Nicola is the author of the Substack GlobeFoxing, which is less about where to go and more about why to go. As a travel advisor, Nicola helps forge deep connections between people and places, creating thoughtful itineraries that go beyond checklist tourism.

I was introduced to Nicola’s writing via his collaboration with Linda Jackson of Shellphone Chronicles and their pen-pal series: From Sea-Level to Cruising Altitude. So love to see these types of collaborations between nomads!

9 Fun Facts

• First Name: Nicola

• Age Range: 30s

• Nationality: Italian

• Nomadic Stance: Part-time

• Last Corporate Job: Selling chocolate and pet food

• Current Job: Founder of GlobeFoxing Travel Advisory

• Favorite Country: Australia (Although it’s a very unfair question!)

• Next Stop: Greece

• What do you like best about the nomadic life? Learning

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2 Questions

1) You center your multiple identities in your writing. How do these identities influence how you interact in the world?

Having moved around the world from a young age, my perspective regarding identity is often at odds with the mainstream – especially when it comes to national identity.

I’m from multiple places at the same time and believe that is a strength when traveling, as what is different intrigues me rather than scares me.

2) As a traveler with young kids, do you have any concerns as a parent?

I wouldn’t say I have concerns about traveling with my young son – if anything, I have concerns about him not being able to see the world.

Having said that, I do have a totally different perspective on travel than I did before becoming a parent. I’ve realized that it is no longer just about us (my wife and me), but mostly about him now.

The journey has to be to his liking and, by extension, it will then be to ours as well. If he is not happy or is stressed by the travel, then we won’t enjoy it as much either. I want him to enjoy exploring the world as much as I do, and I’m mindful that we should get him there at his own pace.

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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 135 countries & all 7 continents. She is a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series of curated trips and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

Curious to read more Nomad Profiles? Get the bonus edition to the guide—Meet 10 More Nomads: Bonus Interviews 11-20.

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Back in 2015, a friend sent me an ad on Facebook featuring the launch of a co-working space aboard a boat. His message to me: “This sounds like you.”

He was right. Within 24 hours, I wrote to the Captain requesting to sign on for the maritime adventure. Despite listing my crew skills as “none,” I bought my one-way ticket to the Maldives even before I heard back that I had been accepted on board.

CoBoat Here I Come

CoBoat was billed as the world’s first coworking catamaran. The 82-foot retrofitted catamaran was to circumnavigate the globe, with space for 20 nomads to live and work aboard. It was to combine life, work, and play—all while plying the seven seas.

Here’s the original description:

“Coboat wants the catamaran to be a relaxing yet productive and creative space where different teams can bounce ideas off one another and work efficiently with little distraction in a beautiful, serene, and tranquil atmosphere.

You can expect co-living intensity, a community of like-minded people, new perspectives, changing environments, and to live in your discomfort zone, along with tons of sun and fun through sailing exploration.”

CoBoat even had a social mission:

“Designed for self-sustainability, Coboat will use desalinated seawater and employ fishery practices with little impact on the ocean’s marine population and surrounding environment.

Whenever possible, we will sail. If the winds die down, we will power up our engines – using stored energy. Clean and quiet. Just like our electricity. As green as it gets. No oils or fossil fuels on board.”

Digital nomad nirvana. Sign me up!

The Delivery Crew

Luckily, the Captain, Karsten, accepted me and my limited maritime skills. The only American chosen to join the “Original Delivery Crew” for Coboat.

An intrepid group of 8 of us signed on (9 total with the Captain) to sail the newly purchased (but 18-year-old) catamaran from Malé, the capital of the Maldives, to the southern Thai island of Phuket. We were 3 women and 5 men, hailing from Germany, Austria, India, New Zealand and me, representing the U.S.

We gathered the night before our sail, and threw ourselves a bon voyage party. As we went around the table that night, all 8 of us admitted we were looking for an “adventure,” which we defined as:

• Something we’ve never done before

• Elements that would stretch our boundaries

• Moving toward a destination without knowing how we’d get there

• An event where you can’t control the outcome

Well, we certainly found the adventure we were looking for!

*Rock Star* Crew

But before we get into the thick of it, let me introduce you to the crew and the real hero of this story: Harry, our First Officer. Harry was an Austrian living in Turkey with a Serbian wife, whom he only got to see sometimes.

There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that it was Harry who saved the day (every day, in fact) by fixing every single piece of equipment that broke in transit. (Except the first engine—try as he might—it was beyond repair).

Other members of this band of merry men were Lilo, Uwe, and Tess, all skilled sailors who took the lion’s share of the responsibility for sailing the boat at night and in rough conditions. They were each level-headed, accomplished sailors, and we were lucky to have them on board.

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The rest of us, admittedly non-sailors, Vin, Heinz, Matthias, and I did what we could to support the main crew. Truthfully, I was the least useful on the trip, but usually fairly cheery.

I spent a lot of time dancing around and trying to organize things like Talk Like a Pirate Day and Un-Birthday parties. (Look—you do what you can under the circumstances. I couldn’t just conjure up naval skills.)

Here, Harry and I are partaking in an impromptu dance party:

Below is our daily log:

Shop Till You Drop

Day 1: I arrived about midnight after 4 flights connecting San Francisco to Malé, the capital of the Maldives, about 48 hours of travel. My new crewmate Vin went to the airport to meet me, but because I wasn’t expecting a pick up, I made my own way to the boat via bus and taxi.

We completely missed one another, and Vin was stranded at the airport at closing, having to find his own way back. Looking back, this was an inauspicious beginning.

Day 2: Shopping day in Malé to buy groceries. With 5 of us selecting produce and bartering, it was a very slow process. Ever the team player, I elected to stay put and “watch” our growing pile of purchases.

While the shoppers made trips back and forth between the market and docks, I basked in the sun, making friends with the Bangladeshi dock workers, who fed me watermelon and coconut all afternoon.

Back on the boat, we all started cleaning. This is when I realized that scrubbing is the real definition of sailing. Although in truth, since I was one of the last to arrive, I had already missed a boat-load of nasty duties.

Day 3: Shopping day in Malé for boat equipment, like a foot pump for the dinghy (not to be found), electrical cables, and assorted widgets.

I can’t tell you how exhausting this shopping expedition was. We went to every boat store on the island (sometimes 2 or 3 times) trying to track down the necessary gear.

Photos flew between the ship and shore in an effort to convey exactly the right bolt and screw, with new requests constantly coming in.

Part of the reason the shopping expedition was so tiring is that Malé is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. The island, only 5.8 km2 (about 3.5 miles square), is surprisingly modern and packed with traffic.

It also may have been particularly busy because the island nation was celebrating 50 years of independence that week. The capital city was festooned with bunting and lights in the flag’s colors of red, green, and white, turning the tiny metropolis into a miniature Christmas card (albeit with sweltering heat, sari-wearing women, and calls to prayer).

Launch & Learn

Day 4: Launch day. As a devoutly Muslim country run by Sharia law, Maldivians pray at least 4 times a day. In fact, all the shops close between 12:30 and 2:00 pm for afternoon prayers. Consequently, we had to wait until the late afternoon to buy a new battery for the boat.

As we waited for this crucial part, we circled the main island, during which time I took my turn at the wheel for about 10 minutes. My first time driving (steering?) a boat!

That night, we officially launched our sailing adventure. As we headed into open water, at about 8:00 pm, we all huddled on the front mats, in total darkness, to receive our 90-second safety briefing. I asked if the not-fully-inflated dinghy was the lifeboat.

Luckily no. There were two rafts situated at the back of the cat. This question, however, clearly demonstrated my utter lack of knowledge about all things boat.

Here’s a beautiful photo of the Maldives, which I didn’t actually get to see since our inter-island tour was canceled by the Captain because we were late departing.

Taking the Helm

It was that night that we received our first shift assignments. Matthias and I were to take the 2:30-5:00 am shift, and I was to be the lead sailor. What?! I had only driven the boat for 10 minutes under supervision; I was certainly not qualified to drive the boat at night.

(You would completely agree if you have ever driven with me in a car. Driving is not one of my finer skills. I drive as I talk. Very fast with lots of starts and stops.)

I strenuously objected, noting that Matthias and I were part of the non-sailor bunch, and so Harry said he would sit the shift with Matthias and me. Unfortunately, it was during this shift, that the first engine pooped out and Harry and the Captain spent the entire time trying to fix it (on a rolling boat in near-total darkness).

