22 Thanks for 2022
We had just emerged from COVID-19 restrictions for the third? fourth? time (I think we’d all lost track), I had been working remotely for a new company, Venture 2 Impact, for 3 months and had a strong urge to immerse myself in a new environment. Just before the New Year, I sold most of my belongings (except my bike!) and took my job on the road, first to Argentina. This decision and many brave ones that followed would see me across two continents, 7 countries, and 46 moves later. Here are a few of my favourite things, people and places from 2022.
1. After 8 years of building my knowledge base, experience, and network, I returned to the continent of Africa, never losing sight of my dream to work in international development (spurred by my Grandfather - merci, Pepere, my up-bringing - thanks, Mom and Dad, and my time in Malawi in 2014. More on my roots in development here and my beginnings in Malawi here).
Community Design Session in Rural Uganda
2. Having always been curious about life as a “digital nomad”, I made the leap, all the way to Argentina, and kept moving, almost weekly, for 6 months. From Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Punta Del Este, Uruguay, and many small towns in between. I worked remotely in attics, jungles, and 42 degree shipping containers. More on digital nomading to come!
El Calafate, Argentina - Home to the only Glacier in Equilibrium
3. I joined a wonderful company, Venture 2 Impact, that reconnected me with work in international development, further solidifying my knowing of needing to be in the field. Thanks to the Aga Khan Foundation for providing me with the first opportunity to do formal field work in East Africa. More on my first few months in Uganda here.
4. I made community all over the world through sport, music, shared space, and genuine curiosity, it is you, who brought so much meaning and grounding to my constantly changing surroundings. Thank you.
El Chalten, Patagonia
5. I’m inching closer and closer to reaching my goal of 30 countries before 30! 28 and counting….a year and change to go. Will I reach!?
6. I stayed true to moving my body, the most consistent form of self-expression I know. No matter the location, elevation, heat, fatigue or uncertainty. From multi-day cycling and hiking in Patagonia, Argentina to the similar kind of adventures in East Africa.
Stage 7, Warror Nomad Trail, Kidepo Valley, Uganda
Day 3, Buenos Aires Cycling Club, Cordoba, Agentina,
7. Many of my closest pals and family took brave leaps with their hearts and minds from moving in together, getting engaged, and getting their Masters (yay!). While being so far makes celebrating some of these with you tricky, I see your love and hard work and love and celebrate you right back.
Engagement Party for the Stefs Back Home in Rothesay!
8. I discovered a love for mountain biking (sorry, Mom!) and further tapped into the adrenaline loving-person that l am, including crossing off paragliding and abseiling to round out 2022. Thanks also to my New Brunswick crew and soon to be sister-in law for first getting me on the trails!
9. These adventures certainly don’t come without their mishaps though. From multiple food poisonings, a concussion in Uruguay, COVID-19, and some other unmentionables, I’ve learned to be fairly resourceful and self-sufficient, including climbing in and out of my AirBnb host’s home window to break quarantine to get food. Shoutout to me for digging deeper when the going gets tough.
10. You know when you find one of those places that you know you’ll be back to and it feels really exciting because you’ve made a special connection? El Chalten, Argentina, did that for me. Nestled in the heart of Patagonia, and home to that same company’s logo, this town of 2,000 people is the country’s hiking mecca. And it’s pure bliss.
Peak the Patagonia Logo in El Chalten
11. I tried and continue to tempt my luck at new languages, Spanish and Luganda. While meeting many people with whom I continue practicing my French. But all said and done, I think it's my smile that’s grown the most, as non-verbal forms of communication have often been my only form of communication.
Sunset Runs in Lago Puelo
12. I took in and tried many new sports! Thank you to the friends who feel like family that shared their culture with me, from Polo and Football matches to paragliding and playing netball.
Buenos Aires Polo Match
13. By developing a deeper relationship with myself, in part due to my dear friend and coach, Valentina, I’ve increasingly started sharing my thoughts with others. A big step in investing in this was buying my domain name and sharing this reflection with you!
14. I (finally) found an appreciation for red meat. And furthered my love of red wine. Thank you, Argentine Asado’s (local barbecue) and Mendoza wine.
Uco Wine Valley, Mendoza
15. My parents. I can’t imagine it's easy having a daughter moving as a solo female from South America to Africa in less than a year. But they celebrated, shed tears, and met my decisions with such kindness and unwavering support. Even visiting me in Argentina (and hopefully Africa!). If you happen to be passing through Saint John over the next little while, be sure to say hello, grab a walk or run with Mom and don’t miss Dad’s city walking tour (yes, these two do not rest!).
Salinas Grandes, Catamarca, Argentina
16. I learned how to drive on the opposite side of the road, in Uganda, one of the craziest road and driving conditions you might ever meet. The next day, I drove a friend and I across the country for a through-hike in Eastern UG. Thanks to the super special human for teaching me, trusting me with their car, and for all the adventures that I know are to come.
Tongues out for left side driving!
But did we make? Summit of Mount Elgon, Eastern Uganda.
17. I took in many incredible world wonders, including the Falls of Iguazu in Southern Brazil, the world’s largest ice-field in South Western Argentina, Otavalo Market, Ecuador, Cabo Polonio, Uruguay, Turcana, Kenya, and Kidepo Valley Park, Uganda.
18. I fulfilled my cheeky dream of wanting to stay in a shipping container. Which I did in 43 degree weather, in Brazil, working full-time, with a cap on electricity (thus limited AC). Might rethink that one next time...
19. I worked remotely in so many stunning Airbnbs, cafes, hostels, and co-working spaces - you can work and see the world! More on my tips and tricks as a digital nomad chapter to come!
20. I found a frisbee community in Uganda and have slowly been working to introduce more female and junior players in the sport. Stay tuned for UG’s first female and youth tournament in February!
21. I shared openly online how I was struggling with my move to Uganda and was met with so much kindness and support from friends I had lost touch with, friends I had just met, and my OGsss. I saved many of your notes because in my time of need you showed up and held space. I also spoke openly about my journey since graduating from UNB on my first Podcast appearance. Linked here: my piece about intermittent grieving, on feeling you failed, and the UNBeknownst podcast.
22. I’m often overwhelmed with emotion when I think of how 2022 has unfolded. My heart, mind, spirit, and physical body have been opened to so many wonderful places and people. While they have also been broken by witnessing and working alongside some of the most oppressed and impoverished places and people. I don’t move through the world and this work lightly. I recognize how privileged I am to move as I have and do this work. My only hope is that along the way, I’ve helped spark joy and have allowed others space to pause, reflect, and design, their way, along their peaks and the valleys.
