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The Roaming Realtor
The Roaming Realtor

The Roaming Realtor

Traveler by heart
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  • The Roaming RealtorThis is 40Resenär
    This is the actual angle of the plane

    Nazca Lines

    20 mars 2019, Peru ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    When I booked my trip I had just 4 excursions planned. Yesterday was my last excursion and one of the ones I was looking forward to the most. The Nazca lines. Aliens, ways to communicate with aliens, study of astrology, or maybe just the graffati of their time. Imagine some 15 year old punk kid out there in the dessert carving a picture of his family dog. His parents at home complaining to neighbors that he will never make his mark in the world. Mysterious and who knows. I am sure that was not the actual story but after a difficult flight I can not be sure.

    The day before flying from Cuszco to Lima was definitely a bargain flight. The flight attendents smirked a little as they told us to make sure all seats were in the upward position. My seat as well as many others seemed to be fused into the position so the seat behind me could have done dental work. The flight was an hour late so as we were herded on I am not sure as everyone was in their seats as we were leaving the gate. The flight itself was a rough one as it felt as though the pilot hit every pot hole/ speed bump in the sky. Thank goodness it was only an hour flight.

    Upon arriving in Lima I was happy to easily find my taxi driver to the hotel. Driving in Lima seemed to be a contact sport. 4 cars, 2 buses, and 3 motor bikes all sharing 3 lanes. I could have reached out and touched any of these vehicles at any time. While going 30 mph the driver was also dodging pedestrians as they crossed the street frogger style. No need to worry my driver made the most of our commute talking and texting from 2 different cell phones. I can not be sure he was talking about me but I kept hearing the term gringa chika. He was also picking his nose a few times. Impressively enough we arrived at the hotel with no new car bruises and with out safety intact.
    As scary as it sounds it really wasn't. This is the main stay for driving in other countries. They all seem to share the roads kindly with minimal accidents and no road rage. There is some sort of code as to who is able to go and who is in the right in a cut off situation. My driver joked and asked me if I would ever drive here. Ummm no.
    One of my tour guides explained the process of getting your drivers liscense. Apparently it is a 5 year process that typically includes failing the test multiple times. They definitely earn it though.
    Onto the Nazca lines. I was picked up at a very early 7am for my 4.5 hour drive to the city where we would fly out of. I was the only one on the bus. That sounds good but a little lonely. As we arrived at the airport I dutifully took my Dramamine as I had heard the flight was a bit bumpy. A bit!
    In reality the flight was a easy 45 minute flight out to the dessert with the lines followed by 30 minutes of spiraling circles with the g forces that pulled my face to the ground and my stomach to the skies. Add into this the small air vent above my head was not working. The temperature in that plane had to be over 90. I thought about reaching up and opening the pilots window as we were all that close. Just as I was able to steady myself and get my stomach back we would turn the other way so the other side of the plan could see it. I tried for pictures but decided not puking on the plane full of Chinese passengers seemed the best idea. With the turns and drops there is no way to know how many I could have hit. My other dilemma was that if I did throw up in the handy bag they provided then I would have to hold it on my lap for the 45 minute flight back. Queue more puking.
    From where you come from you must go back. After the flight was my 4.5 hour drive back to Lima. We did pick up a few passengers but even back on the ground my stomach was upset with me. So the first half of the ride I spent listening to a book and not throwing up. By the second part I decided I was able to be social and spoke to a Canadian man behind me.

    So now it is time to go home. What a quick trip it has been. Just 7 days with 2 of them spent traveling. Even with how fast it was I am so glad I came. The Peruvian people are among the kindest I have met in the world. This morning as I was leaving my hotel at 4am the front desk guy wanted to have a full conversation. 4am is not my chatty time. Machu Picchu was everything I could have hoped for and made a wonderful birthday. Thank you all for joining me again on this trip!    Läs mer

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  • The Roaming RealtorThis is 40Resenär
    1

    Magical

    17 mars 2019, Peru ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Waking up before my alarm (which was set for 4am), the perfect seat on the train, perfect weather, and amazing people have all made for a magical birthday.
    The day started at a very early 415 pick up time. As I walked downstairs my guide was already waiting for me. The bus was a very early and dark 1 hour 40 minute ride to the train that would take me to Machu Picchu. I boarded the train I saw that I had seat #2, the perfect seat that had a front seat view for the ride. 1st birthday miracle. My seat partner was a lovely woman from Chile who now lives in Switzerland. She took her 3 children and fled the country in the coo of 1973 (things for me to look up tomorrow). Another member of my trip is my new buddy Jay, the 70 something man who spends half the year in New Hampshire and the other half traveling.
    There was a slight drizzle of rain and we descended to Machu Picchu. Fun trivia for you Machu Picchu is actually at a lower elevation than Cusco where I am staying. This was a welcome break as I struggle with higher elevation. As reference Denver is 5200 ft above sea level, Machu Picchu 9000 ft, Cusco 11500 ft, areas from the trip last year to Bolivia were close to 16000 to 17000. It affects people differently but for me it literally takes my breath away. Pair this will the steep streets make me move pretty slowly as I wander.
    By around 10am we were finally making our 30 minute ascent from the town in the valley where our train dropped us to the majestic Macchu Picchu. The start of the hike was a steep winding road leading us to the top. Our guide, Marco, knew the names of each of the Llamas (or he pretended well as he makes up new names for them every day). Speaking the name Marco, as you my know it is a popular Spanish name. The joke of saying "Polo" each time never gets old to me as the children yell to find their friends.
    As we arrived at the top the fog began to break revealing a beautiful sunny day. The scene looking down onto the "town" was just like the post card but to be there in person was amazing.
    My guide Marco was fantastic. Fun fact for you. The Inca is actually the name for the king (similar to the title president). So calling them the Inca people is not accurate, it would be like calling Americans the President's People. They should instead be referred to as the Quechua people. That would refer to the people coming from area's is Columbia down the west coast of South America into Chile. It is also a misnomer than the Spanish Conquistadors were the cause of the fall of the Empire. At the time the Spanish came there was much infighting in the tribes that made them easy to concur. An interesting note on this is that anytime I have spoken to anyone in South America about the Spanish I have never heard anger about being taken over. I am not sure why. I would be upset if we were taken over. I will have to figure out nice ways to ask about this and report back to you on a special non trip blog post.
    Back to Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu was build during the time of one of the Inca's (remember this is the king, not the people). It was during the time when they had the largest growth period. The Inca build Machu Picchu as a place where he invited the top scholars of the time in areas such as art, astrology, architecture and more to live in this community of 2000 people focused on working together to grow. (Do you notice my focus this trip of inclusivity and kindness?)
    This is where they came up with brick building techniques that are earth quake resistant, the creation of the Inca calendar and many more discoveries of the time.
    The site of Machu Picchu has temples build that capture the light at the solstices to determine what time of year it is.
    Hiram Bingam rediscovered the lost city in 1911. Although at that time there were still people living in it. The city at that time was completely over grown and taken over by the jungle. So if a helicopter would have flown over they could not have seen anything. (Not sure if there were helicopters in 1911, probably not)
    The weather while at MP was amazing, with the sun shining down, the fog and clouds cleared for a perfect morning. The moment I got on the bus to leave the massive downpour started. Thank you Pachamama (Mother Earth)!
    Once in town I settled at a restaurant called Full House for a nice Alpaca lunch. It reminded me a venison. The restaurant sat on the edge of a roaring river. The sounds was deafening similar to that of Niagara Falls. I believe that people raft through this area. It would have to be stage 5 rapids for the very advanced. At the end of dinner the waiters brought me out a brownie for dessert and sung happy birthday to me in both English and Spanish. Yes of course I had told them it was my birthday, I wanted a free dessert.
    During my dinner the rain picked up until it was a full jungle monsoon. Later as we walked up the stairs to the train station there was a newly created river rushing down the stairs.
    After a little shopping we finally boarded the train for home. I assumed it would be a quiet ride after an exhausting day. Thankfully I was very wrong. It started with a dressed up creature that I believe is one of their gods dancing through the train for a good 5 minutes. Followed up with a fashion show by the attendents with best of baby alpaca clothing fashion. Laughing, dancing, etc!
    From the train the bus to bring us back to Cusco was a very crowded 2 hour ride. On this I talked to my new friend Jay. He has been to an impressive 92 countries. Wow! Oh how I love making new travel friends and swapping stories. One of his that he did not go into much detail about was being kidnapped in China. After that he kept traveling. That is spirit.
    Finally we arrived back into Cusco at around 9pm. Jay was headed to the Irish Pub to watch the sloppy drink British travelers. I headed back to my hotel for well earned sleep.