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Around and Around We Go

While Harry and Karsten were occupied under deck, Matthias and I were in charge up top. We did the best we could in the dark, given our 10-minute lesson.

The next morning, when we woke up, groggy from the night shift, we were roundly ridiculed. The rest of the crew was laughing at a thingy with a green line that showed we had sailed in three circle-oblongs-ovals throughout the night.

After that, Matthias and I were demoted and separated, never to work on the bridge together again. Frankly, we both were relieved.

As Good As Dead

I showed up for that my first shift wearing the life jacket from my cabin. I did this because Lilo told me the day before that you must always wear a life vest at night, and I wisely decided early on to listen to everything Lilo told me.

I was again ribbed, but how was I to know that we had special life jackets to wear while on shift with transmitters or transponders (or something?) on them. It was becoming pretty apparent I was out of my depth here.

Note: The one (and only) piece of safety advice given by the Captain before setting sail was that if you fall in the water during the night, you’re as good as dead. Duly noted.

Part 2: CoBoat Sailing Adventure: Rotten Inside & Out – Coming Soon

Author’s Note: Since our adventure, Harry has passed away. He was a good man, devoted friend, loud singer, and trusted sailor. The world was better with him in it. RIP.

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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 135 countries & all 7 continents. She is a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series of curated trips and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

Want to read more about my adventures? Get the book “Adventures of a Nomad: 30 Inspirational Stories.”

Download the book here ⬇️

📣 Calling all nomads, nomad-curious folks, and travelers of all stripes! ​

💌 This is your invitation to join me and our guest co-host of Shellphone Chronicles, in our friendly nomad circle on April 21 @ 7:00 pm AEST. Timing chosen specifically for our Asia-Pacific nomads!

RSVP to Join the Fun

🫟 Topic: All Things Art: How do you channel your creativity? What feeds your artistic passion?

💛 Your Invitation: Sending to the nomads we know & love. Please feel free to forward to other nomads and nomads in spirit. Really, anyone who enjoys travel!

➡️ RSVP Today: For the call details & reminders.

RSVP for Call Details

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About Erin & Nomad Life: Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 135 countries & all 7 continents. She is a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series of curated trips and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

About Linda & Shellphone Chronicles: People come to Shellphone Chronicles for vicarious adventure, and enjoy tall tales from the high seas, beautiful photos, original artwork, and occasional poetry. 🩵 Two people with a love of adventure, one big sailing yacht.

I love Stina’s lust for life. Writing the Substack Far From Here, her zest comes through in all her writing; from her artful newsletter and colorful inspiration boards, to her city (Stockholm, Cairo) & country (Senegal, Tunisia, Sri Lanka) guides.

My favorite Stina piece is her hilarious post: “Voodoo people: A beheaded chicken and promises of a better mental health in Benin.” I’m not going to spoil it for you. Go read it today!

9 Fun Facts

• First Name: Stina

• Age Range: 40s

• Nationality: Swedish

• Nomadic Stance: Episodic

• Last Corporate Job: none

• Current Job: Designer and nurse

• Favorite Countries: Egypt and Lebanon

• Next Stop: El Salvador

• What do you like best about the nomadic life? Unexpected meetings

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2 Questions

1) In your writing and travel, you seem to be drawn to design and color. How does a place’s aesthetics shape how you view the world?

Good observation! Design, art, and architecture are the foundation of most of my travels. It’s how I get familiar with a place and try to understand it.

I love aesthetically beautiful spots in general, but through art, it also becomes easier for me to understand the joys, the struggles, and the hope of the people who call that place home.

Take Belfast, for example. The murals tell the full story of The Troubles. In Mumbai, I was amazed by the beauty of the Art Deco buildings. I’m obsessed with castles. I’m very much not a royalist, but I adore lavish palaces with coloured glass decorations and lots of gold. I’m easy like that : )

2) You’ve decided to center travel in your life (with your upcoming sabbatical). What led to that decision, and how are you navigating the transition?

I’ve travelled for long periods of time over the years. It all started as a solo backpacker in 2003—what a time (he he). Later, I worked as a freelance designer and art director for many years, which meant I could be based wherever in the world I wished. It was brilliant.

Then I had a midlife crisis, as one does, and decided to become a nurse. That meant staying in Sweden for a few years to study and work.

Now I’m ready to take off again. I’ll be travelling for the coming six months, starting in Central America, then spending two months in the north of Sweden (it’s amazing this time of year), followed by Australia and Southeast Asia for a bit. I’ll round it all off with some nurse volunteer work in West Africa. Yalla! Let’s go! I’m so excited!

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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 135 countries & all 7 continents. She is a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series of curated trips and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

Curious to read more Nomad Profiles? Get the bonus edition to the guide—Meet 10 More Nomads: Bonus Interviews 11-20.

Download the Bonus Issue here ⬇️

Last week, my friend Carmen asked if I wanted to go see Muay Thai. Her friend, a young woman, was fighting for the first time, and she was going to go and support her.

While I’m generally a “Hell yeah!” in support of women taking bold action, this time, I declined. The world is inundated with violence right now (well, always, really), and frankly, I didn’t want to subject myself to more of it.

In addition, one of the lasting memories I’ve had of Thailand over the years was attending a Muay Thai event in which children participated. The images have stayed with me for more than a decade.

National Sport & Cultural Heritage

Sometimes called Thai boxing, Muay Thai is a martial art and full-contact sport that uses fists, elbows, knees, and shins to strike an opponent. The winner is the fighter who lands the most full-contact blows.

Muay Thai is not only the country’s national sport, but it is also deeply ingrained in Thai culture. The word Muay, derived from Sanskrit, means “unity.” The word Thai comes from the word Tai or “free.” Muay Thai has been around since the 7th century.

The Thai government has been lobbying the International Olympic Committee to include it as a new Olympic sport. While short-listed for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, it was yet again denied. (Passed over in favor of flag football, no less.)

Financial Underpinnings

Enthusiasm for Muay Thai is increasing both as an amateur and professional sport. The Bangkok Post estimates that Muay Thai gambling is worth 40 billion baht annually (US$1.2 billion). Price fixing is also common, with fighters earning between 60,000-150,000 Thai baht (US$1,800-$4,500) for throwing a fight.

This financial motive doesn’t just incentivize fight organisers, but parents as well. Thousands of Thai families are thought to rely on the income from child boxing. In fact, studies suggest that half of the children who fight contribute to their family’s finances. (Source: US Department of Labor, the National Youth Office, and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Some of the documentaries I watched this week contend that, compared to other choices, namely working in a sweatshop or in the sex trade, Muay Thai may be the better bet for children from poor families. This is, indeed, sobering. Surely there must be other options that make educating a child worth it for families struggling to survive.

Child Fighters

In Thailand, an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 minors under the age of 16 participate in Muay Thai training and competitions. Many Thais view Muay Thai with deep cultural pride, and as a way to build discipline and confidence—much like any organized sport in countries around the world.

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But because of the brutality of the sport, it also poses significant health and safety risks. Several factors signficantly impact child welfare. For instance, children:

• Start training as early as age 4 or 5.

• Sometimes live and train at gyms instead of attending school.

• Compete in stadium fights, often without headgear or mouthguards.

Child Protection & Welfare

Thai medical professionals have advocated for laws limiting children from fighting based on research that shows a long-term negative impact on their health. Some reports show that children can experience serious injuries, including memory issues and brain damage, similar to those of traffic accident victims.

One particularly disturbing study, conducted by Ramathibodi Hospital’s Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Centre (AIMC), studied 300 child boxers under the age of 15 with at least 2-5 years of experience vs. 200 children who do not box.

The findings revealed that child boxers not only sustain brain injuries, but they also have a lower IQ. The child boxers’ intelligence was ~10 points lower than average, and the lower levels correlated with the length of training.

Unfortunately, the Thai government rejected the report’s findings, stating that it didn’t show negative health effects on the child fighters.

There have been repeated attempts to ban child boxing or to require the children to be at least 12 years old. Laws have also been introduced limiting the sport’s all-body contact, such as “no shots to the head,” but all legislative measures have failed.

Currently, there is a vague law prohibiting minors from being allowed to risk their health by practising Muay Thai. There is also a stipulation that children under the age of 15 need parental consent to fight. Yet these safeguards are routinely ignored. In 2018, Anucha Tasakoko, a 13-year-old boy, died of a brain haemorrhage in the ring.

