GloboTreks is reader-supported through affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I might earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support! – Norbert


I can’t believe it’s been a year already since the day I started this blog! It was Earth Day 2010 and my blogging knowledge was, um, nada!

Six months ago I wrote about how this blog began and the purpose behind it. One thing is for sure; it has come a loooong way from what I ever thought this blog could be.

Happy One Year

Now, this year has been incredible, full of travel, and extremely eye-opening. I had no idea how much you could learn and how much you could gain personally by blogging. So, these are 12 things I’ve learned on my countless WordPress-playing hours.

1.  To value every person who takes their time to stop by this blog

They are my fuel, inspiration, and drive to keep on doing this. Without them, I would be writing to, um, no one. I always like to express my sincere gratitude for reading, commenting, and participating either here, on Facebook, or even twitter.

Thanks for the love… lost of love back!

2.  To be myself, ALWAYS.

What makes this blog unique? Me! So, I’m not afraid to express my own voice and to say when I like something, have mixed feelings of a place, feel lonely on the road, and how I’ve evolved through travel, among others.

Being myself and honest is something I not only apply to blogging, but to life in general.

Also, I’ve learned to…

Machu Picchu, Peru

3.  To not be afraid to embarrass myself

I’ve made common mistakes, had accidents, and had embarrassing moments while on the road and not. Sometimes they make funny stories, other times they teach lessons, but they’re all part of the road to here. Chances are other people have experienced the same and I just don’t know it.

4. Other travelers are a great source of inspiration

There are so many inspirational travelers out there. Some of my traveling inspiration comes from them – things to do, places to visit, and even traveling philosophy and styles. There is so much to learn and share in the travel community.

5.  People follow people, not just blogs

People follow people, and I want people to follow me if they feel inspired and entertained by my stories, experiences, and by what I have to say. I love it when I have the chance to connect with people on a more personal level through social media, tweetups, or making friends while traveling.

Inca Trail, Peru

6. To chase my dreams. I only live once!

Ok, ok… I know it’s corny, but it’s true. This blog has been an eye-opener since it has exposed me to many free thinkers out there. It’s easy to settle for comfortable (and at one point I did), but to truly be happy in life; I need to chase my dreams (even if they sound crazy to others).

7. I lose nothing by asking

I started this journey without an ounce of blogging knowledge. At times I was afraid of asking simple things for fear of sounding stupid, but I still asked. 99% of the time I got the answer I wanted and stupidity was not an issue.

The same thing goes for getting sponsorship, and other travel-related stuff. So, if you want something, ask.

8. I’ve learned about myself by learning about the world

It’s funny how I’ve learned about myself while traveling. Not only I’ve learned things on a personal level – what makes me tick and not – but also a few random details like my name is the Spanish version of a German name, and part of my ancestry is Jewish. Yikes, that would have been very conflicting during the 1930s and ’40s.

Semuc Champey, Guatemala

9. The world is a beautiful place; I should always take a minute (actually, more than a minute) to enjoy it

The world is out there to be explored. It would be a shame not to enjoy it and experience it. I plan to explore it the most possible and to get the most out of it.

10. There is so much power in social media, but just being online doesn’t cut it.  There are offline potentials too.

Twitter, Facebook, and other social media platforms have been great to spread the word, but spreading the word is not enough, connections have to be made, and a sense of community has to be created.

My fellow travel bloggers from yTravelBlog are great at this, and I admire them so much for their impressive work. Kudos!

Also, “blogging connections” are not only virtual; the offline travel community is as vibrant offline as it is online.

Antigua, Guatemala

11.  People are more interested in the mix of architecture and travel than what I imagined

Obviously, since I’m an architect, I’ve had the intention of mixing and matching both of my passions: travel and architecture. At first, I wasn’t sure what would be the response, but it has been a great match and one that I love doing and intend to explore even more.

12. To not give up! Ever!

Nothing comes quick or easy, and when it does, it can go as quickly as it came. If I want something, I have to work for it. The world owes me nothing.

I’m giving it my all in order to succeed.

What have you learned from blogging?

Adventure Awaits

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70 Comments

  1. Happy Bloggy Birthday Norbert! Great set of lessons, most familiar to me too, though i still have a few months to catch you up here. Having done a Context Tour myself I can vouch for the prize too. 🙂
    Definitely keep up with the architecture angle. It’s a huge part of the travel experience which many people, myself included, could use some pointers on.

    1. Thanks Jools! Yes, Context is great!
      Thanks for the feedback on the architecture angle. At first I didn’t know how well people would receive it; but it turns out, like you said, that architecture plays a good role in travel. I’ll keep bringing the pointers. 😉

  2. Congratulations on an awesome achievement Norbert – we’ve just reached 6 months of blogging and have learned many of the same things! Keep up the great work mate, look forward to the next year of adventures.

