I’m currently on a train from Oslo back to Stockholm and feel like I should give a quick update on what I’ve been up to. As always if you’re following me on Instagram or Twitter you know because they’re up to date, but if not its all good and here it is!
So yes I’m in Europe now and have been in Europe over a week and can’t complain because it’s been amazing.
Before I arrived in Europe and after leaving South America I went home for two weeks. It wasn’t in my plans to go home at all after the last time I left, but I did. The crazy thing is that less than 3 months into my trip in South America I was missing home, missing it bad. During many of my hikes in Patagonia I longed for it. I don’t know why, but I did. I think it may be an age thing, but who knows. The tipping point was when I got sick in Rio and thought I was going to die. That’s when I was like okay for sure I’m going home. I figured out quickly I could easily go to Houston from Bogota instead of going directly to London. I also figured I would never be this close to home again (5 hour flight) because that would never be the case once I was in Europe, Asia or Africa. Plus it was a cheap $100 flight using some of my miles. So I booked it 3 months in advance and didn’t tell anyone!!! Well later on my older sister and then a friend when I drunk called her… oops!!!
—My beautiful family.
My older sister made sure everyone would be able to come over when I arrived.—
Going home for two weeks meant cutting two weeks out of my time in South America. So I did just that and don’t regret it at all. I arrived and surprised everyone again. My mom couldn’t believe it… neither could the rest of my family and friends. I was so excited to be home and see everyone especially my mom and the kids!!! My plan was to actually get some rest while I was home and not travel, but that didn’t happen at all. I spent my two weeks visiting family, friends always doing something and ended up in a last minute trip to Mexico and Dallas. Ahhhh it was all perfect.
—Ahhh my nieces and nephews the most beautiful thing in my life. Gonna miss them so much.—
My two weeks at home were done before I knew it and next thing I knew I was flying over London and arriving to Europe. I had an idea of what I was doing in Europe, but not really. Now I’m here and finally made a semi plan and just going with the flow of things. I do know most of my plans are to visit friends I’ve made during my travels.
As for South America I don’t know if I can yet grasp how truly amazing those 6.5 months down there were. When I do I will be sure to write about it. I can tell you this though, I know for a fact I enjoyed it so much more because for the first time in my travels my blog was not my priority.
—View over London as I land at Heathrow Airport.—
That brings me to a quick state of my blog. I’m so behind on my blog… like months behind and honestly it doesn’t bother me a single bit. I’ve learned to enjoy my travels and life now than worry about keeping my blog up to date. Don’t worry I am not going to stop blogging… oh I still love it. I’m just going to be doing it at my own pace. For now I will start writing about my adventures in Europe and along the way share the adventures I still want to share that happened in South America. Oh trust me I have plenty!!!
I hope y’all understand my decision to keep blogging like this. Hopefully soon I can find a place to sit down for a few days and write away. I know for now that’s not going to happen and I want make the most of my time on the road. As usual though my Instagram and Twitter accounts are normally always up to date because those take a few minutes to update and I’m addicted to both.
Ahhhh I’m sitting here looking out my window watching the beautiful Swedish landscape go by and I can’t believe I’m back in Europe. Last time I left I thought it would be years and years before I came back but here I am again and I even think I am going back to Morocco too while I’m here.
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Oh & I just realized I have been blogging for over 5 years now. Yeah… 5 years ago on July 29, 2010 I posted my plans for my 1st trip around the world. I would have never imagined then that I would still be blogging today and that I would be on my 2nd trip around the world. I’ll be honest though that sometimes I feel like the worst travel blogger in the world, but honestly it’s okay. I am happy with where my blog is today and love that I am still being me and have a place to share my adventures with y’all. I do wish I’d get more comments to know someone is reading it…lol. I honestly don’t ever check my stats so have no clue who is reading if anyone. I have never worried about my numbers and won’t now. I write to write and love that I can write when I please and whatever I please. As always thanks for following along and if any of you need anything let me know. Who knows maybe I will be blogging for another 5 years.
I’m glad that you made it home! My nephew is my biggest weakness! I love seeing photos of him but then again I don’t because then I start missing him and want to go home and see him. I haven’t made plans to do much traveling in the next few months except for a trip home, and I know that is bad! I need to see some new places. I need to take advantage of the opportunities I have!
