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May 18, 2018

Jameh Mosque of Isfahān

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A birthday so good it deserved a spot on the grid

A birthday so good it deserved a spot on the grid ✨

Getting old is 🤢 but celebrating on a beach in Brazil REALLY softened the blow.

Shoutout to the amazing people I’ve met in Itacaré for being an ELITE birthday hype crew, and thank you to everyone who sent birthday love from afar 🫶

If this next year is even half as good as this day was, I’ll be happy!!!

Meanwhile, I will continue identifying as someone in their early 20s xoxo

My last stop in Patagonia – Bariloche, Argentina!

My last stop in Patagonia – Bariloche, Argentina!

Literally feels like you’re in Switzerland except everyone is speaking Spanish and drinking mate🧉

Unfortunately didn’t have too much time there but was able to squeeze in
🚠 a cable car ride up Cerro Companario
🚲 biking the entire Circuito Chico (even with e-bikes this was HUMBLING) with a quick visit to Colonia Suiza
🍻🍰 too many beers and sweets in town
📷 so many panoramic views

Ended Patagonia on a pretty high note ✨

Some highlights from a lovely few days in Puerto V

Some highlights from a lovely few days in Puerto Varas, a cute little German town hiding in Chile’s Lake District in Northern Patagonia 🇨🇱🍺🏔️

After nonstop hiking in southern Patagonia, it was nice to slow down for a few days with lakeside sunsets, scenic road trips, volcano views, and probably a few too many German desserts ✨

Autumn in Patagonia HALLELUJAH 🍁🍂 I really can’t

Autumn in Patagonia HALLELUJAH 🍁🍂

I really can’t describe the insanity of the autumn colors in Patagonia. You stop, look around, and can’t quite believe what your eyes are seeing. It doesn’t feel real.

Golden forests, deep reds, glowing mountains…every direction literally looks like a painting. I can’t believe how lucky we got with the clear skies and these views!!!

If Patagonia is on your list, autumn might just be the BEST time to go. With these unreal colors and fewer crowds it really is spectacular! 😍

I really can’t describe the insanity of the autumn

I really can’t describe the insanity of the autumn colors in Patagonia 🍁🍂

You stop, look around, and can’t quite believe what your eyes are seeing. It doesn’t feel real.

Golden forests, deep reds, glowing mountains…every direction literally looks like a painting.

If Patagonia is on your list, autumn might just be the best time to go. With these unreal colors and fewer crowds it really is spectacular! 😍

Patagonia’s cutest locals 🐾 Guys, the stray dogs

Patagonia’s cutest locals 🐾

Guys, the stray dogs in Patagonia are the SWEETEST, I can’t deallllll 🥹 They’re so friendly, and even though they’re “stray,” they’ve basically got the whole town feeding and looking after them

Multiple meal sponsors, constant pets and 24/7 mountain views?!? They are truly living their best life #deserved 🐶

Finally saying YES to the wild idea that wouldn’t

Finally saying YES to the wild idea that wouldn’t leave me alone ✈️

No more “maybe someday.” No more waiting for the “right time.” No more “I should’ve done this when I was younger.” Just me, an over-stuffed backpack, and a one-way ticket to South America.

Turns out your mid-30s isn’t too old to be a little irresponsible, move a questionable amount of mortgage savings into a travel fund, and get wildly out of your comfort zone…

So I’m off to solo backpack South America on a budget – hostels, chaos, and hopefully meeting some great people along the way.

My mom thinks I’m having a quarter-life crisis…I think I’m being brave, taking the leap, and finally doing something I’ve always wanted to do!!

Let’s see how this adventure goes!! Follow along as I solo travel South America in my mid-30s! 🌎✨

One month in and here’s what I regret packing ⬇️

One month in and here’s what I regret packing ⬇️

Clothes I really like. Hear me out… I already know I’ll want (and need) to shed layers as I head toward warmer climates, so I wish I’d brought more pieces I wouldn’t mind donating or leaving behind. Right now I’ve got things taking up space that I don’t want to get rid of… but also don’t want to carry for another 6 months 🙃

I also wish I packed at least ONE “cute” going-out outfit. I’m talking jeans (or any non-sporty pants), a nicer long sleeve, and WOW I would love a dressier closed-toe shoe or cuter trainers. Everything I brought is super casual, and even in my first stop in Santiago, I felt like I had nothing to wear out. It’s too cold for sandals and no one really wears them out anyway.

Patagonia is way colder than I expected. Even though I packed a ton of layers, I could honestly use more. BUT if you’re doing the W trek, you can rent pretty much anything you need in Puerto Natales 🙌

Packing for multiple seasons in a carry-on-sized backpack is TOUGH… but already so worth it. No checked bag = cheaper flights, less hassle, and moving around constantly is way easier without a giant bag dragging you down.

Maybe this is obvious, but I definitely learned it the hard way starting my 7-month solo backpacking trip.

But hey… that’s part of it, right? Learning as you go ✨

Anyway, I’m having an absolute BLAST in South America so far 💛

#solobackpacker #solobackpacking #SouthAmerica

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