    People will always ask me what my favorite country is. I never have an answer for this but I have favorite travel days. Today will be one of those days where everything went perfectly and made the best day ever. I do have to say though I think the Peruvian people are among the kindest I have found in the world. Everything they do is done in love and kindness for their visitors. I have found so many who have been generous to share their culture and country with me.    Läs mer

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  • The Roaming RealtorThis is 40Resenär
    Pisco sour
    The God of abundance. I hugged him, thanked him and invited him to stay in my life.Ready for a date night

    Spread love and kindness

    15 mars 2019, Peru ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Welcome to Peru,

    I say this because I feel like I take you all with me when I travel.
    After 22 hours of 3 airplanes, 4 airports, and a taxi I arrived. I use to be able to arrive and start exploring the same day. This morning after just 2 hours of sleep I was exhausted. I ended up sleeping until 4, it was glorious!
    Many times after the grueling hours of travel to get to my destination I wonder to myself if it is all worth it. Is it worth the cramped quarters of the airplane. Or 5 hour layovers. Then I go to my first activity of the trip. For this trip it was a night walking tour and pisco sour making lesson. It always starts with the anxiety of if I will find my group, if they will be kind people, and if I can keep up in a walking tour at 11000 ft above sea level. Then I meet my group. Tonight's tour was a nearly private tour with a beautiful person who lives in Miami and is working in Chile for 4 months. As we began to talk about travel and where she has been, I remembered how much I crave it. Hearing about others travels, where they have been and their experiences brings the oxygen back to my blood.
    The tour itself consisted of walking through the bohemian art districts and taking a moment to orient myself to the city.
    Peru is a 75 or more percent catholic country and in addition to that they are very connected with the Earth. They believe in Pacchi Mama (mother earth for those who remember her from Boliva). To me the believe on Pacchi Mama versus traditional religion resonates more in my heart. There is no talk of smiting or cursing someone who does not do what the Gods wish. It is about celebrating and giving thanks to the amazing things the world has provided us. As I travel I am constantly in awe of areas in the world where religions or lack of are respected and able to live in harmony with each other.
    I read earlier very quickly of the shootings in Christchurch NZ. As with anytime these things happen my heart is broken. The families who after going about their daily life will no longer be the same, the fear that is now instilled in peoples hearts, and the unfathomable hate that exists in the world. I cry, scream and try to understand how such hate happens. Is the cause a society that has chosen to focus on our differences versus our similarities.
    Before my tour started I sat on the steps of the Cathedral and spoke to a Peruvian woman, named Elsa. She much better at English than I am with my broken Spanish. She spoke of her family and her 6 year old son. So close in age to the little Twincesses in my life. She asked questions about me and my life. She too has lost her father at a too an age. No time was lost debating politics or religion. It was just a genuine interaction of kindness and connection. I have been so lucky to find these connections all over the world, yet I do not believe you necessarily have to leave your own peace (intentional misspelling) of the world to find this. React when you see hate happening in the world. Maybe if we are able to stop it early then these instants of mass killing will cease to be an everyday event in our lives that we ignore because it is so far away.
    At 25 I lived in London. I remember that Thursday when bombs were exploded on the tube (subway). One affected my line yet I was running early that day. I remember that feeling of the city I lived in and loved being under attack. Just two weeks later they attempted it again and luckily the bombs did not detonate. To live in a city where you felt like you had no clue what was going to happen next was terrifying. I remember thinking that is what people are living with in "those other" counties. Now it is happening weekly to people just like us. Shame on us for not acting years ago but now is the time. I ask all of you a simple favor. Stand up with love to hate when you see it. Support the victim of hate but also find a way to create kindness to the perpetrator. Who knows where your kindness could lead and what it could potentially stop in the future.
    Thank you all who have taken the time to read this. I know it is a bit of a divergence from my normal travel blog. I believe the purpose if travel is to learn. As I mentioned in my travels I take you along with me so I hope you too will have an opportunity to look at the world a little different tomorrow.

    Ps I write my blogs on my phone so forgive any spell check errors that come up. They are written all through out my day and posted at the end. You will see in this blog the moment I peaked out of my vacation bliss to read the news to see what was happening in the world. The tone changes as a result. It may not be the most cohesive way to write but it is the raw cut. I hope you enjoy.

    Today's pictures don't follow the tone of the blog, but it was a good day so I wanted to share.    Läs mer

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  • The Roaming RealtorThis is 40Resenär
    This is mr taking up 3 plugs just to keep my entertainment powered.
    #thisis40The runway looks like a giant lakeMy chauffeurs to the airportI made all my own shirts for the trip