Looking forward to your Instagrams!
chewy recently posted..One year post operation: Tiny scar and a numb face
Thanks Chewy… ah yes my nieces and nephews are my biggest weakness. Glad I am not alone on that. I feel you on seeing photos of them for the same reason and also cus you see them and are like FUCK they are getting so big and you start feeling you are missing out. As for seeing it all… it’s okay to take it slow as long as you are enjoying life you are doing good!!! Thanks for following me on IG.
I am 7 months behind on my blog, too. Blogging is really time consuming and I don’t think people realize how much work goes into it. Between work and school (and travel, duh!) I don’t have time to blog as much as I’d like. However, now that I am on summer break I find it really relaxing to go through my pictures and get the entries together. I swear I will stop blogging for 6 weeks then post like 5 entries lol. You can’t force it. I do wish I blogged more often, though. I start to forget details and would prefer to write when things are still fresh.
Anyway, I am selfish and never want you to stop blogging. Your blog is my favorite! Whenever I plan a trip, I refer back to your blog to see what you had to say about the destination. I find your blog to be the most genuine. I also agree with a lot of your observations! Well I hope you never become a sponsored blog lol those are the worst!!! Keep writing!
isabella recently posted..The Taj Mahal: World Wonder Deux, Duh!
Ahhh so glad I am not alone Isabella… blogging really is very time consuming… like very!!! I also don’t think people realize how much work it really is. And you are so right you can’t force it at all. The good thing is that I do keep a journal and that I try to keep up to date. That’s more personal and more of a track what I did to have it to read years from now when the little things fade. Thank you so much for loving my blog… that means so much to me and I mean it. I often don’t think much and just write. I will be honest I will have 2 sponsored trips while I am in Egypt but its the a great campaign and even then all thoughts will be my own. Europe isn’t cheap so these trips will help my budget. Anyway thanks a million for still reading my blog. It’s gonna continue to be what it is… my random thoughts and experiences. I will keep writing.
Hi this is Val from Southern Ca. I am reading your blog and follow you on facebook. I am glad you are having such a great time.
Thanks Val so much for following along. I am loving life on the road.
Welcome to Europe and congrats on your 5 years blogversary, don’t ever stop, I love your blog and loved all your posts from South America. Your family is so cute, I am glad you had the opportunity to visit them before coming over to Europe. Enjoy Sweden.
Gilda Baxter recently posted..Climbing Mount Snowdon – The Hardest Hike of my Life
Thanks so much Gilda. I will try to never stop jaja. Thank you so much for loving my blog and following along. I love my family and so happy I was able to see them too before coming to Europe.
I’m still here, reading your blog!! =) And so flipping excited to see you soooooooon!!!! Caro x
Jajajajajajajaja fucking love you. Thanks for still reading my blog & omg see you soon too. Never forget you were the first reader of mine I met.
People definitely read your blog, Jaime. Even if they don’t comment. Definitely keep travel and life as your main focus and not the blog. We love reading the updates and the crazy stories, but you can’t make blogging a top priority if it just isn’t one for you. I’m not traveling nonstop like you are, and I’m still insanely behind on my blog. The last thing I wrote about (besides my hospital post) was about Morocco. We were in Morocco at the end of November! So that means I’m more than 8 months behind. Whatever.
I’m glad you got to go home for a few weeks and see your family. Sounds like you’re having a great time in Europe so far, and I’m really looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks!
Jaja thanks Ali for reassuring me of that. Sometimes I am just like… oh okay no one is reading, but yeah keep writing anyway. Oh yes I will keep doing what I am doing. I’ve learned a lot over the past 5 years and one is to enjoy life more and not get caught up tryin to share it with the world. I have plenty of time to do that when I’m settled down somewhere…lol. I’m glad Im not the only one who is behind too. So um yeah I see ya in like 3 days…. EEEEEEeeeeeeee I can’t wait.
Hi Jaime,
Family is Everything. Glad you had time to visit your familia especially tu mama.
Will continue reading your next entries since I’m at work… Have a wonderful day sir,safe travels.
Sal
Thanks Sal! Was so happy to go home and see my family and especially my mom. Ahhh miss her so much again.
I am happy you made it! 😉 Family bonding is the best thing and this post is so lovely. Thanks for sharing your adventure!
Hey. Just started following you. Keep doing your thing. Seems like you have a good blog going. Followed you on the other social sites as well. Wife and I are planning a trip around the world this upcoming Sept. Looking forward to it. Who knows, maybe we’ll see each other around. Have fun!
Hi Edgar, thanks for following along. Good luck with y’alls trip. If you need anything let me know and if I can help I’ll be sure to do so.
Your blog posts are so thoughtful. Loved it.