{"id":33,"date":"2018-03-13T07:01:00","date_gmt":"2018-03-13T07:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.flytographer.com\/blog\/30-days-as-a-digital-nomad\/"},"modified":"2018-03-13T07:01:00","modified_gmt":"2018-03-13T07:01:00","slug":"30-days-as-a-digital-nomad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flyphotoprod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/30-days-as-a-digital-nomad\/","title":{"rendered":"Living 30 Days as a Digital Nomad"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Story and photos by Michelle Ardiel, Global Recruiter & Community Manager<\/p>\n

\n

Have you ever felt the need to pick up your life and shake it out a bit? To lift up the rock and see what\u2019s underneath? I decided this was the year I was ready to strip off my day-to-day routine and go skinny-dipping in the unknown.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m a single mom with two busy teenage boys who works full-time outside the home. With close family, friends and a great job, I have a generally fulfilling life, albeit one that feels like a crazy juggling act at times (hello 21st-century living); however, is it all too easy to fall into a staid pattern week after week, and I felt I\u2019d fallen hard. I was more than ready to stop hitting the snooze button and inject a little more life into my life, so I threw my laptop and camera in a carry-on, left my cozy home in Victoria, Canada and went off to live in South America for 30 days.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

City view of Medell\u00edn from a mountainside trail.<\/p>\n

My role as Flytographer\u2019s Global Recruiter is happily one I can do anywhere I have access to good wifi, so getting the go-ahead from work was the easy part. The tough part was leaving my kids behind. A month would be the longest we had ever been away from each other, but as they are now at an age where it seems I need them more than they need me, I knew they would be fine. The pressing issue was arranging for them to move house and stay with their dad while I was gone. This required a fair degree of scheduling, confirming and note-creating on my part before I left, but once that was organized, coupled with my immunizations and flight bookings, I was ready to make my break.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Rafael Uribe Uribe Palace of Culture in Plaza Botero (and a local man politely ignoring me while I take a photo).\"<\/p>\n

Fernando Botero is one of Colombia\u2019s most famous artists, known for his roundly-figured sculptures and paintings. He donated over 100 of pieces of work to his hometown of Medell\u00edn, on display in this public square and in the Museum of Antioquia (seen in background on left).<\/p>\n

Thanks to one of our photographers, I was introduced to a company called Unsettled<\/a>, which offers 30-day co-working retreats in locations around the world. As soon as I dug into their website, I was smitten; they state they are \u201ca community for those who embrace uncertainty and value meaningful human connections, who believe that feeling a little bit \u2018unsettled\u2019 is a positive impulse for change, innovation, and discovery.\u201d I didn\u2019t need to be asked twice \u2013 this was exactly what I was seeking. With Unsettled, you choose from a short list of cities based on month offered, have an online interview to make sure it\u2019s a fit for both of you, and then pack your bags to join your group, made up of about 15-25 other people from around the world. My city of choice was Medell\u00edn, Colombia. It was somewhere I\u2019d never been, on a completely new continent for me, with a language I barely spoke. If I was going to shake it up, I was going all in! Barely a few days after I rang in 2018, I was on a plane headed south.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

I felt so fortunate to look out at this every day from my balcony in Poblado.<\/p>\n

As I just mentioned, I had never been to South America before and my Spanish was so basic as to be non-existent; regardless, from the second my plane touched down, it felt like home. Medell\u00edn is stunning: the city is nestled in the Aburr\u00e1 Valley, surrounded by lush green mountains, with warm-hued skyscrapers and rooftops sprawled across the landscape. Its beauty as I drove down the hill from the airport left a lasting first impression. My cab driver spoke little English, but was eager to teach me useful Spanish words and point out landmarks along the way \u2013 an early introduction into the overwhelming pride I discovered most Medell\u00ednenses (more commonly known as paisas) feel about their homeland. (Tip: to pronounce the name of the city like a paisa, turn the double \u201cL\u201d into a \u201cJ\u201d sound \u2013 \u201cMedi \u2013 jean.\u201d)<\/p>\n

\" Casa de la Memoria, a museum dedicated to remembering the victims of the city\u2019s violent past.\" An exhibit in the excellent Medell\u012bn Museum of Modern Art (MAMM).<\/p>\n

