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Hi there! We’re Katie & Ben.

We are backpack-wearing, camera-toting, coffee-loving travelers who are passionate about showing others how they can travel responsibly & adventurously on any budget -- big or small.

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🎈Today I turn 30 🎈 I remember a few years ago that seemed so OLD, but honestly in this moment it feels just right. Too often we're so concerned about getting old that we don't reflect on what a privilege aging truly is.
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My twenties have been beautiful. Full of adventures, laughter and trying new things. But it hasn't all been easy. I've watched people I love get sick and experienced disappointment and feelings of doubt. But more than anything, it was during my twenties that I stepped out of my comfort zone and learned to fully trust my heart, even when it wanted crazy things.
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It was during my twenties that I traveled abroad for the first time. I moved across the country by myself to teach high school English in Miami, and I married my high school sweetheart (aka Ben!). I ran a marathon and a triathlon and moved to Korea. I spent a year traveling around the world and seeing places I've always dream of. I hiked to Everest Base Camp and worked at a ski resort in Washington. I bought an old Chevy and converted it into a camper van which became my home as I explored west coast USA. I started a travel blog that has since become my full time job and allows me to enjoy freedom and traveling.
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I can’t believe how lucky I am to call this my life.
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Decades come with a bit of pressure. We often assign goals to 5-year or 10-year plans, and it can make reaching those milestones a little scary. At 30, I don't have the things I would have guessed if you asked me on my 20th birthday. But honestly, that's okay because I never could have dreamed up the life I'm living now. And I think that's true for most people: What we want changes over time. Unexpected opportunities present themselves and the possibilities change. A 10-year plan that doesn't change a bit along the way isn't allowing you to grow as much as you could.
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There's no way I can even guess where I'll be in 10 years from now, but honestly, I want to keep it that way. If my 30s are anything like my twenties, I will wake up a decade from now with a smile on my face and full of gratitude for the gift of having another 10 years full of experiences, friendships and love.

Ben sat on a little old lady's lap yesterday. Hold up; let me back up a minute and explain the situation...
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We arrived in Oaxaca late the other night night when it was dark and the streets were empty. And yesterday morning we woke up to colorful buildings, cobblestone streets, stunning churches, cactuses and sunshine. (By the way, it's pronounced "wa-ha-kah" for all of you who are scratching your head. Don't worry it took me a while too!)
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We were told that a nearby village was holding their Sunday market and it was a sight to see, so obviously we had to go. And the preferred mode of transportation in this area is a collectivo, or shared taxi. But instead of a large truck like I was expecting, we realized the collectivos here are teeny, tiny little cars that look like toys. And they each have a little cushion added to the area between the driver and passenger.
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Ben was sitting shotgun and didn't realize that the cushion was a seat, and when the car pulled over to the side of the road to collect a woman waiting for a ride, let's just say he was a bit surprised when she opened his door and started to get in. So that's how 6-foot-tall Ben ended up smushed between the driver (who appeared to be just a few days over 16) and a little lady who was also headed to the market.
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So after a very squished ride, we finally made it to this market, which turned out to be pretty cool. All the people from neighboring villages come together each week, dressed in traditional clothing, to sell their produce, handicrafts and whatever else you can imagine. At this market you can buy onions, an ice cream cone, bras, a pirated DVD and as many kilos of mangos as you can carry. And you can shop and eat and listen to mariachi music all at the same time. What a place!

