A Year on the Road: Everything Changes
If I close my eyes and focus, I can nearly picture it– me in heels and a suit, rolling a suitcase behind me, laptop bag over one shoulder, trying to hail a cab and text on my blackberry at the same time. It’s strange, but the most visceral memory of those years is the physical sensation I carried with me: the uneasy stomach, anxiety tightening my chest, tired and heavy shoulders and worse– the excruciating boredom. The rest has faded, except short clips I can’t associate to any one moment, but more like a montage of my former life. There’s me, sitting on a conference call and catching myself fading away, cut to me trying not to fidget or stand up and throw something during 3 hour long staff meetings, cut to me sitting in my silent office and dreading all the stuff-I-don’t-want-to-do.
And that was it. The thing I remember most is that feeling of unease. Not the perks or business travel or the projects or the swell vacations. Just the feeling of wanting to crawl out of my skin, but forcing myself to bear it, because, well, that’s what you do. And eventually it gets better, right?
Yes. It does. If you blow it all up.
So I did. A year ago, I quit my job, and decided I was a writer, which by the way, is super easy to say but quite difficult to actually do, and caught the first plane to Madrid. I traveled, learned Spanish, learned how to surf, took salsa lessons, learned how to make typical Guatemalan food from scratch, and slept in late.
I wrote enough words on this blog that if it was book form it would be longer than most bestsellers.
Whatever it was that wore me down only a year ago, call it malaise, boredom, or depression– it’s gone. It’s been gone for awhile now, but at this one-year anniversary, looking back, I suddenly remembered– hey, I didn’t always feel so… light.
Back then, I had always wondered what it would be like in a year from now. I understand now, why anything I read at the time failed to construct that feeling for me. It’s hard to describe. It’s not a lack of ambition, I still have high standards for myself, but I’m letting it unfold naturally instead of forcing it. It’s not a lack of work, I write and read nearly constantly. But there is a balance– I’m not replaying the day’s work for the rest of the evening over a martini while I sulk. It’s not even the travel, although it fits me so well, I love the change and challenge of it, but if I had the same attitude, I could be happy anywhere. It’s a way of seeing things. Travel makes you easily charmed, whether it’s seeing how English words are translated or the way kids act or the way food is prepared, you get used to being surprised or curiously delighted. You appreciate things, especially the details.
It’s not happiness, exactly. No, it’s closer to being relaxed, open, allowing things to happen. Spending 12 hours on a crowded bus is still uncomfortable, but you bear it better. You’re not grinning like a madman, but you do laugh more. When the bank won’t change your currency and you’re nearly broke, you shrug and figure out a way around it. You get used to not having control, you learn to live with that. You can’t speak the language, you have no idea where anything is, you don’t know the correct custom, you don’t know the proper price, so you let it go.
And then, the habit, becomes routine.
So now a year later, a few questions answered:
Will you keep traveling? Yes. In fact, I’m not sure I’ll ever live full time in the US again. Although I do admit, I am catching thoughts of semi-permanent housing creeping in. Perhaps a modest home in southern Spain for the winter? A spring cabin in Central America, an hours drive from the beach so we can surf during the day and retreat to the mountain side and watch the monkeys from our verdana while they climb the mango trees? Summering in our Croatian apartment? Christmas in a Thailand bungalow? Could we be quad-coastal? Three months in 4 different homes? How fast could we save for the tiniest of places in each location?
Where will you go next? Well, so far I’ve covered some of Europe and most of Central America. I’d love a big change of pace, so I’m eyeing up Asia and Africa in the next year.
Where you able to make a living? Yes. But not in the ways I thought. It ended up being a very eclectic mix of work: some writing assignments for magazines/other sites, this blog, photography commissions, freelance writing for commercial clients and so on. There was no one stream of income, as I had anticipated. Somewhat naively, I assumed I’d be making more of my living from writing travel articles for the glossy travel pubs. But in the last year, the industry has changed, and even in my short time in it, I’ve noticed a huge difference. Editors that used to respond to me, have disappeared. Publications are closing. The only thing that has increased is the number of “travel writing” workshops, which promise a fast buck writing and traveling the world. I’m optimistic that the hard work I put in now, will pay off later when the industry invariably rebounds (right around the time when the economy rebounds and advertisers are looking to place ads again) but in the meantime, I am diversified.
