I met Joanne (Jo) eating breakfast by a swimming pool at a hostel in Oman. Although the yoga class I was to attend never happened (the teacher was a no-show), it was a blessing in disguise since I met Jo instead!

After a delightful conversation, we decided to rent a car to explore the local bilbao trees and beaches. Marveling at the camels blocking traffic, we became fast friends and are even planning to meet up next year for another adventure. Nomad life at its best!

9 Fun Facts

• First Name: Joanne

• Age Range: 50s

• Nationality: British

• Nomadic Stance: Part-time

• Last Corporate Job: Company Director, Retail

• Current Job: Airbnb host

• Favorite Country: Namibia

• Next Stop: Unknown - my trips are generally last-minute decisions

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

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2 Questions

1) You're new to the moniker "nomad," how do you feel about it?

I met Erin beside an empty hostel swimming pool in Oman, and discovered that I am a FIRE (Financially Independent, Retired Early) Nomad. I’m not entirely convinced I deserve such a glamorous title.

When I think of modern nomads, I imagine young adults working remotely from laptops around the world.

I’m in my fifties, divorced, a mother of two grown-up children who have long since left home. At forty-seven, I closed my business, paid off my mortgage, put a little money aside, and started renting out and sharing my house to help fund an early retirement and a life of travel.

My year follows a loose pattern. I’m usually overseas during the UK winter, spend spring somewhere in the UK or Europe, enjoy summer at my home in the Yorkshire Dales, then head off again in autumn before returning home for Christmas.

People often assume early retirement means a life of comfort and expensive holidays. My reality is different. Travelling for extended periods requires careful budgeting, flexibility, and compromise. Mostly, I choose simple accommodation, cook for myself when I can, and use public transport, and still make room for the occasional luxury.

For years, I thought that making myself intentionally homeless was simply my situation rather than a labelled lifestyle. I’m gradually accepting that the way I live is unusual. I’ve learned that a nomadic life can take many different forms and comes with no age restrictions.

I like the new moniker. It makes me feel special. So thank you, Erin, for making me feel extraordinary.

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2) When traveling, you mix it up and regularly stay at hostels. Why do these types of group lodging appeal to you?

When I think back on my most memorable trips, it’s rarely the destination that stands out. It’s the people I met and the experiences we shared. Whether travelling with a partner, a group, or chatting with strangers, those connections stay with me.

Hostels encourage conversation. They’re perfect for swapping tips, sharing stories, finding travel companions, and sometimes changing the direction of a trip.

A recent example was in Oman. I arrived intending to travel by bus, but within 24 hours in a hostel I had agreed to share the cost of a 4x4 with three complete strangers. We spent an unforgettable week exploring together and became firm friends.

Had I not stayed in another hostel, I’d never have met Erin or found myself bouncing around in a rusty hire car with her, discussing travel opportunities.

I vary my accommodation to suit my needs. I free camp in a van to save costs, choose hotels for comfort and a swimming pool, stay in homestays for local experiences, and I occasionally retreat to a private room. Yet it’s usually time spent at a hostel that sparks the conversations and friendships that reshape my plans and lead to unexpected adventures.

I prefer to leave my trips, and much of life, unplanned. It leaves open the exciting possibility that tomorrow’s direction might change because of someone I meet today.

🧑 Read More Nomad Profiles

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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 140 countries & all 7 continents. She is the host of the Nomad Life community, a self-defense coach, 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 ⬇️

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

💌 Join me and our guest co-host, Marola Vaes of ​The Rola Coaster​. Our friendly nomad community meets next on Wednesday, July 15 at 4:00 pm Bangkok.

Time chosen specifically for our Asica-Pacific, Middle East, Africa, and Europe nomads!

Join the Conversation

Call Details

• 📅 Wednesday, July 15

• 🕓 4:00 pm Bangkok

• 🕐 1:00 pm UAE

• 🕛 12:00 noon Sofia

• 🕙 10:00 am Dublin

• 🕘 9:00 am Accra

• 📍 RSVP for Call-in Information

Topic 💰✍️ How to monetize your writing & book publishing

We'll be comparing notes on how we're monetizing our writing, including here on Substack, digital products, and traditional books.

• Have you figured it out? We’d love to learn from your approach.

• Not sure where to start? Come with all your questions.

RSVP ➡️ Call-In Information

⭐ As always, come with your stories, recommendations, and ideas to share with the community.

🌻 Sending to the nomads I know & love. Please feel free to forward to other nomads, nomads in spirit, and your favorite writers on Substack!

