Well, nearly four months have passed since our return to the US. The trip seems more and more like a faint dream as the days pass by. We are both very glad we tracked our adventure here so we can remind ourselves of the life we lived as it is constantly being drowned out by the mediocrity of life back home.

Our return has been a challenge, not so much the practical stuff like lodging and jobs (although this has not been easy) but the return to the American environment. The over-indulgence, inflation of non-issues to epic proportions, rampant obesity, value placed on useless junk and the general disregard for how great life is here.

What will probably surprise everyone the most is that we have decided to part ways. As we were preparing to set up our lives here in the States again we realized that we wanted different things out of life and that our paths forward lie in different directions. Friends til death but lovers no more.

Saben:
Now lives in Washington, DC. Was able to find a great job but if he told you where he would have to kill you. Enjoys the life and action in DC but does not enjoy the burning smell coming from his debit card. Has a plant named Fred. Due to lack of enthusiasm his room looks like an IKEA showroom.

Saben would like to thank Lindsey for being a fantastic travelmate, sly parnter in crime, talented documentarian and most importantly an amazing woman. Also a big thank you to everyone for following along and taking this adventure with us. Your support was truly inspiring.

Saben’s Favorite Moments:
Shisha on the coast of the Red Sea, watching the lights in Saudi Arabia
Seeing a Sea Turtle for the first time, Diving in Honduras
Fish for lunch at the shack with Roger and his wife, Baliadas for dinner
Hitchhicking along the Pan American highway from town to town, Beach to Beach.
Learning to surf with the ever awesome Carlos
Candy apples and stale hot dogs at the Bolivian Circus
Weeks spent living in Hong Kong
Conversations about life, in 5 languages, in some little dive bar
Everything about Turkey
Eating at Hasims in Amman
Moped rides through the Lao countryside with nowhere to go and nowhere to be
“Vacationing” in Thailand
Being truly free

…One thousand moments that are mine to keep, never to share, and will fuel me through the darkest days of my life.

Not so good:
Nothing… The worst times make the best stories.

Plans for the future:
Definitely in DC for the next several years but after that who knows. I have tasted adventure, I have tasted freedom, and it is more addictive than anything imaginable. I see Africa in my future, I see a motorcycle ride down the Pan American Highway but beyond that I hope for adventure, I ache for freedom.

Lindsey:

Wow, can it really be that just a few short months ago I was lollygagging (technical term) around the world without a care in the world, where my biggest problem lie in the question: what do I want for dinner? Though some days I wished I could have just enjoyed my evening without having to write down the day’s activities, I am so glad now that I did. With time flying by so quickly and so many new things happening, the little things that I loved the most about the trip are fading. But I still love to go back and look at our photos and read posts–it reminds me what’s most important in life: doing what I want.

I want to thank Saben for being such an amazing travel mate, friend, and a generally awesome person. Even though we are now living on oppposite sides of the country, I would undoubtedly travel with him again anywhere in the world.  I would also like to thank all our followers and those who continue to discover our humble blog. We still appreciate your questions, comments, and support. Thank you all!

Lin’s Favorite Moments:

Falafel shop around the corner from our hostel in Aqaba, Jordan; Walking through a wildflower field in Cappadoccia, Turkey; Getting up one morning before everyone else and sneaking out of the hostel to enjoy the sunrise on the beach by myself in Paraty, Brazil; Driving through the desert of Wadi Rum, Jordan; New Year’s on Koh Samet, Thailand; Eating ice cream on a crazy bus ride between Paraty and Trinidade, Brazil; As much as India got under my skin, I still really miss eating thali; The sound of the marble being sucked into and crashed back onto the beach, Tinos, Greece.

Not so great: Scratching my eye, Nicaragua. Legitimately almost dying in Rishikesh, India from some wicked unidentified Indian flu thing. Being harassed in India. Even the not so fun times I would not trade because they made the great times even better and helped me appreciate life in a new way.

Current Location: Portland, Oregon. Busy with work but loving every minute of being in Portland! Have an amazing place to live and a great car to take on roadtrips. Glad to have finally stopped bleeding money and started making it.

Plans for the future: My sights are set on exploring my own country for the next few years but there are most definitely plans for more international adventures. Back to Turkey and Central America for sure but I am also excited to visit so many new places like Namibia, Russia, and New Zealand.

So, that’s the end for us. We truly hope that this blog can stand as a testament to the fact that you can accomplish your dreams. All things are possible if you are willing to put the work in.

May you all travel well, wherever the wind may take you,
Saben and Lin