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Haunting Memories: Photo Essay

I attended my first and only Muay Thai event about 15 years ago. At first, I wasn’t going to go, but then I relented, rationalizing that it was the choice of the fighter to get into the ring.

I was expecting there to be some violence, blood, and brutality. I wasn’t expecting to see children participating. Of the 9 bouts I saw, 4 featured kids. Supposedly all fighters were at least 7 years old. Although many of these children look younger to me.

Apparently, I was the only one upset by the violent spectacle. All around me, the crowd was wild during the matches, with bets being placed on the child most likely to be victorious.

And it wasn’t just local Thais enjoying the sport. Another tourist sitting next to me had brought his 6-year-old daughter. She was obviously traumatized to see her fellow first-graders being beaten up. Even so, the father-daughter duo stayed for all the matches.

After my initial shock, I deliberated about leaving. I chose to stay and document what I saw. During the evening, this is what I witnessed:

1. The children wore no safety gear or head protection.

2. One of the youngest children was knocked unconscious, most likely suffering a concussion.

3. The children’s mothers were in their corners screaming for them to fight harder.

4. The children were each paid 200 baht, the equivalent of $6, for their performance in the ring.

The adult matches were no less brutal. One man broke a leg, another broke his nose. And one unfortunate Canadian combatant (the only foreigner on that night’s roster) was knocked down 3 times. Although it looked like he was hit in the groin several times (which is legal in Muay Thai).

What to do?

Coming from a more economically developed country and a privileged background, I can’t fully understand the motivation (or desperation) of the parents who encourage their children to box.

But there are global standards for protecting children. And mandating that children participating in Muay Thai — at least wear adequate head protection — should be one of them. While still dangerous, there is a way for Muay Thai to evolve into a safer sport for children.

In the UK, where children also participate in Muay Thai tournaments, there are rules to protect kids. For instance, head shots are illegal in children’s fights, and full padding is required. This is certainly a start.

Interested in learning more? Here are several documentaries on Muay Thai’s child boxers:

• Thailand’s Child Boxers Fight for Their Futures, Nightline, 2014

• Child thaiboxers: A fighting chance, DW Documentary, 2018

• Kids Are Still Fighting Muay Thai, Even After the Death of a Young Boy, VICE News, 2019

Author’s Note: Before I get too precious here, I acknowledge that American football and soccer (as well as other sports) can also be harmful to children and teenagers, specifically regarding traumatic brain injuries.

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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 135 countries & all 7 continents. She is a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series of curated trips and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

Curious to learn more about nomad life? Get the guide “Explore the World with Nomads: 50 Practical Tips, Interviews & Insights.”

Download the guide here ⬇️

As a nomad who usually travels solo, I am coming to rely on nomad-focused festivals and itineraries to support my need for connection. I find these global events a great way to build and maintain friendships.

Three years ago, I attended my first festival: Bansko Nomad Fest (BNF). BNF was the original nomad-inspired festival and remains the largest, bringing together 700-800 nomads and nomad-curious folks from around the world.

BNF’s main focus is a 2-track professional conference with speakers presenting the latest developments in technology (a lot of AI), finance (crypto is also popular), global citizenship & flag theory, health & wellness, and all aspects of the travel business.

This year, I’ll be presenting my favorite topic: Travel Safety & Self Defense. Come see me in this adorable village nestled in the Bulgarian mountains from June 20-30, 2026.

If you’re thinking about joining the fun, be sure and register with the NOMADLIFE code to receive a €25 discount.

BNF ➡️ €25 off with NOMADLIFE code

Nomad Train & Nomad Cruises

BNF is just one of the festivals, workations, and camps dedicated to bringing nomads together. There are also nomad-specific travel opportunities, including the Nomad Train and Nomad Cruises.

I went on the Nomad Train through Central Asia last summer. Not only did we explore this iconic region by rail, but I also made life-long friends.

This year, Nomad Train is heading back to the Central Asian countries of Uzbekistan & Kazakhstan, as well as Tibet & China.

Check out Nomad Train’s upcoming itineraries. If you’re interested in booking, receive a €100 discount by using the code: NOMADLIFE.

Nomad Train ➡️ €100 off with NOMADLIFE

2026-2027 Nomad Life Calendar

Plan your festival meet-ups with our 2026-2027 Nomad Event Calendar, live on our home page.

Event listings are updated several times a month, so be sure to check out the events if you’re looking to meet some new nomad friends!

📅 View Nomad Life Calendar

p.s. If you see an event you want to attend, just ask me, and I’m sure I can get you a discount code. 😉

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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 135 countries & all 7 continents. She is a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series of curated trips and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

➡️ Subscribe to Nomad Life for free

Jill is a multi-faceted creative: writing, painting, designing clothes and accessories. As someone without an artist’s bone in my body, I find all this talent so cool and would love to view the world through an artist’s eye.

As a subscriber to Jill’s Artistic Voyages Substack, my favorite article is one entitled “Sometimes the Best Travel Decision is Not to Travel At All,” where Jill talks about the decision to cancel a trip to Europe.

Instead, she and her partner, Chris, decide to stay in Canada for a season to prioritize their physical and mental health and protect their wallet. I appreciate this candid discussion about the realities of living a nomad life.

9 Fun Facts

• First Name: Jillian

• Age Range: 40s

• Nationality: Canadian

• Nomadic Stance: Full-time

• Last Corporate Job: none

• Current Job: Artist / Writer

• Favorite Country: Montenegro

• Next Stop: Hopefully Ecuador

• What do you like best about the nomadic life? Freedom

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2 Questions

1. You and your partner travel together. Is it hard to be together 24/7? How do you both make it work?

We are lucky in that we both prefer to hang out with each other. We work out conflicts quickly and don’t let annoyances build up.

Our conflicts are never focused on our nomadic life necessarily, they are more to do with communication problems. We don’t argue over where we go or how we live this lifestyle.

We have money stresses at times, and that can lead to arguments and heated discussions, but it’s rare. Mostly, we just try and talk things out as soon as they happen, so things don’t build up.

2. You’ve recently decided to take a break and “stay put” for a few months. What led to this decision to pause your nomad life?

We haven’t stopped nomading, we are just doing it back in Canadá. Family commitments are keeping us in our home country for now.

There is a big difference nomading here in Canada because everything is so expensive. We really have to work at securing situations where we are volunteering or housesitting in exchange for accommodation. We don’t run into the same financial problems elsewhere as we do here.

One advantage though, is that we can work legally here. This allows us to make larger chunks of money than our earnings online, which helps to get us back out.

Also transportation is really poor here. So often we find ourselves far from anywhere and have to be at peace with where we are and not going anywhere.

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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 135 countries & all 7 continents. She is a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series of curated trips and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

Curious to read more Nomad Profiles? Get the bonus edition to the guide—Meet 10 More Nomads: Bonus Interviews 11-20.

Download the Bonus Issue here ⬇️

He told me, “We come because we crave intimacy.” I admit, I was a little surprised by the frankness and vulnerability of his statement.

We had just met, eating our breakfast at a communal table. The hotel we’re staying at is hosting a Zouk festival for the week, and he’s one of the festival participants. I had never heard of Zouk.

My new friends explained it as a more intricate form of the dance Bachata, which originated in the Dominican Republic. Zouk emerged as a distinct dance in the 1990s, in the French Antilles of Martinique and Guadeloupe, and incorporates other styles of music, like R’n’B, pop, and hip hop. Brazilian zouk is also a thing.

To give you some perspective, here’s some Zouk in action.

As we ate our scrambled eggs, I was politely asking some questions about the festival, not really investing too much in the conversation. But then I introduced myself as a writer, and he suggested I write a piece about Zouk. Consequently, I was pressed into acting like a writer and appearing interested in the world around me (when really I was only wondering if they had replenished the papaya).

I like to dance, so the topic of Zouk mildly interested me, but his comment on intimacy I found fascinating.

My original question had been: What drew you to learn Zouk?

Mind you, he had already explained that he works about 6 months out of the year in his home country of Australia, and once he earns enough, he travels to the next Zouk festival.

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So, he is a bona fide fan, fashioning his life around pursuing the dance Zouk around the world. He told me he had traveled to festivals all over, including the Big Island of Hawaii, Bali, Rio, and now, here, in Koh Phangan, Thailand.

Back to the question at hand of what drew him to this specific dance. Zouk, he explained, is all about intimacy. It’s considered a technical dance, like a tango, where the partners hold each other’s bodies very close.

