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slightly astray

an honest look at life on the road

A year of travel (in photos!)

So today is kind of a big day.

Exactly one year ago today, D and I packed a bag each and flew out of Los Angeles on a plane headed to South America, a place neither of us knew anything about. That day seems so long ago in my memories, and yet, I still remember everything about it. We were excited and nervous and scared and wondered what exactly we got ourselves into and whether we could really make it work. And now 365 days and 19 countries later, I’m writing this from a tiny island in the middle of the Philippines. What a year.

I feel like I should have a monumental post to commemorate this milestone. Maybe something about what I’ve learned in this past year of travel. So I thought and I thought. I started drafts and abandoned them. And in the end, I just don’t. I don’t have any words of wisdom to impart or deep thoughts worthy of reflection. At least, not yet.

Usually, I’m a huge fan of “if you don’t have anything to say, don’t say anything at all,” but I feel like this milestone still deserves something. So instead of writing words, I went back and picked out 52 pictures to represent this insane, wonderful year. One picture for each week.  Then I put them into a crazy mosaic. Scroll over each picture (or click to enlarge) for the week & location captions. (And P.S., clicking on some will take you to the blog post explaining the moment!)

I may not have anything profound to say about lessons I’ve learned, but I do know this: this long term travel thing, it no longer feels like a scary, impossible idea. We may still feel uncertain about the future (or even where we’re going to be 6 months from now), but now, we know we can find a way to make it work. And maybe that is the only lesson that matters. :)

Here’s to another wonderful year of travels!

What is your favorite recent travel destination. Where are you headed to next?

 

 

Comments

  2. Ah wow, Anna!! All I have to say is YOU’RE AMAZING! What a great way to round up the year; loved looking at all of these photos and seeing the exact locations. Sometimes all there is to say it WOW, we did it ;) Happy Travel Anniversary! Excited to keep following along with you :D xx

        • It’s usually in late-Oct to early-Nov, depending on when the full moon is. The date for this mass lantern release is kept secret until shortly before, but it’s usually about one week before the official Yi Peng festivities. So you just kinda have to be there around that timeframe. It’s all very confusing! I can try to look up some info and let you know if I find anything! It was seriously the best night of my life!! (and if you click on that photo, you can see the blog post!)

    • It really is! Even 1.5 years ago, I never imagined that I can quit my job and travel full time. This year has definitely given us the confidence to continue traveling!

  8. Since we found each other late it was great to see your photo collage. Wow. I’m impressed and drooling with envy. What a blessing. Here’s to more good happy travels. Hugs from Thailand.

  9. Love the mosaic! Looks like you had an awesome year. I’m so jealous :) I’m totally looking forward to our honeymoon – we’re hopefully spending a few weeks in northern Europe, where I’ve never been, in September!

    • I have you to thank for teaching me how to make the mosaic! Ahhhh that sounds SO incredible. I’ve never been to northern Europe either. I’m so excited for you!

  11. What a year! I cannot wait until I am less tied down by my job and can get up and see the world! Seriously, what a year you’ve had! I can’t wait to hear all about the next year!

    • Thanks so much Kerri! I’m so looking forward to this next year too! I also can’t wait for you to travel the world! But in the meantime, I’m loving your adventures in Belgium. :)

  12. Happy one year on the road! Looks like an unforgettable time…. I can’t wait to be back “on the road” again! Being settled in one place is nice but the thrills per minute (or hour, or sometimes day) aren’t exactly so high anymore. Enjoy it :)

    • I can imagine. Sometimes, I do dream about making a little home in a place we love. But we’re not ready to settle yet! When do you think you can get back on the road? I know you’ve been kinda hinting at it!

      • Yeah, totally. As soon we decide that it’s time to back to the U.S, I wanna just hit the road and work-stay for about 5-6 months around certain areas of Europe. I kind of miss that vagabond lifestyle… it was probably one of the best times of my life because you see and do so many new things every day.

        • That sounds like an excellent idea! I hope you get to do it. A compromise for us is to stay in one place for a month, because then we can have plenty of time to relax and not worry about having to see something new everyday (it gets tiring for us!).

          • A month is great! I hope to do a series of 3 week (or so) stays… I’ve found that it’s the sweet spot (unless you’re staying with a not-so-great host and then maybe a little sooner)

    • Thanks so much Terri! I’m looking forward to the next year too. One thing I am hoping for this next year is to make enough to be able to afford to visit Australia! x

  15. Whoa! All these photos speak so much about your year! And I agree—if you make travel a priority, you will undoubtedly find ways to make it happen. Looking forward to following along real time for this next year :)

  16. I was actually surprised there aren’t more photos of food, lol ;-) What a fantastic collage and some amazing places you’ve been!

  18. whoa.. this post is awesome!!! it totally broke the monotony of my morning when i glimpsed some of the photos on this post. there’s so many posts i need to read of yours! congrats on a year of travel and may God bless you with growth and wisdom in the year to come. =)

  19. In response to your reply, that’s an awesome idea! I love your food photos :-)

  20. That boat on that last photo… I reckon Captain Jack Sparrow would be proud of it!

    On a more serious note, I think most people love photos more than words, so I think you got it right by bombarding us with so many photos to commemorate your first year of awesome!

    • Unfortunately, I think you are right that most people just want to see pictures. Which makes me a little sad because I love stories and words. But it is nice to have one place to see all my favorite pictures!

  21. Goodness gracious what a great year of traveling! I’ve only been reading your blog for a few weeks, so I’ve definitely got some reading to catch up on when I have time. Do you have a favorite city/country you visited in the past year?

    • Yes! In Europe, I fell in love with London (of course), but I think my favorite European city was Wrocalw, Poland. Soooo cute and most importantly, had the best pierogi restaurant ever! I really really liked Koh Chang island in Thailand. We stayed on the non-touristy side so I think that made all the difference. And Vietnam was AMAZING for food!! I think the best food so far was in Vietnam!
      Thanks so much for reading, Mere. :)

  22. I LOVE this round-up! And I love how you put the mosaic of photos together with links – so cool! Congratulations on a year of travel – you’ve certainly had one very full year! Looking forward to reading along and following your adventures to come!