👫 More Nomad Life Community

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About Erin: Founder of Nomad Life, Erin was christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic. She has traveled to 140 countries & all 7 continents. As a professional speaker, host of the Nomad Life community, and author of the Nomad Life™ series, she offers travel safety tips, ethical adventures, and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

About Marola: Author of the Substack The Rola Coaster, Marola writes about meaningful travel experiences and exploring the world through good food, adventure and cultural observations. She is a nomad, wannabe sailor, and new adventure-cat mom who writes and makes videos on her YouTube channel about being uncomfortable, belonging, and a chosen life of travel.

Get Practical Tips on Ethical Travel

💗 Thank you to our Nomad Life folks for joining the community meetup yesterday, including , , , (hidden from view!), and me, Erin, Nomad Life. With a special shoutout to of Far From Here for guest co-hosting with me and suggesting the topic: 🏛️ Can travel help address historical inequalities or does it reinforce them?

Here’s a call re-cap:

The Core Dilemma

The group explored the tension between wanting to engage authentically with communities in the Global South — and in Europe — while grappling with the weight of colonial history, economic disparity, and how tourists are perceived (and treated) based on nationality and race. Key threads included:

• Slum/poverty tourism: Stina described joining a locally organized slum tour in Lagos and still feeling uneasy about it, even when money went directly to the local organization. Chris shared a contrasting experience in Medellín — a packaged narco/art tour felt voyeuristic, while a second tour with a local hiking group visiting micro-funded women’s businesses felt far more meaningful and authentic.

• The “white American bubble”: Several participants noted how being perceived as a wealthy Westerner creates an invisible barrier. Erin shared that a Russian travel companion always warns her not to speak, as her American accent immediately triggers price inflation. Chris noted that in Southeast Asia she was often assumed to be British rather than American — and wondered what her responsibility was to correct that.

• Europe’s unexamined history: Stina pushed the conversation toward European destinations, noting that travelers rarely read up on colonial history before visiting Paris or Rome, even though much of Europe’s wealth and cultural capital was built through colonization and the slave trade. The group agreed this is a less-discussed dimension of ethical travel.

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Practical Recommendations for More Ethical Travel

Tours & Experiences

• Seek out locally and community-run tours rather than big aggregator platforms. Chris found her most authentic Medellín experience through a local Spanish-language hiking group she found independently.

• Consider private tours — Tracy said she almost exclusively does private tours now, which are more expensive but lead to genuine relationships rather than being “just a number” in a group. She’s been back to Vietnam multiple times and forming a real, lasting bond with her guide – even attended her wedding.

• Look for tours that directly support local livelihoods — the micro-funding tour in Medellín that visited women-owned small businesses felt markedly more meaningful than the packaged tourist route.

• Ask questions on tours. Erin cited a Cape Town township tour where tour participants challenged the whitewashing of history — being an engaged, questioning tourist rather than a passive one matters.

Accommodation

• Stay in locally and Black-owned hotels when traveling in Africa, not just “African-owned” but specifically Black-owned, as Stina noted the distinction matters given colonial land ownership patterns.

• Avoid international hotel chains where money leaves the community. Erin’s partnership with a women-owned ethical tourism company, centering locally owned businesses, homestays, cooking classes, and community activities rather than luxury hotels.

Spending & Tipping

• The group acknowledged the awkwardness of tipping in lower-income countries — feeling gaudy handing over large sums, but also wanting to compensate guides fairly. Tracy noted she agonizes over this, trying not to look like a “flashy American” while also not under-tipping.

• Donations to communities, not individuals — Erin’s ethical tourism model for her Bhutan trip involved asking the community what it needs and letting the community distribute resources rather than giving money directly to individuals.

Research & Preparation

• Read up on colonial history before visiting former colonies — Stina called this a baseline requirement, not just for Africa but for all destinations. Understanding why poverty exists, and where European wealth came from, changes how you engage.

👀 Take a free peek at the nomad life

On Responsible Travel Writing

A significant part of the call focused on what responsibility travel writers have to portray places honestly, especially hard-to-visit or struggling countries.

• Chris’s rule: She doesn’t publish anything negative — if a hotel was bad or food was poor, she simply won’t review it, to avoid damaging a small business with what might be a one-off experience.

• Erin’s approach: She sees herself as an eyewitness and feels there is value in honest emotional reporting, including difficult or depressing travel experiences. She cited Eritrea as an example — going somewhere most readers have never heard of and saying “this country is struggling, and here’s why” has real value, even if it’s not a glowing review.