Pause for a little background: Medell\u00edn is the capital of Antioquia, the coffee region set in the Andean mountain range, and the second biggest city in the country after Bogot\u00e1. It\u2019s known as the \u201cCity of Eternal Spring,\u201d due to a cheerful year-round temperature of around 24C (although I witnessed more than one crazy thunderstorm blow through the city, but the sun was never gone for too long). Most people hear \u201cMedell\u00edn\u201d and think immediately of Pablo Escobar and cocaine (associations made even more prevalent thanks to Netflix\u2019s popular show \u201cNarcos<\/a>\u201d), or that it was named the most dangerous place in the world not that long ago (I can\u2019t tell you how many times I heard this little nugget when I told people where I was going), but the city is doing an incredible job of pushing beyond its violent past. It has re-branded itself as a safe, tech-friendly hub with a vibrant art and food scene, friendly locals, and real civic pride. It is the only city in Colombia to have a metro system, and the cars and stations are gleaming; unlike other metros around the world, you won\u2019t find graffiti on the walls or garbage lying around. The citizens are very proud of their efficient public transportation system, and many say Medell\u00edn\u2019s revitalization is owed in large part to its existence.<\/p>\n

\" View of Jard\u00edn, a pueblo about a 3-hour drive from Medell\u00edn.\"<\/p>\n

Colourful tables and chairs in the main square of Jard\u00edn.\" La Garrucha, possibly the scariest cable car ride in existence. Up to 6 people fit in a little crate suspended on two thin wires, which runs you over a deep valley to the town. Say a quick prayer before climbing aboard!<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Learning about the coffee business and hunting down the red fruit (or \u201ccoffee cherries\u201d).<\/p>\n

So, back to my taking some time off from reality \u2026<\/p>\n

One of the best parts of being outside my normal life was the lack of obligation. I didn\u2019t have to be home at a certain time to cook dinner, or run the kids to soccer practice, or even get dressed to go to work. (I spent more than a few mornings working in my pajamas on the balcony of my flat \u2013 I had excellent wifi at home and a killer city view surrounded by tropical birdsong, so why wouldn\u2019t I?) For 30 days, I was able to make decisions just for me, to say \u201cyes\u201d if I wanted to do something or \u201cno\u201d if I didn\u2019t, and not have to plan socializing around the family schedule. A revelation! Did I want to go straight from the office to dinner and drinks with friends? (Yes.) Did I want to go to the clubs and dance until 4 am? (Yes.) Did I want to jet off to Cartagena for a quick weekend away? (Oh, yessss!) This was such a freeing experience, and the first time I had this opportunity in almost two decades of motherhood. We all have obligations in life, to family and friends and coworkers, but for me, the joy in the temporary suspension of such cannot be overstated. As parents, we love our kids to bits and would do anything for them \u2026 but we all need a little break just for ourselves now and again, am I right? (Again, yes \u2013 but you already knew that answer.)<\/p>\n

\" My lovely Colombian amiga Laura relaxing in a hammock at the finca in Jard\u00edn.\" A little Sunday drive through the Andes.<\/p>\n

I haven\u2019t really travelled solo since my uni days, which is to say, too long ago, and in doing so this time, I happily re-discovered the freedom from expectation it grants you. You don\u2019t have any former relationships to anyone and can just be who you are, not who people expect you to be. If you want to jump around like a total nut on the dance floor, you can (and I did) \u2013 who\u2019s going to judge? And what\u2019s more, if they do, who cares? We often box our friends and family and even ourselves into roles; I felt that in this month away, I was able to show up more authentically. Of course, I didn\u2019t turn into a completely different person in Medell\u00edn, but starting fresh with new people means you can really relax into who you are, released from any preconceived constructs, and that\u2019s a nice feeling. (And by the way, I\u2019m holding on to that \u201cwho cares?\u201d attitude whenever I\u2019m presented with any dance floor anywhere from now on. I realized I\u2019ve wasted far too many dancing opportunities over the years feeling self-conscious and propping up the wall. If you happen to run into me in some club around the world, I\u2019ll be the uncoordinated Canadian dancing very poorly but filled with joy.)<\/p>\n

