View Full Version : The Nomadic Life
DelishIrish
05-04-2017, 05:43 AM
Been in France for 8 months and we're moving Aug/Sept to one of the following: Australia, London, or New Zealand. I haven't cammed since June 2016, but I'm going to start again this month to save extra over the summer for the move.
If any of you ladies want to see France but can't afford Paris, try Strasbourg. I actually live in a really tourist-y area (by Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg) which is kind of like visiting France & Germany simultaneously since it's so close to the German border and getting a lot of that influence. There's so much to see and hear and EAT = ]
carmen_b
05-08-2017, 09:09 AM
Woo-Hoo
I've been PROTECTING the July / Aug. range for months ! :)
I just said " No!" to a project that would have messed up the beginning portion of my travel times.
For those who are wanting to GO but finding it too hard ....... I think they key is planning the time MONTHS ahead.
Aurora_Sunset
05-08-2017, 11:40 AM
For those who are wanting to GO but finding it too hard ....... I think they key is planning the time MONTHS ahead.
This is what I'm trying lately anyway and it seems to be working.
I think this is super true. One of the things that always trips me up with plans is that something always comes up. I always say "I'll have more free time after such-and-such/after this month/after this or that is over" but something else will always pop up to take up your time if you don't block it off for what you want in advance.
carmen_b
05-09-2017, 02:52 PM
Does anyone have experience with Merida Mexico ? I have a unique opportunity to house sit there for a few weeks in June BUT all I know is that it's HOT. Anyone love it ? Hate it ? Air fare is cheap from where I am now!
I was leaning towards more temperate Medellin Columbia but this a great opportunity to not have to pay for accommodation. I am leaning towards doing it currently.
I connected with the female owner today on phone / linkedin.
seashell
05-10-2017, 11:42 AM
Does anyone have experience with Merida Mexico ? I have a unique opportunity to house sit there for a few weeks in June BUT all I know is that it's HOT. Anyone love it ? Hate it ? Air fare is cheap from where I am now!
I was leaning towards more temperate Medellin Columbia but this a great opportunity to not have to pay for accommodation. I am leaning towards doing it currently.
I connected with the female owner today on phone / linkedin.
Yes!! I lived in Merida for about 2 months in a summer study abroad program, and it is amazing. There is a lot of old Spanish-style architecture, so some parts of it feel very European. Amazing Mexican food, lots to see and do, very friendly people. When I was there, it was considered the safest city in Latin America.
It's also really close to some of the best ancient Mayan ruins... I would recommend doing day trips to Chichen Itza (1.5 hours away) and Tulum (3 hours away). Chichen Itza is a huge ancient city in the forest, and Tulum is an ancient temple on a cliff by a gorgeous beach.
Yes, it's hot... I was there during June and July... we had very sunny/humid days mixed with heavy rainstorms. But I'm from Arizona, so I'm used to the heat. Most people avoid being outside during the hottest parts of the day. Take advantage of the morning and evening, carry a water bottle everywhere, and get one of those portable fans to help stay cool.
carmen_b
09-17-2017, 10:49 AM
I'm experiencing *some* anger at my partner lately on the travel front. He has had 6 months to more fully develop on online hustle ( he is a skilled video editor ... 17 + years ).
I was hoping to split our 2018 year between about USA living and half in cheaper places. My online income can actually cover us both in a cheaper place but he says he doesn't want to be " a traveling concubine " .
Anyway ..... eh ...... that's just my little vent. I'm going this winter with or without him . I'm just hoping to do some adventures together !
carmen_b
10-12-2017, 08:47 PM
^ I'm over this now. I will just go myself ( split the winter up into USA and travel ).
YouTube travel videos are so dangerous - ha! There is the most handsome traveler on YouTube. Crushing digitally haha.
I realized that maybe it really isn't fair of me to drag my partner away for the entire winter . He is fascinated by winter ( grew up in the tropics ) . He is living his own dream by having a winter and that's not fair of me to ask him to be gone the entire Dec. - Feb. range.
seashell
10-13-2017, 03:15 AM
^ I'm over this now. I will just go myself ( split the winter up into USA and travel ).
