Category: backpacking

Favorites

July 31, 2026 by Cassandra Johnson

Paseo de Montejo proved to be my favorite street. When I could find an excuse to end up there, I would. For half of 2024, I often did.

Paseo de Montejo proved to be my favorite street. When I could find an excuse to end up there, I would. For half of 2024, I often did.

Also, notably, the reason could be just because and especially because.

I found myself doing what I wanted, even when I should have been doing what I didn’t want to do. Postponing my responsibilities or pretending they were a part of me exploring, wandering, and eating my favorite foods in the sun in Merida was my full-time job with work in between. My first year as a digital nomad arriving from mainly San Juan, Puerto Rico to this favorite street among many in Mexico was a test for my long freelancing weeks with random and/or no days off in between. I was sporadic but I had fun.

In between my pains.

I missed my family. I missed my friends. I missed my creature comforts. Friendships were hard to cultivate in the midst of so many travelers that I enjoyed getting to know but ultimately had to part with over and over again. Was Lord, Alfred Tennyson right? “Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all”. Maybe? Not love in this instance, but bonding, nonetheless. Friendships, community partnerships and then I flew out or they flew out or I took an intra-country bus somewhere back and forth or one-way. On and on. When I think of it….

Down this street, I knew I also wanted my favorite agua fresca and sometimes freshly squeezed juice at the restaurant, perfectly snuggled between several more tasty Mexican spots and not far from the expat Irish bar, tempted into featuring some U.S. cuisine, as well.

Across the street, almost directly, was the spot where we had silly sang along with the now-relocated singer who spotlighted there regularly. This upscale restaurant and bar was just a few feet down the way from Marago Coffee where I liked to do some of my document translation work, while enjoying the pastries and a savory pizzetta, sitting comfortably, devices charging. The staff was always so accommodating to me and my friend.

Is a trip okay? Is a journey worth it?

When I think of it…

Yes, it was worth it.

All the moments. All the lessons. Temporary connections interwoven with permanent ones. All that is worth a lifetime of experiences and lessons, gratitude and appreciation for others and resources and my circumstances.

Eventually we say goodbye to the world too.

Inspired in What We Do

July 29, 2026 by Cassandra Johnson

Gaslighting and deflecting:

This is what Argentina has been doing. This is what the people have chosen to do, in a post-World Cup that has exposed them more globally, revealing something that I and many of us have long known. They are a country with a system steeped in racism.

They worked diligently to erase the descendants of slaves in an unjust country. They are a nation that sacrificed many in and out of the country’s wars, and among the rest of their population, they disappeared people and overran civil rights.

There is no surprise as well, after sowing a great amount of control and corruption throughout the US government and backing JD Vance, that the billionaire Peter Thiel, has also taken refuge there. It very much fits his element and a calling to a place that would cradle his desired comfort.

I am reminded of parallels more recently, and how Jay Z has extended his fall from my admiration, knowing now it was an admiration born more from a surface knowledge and dancing in those times during the breaks from the demands of my Ohio State university life, when once upon a time, I also attended his Blueprint concert. They say “Never meet your heroes”, and I optimistically don’t think that is always the case but in this instance, it has just taken getting to know him more and more. Not necessarily a hero, he was more someone from whom I derived inspiration or simply enjoyed. In this latest iteration of him casting aspersions on someone that gives us hope (Colin Kaepernick) and also casting judgment on everyday people for successfully executing a boycott that has reiterated our own power, I am left with not just bewilderment but a matching disappointment.

We should not be deterred from trying to do anything, just because we cannot do everything. Though Jay Z seemingly would have you do just that when it comes to his business, this is not a reason for us to simply not even try, or a reason for us to wildly support those who work towards our ruin. I write this to underscore how Jay Z just reinforced the disillusion I had in his intentions for our community.

I had been unaware of the role he played in upending Colin’s actions and additionally distracted by performances I have enjoyed at the Superbowl, under his management. I learned these past details as I was currently surprised by a recent re-release album deal he struck exclusively with Target. He could have opted not to say anything. People still celebrate and enjoy him.

Yet, he said something.

I worked for Target years ago and likewise enjoyed shopping there before making the personal decision that this was something I could easily protest, when the boycott began. I also would not fault anyone for making a variety of choices, based on the circumstances and resources available to them and according to the items, services and work they need to support their lives and families. I do not see Jay Z as wanting for anything, and if he had said nothing instead of trying to disparage others with so much less power and money than him, I would not have felt so disillusioned.