A Dutch woman, who was also at our table, agreed with his description of the intimacy of the dance. Adding that “Glue glue” is the common refrain from instructors to their pupils to try and convey how close partners should be. Basically, your bodies should be stuck together.

Here’s a couple glued together as they Zouk.

Cue The Anxiety

I then asked the table about the most challenging component of the dance and my breakfast buddy replied, “the anxiety.” Again, his answer gave me pause.

I grew up dancing from the age of 3 and love the freedom of moving my body to music. I never think of dancing as something to cause anxiety. To me it’s the opposite—it helps me release anxiety.

While I took ballet, jazz, and tap dancing classes, tap was always my favorite. I loved the spastic, rapid-fire nature of those tap shoes rhythmically slapping on the floor. (I’ve always been a girl with a lot of energy.)

As an aside, every year for my birthday in October I do something I’ve never done before. In the early years, it was sky diving, learning to scuba dive, rock climbing, and competing in a dressage competition.

As the years progressed, my “one thing” became a little tamer (actually, I didn’t become any tamer; I was running out of adventure sports to try). This past year, I decided to dance every day, moving my body for at least 3 songs. Like most annual resolutions, I’ve fallen off my goal, so this may be the universe giving me a not-so-subtle nudge to get moving again.

But I digress. Back to zouk-induced anxiety.

My breakfast buddy went on to explain that at the beginning, the Zouk lead has a lot of pressure to perform. And then, as you progress in the dance, the pressure switches to the Zouk follower.

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Our Dutch pal politely asked for the salt, then added that as a follower no one likes to go to a festival and not be asked to dance. She said the nightmare is the proverbial high school dance with girls lining the wall of the gym waiting to be asked to the dance floor.

My new friends then told me that to combat dance anxiety, students enroll in private classes, which can offer them specific instruction on how to improve.

The whole Zouk world was starting to sound a lot less fun and a lot more heavy, maybe even a substitute for therapy if you ask me. But who am I really? Except for a girl waiting for more fresh fruit to be cut.

Breakfast buffets aside, the conversation stuck with me. And I began to realize it was this very honest question of intimacy that I kept chewing on.

One of the drawbacks of the nomad life is not having a ready community, and with that, a dating pool. This is why there are so many hook-ups at nomad festivals (seriously, a huge reason why people go), and the festival’s speed dating night is one of the most popular events.

In fact, I met my last boyfriend at a festival, we dated for 10 days, then I was off to Albania (as one does). He then had a choice to follow me or return home. He followed a few weeks later, and we ended up traveling together for a few years.

But nomads are like that. And since festivals are usually only 1-2 weeks, fortune favors the brave.

Interested in going to Bansko Nomadfest (June 20-30, 2026)? It is the largest nomad festival in the world with more than 800 nomads attending. Be sure and use my code NOMADLIFE for a €25 discount – I’ll be there!)

Back to the question at hand: How do you find intimate relationships while traveling around the world?

In addition to festival hook-ups, Nomad Soulmates is a community dedicated to helping full-time travelers find meaningful connections. There’s also good ‘ole Tinder. Many of my friends update their location to their latest country and go out on dates with local folks (and sometimes other nomads).

I had a good friend who met her current partner while on a Tinder date in Armenia. I’ve had other friends go on Tinder dates in cities like Tbilisi and Accra. And I know one of our fellow Nomad Train passengers updated his profile with every stop along the Silk Route.

I commend each of these friends for putting themselves out there and being willing to go on (endure?) dates to find intimacy on the road. Especially because I look at intimacy as a vital component of good health, much like mental health and emotional health, with connection, touch, and sex important factors for an overall healthy mind and body.

I also applaud my breakfast buddy for his candor, willingness to travel the world, and learn a complicated dance, all as a means to sate his desire for intimacy. I can think of a lot more unsavory reasons to embark on world travel than the honest and earnest pursuit of finding connections that stick like “glue.”

Interested in reading more about how nomads form connections? Here’re a few nomad profiles for you:

• Dating as a Nomad - Meet Lauren

• Finding Friends as a Nomad - Meet Astrid

• Nurturing Community as a Nomad - Meet Deana & Jeff

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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 135 countries & all 7 continents. She is a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series of curated trips and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

Curious to learn more about nomad life? Get the guide “Explore the World with Nomads: 50 Practical Tips, Interviews & Insights.”

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This is your invitation to join our friendly nomad circle during an online meetup on April 1 @ 10:00 am EST.

➡️ RSVP to Join the Fun

🧼 April’s Topic: Spring Cleaning - What’s the one thing you’re going to purge from your luggage this year? Anything you’re going to add?

🎪 We are a big, open tent where everyone is respectful and welcome. Come and make some new friends today!

💜 Your Invitation: Sending to the nomads I know & love. Please feel free to forward to other nomads and nomads-in-spirit. Really, anyone who enjoys travel!

⬇️ RSVP Today: So you’ll be given the call details & reminders.

RSVP for April 1 @10:00 am EST

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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 135 countries & all 7 continents. She is a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series of curated trips and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

Curious about the world and living the nomad life?! This is your chance to take a peek and meet members of our Nomad Life Community through our online chats and live calls. Join the fun today!

is about to embrace the nomad life. She has ~18 months before retirement, and she sets off to explore the world. Without an IRA or 401 (k), she’s learning all she can about frugal travel. Her Substack, The Frugal Traveler, shares her journey as she prepares to make the leap of a lifetime.

One of my favorite Pamela posts is “What Dance and Travel Taught Me About Communication.” In it, she shares how dance and awareness of movement help her interpret new cultures and languages by “conveying intent, emotion, directions, recognition, boundaries, and so much more...”

It’s very cool to think we’re communicating all the time simply by how we move through the world.

9 Fun Facts

• First Name: Pam

• Age Range: Mid-60s

• Nationality: USA

• Nomadic Stance: Preparing to take the leap by early 2027

• Last Corporate Job: None. Always been self-employed

• Current Job: Massage Therapist

• Favorite Country: Oooh… that’s hard. Right now, maybe Portugal.

• Next Stop: The world!

• What do you like best about the nomadic life? Untethered

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2 Questions

1) I love that dance shapes how you interact with the world. How is dance reflected in your travel plans and how you engage at the community level?

I definitely plan to find local dance communities as I travel. West Coast Swing has a lot of presence on the Facebook platform, so I have many resources and friends I can reach out to in order to find dance groups in the regions where I will be going.

When I went on my Camino in October, I attended a workshop weekend in Porto the weekend before I started my walk that was being led by a US instructor with whom I had wanted to study under for years. The best thing about partner dance is that as I lead and follow, I can “converse” through dance with anyone, anywhere in the world, without either of us needing to know the other’s mother tongue.

2) “Frugal” is in your blog title. What does living on a budget mean to you?

As it looks right now, I will truly be traveling on a tight budget. My Social Security barely covers my house taxes. I will be selling my home, and I’ll likely invest the proceeds in an annuity or other option to make up the rest.

I’m fortunate that house prices where I live really exploded during the pandemic, as I’m not too far from NYC, so that and sweat equity blessed me with enough equity to make this work, but by comparison to some “budgets” I’ve seen, I’m still going to be needing to watch how I handle my finances. Right now, I’m estimating $1,500-$2,000 per month.

To make up any difference in what I might need, I will be doing house-sitting and volunteering, both because I just want to, but also so I can “splurge” a little if I want when I have to pay for my accommodations and food.

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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 135 countries & all 7 continents. She is a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series of curated trips and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

Curious to read more Nomad Profiles? Get the bonus edition to the guide—Meet 10 More Nomads: Bonus Interviews 11-20.

Download the Bonus Issue here ⬇️

Earlier this week, I welcomed of The Lemon Tree Mindset to join our Nomad Life Community. Veronica is an expert on how to leverage Substack to grow a sustainable creative business.

The topic du jour? How to Design Your Substack Home Page.

🤓 Watch the 32-minute video webinar where we got into the Substack nitty-gritty, like Sections, Navigation Bar, Landing Pages, Branding, the importance of the Short Description, and Graphic Layouts.

The Lemon Tree Mindset 🌳🍋

Your Substack Homepage: Why Less Is More [And What's New]

Is your Substack Homepage an afterthought…

Listen now

a month ago · 19 likes · 10 comments · Veronica Llorca-Smith and Erin, Nomad Life

Have any follow-up questions? Feel free to message me or Veronica. We’re open to feedback and ideas.