\" The sunsets in Cartagena are legendary.<\/p>\n

Travelling solo is made even sweeter when you have incredible people around the world waiting to welcome you to their hometown! As Flytographer\u2019s Global Recruiter, I\u2019m lucky to get to know so many amazing photographers as we go through the rigorous process of inviting them to join our team. As a happy side effect, when I travel, I have friends almost everywhere, and Colombia was no exception. I was thrilled to meet up with the fun and generous Juan Felipe<\/a>, who lives in Bogot\u00e1. He was in Medell\u00edn just as I arrived and kindly showed me around for two days, and then our schedules lined up again when we both happened to be in Cartagena at the same time, me on that weekend getaway and he on a wedding assignment. He also introduced me to his friends who live in Medell\u00edn, with whom I met on other occasions to hang out and tour the area. Sadly, I was unable to meet with Juan A<\/a>, who lives in Cali, and Juan E<\/a>, who is also in Bogot\u00e1, but it just means when I return, these cities are now on my must-visit list. In addition to Cartagena, I travelled to the charming Antioquian pueblos of Gautap\u00e9 and Jard\u00edn. There is so much to see in this gorgeous country that I barely scratched the surface, and it\u2019s no lie that Colombia stole my heart.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

The Clock Tower sits at the main entrance of the wall surrounding the historical core of Cartagena.\"<\/p>\n

Cartagena is full of colourful Spanish colonial buildings, many with gorgeous bougainvillea dripping off balconies.\" I met Juan Felipe in Cartagena and joined him on a little photo tour as he captured city footage for a wedding.<\/p>\n

My desire to kick off 2018 with fresh perspective and new inspiration was the main draw for temporarily moving to a new city. Exploring an unknown destination is the perfect antidote to boredom. Most mornings, I walked from my flat to the co-working office to put in my work day, and I would try to take a slightly different route each time. Medell\u00edn is full of colour, with vibrant street art and a lush spectrum of green on the surrounding trees and plants. Nothing inspires me like rich hues and energetic design, and discovering new murals around every corner was like opening a little gift every day. (One of the best places to get your fill is in Comuna 13<\/a>, once the most dangerous neighbourhood in the city, and now an area where you can take a tour with a local guide to see the beautiful public art that tells stories of the community\u2019s turbulent past.)<\/p>\n

Inspiration also came by way of the workshops that I attended through my Unsettled group. Several of us offered our expertise in various subjects throughout the month, and the resulting discussions were both interesting and profound. Being with a fresh group of people from a diversity of backgrounds who offered up different ways of thinking was enriching. It also reinforced that no matter where we live or what we do, we all share similar core issues and concerns. The stories that spring from human experience are endlessly fascinating.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Looking out over the hills from Comuna 13.\" Six escalators scaling 384 meters run the hills in Comuna 13, a once dangerous and inaccessible area run primarily by drug traffickers and guerillas. It\u2019s an innovative urban project that has helped open the neighbourhood to new people and fresh ideas, and allowed tourism and enterprise to grow.\"<\/p>\n

Stairs or slide? You can bet which most people choose! (There is a small plaque here noting that the slide was built in honour of a young child who was caught in gang crossfire several years ago; from sorrow blooms a memorial that now brings countless children \u2013 and adults \u2013 joy.)\"<\/p>\n

Local kids hanging out on one of the lookout balconies in Comuna 13.<\/p>\n

When you travel, your memory bank will quickly fill up, but in the end, it\u2019s often the people that you remember the most: the connections you\u2019ve made and the friendships you\u2019ve built. Kind, funny, smart, ambitious, fun, warm-hearted people are everywhere, and I\u2019m so grateful I met exactly this on my adventure. I didn\u2019t anticipate how difficult it would be leaving the Unsettled group and my Medell\u00edn friends after the month was over, but it would not be exaggerating to say I had a little post-retreat depression. Suddenly, the people with whom you spent every day going out for dinner and drinks, dancing the night away at bars, chatting on hikes and tours and day trips are gone, as though it were all a dream. We stay in touch over chat channels, of course, but it\u2019s never the same as having a laugh together in person. I would say this is the hardest part of travelling solo \u2013 you have no one at home to relive memories with on a daily basis. Despite the sadness of parting, however, it is comforting to learn that no matter where we go in life, the phrase \u201cstrangers are just friends you haven\u2019t yet met\u201d is a happy truism. It just requires that we get out of our comfort zone now and again to make that magic happen.<\/p>\n

