After six weeks on the road we are happy to say there has been no blood shed yet and the fights have been kept to a minimum. Except for a particular instance in front of the basilica in Ibarra, we have been surprised at how well we have adapted to our life on the road and being together 24 hours a day. Here is a quick video with a bit more insight into how we are handling the time together.
If you do not see the video below, please click here.
In about 2 weeks we leave the relatively “safe” life here at Casa Mojanda and head into the jungle for a week or two and then start moving more frequently. This is sure to add more stress to our lives and a greater opportunity for conflict, and for new fodder material to share with you all. As for now we are enjoying the last few weeks here, continuing to work hard at learning Spanish, and generally having the time of our lives.
About Warren
Glad to see you guys are doing well. So six weeks already? That’s gone incredibly quickly. Hopefully you will be able to do this for x years to come. Good luck!
Thanks for the comment and for the luck. Yep, in some ways these 6 weeks flew by. However, given all we have done here and the progress we are making in Spanish it also seems like a long time. Either way we are happy, smiling, and loving each moment. We especially like your statement about “x years to come”…that is a perfect summary of how we feel right now.
Traveling is stressful! It’s commendable that you two are getting along so well.
I find that my fiance and I have to deal with our conflicts much more urgently than most couples, since we are together in a small space all the time and have to cooperate to get anywhere.
Hi Rachel,
You guys certainly fully understand the stress and tribulations of a relationship given your very small space. It is a great inspiration to us to chat with people in similar situations and learn how you have dealt with the process and how you overcame those less than stellar moments. I hope you are willing to continue to share with us your secrets!
What kind of work are you doing on the road Warren?
Hi Jan,
Great hearing from the heartland again. About a year before we left I started a side business building websites for small businesses/entrepreneurs. While initially meant simply to help add some funds for our trip, it turned into something I really enjoy. After leaving my job we decided I would continue to do some website work on the road to extend our trip even further.
The funny thing that happened is the first place we stayed was looking to replace their website and agreed to barter food and excursions for their new site. In addition, we have met some wonderful people here in Ecuador starting up their own travel business and I am building their site as well in exchange for some great deals on a few trips.
I am not sure where it will go, but I truly enjoy helping small businesses and it is fun to be able to share this with business owners both back in the US and on the road.
Hi Warren, it’s really inspiring that you’re able to do some work while traveling. You should write a post about juggling the two while on the road… )
What a great idea! I have started jotting out some notes today and will put together a post in the next couple weeks on this topic. Given that I am sure things will change over time I can provide an update every few months on how it is going and the new challenges I have faced. Thank you so much for the suggestion!
Family dynamics has always been a concern for us with our upcoming sabbatical. The big question is how will we all handle living with the in-laws? I’m sure my kids will love it but how my wife will react to being around her mom all the time and how that will affect our relationship is a big unknown. It will definitely be an interesting and hopefully “bloodless” experience. I hope you will continue to post insights into your own dynamics as time goes on and you travel around. I’m counting on some good advice.
Hey Matt, I think it adds a new level of “interesting” when you throw new people into the mix, even if they are family. Being with someone for 24 hours, especially family, is sure to be a challenge and I applaud you all for taking it on. I am hoping for a bloodless experience for you as well, in addition to maintaining sanity for both you and your wife.
We are looking forward to reading all about the experience!
En honor a su compromiso a aprender español, yo anunciaré mis respuestas en español, por lo menos hasta que deje Latin America.
Ante todo, gran tema. Debo admitir que esto es un sujeto que he sido preocupado algo por para ustedes. Después de todo, viendo uno al otro 24/7, y teniendo poco hacer que usted no hace puede crear juntos una cierta cantidad de fiebre de cabaña, incluso si su cabaña sea todo el mundo. Pero puedo decir por el video que son hacen bien, y eso es gran ver. Su regla acerca de la partida uno al otro espacio es un gran uno. No estoy seguro si fue algo que lee, o algo que usted los propuso, pero es el consejo muy bueno para los que quizás estén haciendo un viaje semejante. Espero la próxima parte de su viaje, cuando explora la selva ecuatoriana. ¡Mantenga anunciar!
Hey, Joe. Normally the writer of the post answers all the comments, but in this instance I think you’ve intimidated Warren! We had no idea you knew so much Spanish. We should have made a stop in Dallas on the way over to take a lesson or twenty.
We are getting along remarkably well for two people who are together 24/7, but it has not been without a few bumps. Having toured Europe in a camper with your wife and pets, you know all about this!
It will take a little bit of adjustment as we go, and of course the extra space we give each other is a big part of getting along. I’m really excited to see how our relationship develops over the next few years…already I see changes I like and did not anticipate.
I am sure that Betsy will not soon forget the “trapped” comment!
It thrills my heart to see that you are getting along so well and look so happy.
Every day we find more reasons for why we are in love. Thank you for raising such a wonderful woman.
You two look GREAT! My husband and I traveled for 11 months last year and spent a lot of time in very small spaces..much of it on the road doing cross country trips in our minivan and we had the BEST time together. We got closer and discovered new things about each other. Traveling can put relationships to the test and it looks like you two are passing with flying colors! A tip for Warren… trust Betsy’s women’s intuition ALWAYS!
P.S. If I want a website built are you available and how would I contact you?
Hi Kate,
We love knowing that you all survived the experience without pain or any arrests (or, at least for violence to each other…you can tell us the other stories offline;)). We know there will be tough days on the road but having this time here in Ecuador to get used to being together 24/7 has been a wonderful experience.
I promise to listen to her intuition, even if it is not always happily.
How inspiring are you! It’s amazing what you are doing and my son and I are planning to travel around the world when he is eighteen. (He’s 14 now….I’m getting him to sign a contract so he doesn’t back out when he discovers that at 18 his mom isn’t his first choice of girls to be hanging out with.) Anyway, I just discovered your site and just an obscure observation that I wanted to make about you Betsy. I looked at some of the pictures in your archived posts and you just keep looking younger and younger as time is progressing and you seem to be oozing more and more happiness. Living our dreams is the best cosmetic EVER!
Well, helloooo new best friend!
Thanks, Jennifer. I definitely feel more vibrant, so I’m sure it can’t help but come true.
So I guess we’ve shattered a beauty myth, huh? You don’t need expensive creams or treatments to look young - you only need to live the life you want instead of the one you think you “should!”
We’ll still be traveling when you set off on your trip with your son, and we can’t wait to read about it.
PS - Love your latest post about being/not being spiritual. I’m animal, too.
I have to second Jennifer. Perhaps others didn’t comment but I’m sure they’re noticing and it is absolutely true! You guys are losing years! lol!!! It’s like the Benjamin Button couple. (Isn’t that a message for all of us and what our stressful lives are doing to us!)
Without a doubt travel can be an “exciting adventure”, but most the time it is spent WAY out of your comfort zone = STRESS! …….. so I hope you two will share with us some of the juicy stuff …….. you know ……. how Warren REALLY got that black eye in one of your videos …. and it wasn’t wrestling with an Anaconda to save your life!