We’re super excited to announce that we have been selected to participate in Airbnb’s year long “Live Anywhere Airbnb” program!!
We launch Sept 1, from our current home base, Zipolite, Oaxaca, Mexico. First stop of this new chapter in our Green Global Trek: Oaxaca de Juarez, Mexico.
We look forward to sharing our nomadic adventures living sequentially and exclusively at airbnbs around the world.
Without further ado, let’s meet the 12 individuals who will be living in listings on Airbnb for the next year**:
Ben and Peta from France and South Africa
With a passion for sustainable travel and art, and respective roots in South Africa and France, Ben & Peta have been nomads for the last 14 years after raising their four sons in Chicago. They are hoping to explore developing countries and towns off the beaten path around the world to further Ben’s eco-focused work and glean inspiration for Peta’s artistic pursuits.
https://news.airbnb.com/meet-the-live-anywhere-participants/
https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/live-anywhere-airbnb-participants-annouced
BREAKING NEWS – BREAKING NEWS – BREAKING NEWS –
Interview in the Chicago Sun Times
FILED UNDER:
Nomadic couple, formerly of Highland Park, selected by Airbnb to travel world for free
Ben Sandzer-Bell and Peta Kaplan start their journey next month by visiting their sons in Chicago, then to Africa and beyond where they’ll stay for free at Airbnb locations. More than 300,000 applied for the opportunity. Twelve were selected.By Mitch Dudek Aug 4, 2021, 3:17pm CDT
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69679407/10__Myanmar___Bagan_Valley.0.jpg)
Drop them in a crowded market, in a country they’ve never visited, where they don’t speak the language — and Ben Sandzer-Bell and Peta Kaplan are in heaven.
Fourteen years ago, after their fourth son graduated high school, the couple sold their home in Highland Park, rid themselves of most possessions and began living a nomadic lifestyle that led them all over the world.
“After raising children and really being an anchor for them I was really excited to have a completely different experience of being on the road and not worrying about children,” said Kaplan.
They’ve been doing it ever since and are riding out the pandemic on the coast of Oaxaca, Mexico.
So when the opportunity arose to take part in a program in which Airbnb chooses 12 applicants to stay at lodgings the company provides around the globe for a year — entirely free — they applied along with 312,000 other people.
And the lucky couple was chosen for the “Live Anywhere on Airbnb” program.
All they have to do in return is tell Airbnb about their travels to help the company improve the experience for others who might want to try life on the move.
According to the couple, a key piece of advice for anyone interested in their nomadic lifestyle: Don’t let worrying steer your life.
“For example, it’s incomprehensible to most Americans not to have health care insurance, and yet we found for 14 years that every time there’s been a health care issue, we do like everyone else, we go to the local hospital or doctors and take care of it. This fear-based ‘but what happens down the road’ thinking is not something that drives our decisions,” Sandzer-Bell said.
It’s worth noting that both husband and wife have a built-in international perspective on things.
Sandzer-Bell, 61, grew up in France, and his work as an aerospace and climate change mitigation consultant has brought him across the world. And Kaplan, 64, a school psychologist and artist, was raised in South Africa. Both are American citizens.
Between the two, they speak five languages.
“But language is less important than the feeling of wanting to connect with people, and we’ve found overall that people are good,” said Peta, who uses her camera as an ice breaker by asking strangers if it’s OK to snap a photo.
The first thing they do in a new land is visit the open-air market where locals shop.
“You can observe the culture very quickly, whether things are chaotic or quiet and subtle. It tells us a lot on how to behave or not to behave,” Sandzer-Bell said.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22761559/9__Our_main_mode_of_transportation___Motorbike___Vietnam.jpg)
Their 22 years in the Chicago area stays with them not in the form of a Cubs hat or Smashing Pumpkins T-shirt — but in their ability to remain calm under pressure, the couple said.
“There’s something about the Midwest, there’s a can-do spirit where you deal with whatever comes at you without too much drama, and that’s something that’s valuable in travel, the fact that we don’t panic,” Sandzer-Bell said. He pointed to a number of experiences, including front row seats to a coup in Thailand and a typhoon in Vietnam.