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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 135 countries & all 7 continents. She is a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series of curated trips and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

Curious to learn more about nomad life?

Download the guide here ⬇️

Traveling with Charles and Roger as our Lebanese guides, I believed we were safe with them. And yet, I still felt nervous, even scared, on our road trip.

Much of this tension came from the constant reminder of the country’s ongoing political strife. For instance, before leaving on our cross-Lebanon adventure, I experienced several unsettling incidents in downtown Beirut.

• As Inji and I were walking back to our apartment after dinner one night, we heard a series of loud shots. We were uncertain what the noise was. Fireworks? Gunshots? An incoming missile? Not knowing what to do, we took cover under an apartment building overhang.

• Strolling through Beirut’s back streets, Inji casually pointed out the main headquarters of Hezbollah, a Shi’a Islamic militant group and political party based in Lebanon. As someone who looked out of place (read: not stereotypically Middle Eastern), I kept my head down and eyes averted as we walked past the guards stationed outside.

• One afternoon, while volunteering, we accompanied our non-profit host, Joanne, to meet a potential donor. During the car ride, we made it through the city’s usually crammed streets in record time. Why was traffic so light? Because there was a Hezbollah bomb scare. Why were we on the road? No idea.

• Another evening, while Inji and I were on the balcony of our borrowed apartment, I noticed a white car with its hood up parked just outside the apartment building. I immediately thought of the movie Blackhawk Down and wondered whether this was a signal for an imminent attack. I checked to make sure there was no X taped on the roof of the car. There wasn’t, and I wandered back into the apartment for a glass of water.

So as we left the bustle of Beirut for our tour of the Lebanese countryside, I was, what you might say, “slightly unsettled.”

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Meadows, Mountains, Churches & Caves

But I was also excited. The road trip itself was exhilarating, offering up hidden treasures throughout the country. Charles and Roger showed me a side of Lebanon that you don’t hear about in the news.

We visited the Bekaah Valley, hiking through this biblical landscape. We all four walked together in the sunshine, admiring the picturesque scenery and bird song.

After crossing through a meadow, we came across an itinerant Bedouin family living out of a wagon. The mother was cooking over an open fire while a small boy played on a tire swing not far away.

It was here in the Bekaah Valley that we also visited a Druze temple. I donned an obligatory robe and headscarf, quietly entering the place of worship. I sat silently while the men and women prayed together.

We also visited Mount Lebanon, the highest mountain in the Middle East. I was shocked to see patches of snow even though it was summer. We traveled the winding road to appreciate the setting sun from the summit.

The next day, we strolled through Lebanon’s ancient cedar forest, spying the actual tree adorning the country’s flag.

We spent a night in a Maronite village. And the next morning, we savored local delicacies and visited several ornate Orthodox churches. At the time, Lebanon retained a distinctive Maronite character, with almost a quarter of its people attending church and practicing this strict Christian faith.

The Orthodox sanctuaries we visited were nestled deep in the mountains, with meditation caves carved into the surrounding cliffs. Here, monks seeking solitude would cut themselves off for private prayer and reflection.

One of the last stops on our tour was Tripoli, Lebanon’s second-largest city. With a large Sunni majority, Tripoli’s women wear abayas and head scarves. It was here that I had the best meal of my entire two-year trip, a handmade feast full of lively mint and lemon flavors.

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Charles and Roger took us deep into the city’s medina to the popular restaurant. After walking the endless corridors, we found ourselves in a delightful spot brimming with local hospitality and stuffed ourselves with regional treats.

Revolutionary Fervor

During our multi-day mind-bending tour, the one time I became really worried was when we visited the Roman ruins in the town of Baalbeck, a known Hezbollah stronghold.

On the outside walls encircling the archeological site there were large revolutionary posters. Patriotic songs blared from loudspeakers. And surrounding this tourist spot were yellow and black flags adorning every street lamp, signaling we were in Hezbollah territory.

Further up the road, a flag featuring the Hezbollah patriarch and then-Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was flying outside the Lebanese Army barracks as a clear indication to the country’s military that they were not in control of this region.

Looking around me, they were right. The Lebanese army was certainly not in control of this part of the country.

It was here in these unsettling surroundings that we got lost.

Charles and Roger didn’t seem too concerned. They frequently stopped to ask for directions. Yet each time we pulled over to the side of the road, I’d cringe, trying to shrink into myself. I didn’t want anyone to notice me, an obvious foreigner, sitting in the back seat.

Heart of Darkness

This unease stayed with me during my time in Lebanon. In part because during my visit, there were renewed threats of foreign kidnappings throughout the Arab region in retaliation for Bin Laden’s killing.

Yet this fear was mixed with gratitude and appreciation for the amazing hospitality that I also experienced. For instance, while pulling over to ask for directions, the merchants on the side of the road routinely gifted us small handfuls of fruit and nuts to enjoy on our car ride.

Thus, the duality that marks this complex region—not just for travelers like me, but more importantly, for the people who live there amongst the turmoil. It must be an incredible strain to live your life tempering your fear while also enjoying the abundance and goodness all around you.

My hope now is for the people of the Middle East—all people—to continue to survive and live another joyous day.

Author’s note: I wrote and published an earlier version of this story in 2012. Fourteen years ago. And nothing has changed. This beautiful land is once again plunged into darkness.

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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 130+ countries & all 7 continents. She is a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series of curated trips and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

Want to read more about my adventures? Get the book “Adventures of a Nomad: 30 Inspirational Stories.”

Download the book here ⬇️

JJ is the author of Inside the Outside. I find his writing both intimate, almost raw, and reflective. As he says, he takes us “Inside my head as I take in the outside world.”

JJ also narrates some of his work, which I love. This is my favorite piece: The Shadows of Tangier. I also really like the 2-part poem The Map of Belonging: The Why and The Where, also with audio versions. Give ‘em a listen and let me know what you think!

9 Fun Facts

• First Name: James - JJ - (my family calls me J)

• Age Range: 60s

• Nationality: Aussie

• Nomadic Stance: Not sure what category - I have been on the road most of the last 3 years, and been home maybe 8 months during that time. I don’t actually have a home in Australia and am a housemate at a mate’s place in Melbourne, or am a live-in property manager at my sister’s BNB, near Melbourne when I’m back.

• Last Corporate Job: I’ve never had one and have worked for myself or been freelance for 30+ years. But I did work in national politics in the 1990’s, have written freelance for big legacy newspapers and mags, and I started a business - ethical investment research - which had corporate clients, which wrapped up about 15 years ago.

• Current Job: F/T writer - that means ghostwriting, copywriting, media advice, and author (the latter barely counts as the royalties are pathetic)

• Favorite Country: Long term: Spain - Short term: Laos or Morocco

• Next Stop: Malaysia, then back home for 2 months

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2 Questions

1. You openly discuss your struggle with depression in your writing. How does travel and/or writing support your mental health?

Ah, well, that’s a big question.

Travel both challenges and supports my mental health.

On one level, it’s relatively easy to transcend one’s own existential rubbish when walking through Petra or listening to buskers at a Christmas market in Copenhagen.

At a deeper level, the hassles and stresses of actually getting around, borders, visas, online bookings, costs, consistently push me out of my comfort zone on many levels, as does the disorientation and uncertainty of being somewhere new and weird without knowing a soul or where TF my hotel is…at 11pm…

But those challenges are self inflicted and so a) I find gratitude for even being there in the first place and b) have to learn how to be comfortable in discomfort.

Both are great techniques for strengthening one’s mental health.

So,I guess the answer is counter-intuitive: the challenges support my mental health.

2. Does reading your work aloud through narration influence the writing process for you?

Absolutely. I have worked as a speechwriter so have learned a few techniques which come in handy.

I read each audio piece out a number of times as I’m writing it, as the pacing and tone need to be rehearsed. It’s a great way to get noticed in a cafe…

I also attempt to create a more intimate feel, like I am having a chat with the listener. So, that means writing a little less wafty or formal (I can hear my readers laughing at that: really?!) and leaving some room for spontaneity in the reading.

I also need to watch word combos that are hard to verbalise, or tricky alliterations: lots of w’s for instance are hard, or too many s’s that will sound snaky.

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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 130+ countries & all 7 continents. She is a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series of curated trips and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

Curious to read more Nomad Profiles? Get the bonus edition to the guide—Meet 10 More Nomads: Bonus Interviews 11-20.

