Replacing Cubicle Walls for the Plains of the Serengeti

It’s been about 12 years since I worked between the walls of a cubicle.  That small, cramped space didn't feel overly restricted at the time because honestly it was the norm.  

Today, however, my office space looks extremely different.  In fact, in and around 2007 I made a list of goals that I wanted to achieve in my life and top of that list was to live and work on a tropical beach within three years.  Two years later, I was doing just that in Costa Rica.  No more cubicle, no more punching a clock – I had freed myself of the norm.  Dream Travel, a small company that I started back in 2004, now became international!

Five years later my work space has also been on the Great Wall of China, the beaches of the Caribbean, a medieval castle in Europe, atop Machu Picchu and, on the breathtaking Serengeti of Tanzania to name a few.

Despite this major change in lifestyle, it’s still an incredible thrill for me to “work” in these exotic locations.

February of 2015 I’ll be returning to the enchanted land of Tanzania for a fifth time to escort Dream Travel’s Mt Kilimanjaro Hike, Tour and Safari. 

Of all the incredible places I've had to “work”, Tanzania is the one of those locations that excites me most!  I've never met nicer people than those of Tanzania and I've never felt anything less than safe while exploring their country either with clients or on my own.

This trip of a lifetime includes five amazing days on the incredible Serengeti where we'll encounter the Big Five (elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion and leopard) among hundreds of other animals and we'll also follow the Great Wildebeest and Zebra Migration. 

Imagine riding in a topless Jeep as the vast plains of the Serengeti fold out in front of you.  Just a few meters away, a herd of giraffe slowly walk by, nibbling from the occasional acacia tree.  Off a bit to one side, a pride of lions takes shelter in the shade of a tree, watching the giraffe carefully.  Off in another direction, elephants saunter along looking for water. 

These sights are amazing and it’s almost impossible to believe you are there, but then as we continue on, you start to see the Migration.  As we drive into it, you realize that everywhere you look there are animals in all directions; more than 3 million wildebeest and zebras coming together, chasing the rains and looking for green pastures.  The views are breathtaking and no amount of photos or video could ever capture it all!

We’ll also spend six nights upon Africa’s largest mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro.  This amazing hike is not technical and no special gear is needed.  Porters will carry your gear up the mountain in nothing but flip flops or ragged sneakers, singing and whistling the entire way.  Delicious daily meals made from scratch by your private chef will keep you satiated while you make your epic trip to the Top of Africa!

After coming down with your photos and memories to last a lifetime, you’ll have the choice of 5K, Half Marathon, Full Marathon or spectating the 2015 Mt Kilimanjaro Marathon. Running through an African village with Kilimanjaro as a perfect backdrop while village children run alongside you chanting “twendi twendi” (hurry up!) makes for an incredible experience and phenomenal photos.

Adding to the mix, a day with a Masai tribe while we catch a glimpse into their incredible lives, humble homes and stunning surroundings and of course shopping for local, handmade crafts and treasures to take home!  All this in a safe, escorted group atmosphere by yours truly.

I've done this trip several times now and it will never grow old or tiring.  These new “walls” that surround my work space are just about as good as they come!  

Care to join me on the trip of a lifetime?  You know you've made life and bucket lists yourself, whether posted to your fridge or just in your head.  Time to start living them!  

Contact Stephen at stephen@dreamtravelcanada.com for more information.

Could’ve, Should’ve, Would’ve

I’m currently in Mexico enjoying the last few days of a wonderful trip with my fiancée.  We started our adventure by spending some time with good friends in Cuernavaca – a picturesque city known for the filming of many Latin-American soap operas – and then Mexico City before heading down to the beautiful coast of the Mayan Riviera. 

After checking into our resort, ditching our bags and swapping out shorts and shoes for bathing suits and flip-flops, we headed down to the pool to soak up the balance of that days’ sunshine. We hadn't been in the pool more than 5 minutes when we met some nice people from Michigan that asked how long we were there for.  It was to be the start of standard resort chit chat that was about to quickly remind me that not everyone thinks the same way.

I explained that we were staying at that particular resort of 8 nights, however, we were in Mexico for a total of 3 weeks.

“Three weeks!”  They exclaimed!  “Must be nice!  You guys are so lucky!”  I didn't dare tell them that we've been basically travelling non-stop for the past 3 years.

“I wouldn't call it luck.” I said.  “I work every day of the year regardless of where I am.  I simply choose to work while traveling rather than in a static location.”

That opened up the usual barrage of questions like, ‘what do you do for a living?’, ‘how did you get into that business?’, and the ever-so-popular, ‘where all have you traveled?’  Then, after a few more feeling around questions, the really weighted question: ‘how do you afford so much travel?’

