Hey thereReader,

We recently had a conversation where we were discussing the reason everyone doesn’t travel. Now, of course, the financial position goes without saying. I understand that especially in today’s super inflated market things can add up and be a hindrance. When there are enough bills at home, getting away can feel like a daunting task.

But our conversation was focused on the people who want to travel, who have the financial means to travel, but don’t.

Why don’t they?

I then had this thought about how many times we had trips lined up and really just did not feel like going through the process of being prepared for the trip. The daunting and sometimes horrible experiences that we’ve had with hotels and Airbnb’s, the confusion that comes with understanding the local currency of a given country, not being sure if it’s safe to travel in a certain location alone, and what if I want to go out, do I do it alone?

See, I had been too long in my experienced world traveler mindset. I had focused a lot on what I already knew as a traveler and the fact that we mostly travel as a duo (with the occasional solo trip) and this changed my perspective on this question. On why people who can choose not to travel.

I had gotten too far away from what brought me to travel in the first place. The need to step out of what I have known. And I can 100% tell you that some of what thrusted me into travel was fear. Fear of what would happen if I didn’t step out and see what the world has to offer and fear that I would get out into the world and not be safe. Often times both of these fears still exist but I push forward.

For 95% of you who are new to traveling our way will not be yours. Some of you have homes, and families, and things that keep you settled more than us. Maybe for you you’re looking for one good international trip per year, like we started out. Every summer we knew we had a trip planned. There is room for you in this travel world as well.

Then there are the other 5% who may have a similar story to ours. You have very few things keeping you anchored in one location, but maybe jumping internationally is too big of a risk for you right now. That is ok as well.

There is room here for you because…

Sometimes travel starts small. It might be a new city two hours away, or one state over that you’ve never explored. It might be a short flight to Puerto Rico or the Caribbean where things feel a little different but still familiar. And sometimes that one small experience is the thing that leads to the next. The confidence grows. The curiosity grows. The belief that you can handle yourself in a new place grows.

You don’t have to go from your couch to Cape Town. You can go from your couch to Columbus, or Cabo. You can start with a baby step and still be a traveler.

The point is movement. The point is trying. The point is giving yourself permission to go see something outside of your everyday.

Your version of travel counts. Your pace counts. And this world is still waiting for you to see it in whatever way feels right for you.

Chile: A Bumpy Beginning, a Cozy Recovery, and a Vineyard Escape

We touched down in Santiago after a long travel day. Our roundtrip flights from Quito, Ecuador cost about $450 per person, which wasn’t too bad considering the distance. We were excited, ready to explore, and hoping to settle into our Airbnb and finally rest.

But that excitement quickly faded.

Our arrival in Chile was chaotic and exhausting. The Airbnb we booked was nothing like the pictures we were shown. We got in late that evening, and as our Uber started pulling into the neighborhood, we exchanged looks.

The area didn’t feel like a place we would’ve chosen. It was dark, stores were locked behind gates, and trash lined the streets. Still, we hoped the apartment itself would be better.

It wasn’t...

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Stay Roaming and Exploring,

Maurice + Albion