I had so much fun in NYC! It is such a chaotic city so I personally, I would not want to live here because it is very chaotic, there are way too many people, and everyone smokes everywhere. It is a great place to visit.  I spent most of my week in Long Island with my grandparents (and one night with my Aunt) but I want to share my 3 favorite activities from my week here.

​I can hardly believe it's been five years since we left Austin for the pristine beaches of northwest Costa Rica. Time really does fly! But let me tell you, these past five years haven't exactly been one long vacation. From navigating a global pandemic only two months after moving into our nearly completed home in Central America, to building not one, but two houses in Costa Rica – the second of which my husband David took on the role of general contractor…all in Spanish – and building a life on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, it's been one wild ride!
​
​​Soooooo, what’s up next?

Flashback to August 2023: We were in our hotel room in Tokyo, wrapping up an amazing nine-week trip through Asia. We’d spent the last 4 weeks exploring Japan: Osaka, Kyoto, Miyajima, Hiroshima, Nara, Kanazawa, Tokyo (including days at Disney Sea/Disney Land in Tokyo Bay), and would end in Yokohama (the Cup Noodle Museum was a must see for Noah) before heading back to Costa Rica exactly 36 hours before the kids began 6th and 7th grades. Phew!  

On this particular cloudless summer night in Tokyo, the view was breathtaking. The view from our room at the Andaz in Toronoman Hills is like nothing we've ever seen before – 50-something floors above the Tokyo skyline - a sea of lights stretching out in every direction and the Tokyo Sky Tree as the centerpiece. We had just navigated a local fireworks festival in Tokyo where we were the only foreigners in sight. We were exhausted but in that moment, I blurt out, "What if we did this for a whole year? Travel the world?”. We were not ready to head back to our daily routine of work, school, laundry, home repair, and repeat. The past 5 years had been the perfect introduction into expat life but Dave and I were getting itchy feet and looking for something adventurous.  Let’s face it, we’re not getting any younger.  9 weeks had gone by in a flash and the kids were growing up even faster.  Pretty soon they would be in full ‘teenage’ mode and I’m trying to savor every family moment while we can. It was just a thought, but it sparked something.

Dave thought it was crazy at first. The idea of uprooting our lives in Costa Rica for a year of nomadic instability seemed overwhelming. He'd have to figure out mobile-remote work arrangements - internet access, time zone concerns, etc.  The kids (and myself) would need to navigate remote schooling (including tackling Algebra 1 for our eldest), and we'd need to sort out the logistics of our life in Costa Rica. It was a lot to take in, but after many, MANY discussions and brainstorming sessions, we realized that with a bit of creativity, flexibility (and a little finger crossing ) we could make it work.

Pulling the kids out of school in Costa Rica wasn't an easy decision. The kids have been doing great at their international school and have a nice group of friends. Our eldest refused to entertain the idea at first, worrying about leaving his friends, routine, and comfortable bedroom behind. We assured him that we were NOT trying to “ruin his life” but instead, hoping to give our family an epic adventure together- before we entered the high school years and life got in the way. After hours of talks, negotiations, and planning, including reassurance that we will do more than visit art museums and historical sites, he is finally opening up to see the excitement in it. Perhaps the upcoming 7th grade final exams have something to do with his change of heart:).  I’ll take what I can get! Our youngest, well, she's been all in from the beginning. With only 3 weeks until launch, I’m happy to say that everyone is finally on board!

So here we are, getting ready to say goodbye to Costa Rica, for now, and hello to 14-ish months of adventure and 24 hour/365 days+ of family togetherness… may the odds be ever in our favor! It's a bit nerve-wracking, sure, but we're excited for what's ahead. Starting in Cape Town —our first international destination and first time as a family to the African continent — to wherever the road takes us.  We are on a mission to make memories and see what the world has to offer. This blog will serve as travel diary, a way for the kids to hone their writing skills, and a way for family and friends to join us in spirit. I’ve promised the kids that I’ll try not to be “too cringe” when I post.  Request noted:). Stay tuned for updates from our journey!  

​—Elizabeth