This is the Brian and Linh Era
TLDR
WE'RE OUT OF HERE, SUCKAS!
WHO
Brian and Linh (yes I'm referring to myself in the 3rd person... Fight me), two people with insatiable wanderlust and now, time on their hands.
WHAT
We got tired of working, we're not getting any younger, thinner, or prettier, so we quit our jobs in order to experience the world and all it's food ...i mean wonder...ful food. All it's wonders. Up to this point we have visited 53 countries. Linh has chalked up one more country than Brian but this isn't a competition! Stop goadng us. Hopefully we're stuck with each other forever so the count will always be Linh is 1 country ahead. According to AI there are 195 countries in the world. This means we have 142 countries left. We may not be able to visit all of them but we're going to try our dangest (stop autocorrecting my word to dancest, Google. Dangest is a much more legit word than dancest. What even does dancest mean?) Let's see what we can do. You would think at some point during our travels we would grow tired of picking up and moving, adjusting to different cultures, meeting new people, giving up roots. Eating delicious food. Trying the many coffees. Sleeping in rock caves and medieval castles. Making new friends... But no, the itch is only getting more incessant like the aftermath of a night spent in questionable company.
WHEN
Our journey starts the last day of February 2026...I have to note this in case i lose my memory in my dotage. We hope to travel indefinitely, until our feet grow weary or we go flat broke.
WHERE
We begin in Vietnam where Linh has family, the living is cheap, and the food is good. Currently I'm bragging about how cheap our first 4 nights in the capital (is it the capital? I need to do research) of Saigon is (I'm not calling it HCMC, commie): a grand total of 53 bucks. We'll let you know if that's worth the accommodation given... Stay tuned. In fact, this blog will be dedicated to cheapish travel, cheaper accommodations, and what we hope will be great food and copious amounts of coffee. And hiking ..lots of hiking. Lots of nature when we can.
HOW
We ain't rich... We barely saved anything because we both suck at finances and didn't scrape and save and invest until like last year. Buuuuut...we put all our effort into paying off our 2 small houses. In the past we were asked why we didn't just buy a big house instead of two small ones. I think it's worked out for us because it's easier to rent out a cheaper home. Also we don't have credit card debt, we don't have car payments...and we don't have kids, which is kind of bittersweet. But most importantly, we don't have that vile veil of live evil (see what i did there?) called HOAs.
So in the end, this endeavor was made possible because we won't have to worry about that big mortgage expense looming over our heads and we will have some small income from the 2 rentals.
Look forward to hearing more about your adventures -- Mark L - Baxter
ReplyDeleteThanks Mark. There's no competition but you're my first commentor! That's historic!
DeleteThis site will be my way of vicariously living through your adventures. Tons of pictures and blogs! Rainier S
ReplyDeleteThank you Ray. Even though you're second, Mark and i still both appreciate you!
DeleteThank you for blogging! The world of communication has changed in such an epic way since your first adventure. This will truly keep us all well connected. Our prayers will accompany your travels. ~Mom~
ReplyDeleteLauren & I are so excited for you both!! Cannot wait to see this fill up with amazing stories, wonder… full food suggestions and apparently witty banter! Y’all stay safe and have an amazing experience!
ReplyDeleteExcited for yall. I need the details of how you find the places to stay, the methods of travel, favorite hikes, and how you stayed out of trouble.Looking forward to this unfolding.
ReplyDeleteMark Gamble (trying to learn about blogging)
DeleteI’m 1000 percent on board for the ride! Super excited for you guys and can’t wait to hear about all your adventures.
ReplyDeleteThis was me
DeleteI'm so happy for you both ..living the dream!!-jr
ReplyDeleteCan’t wait to see your adventures. Stay safe and have a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteAs we did on your first trek around the world, we will be living vicariously through your adventures. Wishing you safety, fun and all the world has to offer! “A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.”
ReplyDelete— Lao Tzu
So much fun!! Love you both!
ReplyDeleteFollowing. That’s awesome, you guys! Really admire what you’re doing.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Have fun and keep posting!
ReplyDeleteWhat they all said.
ReplyDeleteSo excited for you both ❤️
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR WISHES!!! We hope that you will all second-hand taste all the good food, the coffee, the warm beer and vicariously enjoy the mosquito bites, the out-of-breath hikes and the insomnia that we are destined to experience. We will think of all of you for at least the first 3 nights of our journey.
ReplyDeleteSo thrilled for you. I’m glad we got to see you again. Be safe and enjoy your life and you’ll never regret a thing. May the good Lord bless and keep you whether near or far away.
ReplyDeleteSo excited to follow your adventure!
ReplyDelete~Jen Talley
Good luck Linh! excited to see all your food photos! - Bill
ReplyDeleteLet us know when you run out of money. We'll start a GoFundMe to keep you guys from having to return back to misery too soon.
ReplyDeleteI love it!!!
DeleteCan't wait to see all your photos and hear about all the good food. Safe travels! Enjoy the coffee! Leah
ReplyDeleteSo happy for you both! Bill, Jack, and I wish you all our best as you embark on this new adventure! Love you!
ReplyDeleteBrian and Linh, I shall travel and experience with you vicariously. Be safe. Be happy. Let your friends and family know fairly often how the heck you two are doing. If along the way, you have any surprises, epiphanies, wonderments, please share!
ReplyDeleteBig love to you both, you lucky dogs!