    1. Thanks Kieron! It’s so amazing how much you learn by blogging. Looking forward for a great year ahead!

      Congratulations to you too for reaching 6 months! Hoping for more great blogging experiences for you too! 🙂

  3. Congratulations Norbert. This is the first time I come across your website am what a great website it is. I was wondering about inserting architecture in my blog aswell but haven’t really integrate in it yet. Knowing that you’re also an architect, I can now bookmark this website for some inspiration! Hope that is ok with you! congrats again, one year is quite an achievement!

    1. Thanks Amer! Welcome, good to see you around! Haha… totally fine for you to bookmark it! 😉 Yes, If you love the architecture angle of travel, do insert it in your blog. There is so much to see and write about the different architectures from around the world!

  4. Great round-up of insights from your year of experience! Happy Birthday to Globotreks – wishing you another successful year ahead =)

  5. Norbet,

    Congratulations on your achievement. I truly think you are an inspiration for all new bloggers and travelers who are trying to explore more of the world.

    Thanks for sharing your blogging lessons. You are right. I have also felt stupid asking for things, leaving comments on other blogs or sending tweets. But that has not stopped me from continue doing it.

    Best wishes.

    1. Thank you so much Ruth for your words! Lol… sometimes we feel stupid for asking, but the worst thing we can do is not asking at all and keep the doubt. Best wishes to you too!

  6. Awesome Norbert and congrats on the one year! I really loved your reflections and am encouraged and inspired by your attitude and the things you have learned. Keep up the good work!

  7. Congratulations, Norbert! You’re doing a great job. It may be surprising to you that people are so interested in the mix of architecture and travel, but as one of those interested parties, I’m not surprised. 🙂

    1. Thanks Gray! lol, well, I’m a bit biased with how I look at architecture. Since I’ve been dealing with it for the past 10 years I thought it was an obsession of mine when I decided to travel to see new buildings and architecture (among other things). Now I see most travelers love to do that too. 🙂

  8. Congratulations Norbert! Some great things on the list for a new-ish blogger like myself to keep in mind and learn from. I can’t believe you’ve only been doing this for a year! I gots to get crackin’. Looking forward to following you through the next year of adventure.

    1. Thanks David! There’s a lot to learn in blogging, but what’s great is that the blogging community, and travel community also, is great on sharing tips and experiences about blogging and travel. I personally learned a great deal from many bloggers.

      Looking forward for a new year of adventures!! 🙂

  9. Happy Anniversary, Norbert! It’s quite an accomplishment. Thanks for sharing your learning experience with us. I’ve been learning a lot myself over the past several months — sometimes the very hard way. But learning is a good thing, especially through life and travel experiences!

    1. Thanks Cathy!! OMG, some of these things I learned the hard way too! But like you said, learning is a good thing and I like to always be learning… it makes me feel like I’m improving on something.

  10. Norbert you are doing a lot of awesome things on your blog which are very inspiring to newbie travel bloggers like me! Actually #1 and #2 are some of the things you do really well so keep it up!

    Congratulations on year 1 and I look forward to seeing Globotreks become more successful =)

  11. Congrats, and happy blogiversary! I love your list of what you’ve learned, and can relate to most of them, even though we haven’t been doing this whole travel blogging thing for nearly as long. 🙂

    Can’t wait to see what you come up with in your second year!

    1. Thanks Christy! Yes, looking forward for a positive second year! It’s amazing how much you learn by blogging. 🙂

  12. Congratulations. I was surprised to hear you’d only been around for a year, you seem like an old pro 🙂

  13. Keep up the good work, I hope your next year is just as good!
    Haha, the picture with the animal looks so post-coital.

    1. Thanks! 🙂
      Ha!!! I just had a good laugh at the post-coital comment! Now I’ll never look at that llama pic the same… lol

    1. Hey Sergiy, so since to see you around!! 😀 Thanks, I definitely will continue developing it, it is now so attached to my passion of traveling that I can’t imagine myself stopping. 🙂

  14. Wow, is it only one year?! That’s really surprised me. Congratulations and looking forward to the next 12 months! 🙂
    Julia and Barry

    1. Thanks Julia and Barry! One year!!! I’m really looking forward to see what will come in the next year! 🙂

  15. Good post! I’ve blogged for longer and not learned as much, I think. Particularly number 7 hit a nerve 🙂 Congrats with the anniversary.

    1. Thanks Sophie! Number 7 was a scary one sometimes… especially since I started blogging with zero knowledge. It turned out to be much better than expected. 😛

  16. Happy Anniversary my dear friend!!!!!!! I LOVED the lessons you’ve learned. They are VERY valuable. Super besos!

  17. What a great article – thank you so much for sharing these thoughts and all of your experiences. I follow your blog and really appreciate you sharing this!

    1. Thank you so much Kristin! There is so much we learn through blogging; something we don’t realize when we first start doing it. I’m sure you’ve had your share of learning experiences through your blog too. 😉

  18. Congrats on your “birthday” Norbert! You’ve certainly learned some fantastic things in the past year, many of which I would echo, especially the incredible power of social media both online and off! I’ve met some incredible people through the travel blogging community…present company included! 🙂

    Can’t wait to see what you do in the coming year!

