Workationing

Kari has a pitch for Kelly: how about we spend 2017 traveling the world as digital nomads on Workation? Introducing Kari and Kelly, game recognizing game and general badass bitchery. What dead parents can teach you about living fearlessly and intentionally. The four rules of workationing: making more than you earn, traveling light, accomplishing goals and spreading good travel karma. Holding monkeys and koalas that are lousy with chlamydia, jumping off of yachts into the ocean. To follow along in real time, see video/pics of the process, get Workationing tips and travel hacks, check out www.workationing.com.

Kelly visits Kari and her libertarian friends in New Hampshire, and is waaay ahead of Kari in the Workation prep department. Moving in with parents, rehoming cats, picking the first Workation destination (Puerto Rico!), what to do about the boyfriend situation. Kari puts the chances of bailing on the entire plan at 20%, and is excited and scared like a Jesse Spano gif on repeat. To follow along in real time, see video/pics of the process, get Workationing tips and travel hacks, check out www.workationing.com.

With 48 hours left to go before they leave for Workation, Kelly and Kari are freaking the eff out. The primary sources of our panic attacks include procrastination, carry-ons and saying goodbye. The bright side: going away proms, parties and starting a new year with a fresh start. To follow along in real time, see video/pics of the process, get Workationing tips and travel hacks, check out www.workationing.com.

Kari and Kelly discuss saying goodbye, getting on planes, having at least (1) existential crisis...all from Aguada, Puerto Rico! After five months of planning, it's finally happened: Workation 2017 has begun. This episode covers Kari and Kelly's personal and professional goals for Workationing, plus what the difference between vagabonds and digital nomads are (as demonstrated by Reddit research). To follow along in real time, see video/pics of the process, get Workationing tips and travel hacks, check out www.workationing.com.

Kari and Kelly talk about the culture, vibe and food in Augada. Do you know what "chicken of the trees" is? The answer to that question is horrifying, and costs $18 per pound. Plantains are everywhere, and they're mostly fried. Kelly tries her first beach coconut, Kari encounters free-range horses and donkeys at the track. Riding your horse to the convenience store is absolutely a thing out here, as are HUGE stereo systems on the rooftops of cars. To follow along in real time, see video/pics of the process, get Workationing tips and travel hacks, check out www.workationing.com.

It's said that necessity is the mother of invention, and in this episode Kari and Kelly talk about the travel hacks they gave birth to on the road. What's the best way to make ice when you have no ice cube trays? How do you watch your must-see TV when you don't get the channel at your Airbnb and it's not streaming live online? What's the best way to take a conference call when there's a loud-ass street festival right outside your window? From podcast problems to shower stall business meetings, Kari and Kelly talk about all of the technical difficulties they've encountered over the month they spent in Puerto Rico – and how they hacked their way to solutions. To follow along in real time, see video/pics of the process, get Workationing tips and travel hacks, check out www.workationing.com. Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/workationing And Twitter: www.twitter.com/workationing

Kelly and Kari have learned A LOT on this leg of Workation – including the fact that they made a lot of mistakes along the way and didn't realize it until it was almost too late. Did they witness a gang fight on horses? How safe were they, actually, in Puerto Rico? The ladies learned the hard way that you should always Google street view not just the outside of your Airbnb, but also where you'll be walking regularly. What do those "steps to the beach" look like, and how many wild dogs will you encounter on your trek? More best practices and tips for finding safe and enjoyable Airbnbs are covered, as well. Kelly tells a horrifying story about getting into a sketchy Uber, and what that taught her about getting out of bad situations before they get worse. Despite all of the mistakes that Kelly and Kari made on this leg of the trip, they did do some things right – including hitting their personal and professional goals, and knocking out a bucket list item. That bucket list item, by the way, is swimming in one of the only bioluminescent bays in the world. Kari and Kelly talk about what it was like to swim in water that twinkled and glowed around them, and give helpful advice on how to have the best bio bay experience (and who to call!). More info about the bio bay, what it was like, and how to experience it the max can be viewed at this blog post: workationing.com/puerto-rico-bioluminescent-bay/ To follow along in real time, see video/pics of the process, get Workationing tips and travel hacks, check out www.workationing.com. Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/workationing And Twitter: www.twitter.com/workationing

Angela Keaton of AntiWar.com comes to visit Kelly and Kari in Aguada, and shares some stories of her own travels. There are bike rodeos, sex hotels, road trips to Canada, run ins with Portuguese law enforcement, and weird foods that may or may not be accompanied by creamy sauces. Angela also gets into what it's like to travel alone and how she learned to trust her gut when it comes to personal safety. Sometimes, being polite and rational can be dangerous! Now that she's spent a full week with us on Workation, what's Angela think of what we're doing here? Does workationing actually work for her? Is this what a downward spiral looks like, or are we living our best lives here? And what did she think of swimming in the bio bay? Special thanks to Angela Keaton for agreeing to be part of this podcast. If you'd like to check out her work, head on over to www.antiwar.com and maybe pop a quick donation their way. To follow along in real time, see video/pics of the process, get Workationing tips and travel hacks, check out www.workationing.com. Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/workationing And Twitter: www.twitter.com/workationing    