    Beer and valium

    14 mars 2019, Förenta staterna ⋅ 🌙 15 °C

    Hello and welcome back,

    Can you believe your favorite roaming Realtor is tuning 40? I have to say I can't.
    A question I frequently receive about my travels is how do I choose my next trip. The answer is usually based on a picture I have seen from that country. For Peru I believe it was the picture of Guinea pig on a menu and served whole. Oh yeah Macchu Picchu also looked cool.
    For those who have known me for awhile you know this is the second time I have booked this trip. The first time was in 2016, the year the world fell apart for me. I believe we have all had those years and when they happen it is time to make the decision of what will make you happy and what you would like your life to be like. I had been smart in previous years and saved for the just in case. So I restarted my life and career that year. It was the best decision I have ever made. For those who followed my blog that year was very raw for me. I am happy to report that after 3 years I am not back to who I was but now a new and improved version of myself.
    A recap on my past year to catch you up. I made the decision last year to switch the brokerage with which I worked. Wow what a difference that made. I was able to more than double my business year over year and end up in the top 15% of my office. I am so grateful to each of my clients, vendors and KW staff who helped. 2019 is already off to an amazing start and I look to double my production again this year.
    Besides work my life is much the same. Basil continues to get older and his face a little whiter. I helped my Mom sell the lake house in Belleville and move up to Canton to be near Amy and me.
    Now for a few details about my trip. I ended up booking it when I realized I had not been out of the country in over a year and only out of the state to go to OH. Yikes. This one was very last minute and was only booked about 3 weeks ago. I will be gone for just 6 days. The highlights include my 40th birthday on top of Macchu Picchu, quad biking and a flight over the Nazca lines. A few small activities are also planned but that will pretty much be it. Many ask about the flights. I start with 3 hours to Dallas, a five hour layover, 7.5 hours to Lima Peru, then a quick 1 hour flight to Cusco. It will take me about 22 hours total from leaving my house to arriving at my hotel. I know it sounds a bit grueling but a few beers and a few valium the time flies by.
    I am currently sitting at my layover in Dallas.
    For many reasons I thought this again was going to be the trip that did not happen. I have fought through back spasms, entire plane collections being grounded and a few other things to make this trip happen. As your Roaming Realtor I woke up this morning to having to renegotiate a contract to ensure my clients got their dream home.

    Now vacation begins. Bring on the beer time for my 7 hour nap waking up in Peru.

    My 41st country in 40 years!

    Stay tuned, more updates to come.    Läs mer

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  • The Roaming RealtorEscape from Michigan WinterResenär

    Vacation is about Dancing

    25 februari 2018, Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Yay finally a flight! I am a girl who likes to fly versus taking buses. Salta to Buenos Aires is a short 2 hour flight. For a girl use to 12-15 hour flights, 2 hours barely gives me time to do the Sudoku puzzle in the In-flight magazine. For this flight I woke still feeling a little drunk (a lot drunk) from the night before. After the farm and 25 bottles of wine with 7 people we decided to go to a local bar. We also found the rest of the group on our walk to the bar. The walk home from the bar was a interesting task of herding cats or small children. We were back down to 7 people but all were going different directions. At one point we lost 2 to the super market for the weekly shopping they did not need to do. As the mama bear of the group I made sure that all made it back to the hotel.
    Buenos Aires rates as one of my favorite cities in the world. It is warm, it has amazing architecture, history and is safe. Our hostel was a bit of a walk but finally we found food. It was the traditional American hang over food of a McDonald's Big Mac. As the only American someone commented to me that Big Mac's in the states must taste so much better.
    The day was Sunday which is the day of the 10 plus block handi craft and antique market. 8 miles of walking for the day I think I got my steps in. After only being in Buenos Aires once before I was excited to be able to easily navigate the city. The main attraction I used to navigate is called 9 de Julio. This is the 25 lane highway that goes through the middle of the city. It is an entire block wide and luckily there are many pedestrian stopping area's so it is not as though you are playing the old Atarii game of Frogger. This a reference that very few of my fellow travelers would have known. With many of them being 20 and me at 38 this was the first time I could legitimately be the same age as their parents.
    The evening was filled with more beef, Argentine Tango lessons and the tango show. Tango lessons could be best described as bumper cars. As we all attempted our steps in pairs I believe there was more laughing and running into each other than dancing.
    The Tango show symbolized the end of the tour even though I had a few days extra in Buenos Aires by myself. It was a sad goodbye to a few of my fellow travelers, but to be honest not all.    Läs mer

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  • The Roaming RealtorEscape from Michigan WinterResenär

    The Best Beef in the World

    24 februari 2018, Argentina ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Being a restaurant family and going to cooking school I have eaten some amazing beef, but none can even come close to today's Argentinian BBQ.
    Today was a full day activity of horse back riding, Argentinian beef, and unlimited red wine. The day dreams are made of.
    It surprised me that such a small contingent of our group came out. We had 3 for horse back riding and 7 for the BBQ. As we arrived the farm was a beautiful area located in the shadows of local mountains. There was a farm house and barns. There was a long table set for 25 in an open air dining room with an outdoor BBQ at the head of the table. I just realized I did not take any pictures of this part so it will just remain as a memory to me.
    Let me tell you about horse back riding. I believe I have gone horse back riding every 5-10 years for my entire life. Yes that totally means I am a pro, or it means I have a conversation with my horse first and discuss how we will get along. I asked for a nice horse who knew how to have someone ride it versus me knowing what to do. Instead they gave me Bruja, the Spanish word for witch. So witch horse and I went on our way. As the rancher led us through the paths my horse decided that she would be the leader (hmm, sound like anyone you know?). Yes my horse was the bossy witch. At points she stopped to get a bite to eat but would quickly race ahead as she saw the other horses coming close. At one point as we were turning the corner the horse next to me decided my leg looked like foot and took a little munch. No worries no damage was done.
    Joining us on the ride was the farm dog. She ran ahead of us as though she was scouting out the terrain. As we came to a street I call Mean Dog alley she looked to protect us. At points there were 10 or more dogs ganging up on our sweet dog. She quickly let the horses protect her and stuck to the middle of the pack. At one point we got off the horses for a stretch. After my failed attempts to mount the horse at the beginning I was a bit scared I would be chasing my horse back to the farm. Luckily the cowboy remembered this and directed me to a higher area to remount the horse. It could have been really ugly.
    As we returned to the farm the rest of the group arrived. Ohh the wine! It was brewed at a winery near by, along with beef the Argentine's know how to make wine. 7 guests and over 25 bottles of wine......    Läs mer

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  • The Roaming RealtorEscape from Michigan WinterResenär

    Sand Boarding and Star gazing

    22 februari 2018, Chile ⋅ 🌧 10 °C

    After a long few days of traveling I am pretty excited to have 2 nights in one place. Today was a day filled with activities, a nap, and a nice meal.
    We started the morning with Sand boarding. Sand Boarding is much like snow boarding, in fact it uses the same equipment. The difference being snowboarding they haul you up a mountain, sand boarding you have to climb sinking sand to get to the top. Even though we have gone down from 15000 ft above sea level to only 7500 breathing is still tough for me. I am proud to say I did make it down the hill once, then enjoyed myself taking pictures and video's of my new friends.
    Even with my one trip down the beating sun and the sand took it out of me. After a shower to get sand out of, well everywhere, it was time for a nap. I decided to take the afternoon off from the group's mountain hike through the Valley of the moon. Instead I wandered the town, had some lunch, did my laundry, and relaxed. After a few full days it was nice to have sometime to relax. I even finished another book.
    Later on in the night it was time to go for star watching. I was excited as the last few nights of stars had been incredible. Unfortunately our star location was pretty close to town, but they had incredible telescopes. Before this trip I thought the Southern Hemisphere saw different constellations as we did here. It turns out they see a few of the same ones such as Orion, but it is upside down. I also got to check out a close up of the craters of the moon.
    It was a great day, but I am dreading tomorrow a bit with out 10 hour bus ride and border crossing into Argentina.    Läs mer

