aboutUs

 

Currently living in Boulder, Colorado, enjoying life and selling real estate 10-months, then travelling the other 2-months: www.RatayRealty.com

 


 

BACKGROUND, as of Spring 1999 . . .

Hi, we are Chris & Erin:  former New York City dwellers for whom life was going pretty well.  We always enjoyed motorcycling and traveling, and slowly realized that our annual 2-week summer vacation just wasn't enough.  So, we quit our jobs, sold our real estate, our furniture, donated most of our clothing, and became instant minimalists.  With Passports, Carnets, and other paperwork theoretically in order, we loaded our tent, remaining clothing, and other worldly possessions onto two BMW motorcycles. 

At first, our families were worried about us, but as time went on they got used to the idea and now they are even secretly proud of us.

The purpose of our trip is to see new sights, meet new/different people, learn about other cultures, gain and share new experiences, and face new challenges.   Aside from helping to engage people in conversation, the motorcycles provide us with a freedom of movement, ability to explore, and greater exposure to our senses and surroundings. 

The bikes were shipped from New York to Morocco, and on May 20th, 1999 we arrived in Casablanca to launch our 15-month 'Round the World (RTW) adventure.  We started the trip, like it was an extended 2-week holiday, and spent the first 6 months racing through Europe trying to check-off as many sites as possible.   While on the road, however, the trip took on a life of its own -- We learned to slow down and spend more (quality) time in fewer places, to  get a better feel of the places we visit(ed).  The trip went far beyond our wildest expectations, in both experiences and time, and after more than 4 years traveling, we arrived back in New York in August 2003.

Of course we've had breakdowns and other problems along the way, forcing us to turn to locals for help, and providing us with some of the greatest experiences and best friendships along the way.  Many of the places we've seen have been incredible -- and the people, well....extraordinary!

We hope our journey inspires others to follow their own dreams.   As Erin now likes to say, "life is too short to drink cheap red wine".  If you have any questions, comments, or other suggestions, please do not hesitate to email us

 


We met in the spring of 1994, got engaged a couple of years later at Mardi Gras in New Orleans during a rugby tournament, and we've been happily married since July of 1996.  Our honeymoon was a 3 week camping/cross-country trip on our BMW K100LT.   Near the end of the trip, two days from home, Erin decided she wanted equal time in the saddle and purchased her 1st BMW ('92 K75) and rode the rest of the way home next to me.   After 20 days and 7,000 miles of adventures, we were still happily married and ready to take on the world!

Erin was born in 1965 and is in the career development field.   Just 2 days before we departed, Erin completed her MASTER'S DEGREE in Organizational Psychology @ COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY'S  Teacher's College.  She enjoys teaching job search and career workshops at both Columbia University and New York University.  She writes career related articles for a website dealing in international expatriate issues, and provides one-on-one career counseling for people in all stages of their professional lives.  

Motorcycles: Erin began riding in 1996 on a Suzuki GS435E, then moved on to a BMW K75, R100RT, and now has the F650.

Chris was born in 1966 and is a career salesman.  The past 7 years he worked in the cosmetic display manufacturing industry, for a small company that produces those small plastic lipstick bullets and other color chips you see on cosmetic displays.  His clients are ALL of the US color cosmetic company (i.e.  Revlon,  Maybelline,  Estee Lauder, and  Lancome, to name a few).    Chris has reluctantly turned in his "player" cleats, ending a 12 year career(?) playing rugby union. Always willing to tell people what and how to do things, he has picked up a whistle and is pursuing a career as a referee. However, if the Lion Kings (Old Boys) make a come-back, Chris will excavate the old cleats!

Motorcycles:  Chris' first bike back in 1990 was a used Honda Night-Hawk, later changing to a Yamaha Seca 750, then BMW K100LT, R90/6, R100PD, and F650.

Together, we enjoy motorcycling, skiing, camping, roller-blading, and traveling.   We couldn't imagine not living in New York City, but we also get away at every opportunity.

 

 

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