As for where the couple will end up after their Airbnb adventure: “Who knows?” Kaplan said with a laugh.
Anyone interested in keeping tabs on their travels should check out their blog at greenglobaltrek.org or on Instagram at @greenglobaltrek.
Fantastic!! I actually came very close to submitting our names for consideration but decided we couldn’t walk away from our familial commitments for 10 months, but oh boy were we tempted.
I’m thrilled for you and I can’t wait to follow your adventure.
Patti thank you so much! What a process of down selection it has been! When it got to the final 40 we knew that everyone in that group would have an equally good chance of being selected.
Excited to start this new Live Anywhere Airbnb chapter of our green global trek. And looking forward to sharing our adventures!
Peta & Ben
Too cool. You have earned this tribute.
I wish you joy of your peregrinations.
Thank you Johnny.
That is a lovely compliment. We look forward to the next new chapter of green global trek, Live Anywhere Airbnb.
Peta & Ben
Fantastic photo. So psyched for you.
Thank you Sharon!
Adam took that photo of us in Bangkok Thailand, during our time traveling with him. Super excited.
xoxo
Peta & Ben
So exciting !!!
We can’t wait to start our year of travels with Live Anywhere Air bnb!
xoxo
P&B
Congratulations guys, what a great opportunity and right up your alley! Can’t wait to follow your adventures.
Thank you Suzanne.
Interestingly, one of the blog readers sent us the link to this competition, saying “this is right up your alley”… At first I just forwarded it to about six friends whom I knew would be interested in doing this as we had no global travel plans for the near future. But…. life has a way of opening doors.
Thanks for following our green global trek along with us!
Peta & Ben
How cool!! And I love the photo of you two.
Thanks Laurel. The photo was taken in Bangkok by our youngest son when we were travellng in Thailand and Viet Nam with him. He is a terrific photographer, amongst other things!
xoxo
Peta & Ben
I just checked back and saw that you posted the article from the Chicago Sun Times. Small wonder that you two were chosen. You truly do deserve this, and I know you’ll make the most of your experience and give back so much in so many ways. I’m so excited for you and to follow along with you! I want to be living your life, LOL. (Truly, I do. I’m happy with our lives, but I’m inspired by what you two are doing!) Cheers to new adventures! oxox
Thank you Laurel for such kind words and compliments. The Sun Times interview for that article was over an hour long… he did a great job at condensing all the information we gave him into one small article. Which led to a radio interview in Chicago which led to our being on the Chicago morning news. Haha! Live from the beach in Oaxaca.
Do hope our paths cross one of these days!
Peta
Wow! Congratulations! I also submitted our names but with little hope that we would be chosen (but, why not, right?). I’m super excited that you two were among the 12 lucky winners! I’m looking forward to following your adventures!
Janis thanks so much.
Yes. the odds of being selected were 0.004%! Funny thing is, I though I would win, but it was Ben’s entry which caught their attention. He wants all credit for this, but given I had to be rather persistent in nudging him to fill out the form, I think we share the glory. His first comment was “do you realize how low the probability of win is?”
My response was “Yes, but if you don’t enter then the probablity is zero. And I expect us to win! Why not? Someone has to and we are perfect for this!
Peta & Ben
Makes me think I should have nudged Mark more to apply too, but he said “If any of the two of us has a chance, it’s you…” 🙂
I was pretty bummed that they didn’t choose MY application, but rather Bens. However, my philosophy is that I like to increase the odds in our favor. So two entries would be better than one statistically. Ore in this case, it means we went from 0.002% to 0.004%!
We did, too, Janis. It was Peta who let us know about the competition. 🙂
And at first, I didn’t enter. I just sent it out to about six people I thought would be a good fit. Only when said people prompted me did I decide I may as well enter. But frankly we had no plans for global travel in the near future. So one never knows…
FANTABULOUS! CONGRATULATIONS! What an honor to be selected out of so many.
THANK YOU JUDY!!!
