Why We Want to Travel: Chasing Adventure and Life Experiences in the Yucatán

Why We Want to Travel

First and foremost, for the life experience. We need a moment to step away from reality and immerse ourselves in the beauty of the unknown. Traveling allows us to explore different cultures, meet and learn from amazing people, see sights we once only dreamed of, and try new experiences. We want to become educated through our own adventures.

What We Expect to Gain
I definitely expect to catch the traveling bug from this trip. Even though this adventure may be different from others, I plan to save every penny when we get back so we can plan the next one. Just thinking about the trip already makes me feel more alive. I hope this experience will build our confidence, help us understand what makes us truly happy, and show us how to carry that feeling into our everyday lives once we return home.

Inspiration Along the Way
I found a blog with some fun and inspiring articles, including one called “Why You Should Quit Your Job and Travel Around the World.” While we aren’t planning a global trip (yet!), it offered great insight and inspiration on how to make big travel dreams a reality. For now, exploring the Yucatán Peninsula is more than enough to get us excited!

And So It Begins: Planning Our Life-Changing Trip to Mexico for Día de los Muertos

And So It Begins…

Yesterday, my boyfriend put in his two-week notice at work! It’s both nerve-racking and thrilling at the same time. He has to leave early because it takes about a month to cash out his 401(k). I’m planning to wait until the end of next month or early October to put in mine, but I am more than ready to take the leap.

I also caught up with a good friend I hadn’t had a chance to fill in, and it was amazing to realize how fast this all came together. At the start of the month, I was just daydreaming about a life-changing move. Now, it’s becoming reality. I am so glad I started this blog! What began as a way to motivate myself to plan a trip has turned into a place to plan, share, and get feedback from everyone.

Please feel free to leave feedback or ask questions, because I know I’ve skipped a few details along the way.

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On Vacation Related Subjects:

One thing I’m especially excited about is being in Mexico for Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). I first learned about this holiday after moving to Tucson, where it is celebrated with face painting and the All Souls Procession. People honor the deceased, but the skeleton face painting and artistic expression are what catch everyone’s attention—it looks like a lot of fun!

I’m aware that the Tucson celebration is quite different from how it’s observed in Mexico. In Mexico, it is a deeply meaningful holiday devoted to remembering loved ones who have passed. Families and friends gather at graves, bringing favorite foods, gifts, and possessions of the departed.

Día de los Muertos can be traced back 3,000 years. Today, November 1st honors infants and children, while November 2nd is devoted to adults. It’s a beautiful way to celebrate life and remember those who came before us.

Explore. Dream. Discover.

My friend Deva shared an article with me today called “Travel Is Only For The Rich.” Beyond getting me super excited for our upcoming journey, it made me reflect on what life might look like after we return.

I especially loved the advice at the end:

"Decide when you’ll take your trip. Research and plan. Do it over and over again."

I hope this trip is just the first of many adventures we’ll take. The site is full of inspiring quotes, and one really stood out for me today:

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." – Mark Twain

It’s a perfect reminder to take chances, embrace adventure, and live fully. 

Anticipation - Sharing Our Plans

We are finally starting to share our travel plans with friends and family, and the reactions have been all over the map:

• “What are you doing quitting your jobs and taking out your 401(k)?”

• “Enjoy it while you can. I wish I would have done the same thing.”

• “Take me with you!”

• “Don’t get kidnapped.”

In the end, it comes down to what feels right for us. We are excited, ready, and happy. =)

Caves and Cenotes Adventure - Indiana Joe’s

We’ve been looking into an amazing adventure spot called Indiana Joe’s, where they offer guided tours of caves and cenotes across the Yucatán Peninsula. If you search the area on Google Maps and check out the images, you’ll see stunning photos like this one all over—the kind of scenery that makes you stop and dream about being there in person.

Of course, before booking, we plan to talk to locals to see if there’s a better deal—or even a free spot to explore—but if not, Indiana Joe’s charges around $30 per person per tour. From everything I’ve seen online, the views and experiences they offer are definitely worth it. These are the kinds of places I’ve always pinned on Pinterest and fantasized about visiting, so the thought of actually being there is mind-blowing!

Meanwhile, we’re still waiting to hear back about our studio apartment, so I might have another update on the blog soon if she calls.

Note to Self: Get a Video Camera! Shifting to More Videos and Less Writing for the Mexico Journey

Note to self: Get a video camera!!!!

I love love love making videos, and what better way to share than to take everyone along for the journey.

It is funny I am even writing a blog because I have never been great at writing anything. But I can take some lovely photographs and edit videos fairly well.

Once this trip actually gets planned and begins, I want less writing and more showing. Make it a point to check back in once the planning ends and I hit the road.