• Brandi’s journalistic instinct: As a former journalist, she tries to balance pieces by including perspectives other than her own, using quotes or references to other travelers’ differing experiences and acknowledging subjectivity.

• Tracy’s view: She writes creative non-fiction rather than travel logs, and consciously avoids applying Western standards (reliable electricity, hot water) to judge her experience in lower-income countries.

• Stina’s reminder: Read colonial history, travel with awareness, and let that knowledge shape how you tell stories — not to glorify or exoticize, but to help readers understand why places look the way they do.

• Agreed conclusion: Writers can actively promote people and organizations doing it right — e.g., the Portsmouth, NH heritage walk that added Black history plaques alongside the existing white history plaques, or the Harvard Museums that now include the provenance and corrected interpretation alongside artworks. Calling out good tourism practices publicly is something travel writers can and should do.

📅 Save the Date for our next call

Online Meetup: Asia-Pacific & Europe, Middle East, Africa

RSVP for July 15 Meetup

• Jul 15 @ 4:00 pm Bangkok

• Guest Co-Host Marola of The Rola Coaster

• Topic: ✍️ How to monetize our writing

• RSVP here for call-in information and replay

📌 AI Alert: I used Claude to summarize our Zoom call. I then edited the transcript.

👫 More Nomad Life Community

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About Erin: Founder of Nomad Life, Erin was christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic. She has traveled to 140+ countries & all 7 continents. As a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series, she offers travel safety tips, ethical adventures, and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

I met “Nomad Jim” through our Nomad Life community. (He obviously found his way to the right place!) He writes the Substack “The Slower Explorer,” as well as the YouTube channel Nomad Jim. I especially liked his post “I Expected Those Big, Mysterious Statues. I Didn't Expect This” about his experience visiting Rapa Nui (previously known as Easter Island), off the coast of Chile. Check it out for yourself!

9 Fun Facts

• First Name: Jim

• Age Range: 60s

• Nationality: United States

• Nomadic Stance: Full-time Nomad for almost 4 years

• Last Corporate Job: Environmental Office Manager at a research and development laboratory

• Current Job: Retired and loving it!

• Favorite Country: Some favorites are Vietnam, Portugal, Chile, Sri Lanka

• Next Stop: Currently in Kuala Lumpur; next stop is Bandung, Indonesia

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

➡️ Subscribe to Nomad Life for free

2 Questions

1) I like your one rule of travel: Always say yes when someone invites you to do something or go somewhere. What is the best experience you’ve had from this maxim?

While having dinner at a restaurant in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, I struck up a conversation with my waiter, a young gentleman from Jamaica, during a roughly 10-minute period when all the lights went out, apparently a common occurrence there. At one point during the conversation, he invited me to join him and some others who worked at the restaurant to go to a bar nearby that was frequented by those who work in the service industry in Manuel Antonio and Quepos.

Once I finished my meal and left the restaurant, I debated whether to accept the invitation and meet up with them. Ultimately, I decided to say “yes”. So after the restaurant closed, I met my waiter along with a couple of others outside what appeared to be a closed building. But upon ascending a staircase, we emerged at a lively bar on the second floor where about 50 people were socializing while 80s music played in the background. Many of the people there were service industry workers—waiters, busboys, bartenders, hotel staff—who were from somewhere other than Costa Rica. However, there were also some locals there as well.

I chatted with people from a variety of different countries throughout Central America and the Caribbean. It was eye-opening to find out that there were so many people from other countries who come to Costa Rica to work seasonal service jobs. And it was interesting to hear their stories about how they ended up there. They were really down to earth and fun to hang out with.

Had the lights not gone out in that restaurant during my meal, I doubt the waiter would have spent the time to chat with me and extend an invitation to join them. And if I hadn’t said “yes”, I would have missed the opportunity to learn about this world of temporary locals who keep the restaurants, bars and hotels humming in that corner of Costa Rica.

👀 Check out nomad life

2) You differentiate the value of time vs. the value of money. How does this perspective influence your nomad life?

People spend so much effort making sure they have sufficient money to enjoy their retirement, but they need to also make sure they have sufficient time to enjoy it as well. The unfortunate thing is that while the money will (mostly) hold its value for you until you decide to use it, time doesn’t hold its value for later use. The amount of time you have available to you decreases each day. And the amount of time that you can use doing things that may require some physical effort decreases even faster.

I find that I am prioritizing my time with a focus on activities that I am able to do now but may not be able to handle as easily in later years. For instance, last year I spent 3 weeks in New Zealand solely to hike moderate to difficult trails on both the North and South islands.