We are absolutely thrilled and YES honored to have been selected amongst a tough group of contestants. Delighted with the diversity of the final 12 and as long time Airbnb users and hosts, we are looking forward to providing substantive feedback on the use of the Airbnb network for sequential living.
Peta & Ben
LOL I just re read the opening sentences. Oaxaca de Juarez is such a wonderful city, as you know. How long are you there for?
Yes, we spent three weeks living in Oaxaca de Juarez last year, at a wonderful Airbnb and look forward to spending more time there. We are going for a very special reason which will be revealed later. But can’t wait.
Peta & Ben
So it seems my original comment has gone missing. Congratulations! Looking forward to hearing about your ramblings.
Thank you Alison.
We look forward to the next “Living Anywhere on Airbnb” chapter, continuing our green global trek.
Peta & Ben
That’s very cool. Of course, that’s not that big a change from your usual globetrotting, so it should come easy. I look forward to the stories.
Thanks Dave.
I think that in today’s pandemic climate travel is not going to come easy. We will of course have to navigate carefully around all the rules and regulations in each country and try to avoid hot spots.
Stay tuned…
Peta
This is amazing!! You will make the most of this opportunity. I look forward to your posts.xo
Thank you Darlene. Yes, we most definitely will make the most of this exciting opportunity and are most grateful to Airbnb for creating an unexpected new chapter in our green global trek!
Peta
That sounds perfect for you! Well done for winning it and best wishes for happy travels.
Thanks Anabel.
We are looking very forward to it. We thought this year would be a quiet one… Well, one just never knows.
Peta
Wonderful news! Looking forward to reading about your continuing adventures and experiences!
Deb
Thanks Deb for the support and enthusiasm.
Peta
Hi, Peta and Ben – This is soooo cool! I can’t wait to follow your adventures!
Air BnB made a VERY wise choice!
Hahah, thank you Donna, that is most flattering. We certainly hope so and are so appreciative of this once in a lifetime opportunity. The fact that they see a trend in longer stays in Airbnb is perfectly consistent with our approach to travel. We have used Airbnb often in the past and even used to be hosts with our home in Sri Lanka. So we are naturally big fans of Airbnb.
Peta & Ben
OMG! You two are perfect choices and what a great honor. Annie and I are always happy reading about your adventures and knowing you are healthy and safe. Perhaps an opportunity for a nice Airbnb near your kids?
Thank you Steven!
Such a nice thing to say. I had to push Ben to enter this as he was retty busy and thought the odds were too low. I said, yup, they are but if you don’t enter then there are no odds. Someone has to win! why not us?
We do hope to see our kids somewhere along our adventures…! Absolutely.
Peta
Absolutely fantastic…I am super excited for you guys. I really can’t think of more deserving candidates, you are perfect for this project. I am really looking forward to following along this adventure. Huge congratulations 👏🏼
Awww, thanks Gilda. Such a nice thing to say. Just when we were settling into the idea that we would not be doing much global travel for a while due to the pandemic, this happens! We get a wonderful opportunity of a life time. Just goes to show, you never know…!
Excited to share our upcoming adventures on the blog. First we gotta finish our last trip!
Peta
Oh wow, how exciting.
Thanks Peggy.
I know I already commented briefly on your Instagram post, but this really is an amazing turn of events! I’m sure your unique story served you well in the competition; I know I would have chosen you, too! I truly can’t wait to see where you go and the kinds of places you stay. Will each stay be for a month? Or can you move around as much as you want?
Thanks Lex!
It IS a turn of events. Exactly. We entered thinking that the odds of being selected as participants were of course unbelievably low, which is why initially Ben didn’t want to take the time to enter. But hey, someone has to win, right?
Our general intent is to stay around a month in most places. Then there will be some in between connecting destinations where we might stay a week or so. But the idea is for stays to be longer term. We have freedom of movement yes but it is recommended that one stays at least a month in most places since that is the model that Airbnb want to formulate and promote. The trend these days is that more people are working digitally of course and are also staying longer in Airbnbs. Slow travel for us, is actually ideal.
