It was three years ago that Matt and I landed in Bogota with two bikes and 8 panniers, a longing for discomfort and a life less ordinary. So began our Colombian bicycle tour which morphed into a South American living situation punctuated by trekking adventures amidst crumbling ruins, pristine glaciers, and sacred mountains; living in an ancient city, attending indigenous ceremonies, forging new friendships, and a few paradigm shifting, sometimes near-death experiences; all while sipping countless cups of coffee. Nearly three years later, my life is forever changed, and I will be eternally grateful for taking that leap into the unknown. I acknowledge the possibility that while my eyes have opened, and I’ve learned so much, I may know now less than ever before.

And so I do that thing I love, the thing I become restless for; I prepare for a major shift. I don’t know what will unfold, but the unknown is my favorite part. I’m excited to see where life will take us next. So to you; beautiful, difficult, and mysterious South America, this is hasta luego, but not goodbye. – Mel

It’s been a while since our last post, and throughout the course of the break some transition has occurred in our lives. One of the most notable aspects is that we’ve moved from Peru. Did we plan the move? As some may have guessed, no. Its beginning bubbled up while we hosted a recent graduate of Rice University named Madhuri at our place in Cusco. She would end up staying almost two months while conducting an independent study focused on understanding the ways women around the globe navigate choice within their specific cultural context. Madhuri’s research opened our eyes to some surprising information about the region we called home and many other places where she would be focusing her efforts. We encourage others to check out her blog where she recorded her year long journey in search of inspiration and answers.

During her stay, we also hosted a South African man named Jans who had been on bike tour for more than a decade. His stark determination to keep adventure alive, and prodding for us to get back on our bikes were enough to spark a sense of wanderlust in both of us. Discussions with these guests reignited our imagination for what would come next in our lives, and even before Madhuri had moved on we hatched a plan to return to Colombia, to purchase a vehicle, cross the Darian Gap, venture overlander-style through Central America, Mexico, and finally into Texas, after which we planned a return to Cusco. So we left.

And over the course of almost four months in Colombia we met some exceptional people we now call good friends, who exposed us to many new and fascinating aspects of Colombian culture.

We immersed ourselves in the study of coffee – one of our passions – by learning from industry experts, owners, and producers within an area referred to as The Coffee Triangle; one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

We returned to a community which had introduced us to an ancient healing practice and ancestral medicine called Ayahuasca years before. Working again with the people and medicine opened us to aspects of ourselves which were previously unrecognized. It is undeniable that the experiences shared there have made an impression that will follow us throughout our days. (I’d previously written about the first experience which took place during the bike tour for those interested: A Lesson in Locality.)

We also purchased a vehicle to make our dreams of an overland adventure possible, but while pinning down the schedule Mel was unexpectedly called back to the States. So Mel returned to be with loved ones and to share a few final moments with her grandmother while I tied up loose ends in Colombia.

Once I had rejoined Mel In Texas, our conversations of returning evolved, and over a family vacation to Colorado hosted by our friends Frank and Barby at their incredible cabins in southern Colorado, we decided to say another difficult goodbye – this time to Cusco. A few months later my Dad and I returned to Peru to transport our things back to Texas and thus we turned the page. I am so grateful to have been able to share that time with my Dad in a place that holds so many fond memories. He is the most selfless man I know, and my inspiration for what can be brought to relationships with family and friends alike. Love you Dad!

So we said goodbye to Cusco, and on the way out, handed the keys to the apartment we renovated over to some very deserving young adults, Andre and Sylvia, who’s mom and our friend, Anna Maria, had recently passed away. Our most heartfelt thanks to those we left behind in Cusco: to Abuelita, Alejandro, Llonnie, Noemi, Macchi, their families, and everyone else who touched our lives during our time there. And to our new friends in Colombia: Sebastian, Lubna, Juan Mereti, Daniel and their crews who brought such enthusiasm to their work, and whose knowledge of and experience with coffee completely blew our minds. To Diego, his aunt and uncle; Viviana, Julie, Juliana; and to Migue, now our business partner, who took us in like family and supported us in so many ways.

To all of you, your kindness and friendship will be something we hold dear indefinitely. We are so fortunate to know such great people in so many amazing places including here, our old-new home. Though Mel and I miss many things about South America, the time we have now to spend with family and friends is invaluable. We can’t wait to reconnect with all of you, and are so grateful for the love and support that everyone has shared since our return.