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  • The Roaming RealtorEscape from Michigan WinterResenär

    Long Day at the Border

    22 februari 2018, Chile ⋅ 🌧 10 °C

    Last night was one of my favorite kind of nights on a tour. We stayed at a little lodge in the middle of nowhere. There was limited hot water, shared rooms and no internet. No worries there was vodka, wine, and games. These are my favorite nights because without internet we get to hang out and talk to each other. I wish I could have gotten pictures of the stars for you. It was another night with more stars than I have ever seen.
    I had a great conversation with a couple of guys from Denmark. Schooling in Denmark is very different from the States and for many reasons I can see why they are a happier society. After they finish traditional high school they go to a boarding type school where they specialize in something. It is not always career focused and may include music, sports, or school subjects. They have the chance to live away from home and establish their independence. It is similar to the first year of college without the pressure to know what you want to do when you grow up. They are given time to explore and take time to experience the world a bit before making the decision. After that they attend state sponsored University. I like the fact it takes the pressure off kids and gives them time to figure out themselves before they figure out their career.
    The next morning we left early for a few hours in the hot springs before more exploring of this beautiful national park. Multi colored lagoons, more flamingos, natural rock monuments and natural toilets (not a fan of that part).
    As I have seen in other countries land borders are an interesting experience. This was nothing compared to Cambodia crossing of walking booth to booth for a half mile, 95 degrees, surrounded by men with guns, and an extra $5 payment to speed up the process. None the less it was still a 3rd world land border. This includes confusion over where immigration is, bus transfer issues, more natural toilets and about 5 hours of waiting. Naps were taken, games were played and I listened to another book.
    As we arrived into San Pedro De Atacama it was again like a town from the Wild West. This one reminded me of the old town in Albuquerque New Mexico. It was a low laying city located on a small oasis in the desert. Mountains and desert sand surround the city. Our street consisted of 1 story adobe buildings with dogs roaming free. At dinner there was a dog who sat in the doorway to the restaurant fondly looking inside. I could imagine him saying to the owner "hire me, I will be the best dishwasher you have ever had."    Läs mer

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  • The Roaming RealtorEscape from Michigan WinterResenär

    Really that's a road?

    21 februari 2018, Chile ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Hello from I don't know where in Bolivia,

    Today was the day of the long drive. After the Salt Flats we drove through the colorful lagoons and National Park. A huge shout out to our amazing drivers. The drive reminded me of driving through each of the National Parks of the Western United States in one day, minus roads.
    Our trusty 4wd truck bounced along old creek beds filled with large rocks, up the side of mountains and across valleys with no roads. It was a bumpy and beautiful ride.
    Jodi    Läs mer

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  • The Roaming RealtorEscape from Michigan WinterResenär

    I expect to see a horse and cowboy

    19 februari 2018, Bolivia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Hello from Uyuni,

    Yesterday we had a long 4 hour drive from Potosí yo Uyuni. This will be the start of our salt flats expedition, my main reason for booking the trip.
    As I am sure is to be expected the land reminds me of the western United States of UT, NM, and CO. We traversed winding roads on mountains and flat dry land with lama roaming free. The lama are decorated with string bows on their ears. Lama farms operate on a co-op system in the small towns so the colorful bows indicate their owners.
    As we got closer to the flats the land became very dry with frequent cacti decoratorations. This was a surprise because due to the rainy season we may not be able to stay at the Salt Hotel. I expected a lush green land.
    As we rode into town, in my imagination on a huge black stallion while actuality was a 20 person coach, it reminded me of the wild West. Wide empty streets with the haze of the dust blowing through. On the sides of the streets many of the businesses were shuttered due to the last night of Carnival. Dogs wandered the streets chasing cars and barking at eachother.
    As I slept it sounded as though there were dog fights outside my window and the cries of an injured dog made me sad. The windows of the hotel installed not with traditional construction methods but instead with clear packing tape. Me, I may have at least used duct tape. Due to the lack of insulation the wind loudly screamed though the windows and the dog fighting sounded to be in the room with me. Despite this after a few long days I had a great a great sleep going to bed at an embarrassing 830 and waking up this morning at 8.
    This morning we are headed for 2 days in the Salt Flats. It is still unclear as to if we will be able to stay at our original Planaterra hostile. Planaterra is the G adventures Charity which is the reason I travel with G. Check out the page below. They work with local communities to help the people form businesses for sustainable travel. I have been to many Planterra sites around the world and they truly help the communities. If you are enjoying my blog and are inclined please donate a few dollars. In a country where the average monthly salary is $200, even $5 can make a huge difference in sustainable income.
    https://planeterra.org
    https://www.gadventures.com/blog/tag/planeterra/

    I will not have internet for a few days, but I hope to have amazing pictures for you when I return to you.

    Jodi    Läs mer

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  • The Roaming RealtorEscape from Michigan WinterResenär

    Infinity and Beyond

    19 februari 2018, Bolivia ⋅ 🌬 24 °C

    Hello from the Bolvian Salt Flats,

    As I have spoken, today was my reason for booking the whole trip and it did not disappoint.
    Our first stop was the train graveyard. Many years ago steam engines were brought from the State's. They did not have mechanics to fix them, so when they stopped working they were brought here to rust the remainder of their days. As you can see the sky was amazing making for some great pictures.
    Our next stop was the Salt Flats. We traveled in comfy 4wd trucks. By choice I came to Bolivia in the rainy season for the best reflective views on the flats. This rainy season was more extreme than most and the start of our journey on the flat the water was over a foot deep splashing over the wheel wells. The very experienced drivers took the route slow as we made out way to a more shallow area. Let me tell you it was all I hoped of it. The drive out in water above the wheel wells was a first.
    As we got out of the trucks the water was about 6 inches deep and warmer than the air. We wore sandals due to the sharp salt crystals on the bottom. As we took out pictures the water flowed past with large salt crystals. Check out the video, it is very relaxing. Every creative picture they had seen on the internet our group took. This included naked pictures for them not me. They sky was the most beautiful blue color with a few sparce clouds gathered near the mountains on the side.
    After a few hours it was time to head to our lodge for the night. This is normally a quick 2 hour trip across the Flats but due to the water we had to go the long way. We took roads that due to the rains and flooding forgot how to be roads. Entire sections were washed out. Parts of it also collapsed under one of the trucks and a quick thinking driver cut and used a seat belt to tow the other truck out.
    As we drove the most amazing night sky appeared. I remember the phrase there are more stars in the sky than grains of sand on the earth. Tonight was one of the night's when that saying made sense. It was incredible. Each star you are use to seeing was surrounded by hundreds of tiny stars around it. It was a long late night but those stars made it worth it.

