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Life Nomadic: Welcome to Life Nomadic
The border agent was very suspicious of me."Where's your luggage?"
"I don't have any."
"Do you have a return ticket?"
"No, but I have a ticket to Panama for next week."
"Where do you live?"
This never goes over well.
"Well, nowhere, really..."
And it's true. The closest thing I have to a home is a 21 foot RV that I park on the street and live in when I'm in Austin, Texas for a few months every year.
Last year my friend Todd and I made the decision to become modern day nomads and make the wonders of the world the backdrop for our every day lives.
We sold everything we owned other than two small backpacks crammed with cutting edge gear, and chased our whims around the world.
We ran with the bulls in Spain, sat under the cherry blossom trees in Tokyo, explored the catacombs of Paris, rode 4x4s across the dunes of Qatar, marched in the Carnaval parades of Panama, and a whole lot more.
This year we have a lot more planned, along with plenty of time to fill with whatever last minute adventure catches our attention.
And even better, we're blogging about it exclusively for Gadling. Our goal this year is to show you what it's like to be a modern day nomad, how to do it, and also how to use some hardcore nomad strategies to make regular travel even better.
We have three main principles that we follow, which you will hear a lot more about:
There are a couple things I'd like from you:
We ran with the bulls in Spain, sat under the cherry blossom trees in Tokyo, explored the catacombs of Paris, rode 4x4s across the dunes of Qatar, marched in the Carnaval parades of Panama, and a whole lot more.
This year we have a lot more planned, along with plenty of time to fill with whatever last minute adventure catches our attention.
And even better, we're blogging about it exclusively for Gadling. Our goal this year is to show you what it's like to be a modern day nomad, how to do it, and also how to use some hardcore nomad strategies to make regular travel even better.
We have three main principles that we follow, which you will hear a lot more about:
- Versatility
We aim to be as versatile as possible. We pack extremely light, but with enough gear to cover any likely contingency. My small 28 liter pack has enough gear to keep me warm in 10 degree Toronto (where I write this from) and cool in 90 degree Panama (where I head this week).
Our incomes are unbound from any location and we've developed good work habits to put in a full effort from anywhere in the world.
We have no obligations back home to pull us back or encumber us while we're gone.
On top of all that, we eat healthy foods and exercise so that we can hike a few miles through the mountains just as easily as we can flop down on a hammock on the beach.
- Technology
We use the latest technology available to fuel our worldwide adventures. Not just electronics, although we're packed to the gills with those, but cutting edge clothing technology (more exciting than it sounds...) and even camping gadgets.
Beyond what we carry, we use technology to keep in touch with family and friends all around the world as well as to generate enough income to fund our nomadic lifestyles.
- Deep Experience
Our backgrounds and available time pose some restrictions, but we try to live like natives rather than trample the country like tourists.
We try to learn the language of anywhere we stay for at least a month, rent apartments rather than hotels, and spend our time exploring the city rather than hopping from one Carlos and Charlie's to the next.
Whenever we're able to make friends with locals we get a much richer experience, and we follow their recommendations on where to visit.
There are a couple things I'd like from you:
- Your questions. Every week I will write an "Ask a Nomad" column. E-mail me directly at tynan DOT gadling AT weblogsinc DOT com and you may find your question answered right here.
- Your feedback. We're nomads because it makes our lives better, but we write to try to make your life better. If you let me know which articles you like and which you don't like, I can do a better job covering topics you're interested in. Again, my e-mail is tynan DOT gadling AT weblogsinc DOT com.
- Subscribe. You can subscribe to the Gadling feed here, or to Life-Nomadic-only posts here.
Filed under: Life Nomadic, Central America
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Craig Feb 10th 2009 11:44AM
I'd like to see more info about and reviews for the gear and clothing that works best. Not the specialty items like the kettlebell or the sockless shoes, but the more common and practical items like shirts, pants, coats, flashlights, the pouches/bags that you keep your clothes in, etc.
nismo334 Feb 10th 2009 12:06PM
I agree, I've had a hard time finding the clothes and practical items for nomadic travel that would work long term. Also, rather than just a guide to equipment, tell us what equipment you actually use and what you like/dislike about it. Also what camera where you shooting the video with? Looks pretty good if it a small portable unit.