He chose this freestyle tactic of: don’t fault me, you are all hypocrites because you don’t shop there but you still shop at Amazon, you don’t like Facebook but, guess what you still use Meta, et cetera, et cetera. I am loosely referencing his freestyle that included an insult to Colin and further, to us. What a thud, as if not being able to protest all things means you cannot protest one. It is as if not being able to limit one activity, (at least in the short one) means you cannot start somewhere. I would feel less interrupted if he had a greater strategy for his deals, made a misstep, had an apology, or at least just chose not to insult others. He did the opposite.

I was left with a poor taste in my mouth from the antics of this month, especially when we do not need to be criticizing people for wanting to do meaningful things and we do not need to be criticizing people who have it on their heart to try. Should we not try to be better for ourselves and others? Should we not aspire? I do not want to resign myself and give up on any of us. I do not want to let the days fall to this way of thinking nor to caring less for our world.

Working Forever

June 30, 2026 by Cassandra Johnson

I will work forever.

Remote, Retired. Hybrid.

Especially retired, I will work forever. I will help. I will translate. I will teach. I think of doing so, because I will be a part of the system, but use being roped into the system to disrupt the system. I will hurt capitalism, bending its will. I will be a teacher as I continue learning. I will pass on the intricacies of what I have learned about colonialism, capitalism, imperialism, psychology.

I will give a nod to my nephew and continue to explain things to him in the future as long as possible. I will continue earning income to share back into the system that borrowed and ripped us all off. I will continue working, on some days harder and some days, more effortlessly than others. I will lend a hand and teach and translate and travel. I will share my experiences and show my understanding and show my humility in that I always can learn and do more. When I get off track, I will be reminded by everyone who has worked for me and who has given me a chance. I will not stop until the small private portion of my eternity stops. I will enjoy my senses, experiencing love, romance, good food and dancing, all the while teaching/learning. I will be there. I will be here, working away. 🙂

Don’t Try This at Home

June 29, 2026 by Cassandra Johnson

Going for a walk.

Taking one each day.

I was going to the gym quite often, but one of the nicest parts was walking to and from there, especially when the elements and I aligned.

Taking advantage or rather taking the opportunity of the summer sun, now, that feels a lot like traveling. I feel my circulation and aliveness, reminding me of walking in the warmed days in Medellin and Bogota, Colombia or in Middletown, Ohio off to the library. I can walk anywhere.

I am relieved my ankle healed from last month, from an unexpected twist. I imagined, back then, not being able to follow my walking plan, which at that moment was just walking overall, not needing to be every day. Finally, I am pleased to arrive at this thought that it will be each day, all the time. 

I feel an inner calm, some reflective thoughts, some time to reflect on the memories of my life, traveling through places like Colombia, before I maybe contemplate visiting these places, just momentarily in my past or maybe more briefly, literally, once again.

I never know and I never know with me until my wandering drives my mind into a set, determined line, no matter how efficiently or alternatively messy it gets. I never know until I am going, going and peacefully settling into home again. 

Uninspired

May 31, 2026 by Cassandra Johnson

I woke up motivated every day, even in days of non-motivation. Habit and wanting took over. I saw my parents and heard their compliments about my determination and curiosity even long after they had been gone. My intelligence. I heard them and naturally felt comfort in my books, studies, music, writing, languages. I felt it. I believed in just as many ways as I did not and still do not believe in myself. I woke up moving, and even when uninspired, expecting to be eventually driven towards some goals, all goals. My ups and downs and ups.

I read the books and saw movies from their generations and felt inspired and defeated. I was followed around in the store and micromanaged from my office desk. I thanked both my parents and the ancestors for keeping me inspired, showing me and us how strong we can be in spaces of oppression and how far we could go in the spaces of decency, deep affection and support from others.

The Right Time

May 29, 2026 by Cassandra Johnson

My laptop has been through the paces and here, I affectionately sit with my mixed up keyboard. The keyboard symbols and computer parts are mostly domestic but also, now a little and quite significantly international, given that now my adapters, cords and keys have been fixed from the many issues I had working as a digital nomad in Mexico and throughout South America. The latest iteration of maybe my third laptop here is quite a distance away from its original makeup.