    Jodi    Läs mer

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  • The Roaming RealtorEscape from Michigan WinterResenär

    They let be buy dynamite

    17 februari 2018, Bolivia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Hello again from high up in Potosí,

    At 12000 ft up the air up here is very thin and dry. Through the night last night I drank 2 L of water and still awoke parched. Today's activity is a historical one as we explored the still working silver and mineral mines.
    Our guide collected our passport numbers as he picked us up, thinking back I wonder if this was in case anything went wrong.
    Our first stop in the mine tour was to the miners market to collect gifts for the miners. Each of the mines operate as a co-op where the miners must provide their own supplies including dynamite. Apparently Potosí is one of the only places in the world you are able to buy dynamite on the streets without permits. So of course I bought dynamite as my gift. No Mom and motherly creatures in my life, I will not be attempting to bring it home through customs.
    The miners life is a hard one so I addition to dynamite we also purchased gifts of coca leaves, soda and cigarettes. We are after all guests of their personal mines. After the miners market we got geared up. With pants, jackets, boots and a helmet we looked like true miners. Although I am guessing I was the only red headed pale girl in the mines today.
    Our guide explained to us the history of the mines dating back to the 1700's. He also told us of the life of a miner. It is a hard job with 12-24 hour shifts of dangerous back breaking work. In addition the end of the lives of the minors never being a good thing. All will end up either dyeing either in the mines or with lung disease from the mine. It is a sad tale of very hard working men.
    Going into the mine I was a bit nervous. I suffer from minor claustrophobia. I normally do not let it stop me but it lingers under the surface. The start of the mine was a little over 5 foot tall so I just barely had to bend over. In contrast one of my group members was about 6ft6. Our first stop was to give gifts to Pachamama or mother watch. By the way she had a big bright red penis, so I am a bit confused on the mother earth part. Back to my story. The guide lit a cigarette and put it is her/his mouth. Coca leaves were also given and remember that liquor from a few nights ago that takes off varnish, it was also given. With a cap full you first pour at Pachamama's feet, the a little on her bright red penis, then a sip for yourself. Seriously that stuff has cleaned out my esophagus.
    As we were standing there 2 minors were coming through pushing out their very of minerals. The track was buried in mud and water so this is another of their very difficult jobs.
    Further into the mine we went. In patches there were beautiful crystals growing from the ceiling. As we reached up to touch them we were told it was pure asbestos. Mentioned above the altitude is making my breath hard to find. Include with that going a quarter of a mile into the mountain with a path just 5 ft by 3 ft to escape and pure asbestos growing from the ceiling panic set in. Learned from meditation training I began counting my breaths to ten before starting over and doing in again to keep myself from the panic attack that was quickly forming. Tears welled up in my eyes and the guide asked if we wanted to go further. I replied with a quick and definite NO. Luckily they prepare for this with a second guide to escort the panicked out. I was the only one and felt like I had accomplished enough to go out. After a long track back out I finally saw the literal light at the end of the tunnel. Only 100 feet to go until I was safely in the fresh air.
    As I got out I tore off my helmet, light and coat and again attempted to regain my breath. As scary as this was for me I am still glad I did it. Too see what the miners go through and the strength they possess. It is also a good idea to face my worse fears every now and then. In the future as I attempt a tough challenge I will again remember just to breath and I can get myself through it.

    Tomorrow we leave for the Salt Flats, they are the reason I choose this trip!
    Jodi    Läs mer

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  • The Roaming RealtorEscape from Michigan WinterResenär

    Beagle deep mud tracks

    17 februari 2018, Bolivia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Hello from Potosi,

    As mentioned in my last very brief post I am now 12000 ft above sea level. The start of my trip on La Paz was about 9000 above, I was mistaken to think that was the highest. When in the salt flats we will go up to nearly 15000, almost 3 miles. Having never really experienced this kind of high altitude I didn't know how my body would react. Oxygen starved is the answer. Walking down the hall of the hotel leaves me winded. In conversations my brain can not think of the right words. So I have slowed everything down a bit.
    First I will tell yuoh more about my day yesterday while still in Sucre. We went for a downhill trek of 4.17 km. The trail was well maintained but none the less I had to watch every step to insure no sprained ankles or falls down a 1000 ft cliff. There were parts that had experienced recent avalanches (Mom don't read this part) and we had to jump and walk across wet sand so as not to fall down the mountain.
    The trek was worth every sore muscle I have today. As we made each turn the mountain revealed to us a new majestic view. From water falls, to craters, sheer cliffs to views of the valley, it was an amazing trek.
    What goes down must come up again. This was our ride back. In a 4x4 vehicle built in 1978 resembling a Asian tuk-tuk and an extremely experienced driver we took on the muddy mountain roads. As we ascended we hit a bumpy patch in the unpaved mud road. The mud tracks being larger than a small beagle tossed both the truck and passengers. I laughed the whole time, see the video. Just as we were completing this patch another van was coming down the road. They stopped and refused to move to let us pass. Many words were exchanged in Spanish, I would guess not all of them happy roads. At this point we got out of the truck as it tried to pass the van. I had to turn around as the driver came close to the end of the cliff and I feared I would watch his demise. Luckily he stopped and did not attempt to go around. They finally all helped to push the other van out of the way. By this time our truck was stuck in again the beagle depth mud tracks. As we all pushed the driver went speeding away up the hill without the passengers. When he hit a flat spot he finally stopped as we ran after him. A bit of a scary ride as we finally reached the top to again desend the other side of the mountain. Cheers to our driver for his 4x4 driving skills. At one point he was even on the phone. 😁
    As we returned to our hotel it was time to head to our next stop Potosí. One funny thing about these Yolo tours is that they are not great about including bathroom breaks. By the end of our 3 hour bus ride the hotel was a very welcome site. Along the road on the drive we saw many small building cities. I assume they were tenements of sort. Each building was about 5 by 5 and appeared to house an entire family.
    I have a ton of pictures so I will split this post into two. The next post includes how they let me purchase sticks of dynamite.

    Jodi    Läs mer

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  • The Roaming RealtorEscape from Michigan WinterResenär
    SucreCemeteryItsy bitsy Eiffel tower

    Dinos doing Salsa

    15 februari 2018, Bolivia ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Hello from Sucre,

    Last night was our overnight bus. I think this is the first overnight bus I have taken since high school marching band trips many years ago. I am happy to report this one was much more comfortable. The seats were in a 2 and 1 configurations and I had one to myself. I also chose the front one so I had plenty of room to spread out. It was a double decker bus so I was located just above the driver with a 2 story view. As he turned some of the corners and passed people in the lanes of on coming traffic I was glad the windows were too fogged up to see much of the outside. On the 13 hour trip I finished reading a book and finished most of another on audible, so not much sleep. Yet I still felt full of energy today.
    Sucre is the National capital of Bolivia with the supreme court residing here while the presidential offices are located in La Paz. It is a beautiful city set in the middle of the Andies mountains. The buildings are painted white with gorgeous orange terra cotta roofs. Today we did the city tour with our guide. The national wage average in a month for Bolivia is $230 per month with housing costing about $100 per month. The area is very poor.
    As always my favorite part of cities is the markets. It is where the cities feel most alive. In Bolivia there are no super markets such as we have in the States. Instead residents go to the local fruit, vegetable, meat and cheese markets daily. Here they have an amazing sense of community. You can see kids coming in after school, friends meeting up after work, and families sharing time together.
    After the market we went to see the dinosaur foot prints. They are on a high sandstone wall that has been upturned by earth quakes. Apparently Bolvia is located on a fault line but has not had a major earth quake since 1985. Many of the earth quakes in SA recently have been in Chile.
    In the evening we went salsa dancing. Wow am I uncoordinated. I am happy to say there are no videos of my dancing, but I did include one for you of the instructor.

