No, this does not mean I am coming back to the United States. I am simply ready to have a place to call home again… for more than two weeks. There are two things I do not like about traveling:
- Packing up everything I own in just the precise way that it will all fit into my 45-liter bag.
- Moving to my next destination while carrying my passport, money, cards, laptop, and camera gear. Call me paranoid, but this is when I feel the most vulnerable.
I need a break. And I want a “normal life” again.
I started out this journey by establishing a home in Quito, Ecuador for a month to study Spanish. I had my own apartment, a routine, and friends. I had my favorite restaurants with servers who knew me and standing Friday night plans for mojitos and dancing. In short, I had a “normal life.” Different from the one I had just left of course, but normal.
After Quito, I spent the next four months traveling through seven countries, staying no more than two weeks in one town. Yes, you make friends, but most of them are “single serving friends.” I have stayed in touch with a few of the people I have met on my travels, but it is different when you are only exchanging emails and commenting on each other’s blogs.
When I was in Panama City, I met three really great people that quickly invited me into their lives, showing me a great time for Carnaval and where to get the best mojitos in Panama City. These were people I could imagine sharing long dinners with every week, talking and laughing for hours. Then it was time to move on to my next destination.
Why Buenos Aires?
I was in Buenos Aires 1 ½ years ago for vacation, and I fell in love with the city. It is one of the few places I have visited that made me think, “I might like to live here.” (I will tell you why in a future post). As I was getting a little burned out moving around and getting closer to the date of my pre-purchased flight from Bogotá to Buenos Aires, I realized that it was the perfect place to stop.
I have to admit I am a little scared, but I want this challenge.
Living in a place is a lot different than traveling through a place. I have doubts everyday. Will I be able to become fluent in Spanish? What will I do with my time? And the scariest question of all… Will I be able to make friends? Let’s face it. Once you get past the age of 25, you already have your group of friends, and people are not as eager to spend their limited time meeting and learning about new people. Establishing a life in a new city will be more challenging for me than anything I have ever done. But I am up for the challenge.
Mixed with the fear is a lot of excitement. Excitement about having the opportunity to learn about a culture and a place. Excitement about learning to tango. Excitement about not knowing what my life will be like two months from now.
I will continue to travel.
I still have grand plans to see the rest of this beautiful country, as well as Chile, Bolivia, and Peru. This is just a break from backpacker-style travel until I am itching to take 12+ hour bus rides again. I will just be traveling differently for a while.
I will put down my backpack, hang my clothes in a closet, and I will travel Buenos Aires for the next few months. This is such a large and diverse city; I am constantly discovering new sites and activities and learning new things about the culture and lifestyle. I may even take some short trips to other areas of Argentina, but I will not bring everything I own with me when I set off for a new destination. I will pack what I need for my trip and leave the rest of my things at home. Such a comforting word… home.
sounds exciting!!!! glad to know your next leg! maybe you’ll tire of it quickly and stay only a month or so and then move on! you never know!
this would be a great time for friends to come visit you too, eh!?!
You are exactly right. It is so nice to have that freedom.
And yes, this is the perfect time for friends to come visit! You’ll love this city!
That’s way more clever than I was ecxpteing. Thanks!
Put your feet up, relax, and enjoy your new home for awhile. You’ve earned it.
I have to agree, being ‘always on the go’ can be exciting for a little while, but it does get old and eventually you need a break (as I did after a mere 2 weeks!). Not to mention the need to recycle the under garments as you mentioned in previous article
This is cool, I can always read a travel magazine but I would rather go through your candid, authentic view of your travel experiences.
I am so jealous…and I bet I am not the only one. Don’t miss “home” too much. Once you come back to ohio you will prob feel a little weird because you will not have to pack your stuff up every couple weeks or months.
Oh I am so with you there. After a year I am getting tired too, the idea of an actual apartment seems so nice.
Hey! Love the country you’ve picked (been in Argentina for 4 years now) but couldn’t last a week in Buenos Aires myself.
The comment about friendships before and after 25 is surprising. Personally, I think you meet more good friends after 25. Before that, you’re more worried about having a big network of friends than you are about the people within it. After 25, real friends are made based on interests, situation, etc…
I know what you mean about forming the best friendships when you are older. I agree with you on that. I just think it’s harder to do because people have busier lives, and they focus their free time on the good friendships they have already formed.
I will definitely be hitting you up for Argentina travel tips when I’m ready to explore again.
Buenos Aires is the perfect choice! We spent 2 months renting an apartment there and loved it. It’s the one place in South America we really want to return to.