The Workationing Facebook page (facebook.com/workationing – check it out!) received a message from Kelly's uncle, Tom. Uncle Tom is a very seasoned traveler, and has some advice for the ladies as they work their way around the world. Items up for discussion in this episode: how recognizing others being judgey can help keep you safe, how there's no way for Kelly and Kari to really blend in (but they should keep trying anyway), and how being American in another country is generally not a good thing. Uncle Tom also underscores the importance of finding fixers while out on the road, because these are the people who can help you the most. It's important that your fixer likes you, and somebody who may be presenting themselves as a fixer might actually be a scammer. So, there's a lot to watch out for. This is further complicated by the fact that, according to Uncle Tom, Kari and Kelly's "sketch radar" is not calibrated. The ladies agree with this, and discuss how to better tune their sketch radar – but it can be extremely difficult when you don't even know what the hell you're looking at. Most of the time, Kelly and Kari really don't know. This ep concludes with a fun story about how Kari almost got the Workationing crew killed by giving a Colombian woman a compliment. To follow along in real time, see video/pics of the process, get Workationing tips and travel hacks, check out www.workationing.com. Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/workationing And Twitter: www.twitter.com/workationing

This is a special episode for the ladies, and the people who love them. The Yarlap is a medical device that strengthens the pelvic floor, and in addition to helping to cure urinary incontinence it may or may not result in some of the best orgasms in your life. The ladies had never seen a contraption like this before, and you probably haven't either. Before leaving for Workation Kari was given TWO Yarlaps by [REDACTED], one for her and one for Kelly. This episode was originally part of Ep 3 (We Made it to Aguada!), but was edited out because it was a little...off topic and risque. After sharing info about the Yarlap around, however, K&K received so much feedback from their female friends who claim to NEED this device, it was decided this Yarlap episode should see the light of day after all. If you'd like more information about the Yarlap, or to purchase one, visit www.yarlap.com To follow along in real time, see video/pics of the process, get Workationing tips and travel hacks, check out www.workationing.com. Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/workationing And Twitter: www.twitter.com/workationing

Kari and Kelly have talked a lot about fixers, and their value on the road – and in this episode, they interview William, their first fixer. William is the king of the grift, and he talks about how you can find money anywhere...even in the trees. Speaking of trees, William is the one who introduced the ladies to the term "chicken of the trees," which is what some Puerto Rican locals are trying to rebrand iguana meat as. William talks about how he found the people who sell iguana meat, and how he's discovered the potential business opportunity in catching and selling live iguanas. Iguanas aren't the only thing William was after in Puerto Rico, though. He also was able to free dive for conch and octopus (octopuses?), and teach the ladies a thing or two about making money on the road. What's it like to be a fixer for Kari and Kelly? What's the best grift William's ever run? Lots of ground is covered here, and you won't want to miss it. To follow along in real time, see video/pics of the process, get Workationing tips and travel hacks, check out www.workationing.com. Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/workationingAnd Twitter: www.twitter.com/workationing

Kari and Kelly have made it to the second leg of Workationing in Medellín, Colombia. They thought they'd solve the problems of the last location by renting an Airbnb in a high rise apartment complex, but that proves to have its own set of risks and complications. Somehow, the ladies seem to have landed in the sex tourist skyscraper – and there are a lot of Americans here. Somebody lost a cousin Greg, and needs to come pick him up at the rooftop pool where he's drunk, banging teenagers and embarrassing your family. The views are amazing and the city is gorgeous, but there's a lot going on under the surface. A week into this segment of Workationing, the ladies have learned all kinds of new things about money laundering, chop shops, surgeons and Tindering in cartel country. A few days into the Medellín stay, the girls get spooked by a fairly threatening man and hole up in their apartment for several days. It's not all scary and bad, though. The digital nomad community in Medellín is up and popping, the views are incredible and the food is absolutely out of this world...if you can stay alive long enough to eat it. To follow along in real time, see video/pics of the process, get Workationing tips and travel hacks, check out www.workationing.com. Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/workationingAnd Twitter: www.twitter.com/workationing

Kari and Kelly sample some of the local delicacies in Medellin, Colombia. Specifically, tripe (cow stomach) and blood sausage, prepared by a nearby authentic Colombian restaurant. Overall, the food in Medellin has been amazing, but will the ladies enjoy this particular cuisine? Early signs point to no. To follow along in real time, see video/pics of the process, get Workationing tips and travel hacks, check out www.workationing.com. Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/workationingAnd Twitter: www.twitter.com/workationing

Nearly three months into their Latin American leg of Workationing, Kari and Kelly have learned a thing or two about what it's like to be Gringas in a strange land. Medellín, Colombia is on a whole different level than Puerto Rico, and the ladies are learning this lesson the hard way. The way the women are treated – and treat each other – in Medellín is unlike anything The Gringas are used to. What happens when their white lady privilege gets stripped away, and they go from protected class to gringa status? Nothing good, as it turns out. To follow along in real time, see video/pics of the process, get Workationing tips and travel hacks, check out www.workationing.com. Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/workationing And Twitter: www.twitter.com/workationing