    1. Thank you so much Aaron! Definitely, social media (online and offline) is really powerful and an important tool to make it in this business. I love the fact that I had the chance to meet in person so many bloggers, you included, because this community rocks! 🙂

  19. Congrats Norbert! 1 year old and nothings stopping you now. Well done on creating a fantastic blog and we hope to see much more continued success mate.

  20. Hey! Congratulations on the 12 month blogging milestone – I reached mine in February, and since then have realised it’s a milestone not everyone makes. Your point 12 is probably the single biggest learning for me too … although there are other similarities between your list and the one I prepared for my blogoversary!!

    Blog on!!

    1. Thank you so much, Red Nomad OZ! I’ve noticed that too. Not everyone celebrates milestones like these, but I believe it’s aways good to celebrate them in one way or another to look back and see all that has been accomplished. I also believe giving yourself a carrot every once in a while also gives you more energy and drives you to accomplish even more. 🙂

  21. I love the photo “hanging onto the cliff”. In almost 2 years of blogging, I’ve learned tenacity. Never give up!

    1. lol… I love that photo too!
      Yes! Tenacity… something you definitely learn if you’re serious about succeeding in this. 🙂

  22. Stunning work Norbert! I look forward to following you, and seeing a bit more of your jumping photos – and wonder what countries we’ll see them in!!!

    1. Thanks John!! Haha!! I love doing the jumping photos! I’m doing my best to take at least one in every country I visit! So, we’ll see a bunch of them in the future. 😉

  23. Congratulations, Norbert!

    The willingness to take risks (which as you’ve noticed can easily lead to embarrassment) will always make you a better writer because you will have more things to share with your audience. I’ve had some embarrassing moments myself and I just try to remember that I will not lay eyes on these people ever again and I keep it moving. Continue to take those risks because I think that you have only scratched the surface and you have so much more to give us in the coming years.

    1. Thanks Renee! So true what you say about embarrassing moments. Sharing these things have helped me not only to communicate better as a writer but also to communicate better in general. I’ve been learning to take more risks as time passes, especially when I’m traveling, so we will see more interesting things coming out of them in the future. 🙂

  24. congratulations norbert!!! 1 year is huge! your blog is fantastic for all these reasons you list. love how you put gratitude up front and center 🙂 cheers to many more years of great posts and more lessons from you. LOVE architecture and NY, so going to try to win! 🙂

    1. Thanks you so much for your words Lorna! Yes, a year is Huge! Cheers for many more years to come and more lessons to learn! 🙂 You’re in for the contest!! 😉

  25. This was a great post–I know it’s been a while, but I just “stumbled” upon it today. As you said, a year is huge. I have been secretly planning my escape for a while, but just “came out” and began a blog three weeks ago; now that I’ve gone public, I’m committed, right? I’d love to have you take a peek: http://www.50plusandontherun.com

    Thanks for all the great posts. Keep it up, but always remember to enjoy.

    1. Hey Nancy! Sorry for the late reply, but congratulations on “coming out” and planning your escape!! Your blog is looking really good!! I looks like you have a great path ahead of you!
      Cheers for a great life on the road and I look forward you also cross the 1 year mark, and more! 😉

      1. Thanks for the encouragement! If you find yourself in San Antonio, let me know and I’ll make sure you see the cool places.

        Peace.

        Nancy

  26. Congrats Norbert for your achievement and you are so lucky. I had tried my hand in the blogging but got no successes but i love it all the time. Whenever got time i use to write but not a professionally. Thanks for your tips.

  27. Awesome inspiration. We just scratching the surface of your blog. But have been totally inspired! You have set some high standards in the travel blogging world. Thanks for all your encouragement, we hope our blog turns out as good as yours! Love soph and ash X

    1. Thanks Sophie and Ash! You’re welcome and hope you girls rock the travel blogging world too! You have a lot of stories to tell! 😉 xoxo

  28. Hey Norbert! Awesome name brother! LOL!
    Randomly found your blog and was inspired to say hey. Always a treat to meet another Norbert… and one with a blog at that.

    Enjoyed your post on Greece, since we’re considering going back but had some doubts… thanks for clearing those away. Looks like you’ve learned a lot from blogging and traveling. Good luck on your goal to travel the world!

    1. Hey Norbert!! So cool to see another Norbert around! 😛
      Thanks! Yes, I recommend going to Greece. I know we all hear about the crisis on the news, but when you’re there (especially in the islands) it is a separate story. When you’re in Greece, people there want to make you feel good and comfortable, just because you’re there, supporting their economy in a way.

      Good luck to you too in all your travels! And hope to see you around! 🙂

  29. really inspired. I just started building a travel blog and let’s see how things go. This is the second time I’ve been dropped to your site. I felt the same with you about blogging, things will always change but ourselves 😀

    1. Thanks, Walter! Good to see you around and hope your travel blog is going strong! Let me know if you have any question. Cheers!