Download the Bonus Issue here ⬇️

As a global traveler, I take 1 to 2 cruises a year. I like them for their affordability (when you take into account transportation, lodging, and food, most come in under $100/day), convenience, and, for us nomads, a welcome break from the constant day-to-day decision making that is our life.

Cruising is also considered one of the safest modes of transportation, especially when compared with motorcycle and passenger car travel. Dr. James Fox, a criminology professor at Northeastern University and publisher of the recent report “Floating Felonies: Rape, Assault Surge on Cruises, Darkening Vacation Vibes” (May 17, 2025), states that [while] the rate of violent crime at sea is increasing, it is still about 95% lower than in an average U.S. city.

That said, all cruise lines are not created equal, and several lines perform poorly across multiple metrics. Let’s take a look.

Personal Safety & Sexual Assault

Beginning in 2010, the U.S. Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA) requires cruise lines to report criminal incidents to the FBI. The Department of Transportation database is public, and quarterly reports are easily accessible.

For instance, the last 4Q25 quarterly report provides a snapshot of the violent crime, including homicide, assault & rape, and theft over $10,000, that was reported at sea on cruise ships during that time period.

The report shows that Royal Caribbean Cruise Line had 16 dangerous incidents last quarter, followed by Norwegian Cruise Lines at 8, and MSC at 7.

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In total, 8 cruise lines reported 44 incidents—77% of which are assault, sexual assault, or rape of a crew member or passenger. Again, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines comes in first in double digits. These results line up with my findings from last spring when I first began tracking this data.

Note: Royal Caribbean is the largest cruise line in terms of passengers (21.2%) and revenue (14.8%), so it follows that they would have the most reported incidents. Accordingly, violent incidents per passenger may not be the highest. Citation: Cruise Market Watch.

In addition, the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network contends that 2 of 3 rapes are never reported, so we can assume the number of assaults on ships is exponential. Specific shipboard factors that present an environment ripe for assault include binge drinking (promoted by all-inclusive drink packages), anonymity, and opportunity for sexual predators.

Cleanliness & Sanitation on Board

Your personal safety is also at risk due to poor sanitation on board a ship. The law firm Arnold & Itkin compiled a list of “The 8 Most Dangerous Cruise Line Companies,” sifting through data from the CDC Vessel Sanitation Program.

Per this program, CDC inspectors have the right to unannounced inspections of cruise vessels docked in American ports twice a year. Each inspection examines 8 areas of the ship, from medical facilities to swimming pools, dining rooms to common areas.

Each area’s sanitation is ranked following a weighted scoring system. A perfect score is 100; a score of 86 or higher is satisfactory, a score of 85 or lower is a fail. Again, both the cruise line and the specific vessel’s sanitation record are public.

One interesting finding is that the price of a cruise doesn’t seem to have an impact on its sanitation score. I looked at recent listings on Oceanic, SilverSea and Regent (luxury cruise lines) versus Princess, Carnival and Club Med (budget-friendly cruises) and they all had similarly low scores.

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Unfortunately, even with a failing Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) score, ships can still sail. The only time the VSP will issue a “no-sail recommendation” is if a ship’s condition poses an imminent health risk. Instead, by making the scores public, the VSP hopes market pressure will help keep cruising vessels clean at acceptable levels.

Environmental Polluters

Protection agencies also monitor cruise ships’ adherence to environmental regulations. These regulations, which are not considered especially rigorous to begin with, depend on cruise ship self-reporting any violations of the Clean Water Act.

Recently, the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council (SEACC) surveyed ships’ self-reported data from hundreds of violations. The reports showed excess amounts of unburnt fuel and heavy metals were being dumped into the ocean, impacting not only our health but also the health of the environment. These toxins are especially harmful to marine mammals and our food system.

A March 2026 article by The Alaska Current revealed the biggest offender was Carnival Cruise Lines, parent company of Princess, Holland America, and Carnival. The article notes that “Their ships were responsible for every single one of the 334 violation days in 2024 and 423 violation days in 2023.”

Friends of the Earth Cruise Line Report Cards monitors the environmental impact of cruise lines globally, issuing an environmental report card. The nonprofit organization scored 21 cruise lines, bestowing letter grades A- F.

In their last report (2023):

• No cruise line received an A grade

• Only 5 of the 21 received a passing grade of C or above

• The majority – 62% – received either a D or an F

• 5 cruise lines received an F grade

Again, the status cruise line Seaborne was given an F, the same as the budget line Carnival. So while we passengers may be paying more for the cruise, these dollars are not translated into safer environmental protections.

Taking A Stand

As a full-time traveler and someone who enjoys cruising, I was dismayed to see these results. Especially since personal safety and environmental protection are two areas that I care about deeply.

When thinking about writing this post, I was prepared to take a stand and boycott the largest offender. But as I look more closely at infractions across the board, there doesn’t seem to be one boogie-man. Instead, most cruise lines perform poorly across all areas of safety and protection.

As a person committed to ethical travel, I will continue to monitor the overall rankings of different lines, weighing the infractions, and deciding on the ship and line before booking each cruise.

This is not something I particularly want to do, but I feel it’s important to make an informed decision. And use this opportunity to leverage my tourist dollars to press for greater adherence to the safety protocols that are in place. I encourage you to do the same.

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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 130+ countries & all 7 continents. She is a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series of curated trips and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

Curious to learn more about nomad life? Get the guide “Explore the World with Nomads: 50 Practical Tips, Interviews & Insights.”

Download the guide here ⬇️

Part 1 of a 2-part series on my travels through Lebanon.

My heart hurts for the innocent people throughout the Middle East, including Iran and Israel, as well as the expats and travelers, who are caught in a war zone.

As war rages on through the region, I reflect back on my time traveling in Lebanon and the beauty of that country.

The warmth and generosity of the Middle Eastern Arab cultures are unparalleled. I have never had so many people open up their homes to me. I was honored to be a guest in their countries and their lives.

This hospitality was particularly evident in Lebanon, one of the most complex countries I have visited. On one hand, you have Beirut, the cosmopolitan capital, complete with a seaside corniche, trendy restaurants, high-end shopping, and colorful street performers.

On the other hand, Lebanon offers a glimpse of a timeless rural life that still exists throughout much of the Middle East, complete with ancient medinas, leisurely lunches, and endless afternoons filled with coffee and conversation. This tranquility of the countryside is punctuated only by the sounds of singing birds and the Muslim call to prayer.

Baladi: Of The People

I was invited to Beirut to work with the nonprofit This is Baladi. (Baladi is Arabic for “my country” or “of the folk”). The organization is dedicated to preserving and promoting Lebanon’s heritage by encouraging youngsters to learn about their country’s cultural diversity.

Children who participate in Baladi’s field trips learn about the rich texture of their country in a fun and interactive way, using food and the arts to promote and foster a sense of collective belonging among the country’s youngest generation.

Baladi’s work has another important benefit in that it helps to build harmony among the country’s cultural and religious divides. Aiming far beyond simple tolerance of cultural and religious differences, Baladi’s intercultural excursions are considered a model in helping to rebuild unity in post-conflict countries such as Iraq and Sudan.

I spent several days volunteering with Joanne Bajjaly, founder of Baladi, and my fellow consultant and friend Inji, whom I had met years earlier while volunteering in Cairo. We were discussing new ways to generate revenue and assessing new avenues for organizational growth.

While staying in Beirut, Inji and I shuttled between our apartment in the city’s center and Joanne’s home on the coast. Here, on Joanne’s balcony overlooking the sea, we three women collaborated to find new ways to expand Baladi’s social business model.

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One of the advantages of meeting in Joanne’s apartment was the chance for me to see a modern Middle Eastern lifestyle up close. Joanne lives with her extended family in a stylish apartment that has sweeping views of the Mediterranean. I got the chance to meet and dine with her charming husband, her mother, and her children.

Personal Tour of Lebanon

Ever the gracious host, Joanne had arranged a two-day tour of Northern Lebanon with Baladi guides and historians Charles and Roger. She wanted to give me a personal “taste of Baladi” as a thank you for volunteering my time and traveling to Lebanon to work with her.

During my personal tour, I was treated to the varied terrain of Lebanon, including mountains, wetlands, seascapes, and cities. And visited its diverse populations: Sunni, Shiite, Maronite Catholics, Druze, and Bedouin.

Until this insightful tour, I had no idea the variety of landscapes and how culturally rich Lebanon is as a country, which is exactly the point Joanne and Baladi are making. The tour was fantastic. Roger and Charles led the way, each of them taking great pride in their home country.

