{"id":128,"date":"2023-10-09T00:36:21","date_gmt":"2023-10-08T23:36:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thecrunchylife.com\/?p=128"},"modified":"2025-10-03T18:11:42","modified_gmt":"2025-10-03T17:11:42","slug":"taking-off","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thecrunchylife.com\/index.php\/2023\/10\/09\/taking-off\/","title":{"rendered":"Taking Off"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flex wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2023-10-09T00:36:21+01:00\">9 October 2023<\/time><\/div>\n\n\n<p>|<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"taxonomy-post_tag wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thecrunchylife.com\/index.php\/tag\/travel\/\" rel=\"tag\">Travel<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n<p>|<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__avatar\"><img alt='' src='https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9440055374cc43874fc79f36adabfa3d?s=24&#038;d=mm&#038;r=g' srcset='https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9440055374cc43874fc79f36adabfa3d?s=48&#038;d=mm&#038;r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-24 photo' height='24' width='24' \/><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__content\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__name\">Christian &amp; Maria Taylor<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>|<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100 has-custom-font-size is-style-fill has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/thecrunchylife.com\/index.php\/newsletter\/\" style=\"background-color:#82cc21\">Subscribe to future posts<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Contents<\/summary>\n<div class=\"wp-block-aioseo-table-of-contents\"><ul><li><a href=\"#aioseo-what-in-the-world-are-we-doing\">What in the world are we doing?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#aioseo-our-planned-itinerary\">Our planned itinerary<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#aioseo-book-recommendations\">Book Recommendations<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\" id=\"aioseo-what-in-the-world-are-we-doing\">What in the world are we doing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In just two days we are embarking on a year of international travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our travels will include traditional sightseeing as well as outdoor adventures like backpacking in Patagonia and trekking to Everest Base Camp. However, we also want to prioritize spiritual growth, connecting with local communities, and experiencing alternative ways of living. We intend to visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bruderhof.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Bruderhof communities<\/a> in Paraguay, <a href=\"https:\/\/wwoof.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">work on organic farms<\/a> in New Zealand, do <a href=\"https:\/\/cpt.org\/about\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">peacemaking work in Palestine<\/a>, participate in a study <a href=\"https:\/\/myemail.constantcontact.com\/BEMA-Messenger--49.html?soid=1123730278186&amp;aid=LxAHDgQYlIk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">tour of the early Christian Church in T\u00fcrkiye<\/a>, work with a <a href=\"https:\/\/sea-partners.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">community farm &amp; school in South Sudan<\/a>, and visit many friends in India.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Below is what our route will look like assuming we follow our current plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"615\" src=\"https:\/\/thecrunchylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/round-the-world-map-3-1024x615.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-346\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thecrunchylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/round-the-world-map-3-1024x615.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/thecrunchylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/round-the-world-map-3-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thecrunchylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/round-the-world-map-3-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thecrunchylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/round-the-world-map-3-1536x922.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/thecrunchylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/round-the-world-map-3-2048x1230.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In the last few months since we decided to go on this journey, we have said a lot of hard goodbyes to our families (including our new nephew), our church family in Chicago, our friends in both Seattle and Chicago, and our wonderful work colleagues (and for Maria, her patients). We know that many of these people will still be in our lives after this year, but we also realize that after this year of transition we may not be in close proximity to many of these people in the future. We will also miss out on our nephews first birthday and maybe his first words, friends\u2019 weddings, and other life events.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Along with these goodbyes, it has been scary to quit our jobs, sell many of our possessions, and embrace uncertainty. However, alongside those things, we have also felt affirmed, and gained increased confidence in this decision. Many people have shared how they want to do something like this or wish that they had when they were younger; friends of friends have offered to host us when we are in their part of the world; a favorite podcast of ours announced a tour in T\u00fcrkiye on the exact dates we were planning to be in T\u00fcrkiye. As we drove away from Chicago we talked about the potential difficulty of meeting new people in the places we travel since we are both introverts. A few days later as we were exploring Utah\u2019s national parks we had a confidence boosting experience; despite us keeping to ourselves, we ended up making a great friend with whom we went on to hike in more national parks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What we are doing isn\u2019t a good career move or financially prudent. However, we have been blessed with many things and feel that rather than always striving to have more, we should focus on enjoying what we have and look for ways to use what we have to bless