I’m also realizing that there is only so much time on the calendar each year, so as I plan my schedule I need to ensure that I spend my time wisely by seeing and experiencing the places that are truly interesting to me, that I am curious about, that provide the types of activities I’m interested in, that I know will vibe with me. It’s a waste of my time to visit places that I’m not that interested in just because it made a Top 10 list or is a viral sensation on social media.

🧑 Read More Nomad Profiles

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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 140 countries & all 7 continents. She is a self-defense coach, 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 ⬇️

If you’re a tennis fan, you know it’s Wimbledon time. So I thought it’d be the perfect excuse to share my “Ultimate Wimbledon Experience.”

In 2010, I spent two days at the premier tennis event, getting the inside scoop. And make no mistake, you need a strategy. Just wandering the grounds of the AELTC (All England Lawn Tennis Club) hoping to see a great match won’t work.

Here’s what I learned:

Published “Order of Play” schedules are unreliable. We checked who’s playing on which court in the paper that morning, then rechecked it in the daily printed program (£8). Neither was right, which is a problem because you need to commit to a court early to ensure you get seats.

For instance, we were surprised when we scored courtside seats on Court 12 to cheer for Sam Querrey, only to find we had Xavier Malisse and Julian Reister (who they?) duke it out instead. Turned out to be an excellent match, but flexibility is key.

Pick a Court and Stay There. See above. Once you start changing your mind, you’re screwed. Say, you want to see the record-breaking Isner match, you’d need to line up outside the courts for 2.5 hours to snag a seat, peeking between the flower boxes to watch the preceding matches.

Go with a friend. Designate one person to wait in line (see above) and the other becomes the runner – for a refreshing Pimm’s (£6.70), oily Chinese take-away (£8), or bathroom break. A relay system is essential.

Don’t be tempted by Henman Hill. If you want to watch the matches on TV, stay home. The hill is a bit of a madhouse – lots of rowdy Brits, which sounds like it could be fun, but isn’t. Even after getting coveted spots at one of the few picnic tables, I still just put my head down to go to sleep. I blamed jet lag, but I think it was just all the ruckus around me.

The Queue is a Crapshoot. When we decided to go to Wimbledon, people asked if we had tickets, and my answer was “why no.” We had heard about “The Queue,” where spectators wait outside on the lawn each morning for the release of 6,000 daily ground-only passes (£20). That was our grand plan.

The Queue worked great the first day. We arrived about 9:15 am, assumed our place in the very orderly line, and settled down to wait until about noon. We sat on our maps, read the paper for the daily line-up, and chatted up the people next to us. Very pleasant indeed.

The second day, as we emerged from the tube at the Southfield stop (note: you don’t actually disembark at the Wimbledon stop), an announcer told us the wait in the Queue was now 11 hours, and there were more people than tickets available.

Time to get scrappy, ‘cause I didn’t just fly all that way across the pond to go to Wimbledon for just 1 day. Good thing, I’m supremely lucky.

In fact, I had my very own Wimbledon Fairy Godfather.

As fate would have it, sitting next to me on my flight from Dallas to Heathrow was the head of the Pakistan Tennis Association. He was going to Wimbledon for a full 2 weeks of tennis as an official international delegate and invited me to be his guest.

Now, the first few days, I was too busy to give him a call (cough), but suddenly found time right there outside the Southfield tube stop.

It worked! I made a plan to meet him at Gate 4, and he would see if he could score my friend and me some extra tickets.

After a little wait, Wimbledon Fairy Godfather delivered with prized Court 2 tickets in hand. Clijsters here we come! Jancovic – nice to meet ya! Williams sisters, we’re cheering for you. Whoo Hoo! Thank you Wimbledon Fairy Godfather!

Fairy Godfather, of course, had Centre Court seats, so my friend and I were on our own most of the day (not entirely a bad thing). We did manage to meet up again that afternoon for a traditional Wimbledon tea. Strawberries and cream, smoked salmon, chicken salad finger sandwiches, scones and clotted cream. I’ll have the Earl Grey, thanks!

It turned out to be a fantastic day, especially with a couple more Pimm’s + lemonade and a day of amazing tennis. Life was good!

However, it wasn’t the last of Wimbledon Fairy Godfather. He asked me to accompany him to the Wimbledon Ball, a black-tie event, to be held that Saturday night at the exclusive Hurlington Club in the Fulham section of London.