\" Locals in the main square of Gautap\u00e9.<\/p>\n

So what is my biggest takeaway from my month in Medell\u00edn? I was reminded that there\u2019s no reward if there\u2019s no risk. If you never ask, the answer will always be \u201cno,\u201d so don\u2019t be afraid of putting yourself out there and increase your odds of a getting a \u201cyes.\u201d It would have been easy to stay in my day-to-day routine as the New Year approached, but instead, I chose to ask for significant time away from the office, I chose to leave my kids with their dad for a month, I chose to spend time and money on myself (and as all parents will know, this is not where time and money usually goes). I bestowed upon myself a big pile of \u201cyes\u201d and my reward came in the form of incredible experiences and connections, and the taste of a city and country that I cannot wait to get back to.<\/p>\n

And who knows? Maybe by the time the holidays start sneaking up at the end of this year, I\u2019ll decide another shake-down is in order for 2019 \u2026 and I\u2019ll be off to continue saying \u201cyes\u201d to new adventure.<\/p>\n

\" Beep beep! Waiting for my motochiva driver in Gautap\u00e9.<\/p>\n

Ready to take your own life break and experience Medell\u00edn (or another amazing city) for yourself? Unsettled<\/a> will set you up with a comfortable flat in a great neighbourhood, secure a desk at a co-working office for you, organize assorted optional activities and field trips, and provide you with an amazing group of ready-made friends from around the world who are also on the retreat. If you\u2019d rather go it on your own, it\u2019s easy to track down short-term accommodation and find the right office fit at one of the many co-working spaces<\/a> offered in the city.<\/p>\n

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What to Eat, See & Do in Medell\u00edn, Colombia<\/h2>\n

\" Incredible views of Poblado from The Envy Rooftop at The Charlee Hotel.<\/p>\n

Eat<\/h2>\n

Pergamino<\/a> \u2013 My go-to for excellent craft brew and a fun, buzzy atmosphere in a modern caf\u00e9. This family-owned business roasts beans from their own farms and has them on the shelf within 48 hours for the freshest coffee. I crave it now that I\u2019m home, but the good news is they ship to North America.<\/p>\n

OCI.Mde<\/a> \u2013 I had my best meal in the city here, and what\u2019s more, the best salmon I think I\u2019ve ever had \u2013 and that\u2019s saying something, considering I live on the west coast of Canada! It\u2019s a gorgeous space filled with fashionable people, and as such, it\u2019s busy, so be sure to make a reservation.<\/p>\n

Ganso & Castor<\/a> \u2013 Juan Felipe brought me here on my first day, and I made sure I went back again before I left. Perfectly-cooked eggs, fresh local fruit, and good coffee in a chic French-inspired bistro \u2013 the best place to come for brunch, no question. There are 3 locations, but I stayed loyal to the one in the Manila neighbourhood.<\/p>\n

Cosechas<\/a> \u2013 When I needed something fresh and healthy to go, this smoothie and juice chain did the job. They have a wide variety of fresh fruit to mix and match, and it\u2019s never the wrong answer to add in a little ice cream or yogurt for fun.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

This traditional regional meal, called bandeja paisa , is carefully wrapped up in plantain and banana leaves for easy transport into the fields.\"<\/p>\n

Inside: beans, rice, mashed potatoes, fried plantain, egg, arepas, meat (mine is the veggie version so I have chickpea patties instead), and a side of avocado. This meal will keep you fuelled for a full day and beyond!<\/p>\n

Ajiacos y Mondongos<\/a> \u2013 This tiny restaurant is only open for lunch and serves just three traditional paisa dishes. It\u2019s packed with locals (so you know it\u2019s good); come early before they run out.<\/p>\n

El Zorro y La Gitana<\/a> \u2013 Delicious artisan pizza in a trendy bistro tucked away on an unassuming side street opposite a garage. (I didn\u2019t get here myself, but others raved about Caf\u00e9 Zorba<\/a>, an all-vegetarian pizzeria that often features live music.)<\/p>\n