Peta & Ben
xoxo
Fabulous news Ben and Peta! Would love to have you here in Plett in our large and comfortable home with beautiful views over the sea and mountains. My son who has his own home here in plett is actually an airbnb superhost so you check that out too. Would be wonderful to meet you 🇿🇦
Thanks Susan!
We would love to get to South Africa at some point and do the garden route. Hopefully the situation will improve with time and we can get there. I have such wonderful memories of beautiful Plett and if we do head that way I will definitely be in touch with you to get your son’s info… We would love to meet you!!
Peta
So exciting! Congratulations, it is well deserved👏🏼
Looking forward for your new adventures!
Christie
Thanks Christie it is VERY exciting. We are pretty ecstatic to have been selected. We just have to navigate around Covid but other than that we are ready to roll!
Peta
This is sooo incredible! Unlike the Chicago Sun, I won’t call you a “lucky couple.” This contest had nothing to do with luck and all to do with originality, personality, inspiration, and an adventurous approach to life. And, maybe, just maybe, our rooting for you helped. 🙂
You two are perfect for this new chapter and future AirBnB “trend” and I’m excited (and, as you know, a tad envious) about this amazing opportunity. It didn’t come easy and you two made it happen throughout all the submissions, videos, and interviews. A huge and well-meant congratulations! You deserve this and I’ll be “hanging on your lips” to see what you’ve been up to. I hope our paths will cross somewhere soon, before you slip away too far into stardom. 🙂
Of course, I have a lot of questions as well. Are you able to pick all the destinations? Do you have to decide on a trajectory from the start or can you be flexible? Which places will you pick? How would you get around at the destinations? Oh, how I wish we could chat in person one day…
And, finally, once again, I learned from you to believe in fate and the universe!
Liesbet, thank you for your very warm and supportive thoughtful response. You are one of the few people who knew about the process we went through to get to where we are! So you know it moved very fast once we got down selected to send in a short video. We are very sure that the rooting had a lot to do with the positive energy that helped to catapult us through the process.
Love that you have a few questions, we would expect no less! 🙂
With regard to selecting the destinations, we have free reign. Which as you can imagine is quite overwhelming because the possibilities are limitless. We hope to visit places we have never been, but at the same time need to be alert to the ever changing pandemic related restrictions, hot spots etc. And as always political and climate related upheaval.
Flexibility is the name of the game, especially in the complex current environment. They don’t mind where we go. We are in process of mapping our options. For example, we would love to the Southern part of Japan where we have never visited. However, currently Japan is closed. So it’s a bit of a wait and see game. South Africa would be another one high on the list, but right now it’s total chaos there tragically.
How to get around? That will depend on where we are and what the options re public transportation are and how bad covid is at that location will influence how much we use buses and or trains. Liesbet, short of meeting one day, which will be awesome when we do no doubt, we can in the meantime do a zoom call?
Oh about the universe. It surely provides. The very day after we heard we had been selected we found out we would be losing our Airbnb space here in October! Out of the blue. So things somehow have a way of working out….
Let’s chat soon!
xoxo
Peta (and Ben)
Hello Peta and Ben,
I’m sure Covid adds to the complications that already exist regarding choosing the “right” destinations. Quite unfortunate. I strongly believe that you two will pick some fascinating places to immerse yourselves in and that everything will work out.
I’m looking forward to reading about your experiences and coming along vicariously and vigorously. I’ve been reading all the comments (here and on Instagram), because I feel invested, super attracted, and very interested in this method of travel. I’ll be along for the ride, whenever I can – time- and internet-related.
We are getting excited about our next chapter as well. Two days after we returned from Belgium (during which time the AirBnB thing would have worked out or not), we agreed on a price for a pick-up truck and we are now the proud owners of said truck… I haven’t made this public yet, though. This weekend probably. So, our own adventure can resume. 🙂
Regarding Zoom or Skype, we’d love to chat to you but would wait until you have sorted things out and are in a place where you have extra time and are not rushed to get out the door for your adventure. You have my email address. Feel free to get in touch about this whenever it fits. We will probably be in Massachusetts until Labor Day. Have fun, you two!!