YouTube travel videos are so dangerous - ha! There is the most handsome traveler on YouTube. Crushing digitally haha.
I realized that maybe it really isn't fair of me to drag my partner away for the entire winter . He is fascinated by winter ( grew up in the tropics ) . He is living his own dream by having a winter and that's not fair of me to put a big push to be gone the entire Nov - Feb. range.
I can relate to the winter fascination. I'm from the desert, and snow/leafless trees/winter sports are so interesting and different when you've never been around then :)
carmen_b
10-13-2017, 08:47 AM
^ Yeah, that's why I feel ok about just splitting the winter into my own travel . He's from a tropical place so where we are now ( 9 month lease ) will be his " travel dream " in a month or two when the snow comes in.
SnuffleUffleGrass
11-28-2017, 10:28 PM
I'm honestly sick of life on the road but it's the only way I can afford to save for retirement now. Also my day job this year was pretty awful overall so it reminded me of how luck I am to be able to strip.
carmen_b
12-23-2017, 10:15 AM
One month down ( almost !).
A one month to 6 week winter seems so perfect.
My partner is getting his winter fix and Dec. wasn't too hard on me.
Yeah for our foresight in choosing a place with covered parking and where they handle all the snow removal .
Now I just need to figure what to do mid Jan - end of Feb.
Luckily I have day job work taking me to Vegas/ L.A. Again and maybe that'll hold me over for a few weeks.
My energy is declining with my seasonal issues and I know it's not wise to stay the whole season here.
carmen_b
01-14-2018, 11:10 PM
Ugh, I miss Thailand. I want to go somewhere new but I'm stressing that no other locations will live up to it. :/
seashell
01-15-2018, 12:53 PM
I'm about to leave for Croatia! Just handed over my keys for apartment... and I'm getting on the first bus outta here. Woohoo!
I just got out of a bad relationship, and I am really excited to be on the road again. I want to explore a bit more of Eastern Europe, and then maybe spend 6 months in England (if I can afford it). It would be so nice to return to the English speaking world.
carmen_b
11-24-2018, 10:20 AM
I'm caught up in the great debate again. ;)
The ideas: a time split between here and Hawaii , Mexico , South East Asia ( I just love it there ).
I'm set up WELL here ( south facing HUGE windows and solar paneled property so I can blast as much heat as I want ) but I'm just FEELING it lately to maybe hit the road again.
xxxGothBarbie
11-26-2018, 10:30 PM
How do you guys handle your depression from staying on one place for too long than you desire bc your partner that you are really into can't afford it right now & has other things keeping them from being able to just get up & go like I can? That's what my issue is these days, we go on short little trips to LA here & there but I'm soooo wanting to venture further out to NYC or somewhere away from the west coast due to my boredom here.
It's still somewhat of a fresh relationship but I'm very happy for once & don't wanna just desert him you know? :(
trustfundkiller
11-28-2018, 12:16 AM
You guys are awesome! This is very inspiring. I want to live a nomadic life so badly but I can't get up the courage to actually do it. I'll be watching from the sidelines until I get the balls to do it myself :magnify:
SnuffleUffleGrass
11-28-2018, 01:26 PM
You guys are awesome! This is very inspiring. I want to live a nomadic life so badly but I can't get up the courage to actually do it. I'll be watching from the sidelines until I get the balls to do it myself :magnify:
The vandwelling lifestyle is the easy way to live road life without being a crust punk and getting your ass kicked by cops.
However the average vandweller needs a fat checking account. A wreck, mechanical problems or just illness can leave you stranded in messed up places with no one to help.
trustfundkiller
11-28-2018, 08:26 PM
The vandwelling lifestyle is the easy way to live road life without being a crust punk and getting your ass kicked by cops.
However the average vandweller needs a fat checking account. A wreck, mechanical problems or just illness can leave you stranded in messed up places with no one to help.
