How did you meet and when did you both realize your love for travel?
We had some mutual friends at the time and randomly stumbled into each other by Palace of Fine Arts in SF around Thanksgiving two years ago. Oscar and his friend invited me to celebrate Friendsgiving with them and then we started dating. We constantly talked about past travels and the places we wanted to go, and quickly realized that we felt the same urge to travel.
Where was your first destination together and tell us about it?
We went on a California road trip four month after we first met. Isabelle said that she never had slept in a tent so I took on the challenge to get her to do that as soon as possible. We drove down Highway 1 to San Diego and then inland through Salton Sea to Joshua Tree and then back through Yosemite.
How do you share your work on the road? Who does what?
It depends a little bit on the type of trip, but Oscar usually plans the travel route and rents cars/buys gear, and I like to make up camping recipes ahead of time so we can enjoy our meals when traveling. [Oscar chimes in] Isabelle also always makes sure have enough wine by the bonfire!
How do you make decisions together for next destinations?
We’re both influenced to go to new destinations daily, so there’s never any shortage of inspiration on places to go. We usually try make some shorter trips around California and surrounding nature over the weekends and plan ahead for longer trips.
Have you noticed any changes in the relationship since you started traveling together?
I haven’t noticed any changes per se since we have always been traveling together. However, every time me and Oscar gets on the road together it’s like we’re meant to be there. We grow a deeper and more meaningful relationship when we experience thing together.
Living and traveling together 24/7 can sometimes be stressful and relate to moments of disagreements or misunderstandings. How do you cope with these situations?
Of course that can happen, but one of the things I think we are really good at is to realize how silly most misunderstandings can be, so we usually laugh it off before it escalades.
What is the most beautiful moment you have experienced together while traveling?
We tried to think of one, but we ended up chatting about many beautiful moments. Then a Joshua Tree memory came up and we both nodded. I dragged Isabelle up before sunrise and forced her on a short hike out to a rock, she was not feeling it at all at first, but then the sun rose above the rock formations and I pulled out a box of cookies. We probably spent two hours sitting and chatting, snapping photos and munching on chocolate chip cookies on the same spot.
What do you like the most about traveling as a couple?
Do you know that feeling when you see something amazing and you think of someone you wish would have been there with you? When you’re traveling with your soul mate that someone is always there with you for those beautiful experiences.
What do you like the least about traveling as a couple?
When Isabelle makes me realize that I’m never going to be a professional singer when I’m loudly singing in the car.
How do you keep the relationship spark alive on the road?
I think the most important thing is to not take each other for granted. Plans often change when you’re out traveling and it’s important to be flexible and not take out any frustrations on each other.
What is one piece of advice you’d give to any couple wanting to travel together?
When traveling you learn so much about each other that it’s something you might as well just jump into straight away. If you can travel together you can probably do most other things as well. Find a common interest and get to it! And don’t forget wine.
Get to Know the Couple:
Isabelle: @isabellekri
Oscar: @oscarwastaken
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