Those who have a passport from a developing nation would understand how difficult and frustrating it was to travel with my passport from my home country. I needed to get visas to almost every country in the world. A few examples:
(i) I wanted to visit South Africa in 2017. In order for me to get a visa, I had to travel to the nearest consulate, which was a 12-hours drive away. The actual interview lasted for 5-min.
(ii) I visited Egypt in 2009. I arrived with a visa stamped on my passport after I mailed my life story, a vial of DNA, and a promise to donate my firstborn to their consulate. Upon arrival in Cairo, I was interrogated for an hour at immigration while my American friend, without a visa, was let through with no questions.
I have lived in the U.S. for 20+ years and traveled to all 50 states. At the end of 2022, I became a U.S. citizen. Do you know what that means? A U.S. Passport!!
My new freedom coincided with my year-long sabbatical starting in summer 2023. I decided to take risks, explore uncharted territories, and expand my world. Both literally and figuratively.
I took my first international trip to Panama as a U.S. citizen. Learning to use points and miles to fund my travel became a hobby and a new passion. I read the free course on points and miles by 10XTravel and dove right into using my knowledge to find flights and accommodations in Panama.
Flights: ATL – PTY direct roundtrip on economy class. 38600 United points + $77.45.
Accommodations: 17,873 Ultimate Rewards points for a private room at the Panama House Bed and Breakfast for 5 nights total. Booked through the Chase portal.
Ground Transportation: $195 ($70.5 for airport parking and $126.75 for taxis).
Food: $150
Insurance: $46 (Allianz.com)
Experiences: $170
– Panama canal
– Old Panama (ruins)
– Took a day trip to the Chagres National Park. Canoed in the Chagres River, and visited a village of peoples of the Embera tribe.
Total: Less than $650.00
This 6-day trip to Panama was the beginning of my sabbatical travel. It was relaxing, exciting, and freeing. This was perhaps my first solo international trip that was not conference travel. I cherish this trip as the beginning of a new era.
