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Two Wandering Soles
Two Wandering Soles is a fun, inspiring and award-winning travel blog created by Katie and Ben, a couple who is passionate about responsible and adventurous travel around the world. Find travel tips and money-saving advice for eco-friendly and sustainable travel on any budget.
Hi there, we're Katie & Ben!
We seek adrenaline rushes, good food, authentic experiences and adventures off the typical tourist path.
Follow along for responsible & adventurous travel tips, and inspiration that'll get you packing your bags.
Read our full story…
![#VANLIFE is much more to us than a hashtag.
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It means freedom.
It means risk.
It means simplicity.
It means laughter & frustration & learning & peace.
It means waking up on the beach and going to sleep in the mountains.
It means sharing a verrrry tiny space and growing closer than every before: inside jokes & memories & pretending you didn’t notice that fart 💨🤣
It means cuddling on cold nights and taking turns fanning each other on hot ones.
It means sunset is never a long drive away.
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Does V A N L I F E appeal to you? Why or why not?
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[P.S. We filmed a video tour of this campervan to give you a peek inside!! Link’s in our bio, so check it out and let us know what you think!]
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Plus, we have TONS of content on campervan travel — from how to build your own on a tiny budget to an ultimate guide to traveling NZ in a van. If you have any questions, there’s a good chance we have wondered the same thing. And we might even have an answer. Feel free to comment below or reach out to us directly!](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5475c689e4b05a135b085d65/5919120429687fd2ca0aeb36/5c6ac5e9b201a6c32e86916d/1550501359491/)
![We first started dating when we were teenagers 🎶 young dumb broke high school kids 🎶
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Neither of us had money to buy fancy presents, so we started a tradition of burning each other CDs for holidays, birthdays and anniversaries. [I think I have at least 12 volumes of “When Ben Thinks of Katie” 😂]
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That tradition has kind of faded (along with the demise of CDs). And now we’re 30 and we actually have money that we could use to buy each other gifts. But we don’t. There’s not really a reason behind it, and it doesn’t mean that we won’t buy each other gifts someday. But for the last few years we just… haven’t. Not for Christmas. Not for birthdays or Valentine’s Day.
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Buying gifts isn’t a bad thing. But everyone has different ways of feeling loved. For some it’s roses and chocolates and romantic dinner dates, and that’s wonderful 🍫💕🌹 Really, it is. But just because that’s what we see in movies, doesn’t mean that’s how everyone shows love.
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For me, it’s time together. Touch. Words. Planning adventures. Laughter. Making Memories. Dreaming big dreams.
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And I’m trying to be better at showing myself love too (because self-love is just as important as receiving it). Getting a pedicure. Eating healthy (most of the time) and treating myself to chocolate and ice cream the other half. Exercising. Wearing a dress that makes me feel pretty. And trying to be kind to myself, even when I fail.
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Whatever it is for you, I hope you feel LOVE today. And every day.
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📷 Sweet shots taken our lovely friend @asturtz on Waiheke Island, NZ. P.S. If you want a rec for a super cute airbnb on this island, shoot us a message and we’ll send you the link to our friend’s amazing (and affordable!) place.](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5475c689e4b05a135b085d65/5919120429687fd2ca0aeb36/5c657ed3b0ad0209b5c3ca35/1550155479203/)
![🍹 We deserve some fancy cocktails because…🍸
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WE JUST PUBLISHED 11 articles all about New Zealand! They are packed with tips, stories and PICTURES and we’re stoked to share them with you!
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[Link in bio for the top things to do in NZ!]
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Now excuse me while I go do a happy dance 💃🏻🤩🙌🏼🇳🇿](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5475c689e4b05a135b085d65/5919120429687fd2ca0aeb36/5c619283c1c75ebd658f335d/1549898377343/)
![P R I D E
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I read something today that got me thinking about pride and how it affects our lives. How it stunts growth. How it cripples us both literally and figuratively.
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I’ll give you an example from my own life…
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When we first started travel blogging, I wanted to do everything myself. I didn’t reach out to others for help. I put my head down and found answers myself. It took 3 times as long, but I did it.
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The pride that stopped me from seeking guidance didn’t come from a place of thinking I was better or above help. It came more from a place of embarrassment. Embarrassment that I didn’t already know the answer.
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But the thing is nobody knows all the answers. And more often than not, people WANT to help. To share their knowledge.
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And my pride meant I grew slower. I missed out on opportunities. I gave up the chance to have community.
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And this doesn’t just apply blogging. Pride can get in the way of so many pieces of our lives. Things as simple as asking for directions. And things as big and important as our careers and our relationships.
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Lately, I’ve been trying to let go of my pride. To ask for help. To find communities where building each other up is a priority. To be comfortable admitting when I don’t know the answer. To let go of ego.
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Have you ever let pride get in your way? Have you overcome the fear of asking for help? How has that impacted your life?
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[on a totallllly separate note... we have TONS of New Zealand articles, tips, photos, videos & stories that are about to be published! Comment below with a NZ flag if you’re interested in exploring this epic country 🇳🇿 ]](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5475c689e4b05a135b085d65/5919120429687fd2ca0aeb36/5c5b010a7de0758c43a9a29c/1549467919932/)
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