    Only 4 more days until the salt flats.    Läs mer

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  • The Roaming RealtorEscape from Michigan WinterResenär

    Love letter to travel

    14 februari 2018, Bolivia ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Happy Valentine's Day to the True love of my Life that is The World  of Travel,

    This Valentines day I realize I will spend  it with my one and true love.  Travel you sweet suductress, you call to me in my darkest hours. You give me hope in a sometimes hopeless feeling world. We have had hard times, but far more good. I forgive you for stranding me in Mexico, for the middle of the night in Germany when my hostel was no where to be found, my mindless wanders around towns where I was lost and did not speak the language. I hope you can forgive me for doubting I had the strength to take you on.  For you as my love,  know me better than I know myself.   These tests in our relationship have created me to be the person I am today.
    As I go through a bad day thinking I can not do it, I remember when I moved to London with no where to live.  If I wonder why I work so hard, I focus on my next trip and the unforgettable experiences I will enjoy. The  excitement and unknown keep me going and keep me coming back to you. 
    As I travel you introduce me to the most amazing people.  Being the accidental third in a couples massage, biking through Switzerland with a new friend I had met that morning, brief and wonderful  love affairs, learning to trust people I have only known for a brief moment in my life, to knowing I have life long friendships around the world for the rest of my life. 
    Travel you are that Siren who calls me back. You entice me with your pictures of the beauty of the world. You excite me with the unknown of what may happen next. And you give me strength with the memories of what I have experienced. Travel and exploring I love you.  Thank you for taking care of me as I traveled and explored this amazing world you have created. I can not wait to spend the rest of my life with you exploring the amazing world that surrounds me.    Läs mer

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  • The Roaming RealtorEscape from Michigan WinterResenär
    I'm blessed
    Shots, shots, shots....They drink this, it is 96%. YuckLaundry day

    Bless me

    13 februari 2018, Bolivia ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Hello from La Paz,

    Today is the day of Carnival. Bright colors, loud music, drunk people and all attractions are closed for the day. My CEO did some research for us and discovered that the free walking tour was still running today.
    Getting to the walking tour was a bit of a concern for me. As I said the city is not set up in a grid system. In addition no internet means no Google maps. Instead I have the front desk color in a map for me. Based on my years of working in transportation as you can imagine I am quite good at maps. There is always a sense of uncertainty until I arrive at my destination.
    I learned more about the Chulitos (I sure I did not spell that correctly.) They are the women in the long skirts sweaters and bowler caps. As I mentioned before it appears they have extended their hips with extra clothing. It turns out that this is the case and big hips and calves are considered beautiful here. The calves show that they work hard.
    We also had a chance to learn more about the jail. Apparently the police guard the outside but the inside is run by the prisoners. For awhile the best cocaine in Boliva came from inside the walls of that jail. The inside is set up in a case system with the residents paying anywhere from $10 a month to $1000 per month for their stay.
    The tour ended at a Bolivian family restaurant where we participated in our own Carnival activities. We cheered with the local drink of wine and orange juice, we blessed the establishment with flowers and gifts to the earth gods, I was blessed with flowers, and finally we set off fireworks.
    This evening I will be meeting the group for a dinner and hopefully tomorrow will be quad biking at the Valley of the Moon.

    Jodi

    Tips
    Look for free walking tours. You are still excepted to tip at the end, but because you tip based on service they are normally the top tours in the city.    Läs mer

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  • The Roaming RealtorEscape from Michigan WinterResenär
    1
    1CarnivalView from my roomPower issues

    Figuring out my way around

    13 februari 2018, Bolivia ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C

    Hello Again,

    I write to you much more refreshed. Since we last spoke I woke up from my chilly slumber and explored the city. Only a few blocks away from my hostel is the Witches Market. The Witches Market is one of the older markets in La Paz and they focus on healing and energy's. My plan for here was to find a witch to bless me and take away all the bad energies from around me. Unfortunately English speaking people have been pretty hard to find so I was not able to communicate with the Witches what I was looking for. Maybe more luck tomorrow once I meet my tour guide.
    As mentioned the Witches Market is only a few blocks away, yet the blocks are not set up on a grid system but more of a meandering fashion. So in my wandering to not lose track I come up with geographical points along the way. ie turn left at the dead alpaca fetus.
    The good news is I did not get lost. Also as mentioned in my last post there is a festival going on today. I spoke to a woman who explained it is their Carnival. Today is for the businesses with their booths lining the streets. They have colored wigs, jester costumes, sweets, balloons for the kids and flower peddles. Family's are walking about with kids spraying silly string at each other. Even the dogs are dressed up.
    As I continued my wander I heard the band's ahead of me. They were small groups of marching bands competing for the attention of the onlookers. High above me was a man on stilts.
    One of my biggest issues when I travel is settling in the first few days and finding food. As little Spanish as I speak I muttered to myself in English as I checked out possible dinner places. It was only about 3 pm so nowhere was open. I ended up coming back and having one of the protein shakes I had packed.

    After another nice nap I wandered to the lobby for better Wi-Fi. I decided to ask about the non heat issue of my room. It turns out they have space heaters they loan you. That will make tonight much better for sleeping.
    In addition I met a few of the people from my group. They seem great and are around my age. They even invited me to go quad biking with them tomorrow. For anyone who read my last blog and the one titles "Red mud in my mouth from smiling too much", you will remember how much I love quad biking.
    Other thoughts from my wandering today.
    Many of the older women are dressed in a very traditional dress. They wear a long skirt with a sweater and a shawl. They seem to have a weird shape that my guess would be layers of clothing under. It reminds me of a reverse waist training in the States.
    At 7pm I finally met the rest of the group. There are 17 of us, which is larger than most of my G adventure group travels. 15 of them have been traveling together for the last 30 days and will be together for another 30 until Rio. There were just 2 of us joining the group. Despite this the group was very welcoming and friendly. Each came up and introduced themselves. It is going to take a minute for me to learn all of their names. The CEO or tour leader introduced herself and gave us a run down of the trip. It turns out today, Tuesday Carnival continues with the residents thanking their gods and drinking from 6am until midnight. Apparently the entire city is closed for the day, including buses out of the city. We were supposed to depart tonight for Sucre on an overnight bus. The buses are all shut down for the day and we will have an extra day in La Paz. With nothing open or running though there is not much for us to do.
    After the opening meeting I venture out with another newbie Sarah to find dinner. It was about 730 and although the restaurants said they were open until 9 we had a hard time finding a place to eat. After much searching we found a place. This was my first real meal since I left the States and I was hungry.
    When we returned to the hotel the rest of the group was heading out for bar hopping. They invited us but after a very long few days I decided to retire to my room to read and relax. Also an update on the heat. The first heater they gave me did not work. I traded it out for a new one that heated up my room nicely.
    Today I am not sure what is on the books. I have heard rumors of a walking tour and they have cable cars that look to be running.

