Personal Highlights
My journey to Bolivia started on Saturday, January 11th, when I landed in Santa Cruz de la Sierra at 4 a.m. After a tiring 29 hours of travel, including leaving my house at 12:30 a.m. on Friday, Vanesa met me at the airport. We took an Uber to her home near Palma Verde. Exhausted, I slept for 15 hours upon arrival. Adjusting to the 4-hour time difference and the heat (ranging from 26°C to 38°C) has been challenging but manageable.
On Sunday, we had a relaxing day but made time to walk to the nearby lake. I was thrilled to see a family of baby capybaras along with caimans, a tortoise, and various birds. It was exciting because, during my last visit, I mainly only spotted caimans.
Monday: Exploring Santa Cruz
The week officially began with a trip to Mutualista in Santa Cruz to exchange dollars for Bolivianos. After scouting around for the best rates, we secured 11 Bolivianos per dollar. We then visited Mercado supermarket for a weekly shop, followed by lunch at Buddha Bowls—one of our favorite spots. Later, we went to Dismac, the Bolivian equivalent of Currys in the UK, where Vanesa purchased an air conditioner. Impressively, it was delivered and installed the very next day, a refreshing change from UK timelines.
Midweek Relaxation
Tuesday was quieter as we stayed home to oversee the air conditioner installation. The rest of the week was relaxed. We enjoyed quality time together after being apart for over four months. Highlights included cooling off at the pool, cooking meals together, and indulging in salteñas at our favorite local spot, Salteñeria Hamacas.
Weekend Activities
On Saturday, we spruced up the front of the house. We weeded, cleaned the patio, and set up a cozy outdoor relaxation area. A late afternoon treat at a nearby café—complete with coffee, cheese empanadas, and carrot cake—was a delightful way to end the day. Sunday was calm, spent planning for the week ahead.
Work Updates
My role as a Digital Business Advisor ended on December 31st, paving the way for me to return to self-employment. I had been planning this since June. Though I intended to take a break, I did some light work while Vanesa was busy with her Post Doc research.
Connecting with Nomads
On Tuesday, I attended a Digital Nomads Society meeting. It was inspiring to connect with like-minded individuals from around the world. We exchanged ideas and discussed potential collaborations.
Workshop Delivery
On Thursday, I delivered my second Digital Marketing 101 workshop via Eventbrite. Despite 50 sign-ups, only eight delegates attended. The session went smoothly, and feedback was positive. It also tested the internet connection here in Bolivia, which is crucial for my business operations.
Planning and Organisation
Friday was dedicated to planning and reorganizing my tools, including Evernote. As a long-time user, I’m impressed with the improvements since Bending Spoons took over. I plan to centralize my work on the platform. I’ve decided to keep weekends free from work unless Vanesa needs to catch up.
Goals and Challenges for 2025
- Healthy Body and Mind – Focus on eating healthier and staying active.
- Embrace Digital Nomad Life – Create a balanced daily work routine, build a sustainable income stream, and prioritize work-life harmony.
- Learn Spanish – With three years to achieve fluency, I’m exploring conversational methods beyond Duolingo and my extensive book collection.
- Enjoy the Journey – Set realistic challenges, savor small moments, and cherish each day.