I was fortunate to get considerably far south of North America, maintain myself when and where I could, luxuriate a little, and still readily find myself in the tech sector of many Latin American cities, as I needed to maintain my life and livelihood.

The cost analysis of fixing things up, new computer versus just repairs, was the similar scenario I visited in my head when getting all my car repairs.

I was more attuned to better accessories than getting a new computer altogether. I still think the costs have been worth it and on budget.      

I started at the end, budgeting in DC between my spacious one bedroom and downsizing to travel full time. I knew adjusting my freelancing and free-from-my-boss new lifestyle was something I needed to become accustomed to, and still something I need to learn.

What comes up for me now is an appreciation for having navigated between different Spanish-speaking cities and repair shops while treating myself, having a little fun, and roughing it. I leaned into my patient disposition while volunteering in the United States, so even more so while volunteering and working outside the country. I appreciate how easily it was for me to continue my livelihood as long as possible while looking back with thanks for all these ready-made skilled tech districts that I left behind. The expertise that exists in Mexico and Latin America gave me a chance to focus on my own skills and growing aspirations.

What to Work

April 29, 2026 by Cassandra Johnson

My Venezuelan friend gave me permission she did not realize she was giving me. She okayed my desire to get a lot of work in and feel thoroughly as if I had gotten my day’s work done before I went down the street from our co-living space in Bogota, Colombia to the nearby mall.

She had given me permission to do what I really wanted to do, while most everyone else was touring. She had given me the permission to get work done and relax and maybe tour later, or not tour at all, but rather just live the local moments. She had given me permission, not literally, but by being my friend, she had given me permission to do what I wanted authentically.

Heading to the mall or store (I would see), I was remembering the options they had in the food court and heck, maybe even stopping off earlier at the store that very much reminded me of Trader Joe’s back in my country. Should I cook something simple from the place we are sharing with other travelers today or should I get some ready-prepared casual food to go? I had a chance to do a mix of both.

I cannot adequately attribute the details of the entire moments to each day. Over the variety of times, I grabbed some snacks and easy options to cook in the shared kitchen. One of my favorite restaurants, Qbano (a cute play on Cubano) was a frequent stop in the mall. I recall getting the mixed veggie bowl and crispy thick fries. I added some churros to offer my friend once I returned.

I had booked my stay in the area for several days. yet was extending my days little by little at the end, considering whether I should go to Cartagena or an entirely different country. As we sat there in the evening, in my comfort of working across from her at the large, shared desk, she was asking me if I had decided to go the next day, disappointed when I said yes and visibly relieved when I said I was staying a little longer.

She gave me the permission, without her knowing, she gave me the permission to be myself, not only comfortable as a workaholic, ticking things down off my list, but also there for the exploring, wandering, and fun.

I sat there, peaceful in having this time and being in the not-so-familiar position of following up to see when she would be free to grab a coffee, not happy hour, in this instance. Coffee-shop mood was the matching backdrop for our dynamic. She had introduced me to Varietale, when she could not join and was still working from our temporary place and I was looking forward to going to Liberatario with her, not too far from our place. She had good taste. Liberatario was within walking distance and Varietale had been within exercise-walking distance for me.

One night she did not seem too entirely into working, although I assumed she was, but yet as she invited me to the other side of the table to see what captured her, I was pleased to see she was enjoying the Miss Universe 2024 Pageant. She was rooting for Miss Venezuela as we gathered around her computer, I rooted for several contestants. Miss Venezuela, Miss Mexico and Miss Nigeria. Miss Nigeria, was so gorgeous. We were impressed by many, interested in all the contestants’ performances, category by category. Miss Denmark had some inspiring answers.

Another guest, also her friend was rooting for Miss Nigeria only. (Nee- her-ia) he lingeringly enunciated, lingering especially in the middle (as if in those moments, he was within momentary dreams). I giggled to myself. He was from Venezuela too, waiting for a consulate appointment in Colombia. He was always so friendly, genuinely interested in all the people circulating around this bit of office space and in and out of the adjacent kitchen.

My friend. Glad to have her for the time, if not every time. I returned to the same place months later. She had gone. I thought of her often while I conversed with others in our old space. She and I had settled into safety in everything: food, giggles, chats over romantic prospects, geopolitics, Making easy work of work, It was a need for us both, I like to think.

