I want to start this blog post with one simple question and maybe one that you have thought of before reading this. Would you ever leave your job and daily routines to travel the world? Although most travel lovers, like Cristian and I, have thought about this, not many have actually accomplished this unimaginable dream. We look at these nomads all the time on social media and drool over the freedom that they must have within their daily lives and dream that one day we will be able to achieve that dream of ours.

However, just like you, we have certain questions about this lifestyle and that big move of just dropping everything to travel the world. Lucky for us, a friend of ours realized that same dream and traveled the world for quite some time. Natalie Agosto is a fellow Puerto Rican that decided to change her daily routines for daily adventures around the world. So we decided to bring our questions to her and these were here answers!

What made you quit your job to solo travel?

“Since I was a little girl, my favorite TV channel was the history channel, my favorite class was geography, and my favorite books revolved around culture and countries. I became fascinated with obtaining knowledge from other cultures and countries, but I realized that knowledge wouldn’t be complete unless I actually traveled, as the quote says, ‘the world is a book and those who do not travel only read one page.’”

“I remember my first trip out of Puerto Rico feeling an internal happiness and rush that I wanted to last longer. The aspect of being somewhere were you are connecting with complete strangers that speak a different language, have different believes and culture, or trying to get to a place following a map and asking locals how to get there and trying to understand them, then finally getting to that one scenic spot you have seeing all your life in books is an indescribable feeling. Even sitting on the patio of a restaurant or bar and having a beer in the other side of the world gives me a feel of ‘I am living life to the fullest.’”

“With that been said, I was going through a lot in my personal life. Marriage, work, religion was just not going the way I had planned. I felt empty, lost and I knew traveling would help me get out of that funk. So, I saved and saved, quit my job, moved states and traveled. “

What were things you considered before making the big decision?

“Having enough money but I knew I didn’t need much. I wasn’t planning on staying in fancy hotels I stayed in cheap Airbnb’s and hostels. (Some of my best memories are from friends I met at hostels) “

What were some fears you had and how did you overcome them?

“Family and friends are great at putting fear in you when you are visiting specific countries. Naturally I was a little scared of specific countries but after I visited them, I realized a lot of people are very close minded. In every country you have to take precautions and stay out of the areas you could be in danger that’s why it’s important to read before traveling.”

How did you prepare for your big move?

“I’ve had a bucket list, so I picked the top locations, booked the ticket and BOOM I was gone. For the most part I book places to stay as I go while I am at the country I only book in advance the place I am staying in once I arrive. I also read a lot about the places I was going to. Lonely planet was a great tool!”

Did things go as planned? Why or why not?

“There will always be little hiccups in traveling. For me it was from getting lost, missing flights, sleeping in airports to getting in a motorbike accident, oh and

realizing in Thailand I only had $200.00 left in my bank account! Thankfully I was heading back home in two days. But honestly that’s what makes you a storyteller. It’s all part of the journey that molds you. “

What are some of your favorite memories from this trip?

“So many! But Definity the bonding and friendships I made. Particularly in Thailand where I got to spend time in the home of a family that worked in rice fields and were part of the Karen tribe. The entire family, including grandma, lived in a bungalow type home were their beds were on the floor and the kitchen was also on the floor, they had one tv and two long bars where they hung their clothes. I carried the new born baby while the grandma made me homemade tea after a long day of working in the rice field and riding elephants. I got to learn about their religion, tribe, practices and why they are so happy with so little! That family truly left an impact in me that I will never forget. We are currently Facebook friends, it’s incredible to see how much that little baby has grown, and they continue to look as happy as ever. I have sent a couple of friends from the states and Puerto Rico to visit them and it so gratifying to see the pictures they send me. The world is so big yet so small.”

Where did you go and how long did it take you?

“I went to Colombia, Peru, France, Italy, Spain, England, Belgium, Morocco, Turkey, Myanmar and Thailand and it took me a period of 7 months.“

Would you do it again? Why or why not?

“Hell yes!!!!! Traveling to me is a lifestyle. Everyone has that one thing they will spend their money on, for me its traveling. Traveling is the biggest investment I have ever done; in return I’ve obtain life lessons and some of the best memories of my life. I can almost say, ‘The world is a book and I have read every page of it.’ But like I said, I can only almost say that because I am not done traveling.”

What advice would you give to someone considering this big decision?

“If you have thought about it once then don’t think about it twice. It will truly change your life. Like I have stated above, there will always be minor hiccups while traveling solo and quitting your job but that is truly part of the experience. A lot of people fear finances but there are so many ways to travel on a budget such as Airbnb, hostels, woofing, buying food and cooking instead if eating out every day and lastly don’t buy souvenirs for everyone in your family in each country. They will understand you just want to see the world and that you are on a budget. You won’t regret it! Book a one-way ticket and go!”

Natalie Agosto’s Instagram: @nats_gypsysoul

Quit Your Job to Solo Travel