The Travel Bag Series
This time last year, I was travelling around Central America, enjoying a (hopefully more than) once-in-a-lifetime adventure. I’m currently spending January in the UK, so I’m not going to dwell on that particular fact too long. Instead, I thought it’d be the perfect time to reminisce by starting a series of blogs chronicling our unforgettable journey.
For context, at the end of October 2023, my partner and I were told that the house we were renting was going on the market, which meant we had to find somewhere new to live. One of the downsides of renting, but as it turned out, the timing couldn’t have been better for an adventure. Both of us are freelancers, with no kids or pets, so there was nothing holding us back. We didn’t know where we wanted to settle next or what kind of space we were looking for, so putting our belongings into self-storage for a few months seemed like the best option. And really, who would choose to spend the winter in the UK when they could escape to warmer climes? Fast forward to January 2024, and we found ourselves swapping Manchester for Mexico.
As someone who had never been away from home for more than the typical two-week holiday and would always choose a hotel over a hostel, I was nervous, to say the least. I’d gone straight from school to university and into full-time work, and had spent years living firmly within my comfort zone. I’m a creature of habit and love my own bed, wardrobe of clothes, and skincare routine, so swapping all that for just one big travel bag on my back felt almost impossible. But deep down, I knew it was time for a change, and this felt like the perfect opportunity. Normally, I would meticulously research everything, booking hotels, restaurant reservations, and activities well in advance. But for this trip, we decided on a different approach: we’d take each day as it came. Hostels, meals, and most activities would be sorted the day of. This was a huge shift from my usual routine, and I was genuinely excited to meet this more carefree, spontaneous version of myself.
And meet her, I did. I liked her so much I even brought quite a bit of her back home.
Through this series, I’ll share stories of the people we met, the food we devoured, and the moments that made the trip so special. Whether it’s the colourful markets and mezcal tastings of Oaxaca, the tranquil lagoons and cenotes of Bacalar, or the thrilling adventures in Costa Rica’s cloud forests and jungles, I hope to bring these memories to life and hopefully inspire your own travels.
Boarding passes at the ready, our first stop is Mexico City…