Roger, an avid basketball fan, enjoyed both educating and coaching the children during their camps. Charles, a trained historian and Francophile, is an ardent Arab nationalist, raised in the Maronite Church and a reader of tarot cards.

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Charles and Roger were two complex individuals living in a complex country. They didn’t fit into neat categories. Nor did they fit into my preconceptions of Arab men.

Except in one regard: Charles’ outspoken anti-Semitism.

During my time working in Cairo (this just weeks before the Arab Spring), my Egyptian friends referred to their Israeli neighbors as their “cousins.” But in Lebanon, Charles referred to Israelis as their “enemies.”

To my great discomfort, his anti-Israeli sentiments became increasingly vocal as the 2-day trip wore on. You see, I, too, am complex. As someone who was raised Catholic, is now an atheist, and has Jewish ethnicity on my paternal grandfather’s side.

While I don’t identify as a Jew (nor would Jewish people consider me Jewish), Hitler certainly would have. And I think Charles would have too, if I had revealed my background.

But I didn’t. I stayed quiet. I was fearful of his reaction and what might happen since our safety was in his hands during this road trip.

Yet the farther we traveled, the more uncomfortable I became. And then we got lost. And I got scared.

This is Part 1 of a 2-part series on my travels throughout Lebanon.

Read Part 2: Lost in Lebanon.

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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 130+ countries & all 7 continents. She is a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series of curated trips and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

Want to read more about my adventures? Get the book “Adventures of a Nomad: 30 Inspirational Stories.”

Download the book here ✨

I met Olga as the founder and host of Nomad Train. We traveled through Central Asia last summer and were roommates! Here’s a look at that experience: Life Aboard the Nomad Train.

If you’re looking for a train adventure, I highly recommend Nomad Train. Not only did I find our journey through Central Asia fascinating, but I made life-long friends on board.

Nomad Train is returning to Uzbekistan & Kazakhstan in May 2026. Check out the itinerary and be sure to use the NOMADLIFE code for a €100 discount.

Now, here’s more about Olga’s nomad life:

9 Fun Facts

• First Name: Olia (Olga)
• Age Range: 30s
• Nationality: Russian / European resident
• Nomadic Stance: Full-time nomad with some bases (camper van in Hungary, flat in Tbilisi, where I sometimes spent 10 days a year)
• Last Corporate Job: Growth & Partnerships at Presence
• Current Job: Founder of Nomad Train / Growth at Ciao (community sublet service)
• Favorite Country: It is a difficult one. I would say any country that has 4.5k+ meters mountains! 😃 But more precisely Georgia, France, USA (...I know 😅) and Peru!
• Next Stop: Venice Biennale and late autumn in the Dolomites in a camper van after WebSummit in Lisbon
• What do you like best about the nomadic life: Intensity

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2 Questions

1) As a professional, you work in several businesses spanning multiple industries (real estate, travel, etc.). How do you juggle it all?

At some point, I realized that what is important is not the amount of time I have (for all the projects), but the amount of energy I have. If something inspires me and gives me energy, I can do it with full passion.

For me, it is less about the number of projects and more about the amount of curiosity, interest, and joy in what I do. And of course, the team and people without whom I could not manage to do all these projects—it is very important!

Even though my projects might look very different, they are all connected by the same values. I have always been drawn to creating unique experiences for others through different tools and products, whether I’m making travel experiences or creating spaces as flats or campervan conversions. If it’s a home, a train, or a journey, it’s always about something very unique and the feeling of being taken care of.

2) Putting together Nomad Train adventures (and herding nomads!) is no small endeavor. What’s the best part and the most challenging part of the job?

What I love the most is the concept itself - traveling by train to unexplored and unexpected places. I enjoy designing routes and programs that would be interesting for experienced travelers.

But the best part is always the shared experience with others. It is the moments we have together, like making coffee on the train and drinking it together and talking, watching endless landscapes, or meeting years later and laughing about memories we created together, and bonding with others.

The most challenging part, probably not surprisingly, is the marketing and being present and active in social media. And of course, saying goodbye to everyone at the end of the trip!

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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 130+ countries & all 7 continents. She is a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series of curated trips and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

Curious to read more Nomad Profiles? Get the bonus edition to the guide—Meet 10 More Nomads: Bonus Interviews 11-20.

Download the Bonus Issue here ✨

I’m on my 2-hour flight from Salalah, Oman, to Dubai. And there’s a mentally ill man on board my plane. This mentally unstable person is at least 6’8”. A big dude.

I’m flying FlyDubai, a small regional airline, with only one aisle, which our friend continues to run up and down at full speed.

His mother is trying to control him to no avail. Mainly, she is just throwing up her arms and wailing. At one point, the man literally pushes his mother as he flies up the aisle, and she falls down between the seats in front of me.

I’m incredulous at all that’s going on, wondering why this guy isn’t medicated or restrained. And why did they even let him on the flight in the first place? The stewards were not much help either.

A couple of others are looking around; they’re probably afraid, like I am, that he’s going to try to open the airplane doors.

I ask my seatmate what’s going on, and he says there was an announcement before we boarded the flight that this person would be on board. But it must’ve only been in Arabic, because I didn’t hear it. I did notice he got a special escort onto the plane at the gate.

Finally, the plane lands, but the big dude is not in his seat. Instead, he’s raiding the pantry and passing out water to everyone. He then flits up to first class and proceeds to block our exit.

We all stand patiently while one of the stewards gets him to take a seat in first class. He stretches out his legs and giggles to himself. (He is childlike and a mite endearing, actually.)

Because it’s a small plane, there’s no gangway. Instead, the plane is parked out on the tarmac. They wheel us up a flight of stairs so we can disembark, with a bus at the bottom to take us to the terminal.

Now we’re all on the bus except for our friend and his mother. We see him dancing at the top of the stairs, then darting back into the plane, then returning for another little wiggle. His mother, the stewards, and several passengers on the bus are waving at him to get on board.

Finally, he starts descending the stairs. But when he reaches the bottom, he takes off like a bat outta hell, running circles around the bus. The security guard, who was only steps away, gives chase. Round and round they go. (It is almost comical at this point, very 3 Stooges.)

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Suddenly, our friend breaks away, streaking into the dark night. Across an active tarmac. At Dubai airport, one of the busiest in the world. Security is yelling for him to come back. The stewards are waving their arms frantically. We lose sight of him.

Just then, a large plane rolls past us, because, you know, active runway. The plane separates us from our friend, who is now lost in the night. The rest of the passengers and I watch, dumbfounded.

As the plane clears our sight, I see him far on the other side, his white jellaba robe picking up the moonlight and reflecting in the night sky. He has his hood on and he’s dancing a jig.

Finally, he comes streaking back to us. His mother coaxes him into the waiting bus with some candy. I’m sitting across from him, watching him munch away while his mother is looking for his hand restraints. (A little late, I might add). She can’t find them. Then she praises Allah for watching over us.

Our friend, who does not like to sit still, begins pounding on the window with his fists and bellowing as we make our way from the tarmac to Terminal 2. At which point, someone says loudly: “Maybe he shouldn’t have any more sugar.” Which, honestly, was pretty funny.

So we arrive at Terminal 2, and I need to catch a shuttle bus to Terminal 3 – another 30-minute ride. I have a very tight connection and impatiently ride this second bus. As soon as the shuttle arrives, I start booking to my gate. I hear the final call. Now, I’m the one running like a banshee, dragging my bags behind me (carry-on only, y’all!).

I arrive at the gate, but they won’t let me on. I’m a few minutes too late. I missed my flight and now need to buy another ticket for my Dubai-Bangkok leg. (My second one in 4 hours – I’m bleeding money here.)

I get online and find another flight that leaves in a few hours. But this flight leaves from Terminal 1, not Terminal 3. I reckon, I now have some time, so I’ve decide to return to the scene of mayhem – Terminal 2 – and file an incident report, which I’ll need to get a refund for my first ticket. I missed my flight due to extraordinary circumstances after all.

Another 30-minute shuttle ride, and I make my way to the complaint desk. I tell this story to the agent behind the desk. She just looks at me. I was like, didn’t anybody report this? She said *if* it happened and security was involved, the guard would have filed a report.

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But I’m not so sure about that. The guard’s one job was to get all passengers the 20 steps from the bottom of the stairs onto the waiting bus. But one got away and almost got squashed by an outbound aircraft. So, not holding my breath that the security guard reported the incident. No one likes being fired after all.

