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Posted by Jessica on Mar 4, 2010
In Five Years

Today marks the fifth year anniversary of the day we began our trip around the world.

'Two hedgehogs at the Buenos Aires airport five years ago todayOn March 4th, 2005, we stepped off a plane in Buenos Aires, Argentina with one-way tickets in our hands. We were brand new to traveling, and in many ways it felt like we were brand new to living. We had no way of knowing what adventures, joys, and challenges our traveling life would bring us. Hell, we didn't even know that we'd end up traveling for 18 months instead of the intended 12 months.

We always share our experiences from traveling, both during our round-the-world trip and our travels since then. But we haven't shared as much about how our life has changed otherwise in these past five years.

'Sometimes we miss the vibrancy of city life, but every day we love the ocean too much to imagine living anywhere elseWe've discovered we're no longer city people. Now we live on the shores of Cape Cod, in a tiny cottage that was once a fishing shack. We're slowly sloughing off our city-tendencies and we're no longer as suspicious when someone we meet in our town makes conversation by asking whereabouts we live in the village.

We adopted our dog from an elephant sanctuary in Thailand. We volunteer dozens of hours each week for the same elephant sanctuary. I tutor English at the library while trying to write the next great American novel. Tim telecommutes to his job in Philadelphia. We explore the sandy lanes and secret beaches of Cape Cod just as we would in another land.

'We live outside most mornings and evenings in the spring, summer, and fallWe try to live our lives with intent, being thankful for each day, and aware of our choices. We walk down to the water every day to say goodnight. We see shooting stars weekly.

We love cooking together. We've discovered some of our best ideas come while cooking and wearing our aprons from Laos, usually covered in flour from a never-ending battle with making our own dough. Summer means barbecues while sitting outside on the deck and winter brings homemade soups made while cozy inside.

Now that we live in a little cottage with a yard, we enjoy gardening in the spring and summer. We have killed remarkably few plants thus far. In the summer, we wake up near sunrise so we can have cups of tea outside before starting our work days.

'On a whale watch in Cape Cod in September 2009 with our friends Bex and Andy from EnglandWe try to remember to not take our families and our friends for granted, particularly because we live so far away from most everyone. We're thrilled when friends visit us, and we're making an effort to visit them more often too.

We're getting better at remembering everyone's birthdays and anniversaries. Thanksgiving is spent with Tim's family and Christmas is spent with mine. We even managed to mail a few holiday cards last year.

We're still thrifty, like we had to be before our trip, preferring to cook at home instead of going out to eat. We don't own a television or cell phones. But we're remembering that every now and again going to the movies in your own country can be fun too.

'Just married!We got married just the way we always wanted. Just the two of us with a Justice of the Peace, on a deserted beach with the waves lapping at our feet.

And we're happy. So incredibly happy. To the point that when friends ask how we are doing, we'll sometimes downplay how happy we actually are.

So much can change over five years. So many dreams can be dreamt and realized. So many goals can be set and accomplished. So much love and happiness can be given and received.

When we stepped off that plane in the Buenos Aires airport we had no idea how our lives would change, how travel would change us. We had no idea the experiences we would have, the friendships we would make, and the memories we would create during our trip. We had no idea how much a hold traveling would take over us, how it would become our passion.

And we had no idea that traveling would help us become the people we were always meant to be.

March 8, 2010 at 2:19pm
you guys are so inspiring!
March 8, 2010 at 2:20pm
Hey Mike! Thank you so much for the kind words. That made my day! :)

I'm digging your photos, by the way. What an awesome concept for a book! We'll be sending you lots of luck for your upcoming book tour.

Philsie
March 8, 2010 at 2:25pm
Oh I was I was Timmy…Lalalala..Dont forget crazy New Year eve people down at the local…
Philsie
March 8, 2010 at 2:26pm
Hahahaha..I meant to say *wish but that was way better
March 8, 2010 at 4:48pm

"…Dont forget crazy New Year eve people down at the local…"

LOL! I had totally forgotten about that. Good stuff. :)

Janet
March 9, 2010 at 3:37am
I need some salt to go with the sweet!
You guys are cute.
Many, many more years of bliss.
March 9, 2010 at 9:00am
Thank you, Janet! You're pretty sweet yourself, you know. :)
missy&derick
March 9, 2010 at 9:16am
you guys are so cute! i think you are living the american dream. well, my version of it at least. people need to slow down and get back to basics in order to enjoy life. and then go out and see the world! thanks for sharing all of this with us :)
March 9, 2010 at 10:21am
Awwww, thanks guys! *blushing*

Speaking of cute, how are your little ones doing? Oliver would have just had his 3 month birthday, yes? :)

missy&derick
March 9, 2010 at 12:24pm
that's right jessica, i'll send you some pictures since he smiles now :)
March 10, 2010 at 7:52pm
I'm so glad Belly got in touch on Facebook! Wonderful to hear from you all– Chris and I are still in Napa and fondly remember our time in Argentina. I will hook you up w/ Chris on Facebook too!
Tim the hedgehog
March 20, 2010 at 7:08am

Chris and I are still in Napa and fondly remember our time in Argentina.

Same here. We miss you guys! :)

March 22, 2010 at 4:10pm
We are getting our deck ready for summer… with potted plants and a barbecue :)
Oh and we just came back from Bolivia. Mr Mouse had fun there. Click on my name :)
Tim the hedgehog
March 29, 2010 at 7:12am

We are getting our deck ready for summer… with potted plants and a barbecue :)

The four of us need to spent some time relaxing together on a deck this year – whether it's your deck in Dusseldorf, or ours here in Cape Cod, or some other deck in Zanzibar or Hanoi or something!

Oh and we just came back from Bolivia. Mr Mouse had fun there. Click on my name :)

Awesome pics! Lake Titicaca is as gorgeous as we've imagined it. We can't wait to see it ourselves someday! :)

Sarah Gill
April 16, 2010 at 1:53pm
Hey Jessica and Tim, I was just going through some of my old emails and found one from you with a link to your website…I met you in Argentina when I was travelling with a guy called Dave…anyway, so lovely to see you too are so happy and having a wonderful life! Cape Cod looks amazing! Much love, Sarah x
April 17, 2010 at 10:13am
Hey Sarah! We're so happy you found us! It's good to hear from you, and we hope you're doing well. Cape Cod is indeed really amazing – you should visit one day! We'd love to see you again. :)
missy(&derick)
December 17, 2010 at 8:04am
i think i have said this before, but i'll say it again: lucky ducks!

i love the line "traveling would help us become the people we were always meant to be." but you guys were always friendly, kind-hearted people, so traveling just allows you to put it out there :)

and i must say we brag about you guys and this website whenever conversation turns to traveling.

December 17, 2010 at 10:13am
Awwwww! Thank you, guys, so so much! This comment has totally made my day. :)

*off to share it with Tim too*

:D :D :D :D


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