Yes, that makes sense. I've watched a lot of YouTube videos from van dwellers where they show off their space and talk about their life/living on the road, and all I can think is, "That's nice, but all it takes is a totaled van and then you've lost your car and home all in one go." Idk, maybe van dwellers have a level of optimism that I don't have - lol.
SnuffleUffleGrass
11-29-2018, 07:48 AM
Yes, that makes sense. I've watched a lot of YouTube videos from van dwellers where they show off their space and talk about their life/living on the road, and all I can think is, "That's nice, but all it takes is a totaled van and then you've lost your car and home all in one go." Idk, maybe van dwellers have a level of optimism that I don't have - lol.
One vandweller said he spent about $10 K total on the van itself and making the van livable even in winter (he added insulating materials to the walls, easy to do if you can get a hold of the foam insulation.) & Many people spend $10 K on cars anyways. So it's not that bad.
I've had to travel fast for unexpected emergencies so usually having a credit card and a couple grand cash you can access covers emergencies on the road (like a wrecked van or getting Emergency Room sick.)
A lot of truckers live comfortably out of big rigs. I have traveled several times on rigs and it's cozy. You do have to keep the living space clean though.
Side note- tons of people have been living out of Wal Mart parking lots and rest stops for decades. It's an American subculture actually.
seashell
11-29-2018, 08:25 AM
I kinda want to try out van dwelling. My mom has an old SUV that she doesn't use... and if I needed a home base, I know she'd let me sleep on her couch anytime. But I have a really deep fear of break-ins and assault, so I think that would be a nightmare for me. And I really hate driving. XD
Also, what do people do if they get sick? I don't know if I could handle living in a van and having a fever or something, still having to find a place to park everyday. I'm in Serbia right now, and got sick this week... it was a real luxury to not have to pay American healthcare prices. It was like $25 for a doctor's visit + prescription meds (no insurance).
Glamourmilf
11-30-2018, 09:11 AM
Yes, that makes sense. I've watched a lot of YouTube videos from van dwellers where they show off their space and talk about their life/living on the road, and all I can think is, "That's nice, but all it takes is a totaled van and then you've lost your car and home all in one go." Idk, maybe van dwellers have a level of optimism that I don't have - lol.
My thoughts exactly.
I was watching a cam girl who was living in her van, and streaming from it.
She looked like she had just pulled over to the side of the road.
It was wild to see how much balls she had.
She was sick with a bad cold ( yet was rolling and smoking fat ones)
She had the drapes open behind her, with a dildo sitting on the window sill. OMG! Lol!
I seriously was having palpitations watching her. I was thinking how at any minute someone could roll up on her.
I flashed back to when I was homeless, and felt like I was done with unscrupulous landlords, and would just live in a van.
Nope.
Not for me. I'm too much of a diva, and need my creature comforts.
Plus, I love where I now live. But, the temps go up to 120 plus for 4 months, and in the winter, it's hella cold.
But, God bless if anyone chooses to do it.
SnuffleUffleGrass
11-30-2018, 09:12 AM
Vandwelling works as a lifestyle if you don't mind camping as a hobby and can be organized about your personal space.
kortneykay
12-04-2018, 01:27 AM
To those in relationships, just go. When freedom is calling, answer it. Get your me time in at whatever your age, now. If it's meant to be they'll be there when you get back. When you're old and bedridden you'll nag yourself for not going.
carmen_b
04-14-2019, 07:52 PM
I wish this mid-May job I took on ( it's only a 3 day commitment ) would just magicially vanish. It's on May 11 ( with a drive there and back the day before and after ).
I didn't have a reason to keep the whole month open ........ now I DO .
I'm not sure where I'm going with the rambling other than just throwing a wish into the Universe for ease .
Ease would mean that the customer cancels on me ( ideal but extremely rare ) or that the customer may be willing to accept a replacement ( I would give my replacement the $600-$800 of the $900 the customer is giving me ).
I wonder if I can present to the customer the " option " of having the other person ( he usually charges more than me but gives me a break to come closer to my price ).