others. We are not sure what life holds for us after this year. As we travel we will try to stay open to new experiences and ideas that will shape our lives going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We will miss all of our friends and family while we are traveling (we are really looking forward to when some of you come to meet up with us along the way <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"17\" height=\"17\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/z6DQQ6JuKPMBUvo-tAqLKeUxrJIr2n--lu13yAioggrzytZLf3HZhQV42oktpm2t_zBjyCLdmxc_zrZIEYZp90W8Kbdl9BVEDCz_ZEUaAnv2G1-paCZSAee7xh0UAjjjGsHv6l4WneLPUwKKkaDzuJU\" alt=\"\ud83d\ude0a\">), and we highly value your encouragement, and any messages that you send us while we are on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-horizontal is-content-justification-left is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-2 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p>We plan on using this blog to share stories from our travels and reflections about what we are learning. We love food and cooking, and also plan to use this blog to share recipes from our adventures and other food related content. If you&#8217;d like to see more frequent photos from our travels, follow us on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/the_crunchy_life\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-social-links has-huge-icon-size is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-social-links-is-layout-1 wp-block-social-links-is-layout-flex\"><li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-instagram  wp-block-social-link\"><a rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/the_crunchy_life\/\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12,4.622c2.403,0,2.688,0.009,3.637,0.052c0.877,0.04,1.354,0.187,1.671,0.31c0.42,0.163,0.72,0.358,1.035,0.673 c0.315,0.315,0.51,0.615,0.673,1.035c0.123,0.317,0.27,0.794,0.31,1.671c0.043,0.949,0.052,1.234,0.052,3.637 s-0.009,2.688-0.052,3.637c-0.04,0.877-0.187,1.354-0.31,1.671c-0.163,0.42-0.358,0.72-0.673,1.035 c-0.315,0.315-0.615,0.51-1.035,0.673c-0.317,0.123-0.794,0.27-1.671,0.31c-0.949,0.043-1.233,0.052-3.637,0.052 s-2.688-0.009-3.637-0.052c-0.877-0.04-1.354-0.187-1.671-0.31c-0.42-0.163-0.72-0.358-1.035-0.673 c-0.315-0.315-0.51-0.615-0.673-1.035c-0.123-0.317-0.27-0.794-0.31-1.671C4.631,14.688,4.622,14.403,4.622,12 s0.009-2.688,0.052-3.637c0.04-0.877,0.187-1.354,0.31-1.671c0.163-0.42,0.358-0.72,0.673-1.035 c0.315-0.315,0.615-0.51,1.035-0.673c0.317-0.123,0.794-0.27,1.671-0.31C9.312,4.631,9.597,4.622,12,4.622 M12,3 C9.556,3,9.249,3.01,8.289,3.054C7.331,3.098,6.677,3.25,6.105,3.472C5.513,3.702,5.011,4.01,4.511,4.511 c-0.5,0.5-0.808,1.002-1.038,1.594C3.25,6.677,3.098,7.331,3.054,8.289C3.01,9.249,3,9.556,3,12c0,2.444,0.01,2.751,0.054,3.711 c0.044,0.958,0.196,1.612,0.418,2.185c0.23,0.592,0.538,1.094,1.038,1.594c0.5,0.5,1.002,0.808,1.594,1.038 c0.572,0.222,1.227,0.375,2.185,0.418C9.249,20.99,9.556,21,12,21s2.751-0.01,3.711-0.054c0.958-0.044,1.612-0.196,2.185-0.418 c0.592-0.23,1.094-0.538,1.594-1.038c0.5-0.5,0.808-1.002,1.038-1.594c0.222-0.572,0.375-1.227,0.418-2.185 C20.99,14.751,21,14.444,21,12s-0.01-2.751-0.054-3.711c-0.044-0.958-0.196-1.612-0.418-2.185c-0.23-0.592-0.538-1.094-1.038-1.594 c-0.5-0.5-1.002-0.808-1.594-1.038c-0.572-0.222-1.227-0.375-2.185-0.418C14.751,3.01,14.444,3,12,3L12,3z M12,7.378 c-2.552,0-4.622,2.069-4.622,4.622S9.448,16.622,12,16.622s4.622-2.069,4.622-4.622S14.552,7.378,12,7.378z M12,15 c-1.657,0-3-1.343-3-3s1.343-3,3-3s3,1.343,3,3S13.657,15,12,15z M16.804,6.116c-0.596,0-1.08,0.484-1.08,1.08 s0.484,1.08,1.08,1.08c0.596,0,1.08-0.484,1.08-1.08S17.401,6.116,16.804,6.116z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">The Crunchy Life<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\" id=\"aioseo-our-planned-itinerary\"><strong>Our planned itinerary<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Below is our rough itinerary for the year. We are holding this itinerary loosely and are open to adjusting our plans as we go. Maybe we will stick to this itinerary, or maybe someone we meet, an opportunity that arises, or just our fancy will keep us somewhere longer than planned or take us somewhere we never expected to go. We do know that we want to try to keep our travel path somewhat linear, minimizing long flights and instead using overland transportation as much as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have any recommendations for our planned destinations (or the trip overall), please let us know!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>October: South America\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Peru (Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bolivia (La Paz, Bolivian Salt Flats)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>November: Continue in South America\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Paraguay (Bruderhof community)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Argentina (Iguazu Falls, Buenos Aires, hiking in El Chalten)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chile (Hiking\/backpacking in Torres del Paine, Santiago)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Early December: Fiji, New Zealand (WWOOFing (working on farms), hiking)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mid-January: Go to Australia (Bruderhof community? roadtrip?)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>February: Go to Southeast Asia\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mid-March: Nepal (Kathmandu, Everest Base Camp trek)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>April: India (planning to visit friends in different areas, possibly: Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi, Chennai?)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>May: Middle East\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Jordan<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Palestine (Community Peacemaker Teams)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Israel<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>June: Continue in the Middle East\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>T\u00fcrkiye (BEMA tour)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>July: East\/Central Africa\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>South Sudan (SEA Partners)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kenya<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Uganda? DRC?