Instead of posting a pretty picture and talking about Mother Nature’s beauty for #EarthDay, I want to get REAL. (Although this pic from Idaho is one of my favorites!)
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Whether we want to believe it or not, our Earth is in danger, and we are responsible. Each and every one of us.
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I’ve been guilty of thinking I’m not harming the planet because I don’t litter and hey, I even recycle! I’ve blamed other people — the guy in the car ahead of me who throws a fast food bag out the window or the teenager who flicks their cigarette butt into the ocean — instead of taking responsibility for what I CAN do. And truthfully it takes sacrifices that I’m sometimes hesitant to make.
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But we can’t ignore it much longer. If we do nothing and go on living our lives as we always have, there is damage being done right now that is irreversible. IRREVERSIBLE.
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So what can you do? A lot. Bring reusable bags to every store (not just grocery shopping). Refuse plastic straws and water bottles. Support companies that are doing good things for the environment. Choose produce that is NOT wrapped in plastic on a styrofoam tray. Take inventory of your weekly trash bin: what waste can you eliminate? Think more about each purchase you make: “Do I really need this? How long will I use it before it ends up in a landfill?” Buy second hand. Compost. Consciously recycle. Eat less meat. Buy in bulk to reduce packaging. Rethink your toiletries: can you buy (or DIY!) products that don’t come in plastic bottles? Educate your friends and family.
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This is just scratching the surface of little changes we can make. I’m still working on a lot of these and am far from perfect, but I’m starting to truly believe that one person really CAN make a difference. And that keeps me going.
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At some point, it’s going to come down to what people value more: Convenience vs. the Earth. And think of how much we have to lose if Convenience wins... our rivers and oceans, waterfalls and hot springs, pristine mountains and old growth forests, and all species of wildlife (except maybe cockroaches!) just to name a few things at stake.
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Comment below with what YOU can commit to doing for the Earth. #MotherNatureDeservesBetter

Wandering around Mexico City in search of the best churros, the prettiest tile walls and the cutest accordion players. Check. Check. And Check. We are seriously loving this city and can't wait to tell you WHY.
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Have you ever been to Mexico City? What did you think? Were you as surprised as we are?!

The food in Mexico City is UNREAL. In fact, it's often listed among the best cities in the world for foodies. So how can you try a ton of food on a little amount of time? So glad you asked, fellow lover of all things edible. A Food Tour: That's how!
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Yesterday evening, we took a tour with @mexicanfoodtours and went to 7 places around one of the city's "foodie neighborhoods". In total, we tried 7 different dishes and 5 drinks. The places were all super varied in atmosphere, from a hip cantina packed with twenty-somethings meeting up for drinks and food with friends, to a hole-in-the-wall taco shop that has only a handful of stools but draws locals in the dozens, to a famous chocolatier. Let's just say after 7 courses, we woke up this morning still full.
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Have you ever taken a food tour? What country would you LOVE to do a food tour in?!

Have you ever underestimated a place only to find that it is so much better than you were expecting?
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To be honest, Mexico has been a country that we’ve overlooked for a long time. We always thought of it as all-inclusive resorts in Cancun or Cozumel, surrounded by other Americans…And truthfully, we hadn’t heard much about Mexico City other than it was dangerous and polluted.
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Yet here we are. And so far it has blown us away. The people are friendly, the food is great, the weather is beautiful, and there’s plenty of green space.
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Yesterday we explored some incredibly cute neighborhoods, complete with streets shaded by big flowering trees, peaceful parks and colorful colonial homes. Including Frieda Kahlo’s home (pictured!) 💙
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Today we were reminded yet again that a country is so much more than its stereotype. Mexico is more than than Señor Frogs and spring breakers. China is more than selfie sticks and crowds. India is more than scammers and America is more than overweight people. Every country has its stereotype, yet when we take the time to look past it, the world becomes so much brighter.
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What is a place that surprised you in a good way?

Time to say goodbye to the snow ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ Next time we're back in Minnesota (in July!) we're looking forward to green grass instead of snow, t-shirts instead of ski jackets, and beers on patios instead of being stuck inside... But for now we're off to eat all the tacos we can fit in our bellies ✈️🌮 🇲🇽

Tomorrow we say goodbye to the US after a few weeks spent seeing family & friends and putting in LONG hours of work in preparation for this next big adventure to Mexico & Central America.
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First stop: Mexico City!
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Our bags are packed and there are 4 things on my mind...
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1) I don't know how we always end up booking EARLY morning flights, because after each one I say "never again." But once again we have a 6 am departure. Oh, joy.
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2) I'm SUPER proud of how little we packed. I am a serial over-packer but I really have it whittled down to the essentials. And we've got a few new travel items we are stoked about! Do you want us to share more about our packing list and tips? If so, comment below!
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3) I love Minnesota, but I'm not sad to say goodbye to this snow. How can there be a blizzard in mid-April?!
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4) We're really looking forward to this next big adventure -- we have so many amazing things planned that we can't wait to share with you (like trekking to a volcano in Guatemala and island-hopping in the Caribbean)... but we're still looking for suggestions! If you have any tips for Central America (towns you loved, amazing hikes, cultural experiences, anything food-related, etc.) pretty please share them in the comments below and you'll be rewarded with good karma ✨

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