Any thoughts ? I might just have to be mature and realize it's going to " cut " the May possibility down from the whole month to just May 13 - 28. That's still 15 days. That's something.
carmen_b
04-16-2019, 06:07 PM
Part of me also wants to just straight out ask my Australian lover if he wants to help me run my small business. I legitimately need someone to help with all social media + some customer maintenence + there are other things he could train on. We could travel the American southwest which might be appealing to him.
I'm seriously confused what to do in life right now. But really ..... we are so easily set up here.
SnuffleUffleGrass
04-24-2019, 01:24 PM
I’m thinking of Tulum roughly May 15-25.
Cool! Have fun.
carmen_b
05-23-2019, 01:57 PM
Didn't do Mexico but my nomadic life has been sweet lately.
A few national parks ( I think I've been to about 80% in the west now working on 100% ) in May.
I opted to just keep it simple with small trips close to where my main home base is . There are times I just love being out on the road and the last two weeks have been up there. I always focus on a bundle of great scenery + at least some proximity to a strip club.
carmen_b
05-29-2019, 07:48 PM
Ah , I'm in the desert now and my lover here ( Mr. Tall ) isn't.
I swiped on Tinder like crazy ( found no one as hot as him ) then sent him a sexy photo. Lol.
carmen_b
05-31-2019, 08:05 PM
Mistake ( desert ) . Hot as ballz .
omg
Heading north soon .........
xxxGothBarbie
06-04-2019, 11:41 PM
I'm stoked that my bf is gonna fly out to meet up with me during my current travels in a few days woohoo :) it'll be nice seeing all these different states on our way back home together. It's been 3 weeks since we've seen each other but it's also been a nice break for myself to realize how much I love to travel & be away from CA LOL
carmen_b
02-01-2020, 03:01 PM
HELP ME sort my shit out ! Haha .
I got rid of the city apartment I shared with my ex in November and meant to travel to Mexico in Dec.
I stayed locally for a dude in December and half of Jan. ( mistake ) , Now I'm trying to figure out what to do !
My options are to just stay with family until Feb. 17 ish and do a work trip to Hawaii roughly Feb. 18-25ish.
OR just settle in the city NOW and get an apartment or at least rent a room.
I feel so tired. I feel like I just want to nest + re-collect plants haha.
xxxGothBarbie
02-01-2020, 03:06 PM
HELP ME sort my shit out ! Haha .
I got rid of the city apartment I shared with my ex in November and meant to travel to Mexico in Dec.
I stayed locally for a dude in December ( mistake ! ) , and now I'm trying to figure out what to do !
My options are to just stay with family until Feb. 17 ish and do a work trip to Hawaii roughly Feb. 18-26. OR just settle in the city NOW and get an apartment or at least rent a room.
I feel so tired. I feel like I just want to nest a re-collect plants haha.
I'd just sublet a room there & do work trips. Right now i'm staying with a friend & its nice but I so miss my space from people & not having to interact daily haha.
carmen_b
02-01-2020, 03:08 PM
^ YES !!
I am SO on the fence about getting my own place ( $1,000 a month or so is what it costs in the hood I want ).
I put a little blurb on my FaceBook about needing a room yesterday and was hoping that would just solve it haha but no one messaged me yet. ;/
I may have to put something on craigslist or peruse those ads . I feel like interacting with a room mate would be better than interacting with family . Over night guests are a no go . Even when I started staying at M's often in Dec. it felt like a walk a shame when I'd return. I guess if I could rent a room that would be great. It would probably be half the cost of my own place . I don't know what to do ! Ugh !
xxxGothBarbie
02-01-2020, 03:20 PM
^ YES !!
I am SO on the fence about getting my own place ( $1,000 a month or so is what it costs in the hood I want ).
I put a little blurb on my FaceBook about needing a room yesterday and was hoping that would just solve it haha but no one messaged me yet. ;/
I may have to put something on craigslist or peruse those ads . I feel like interacting with a room mate would be better than interacting with family . Over night guests are a no go . Even when I started staying at M's often in Dec. it felt like a walk a shame when I'd return. I guess if I could rent a room that would be great. It would probably be half the cost of my own place . I don't know what to do ! Ugh !