    Until tomorrow,
    Jodi

    Tips
    Always take a card from the hotel you are staying. That way if you get lost you can present it to a taxi driver and they can get you home.    Läs mer

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  • The Roaming RealtorEscape from Michigan WinterResenär

    If you think the roads in MI are bad

    12 februari 2018, Bolivia ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Hello from Bolivia,

    Just getting down here has already been quite a trip. I was supposed to fly out Friday, about 3 hours before my flight I received a text from the airline letting me know my flight was canceled. They had no urgency on their part so the next flight they were able to book me on was for Sunday at 530pm. Knowing another snow storm was approaching I wondered if I would even get out that day. They let me switch myself to an earlier flight so instead of a quick 2 hour turn around in Miami I booked myself for 1044 am. After a few issues with the booking process and the Visa I was beginning to wonder if this trip was meant to not happen.
    On Sunday morning I woke up bright and early to drive over to Moms to drop off the little dude. He seemed pretty despondant on the drive so I took that as a sign I would get out. After arriving at the airport and checking in they didn't have my TSA precheck on my ticket. There was also question about the Visa and if I needed it ahead of tkme. The visa part was figured out and TSA precheck fixes. I quipped to the woman who checked me in that with all of my flight problems at least they had never lost my luggage. I felt as though I had just cursed myself and that may be the last time I see my bright blue suitcase with stickers from all the countries I have visited.
    I walked through security and found my gate as I received a text from Americian Airlines, flight delayed. Only an hour so no issues. As I continued to sit at the airport every 15 minutes or so I received a text pushing back my flight. Finally at 2 we boarded, got de-iced and took off at 3. Only about 4.5 hours late. At this point I was glad I had booked myself onto the earlier flight to allow time for delays.
    So finally I arrived in La Paz thus morning. For 9 hours worth of flights it took me about 24 hours from the time I left my home yesterday morning.
    Cambria, Cambria, cambira... the Spanish term for money exchange I remember being chanted at me on my last trip to Buenes Aires. With a few BOB, the local currency, in my pocket it was time to head to the hotel.
    I walked out of the airport and was surrounded with taxi men viaing for my attention. I encourage you when traveling to always look up ahead of time the cost for a taxi from the airport to city center. In Bali last year I did not do this and what should have been a $10 taxi ride cost me $70. Always make sure to go to the taxi stand and use a official taxi. This is both for safety and value. My Mom likes to share stories with me of people who have shared taxis with unknown people or taken off license taxis.
    As we left the airport the driver pointed down a ravine and told me that was La Paz. La Paz is nestled high in the Andies at about 12000 ft above sea level. The fog and rain concealed the city. As we took the winding streets into the valley the roads are a mixture of past their prime and washed out by rock slides. The entire city has the look of homes and buildings looking like they could be washed down the mountain at any point. There were drainage ditches rushing through the city that would rival any good white water rafting location in the States.
    The city itself is crowded but very poor. There are buildings that seem to just add on levels at any point more room is needed. Some homes have windows while others have temporary blankets as the famikly is saving for windows. The streets of the city are steep with just a block climbing what would be 4 floors of a building.
    As I arrived at my hotel I was tired out. It was 7am and I was ready for a nap. Being on the 3rd floor which is actually the 4th as they consider the first floor the entry level I was happy to find thet had an elevator. A small one as I had to arrange myself just right to fit my suitcase and backpack in.
    My room is small and cozy in feel but not warmth. I search for a heat adjustment and then vents but have not found it. I don't think there is heat in the building. So I settled in under the thankfully thick blankets for a nap in my 55 degree room.
    Outside my window are the sounds of the city with the added bonus of a festival going on. The taxis honk every few seconds, there is someone speaking over the loud speaker, and frequent fireworks being set off, even during the day. It is a noisy happy city.
    Even with the noise and cold I fell asleep quickly and had a wonderful 4 hour nap.

    More to come later. Also please excuse any mis typed or spelling errors. I write this from my cell and we know how creative auto correct is.

    Jodi

    Tips
    the picture of my garage is the one I take for my own sanity. That way if I start doubting if I closed my garage I can look at the picture and remember it is all set. Weird but a tip I recommend.

    .As smart luggage is getting more popular I encourage you to do your research before purchasing it. If the luggage has any kind of smart or lithium battery it must be removed before it is checked. Some are easy to pop out, but some require the suitcase to be emptied taken apart to get it out.

    Detroit airport has great Detroit pride shirts 2 for 20. Save room in your carry on so you can represent Detroit on your trips. You will see the picture of the ones I bought in future pictures.    Läs mer

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  • The Roaming RealtorEscape from Michigan WinterResenär

    Before I leave

    9 februari 2018, Förenta staterna ⋅ ☁️ -4 °C

    Hello,

    I leave tomorrow on my newest adventure.  I will be traveling for a wonderful 19 days in Bolivia, Chile and Argentina.  Welcome back to all of my past readers and a new welcome to the new friends I have met in the last year.

    To catch everyone up the past year and a half have been amazing.  When I left you I was just returning from 2.5 months in Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Central America.  I was still a bit lost in life and unsure of what would be next.  On my trip I was pretty sure I was going to come home, pack up my house, sell everything I own and move back to Asia.  It turns out I now just sell other peoples home.

    When I got home I spent 4 months as a consultant performing sales training's for Freight Brokers at a few companies in OH.  It was a great opportunity but I must say Ohio topography reminds me of Cambodia.  Or maybe Cambodia reminded me of OH due to the fact I had been to OH many years before Cambodia.  

    After my last trip I was increasingly having back problems.  It turns out carrying a 45 pound back pack on my back and a day pack on my front that weighed similar did some damage.  I ended up with a herniated disc with surgery exactly a year ago today.  Thank goodness for an amazing surgeon and even better chiropractor I am back to normal.

    As I was healing I decided what was next in my life.  I was able to take classes online to become a licensed Real Estate Agent.  I started with the brokerage in March with more training and started selling at the end of April.  I had a great first year meeting so many incredible people.  From clients to brokers, agents trainers and new mentors.  Thank you I am so grateful for everyone who has helped me.

    Now that you are all caught up I am excited to share my newest adventure with you.  After a brutal MI winter I am excited to escape the snow.  The weather will range anywhere from 45 to 90 degrees in Buenos Aires Argentina. Below is a link to my tour.  Check it out to see the amazing things I will be seeing. 

    https://www.gadventures.com/trips/la-paz-to-bue…

    Here are the answers to afew of the questions I normally get before trips:

    How do I choose my next trip?