Via Cocina<\/a> \u2013 We had our first Unsettled family dinner at this restaurant\/community project in the Buenos Aires neighbourhood. Chef Brian Johnston offers skills training to locals who want to learn culinary techniques but may not otherwise have the opportunity, and funds his project through donations and by offering group dinners like ours.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Cartagena is a must-see destination when visiting Colombia.<\/p>\n

Mercado del Rio \u2013 The market is actually an upscale food court housed in a former warehouse, with two floors of open seating surrounded by modern eateries. Follow the flight of stairs up from the second floor to discover the rooftop bar.<\/p>\n

37 Park<\/a> \u2013 A large pub-style restaurant with outdoor seating on little tree stumps. Situated next to the public outdoor muscle gym and basketball court, it\u2019s a lively place good for people-watching and meeting a group of friends.<\/p>\n

Rappi<\/a> \u2013 When you just want a night in, download the Rappi app and get delivery from pretty much anywhere: restaurants, the grocery store, the liquor store \u2026 it\u2019s all available through Rappi. Delivery is fast and cheap, but the best part is that your driver sends you texts with updates and a fun selfie showing him picking up your order, and then a GPS map follows his progress with a little motorbike icon so you can see exactly how far away he is. (When I ordered groceries, I would not only get a selfie and greeting from the driver, but also one from the grocery clerk at the store who was shopping for me! It was a nice touch to show the faces of the people on the working end of the app.)<\/p>\n

\n

See<\/h2>\n

Botanical Gardens<\/a> \u2013 Don\u2019t miss this beautiful stretch of green space in the city, full of thousands of botanical species, including my favourite: orchids. There are many large lizards running around and popping up in the trees for extra excitement. Bonus: it\u2019s free to enter the park.<\/p>\n

Museo Casa de la Memoria<\/a> \u2013 A series of displays and artwork commemorating the many lives lost and families affected by the city\u2019s most violent decades. Plan to spend some time here and bring your tissues \u2013 I guarantee the images and stories will move you. Free entry.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

This intricate architectural structure at the Botanical Gardens , called Orquideorama, filters water and protects the orchids growing below.<\/p>\n

Plaza Botero<\/a> \u2013 Come to this busy downtown plaza to see the incredible public sculptures donated by famous artist Fernando Botero. As they are mostly naked brass figures, you will quickly see which parts of the statue people seem compelled to touch. (I\u2019m sure you can use your imagination to figure out which have become the shiniest bits.) This is a great place to people-watch, but be mindful of your wallet and phone\/camera here. There are lots of shops and fresh fruit stands around, so enjoy some juicy pineapple rings, salted mango slices or sweet avocado halves while you wander the plaza.<\/p>\n

Medell\u00edn Museum of Modern Art<\/a> \u2013 Aside from Botero, I must confess I didn\u2019t know much about Colombian modern art, but the MAMM gave me an excellent lesson. Also, as an architecture nerd, I can say the concrete and rusted steel structure housing all the art is in itself worth the trip. I think it\u2019s one of the most interestingly-designed galleries I\u2019ve been to \u2026 and I\u2019ve been to quite a lot of them around the world. The museum is closed on Mondays.<\/p>\n

Dulce Jes\u00fas M\u00edo<\/a> \u2013 I can quite honestly say I\u2019ve never seen anything like this bar, and am unlikely to again. It is full of neon-lit decor meant to resemble a traditional town, with eye-popping, brightly-coloured tchotchkes on every square inch of surface, a raucous stage show, and loud Latin music, all of which adds up to a bit of sensory overload. Waiters are dressed in animal and superhero costumes, life-sized cartoon characters await you in the toilets, there\u2019s a lot of flag-waving and group singalong, and everyone\u2019s having the time of their life. (You will too once you get over the craziness of it all.) Words can\u2019t do this place justice \u2013 you really have to experience it for yourself.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Climb the 700 stairs of Piedra del Pe\u00f1ol in Guatap\u00e9 and be rewarded with this stunning view.<\/p>\n

Jard\u00edn<\/a> \u2013 Lively, colourful and so much fun, Jard\u00edn is a pueblo in the heart of the mountains about 3-hours\u2019 drive from Medell\u00edn. Our group went to a coffee farm, rode horses, hiked to a waterfall, rode a scary cable car (see the photo of La Garrucha above), and soaked up all the good-spirited energy. The large main square really comes alive at night with festive locals and cowboys showing off their horses.<\/p>\n

