“It’s never too late” is a series telling the stories of people that resolve to pursue their dreams on their very own terms.
When Eleanor Hamby and Dr. Sandra Hazelip met over 20 years ago, they were best friends at first sight. They never imagined that at some point their friendship could be honored news programmesmake fun of “Saturday night liveand stop people at a Tokyo train station to exclaim, “Oh my god, you are TikTok traveling grannies!”
Mrs. Hamby, 81, and Dr. Hazelip, 82, inspired people around the globe with their project “Around the World in 80 Days: At 81 and Still on the Run”, named after Jules Verne nineteenth century adventure novel. Their journeys earlier this yr took them from the icy shores of Antarctica to the rocky majesty of the Grand Canyon and garnered over 1,000,000 likes from hundreds of followers along the way in which. “We totally, totally didn’t expect this,” Ms Hamby said.
The women first crossed paths of their late fifties at a Christian medical mission in Zambia, where Ms. Hamby, a documentary photographer, was the director, and Dr. Hazelip, recently widowed, got here as a visiting doctor. Five years later, Mrs. Hamba’s husband also died unexpectedly. Dr. Hazelip desired to move her medical practice to Abilene, Texas, where Mrs. Hamby lived, but didn’t need to move completely. So Dr. Hazelip made her friend a proposal. “She said, ‘If you provide me with a bed two nights per week, I’ll take you somewhere to eat,’ Ms Hamby recalled.
It was during these weekly visits that they found their shared love of travel. “One day I said, ‘Ellie, I’ve at all times desired to ride the Trans-Siberian Railway. Do you’re thinking that we could go on a visit like this together? recalls Dr. Hazelip. This was their first big adventure in 2008, and further trips to Southeast Asia and the Middle East followed in 2010 and 2011.
On their first few trips, the couple used blog to maintain their family and friends up so far. During the 80-day trip, a friend helped them arrange accounts on the location Instagram AND ICTand shortly hundreds of followers from everywhere in the world took the ride.
“People kept saying how much we’re Inspiration – inspiration for a good friendshipinspiration to get off AND do thingsMrs Hamby said. The whole experience “definitely modified my life.” And they do not stop.
The friends cannot travel on a regular basis – they’re each still working, Dr. Hazelip in a hospice facility and Mrs. Hamby on a medical mission – but their next trip, around South America, is on the way in which for 2024, Dr. said Hazelip. “And our theme will likely be, ‘We’re 82 and we will travel.’ (The following interview has been edited and shortened.)
How did you propose your 80-day trip around the globe?
ELEANOR HAMBY: We began with Jules Verne’s book “Around the World in 80 Days”.
DR. SANDRA HAZELIP: We desired to go to as many cities because the hero, Phileas Fogg, is claimed to have gone on his journey. We also knew we definitely desired to go to all seven continents; he didn’t. And then we desired to see as many wonders or natural wonders of the world as possible.
HAMBS: In the top, we went to 18 countries and eight wonders of the world. Sandy made a Word document for every day of the trip. We at all times start with the accommodation when interested by where in town we would like to remain because location is number one. We really just need a clean place as we do not spend much time within the hotel. And then we search for the very best price. We love finding these gems of small hotels just like the one we stayed in in Cairo: $13.50 per person per night. It wasn’t the everyday place most tourists would stay – we needed to walk down an alley to get to it – but we had a million-dollar rooftop view. We are pleased with the budget.
HAZELIP: People will say, “I wish I could afford a visit.” I say, “Well, you obtain a latest automobile last yr. I went around the globe in 80 days.”
HAMBS: If we all know we would like to do something necessary, exciting, resembling snorkeling within the Great Barrier Reef, we are going to ask the hotel to recommend an organization and book it prematurely. We leave the remainder to the locals to inform.
How do you adapt when a secret’s thrown into your plans on the last minute?
HAMBS: Sandy and I mainly have a positive outlook on the issue. It’s not like, “Oh, woe to me, what are we going to do.” No, we see the issue and we all know there’s an answer. We just must keep a transparent mind and a smile on our face, and the answer will come.
Has traveling at all times been a giant a part of your life?
HAMBS: I grew up on a farm in Oklahoma, in a really rural area, and didn’t really travel in any respect. But I kept reading about people like Amelia Earhart or books by authors like Pearl S. Buck. I used to be just really involved in any woman who explored. My husband and I got married once I was 18, and after college, we took a very budget trip to Mexico City. It was the start because we found out that we do not have to be wealthy to travel and that we will enjoy it.
HAZELIP: My husband and I traveled mostly for family reunions in Kentucky or to go to our grandparents. Our first real voyage after our youngsters were grown up was a cruise across the Caribbean. It was great fun, nevertheless it was also rather more my husband’s type of vacation.
HAMBS: Sandy and I aren’t cruise passengers. We wish to travel to fulfill locals fairly than other tourists.
HAZELIP: Shortly before my husband got sick, he planted the seed in my heart to start out taking our grandchildren on summer mission trips. And so after his death, once I discovered concerning the Zambia Medical Mission, I made a decision to go on this trip and take my grandson. This is how we met Ellie. Since then, travel has just exploded.
What do you want most about traveling together?
HAMBS: Sandy hugs everyone – not only a little bit of an informal hug, an excellent hug – and at all times smiles. That’s what I actually like about her. I never hugged; my family can inform you that. It’s not my psyche. But Sandy taught me to be more open to people. It was really beautiful to see how people everywhere in the world needed Sandy’s hug.
HAZELIP: Ellie taught me that it is extremely necessary to be in the proper place at sunrise and sunset to get the proper light for an excellent photo. And she’s just funny.
HAMBS: We were just lucky to have crossed paths and walked into one another’s lives when it happened. When you lose your spouse it is extremely difficult and it’s wonderful to have a friend who has had the identical experience and understands the way to be friends with someone when this is occurring. A robust friendship is de facto crucial to the grieving process.
How do you react to families once they worry that you simply are happening these big trips or say, “Grandma, are you sure you wish to wander around Lapland or Bali on your personal?”
HAZELIP: I can run in circles around you, kid. On artificial knees.
HAMBS: We say to everyone, “We didn’t go on vacation. We went on an adventure.” And we never missed a single day; we were either on an adventure or we were flying. That’s why not too many individuals will go together with us. My children wish to calm down on the beach. They need to stay in costlier hotels.
HAZELIP: This will not be an adventure for us.
What advice would you give to individuals who dreamed of an adventure like yours?
HAZELIP: Get up out of your chair. Get out of your comfort zone. Make some plans and live.
HAMBS: Age is just a number. If you’re thinking that you wish to try something, do not be afraid to exit. Do it. Because you may regret it in case you don’t, and you may never regret it in case you do.
What have your travels taught you?
HAMBS: Trust people because they’re mainly good. Just reach out and smile. Seriously, a smile will bring friendship. He will open the door. This will break down that barrier or make that person more willing to assist when you will have an issue. I guarantee you’ll have a much happier trip and meet many more people in case you smile.