What would you do differently? Nothing. Oh there are little things, like stay longer in this place or avoid doing that, but I wouldn’t have known that until, I did it the wrong way. Things have worked out incredibly smoothly, although one thing I’d caution against: microwaving a cup of water to boiling (but not boiling for 2 minutes) in a country with unsafe drinking water is probably a bad idea. It was the only time I got truly sick. Like, oh my god, I am going to die, kind of sick. Thankfully, this same country has great pharmacies with over the counter cures for almost anything.
How’s the internet? I’d love to write a book on this, because there is an art to finding good internet almost anywhere, and you’d surprised how a tiny cafe in Guatemala can have a scorching fast internet speed (almost 3X faster than my connection at home) and yet find nothing in a certain US airport. The bottom line: I was able to get internet everywhere I went, with only very minor exceptions. So if you’re looking to work overseas and travel, getting online may be an occasional hassle, but never impossible.
Are you still going to blog? Yes. Although, I’ve spent some time thinking about this, because, as with all things, this blog grew organically. It started basically enough: I’m going to quit my job and travel the world. Then I told you about it. But as it has grown, I haven’t taken a look at where I want to be now. Is this just about my travels? What’s the most useful information for other people? Where’s the most value? So this summer, I’m making it a goal to start looking at those things and the feedback from everyone to see if there are any shifts I need to make.
Any advice for someone thinking about doing the same thing? The biggest illusion in life is that you have control and that by staying your current course you are preventing bad things from happening to you. The second biggest illusion is that money, career-status, community-status, following the rules and having stuff is the defacto route to happiness. But without personal experience, I know these things don’t ring true– yet. My best advice is to keep looking for the answer, and slowly over time, it will reveal itself to you. And then you’ll feel it, and you’ll know what to do.
A year of travels down, many more left to go…
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Great post, very personal.
Keep travelling, it keeps you alive.
Andy
Andy´s last blog post..Monday Memories - #4 New Year’s Eve in Sydney
Christine - great post. I can’t believe it’s already been a year! Keep up the good work.
Alan
Alan´s last blog post..Tirana, Albania: Mother Teresa and the Dajti Express
Great post Christine. I’m looking forward to reading about where the road will take you next.
Sara´s last blog post..
Hola Christine,
I’m a new subscriber, and with posts like these, I’m excited for what lays ahead in year #2!
As for me, I can relate to so much of what you wrote since I quit my job in late 2007 to take my (first) trip around the world. I stopped short of returning home, as I found Medellin, Colombia so endearing. I highly recommend you give this country a chance when you make it to South America down the line.
I’m returning home in 5 weeks - a crazy thought that leaves me completely unsure of what’s to come. Ironically, it’s a feeling I adopted as the norm, and one that worries me a lot less these days.
Dave´s last blog post..Video of the Week - Bizarre Foods
Congrats on your one-year anniversary. I’m still hoping to start my year…hope I don’t keep hoping forever.
Beth Partin´s last blog post..MonHaibun: Spiral Staircase
You just reminded me of the fun part of living in different countries and seeing them in depth… that surprise and novelty are part of our days, and that we learn to shrug and work around challenges.
Have you noticed that you get better at reading people’s body language?
At least, when I’m in a new country, I find myself reading people’s body language, more than what they say, in order to learn the local customs… it’s saved me from trouble
What you say about sources of work is something thats been on my mind of late. I’m hoping that my freelance clients will continue to give me work whilst I travel, if not I’ll need to look for some other way to fund my adventures.