Gautap\u00e9<\/a> \u2013 About an hour\u2019s drive outside of the city, the draw of this town is in its charming brightly-painted z\u00f3calos (or friezes) along the bottoms of the houses, depicting natural elements, like animals or flowers, or daily activities, like playing a game of cards or waiting in line at the government office. After exploring the pueblo, it\u2019s mandatory to climb the 700 steps of the large rock called Piedra del Pe\u00f1ol to witness the incredible views. You will be tired and sweaty after your climb, but don\u2019t worry \u2013 there\u2019s beer and ice cream waiting at the top.<\/p>\n

Pueblito Paisa<\/a> \u2013 If you don\u2019t get the chance to see a real pueblo, like Jard\u00edn or Guatap\u00e9, then Pueblito Paisa is a decent runner-up. It\u2019s a recreated town on Nutibara Hill in the middle of Medell\u00edn. This tourist attraction mimics the layout and architecture of an Antioquian town (sadly without local townspeople, which is really the heart of a place), and the city views from here are worth the trip if nothing else.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Pueblito Paisa is a recreated town at the top of a hill in the middle of Medell\u00edn. One of the best features is the 360-degree view of the whole city from the peak.<\/p>\n

\n

Do<\/h2>\n

Plaza Mayorista<\/a> \u2013 A massive market in Itag\u00fc\u00ed with giant stalls selling pretty much whatever you want to eat \u2013 meat, fruit, vegetables, nuts, sweets, plus large-scale grocery stores and restaurants. It\u2019s a great place to discover the incredible variety of Colombian fruits you should definitely be trying.<\/p>\n

Via Primavera<\/a> \u2013 My favourite shopping street, full of small fashion boutiques, trendy galleries and delicious food stops (including Pergamino and Caf\u00e9 Velvet<\/a>, another good coffee shop). I might have spent the majority of my pesos in this street.<\/p>\n

Cerro Pan de Az\u00facar<\/a> \u2013 \u201cSugar Loaf Hill\u201d offers incredible views over the whole city and is accessible via a paved hiking path called Camino De La Vida, which starts in Comuna 8. It\u2019s a popular hike for families and locals, with vendors lining the trail selling fruit and snacks.<\/p>\n

\" View of colourful Comuna 8 from the start of the Camino De La Vida hiking trail.<\/p>\n

Parque Lleras<\/a> \u2013 Even if late-night partying isn\u2019t your usual M.O., you can\u2019t miss the scene on weekends in Parque Lleras. Hard-hitting Latin music pumps out from the bars, the streets are filled with happy crowds, and the neon lights are turned on high. Get the night going with a bottle of Aguardiente for your group, and work your way around the square trying out different clubs. If Medell\u00edn is somewhat buttoned-up during the day, it really lets its hair down at night.<\/p>\n

Ciclovia<\/a> \u2013 On Sunday mornings, the city closes a few main streets from vehicles to encourage people to use the roads for physical activity. Join the crowd to walk, run, cycle, dance \u2026 or whatever is your preferred form of exercise. There are food stands and market stalls along the way, adding to the festive feel of the weekly event. It\u2019s also a helpful distraction from your Parque Lleras hangover.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Walking in the streets of Jard\u00edn.\" Beautiful Playa Blanca in Isla Bar\u00fa is an hour drive outside Cartagena. Don\u2019t forget your sunscreen!<\/p>\n

Is Colombia on your bucket list? Flytographer is in Medell\u00edn<\/a>, Bogot\u00e1<\/a>, Cartagena<\/a> (and soon Cali), as well as 200+ other destinations around the globe.<\/p>\n

See all our Destinations<\/a><\/div>\n

See more: solo traveller<\/a> \u2013 City Guide<\/a> \u2013 Team Flytographer<\/a> \u2013 Cartagena<\/a> \u2013 Medell\u00edn<\/a><\/p>\n

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Story and photos by Michelle Ardiel, Global Recruiter & Community Manager Have you ever felt the need to pick up your life and shake it out a bit? To lift up the rock and see what\u2019s underneath? I decided this was the year I was ready to strip off my day-to-day routine and go skinny-dipping in the unknown. 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