It’s my baja-anniversary! 

5 years ago I sold all my stuff, packed my car, and drove down the baja peninsula to Todos Santos. I didn’t know what I was doing. I just knew I needed out of San Francisco. Leaving an unhealthy relationship I wanted to just be by myself near the beach. 

I sold most of my belongings and put the rest in storage. My good friend and sister Aliana who was pregnant helped me pack up the car to move. Then we started the road trip that would forever change my life. An amazing adventure on the 2000+ mile drive of beautiful empty beaches and camping under the stars. I would figure out my life later when the summer ended. My timeline was to be back in 5 months for the birth of aliana’s little girl. 

Upon arriving in Todos Santos my mentality at the time was about rejuvenation. I didn’t care if I had friends or not, I didn’t want to jump into any relationships. I just wanted to be with myself. 

Well that didn’t last long! I remember reaching out to Jennica just to say I was moving to the area,  someone I had only spoken to once at that point.  She wrote me back the longest sweet message of all the things we could do once I was down. She instantly took me under her wing and introduced me to everyone she knew including. She introduced me to my girl Malwina who I have now been all over the world with. I am so grateful for their open arms and inclusive attitude, the day after I made it to Todos Santos we were on a sailboat exploring the sea of Cortez. The three of us were almost inseparable for a few months before they moved away. Surf trips, bonfires under the stars, margaritas and lots and lots of tacos. 

After they left I continued to meet more and more amazing people. Meeting people at the beach, at the coffee house and taco stands. It was such a difference to have people you don’t know start a conversation with you randomly after never talking to a stranger in San Francisco after the 5 years I lived there. 

I fell in love with the community of diverse travelers that come here. Over the 5 years of being here I can now say I have friends all over the world that Iwould have never met otherwise. The beaches are wonderful and the relaxed lifestyle but the people have always been the reasons I’ve wanted to stay. so much so that the 5 months has now turned into 5 years! I can’t say I’ll be here forever but I’ll stay for as long as I don’t have another place where I want to be more than here. 

What was I trying to go back to anyways? I didn’t want to work a 9-5pm job that I’m not passionate about, to sit in traffic to and from that job. Why was the states the place I was going to figure out my life? I couldn’t come up with a good reason. 

3 years ago my friend Jaime held my hand on a piece of land and said Angie this is the one. We are going to go out and make an offer on it today. Terrified but knowing she was right I made the jump to buy that piece of land and I was able to build my tiny home. My very own slice of paradise! Something I never would have been able to do in the states. 

Taking everything one day at a time has led me to stay here for way longer than anticipated but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve been following the flow of life and seeing where it all leads. Flowing like the river that forges new paths and closes others. I feel like a completely different person from when I left San Francisco and continue to grow each passing day. I’m so happy to have this experience, I have learned so much and owe it to each person that I have crossed paths with here. Each and everyone one of you has had an impact on my life and I am so grateful for that. Happy anniversary to me!

xoxo 

Angela