After four years of planning, and a year’s delay due to the pandemic, it’s time: I’m officially going “nomad.” The apartment is empty and I’m waiting for the management team to do the final inspection before I give up having a permanent home and take to the road. I have wanted to do this for a very long time; the timing just wasn’t right until now.
I realize how fortunate I am to even consider this. I have my health. I have two adult children and loads of friends who have offered to put me up for a few nights in between/on trips. And through careful planning for decades, I have the financial resources to make it work. Although, truth be told, living a nomadic life will actually be cheaper than living in LA. I am able to continue my coaching business from the road, one of the benefits of working for myself.
I’m going for many reasons:
To see all the beauty of our wonderful world
To learn about other cultures and histories
To experience the way other people live
To meet folks and find our common ground
To push myself to grow in new ways
Right now, I’ll be sticking with places that have high covid vaccination rates, not because of my own safety – I truly believe that my vaccine, plus some cautionary measures will keep me healthy – but because I don’t want to bring covid into a community that doesn’t have access to vaccines. That means, for the moment, Africa, Central America, and parts of Asia will have to wait. While I’ve been to many countries in Europe, there are two that I have not visited yet and want to see: Norway and Malta. And there are plenty of places I have visited and wish to return: Croatia, Switzerland, Portugal, Denmark, and Scotland are all on my calendar for another visit.
I've long wanted to return to Yellowstone in winter, and the Galapagos have been on my wish list for ages, so a trip is booked for March. Other US places I’d like to visit: Asheville and the Great Smoky Mountains NP, Charleston & Savannah, Key West, and my final state, #50 out of 50, Minnesota! I’m hoping the next year also brings me to Eastern Canada, as I’d like to visit Montreal, Quebec, the Cabot Trail, the Gaspe Peninsula and Fogo Island.
I’ll be posting about interesting places here, and certainly welcome your comments and suggestions. It’s time to go. Adventure Awaits.
Photos courtesy of Google Images -- definitely not mine! Clockwise from upper left: Valletta, Malta; Rovinj, Croatia; Lofoten Islands, Norway; and Yellowstone in winter.
Wow, the adventures that await you! I'm slightly jealous but looking forward to living vicariously through you and your travels. I wish you safe and healthy travels and many new relationships with new people and places!
Woohoo! It's "Lift off" time and this big beautiful World awaits...❤️
"...travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living." - Mary Ritter Beard