Dear Family and Friends,

Today marks the end of one adventure and a start of another. It is bittersweet to say the least. Through these past four months of traveling, I have learned so much about other cultures as well as myself. It definitely will be an experience that I will always remember and cherish (even if my memory is bad beyond belief...).

Thank you to all of you who have taken the time to read this blog and supported me throughout this trip. If it was not for you guys, I am not sure how far I would have gone. You inspired me to keep on meeting new people, discovering new places, and writing along the way. If you would like to know about some of the top things I learned on my trip, check it out here.

I am sure this will not be the last post, as I have learned people can and do inspire us in all walks of life, but until next time...

Inspired por you,
Kristen

Dear Susie and Matt the Lovely Couple,

You two are absolutely amazing! Kailynn and I seem to say that every single time we parted ways with you and it's the truth. It was because of the two of you that we had such a great first work away experience at Big Fish Hostel in Cozumel.

When we first arrived you guys made us feel right at home. From setting up family dinners to celebrating Kailynn's birthday and Dia de Muertas, there was never a dull moment with you two. I couldn't ask for two better roomies, even if we just were on mattresses on the floor.

When we parted ways the first time, Kailynn and I felt as if something was missing at the hostel. Luckily for us, we got to see you guys again in Tulum and we had a blast! Thanks for not only finding us a hotel to stay in but for also showing us the delicious cheap eats and taking us snorkeling with the giant turtles and through the bat caves. Besides being our work buddies you became a part of our travel family :)

From your sweet relationship with each other after months of traveling together to both of your positive outlooks and experiencing all that life has to offer (especially cheap and delicious food-a constant bonding moment for all of us) you inspire me to keep traveling and live life to the fullest!

Safe travels and until we meet again...

Inspired por you,
Kristen

P.S- The next time we meet, be ready for a rematch in the game of Twos... You're going down ;)

Dear Family and Friends at Big Fish Hostel,

Thanks for making our stay at big fish hostel so incredible. This was Kailynn's and my first work away experience and it couldn't have been better. We hope to make it back again soon!

Not only did we have a great time exploring the beautiful island of Cozumel but we also loved meeting and hanging out with everyone at the hostel and hearing their travel stories and incredible diving experiences. Throughout our entire stay there, we made so many friends and felt as if we really had a new home away from home.

Thank you Bea for your delicious homemade Hungarian meals. Vivi thanks for always being so welcoming and helpful whenever Kailynn and I had questions. Molle thanks for being an awesome roommate and new friend!

Because of this entire experience working at the hostel, Kailynn and I both have been inspired to start something like this back in the States. Whether it is actually a hostel is still debatable, but like Big Fish, we want a place where people can have a home away from home and meet new people and hang out with friends.

Best of Luck Big Fish! You are one of a kind :)

Inspired por you,
Kristen

Dear Matt the Professional Hitchhiker,

It was a pleasure meeting you on our way to Mexico. I guess I should apologize to you first, as I know I was not the best of company considering I had a bit of food poisoning on the bus, but that’s another story… Regardless, I just wanted to say thank you. Because of you and your incredible stories, you not only made the bus ride go by quickly, but you also sparked the desire to venture further, travel longer, and discover more!

I think when doing anything for too long of a time, you can sometimes get bogged down, and I am not going to lie to you, it was happening to me with traveling and I was a bit homesick.

Anyways, when I saw you with your juggling bowling pins in hand and your long dreadlock hair, I was excited to talk to you, as your appearance alone seemed to tell a story. It wasn’t long before you started telling us about your stint of hitch hiking through the US and Mexico. From being offered plenty of drugs, falling in love one day with a beautiful blonde California girl who picked you up, all the way to being escorted off the highway in handcuffs by the police and then asking for a picture; your adventure sounds like something right out of the playbooks.

My friend, you could write a book with the kind of stories you had. Although I know that probably doesn’t top your list of things to do considering you still have too much life to live, I want you to know your stories inspire taking risks and being open to new people. Safest travels and best of luck with your juggling career!

Inspired por you,

Kristen