Uh… notice anything different around here?
‘Tis the last day of 2013 – yet another amazing year skipping to ‘n fro among the insanely diverse and fascinating corners here in Southeast Asia. Places like Laos, Nepal, Borneo, Brunei, Myanmar, and of course my new home here in Chiang Mai, Thailand these past few months. And while I still hope to whittle another TL “Looking Back” video as I did last year, I’m way too anxious to share my new travel plans for 2014 to wait another minute.
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Indeed, bursting at the seams here to blurt out my plans to move – back across and down the globe to…
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[insert drum roll here, please]
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ECUADOR!
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Yup, headed to the top of some g-forsaken mountain top in the Andes soon, so of course I simply HAD to replace that cute pointy Asian hat, rice paddy background and tagline with the colorful icons of Latin America. And though I still have heaps of whittle here at TL to get all the digital furniture and pixelated throw pillows to match, suffice…
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I’m absolutely THRILLED to be moving to a whole new corner of the globe – with the entire continent of South America at my fingertips!
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Still haven’t locked in air to Ecuador, but will very likely pack up and head out sometime in February. And maaaaybe, just maybe, I might even route myself through a little hamlet called “Delhi” – to gawk at a humble little hovel known as the TAJ MAJAL! Yup, I figure that likely I’ll not be back in Asia anytime soon (this lifetime?) so… may as well drop into India to see one of the most legendary man-made sights on earth – the Taj.
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Much more to tell (why Ecuador? Where in Ecuador?, etc.) plus trust I still have plenty of catch up posts yet to scribble on Nepal, Borneo and Myanmar (not to mention the “10,000 Monks” alms procession I woke up at 4:30 am for last week here in Chiang Mai).
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But meanwhile – hasta luego, mis amigos, and…
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Wishing one and All – the very best in 2014!
About the Author
Dyanne Off-the-beaten-path travel is my passion,and I’ve always lived life “like-a-kid-in-a-candy-store” – eager to sample as many flavors as I can. Indeed, my life motto has long been: This ain’t a dress rehearsal, folks!
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Off-the-beaten-path travel is my passion, and I’ve always lived life “like a kid in a candy store” – eager to sample as many flavors as I can. Indeed, my life motto has long been:
Just leave breadcrumbs…please! It’s always been my plan to start in Asia and migrate to Central/south America. You’re just 1 year ahead of me:-)
Oh yes, trust that I shall leave plenty of breadcrumbs here on TL, Mary. In some ways, this move will be pose as big a “Great Leap” as when I initially bought that one way ticket from Seattle to Hanoi more than 2 years ago. Completely new (and I dare say, far different) culture, new language, climate, food, no doubt new nuances at every turn.
Ah but *I* am different now too – I dare say much more “expat seasoned”, so hopefully it will all fall into place relatively easily.
In any case – it’s sure to be an adventure – and that suits me just fine! 😉
Hola Travelinlass,
I have been admiring this website and your adventurous spirit! My husband and I just moved to Cuenca, Ecuador from Seattle a couple of months ago. We are absolutely giddy with happiness! Send us an email if you happen to find yourself in this beautiful Andean city and we might share an “almuerzo” together and speak on our most favorite subject:
Traveling!
Goodness Carole Anne – such a small world. Seattle? Cuenca? But for my own little 2 year detour here in Southeast Asia – we’re on the same trajectory!
Do you happen to belong to the “Ecuador Expats” Facebook group? If not, you should look into it as it’s a great bunch (mostly from Cuenca, but also Loja and Cotacachi where I might settle down). We can keep tabs on each other there.
And “almuerzo” in Cuenca? Youbetcha – it’s a date! I should be there sometime next month.
How exciting, a completely new base to explore another corner of the globe! But before then a little detour to India sounds like a good plan, while you’re still in the vicinity and all…
Hope you have an adventure-filled 2014!
Thanks Ruth, and may yours too, bring all good things (including… an air ticket back to Vietnam, perhaps?) 😉
Speaking of Vietnam (and how it pertains to Ecuador) – as the Queen of those many &%#! Vietnamese “tones” (I oh so admire your patience and persistence in learning them), it may not surprise you that – one of the main reasons I’m now headed to Latin America is ‘cuz:
A. alas, I’m afraid I could NEVER likewise master (or come even close) to speaking halfway fluent Vietnamese, whereas..
B. from my many years running tours to Costa Rica, my Spanish is pretty passable, and by immersing myself in Ecuador, I might even look forward to fluency one day!
Sounds wonderfully exciting: change of climate, food, culture, history and scenery! Best to you in 2014!
Indeed, Gail – a complete change from my past 2+ years here in Asia. And though I’ve LOVED my time here (the amazing sights, the food, and the wonderful people I’ve met), I’m very much ready for a change. I’ve not been this excited about a move, since I hopped on that first one-way flight from Seattle to Hanoi!
May 2014 hold good health and lots of great things for you too, SIs!
Love the new look and vibe of the blog – especially the sombrero on the L! I’ve always loved the colors of Latin America, they are so vibrant and one can’t help but smile. Looking forward to following the next chapter.
Really the hat which should be installed on the L is a Panama Hat since they are from Ecuador.
Oops! Looks like you accidentally posted your reply as a comment on Patti’s, Mike. I tried to separate them in the techno background, but alas, nocando. ;(
That said, thanks for commenting here amid the new decor. And yes, I considered a Panama hat of course, but… they all tend to be pretty meh – just pale straw with a black band, so not very festive for the TL logo.
Besides, trust that I shan’t limit my future adventures to just Ecuador, but rather – I hope to explore the entire reaches of ALL of Latin America!
It was intentional since my comment was a comment on her comment about using a sombrero. I have a great book called The Panama Hat Trail where someone follows the history of the Panama hat. At one time Ecuador tried a promotion about how “Panama hats are made in Ecuador.” People’s response was that they were surprised to learn they made them there too.
Interesting Mike. A shame that because originally the hats were shipped from Ecuador through the isthmus of Panama en route here to Asia, that’s how they got their name.
But like I said, I deliberately went with the sombrero ‘cuz it’s a far more festive graphic for the TL logo than the generally pale b/w Panama hat.
And now Patti – glad you like the new curtains, my dear 😉 And yes, I now can’t WAIT to explore Ecuador and its many neighbors!
Exciting!
Yes, Paul – very exciting, indeed. While Asia has been amazing (and very, very good to me), it’s time for the “Traveln” lass to move on to another corner of the globe.