Although we’re probably the only people that you know traveling around the world we’re certainly not alone. Although we have no figures to prove it, the downturn in the economy seems to have thrust more people into taking time off to travel around the world. Of course there have always been people traveling around the world, searching out unexplored places or just searching out some place new to them. Other travelers are an invaluable source of information on the road- be it from a hostel or hotel recommendation to a bus company to avoid to advice on a “must-see” that isn’t really so. While most of the travelers we meet are traveling only through a certain region or for a limited amount of time, there are many out there doing a long-term trek. This second group of travelers is slightly different than the first, they often have nothing in particular to return home for, such as the beginning of a new school year, nor do them seem as concerned about getting “everywhere” because they have an unlimited amount of time. Its a different mentality completely.

In Panama we had the good fortune to skype with Andy at hobotravler.com. A world traveler for the last 11 years, Andy was full of invaluable information for us regarding improvements on the website and tips for entertaining our readers. He helped us focus the mission of our website and gave us plenty to think about regarding travel in general. Last month in Bogota we had the honor of eating dinner and drinking beer with Dave from gobackpacking on his last night before returning to the States. One of the first website we came across while planning our trip, Dave and his website were an invaluable resource as we planned and prepared for our trip. Meeting for him the last night of his trip, and four months into ours, we talked about the high and the low points of his trip and ours so far.  Funny enough he’s from the DC area, so maybe we’ll meet up again someday.

Each blogger we meet or chat with puts us in touch with more travelers. There’s a core group of people that we email and “chat” with regularly and they have become like travel buddies to us. Some of them are in the same region as us, but many are just starting or in completely different parts of the world. It helps to have someone to commiserate with or touch base with, exchanging advice, travel anecdotes and even recommendations. We might never meet them and often times we don’t have a chance to read their blog, but its nice to know that they’re there, just an email away whenever you need a reminder that you aren’t alone.

So thanks to our travel buddies out there who email, write and remind us that we aren’t alone!