Ever had everything planned out perfectly, only to have life suddenly throw a wrench in your plans? You know, when you’ve carefully mapped out your next steps, feeling all secure, and then — BAM — something happens that forces you to change everything last minute? It’s that moment of sheer panic when you realize things won’t work out as you’d envisioned. Well, this past week, I faced one of those very moments, and let me tell you — it was a wild ride. But before I dive into the full story, let me ask you: What do you do when your plans get derailed?

The Problem: Let me paint you the picture. I had spent months in Ecuador, feeling settled, working, and living my best life. Everything was going smoothly — I even had this sense of control over my future. But then, as I was going about my business, I realized something horrifying: My visa was about to expire. And not in a few weeks, not even in a week — I had just three days to figure out what to do. No chance to extend it, no possibility of staying. I had to leave the country.

Now, I don’t know about you, but when I imagine leaving a country, I see myself booking flights, planning ahead, researching where to go, what to do, where to stay. But nope. Not this time. It was a moment of blind panic. I’m not a millionaire who can just book last-minute flights to wherever, and I certainly don’t have endless funds to spend on accommodations and food while I figure things out. This was a real-life crisis. I had to find a new country to go to — and fast.

The Chaos: So, what do you do when you’re forced to leave a country, and you have no idea where to go? I spent hours scouring the internet for cheap flights, praying that a miracle destination would pop up that wasn’t going to break the bank. But even then, another question loomed in my head: What on earth am I going to do once I land in this new country?

I’m not a backpacker. I don’t enjoy hopping from place to place every few days. I need some stability — a base where I can work and live for a while. Plus, I need to work. I can’t just lounge on a beach all day (though that does sound nice). I needed a plan, and I needed one fast. And as I’m sure you can imagine, my brain went into full-on crisis mode.

The Solution: In the end, I decided on Cartagena, Colombia. And let me tell you — it was a whirlwind decision. I’d heard good things about the city, it seemed affordable, and most importantly, it felt like a safe option for me. And even though I didn’t know much about the place, I was ready to roll with it.

So, I booked the flight. Within three days, I was packing my bags, saying goodbye to Ecuador, and heading into the unknown. It wasn’t easy, but sometimes, you just have to trust your gut and go with the flow, right?

The Experience: Landing in Cartagena felt like stepping into a time machine. The city is absolutely drenched in history, color, and life. Despite my initial panic about this sudden move, I found myself in awe of the vibrant streets, the colonial architecture, and the people. It was almost like the universe was telling me, “You got this, just breathe.”

The food? Delicious. The atmosphere? Welcoming. And let’s not forget the sunsets — absolutely stunning. There was something magical about walking the old streets, feeling like I had been transported to another era. But of course, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows.

With every destination comes its own set of challenges. I found myself constantly grappling with the question: What next? Sure, I had made it to Colombia, but what was the plan now? How long would I stay? How would I balance work with exploration? And most importantly, would I finally find some sense of stability after this visa debacle?

CLICK HERE: If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to have your carefully laid plans turned upside down, or if you’re just curious about how I managed to navigate this unexpected challenge, I’ve got all the details in my latest vlog. I’ll take you through the ups and downs, show you the stunning beauty of Cartagena, and share how I turned a crisis into an unforgettable adventure.

So, head over to my YouTube channel and check out my newest vlog! And while you’re there, don’t forget to hit the like button, leave a comment, and subscribe if you want to follow along on more of my chaotic yet colorful journeys. Your support means the world to me — seriously, every like and comment makes this whole adventure feel a little less overwhelming. Let me know in the comments how you would handle a situation like this. Would you panic like I did, or are you someone who thrives under pressure?

Catch you in the vlog! 🌍✈️💃 #TravelStruggles #VisaCrisis #CartagenaAdventure