Hi Peta and Ben,
I just want to make sure you saw my reply above. 🙂
Liesbet xx
Hi LIesbet,
So many choices and we are trying to avoid places that are Covid hotspots but of course that is ever changing. In fact, our little town of Zipolite is now a hot spot and going into “red zone” tomorrow! (Time to leave…. ) Of course, Covid is everywhere… so the trick will be to stay vigilant as always, no matter where we go.
Congrats on the new pick up truck! A new chapter of adventure begins for the three of you! Enjoy.
Let’s connect once things are a bit settled down…
Thanks for all your support and encouragement!
Peta
From Kris B:
Of course you guys made it! Never doubted that for a second.
Is it starting any time soon? So what’s the deal? You guys can choose any location and home and Airbnb covers the cost?
I’m intrigued to hear what your plans are in times of restricted travel.. for me these times are the first ever I’ve wanted to stay put more than anything else. We are choosing to trust our immune system and not have the vaccine which is making travel increasingly difficult.
It would be so sweet to see you guys though so if this deal
Is making you travel to Europe come visit!!!
Does it mean you are leaving Mexico as a Homebase? I can only assume you will.. wanting to take full opportunity to travel as Much as possible..
wow! You guys must be over the moon. Does it include all types of accommodation? From beautifully charming yet rustic to high end?
Can’t wait to hear where the journey takes you.. Chicago stop first?
So I saw the story… Africa! Wow! Amazing. That must have been years since you’ve been!
How do you guys feel about Covid and the state of the world? Wild times to say the least! Really looking forward to hearing about the whole year plan. It’s really created for people like you guys. A whole year of travelling. Abs did I read it correctly travel is partly covered too?!😮
Please please please add Spain to your list if you’re passing through Europe. Would be soooo awesome to see you guys!! I know I haven’t been in contact much but I keep you both in my heart always ❤️
What will happen to Esco?
Hi Kris,
Thanks for the vote of confidence, but with over 300,000 global entries, it is a ridiculously low probability of win!
Love all the questions and curiosity, here are some answers:
We start on September 1st. We had already made travel plans for September and will stick to those. Oaxaca City is next, then Mexico City.
Yes, we can choose any location and home within a budget that we are given on the Airbnb site.
We had not planned to travel globally. As you know when I sent you the competition I had no intention of entering it. But then thought, why not? How we feel about traveling during the pandemic is that whether at home here on the road, everywhere requires caution. Right now in our little beach town we are about to be declared a red zone there are so many cases here, which is the first time during the pandemic that this has happened.
We both got vaccinated recently in Los Angeles and while I had mixed feelings at the time, and lots of side effects, I am very glad that we both did this so that we can travel without existential threat. We understand that we are taking some risk by traveling but we will continue to exercise the same caution we have in the last year and a half.
Yes we are leaving Mexico as a home base, for now. Most likely we will come back. We will be here in January for a family reunion and plan to return after the year is up, but who knows?
Re the accommodations it is up to us to select the ones we want and to manage wisely our budget that we will receive from Airbnb. Some places will be more modest and others we might splurge depending on our needs and depending on the Airbnb offering in that location. Our intentions are to stay a month in most places. So more sequential living than traveling.
Yes, there is also a travel budget which will go towards the cost of flights.
Esco is being fostered by a really good friend of ours whom he loves and vice versa. He has stayed with her before when we travelled and it worked out really well.
Ben really wants to travel to as many new countries as possible or at least to regions we have not been before. We will let you know if we are anywhere near Spain and you can perhaps meet us somewhere?
xoxox
Pete
Congratulations Peta and Ben! This is such an amazing opportunity for the both of you, and so lucky you got selected out of the hundreds of thousands of applicants. Like many of the others, I’ve enjoyed following your blog and your travels, and this new chapter seems just natural and right up your alley.
I agree with what you said to Steven in the comments, ‘If you don’t enter then there are no odds’. That’s so inspiring. Give anything a shot and who knows where it will take you.
