Our Craziest Borderless Moment (So Far)

We like to think of ourselves as seasoned travelers. We pack smart, plan ahead, and have Google Translate on speed dial. But no matter how organized we try to be, borderless travel always finds new ways to humble us. From sandstorms in Jordan to locksmiths in Paris, we’ve racked up more near-disasters than passport stamps (almost).

This isn’t your average travel highlight reel—this is the behind-the-scenes chaos. The moments we don’t always post, but that somehow make the journey even more memorable. Buckle up, because these are our craziest Borderless Bros moments (so far)—the kind you laugh about after you’ve cried a little.

1. The Jordanian Sandstorm That Nearly Sent Us to Iraq

Nothing says “adventure” like driving through the Jordanian desert—until it becomes Dune IRL.

We hit a sudden sandstorm with visibility down to 10 feet. GPS was barely working. The desert stretched endlessly. And for a brief (terrifying) moment, we almost took the exit to Iraq—because we literally couldn’t see where the road was going.

Lesson: Always check the weather. And maybe don’t rent a car in the middle of a sandstorm.

2. Locked Out in Paris at 4AM

We dreamed of waking up in Paris… just not on the wrong side of the door.

One fateful night, we found ourselves completely locked out of our Airbnb with no way in and nowhere to go.

So, we did what any reasonable traveler would: called a locksmith who arrived at 4am with a buzz saw and cut through the door.

It cost us a small fortune and a piece of our soul. We still flinch at the sound of buzzing metal.

3. The Amsterdam Airport Sprint(s)

Amsterdam’s airport: beautiful, efficient, and absolutely terrifying if you have a short layover.

We’ve missed flights. We’ve panicked in customs lines. We’ve sprinted down endless hallways like Olympic athletes, only to arrive at the gate just as it closes.

Our relationship has never been tested like it was between gates B24 and E6.

4. Fever Dreams in the Desert

Jesse, ever the trooper, powered through Petra with a 102° fever.

Picture this: hiking through ancient ruins, surrounded by dramatic cliffs, with the sun beating down… while burning up from the inside out.

He refused to turn back. He also used a donkey and rider to take him half the way back…half the way. That was unbeknownst to him at the time as he thought they would take him all the way back (poor guy)!

The photos? Glorious. The reality? A sweaty, delirious march through biblical landscapes.

5. Denied at Macchu Picchu—But We Came Back

We were right there. Bags packed. Tickets in hand. On the platform, ready to board the train to Macchu Picchu…

And then came the news: protests had blocked the tracks. Locals told us to turn back.

We were crushed. But a year later, we returned—stronger, more determined, and way more paranoid about local news alerts.

And yes, the second time, we made it. It was worth every ounce of heartache.

6. Rome: Run, Eat, Repeat

Rome wasn’t built in a day, but we tried to see it in one.

We ran—literally ran—from the Colosseum to the Vatican to Trevi Fountain, inhaling history and gelato in equal measure.

There’s something oddly romantic about sprinting through cobblestone streets while shouting, “We have five minutes until our next tour!”

7. ✈️ Travel Tip You Don’t Want to Miss: Always check both the vaccination requirements for your destination and for any countries you’re transiting or coming from—even layovers can matter.

We learned this the hard way en route to Aruba from Brazil—no one warned us in advance, but we were stopped and told we needed proof of the yellow fever vaccine just because we had been in Brazil. Don’t let a missed detail derail your trip—double-check with the CDC, your airline, or your destination’s entry requirements before you go! 🌍💉

The Borderless Bros Way

These moments weren’t glamorous. They weren’t smooth. But they were unforgettable.

We’ve cried, cursed, and laughed (usually later). But that’s the beauty of travel: it pushes you, humbles you, and bonds you—especially when you nearly end up in Iraq.

Got a wild border story of your own? Drop it in the comments—we might just feature it next.