Colombian man, 33, quit his finance job to travel across South America with his two dogs in a van

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A Colombian man is all set to hit the road through South America and create lasting memories with his two huskies after resigning from his 10-year job in finance.

Alejandro Álvarez sold his house in the Medellín town of San Antonio de Prado along with his car and motorcycle to fulfill a dream he called, “Life is a journey.”

‘Leaving the material possessions behind wasn’t the hardest thing to do, because I’ve always kept my distance from them’ the 33-year-old told DailyMail.com. In fact, when I decided to resign, I did so without paying any attention to it. I started selling everything I had to realize this big dream.’

Alejandro Álvarez has quit his 10-year job at a finance company in Colombia to travel around Colombia and South America with his two huskies, Celeste (bottom left) and Alaska (bottom right)

Alejandro Álvarez has quit his 10-year job at a finance company in Colombia to travel around Colombia and South America with his two huskies, Celeste (bottom left) and Alaska (bottom right)

Alaska, one of two huskies that will accompany Alejandro Álvarez on a dream journey through his native Colombia and several other countries in South America

Alaska, one of two huskies that will accompany Alejandro Álvarez on a dream journey through his native Colombia and several other countries in South America

Alaska, one of two huskies that will accompany Alejandro Álvarez on a dream journey through his native Colombia and several other countries in South America

Alejandro Álvarez told DailyMail.com that he bought the van four months ago and spent $40,000 to renovate it.  The van is equipped with solar panels for energy, a shower, kitchen, bed and closet

Alejandro Álvarez told DailyMail.com that he bought the van four months ago and spent $40,000 to renovate it.  The van is equipped with solar panels for energy, a shower, kitchen, bed and closet

Alejandro Álvarez told DailyMail.com that he bought the van four months ago and spent $40,000 to renovate it. The van is equipped with solar panels for energy, a shower, kitchen, bed and closet

Alejandro Álvarez told DailyMail.com that he first came into contact with Alaska, a nine-year-old husky, while visiting a pet store in Colombia.

Alejandro Álvarez told DailyMail.com that he first came into contact with Alaska, a nine-year-old husky, while visiting a pet store in Colombia.

Alejandro Álvarez told DailyMail.com that he first came into contact with Alaska, a nine-year-old husky, while visiting a pet store in Colombia.

Álvarez hugs his five-year-old Husky Celeste.  The couple and their other dog Alaska embark on a road trip called: 'Life is a journey'

Álvarez hugs his five-year-old Husky Celeste.  The couple and their other dog Alaska embark on a road trip called: 'Life is a journey'

Álvarez hugs his five-year-old Husky Celeste. The couple and their other dog Alaska embark on a road trip called: ‘Life is a journey’

The hardest part of the dream he said is that he will separate from his family for the next six months while traveling through Colombia. His mother plans to join him for about two weeks of the trip.

“But when there’s family love, it’s the same,” said the only child. “Let’s try to keep in touch virtually, through virtual conferences.”

Álvarez’s journey through South America will take place in a 2007 second-hand van he bought four months ago in Bogotá, the capital.

He has spent $40,000 in the past four months converting the van into a chic mobile home suitable for a man and his two best friends.

“The idea came from my love of traveling with my pets, because it was not very comfortable to travel on a motorcycle or in a private car,” explains Álvarez.

He took nine-year-old Alaska home after visiting a local pet store and found her for sale to breed. Álvarez outbid all other buyers.

Five-year-old Celeste was a gift from his ex-girlfriend.

His six-month journey through Colombia — which he documents on social media — will serve as a way to introduce the world to destinations not frequented by tourists, he said.

His six-month journey through Colombia — which he documents on social media — will serve as a way to introduce the world to destinations not frequented by tourists, he said.

“I want to fill my life with memories and experiences rather than material things,” said Álvarez.  Álvarez expects to tour the rest of South America in 2023, with Ecuador being the first country on his list

“I want to fill my life with memories and experiences rather than material things,” said Álvarez.  Álvarez expects to tour the rest of South America in 2023, with Ecuador being the first country on his list

His six-month journey through Colombia — which he documents on social media — will serve as a way to introduce the world to destinations not frequented by tourists, he said.

