About
Dee Andrews
My husband and I and our two young children have just returned from a year living abroad in Spain. I chronicle our travels and travails here, as well as the things that motivated us to go, to sell our house, our cars, put our stuff in storage and make it happen. We lived, learned, cried, laughed and had an unforgettable experience. We want our daughters to grow up to be travelers, to be open to change, to act on their curiosity, and to make their dreams a reality.
Travel and Travails is about sharing experiences, creating a travel guide with unique ideas and places, and finding humor and lessons in the unexpected travails of traveling and life. The stories are meant to inspire, motivate, spark an interest in taking new paths whether to new countries, in trying new foods, or in conquering fears.
Journey with us here and consider changing the road your life is on, whether it’s a spontaneous road trip with your family, changing a job for better balance, or becoming location-independent. Go. Travel. Explore new roads, experience life.
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
This is awesome. It really captures things. Love what you’re doing!!!!
Thanks, Suzanne! Great to hear that from you given you just finished a similar sabbatical experience! I need to interview you for Travel and Travails. I know you have lots to share that others would find interesting and helpful. ~Dee
In 2008 we did a 4 month backpacking trip to SE Asia. It was amazing but also a bit challenging because our daughter uses a wheelchair. So you see, there are few things that truly should stop anyone from travelling.
I commend you on taking this adventure while your children are young. We have done a lot of travelling with our kids for a few weeks or months at a time. It definitely becomes more complicated as they become older and have commitments and a social life of their own.
Laverne,
The gifts you are modeling and giving your family – of traveling, experiencing other cultures, finding patience, flexibility and generosity – are priceless. I am in awe of your bravery and perseverance as I know traveling with children and abroad can be challenging, and I can only imagine how much more so with your daughter and her wheelchair. Thanks for commenting here and sharing No Ordinary Journey. ~ Dee
wow!!! I’ve just discovered your blog through nisrine (dinners and dreams) and I’m sooooo surprised!!!
You’ve just spent a year here in Spain. That’s fantastic!
I’m going to stay a bit longer in your blog and read more about your time here, there’s soooo much to see and read!!!!
I live in Sueca, 30 minutes south Valencia, on the coast. We also think many times of moving abroad and live anywhere else just for the experience. I’d really love to do it.
I’m going to have a more careful look in your blog.
Congratulations on such an interesting blog!!!!
Hola Rosanna,
Glad you found my blog, and I can’t wait to dig into yours! Your Spanish food looks delicioso. I wish we would have found each other while I lived so close! I remember the name Sueca, though I think it was a street or neighborhood we were in during Las Fallas. I loved Las Fallas; it was so fun and different than anything we had ever experienced.
I strongly encourage you to move abroad; it’s so rewarding to change daily routines, try new things, and see how other cultures live.
Thanks for commenting here at Travel and Travails!
Greetings Dee (and family)!
I’m so excited to discover your awesome blog – it’s always nice to connect with another family that’s out there shaking things up and living consciously. I would love to compare notes with you sometime.
Keep up the great writing!
@ Marc and 4 suitcases, Love your family’s itinerary for your First World Tour! South America and Asia are definitely high on our list for “the next time.” When and how we do the next time is still up in the air, but I’m confident it will happen in some form or another. We are enjoying life back in our own country for now, though hanging on hard to the lessons we learned and priorities we found.