Good morning! Today is the perfect day for a recap of my life in Guatemala. That’s why I’m sharing a post I wrote when I first arrived, explaining how I ended up there. I hope you enjoy it!
I just landed in Cancún, Mexico, and my dream home—a small piece of land by a big lake in Northern Guatemala—is just a 12-hour bus ride away. While it might seem tiring, I’m trying to focus on the positives: I’m saving $900 by not flying directly, I get to enjoy some delicious tacos in Cancún, and I can explore a part of Mexico that’s new to me. Little did I know, the best part of this trip would be the bus driver.
He’s a young man around 30 years old, greeting everyone with a big smile. It didn’t matter who you were—men, women, young, or old—he made sure everyone felt comfortable. He even joked about my long trip, saying I should sleep three times and when I wake up, we’d be there. Despite his typical fast and slightly reckless driving style, he turned out to be incredibly endearing over the next twelve hours.
While we slept, he drove, and during stops, he made sure everyone was okay, cracking jokes and doing his job well. He reminded me of myself 15 years ago when I started working at McDonald’s during my first year of college. I was thrilled to have a job, even a simple one, that I could do well and then leave behind at the end of the day. No big responsibilities, just some hours worked and a paycheck at the end of the month. It was a big difference from being a piano teacher and a tutor in high school, where dealing with kids and their frustrated parents was a challenge.
As the bus traveled through the Yucatan Peninsula, I started reflecting on my “professional” career. After earning a bachelor’s degree, I went straight to Business School for my master’s. I never really questioned what I wanted to do with my life; I just followed what seemed like the right path, making my family proud and keeping up with my peers. College was what you were supposed to do, and I didn’t struggle, so it felt right.
During my degree, I had various student jobs that generally made me happy, even the late-night waitressing shifts that ended at 2 AM followed by early classes. But everything changed during business school when an IT company sponsored my tuition and I had to work there three days a week. Normal, easy 9-to-5 hours and two days of school was a big change from my hectic double shifts. But I just didn’t fit in. The job was a bit technical and included some sales, which I was terrible at. As an introvert, I was fine helping people who came to me, like at McDonald’s, but I couldn’t sell them computers.
Seeing that friendly Mexican bus driver made me wonder if it was the simplicity of his job that I longed for or if I just hadn’t found my calling. Was I destined to serve burgers forever?
After earning my master’s, I traveled the world for a year, then worked for a law firm in Guatemala, a green energy company in Barcelona, and an IT company in the UK. Each time I encountered even the slightest hint of corporate life, I grew to dislike the job. I stuck with the last job in the UK just long enough to buy a flat and then quit at the end of 2009. Those last miserable months gave me a lot of time to think about what I really wanted: freedom, independence, no boss, no rat race. I started writing travel articles for a few websites and have been living off my writing for the past three years. Although my investments could comfortably cover my expenses, I like staying busy.
I’ve lived in Morocco for a year and traveled around Europe and North America on a motorcycle for two years. I’m free with no boss or fixed schedule, but I miss social interaction. I miss feeling useful and appreciated, like the bus driver who helps people every day and sees their gratitude.
I wondered how I could combine being my own boss with a flexible schedule while still interacting with people and providing a valuable service. For a long time, I’ve dreamt of running a small guesthouse. I could live a simple life, handle the house maintenance myself, cook for guests, make a living, and meet people from all over the world.
This dream is about to come true. I’ve bought a piece of land in Guatemala, Central America. It’s a waterfront property near fascinating Mayan ruins. Finally, I feel like I have a project that gives me a sense of purpose. It will be a long journey until I can open the doors to tourists, but it’s a road I will travel with a smile.
What’s your dream? How does your idea of a dream life evolve over time?