Dan´s last blog post..Brand new look
@Rome2Rome: Yes, and do you notice when you overhear people talking, you try to translate it? Then, you’re like, oh right, that’s English. I SPEAK ENGLISH. And then you’re very happy for no reason other than the reminder that you are actually fluent in at least one language.
@Dan: Stick around, I have big things planned on that front, that I hope will be useful for remote workers like us.
hi christine, i was waiting for a new almost fearless post to show up in my RSS reader! =) glad to hear that you’re still on the road and doing well. you are my hero!
malia´s last blog post..when pigs fly
Somehow, I hear a bit of uncertainty on this post. It sounded like you want to take a different route on how this blog is going. For a moment, I thought you have decided to pack up and head back home. Nothing is wrong with that but I am happy you did not.
Looking forward to happy travels. Good Luck!
Great post, Christine. No, we don’t have control, do we. That’s a giant illusion. Traveling or living abroad brings that home, and fast.
Congrats on your one year anniversary. I wish the best in those that follow.
Stevo´s last blog post..International Children’s Day in China: My Kids
Hi Christine, congratulations on your one year anniversary.
Reading this reminds me of how easy it was to slip into a great routine while travelling.
It seems you really are appreciating your new found freedom, I hope it lasts as long as you want it to.
Roy
Roy´s last blog post..Random Photo (1): Copper Canyon
It’s been great reading about your experiences on the road. I’m looking forward to keep reading your updates - whether you fly to Asia or Africa, or somewhere else.
Erica´s last blog post..Photo of the Week: Brighton Beach
Yay, you’re back!! I missed you. What would I like to see? I’d like to see you NOT take another month long break!
Your blog is more than about travel, it’s about your journey. That’s why I started reading, and that’s why I keep reading. Your journey isn’t over…so keep telling us about it.
Gillian´s last blog post..And Then There Were Three…
You do blog an insane amount - I can’t keep up half the time. Great writing, though.
Turner´s last blog post..Thorn Tree Travel Forum
Great post!
Kept me thinking about how im going to be in one year from now.
And i guess what kind of questions i will have to answer when my time traveling here in africa comes to an end!
we change…its hard to tell what we will be doing in 2010!
cheers!
Fabio Mesquita´s last blog post..Votem no Bacon!
inspiring!
Wow, it’s already been a year? Here’s to many, many more!
Tanya´s last blog post..Getting Out of Dodge
I have to echo a few prior posts and request that you continue this blog as well. I have been looking forward to an update for weeks! For those of us that live and travel vicariously through you, updates here are imperative! I read up on your prior day’s/week’s adventures each morning when I sit at my desk in my suit and tie. It’s the first thing I do BEFORE checking my email. Thank you for your great writing and congrats on 1 great year. Good luck with your continued travels. Keep us updated.
Time does fly, doesn’t it?? Looking forward to more of your adventures!
Lola´s last blog post..Heart & Soul: From Manicures to Machu Picchu
This was such a fun post to read. I left my job in March to move to Croatia (and I am not sure where we go from here next), and I already feel some of the changes you talked about. It will be interesting to see how I feel a year into it.
I can’t wait to see where year two takes you. Keep writing.
Pond Jumpers: Croatia´s last blog post..Visiting Supetar, Mirca and Sutivan on the Island of Brac
Congrats on your one year aniversary! I look forward to more stories from your travels.
Hi Christine,
It’s nice to read one of your posts again! This one specially is very inspiring.
It came at a time that an expat-round-the-world traveller like me, 2 years far far away from my country, is thinking of packing and going back home someday.
Well.. after reading your words I’m just not sure about that anymore!
Thanks for the inspiration and, re what you should write about in the future, I agree with Gillian, the journey is not only about travelling and your journey is a great subject!
All the best for your year #2.