The last two fixers Kari and Kelly had (in the Puerto Rico leg of Workationing) were imported friends from the United States – but how will the ladies find fixers in Colombia? In this episode, Kari and Kelly talk about their two main fixers in Medellín, including how they found the fixers and what these fixers have done for them. Mauricio and Santiago saved the day a few times, and are helping keep the ladies safe as they traverse unfamiliar territory in South America. From sourcing mic cords for the podcast rig to supplying sparkling wine (delivered!) for a brunch full of female digital nomads, these gentlemen made life on the road MUCH easier for the Gringas. In several situations, Santiago was particularly helpful – including steering the ladies away from certain danger with a cartel or two, and dropping his dinner plans to come to their rescue at a restaurant. To follow along in real time, see video/pics of the process, get Workationing tips and travel hacks, check out www.workationing.com. Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/workationing And Twitter: www.twitter.com/workationing

Kate Powell is a total badass (she tests virtual reality video games for a living!), and she came to visit the ladies in Medellín for a week. Kate discusses her adventures with starting a nonprofit, spending time in Africa, catching Cholera, bribing state officials and other fun tales of international travel. What does Kate think of Medellín, after having spent a full week here? How does it compare to some of the scarier things she's experienced while traveling? Does "Workationing" work for her, or is it too difficult to do good work while on the road? Is this what a downward spiral looks like, or are we living our best lives here? Special thanks to our dear friend Kate for agreeing to be part of this podcast. To follow along in real time, see video/pics of the process, get Workationing tips and travel hacks, check out www.workationing.com. Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/workationing And Twitter: www.twitter.com/workationing

Medellín is a spicy place, and in the next two episodes Kelly and Kari are bringing the heat – starting with mild and building up to burn-your-face-off-and-put-it-in-a-barrel-in-a-chop-shop. The Gringas start off by explaining the constant undertone of misogyny that taints the local flavor of Medellín, then get into the killer style (shoutout to the return of 90s body suits!). There are ancient trees growing in the center of gorgeous shopping malls, circus-level entertainment at stoplights and truly amazing food at incredible prices relative to the US. The ladies discuss their favorite (and least favorite) restaurant experiences in town, which include a prom night nightmare and very, very weird bathrooms. The rednecks back home are going to be EXTREMELY interested in hearing about tejo, the national sport of Colombia. Think cornhole, but with explosives and even more drinking. Lawn darts better watch their back, because tejo is coming for their kill count. The Gringas get into why you should always carry more cash than you think you might need, as well as where you can source both Chicklets and cocaine at once. To follow along in real time, see video/pics of the process, get Workationing tips and travel hacks, check out www.workationing.com.   Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/workationing And Twitter: www.twitter.com/workationing

The second episode of Medellín's local flavor kicks the heat up a notch. In this episode, Kari and Kelly talk about sex tourism, "blow powder," money laundering, drones, scary men in their building, cartels and a lot more. The Gringas explain why you always need to get in the front seat of your Uber ride in Medellín, what it's like to see dozens of teenage prostitutes in their building and whether people with sensitive hearts should come to a place like this. Source links referenced in this episode: Blow powder: http://www.expat-chronicles.com/2009/10/scopolamine-in-colombia/ Virgins for sale: https://www.channel4.com/news/colombia-medellin-prostitution-virgins-gangs-pablo-escobar   FarInternational:http://www.farinternational.com/obviously-id-come-for-the-sex/ To follow along in real time, see video/pics of the process, get Workationing tips and travel hacks, check out www.workationing.com.   Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/workationing And Twitter: www.twitter.com/workationing

Four months after launching the podcast, Kelly and Kari have some questions for listeners of The Workationing Podcast. To follow along in real time, see video/pics of the process, get Workationing tips and travel hacks, check out www.workationing.com. Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/workationing And Twitter: www.twitter.com/workationing  

The Gringas made a few mistakes in Medellín, starting before they even arrived. Turns out, the strategies you use to pick a sweet Airbnb in the U.S. are NOT the same that you want to use in Colombia. Kelly and Kari give tips on how to avoid ending up in a filing cabinet full of sex tourists. The ladies also talk about confirmation bias in research, and reiterate the importance of checking the byline on travel articles. Also, you might want to make sure you understand the exchange rate before you start spending foreign cash. The most important lesson the ladies learned on this leg of Workationing was to not put off the bucket list items – because you don't know if (or when) you'll have another opportunity to cross them off. It wasn't all bad, though – your Gringas did do some things right, including finding a place with a rooftop pool, in an area packed with other digital nomads. Medellín is what made Kelly and Kari feel like "real" travelers, and if they can make it out of Colombia alive there's probably nothing they can't do. To follow along in real time, see video/pics of the process, get Workationing tips and travel hacks, check out www.workationing.com.   Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/workationing And Twitter: www.twitter.com/workationing