I could easily have declined, but I believe that if one is asked to go to the Wimbledon ball, one should go.

Of course, I hadn’t packed a formal gown, but a black-tie gala event was the perfect excuse for a little London shopping. I ended up with a beautiful grey silk Grecian gown by a Japanese designer. And soon to follow: strappy silver high heels, a sequined purse and feathered fascinator (because England!). I was set for the ball and feeling every bit the Cinderella.

The night of the ball, I was whisked away in my very own official Wimbledon car. Before getting in, I had a nice little side chat with the chauffeur. I explained to him that he was to bring me straight back to my hotel after the ball. Making it very clear that under no circumstances was he to take me anywhere else. He gave me a firm nod, and we had an understanding.

The ball was quite an affair. Nearly 700 tennis dignitaries from around the world gathered to honor former Wimbledon champion, Virginia Wade. We had cocktails on the outside patio (more Pimm’s!), followed by a dinner of lobster, duck, and basil sherbet for dessert. It was a grand affair!

At the end of the night, invitations to the Australian and French Opens followed, as well as an offer for a personalized tour of Pakistan. But for once in my life, I decided not to push my luck.

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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 140 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 ⬇️

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

💌 Join me and our guest co-host, Stina of Far From Here​, for our next nomad community meetup on Wednesday, July 8 @ 1:00 pm New York.

Time chosen specifically for our Americas, Middle East, Africa, and Europe nomads!

Join the Conversation

Call Details

• Call Details

  • 📅 Wednesday, July 8

  • 🕙 10:00 am San Francisco

  • 🕐 1:00 pm New York

  • 🕕 6:00 pm London

  • 🕖 7:00 pm Zurich

  • 🕗 8:00 pm Qatar

  • 📍 RSVP for Call Details

Topic 🏛️ Can travel help address historical inequalities, like colonialism, or does it reinforce them?

We'll be discussing how our travels around the world impact the countries we visit, including:

• How do we, as visitors, inadvertently reinforce racism and economic inequality?

• What can we do to lessen our negative impact?

• What positive steps can we take to acknowledge / address / combat these historical inequities?

  RSVP ➡️ For call details & replay

⭐ As always, come with your stories, recommendations, and ideas to share with the community.

↪️ Please feel free to forward to other nomads and nomads in spirit.

👫 More Nomad Life Community

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About Erin: Founder of Nomad Life, Erin was christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic. She has traveled to 140 countries & all 7 continents. As a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series, she offers travel safety tips, ethical adventures, and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

About Stina: Author of Far From Here, Stina is a Swedish designer and nurse with a flexible schedule, which enables her to travel far from her hometown of Malmö. She shares travel stories, tips and hacks about travelling solo to places off the beaten track 🐪🌴+ all things aesthetically pleasing. Stina also writes a newsletter all about mental health called It’s Just Anxiety 🧠.

First, some fun facts* to set the stage:

• There are 43 million digital nomads & remote workers worldwide.

• Together, we contribute nearly $1 trillion annually to global economies.

• 75+ countries offer nomad visas.

• There are now nomad festivals in 25 countries.

The largest (and original) nomad festival, Bansko Nomad Fest (BNF), brought together nearly 800 digital nomads, remote workers, and entrepreneurs from all around the world this year. Based in the beautiful mountain town of Bansko, Bulgaria, the festival was held from June 21 to 30, 2026.

Nomad Attitude & Ambiance

When you arrive at BNF, you’ll key in on 3 attitudes right away:

People over politics. Who you are is more important than where you’re from. One of the unconferences was hosted by the Palestinian contingent, where they danced together with Israelis. Ukrainians and Russians sat together in the forest and learned magic tricks. As an American, I hugged my good friend born in Iran, every time I saw her.

You are not special here. Most nomads tend to get a lot of attention from friends / family / acquaintances asking questions about your life. But at Nomad Fest, everyone is basically living this same cool life. Have 20,000 YouTube followers? The guy to your right has 750,000. Been to 100 countries? The speaker has been to every one—twice. You cannot out-nomad at nomad fest.

No one is suffering fools. Trying to pitch your business or book uninvited? Folks get up and leave. No head nod or apologetic smile. Just walking out. Don’t like the “vibe” at lunch? Slap 20 euros on the table and head for the door. Even I’m doing this (and I was raised to be a very polite person). But here, there’s always a better offer just 3 doors down. No apologies.

I found this centering of authenticity refreshing; a healthy recalibration and a way to erect boundaries around your time, energy, and preferences.

