to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, I knew for sure that it had to do with travel. Over a couple of years I played around with a few ideas that would allow me to travel sustainably.

I hit 25 and started feeling time creep over me. I was getting too comfortable having the support of my family, working full-time, and working on ways to travel in my spare time. I needed to start making bigger moves. I was beginning to grow a following on Instagram and was given my first few brand collaborations. Through the platform, I met one of my best friends who shared similar dreams. He told me about a friend of his who lives in Thailand and how she teaches English online. It allows her the freedom to create her own schedule, make money, and travel. Lightbulb!

I looked into a few online teaching jobs and started hustling. My goal was to book a one way ticket and have a job so as not to blow through my savings, and to be able to travel longterm. In January, I started teaching and in February, I sent a message to some Instagram travelers looking for a travel buddy. In comes Jose who, like me, dreamt of seeing the world and was initially planning on driving across the USA, hiking and photographing national parks.

We booked a small trip to Colombia and breezed through the country seeing a hell of a lot in a short 8 day trip. We had a successful trip, having both been in the Instagram, photography and traveling world, we created some awesome content. We also became really great friends, but then, our trip soon came to a close and we settled back into our boring lives back home. We went back and forth with the crazy idea of booking a one way ticket together. I mean we were two people, who recently met via Instagram, with the idea of backpacking across South America together! Far-fetched right?

So...We bought our tickets! Flash forward a month in and I'm currently typing to you while Jose sits across from me with his espresso in a tiny cafe in the middle of Filandia, Colombia. Our travels are only just beginning, and we have some exciting things planned for the near future. I can't recall a time where I was as happy as I am now. I couldn't just "sit" any longer, waiting for time to pass me by along with my dreams. I know there will be a lot of hard times but nothing good ever comes easy in this life. For all of you who want to do similarly, all I have to say to you is make it happen, let go of all excuses, and just go for it.

Thanks for reading. -Bree

#southamerica #backpacking #girlstraveling #digitalnomad #travel #eyeofshe #adventure