Alejandro said he decided to buy a van because it would have enough space for his two dogs to be comfortable for their upcoming travels through Colombia and South America

Alejandro said he decided to buy a van because it would have enough space for his two dogs to be comfortable for their upcoming travels through Colombia and South America

Alejandro said he decided to buy a van because it would have enough space for his two dogs to be comfortable for their upcoming travels through Colombia and South America

Alejandro converted the 2007 van into a mobile home with a small kitchen, workspace, sofa, bed and closet

Alejandro converted the 2007 van into a mobile home with a small kitchen, workspace, sofa, bed and closet

In the past four months, Alejandro Álvarez has been able to significantly upgrade the van, such as installing a small kitchen with a sink, fridge and stove (not visible)

In the past four months, Alejandro Álvarez has been able to significantly upgrade the van, such as installing a small kitchen with a sink, fridge and stove (not visible)

Alejandro converted the 2007 van into a mobile home with a small kitchen, workspace, sofa, bed and closet

He has spent $40,000 in the past four months converting the van into a chic mobile home suitable for a man and his two best friends.

He has spent $40,000 in the past four months converting the van into a chic mobile home suitable for a man and his two best friends.

“The idea came from my love of traveling with my pets, because it was not very comfortable to travel on a motorcycle or in a private car,” explains Álvarez.

“The idea came from my love of traveling with my pets, because it was not very comfortable to travel on a motorcycle or in a private car,” explains Álvarez.

Álvarez’s journey through South America will take place in a 2007 second-hand van he bought four months ago in Bogotá, the capital.

He ripped out the vehicle’s original floor and swapped out the wood paneling. He also installed a solar panel system on the roof to save fuel, which will be necessary if he rests on the side of the road.

Álvarez removed the chairs and equipped them with a bed, closet, kitchen, shower and workspace. There’s also a projection screen that slides down from the ceiling when it’s time to relax. This week he wants to place a water tank.

His six-month journey through Colombia — which he documents on social media — will serve as a way to introduce the world to destinations not frequented by tourists, he said.

Alejandro Álvarez, with his dog Celeste, said he quit his 10-year job in finance to travel all over Colombia and South America

Alejandro Álvarez, with his dog Celeste, said he quit his 10-year job in finance to travel all over Colombia and South America

Alejandro Álvarez, with his dog Celeste, said he quit his 10-year job in finance to travel all over Colombia and South America

Five-year-old Celeste was a gift to Alejandro from his ex-girlfriend.  The dog is one of two huskies the 33-year-old has as his companions who will accompany him on a road trip through Colombia and the rest of South America

Five-year-old Celeste was a gift to Alejandro from his ex-girlfriend.  The dog is one of two huskies the 33-year-old has as his companions who will accompany him on a road trip through Colombia and the rest of South America

Five-year-old Celeste was a gift to Alejandro from his ex-girlfriend. The dog is one of two huskies the 33-year-old has as his companions who will accompany him on a road trip through Colombia and the rest of South America

Celeste (left) and Alaska (right) will travel Colombia with their owners for the next six months before traveling through South America

Celeste (left) and Alaska (right) will travel Colombia with their owners for the next six months before traveling through South America

Celeste (left) and Alaska (right) will travel Colombia with their owners for the next six months before traveling through South America

In two weeks he will drive 300 miles to the Pacific coast province of Valle del Cauca. While there he will visit the towns of Buenaventura and Cali as well as the El Danubio River which will delight his dogs Alaska and Celeste.

His furry companions are big fans of nature and enjoy long walks in the countryside.

Álvarez expects to tour the rest of South America in 2023, with Ecuador being the first country on his list.

He then drives to Peru and Bolivia before visiting Brazil, Argentina and Chile. Paraguay and Uruguay are also on the schedule, although he isn’t sure which country he will visit before driving back home.

“I want to fill my life with memories and experiences rather than material things,” said Álvarez.