family travel blog- moving to guatemala
Guys! It’s happening! I’m officially packed! I’m about to pack up this computer too (bringing it to my family’s house for safe storage). And then I’ve got to clean up some corners in the house, pack up leftover food to hand out, and voilà, we’re ready! SO CRAZY. It still doesn’t feel real. Sometimes I feel like I’m just going on a trip and I’ll be back soon. And I’ve got to say, that now, as I’m typing this, I don’t even feel like I’m leaving anywhere at all. Haha! Yes, the hasn’t fully hit me yet. I don’t know if and when it will all hit me at all. But it’s happening! Guatemala, I love you. A NEW LIFE ABROAD HERE WE COME.

Where are we going? in Guatemala? Well, let me tell you what I know— we don’t have all our plans made yet! As of now, here is what is happening:

We wake up at 6 am tomorrow. Drive about 45 minutes to Fort Lauderdale airport. Make the two and a half hour flight to Guatemala City. We have a van scheduled to pick us up once we go through customs– which will be business as usual. We don’t need more paperwork, extended visa’s, etc for now– since we plan to leave the country again within 90 days. Load up all our things (so many things) and make a 3.5 – 4 hour drive to the center of Guatemala. But 3-4 hours, only if there are no protests. We’ve only experienced the protests a bit, but when they happen, they can and will add hours onto your drive. Then we arrive to a tiny town on Lake Atitlan where we will then load all of us + all our luggage onto a tiny boat and take the (hopefully not, but probably rainy) boat ride to a hotel on the lake– which has no roads and is only accessible by boat.

Sounds like an adventure story, doesn’t it? We’re starting off our week with a work-trade situation. Aka, me, Alex, and my bff/homegirl/cousin Christine will all be working for our stay. We trade hours of work for food + a place to sleep. Obviously long-term hotel stays can get pricey, so this idea seemed to make sense! And kind of cool– hopefully. Haha.

Then we’ll figure out whats next from there. The plan is to live in Antigua (you guys know this)– but we’re open. Who knows, maybe we’ll fall in love with lake life. Each time we’ve visited Guatemala we’ve wanted to visit Lake Atitlan but just didn’t have the time to do so. So we’re doing it now. Then we’re hoping to find a more permanent home for the beginning of November. Good? We hope so!

family travel blog- moving to guatemala
My goals this week are to:
– document everything. I do this normally anyway (that’s why you’re here, haha), but sometimes I just get so swept up with big things that I forget to do it. I really want to document ev.er.y.thing so Marlowe can look back on this completely and totally and be like, “whoaaaa”
– not over-stress myself. I’ve been doing a pretty decent job so far, but I can definitely feel my anxiousness kicking in the past two days. I’ve unpacked and re-packed three times so far.
– this goes with the last one: but treat my body well. Not only do I want to emotionally keep my stress levels down, but I want to make sure that I’m physically getting enough sleep, eating well…
note: I was writing about taking care of myself and started to get hungry and I’m now eating chocolate because it was the only option left in the house. #fail. anyway, back to the list:
– enjoy every minute of this adventure. As stressful as it might get at times, I know this is a once in a lifetime thing that not many people would do (or would even choose to do haha). I’m grateful for it.

As I sit here and type this I’ve gotten up a handful of times to take care of other tasks. I’ve also been on and off my email, tidying up last minute work things. And well, I’m looking up more flights. I know, crazy. We might even be flying into San Juan next month now. Yes, as in Puerto Rico, yes as in where the hurricane hit. I’ll be sharing more on that later.

Life is adventure and tomorrow starts off an even bigger one! Gotta pack up a few more things, but we’re ready for it!

Phew, breathe in and out. Take it in and release. Let’s go. I have two really fun posts scheduled for this week and I’m hoping if I can get into some wifi, that I can give you guys an update on how everything is going by the end of the week! WISH US LUCK!

ADIOS!

ps. if you want to read more about us moving to Guatemala, then check it out here.
and if you’re thinking, “wait, aren’t you driving?” and confused to why we’re not flying anymore, then read this. yay.

6 Comments

  1. Wahh I am shookt that you are already moving to Guatemala its like I am also transported to a new place as I will be reading this blog of yours. FLorida shots were awesome too!

    Best of Life there Drea!

    Much Love,
    Ina

  2. Meghan Campbell

    Way to go fam jam!! You’re doing it!! Very best wishes for your first day of your new lives!! ❤️

  3. Oh my gosh. I love that you’re doing this – in general but especially now. My husband and I just moved to France one month ago! It felt soooo crazy. Trying to pack everything and get everything ready and figure out all the logistics and emotionally/mentally be settled. It’s worth it though!!! Can’t wait to see all your adventures! <3

  4. Have a safe trip! And all the best on your new adventure. I’m not much of a traveler at least not for the last 10 years, but that might come back. Same as with you.

  5. Dominique

    Lake Atitlan is pretty touristy so you should be good in terms of (bumpy) transportation. When you’ll get there, it will all make sense!

  6. I wish all of you a safe, adventurous and wonderful stay 🙂 Can’t wait for all the stories and photos!