Taking a break from travelling and renting an apartment is a great idea and something we do quite regularly. Enjoy!
In my last two+ years of travel, I have returned home to California three times. It is always fun and great to reconnect with buddies but after a month or two I am itching to travel again…it really grows on me. I agree with Jeff. My very closest, deepest and richest friendships were formed after the age of 25…quality vs. quanity. Thart being said, I love the place of vulnerability from which this post is written.
Buenos Aries is definitely a city that I have fallen in love with before I even arrive. It’s also one I have considered to stay in for an extended period. Good luck and I am sure you will love the rest and relaxation!
ps. do you plan to work at all?
I have been debating the work thing. I think I have to if I want to stop here and still see the rest of South America
I think I want to also. It will give me a routine and get me out meeting more people and speaking Spanish.
You are right, after a while on the road it is so great to stop and find a ‘home’ somewhere – even if that place is not your real home.
I did most of my travelling in Asia from a base in Vietnam, where I was living at the time. The best way about travelling like this is knowing that you do not have everything valuable in one place when you’re moving around which makes me feel so vulnerable.
You also get to know everything about a place – many travellers only skim the surface and then leave saying that they’ve ‘done’ that place.
Enjoy your time in BA. I will be going there later this year so wil read your posts with interest. Thanks.
Very exciting! Courtney and I will be in B.A. from 5/30-6/5 & 6/7-6/8.
It’s on my calendar!
I really hope Buenos Aires to be your new home and exceed you expectations : )
This is sooo recognizable for me. As of today i’m on the road for exactly 2 years (Yes, celebration party tonight) and i also had a few safe havens where i stayed longer. I stayed quite a few weeks in Cambodia and the Philippines. In Cambodia i was really fed up with being in a new city every 4 days and i stayed in the same guesthouse for weeks. Despite all the drama and raising hell there i really had a good time there an look back at it with a smile on my face
I’m staying already 3 weeks in a hostel in Cordoba Now, love the weekly asado BBQ and going out here. I know its time to move on now.
Love reading your blog and i’m really impressed with your colorful writing style.
Greetz Neil
Neil Skywalker recently posted..Kazakhstan – Astana
Congrats! I honestly cannot imagine being on the road for 2 years. I have learned that I am a slow traveler, but I have met others who get the itch to move on after 2-3 days. Enjoy your 3 week “stay” in Cordoba. I look forward to going there myself soon.
I have most definitely felt like this!! Sadly, I never had the time to actually STOP and stay for any prolonged length of time. But, I can certainly relate to the awful part about long-term travel — the packing of that mammoth backpack and hauling all of your belongings. I look forward to learning more about your love affair with BsAs!
dtravelsround recently posted..Escape of the Week: The Dead Sea
It has been such an incredible experience to stay in one place for a while. And I do feel like Buenos Aires is my home now. Sadly, I will have to leave it soon. But I am excited about my next travels too, so I know I got what I needed out of this stop and am re-energized.
The Travel Chica recently posted..Buenos Aires Odd Jobs: The Recycling Program
We know exactly what you mean. We have adapted the slow travel, dig into one place for more than 2 week lifestyle and we love it. Starting next week we have an intense travel schedule planned for the next 40 days and I’m tired already just thinking about it. But we have a new “home” waiting for us in New York come the new year and we’ll be able to unwind then.
Best of luck in your new home 😉
Pete recently posted..Day to Night in Amsterdam – In Photos
It is great to have the future “home” scheduled. It will help you get through the rough parts of the hecktictravels (I am so darn clever) and allow you to enjoy it more.
The Travel Chica recently posted..Buenos Aires Odd Jobs: The Recycling Program
That is why we’ve basically spent almost a month in every country we have visited. I like having a routine of sorts and I like to unpack. I’m totally not one that could cover Europe in 2 weeks. 😛
Erica recently posted..The Wilds of Costa Rica: A Break from the Tourism
sounds great! What a wonderful opportunity to get to stay in one place for a while… and Buenos Aires at that!
Margo recently posted..Isola Bella in the Eye of the Beholder
I once had this thought as well. I needed some down time from travel, so I came home. The next thing I knew, I had a mortgage, a car loan, and tons of other debt to go along with it. It took me 15 years to escape it, but I’m finally out and on the road again. I couldn’t be happier.
Great post! Thanks for sharing!
Well, I never got rid of my mortgage while I was traveling, but I have managed to NOT take on anymore debt after returning and establishing a home base again. But there’s always the pressure.
Glad you have moved towards what makes you happiest!