Try using the group Gypsy Housing on FB. Sometimes it's useful when I'm searching in a specific area but honestly it seems to be easiest to live in motels & airbnb (if they are cheaper than motels).
Hell I've even been srsly contemplating selling my car & really getting into the minimalist lifestyle. The question of using greyhound for long trips across the US & public transit or not remains haha. I def prob will if it shit's out on me in the future bc with the rising cost of insurance per month, gas, repairs I'm honestly getting sick of it. What do u think?
carmen_b
02-09-2020, 11:30 AM
I think I'm covered the next two weeks for Feb.
In March / April really would like to settle and rent a room in my fave city ( my " home " city ) .
Once May hits I'll have that property in the mountains I can live at for free full time until bad weather comes again in late Oct. if living up there doesn't kill my social life. I don't think it will. I can drive to the small town ( 20 min. ) , the medium size town ( 40 minutes ) or the city to date ( about 60 minutes ). Plus the forest area surrounding the property is awesome AF. If a dude has any outdoor skills at all he will dig it.
I haven't found the room but am excited to be settled once I do.
Other than not having privacy to fuck / cuddle with a lover, does anyone have any guesses what I miss THE MOST about not having a settled space ?
PhatGirlDynomite!!!
02-21-2020, 05:15 PM
I just found out I'm going to Vegas in a few months and I'd like to turn it into a road trip. (actually it's him) The idea is to drive from Vegas to San Diego and take the Pacific Coast all the way up to Seattle. Once there we would fly back home.
I'm down for awesome scenery but the idea of long hours in a rental car is already turning me off. What are the best places to stop and go sight seeing. I love nature and shopping for art/jewelery..craft stuff. We have about two weeks to get this done. Do you think it's worth it to start in Vegas or plan a second trip exclusively for San Diego to Seattle?
carmen_b
02-21-2020, 08:03 PM
^ How much time do you have? To do this in a comfy way, I'd say you'd need 9-11 days.
carmen_b
02-21-2020, 08:03 PM
I finally got my shit together and got somewhere with good weather !! Yeah !!!!
:)
PhatGirlDynomite!!!
02-21-2020, 10:57 PM
^ How much time do you have? To do this in a comfy way, I'd say you'd need 9-11 days.
We have a week to make plans if we want to be compensated for airfare and hotel accommodations. As for the length of the trip, we can do up to 15 days before we need to be back for other responsibilities.
carmen_b
02-22-2020, 01:55 PM
^ The Vegas leg covered by your job ? Then your own costs for trip ? Based on your preferences you'd like Laguna Beach for sure + so many other stops up CA. You'd like Carmel / Monterey I think. I like Point Lobos for a nature day near Monterey. You can always start and see how fast you move.
If you don't make it up to Washington you can buy flights of Portland back home a few days ahead and drop the car there. It's always that nasty $150 one way additional fee for a car going one way but I think the route is VERY worth it.
Other CA meditation / self care places ( if you are into that ) you might like ...... Esalen / Tassajara . There are so many more really. Hip Camp has some great CA farms to stay on affordably. It's a great trip plan really. I think the mistake people make with that trip is when they drive more than a couple hours per day. Visit wineries and buy bottles along your route too.
PhatGirlDynomite!!!
02-23-2020, 02:19 PM
^ The Vegas leg covered by your job ? Then your own costs for trip ? Based on your preferences you'd like Laguna Beach for sure + so many other stops up CA. You'd like Carmel / Monterey I think. I like Point Lobos for a nature day near Monterey. You can always start and see how fast you move.
If you don't make it up to Washington you can buy flights of Portland back home a few days ahead and drop the car there. It's always that nasty $150 one way additional fee for a car going one way but I think the route is VERY worth it.
Other CA meditation / self care places ( if you are into that ) you might like ...... Esalen / Tassajara . There are so many more really. Hip Camp has some great CA farms to stay on affordably. It's a great trip plan really. I think the mistake people make with that trip is when they drive more than a couple hours per day. Visit wineries and buy bottles along your route too.