         Many trips come from my sister Amy.  She finds pictures of cool places online and shares them with me.  For this one she shared a picture of the Salt Flats in Bolivia.  Google it and you will see why it spoke to me. After finding a main stop I search for a tour and build it from there.

    Isn't traveling alone scary?

         When I first started traveling alone it was a little scary but now I really love it.  My first trip by myself was when I was 22, it is hard to believe that was 16 almost 17 years ago.  In traveling alone I try to do it very smartly.  I book tours because it is the safest, easiest and friendliest way to travel.  The joy of the tour is they take care of all the details.  They book hotels/hostels, trains, planes and automobiles, and give suggestions of fun things to do in an area.  I also have the opportunity to travel with and meet amazing people with a similar world view as me.  Last Christmas I received Christmas messages from multiple countries and 4 continents.   I love having amazing friends from all over that I have met through my trips.

    How do I pack for many climates?

         This one has taken practice over many trips.  I use to be the girl whose suitcase was always at that top 50 pounds allowed by airlines.  I am proud to say my suit case for this trip is under 30 lbs.  It is a mix of packing the right clothes that can be used multiple ways, buying lightweight clothes, and doing laundry along the way.  

    How many languages do I speak and do I speak the languages of the places I go?

         I took French in high school, but that is over 20 years ago, so the only language I speak is English.  I tried to learn Spanish before this trip, but didn't end up committing to it.  It was more fun to practice my Ukulele, another new hobby I picked up in the last year.  In not speaking the languages of where I go, non verbal communication becomes very important.  Smiles and respect go along way in asking for directions, asking for help or in negotiating.  I use this as a part of my introduction as a Realtor to new clients.  I think the many travel experiences I have had make me a better sales person and better able to communicate with my clients. 

    Why do I travel outside of the States when there is so much to see here?

          First I totally agree with this statement.  In all my travels I still marvel at how beautiful our county is and how much there is to see.  As a kid my parents also saw this and took us all over the place.  We drove an RV to Yellowstone, cruise to Alaska and road trips out east.  I have been to 45 states.  In addition traveling alone it is cheaper and easier to travel to other countries.  In Asia I can live on less than $35 per day where as in the US that would not even cover gas for a day.  In addition this world is so big and there is so much to see.  I have many people ask what is on my list to travel to next.  My answer is EVERYWHERE! 

    Thank you for taking the time to read this and thank you for the amazing feedback from my last trip.  So many people told me they felt like they were traveling with me.  It is my pleasure and I look forward to taking you along again my my newest adventure.  Next stop Bolivia.

    -- Jodi     Läs mer

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  • The Roaming RealtorEscape from Michigan WinterResenär

    Before I leave

    8 februari 2018, Förenta staterna ⋅ ☁️ -9 °C

    Hello,

    I leave tomorrow on my newest adventure. I will be traveling for a wonderful 19 days in Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. Welcome back to all of my past readers and a new welcome to the new friends I have met in the last year.
    To catch everyone up the past year and a half have been amazing. When I left you I was just returning from 2.5 months in Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Central America. I was still a bit lost in life and unsure of what would be next. On my trip I was pretty sure I was going to come home, pack up my house, sell everything I own and move back to Asia. It turns out I now just sell other peoples home.
    When I got home I spent 4 months as a consultant performing sales training's for Freight Brokers at a few companies in OH. It was a great opportunity but I must say Ohio topography reminds me of Cambodia. Or maybe Cambodia reminded me of OH due to the fact I had been to OH many years before Cambodia.
    After my last trip I was increasingly having back problems. It turns out carrying a 45 pound back pack on my back and a day pack on my front that weighed similar did some damage. I ended up with a herniated disc with surgery exactly a year ago today. Thank goodness for an amazing surgeon and even better chiropractor I am back to normal.
    As I was healing I decided what was next in my life. I was able to take classes online to become a licensed Real Estate Agent. I started with the brokerage in March with more training and started selling at the end of April. I had a great first year meeting so many incredible people. From clients to brokers, agents trainers and new mentors. Thank you I am so grateful for everyone who has helped me.
    Now that you are all caught up I am excited to share my newest adventure with you. After a brutal MI winter I am excited to escape the snow. The weather will range anywhere from 45 to 90 degrees in Buenos Aires Argentina. Below is a link to my tour. Check it out to see the amazing things I will be seeing.
    https://www.gadventures.com/trips/la-paz-to-bue…
    Here are the answers to afew of the questions I normally get before trips:
    How do I choose my next trip?
    Many trips come from my sister Amy. She finds pictures of cool places online and shares them with me. For this one she shared a picture of the Salt Flats in Bolivia. Google it and you will see why it spoke to me. After finding a main stop I search for a tour and build it from there.
    Isn't traveling alone scary?
    When I first started traveling alone it was a little scary but now I really love it. My first trip by myself was when I was 22, it is hard to believe that was 16 almost 17 years ago. In traveling alone I try to do it very smartly. I book tours because it is the safest, easiest and friendliest way to travel. The joy of the tour is they take care of all the details. They book hotels/hostels, trains, planes and automobiles, and give suggestions of fun things to do in an area. I also have the opportunity to travel with and meet amazing people with a similar world view as me. Last Christmas I received Christmas messages from multiple countries and 4 continents. I love having amazing friends from all over that I have met through my trips.
    How do I pack for many climates?
    This one has taken practice over many trips. I use to be the girl whose suitcase was always at that top 50 pounds allowed by airlines. I am proud to say my suit case for this trip is under 30 lbs. It is a mix of packing the right clothes that can be used multiple ways, buying lightweight clothes, and doing laundry along the way.
    How many languages do I speak and do I speak the languages of the places I go?
    I took French in high school, but that is over 20 years ago, so the only language I speak is English. I tried to learn Spanish before this trip, but didn't end up committing to it. It was more fun to practice my Ukulele, another new hobby I picked up in the last year. In not speaking the languages of where I go, non verbal communication becomes very important. Smiles and respect go along way in asking for directions, asking for help or in negotiating. I use this as a part of my introduction as a Realtor to new clients. I think the many travel experiences I have had make me a better sales person and better able to communicate with my clients.
    Why do I travel outside of the States when there is so much to see here?
    First I totally agree with this statement. In all my travels I still marvel at how beautiful our county is and how much there is to see. As a kid my parents also saw this and took us all over the place. We drove an RV to Yellowstone, cruise to Alaska and road trips out east. I have been to 45 states. In addition traveling alone it is cheaper and easier to travel to other countries. In Asia I can live on less than $35 per day where as in the US that would not even cover gas for a day. In addition this world is so big and there is so much to see. I have many people ask what is on my list to travel to next. My answer is EVERYWHERE!

    Thank you for taking the time to read this and thank you for the amazing feedback from my last trip. So many people told me they felt like they were traveling with me. It is my pleasure and I look forward to taking you along again my my newest adventure. Next stop Bolivia.

    -- Jodi    Läs mer

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