What is home?

Meeting local kids in a remote village in Morocco

Update from Morocco travels Get full access to Long Way Home Chronicles by Maria Vargas at www.longwayhomechronicles.com/subscribe [https://www.longwayhomechronicles.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

What is home?

There’s something special about taking the long way home—whether that’s in travel, relationships, careers, or life in general. In this latest Voice Note episode, we sit down with my friend Iris, a full-time digital nomad, language teacher, and world traveler, to unpack what it means to embrace detours, welcome the unexpected, and redefine what home really means. Iris is half-Dutch, half-Lebanese and was raised in Paris. Get full access to Long Way Home Chronicles by Maria Vargas at www.longwayhomechronicles.com/subscribe [https://www.longwayhomechronicles.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Shaking The Routine: Around the World with Logan Hyder

First podcast [https://open.spotify.com/show/6l3bO6sWPwTx8JiRqTrsx1] episode with a guest is live, yall!! Logan and I met through LinkedIn. Yep, another story of a stranger from the internet turned friend. Buckle up. If you're looking for inspiration to take a leap, travel, or simply explore new possibilities within your life and circumstances, or shake up the routine, Logan’s story is sure to spark some motivation. Listen to it here on Substack, on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6l3bO6sWPwTx8JiRqTrsx1], or Apple Podcasts. [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-your-world-by-maria-vargas/id1778753154] In this episode, I chat with Logan about how he embarked on an incredible nine-month travel adventure. He shares all the ups and downs of his journey, from the personal growth that came with stepping out of his comfort zone to the meaningful connections he made with people all over the world. We talked about how taking the “long way home” means not being afraid to take a detour, talk to a stranger, or go on a side quest even if it takes us longer to reach our destination. Because the best things in life don’t happen when we take shortcuts. They happen when we take the long way home. Honorable mentions: * Jhuma for coming to the rescue with Logan’s SIM card in India! (minute 10:50) * Dara also from Yes Fam book club, who gave Logan tips when visiting Macedonia (minute 45:47) * The crazy Yes Theory video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZBqAwO-1mk] I was featured in * Read about my Long Way Home trip [https://longwayhomechronicles.substack.com/p/three-hours-to-pack-and-a-one-way] around the world in 89 days with a one-way flight ticket Connect with us: Follow Logan on Instagram @livelohy [https://www.instagram.com/livelohy?igsh=MTd0ZHBqazJ0M2J0Ng==] Follow Maria on Instagram @iavargas [https://www.instagram.com/iavargas/profilecard/?igsh=MWFlbHJ3a3BzZXZwaw==] and @longwayhomechronicles [https://www.instagram.com/longwayhomechronicles/profilecard/?igsh=MTJja3NrYzV1cW1saw==] Here are some other stories you might like… Get full access to Long Way Home Chronicles by Maria Vargas at www.longwayhomechronicles.com/subscribe [https://www.longwayhomechronicles.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Voice Note Storytime: Biggest Learnings From My Trip to Rural Colombia

Show Notes: Introduction (00:00:06 - 00:00:17) Reflecting on recent adventures and trips to Colombia, particularly in the regions of Caldas and Antioquia. Focus on experiences with sugarcane producers and coffee farmers. Discovering Stories Beyond Expectations (00:00:22 - 00:01:17) Exploring the process of making panela and coffee. Unexpected lessons about the lives and struggles of campesinos, highlighting an aging workforce and the exodus of younger generations to cities. The Impact of Rural Migration (00:01:17 - 00:02:17) Insights into the challenges of sustaining agricultural knowledge and traditions. The loss of generational knowledge due to the lack of young people in rural areas. Fair Trade Regulations and Their Unintended Consequences (00:02:17 - 00:03:31) Examining how restrictions on child labor impact knowledge transfer. Advocating for a balance that allows children to learn traditional skills without exploitation. Rethinking Rural Education (00:03:31 - 00:08:08) Experiences at a rural school in Concepción, including a unique classroom with animals. Debunking myths about city education being inherently superior. A call to support rural education tailored to local needs and realities. The Value of Rural Community and Connection (00:08:08 - 00:09:26) Highlighting the importance of preserving small-town economies and traditions. Reflections on the need to balance modernization with respect for rural ways of life. A Story of Hope: Sustainable Farming in Remote Areas (00:09:26 - 00:10:32) Visiting a secluded farm accessible only by foot or horseback. Celebrating examples of families and communities creating sustainable futures while preserving tradition. Closing Thoughts (00:10:32 - End) Encouragement to challenge biases about rural and urban living. A call to action to support education and opportunities that empower rural communities. Key Takeaways: The importance of preserving agricultural traditions and knowledge. The role of education in sustaining rural communities. How sustainable tourism can support local economies while respecting cultural heritage. Resources Mentioned: Panela: A traditional Colombian sugar product. Concepción: A hidden gem in Colombia, balancing tourism and local traditions. Get full access to Long Way Home Chronicles by Maria Vargas at www.longwayhomechronicles.com/subscribe [https://www.longwayhomechronicles.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

A special video for you...

Felt creative and used some of the many videos I’ve been taking recently. Let me know what you think and share this with a friend! Get full access to Long Way Home Chronicles by Maria Vargas at www.longwayhomechronicles.com/subscribe [https://www.longwayhomechronicles.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]