Tynan Feb 10th 2009 3:15PM
There will be a lot of that this year. Thanks for the suggestion!
Tynan
Brian M Feb 10th 2009 12:27PM
First, I'm envious... though the logical side of my mind (happens to be the majority I'm afraid) assures me it's not as fun and glamorous as it seems.
Like Craig, I'm also interested in the items you use that are always involved in daily life. Not everyone works out, and those that do seem to have their chosen method already. While I always love daydreaming about far off places (Thanks for filling that hole Gadling bloggers :) ), I don't find myself there much and think items/information that's useful in my own backyard appeal to me most. So, feel free to go into detail about personal security, getting the lay of the land, etc...
Looking forward to your future posts.
Tynan Feb 10th 2009 5:03PM
It's definitely as fun as it sounds, probably more so. It's probably not as glamorous, though. We spend a lot of days working on our computers.
I'll definitely be covering more daily life sort of things...
Tynan
Andrew Feb 10th 2009 12:29PM
Followed you guys last year and can't wait to see what's in store for this year. Gotta get to Panama.
How did you guys find your apartment this year? Did you have to pay over-market because you're not a local?
Andrew
Tynan Feb 11th 2009 10:24AM
Actually rental rates are much higher this year AND we came during Carnaval season. We've been looking for an apartment, but so far have been staying in a private room in a hostel.
Tynan
Pär Feb 10th 2009 12:18PM
Good luck and hope you have as fun this year as last year!
nhance Feb 10th 2009 12:48PM
This seems like the type of thing that would do really great on the Discovery Channel.
A lot of their recent shows seem to be a camera crew with someone who does something unique (One Way Out, Man vs. Wild, etc.)
Would you be against developing a TV show for greater exposure? I know I'd love to watch it.
Tynan Feb 11th 2009 10:31AM
I'm definitely thinking about a TV show in the future. Would love to do it...
Tynan
elai.elaios Feb 10th 2009 12:52PM
Hey, I want to hear more about that border guard story! Which country?
And most people in the world don't think in Fahrenheit , they think in Celsius. You guys should add conversions for them in your posts so we don't have to.
TheGman Feb 10th 2009 6:42PM
What do you and Todd do exactly?
elai.elaios: I would put my money on Canada
Darren Feb 11th 2009 12:13AM
Do you author books / write as your main income?
Very excited to see this series, best of luck & stay safe out there!
Tynan Feb 11th 2009 10:33AM
I don't make much money now, what I do make is from writing. My goal is to build lifenomadic.com into a profitable site.
Tynan
N00b Feb 11th 2009 11:16AM
Well, I'd like to learn more about the earning for living.
Which kind of REPEATABLE ways do you (and Todd!) suggest to make the bucks without staying tied to a place?
Owning a website about LifeNomadic does not count.
Writing articles for Gadling counts half.
Cover this and you will be the first of an offspring...
Andrew Feb 11th 2009 7:55PM
Most people that view these blogs are young enough to have some skill they can monetize on eLance...
http://www.lifenomadic.com/2008/how-to-make-money-while-traveling.html
Matthew Feb 12th 2009 7:31AM
Eager to read more about your adventures! My wife and I are currently studying-abroad and are loving it! We gathered some advice from last year's site to use when preparing for this trip. It's come in handy already!
(We didn't pack as light as you are, but we fit everything into a suitcase and carry-one apiece. Good thing, as we had no problem carrying it all half-way across the city when we got off the bus too soon!)
Can't wait to read more! Great looking video, btw!
Steph Feb 12th 2009 11:29AM
I love reading your posts and hearing about people who are actually doing what I've always dreamed of. I've done a lot of traveling around the states but a friend and I have just made the decision to embark on a trip over seas for an undetermined amount of time. I'm currently selling all my furniture and large things of worth. Any suggestions before we go?
Brenda Feb 13th 2009 12:40AM
tynan -
great to have you back. i'm so excited to hear more about your nomadic life.
aloha,
brenda
gorida Feb 14th 2009 1:14PM
I always wanted to live a nomadic life, and now I can see that it's possible. Thank you for the inspiration. I'll write a post about LN on our blog attaching a new song to 'Goridas nomadic ear' as well. Looking forward to your future posts. :)