I remembered the story she told me of dangerously crossing the Venezuelan-Colombian border. I was impressed by the business she had grown and how social media savvy she was. I watched one of her many video presentations. I was excited when she received another new client, while we were together. Her eyes filled with happy tears from the excitement I expressed.

We sat in Liberatario the last night, shortly before I would finally be leaving. We had mentioned discussing in detail, some romantic disappointment I had recently experienced, but then, I no longer had the desire to spend those moments lamenting a jilted relationship. We could just enjoy ourselves. There is a time for venting but it dissipated in the ambience.

I just wanted the space and the time that we always made. She told me of one downside to her business experience to which I relayed some comforting advice in Spanish, that felt more as if it was being delivered through me than by me. Mostly our laughter mixed, we appreciated the artwork around us and a simple break from working – a break from trying.

From the Office

April 28, 2026 by Cassandra Johnson

DC has not changed much. A lot of restaurants and bars have fallen away, however. It has not changed a lot over the years from 2006. At the same time, a lot of places have closed and been replaced, there are a lot of old haunts that encompassed my newer stomping grounds in my second home following my home state. Some establishments are no longer there, just the old building itself, closed, a type of homage to its memory.

U Street. Dupont Circle. Farragut North. Just to name a few of my favorite neighborhoods and depending on what mood touched me, I liked to find myself in Georgetown, Farragut West, and some others up to the point where I really just got a kick out of visiting Friendship Heights ultimately moving into this chill neighborhood.

I was a little dejected in the beginning, however, because, though I liked Takoma Park, Maryland in which I had initially moved for a while, I had anxiously imagined living in DC proper. DC was not far. Two metro stops a way and a short walk was all, but traveling from Maryland through DC and working in Virginia was not quite matching the dream I had duly imagined since my eighth-grade trip of living in DC, once I had finished college. Of course, this was also most suitable for the images of me as a potential ambassador😊.

Though a little removed for the first several years, my curiosity for events and culture meant leaning into the proximity. I made a good habit of hanging in the District for museums, art, dining and special events, though I was ultimately coincidentally intrigued with the nearby cities in Maryland and Virginia.

I did not have as much interest in where I worked outside of DC, but grew to like it, as it encompassed what we affectionately call the DMV, just the same as where I lived in Maryland. I also increasingly appreciated being in this area.

The exposure gave me an introduction I was not expecting and experiences I otherwise may not have ever discovered. Where I worked and lived in those first few years added to my perspective. It was similar when picking international trips as a digital nomad. You land in other notable spots, make unexpected acquaintances, and even the sour moments shape all you are to be.

March 2026 Blog/Poetry and Prose – 2

Cassandra Johnson

3-29-2026: Pressure and excitement to perform over the hope of a new day.

Waking up inspired. Going to bed tired.

No plans for sleep, but softly falling into it.

Traveling to fulfill my goal of volunteering abroad while fulfilling my efforts to volunteer domestically, it is never long lost on me that motivation comes from lessons and practice.

Telling Time

March 2026 Blog/Poetry and Prose – 1

Cassandra Johnson

3-27-2026: The laughter in the moment is so quiet and contagious, until it erupts and we move our bodies in camaraderie at the humor and movement and away from the anxieties of the day, of being mistreated, being marginalized and in our superior moment of good feeling, we rise above the negativity, the bullying that rages at our ever-appearing joy.

As we move through these tumultuous times when so many people are being attacked because they hold less power in the face of depraved government officials that impose their will upon us, we still hold on to our joyous moments, intermittently and for a vast majority of the time. We earn our money justly and take care of ourselves and each other.

We watch movies, enjoy our favorite foods, and laugh within our complementary senses of humor. It is so important that we have family and friends now, that we have our community and moments of joy – zen moments to enjoy ourselves and each other. Funny movies, funny shows, profound books, deep reflections as well as things not to take too seriously. We support ourselves on our resources and reflections so that we can keep fighting, prevailing and protecting.

Then, we realize we are powerful. Rather, we are reminded in moments that people still have a need to be liked by us, to believe in their messages and propaganda, lest they be questioned and know the real truth they are trying to hide within their power. We do not respect them in their unearned spaces, pushing all of us out who truly earned our accolades and actually deserve the spaces they steal from us.

Credit to The Joy Reid Show and The Daily Show respectively, for Moment of Joy and Moment of Zen and the reminders underscoring how much I like to write reflectively in poetry and prose.