A heartfelt post though I wouldn’t say the others weren’t. Good luck to the days ahead and keep on blogging. You’re inspiring the rest of us so if ever loneliness/uncertainty creeps in, just remember that. Take care! ^_^
mauie´s last blog post..Naragsak a Kasangay
Well done Christine! Great inspiring post. I’ve got 3 months left in my job then I’m off. Got our first trip sorted, 6 weeks in a village in Spain sorted - then off to South America in the new year.
Look forward to following your travels in the coming year.
Hi Christine! Just found your site, and we’re eagerly looking through the archives as power/wifi here in Vietnam allows! Great stuff!!!
My wife & I are also nearing the 1-year mark since we sold everything & took off with our kids, and we’ve been having the same thoughts about becoming “quad-coastal”. It’s always nice to find others that think like we do.
Happy adventures in your next year of independence - we’ll be along for the (virtual) ride!
Marc´s last blog post..Haikus
Hi there! Are you interested in a link exchange with my blog Beautiful Places?
Congratulations on your anniversary, Christine!
As a freshly minted escapee of the 9-to-5, I totally hear you on every single point. Here’s to another great year *cheers*
Congratulations on having your first year under your belt, Christine. It feels like I’ve been reading your updates for much longer. My first year abroad FLEW by. Now I’m coming up on my 7th year in Asia and I honestly don’t know where the time went. What I do know is that the roads I have been on have changed, as have I. Diversity has become my middle name. Best wishes for your upcoming travels. I’m looking forward to reading about your second year of roaming the world.
Congratulations on making it to a year, it’s been wonderful reading about your personal journey, and it’s really exciting to hear you plan to continue along this path.
I do hope you keep up with the blog, you are a truly incredibly talented writer, and it’s always a joy to read your posts, especially ones that give such a great personal insight.
Geoff´s last blog post..Mexico: Budget & Other Numbers
I just found your blog site a few days again. I wanted to let you know I really enjoy it. I’m currently planning to quit my job a travel the world. Wish me luck.
= )
Great post! I have been reading your blog for awhile now and it really makes me want to follow suit. I applaud your “almost fearlessness”! I also wanted to let you know that I gave you a One Lovely Blog Award: http://travelaholicanonymous.com/2009/06/one-lovely-blog-award/
Jennine´s last blog post..One Lovely Blog Award
[...] A year on the road: Everything changes [...]
Congratulations on the milestone! I just celebrated the same one.
I have to tell you that I enjoy the discursive nature or your blog. There are lots of “How-to” blogs out there and too few that tell stories. And you are a wonderful teller of stories.
Mara´s last blog ..Take me out to the ballgame!!!
Hi!
Christian Haugen´s last blog ..Lima – The first taste of Peru 
This is my second comment here and I will definently have a look at your previous posts to get some inspiration for my own travels and writing. I’m not planning to be a professional like you but it’s always good to get some input from the ones that do it full time and not just for shorter periods like my own 6 month trip. I am close to the end of my trip and I know that it will not be the last long trip that I do, once you catch it there is no cure
Wow, Christine… tears are springing to my eyes as I read this. I know we’ve never met (although I’m a fellow travel blogger), but I am SO happy for you. So glad that you knew the biggest danger in life is standing still and watching life happen TO you rather than FOR you. I have been there before (left a corporate job to move to Florence) and so identify with the feelings you expressed before you chose to embrace the uncertainty of the open road. You are SO right when you say, “The biggest illusion in life is that you have control and that by staying your current course you are preventing bad things from happening to you.” There is nothing like proactively choosing your own path and following it, wherever that happens to lead. BRAVA!!!
Yes! “Blow it all up.” It seems like there should be an easier/less drastic way, but I never discovered it either. I found your site a few months back in prep for my family’s leaving for Europe for a year. We’re six weeks into our journey and it’s been the best six weeks ever. I quit the job of 20 years, sold the cars and house, and got on an airplane. I’m living and beginning to truly understand the “letting go” that you talk about. It’s a great life lesson. Thanks for sharing your journey — I’ll be watching for more.
Bob Redpath´s last blog ..Welcome To The Krakow Variety Hour