Thank you for all of this! After Vegas I wanna spend at least four days in San Diego. I love the zoo there but it's too big for a one day visit. After that La Jolla might be the next stop. Those are the only places I'm familiar with in Cali. I'm gonna research Esalen.
carmen_b
02-23-2020, 04:32 PM
Esalen is expensive to stay at but if you don't stay you can still book time in the naked hot springs that are OCEAN SIDE on a cliff ( really ) . If you are not staying, I think they are a night you can book time in them.
If you like the tune of it also look up Kabuki Springs in San Francisco and Harbin in Northern CA. :)
PhatGirlDynomite!!!
02-24-2020, 07:55 AM
Esalen is expensive to stay at but if you don't stay you can still book time in the naked hot springs that are OCEAN SIDE on a cliff ( really ) . If you are not staying, I think they are a night you can book time in them.
If you like the tune of it also look up Kabuki Springs in San Francisco and Harbin in Northern CA. :)
Read up on Esalen not realizing it was a retreat. That's gonna be an easy pass. Even if it wasn't that expensive there is no way he would go somewhere like that. We talked more about the logistics and I think we're gonna shorten the trip to the Oregon border.
carmen_b
02-24-2020, 01:44 PM
^ yes, I would ! Shorter / slower ! It’ll be great 12-14 days.
For Esalen I would just suggest the night time public bathing reservation .
carmen_b
02-28-2020, 08:51 PM
Damn. My ass is so kicked after 11-12 days in Hawaii.
I feel SO exhausted .
I am getting too old for this shit ( not really ).
I just feel like it today for sure .
carmen_b
02-29-2020, 08:36 AM
I am starting to stress that living in the forest property for May - Sept. won't even work well ( I have been up for weeks though before so I know it can work ). The price is right though ( free ) so it is very appealing and it's very unique . My dog is obsessed with the area up there and we would have a lake to fish within a half mile.
carmen_b
03-10-2020, 02:28 PM
I decided to just open the forest property early and start staying up there sometimes !!
It's at the top of a mountain and I'm going up with water and fire wood !
I want mountain life sometimes even though it's cold up there .
I'll still look for something to rent for 6 weeks in the city too.
I look forward to free rent May - Sept !
PhatGirlDynomite!!!
03-11-2020, 04:46 PM
I decided to just open the forest property early and start staying up there sometimes !!
It's at the top of a mountain and I'm going up with water and fire wood !
I want mountain life sometimes even though it's cold up there . I'll still look for something to rent for 6 weeks in the city too.
I look forward to free rent May - Sept !
I would love to a cabin in the forest but I need all the amenities. Like electricity and hot showers.
PhatGirlDynomite!!!
03-11-2020, 04:53 PM
Our flights and housing has been booked but now we're waiting to see if the tech conference in Vegas will be cancelled. Even if you don't have the corona virus it's still capable of messing up your life! I was really starting to get excited about this trip.
carmen_b
03-11-2020, 06:55 PM
Yep, no water until early May so this is more like 1-2 nights a week for now.
A water line unfreezes and then I can hook into the water around then.
I do have heaters though ( electric ), fridge, electric stove , wood burning stove, ect. !
For years, this place had a 5 gallon water heater ( yes, 5 , haha ).
I just bought a 20 gallon. It's going to be a game changer !
One day I was so desperate for a shower ( the water line was messed up or something ) so I went to the diner to ask if there was a camp ground around with showers. There is a RECREATION CENTER with hot showers 10 minutes away. OMG !! It sits 2 blocks back from the main road . I was the Queen of the Mountain when I told everyone about the rec. center ! $1 showers. Unlimited.
I am hitching along on a friends work trip lol to get out of the cold tomorrow through Monday.
Then I'll probably just get a hotel next week Tues - Sun . or just leave town and go dance.
Then in two weeks I have my own desert trip ( housing already covered 5 days for work ).
So I think the 6 weeks will breeze by. I didn't need to end up getting a room in the city for March.
I would love to a cabin in the forest but I need all the amenities. Like electricity and hot showers.