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>August and September: Northern Africa \/ Western Europe\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Morocco<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Spain \/ Portugal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>France, Germany? Belgium? Switzerland? Italy? Greece? The Netherlands?&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>UK (England, Scotland), Ireland<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\" id=\"aioseo-book-recommendations\">Book Recommendations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some books that we have really enjoyed as we have been preparing for embarking on this adventure! If you have any book recommendations for us, let us know!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblio.com\/9780812992182?placement=basic-info\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"196\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/thecrunchylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/vagabonding-cover-196x300.jpg\" alt=\"Book cover of Vagabonding by Rolf Potts\" class=\"wp-image-133\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thecrunchylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/vagabonding-cover-196x300.jpg 196w, https:\/\/thecrunchylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/vagabonding-cover.jpg 654w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 196px) 100vw, 196px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel<\/em> by Rolf Potts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblio.com\/9780812992182?placement=basic-info\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Support independent booksellers: buy new or used on Biblio<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This book offers a great perspective on how approach long-term travel, and how this differs from a vacation or short-term tourism. Part philosophy of travel and part practical tips for how to do it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cVagabonding is about taking time off from your normal life&#8211;from six weeks to four months to two years&#8211;to discover and experience the world on your own terms.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-medium is-resized is-style-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblio.com\/0062951629?placement=search_results_list\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/thecrunchylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/the-last-resort-cover-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-132\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:189px;height:285px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thecrunchylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/the-last-resort-cover-199x300.jpg 199w, https:\/\/thecrunchylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/the-last-resort-cover.jpg 331w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>The Last Resort: A Chronicle of Paradise, Profit, and Peril at the Beach<\/em> by Sarah Stodola<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblio.com\/0062951629?placement=search_results_list\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Support independent booksellers: buy new or used on Biblio<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cA captivating exploration of beach resort culture\u2014from its roots in fashionable society to its undervalued role in today\u2019s world economy\u2014as the industry approaches a climate reckoning<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With its promise of escape from the strains of everyday life, the beach has a hold on the popular imagination as the ultimate paradise. In The Last Resort, Sarah Stodola dives into the psyche of the beachgoer and gets to the heart of what drives humans to seek out the sand. At the same time, she grapples with the darker realities of resort culture: strangleholds on local economies, reckless construction, erosion of beaches, weighty carbon footprints, and the inevitable overdevelopment and decline that comes with a soaring demand for popular shorelines.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-default\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<p>We are keeping this blog ad-free. If you\u2019d like to support us, consider making a small donation: <script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/cdnjs.buymeacoffee.com\/1.0.0\/button.prod.min.js\" data-name=\"bmc-button\" data-slug=\"thecrunchylife\" data-color=\"#5F7FFF\" data-emoji=\"\ud83e\uddf3\"  data-font=\"Lato\" data-text=\"Buy me a day on the road\" data-outline-color=\"#000000\" data-font-color=\"#ffffff\" data-coffee-color=\"#FFDD00\" ><\/script><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What in the world are we doing? In just two days we are embarking on a year of international travel. Our travels will include traditional sightseeing as well as outdoor adventures like backpacking in Patagonia and trekking to Everest Base Camp. However, we also want to prioritize spiritual growth, connecting with local communities,\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":346,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"yes","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[9],"class_list":["post-128","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-travel"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thecrunchylife.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thecrunchylife.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thecrunchylife.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thecrunchylife.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thecrunchylife.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=128"}],"version-history":[{"count":40,"href":"https:\/\/thecrunchylife.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":902,"href":"https:\/\/thecrunchylife.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128\/revisions\/902"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thecrunchylife.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/346"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thecrunchylife.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=128"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thecrunchylife.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=128"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thecrunchylife.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=128"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}