How did you meet and when did you both realize your love for travel?
Met at The University of Texas, but we didn’t actually start dating until years later, after college. At the time she was living in Houston, he in Austin. Then one day she embarked on a hellish 19 hour hurricane evacuation from Houston to Austin, which led to her unexpected 5 day stay in Austin, which in turn led to a budding hurricane romance. Thus began the Jincent moniker – all thanks to Hurricane Rita!
For her, the love of travel was cultivated at a young age, constantly visiting relatives in Asia and Europe throughout the formative years. It wasn’t until after college that traveling became a serious wonderment. She wanted more in life outside the comfort zone and found that traveling opened that world for her. For him, it was the complete opposite. He only had a few vague memories of travel as a child until he met her. The experience of each new adventure they embarked upon gave him a new high. It was no wonder that he caught the travel bug.
Where was your first destination together and tell us about it?
New Year’s 2007 in London. It all started with the thought of wanting to spend New Year’s on international soil. With several huge trips planned later that same year, the only logical step was to search for a destination with inexpensive airline tickets. That’s where London came into the picture. The tickets were insanely cheap! Nevermind that it was stupid cold and that nighttime lasted longer than daytime. The incredible firework display as seen from the Westminster Bridge, in between the Big Ben and London Eye, was quite the magical sight! Fueled by the energetic crowd, the moment simply just came very alive for us. Til this day we still refer to it as one of our best overseas New Year’s experience spent together.
How do you share your work on the road? Who does what?
We do the bulk of our work during downtime at whatever hostel we end up for the night. Camera work, scouting, Instagramming – it’s fairly even between us. Blogging and photo editing responsibilities solely on Jin, while Vince dabbles with video on the side. But in terms of travel research and logistics – all Vince!
How do you make decisions together for next destinations?
A lot of it is based on weather and season, some luck (ok, a lot of luck!), and a bit of spontaneity. Really, we just go with the flow and let things unfold organically. Too hot? We head elsewhere. Peak season? Go to Plan B. What’s in the next country over? Let’s go check it out!
Have you noticed any changes in the relationship since you started traveling together?
Oh, for sure! On the road together for this long, nothing is held back. You’re stripped down to the bare necessities and basics when traveling long-term, and have nothing but time together. That time is filled with conversation and constant communication. Jin’s loving all this talky-talky moments. Vince, not so much.
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?
It all comes down to compromise. We assess the situation to help find common ground or an alternative plan. Cross fingers and hope that both sides are happy, if not just a little. A little personal time helps. If all else fails, then the stars simply weren’t aligned in our favor this time around. We move on and just learn from it. But we really advice all couples to work things out and find that compromise! Communicate! It will make your life easier!
What is the most beautiful moment you have experienced together while traveling?
That’s a toughie! It always seems to change the more we travel! Currently: Iceland, as a whole, was one big surreal dream for us. We’ve been completely, whole-heartedly, utterly blown away with the constantly changing cinematic sceneries of this beautiful country! With each nature scene being insanely unique and magical and unreal! From fields of purple lupines to moss-covered lava fields to massive ice glaciers to black sand beaches. Thus the reason why Iceland remains in our minds and in our hearts, forever changing us body and soul.
What do you like the most about traveling as a couple?
Togetherness. All day. Er’day.
What do you like the least about traveling as a couple?
Togetherness. All day. Er’day. =P
How do you keep the relationship spark alive on the road?
Laugh constantly. Luckily Vince is a natural funny guy, so laughing comes easy and often. It also helps to adopt a carefree attitude. C’est la vie, peoples!
What is one piece of advice you’d give to any couple wanting to travel together?
Don’t think, just do! Jump down that rabbit hole hand in hand! And embrace the (mis)adventures along the way, after all, what is the point of experiencing the journey without the good and the bad? Besides, they make for entertaining stories later down the road!
Get to Know the Couple:
Jin: @jinchuferrer
Vince: @vince.ferrer
Photography Blog: contradictionofsorts.com
Youtube: Jin + Vince Travels
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