The Second Month of Remote Year

One day in Medellin, we all created tshirts and walked/ran to raise money for local charities.I’m on a 4-month adventure with Remote Year, an organization that combines the synergies of a group of workers into a traipse through 4 countries. Our first month began great with onboarding and orientation, and we enjoyed our time in Santiago, Chile. In February, we were in Medellin, Colombia. See my story about Medellin; here I discuss how the second month of Remote Year is progressing.

Group Travel at Its Best and Worst

A day in Guatupe where the group adopted a German backpacker, Lutvig, who picked front and center of our photo.As with all groups and especially with group travel, there are pros and cons. It’s great to have built-in companions who have tons of energy and consistently invite and include others into their worlds. Yet sometimes, the turning down of invites can be misread. As groups mature, though, they often splinter into their own cliches, resulting in “birds of a feather” flocking.Remote Year has been no exception. Although we continue to synergize professionally and recreationally, sub-groups have formed. From folks who want to stay out late to folks who want to physically activate, we’ve all found our comfort zones within a giant uncomfortable zone. When every day we must navigate strange foods, different streets, and new words, the comfort of our own beckons all of us to dive into the known to overcome the barrage of the unknown.

A Millennial and a Gen X Walk into a Bar…

I remain the oldest in the group–by almost a decade–yet I continue to find intrigue and wonder as I engage with a bevy of Millennials and Gen Xers. It baffles me at how selfish and generous they are at the same time. They want so desperately to be inclusive, yet at times, their bawdy behavior beats their generosity to the punch. They are curious, highly skilled, and promiscuous all at the same time. Non-appropriate, sexist and genderist behaviors are quickly mollified, although they persist. Older generations could learn some lessons from these rising leaders.

The Future of Remote Year, the Company

Although activities and distractions are frequent, being remote we can easily log into work for a meeting or email check.Remote Year, as a company, struggles with what it shoud be. It wants to provide good workspaces and positive environments, and it does. But it’s ability to execute and use appropriate language about inclusivity and diversity abuts its generous spirit to raise money for children, the environment, families, and animals. This tension sits as a fog overshadowing the future of what Remote Year will be. Is it the next Roaming Tiki Adventure of transactional relationships, or is it a Synergistic Mobile Community for Professionals?

Go Along to Get Along

The name of our group is Pachamama, or mother earth, also the name of this mural.Two months have passed. I’ve done a lot of “go along to get along” adjusting. I’ve tried to lower my own personal ageist barriers, and I’ve attempted to not come across as “been there, done that.” I’ve tried to mentor and be a mentee. I’ve lead and offered other options to the mainstream, yet, I’ve also participated in things where people don’t expect me to show up. It’s a balance that keeps me engaged and interested. I feel like there’s conflict between forming friendships and creating experiences. Next month’s goal is to merge these ideals.

Comfort and Acceptance Please Apply

A hike through the Corcora Valley brought us to tall wax palms and amazing views.We crossed a midpoint when we transitioned from Medellin to Lima. The group is maturing; our experience is morphing. It seems like I’ll look back on month two as a settling in month where acceptance and comfort were heavily sought, but I’m not sure at this moment they have been found. Stay tuned.