I can’t tell you how many times I've had that exact conversation over the past 5 years.  I probably had that conversation, or some variation of it, at least a dozen times just in that pool alone over those 8 days.  People love to chat while on holidays and especially when they think someone has a magic key to traveling more or breaking free from the typical confines of work.

And, every single time I answer their questions and give them a glimpse at my view of that magic key, explaining that a life like ours isn't that difficult to achieve nor is it expensive and especially compared to “the typical North American lifestyle”, I see their eyes start to drift and then they eventually go back to telling me that I’m lucky.

Even those that dare to tell me that one day they would like to work for themselves, or retire early to travel, or, buy that boat they've been talking about for two decades to sail the world, it always comes back to the same:  One day…

I’m here to tell you that I don’t buy into this business of ‘One day’.  I never have and I assure you that it will never come for the over-whelming majority of people.   And if they aren't telling me about their One Day plans, then they are telling me about the opportunities that past them by.  Stories like, “I remember when I was younger and had an opportunity to go work overseas, but…” Or, “My husband and I had a chance to buy a foreign piece of land for dirt cheap, but…”  Or, “I was going to start my own business, but…”

I've heard those stories my entire life and well before I started traveling and living the way I am.  Those stories always come with a long, deep sigh and are usually laced with regret.   That said, I understand that this lifestyle is not for everyone.  I get that people have mortgages, families, careers, I really do.  However, there are always ways to achieve what is most important to you.  When I have the opportunity to share a handful of easy suggestions on how one can do what we do without giving up their lives and with taking little to no risk, I really seem to capture their attention.  But after a few more minutes of talking, negative thoughts start to invade them, their shoulders slump once more and they then tell me that ‘it’s just not that easy’.  Well, it can be that easy, however, fear is a common out.

I’m not just referring to how one can break free of the cubicle and travel the globe, I’m talking about dreams in general.  How many people truly set important personal dream goals and then follow through?  We set serious goals at work and in other areas of our lives, but for ourselves?

Words like ‘should’ve’, ‘could’ve’ or ‘would’ve’ are all words that indicate one has let something important pass them by, however, it’s never too late to start living exactly how you've always wanted!  Don’t get caught up in the “how”.  Instead, think of your dreams, seriously consider what life would be like to live out those dreams and then start working on the how.  Instead of saying “I can’t” ask yourself, “What if I could.”  Think outside of the box, ask around; find someone who’s already achieving what it is that you want and approach them. Ask them how easy it was once they truly decided to take that first step, you might be surprised!    

So, my friend, it's time to take that first step!

GETTING BACK IN THE GROOVE

For some runners, January can be a bit of a struggle to get back into our running routine.

Colder weather, icy roads, fewer hours of sunlight, a few extra pounds from the holiday season and of course, re-runs of our favorite 80’s television programs all make it difficult to return to the glory days of running the previous fall.  And I’m not pointing fingers here…I’m actually looking in the mirror.  And while I’m here, what’s that soft lump covering my belt?

Yes, we can all find a reason to stay in bed that extra thirty minutes, or, hit the sofa immediately after getting home from work.  Just thinking about going for a 5K or 6 mile run makes us shudder!  How did we ever run that Half or Full Marathon last fall?  I think the Friendship Run would do me in right now!

One of the greatest hurdles that we face when returning to running or exercise in general is that we expect to be able to jump back in where we left off, regardless of how many months (or years) ago that was.  And if we can’t then we guilt ourselves.

That’s an unfair expectation of anyone, so, why do we challenge ourselves with it?

Getting back into the groove can be a very easy and rewarding experience if we tackle it from a slightly different angle.  Rather than guilting yourself into running 10K as punishment for all the eggnog you consumed at the in-laws place, lace up and head out for an easy 3K jog.  Yes, just 3K, like when you first started running.  Baby steps first, then build on that.  And when’s the best time to do that 3K jog?  Within the next 24 hours!  Putting it off any more means creating a larger mental obstacle to climb later.

The only way to re-create a positive habit is by getting out there and as soon as possible.

“We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.”  Aristotle may or may not have been a runner, however, he brings up a fantastic point!  And how long does it take to create habit?  Well, that’s pretty individual to be honest, but for the vast majority, two weeks or less.  That’s it!   Just think, you start running again today and by the end of the first week of February you will already be racking up the mileage and wondering what took you so long to re lace up those shoes!

For those that need a firmer push out the door, register for a race that excites you and is outside of your comfort zone that’s scheduled in the next 4 to 6 months.  Knowing that you are committed to a race (and that you put your money on the line) is a great motivator to get out the door rather than waiting for re-runs of Alf to end.