The Easy Way to Tour South America Lazy dad, hyper mum, four kids (one in nappies) tour South America for 6 months
About
Sitting by a pool in Marrakesh in March 2008 in a rare moment of peace, reading Tim Ferris’s The 4-Hour Work Week
Having children had seemed to create an either/or scenario. Either you have and love and enjoy your children, or you enjoy the ability to drop everything and go do something different, free and fun. We had firmly chosen the first, and loved it while sad at the loss of the second. And in a lot of ways, we’d accepted this as an either/or scenario, while subconsciously hoping it wouldn’t need to be a choice. The book was just a catalyst to restart that thinking process of what we could or couldn’t do.
Three years and one more child later, we booked our flights out and back. Admittedly, the scope had changed somewhat. 4 children, not 3. And we use artistic license when talking about a South America that includes Mexico (cough), Cuba (ahem) and Cost Rica (nearly). And we’re taking 6 months rather than a year. But aside from that, the idea remained pretty intact right from the pool in Marrakesh to booking flights on the BA website. And we aim to enjoy the freedom and the children together as a family. Well, that’s the plan.
So, we’re going on 30th June. “We” are Paola (Mum) and Iyas (Dad), and our three sons (aged 9, 7 and 2) and one daughter (aged 3). We’re writing this blog mainly for us to record what we’re doing and be able to go back to it. But, it is also for any of our friends or family who have run out of adverts to read in the local paper and are looking for another way to while away a few minutes of extreme boredom. At a stretch, it could be useful for anyone contemplating a similar journey.
But I think it will be just for us to look back at and say never again :). Who knows.
Post Script!
What a wonderful thing this blog is to keep coming back to, and rather than “never again”, we say “when next?”. It has been the inspiration for many things, including my departure from the corporate world to start Freaky Rivet, a site that plans to provoke travel and activity in families. One thing I know – when we go on the next trip, it will be a challenge to use a blog called oursouthamericablog. Should’ve thought of that!
¿Nos recordais en el Hi Hostel de Lima?
por fin encontramos la dirección de nuestros anfitriones en la isla de Amantani (Lago Titicaca):
GERARDO MAMANI y ALICIA PACOMPIA.
Isla Amantani (Puno) Tlf; 950 009494 y 951 658526. Con los prefijos que correspondan.
Tengo fotos, pero no sé dónde pegarlas. Así que si no os llegan, ponedme un correo para hacerlo desde allí. No uso redes más que para correos concretos, de ahí mi inexperiencia.
Un cordial saluido, y que os vaya bien vuestro periplo.
María José y Emilio (desade Madrid).
2, Darksiders, Professor Layton und die verlorene Zukunft, Fruit Ninja, Super Scribblenauts, Super Mario Galaxy 2Top 3 der Non-2010-Releases:PSYCHONAUTS Witzig und ideenreich, bunt und abgefahren. What’s not
Great – I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your site. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs and related info ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or something, web site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Excellent task.
Liberals thrive on compromise. Even a compromise not in line with what they want is a win for them because their very being is based on equal validility and not discarding any different way of doing something.It’s easy to be a force of entropy. They don’t care what the compromise is, just that the enemy has been forced to abandon a logical position and is now settling for a half-crazy one.
Third Photo:HH: “Your Highness, Who is that strange woman in black behind us?”HRH: “I’ve no idea Your Holiness, but she keeps stalking me. Follows me everywhere, seems to be under the delusion that she is my wife! Even although she is already married!! Any chance you could have a word with the Swiss Guards to get them to “Take care of her” as they say in Italy?”
You're so talented, Meredith! Keep it up and defintely go for it! People obviously LOVE your doll patterns and can't wait to see what you come up with next :)Jenny
Thanks for the thoughts you share through this web site. In addition, lots of young women exactly who become pregnant usually do not even seek to get health care insurance because they have anxiety they would not qualify. Although many states currently require that insurers produce coverage despite the pre-existing conditions. Costs on these kinds of guaranteed programs are usually bigger, but when thinking about the high cost of medical care it may be a new safer route to take to protect a person’s financial potential.
That’s the best answer of all time! JMHO
As a Christian, I believe, that a man must work to provide for his family. Does that mean he must make more than his signifigant other? No. I know not everyone is a Christian. But I belief his words were from his own insecurities. I think probably you would be better off. No breakup is easy, not should it be. I wish you the best.
Ei, muy buenas Familia!!
No sé su ya os acordaréis de nosotros, vecinos vuestros en el Apartahotel de Manuel Antonio en Costa Rica!!
Nosotros ya immersos en la rutina de la vida laboral y del ajetreo de la ciudad!!
Os recordamos con mucho cariño y esperamos que vuestra aventura siga igual de bién que cuando nos conocimos!
Un fuerte abrazo para todos y fuerte beso a los peques!!
Os seguimos por el blog!!
CArles, Laura y MªJosé!
Hi Iyas & Paola
My God, what an adventure. I was trawling the net, looking at my sparse Facebook page where I saw Iyas had made a comment that he was happy to represent 20% of my friends (I only have 4 other friends on Facebook and no idea how to use it).
I followed a link or two and here I find your amazing adventure. Wow, the 4 hour work week has a lot to answer for! I cannot imagine the logistics of travelling with 4 kids, or if taking it from Paola’s perspective, 5.
“Inspirational” is what I have to say. So I notice that Australia is not in the trip. Hey, if you are including some of Central America, why not go the whole hog and include an entirely different continent?
FYI – Rosemary and I now live in Melbourne and love it.
Take care
Love to you both & the children.
Paul & Rosemary
xxx
Paul – blimey after all these years. You were ahead of your time, mate, with your adventures (we won´t make it out to Easter Island like you did). I´ll suggest Oz to Paola. I´m sure it can be squeezed in – how far away can it be? Give my love to Rosemary, and keep a handfull to yourself. ever make it back to the homeland?
Iyas, Paola and to the kids,
After meeting you briefly on the Galapagos we often check out your blog and continue to be inspired by you!! You have an incredible story and seem to be living life to the fullest, teaching your kids some of the most important lessons this life has to offer which can’t be learned in a classroom or from a textbook.
You have inspired us and taught us that the adventure does not have to end once you have kids. Thank you!
Cheers to you all and we hope that you continue to enjoy your marvellous journey!
Erika and Lee
Fantastic Blog, great words!!
compartimos la cena de noche buena/navidad (24/12/11), en “el misti yellow hostel” en búzios… ha sido realmente un placer coincidir en esta vida y haber compartido aunque sea un momento… dicen que somos una ola en el mar de los demás… pues, me alegro que hayan sido una ola en mi mar y viceversa… Saludos a esa familia tan hermosa!
Desde Pipa, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil…
Buena vida para los 6!!!
Bruno