Vicky Sosa always has a buddy with her when she travels – the Buddy, that is. Vicky bought Buddy, a stuffed monkey that roots for the Miami Dolphins, a few years ago, and together they’ve been to more than 20 countries on five continents. When she’s not traveling, Vicky works full-time as an administrative assistant and chronicles her and Buddy’s adventures on their blog, Buddy the Traveling Monkey. (Update: Vicky and I did a road trip together to Hampshire County, during which we stayed at the Hotel Northampton.)
NAME: Vicky Sosa
RESIDENCE: Miami, FL
OCCUPATION: Administrative Assistant
How have you made your life a “traveling life” and why?
It isn’t hard to have a “travel life” if you prioritize. I skip out on the expensive clothes and the expensive coffees and instead save as much as I can so I can travel. I do this because I’ve always wanted to see the world in person and experience things for myself instead of reading about them in a book or online.
Why is travel important to you?
Travel is important to me because it’s the best way to learn about people and other cultures. I also want to get out of my comfort zone and experience new things, and traveling is the best way to do that.
What are some of your first travel memories?/How did you first get the travel bug?
I’ve been traveling since I was a baby. I have family in Guatemala, so I’d visit them a lot. I loved getting on a plane and then going and seeing how differently they live in that country. I also spent a lot of time reading encyclopedias, drooling over the pictures of all the places I wanted to visit!
What is your most significant travel memory and why?
My most significant travel memory was traveling solo to Bali. I had traveled on my own before, but never to somewhere so far away and where I didn’t speak the language. It was a great experience, though, and I learned a lot about myself.
What are some misconceptions friends & family have about your travels?
The biggest misconception is that you need a lot of money to travel. Or that you can’t travel if you have a job. I’m not rich by any means, but I save up. And I also save up my leave days. I’m constantly counting and recounting to make sure I have enough for my big trips.
What advice do you have for others who want to incorporate more travel into their lives?
Set goals and prioritize. Do you really need that new watch? If not, put that money towards a plane ticket. And keep in mind that you don’t always have to go far to experience something new. On a normal weekend you could drive a few hours and discover something amazing!
Is there anything else you’d like us to know?
When you travel, keep an open mind and be respectful of other cultures.
Where are you headed next? Cambodia and Thailand
Connect with Vicky Sosa: Facebook | Instagram