16 Comments
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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

How fun! Love all the Carnivale stuff! And the photos, and the samba, and Rio!! It's coming up fast now! We were in Rio during Carnivale some years ago but didn't have tix. But it was still a blast!!!! Good one, Daniel. And yes, we actually met people we still stay in touch w/ during that trip. Not so much now, but still FB friends. It's cool to have a trip in common w/ someone.

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Daniel Catena's avatar

Oh wow, Carnivale in Rio must have been incredible. Even without tickets, the energy I'm sure was truly special. I was an a Carnival celebration in Spain once. It's a fun time of year. I'm glad you're still friends with people from your trips. It sounds like lots of interesting characters passes through Alma Libre. Thanks for reading and the comment Jeanine.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

It brought back great memories, Daniel!

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Brian's avatar

The connections we make while traveling have a transcendence to them that does not exist at the 9-5. The memories we share with those on such a journey echo throughout time and have given me some of my most cherished reflections. Thanks for sharing!

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Daniel Catena's avatar

So true! Travel connections go deeper than the friendships we make at home. The unique memories we share are irreplaceable. Thanks for reading Brian!

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Toni Jeffrey's avatar

Definitely recommend this!

During my intense travel years, it was hard to stay in touch, although I did make a couple of lifelong friends.

This past Saturday, I posted a story on my Substack about a wonderful man who was my guardian angel when I was in a scary San Francisco locale in the middle of night. I will never forget him, and I wish I would have at least taken his photo.

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Daniel Catena's avatar

The idea of truly keeping in touch seems pretty new and is a luxury now. That's wonderful you have some lifelong friends from your adventures. As you say, some of the most memorable people are the unexpected ones who helped us along the way. Thanks for commenting Toni!

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Ashleigh at Travel Bugg's avatar

100% recommend this! I’ve made lifelong friendships on my travels, and it’s cool to meet up with people in different parts of the world. Glad we could reconnect in Sausalito last year!

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Daniel Catena's avatar

Our friendship is the product of us keeping touch! I'm sure we'll meet up again somewhere else in the world too! Grateful for your friendship, Ashleigh. Thanks for the comment!

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Anjali Krishnakumar's avatar

I've had the best memories with my friends I've met on roads or in hostels, rather than my hometown ones! Mad, crazy, spontaneous day trips and memories across different places. We still meet at times, and they're my biggest supporters in my life! I love them all!

You reminded me of all of them!! <3

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Daniel Catena's avatar

Haha that's great you made those special connections while traveling, Anjali. Hostel friends can be the best ever for sure! That's great you've been able to see them later on. Thanks for reading!

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Laura | Sunhats and Chardonnay's avatar

Great article. This is part if the impetus of my current trip in Australia. I met great friends in 1986.

Now, 39 years later, the friends I met are some of my closet friends although on opposite sides of the world.

All it takes is a smile and a little effort.

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Daniel Catena's avatar

How cool you can reconnect with them after all these years. It's truly special when that happens. Thank you for the comment Laura!

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Marlo Leaman's avatar

I love meeting people when I travel! Haven’t kept in touch with many (sometimes bc as you say, pre-Facebook or WhatsApp!) but I remember them all!

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Daniel Catena's avatar

I'm glad you feel the same way about meeting folks while traveling Marlo! It was hard back before FB and WhatsApp for sure. There are some people I wish I could reconnect as well. Thanks for reading and the comment!

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Nicolas Holmberg's avatar

13 years…damn! Thank you for making me feel old Mr. Catena! 😅 I’m very thankful we bumped into each other all that time ago though! I’ll be coming to visit in Colombia someday, promise!

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