The woman behind the desk prints out my new board pass and gets her manager, who comes around the desk and – I kid you not – takes me by the arm and leads me away. Like I’m the crazy one. (In truth, I might have been a little agitated myself.)

The manager proceeds to walk me to the shuttle bus holding area – gently steering me by the elbow the whole time – and tells the gate agent to put me on yet another 30-minute shuttle bus ride to Terminal 1 to catch my second flight. Oh yeah, she also gives me an email address to file my incident report online.

Moral of the story. Avoid Dubai Airport. And the 6’8” man in the white robe dancing a jig.

If you like this post, please leave a comment or share it with others. This will help more readers find my work. ❤️

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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 130+ countries & all 7 continents. She is a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series of curated trips and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

Want to read more about my adventures? Get the book “Adventures of a Nomad: 30 Inspirational Stories.”

Download the book here ✨

RSVP for the inside scoop on March 9/10

On our monthly Nomad Life Community calls, we’re swapping Substack tips and tools. And I’ve heard your request for more information loud and clear.

Special Guest: , acclaimed digital growth strategist and author of The Lemon Tree Mindset (I’m a subscriber!), will be our guest.

Substack Topic: Veronica will share her tips and templates on “How to Design Your Substack Homepage.”

Latest Update: This topic is especially timely given the recently announced customization options. For background, check out this post: Did You Notice Your New Substack Homepage Design Tools?, offering a preview of the changes, including a video tutorial on using these new tools to update the layout of your Substack homepage.

Call Details:

• 📅 Monday, March 9 (or Tuesday, March 10 for those in Asia-Pacific)

  • 🕘 9:00 pm EST on March 9 - New York

  • 🕛12:00 pm AEDT on March 10 - Melbourne

  • 🕘 9:00 am HTC on March 10 - Hong Kong

• ➡️ RSVP for LIVE Call Details & Recording Access

RSVP for March 9-10 Call Details

All Are Welcome: Sending to the nomads I know & love. Please forward to other nomads and nomads in spirit. Really, anyone who enjoys travel or is interested in Substack tips.

Looking forward to seeing you on March 9/10. (Be sure and check your day & time zone!) 😃

If you like this post, please leave a comment or share it with others. This will help more readers find my work. ❤️

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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 130+ countries & all 7 continents. She is a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series of curated trips and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

Laura is a successful travel writer and international bestselling novelist. Her writing career spans travel journalism, travel writing, non-fiction, and literary fiction, including the acclaimed novel Lenny, about a ten-year-old boy who wants to save his home.

I subscribe to her Substack and bought her Green Travel Guide, soon to be re-released. Laura is known for immersive, culturally rich storytelling. And I agree! Give her a follow.

9 Fun Facts

• Name: Laura

• Age: Just getting started

• Nationality: Irish

• Nomadic Stance: Far travelled. These days, big fan of slow travel. Less - but meaningful - is more.

• Last Corporate Job: CEO PEN International - a freedom of expression organisation representing writers across 145 countries

• Current Job: Writing is never a ‘job’. That’s the beauty of it.

• Favourite Country: Ireland

• Next Stop: Currently - Balearics

• What do you like best about the nomad life? Connection

👀 Take a peek at the nomad life

2 Questions

1) You’re a professional travel writer and novelist. What type of writing is your favourite?

I’ve always been fascinated by place, language and culture. That’s reflected in all my work and how I live.

Whether in novel writing, travel writing, any storytelling - it’s always more a question of is this somewhere or something I’m really curious about. Ultimately it comes down to is it meaningful or not. As a reader, it’s the same criteria.

2) You write 3 Substack publications. How do you do it?! And why write 3?

Really it’s one publication under my name - divided into 3 related strands: Storycraft - reflective essays on the power of story and narrative; Write Your Way Around The World - insights into how to build a career as a travelling writer; and The Green Travel Guide - slow travel stories and guides.

All three grow from the same root: a belief that how we attend to story, language, and place shapes cultural understanding - and what that means for people, place, and planet.

We’re all lots of stories - why just write one?

If you like this post, please leave a comment or share it with others. This will help more readers find my work. ❤️

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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 130+ countries & all 7 continents. She is a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series of curated trips and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

Curious to read more Nomad Profiles? Get the bonus edition to the guide—Meet 10 More Nomads: Bonus Interviews 11-20.

Download the Bonus Issue here ✨

At the age of five, she chose to wear the veil, two years earlier than was customary. Girls in her tribe take the veil at age 7 because that is the year they are allowed to be betrothed. Her father explained that she had seen her mother veiled and wanted to emulate her, so she adopted the face covering she would now wear for life.

She was a member of the Rashaida tribe, a nomadic people of Arab Bedouin ethnicity that live in Eritrea and Sudan. The Rashaida, meaning “refugee,” emigrated from Saudi Arabia and are the smallest of the nine recognized tribes in Eritrea, with a population of under 100,000.

The little girl was obviously bright, and our guide Evan gently urged the family to allow the child to go to school. As a nomadic tribe, they would need to place the beloved child at boarding school, and this was out of the question for the family. So she would not receive a formal education.

But although she imitated her mother in assuming the veil, she refused to stay in the tent during our visit (as her mother did). Instead, she perched on her doting father’s lap and played with her brother and cousins, chasing goats and collecting shells.

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Pray for Rain

The Rashaida children were also playing with us, enthusiastically selling beaded necklaces to guests like me. The hand-strung beads were spread out on the blanket when we arrived. A clear indication that we were to pay for our visit with a purchase.

I didn’t mind. I liked the necklaces and was happy to support the family with extra income, especially since there will be a few hard years ahead, as Eritrea hasn’t had much rain.

The Rashaida are most likely to suffer from the impending drought since their nomadic life depends on the health of their camel herds and goats to survive. No water means less food for the animals.

The lack of rain was a concern throughout Eritrea. In fact, we saw a group of seven women in white robes, walking the winding uphill road on our way to the coastal town of Massawa earlier that day.

The woman in the lead carried a framed picture of Mother Mary, and they were singing to the heavens. Literally praying for rain.

Bunna for Me & You

When we arrived at the family’s encampment, it was the young father and his mother who greeted the three of us and invited us for bunna, the famed coffee ceremony that is the center of Eritrean and Ethiopian culture.

Bunna, the Amharic word for coffee, is a cultural experience. Sometimes grass and flowers are spread on the floor where the coffee ceremony is held. Here at the Bedouin tents, we sat outside on carpets placed on the sand, with the sound of the ocean waves in the background.

Truth be told, I was a tad concerned about the cleanliness of the carpets we were sitting on. This was top of mind for me, having gotten a few bed bug bites from the carpets at our Bedouin camp a week earlier in Wadi Desa.

I also cast a glance at our host’s black hands and bare feet. I couldn’t tell if the elderly woman’s palms and soles were blackened from henna or years of walking barefoot in the desert. But I placed my concerns aside, resigning myself to what would be, and settled in for the hours-long coffee ritual.

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During the coffee ceremony, our host roasted the green coffee beans in a flat pan over an open fire. Then the beans are ground with a wooden mortar and pestle and brewed using a jebena, a traditional clay pot with a long neck.

With each brew, sugar is offered with the coffee, and often popcorn too. Sometimes incense is burned, which mingles with the aroma of the freshly roasted coffee. The whole experience is magnificent.

Here is a series of photos from another bunna ceremony we enjoyed on a Sunday morning in the park filled with weddings parties. It was so lovely to sit quietly, sipping our coffee, the aromas wafting as we watched the happy brides pose for pictures.

Bunna comprises three servings:

1. Abol: The first and strongest cup signals the beginning of a deep conversation.

2. Tona: The second cup indicates times for reflection.

3. Baraka: The final, third cup means “to be blessed,” and portends joy for everyone gathered.

I especially like that the final coffee serving is intended as a blessing and toast to the future. It was my hope that our hosts would be blessed with continued family fortune. Eritrea would welcome rain soon. And that my friends and I would enjoy safe travel.

A blessed bunna to us all.

If you like this post, please leave a comment or share it with others. This will help more readers find my work. ❤️

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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 130+ countries & all 7 continents. She is a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series of curated trips and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

Curious to learn more about nomad life? Get the guide “Explore the World with Nomads: 50 Practical Tips, Interviews & Insights.”

Download the guide here ✨