So here we are. Tony and I both left our jobs and we are just counting down the days/hours until our RTW trip officially begins on January 4th (First stop: Santiago, Chile). With all the excitement we have built up, the days are DRAGGING by.
To help the time pass, we thought it would be a great idea to blow off some travel-anxiety steam and immerse ourselves into the travel community in Boston. Luckily, Lillie Marshall from Around the World “L” was hosting a Meet Plan Go event at the Cambridge Brewing Company on December 12th.
As soon as Tony and I heard about this event, we immediately RSVP’d, desperate to talk to other world travelers and travel enthusiasts. It has been nice talking to our friends and family about our plans for 2012, but we thought it would be refreshing to converse with others that are in (or have been in) the same boat as us.
Since the event was at a brewery-style joint, we figured it would be a casual, standing room only event. With this in mind, we didn’t think much of arriving 20 minutes late when we got stuck in traffic heading into the city during rush hour. Unfortunately, it just so happened that it was a sit-down gathering and we were the a-holes that showed up unfashionably late. Whoops!
After we made our awkward entrance into the dinner party, we sat down at the very end of the long table of 15+ diners (tails between our legs) and tried to blend in as quickly as possible.
Five minutes later, we had eased out of the embarrassment and into the table conversation. From there on, things started to really fall into place and we had an absolute blast getting to know the other vagabonders at the table. Here were some highlights of the evening and of the people we met:
Lillie from Around the World L
Going into the evening, I automatically knew Lillie rocked (the coordinator for the Boston chapter of Meet, Plan, Go). It was so great of her to plan this event for fellow vagabonds around Boston… Plus, she is a 6 foot tall beauty, which makes me “pea green with envy” (one of my many granny sayings)!
Besides the fact that she hosted this event, she knew a ton about the traveling lifestyle. In 2009 and 2010, she was fortunate enough to teach kids in places such as Asia, Europe, and Africa. She was a great resource to speak with and was able to pass along her knowledge of individuals in the travel blogging community for me and Tony to connect with.
Emily & Greg
Emily and Greg are in the same boat as me and Tony. They are a married couple that both left their jobs (Emily, like me, is taking a sabbatical through her consulting firm) to travel the world. They plan to start their journey in February – One month after we ship off to Santaigo, Chile. It was so refreshing talking to a couple that is also immersed in the RTW planning process to share stories and tips. I am excited to keep in touch with them to hear all about their upcoming adventures.
Hiroshi
Oh Hiroshi!!! Man of the evening. I regret not getting his contact information at the end of the night because Tony and I LOVED this guy. What a character. Originally from Japan, Hiroshi is a bubbly ex- bank trader that is now a resident Bostonian. He is passionate about travel and is currently starting up his own online business in order to live out his dream and explore the world as a digital nomad.
Aaaron from 18Countries
Let me put it this way: I. WANT. AARON’S. LIFE. This guy is like a posterchild for Tim Ferris’ Four Hour Workweek. He runs multiple business ventures, which are fully automated like well oiled machines, and he owns a place back in Boston that he rents out to earn extra income when he is on the road… Genius.
We had a great time interacting with Aaron, as he provided us with excellent tips about travel destinations (especially Eastern Europe and Asia), travel vaccines, packing for travel, etc. Bottom line, this guy knows his shit.
Overall, it was a great night shared with great people. After attending the Meet, Plan, Go event in Boston, Tony and I cannot wait to get on the road in January and meet other great individuals that share the same hopes and dreams that we do.
Dear World, here we come!
Exhausted from traveling every week as a Business Management Consultant early in my career, I took a year off in 2012 to travel at my own pace. I am a high-energy girl that loves being active, eating food, drinking wine, and exploring the world with my partner-in-crime (and husband), Tony! I now reside in Portland, Oregon and continue to write about travel, food, wine, and the awesome adventures we have in the Pacific NW!
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