You know how sometimes peak life experiences kind of creep on you when you’re least expecting them? Well, that just happened to me.
For the past week, I’ve been part of the first chautauqua produced by Cheryl Reed of Above the Clouds Retreats. I joined fellow financial bloggers Mr. Money Mustache (a.k.a. Pete) and jlcollinsnh (a.k.a. Jim) to present our philosophies to an enthusiastic group of 22 participants, most of whom were women and most of whom had reached (or were well on their way to) Financial Independence.
Including Cheryl’s husband, Rich, we had 27 in our group. You know how there’s usually one or two bad eggs in any group that size? Well, that didn’t happen to us. In fact, this is probably the best small group I’ve ever had the privilege to be a part of. The participants were universally intelligent and friendly and supportive and fun. “I haven’t laughed so much in years,” one woman said at the end of the week. I haven’t either.
Between me, Rich, and Mr. Money Mustache, we took thousands of photos during the ten days it took to produce and stage this retreat. I’ve culled these to 165 favorites. But since that’s far too many to ask you to view, I’m going to thin that even further. Here are 20 of the photos that I feel best capture our shared experience. (Click a photo to view a larger version.)
Morning at Cheryl’s farm: Cheryl, Pete, J.D., and Jim plan for the week [photo by Rich]
The “profits” from the week will help families like this in Santa Elena [photo by Rich]
Sunset in Santa Elena — Cheryl takes the dogs for a walk [photo by J.D.]
Pete and Amy O. look on raptly as J.D. shares some brilliant insight [photo by Rich]
Pete shares his Mustachian vision for happiness and lifestyle design [photo by J.D.]
Jim and Val prioritize their passions during Cheryl’s presentation [photo by Rich]
Colleen endures smoke and fire (and plenty of spit) during a shamanic cleansing [photo by J.D.]
During a day trip to Otavalo, street performers serenade the group [photo by Rich]
At a local orphanage, kids scramble for candy from a piñata [photo by Pete]
Another night of Story Time with Uncle Jesse — “That reminds me of the time…” [photo by J.D.]
Anita and Caitlin enjoy the company of the adorable (and annoying) cat [photo by J.D.]
Pete hosts the first of many enjoyable evenings at the hacienda [photo by ??]
Amy O. and J.D. bust a gut as Colleen slams a Mustachian Rosé [photo by Pete]
The entire group flashes the Mustachian Salute [photo by J.D.]
“La mitad del mundo!” — J.D. at the equator [photo by Amy F.]
Marla, Colleen, and Jason in Quito’s Plaza San Francisco at dusk [photo by J.D.]
J.D., Colleen, Amy O., Marla, and Val toast the end of a wonderful week [photo by Pete]
Shyam and Jesse watch as Carol is serenaded for her birthday [photo by J.D.]
Marla and Val posing with the handsome and dapper doorman [photo by J.D.]
One thousand thanks to Amy, Amy, Amy, and Tom; Menon and Shyam; Nathan and Caitlin; Cathy and John; Jason, Jesse, and Jen; Carol, Karl, and Colleen; Dave and Ann; Lise, Val, Anita, and the every-charming Marla. All y’all made this week amazing. I spent more time with some folks than others — Colleen and Amy O., for instance — but I enjoyed the conversations I had with everyone.
And, of course, thanks to my colleagues. Jim, Rich, Cheryl, and Pete — it was an honor to have been a part of this. Thank you for asking me to share the experience. Let’s do it again next year!
Now, however, I have a brief lull before starting the next leg of my expedition to Ecuador. I’ll spend two more nights at Hotel Ambassador in Quito’s “gringo-landia” — I’m listening to sappy Spanish love songs in the lobby right now — but on Monday, I’ll join a small group headed to the Galapagos Islands. It’s going to be great!
Then, exactly a week from right now, I’ll hop a shuttle the airport to head home. That too will be great. As much as I loved this chautauqua, I love Kim more. I’m eager to return to our home so that we can resume a routine together, and so that we can grow and learn together…
Photos of giant tortoises coming soon! (Plus, underwater snorkeling photos taken with my new waterproof camera.) Stay tuned, my friends.
It sounds like you had a great time! Enjoy the rest of your stay. I’d love to visit South America sometime. Maybe in a few years when the kid is a bit older.
JD, it really was a terrific week! I’m glad to have met you and been able to share the experience that was the chautauqua. We’re definitely down for doing it again a year from now.
JD it was great to meet you and I had a fantastic week. Abrazo amigo y quiero ver los fotos de Galapagos! Sigue con el español!
That sounds like a great trip. I hope you and your fellow bloggers end up posting your presentations and lessons learned down there. Keep up the great work!
JD, what a great post! I think everyone would agree – we developed a very special dynamic that enriched all of us individually, and as a group. I am grateful to have been a part of this and look forward to forging ahead with new connections and inspiration.
Hey JD…
Great spending time with you at the Chautauqua. Your presentation was awesome and exactly what I hoped it would be when we first discussed you joining us. It even gave me a chance to practice one of your principles at the very end.
Enjoy the Galapagos!
JD,
I’ve followed GRS for years and years, so I know this was addressed a few times over there in the past – but it was probably a while back. I wonder how you are defining “FI” these days, has it changed?
Wish I could have made it to Ecuador – you should come out to Asia soon (you’ll be fine with English)
Excellent photos – they capture intense energy in conversation as well as lettin’t loose on the town (or village). Sounds amazing – when is the next gathering so I can attend??
Thanks for this inspirational post!
Tom
Hi JD – Loved this piece, and it brought back great memories of my trip to Ecuador (and Chile) in ’93. Wonderful friendly folks, yummy food, and lovely sights all around. We were under the weather a bit with the altitude sickness, so did the market in Latacunga instead. We had decamped for Banos, the outdoor baths, and the lower altitutude to take the edge off. Galapagos was exciting, and the tortoises are a delight (sorry that Lonesome George has passed away) to see, enjoy and feed. Next time hit the backcountry jungle area. Beautiful country, I’d go back again in a heartbeat. It sounds like your group had a truly memorable time.
Thanks for the post. I’m just as envious as I expected to be when this was first announced and I realized I couldn’t make it myself. ;) You really can’t go wrong with surrounding yourself with like-minded folks and then giving and getting that special kind of encouragement that happens when you are in person. I hope more opportunities to do this kind of thing come up again!
Amazing photos J.D. !
It’s almost like I’m right back there… Well, not really that close but it makes me want to do it again for sure. Thanks for being even more awesome than you are in your blog!
Next time, Colleen