I also enjoyed reading your interview with the paper. What a great interview highlighting your journey and how you approach your travels, new places and cultures. It is very kind of you to think of people as mostly good – and I think yes, most people really do mean well out there. Looking forward to following along on your AirBnB journey 🙂
Thank you Mabel, good to hear from you!
It’s funny because we were not planning on any global travel this upcoming year other than visiting the family in the U.S. I shared the link to the competition with a bunch of friends that I thought might be interested. But there you go… And yes you are right, this lifestyle is exactly up our alley and we look very forward to starting this new chapter in a couple of weeks.
Our experience the world over has been that people are more good than anything else. We are strong believers in karma. Do good and you get good. That said, I think we have pretty good instincts if a situation or person feels uncomfortable and are good at extricating ourselves from those kind of situations. I think everyone has a different level of risk tolerance.
Thanks so much for your comments and for following us along all these years!
Peta
Seems like you and Ben were always meant to travel…and I guess the universe decided this year and the next was no exception. I also believe that if you put out good energy, it will more than likely come back to you. It is always good to be self-aware though, and good that you are good of that and know how to stay safe
Really looking forward to this chapter of yours 😊
Mabel we are also believers in good karma. I think this year more than most highlights this concept of not letting fear drive ones life choices. The pandemic, without disputing its global impact and reality of illness, hospitalizations, etc, is shaping up to also be a Rorschach type of test on how each of us decides to deal with the reality that is all around us. No right answer, but we do each have to opt for a balancing act between staying safe and not hiding under a rock.
Our first video on Tunisia is now up for viewing on our youtube channel. Come and check it out.
Peta
Not only am I excited for you two, but I even felt a twinge of pride when I first read that you were selected – only 12 out of 314,000 applicants. That’s HUGE and quite telling about you both as individuals as as a couple. The pride? That I follow you on your blog and Instagram consistently, always learning so much from your posts and your adventures. So, I guess the pride is in myself for reaching out to get to “know you.” 🙂 You two are PERFECT for this adventure (great articles, by the way) and I look forward to following you as you journey on. xo
Pam thank you for being proud of us!!!
Ben calculated the odds of being selected as one of 12 out of 314,000. It comes to 1/2 of 100th of 1 percent!
Thank you for following us and for your continued support and enthusiasm!
We do feel pride too but it’s a very specific kind of proud. It’s proud of being flexible enough to not stick to our prior Olán of staying put in Oaxaca and not traveling globally for right now. Traveling globally was not on our radar for now but hey when opportunity knocks at the door we have learned to embrace it!
It does feel like a perfect fit ~ as you know that was our life pre pandemic but looks like we will be fully nomadic starting September 1! Super excited!
Peta
What an incredible opportunity for you guys! Congratulations! As others have said, you really are the perfect couple for this kind of project. I know you’ll make the most of it and can’t wait to see where you go and what you do. Stay well and happy travels!
Thanks Laura, this really is an opportunity of a lifetime and we are ecstatic to have been selected. We are in the planning process right now and trying to decide where we will go first, and second… Very fun process. Can’t wait to hit the road!
Peta
Peta & Ben,
I’m overly excited and thrilled for your NEW ADVENTURES, perspectives, animal stories, & inspiring stories about the new people and the cultures you encounter.
Love & More from MN. xx
~Kim
Hi Kim!
Good to hear form you. Thank you for your enthusiasm, always. Who knows what adventures lie ahead. Hopefully lots of animals to interact with. We look forward to sharing our adventures and have you come along..
Peta & Ben
Hi Peta, You mentioned somewhere that we could find a schedule of your year’s itinerary. I can’t seem to find it. Or do you decide month-by-month where you will go next?
HI Cathy,
We have made decisions and plans up until mid February. Our first stops have been:
Oaxaca City
Mexico City
Chicago
And now Tunisia
On to Sicily for a month
Then our home base of Oaxaca Mexico
Then Tanzania, Africa!!! After that, its open for more travel in Africa.
We haven’t posted our itinerary anywhere but if you check our instagram account @greenglobaltrek, at the top in the profile it will always say where we currently are and where we are heading next!
Peta