It also helps you find your tribe. You’re able to quickly establish who shares your values and interests, and before you know it, you’ll have a new friend group. Basically, the high school cafeteria on steroids.

👀 Take a free peek at the nomad life

Summer Camp for Adults

The best way to describe BNF is adult summer camp—sleep-away with equal parts learning + parties.

There is a lot to do, including formal talks, informal “un-conferences,” a morning wellness program, game nights (including speed dating), and parties, such as the Epic Hot Springs Pool Party, as well as after-hours underground parties. Pacing yourself is key.

Most learning sessions fall into 3 broad categories:

• Anything AI: How to build agents, marketing in the age of AI, how to rank your website, learning languages with AI.

• Finance: How and why to set up companies abroad, tax hacks, options trading, the FIRE playbook.

• Personal Growth: Longevity, boundary setting, communication skills, community building, human design, breathwork, silent meditation, ADHD support group.

To give you a sense of the depth and breadth, I’ll provide my favorites in each category:

• Best Main Stage Presentation: Intro to Vibe Coding

• Best Un-Conference: Origami: A Japanese Mindfulness Experience

• Best Wellness Activity: Forest Yoga

• Best Formal Meetup: Nomad Girls Dinner

• Best Informal Meetup: Dinner for 20 at Traditional Bulgarian Mexana (Tavern)

• Best Party: Bonfire Night Dance Party

• Best After-Party: Yeah, no.

➡️ Subscribe to Nomad Life for free

Small Town Drama

As with any good band camp, there’s always plenty of drama both IRL, like who’s getting together with who (there’s tons of dating / hookups / relationships formed at BNF), as well as online.

There have been quite a few crazy text streams flying around the 25+ WhatsApp groups, ranging from the brand new “Woo-Woo Nomads” to “Girls Talk,” from “BTC, Crypto & DeFi” to “Board Games Bansko.” Literally there is something for everyone.

The threads are always an entertaining read with your morning coffee.

Join the Fun

BNF 2027: Are you tempted to partake next year? Bansko Nomad Fest 2027 is to be held June 20-27 and early-bird pricing is now in effect. If you register at the end of the year (December time frame), use our community discount code: NOMADLIFE for 25 euro off the ticket price.

Buy Bansko Nomad Fest 2027 Tix

Nomad Life Global Events Calendar: Why wait until next year?! I maintain a community calendar of upcoming nomad festivals, workactions, cruises, and trains. There are still more than 15 events happening before the end of the year.

Global Nomad Events in 2026

*These facts were supplied in a BNF email – not 100% sure about the numbers. 🤷

👫 More Nomad Life Community

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About Erin: Founder of Nomad Life, Erin was christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic. She has traveled to 140 countries & all 7 continents. As a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series, she offers travel safety tips, ethical adventures, and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

Kat is planning to embark on her nomad life soon, and she is about as enthusiastic as they come, which I love! How fun to be on the cusp of a global adventure, with all your hopes and dreams bubbling up. Check out Kat’s musings as she prepares to launch on her Substack Fifty & Free.

p.s. Congratulations on putting your launch date on the calendar, Kat! 🎉

9 Fun Facts

• First Name: Kat

• Age Range: 50s

• Nationality: American

• Nomadic Stance: Full-time (planning to launch by Spring 2027)

• Last Corporate Job: Biotech Lab

• Current Job: Mom & Educator & CEO of our household for 18+ years

• Favorite Country: TBD

• Next Stop: Florida (short-term stay—no more winter!), then likely a one-way cruise to Iceland (yes, it’ll be winter, but…it’s Iceland!)

• What do you like best about the nomadic life? TBD, but I imagine it will be: Freedom

➡️ Subscribe to Nomad Life for free

2 Questions

1a) You’re currently preparing to launch your nomad life next year. What is your biggest hesitancy?

My biggest hesitancy keeps changing. At first it was: Can we afford it? Then it was: Is this the right thing for our family? Recently, it’s been: Should we really get rid of everything we own? And right now, it’s: What about safety?

I’ll be traveling with two young adults, so I’m learning everything I can to keep us safe. But there are no guarantees. I want to be smart and aware without letting it turn into fear or hypervigilance.

Also, ask me again in a month or two, and my biggest hesitancy will probably have changed again!

1b) What are you looking forward to the most?

Freedom. Freedom from a mortgage, cars, and a house full of stuff that is always yelling at me to clean it, fix it, use it, move it, organize it, maintain it. Freedom to spend my time doing what I want, when I want, where I want, with whom I want.

Tied with freedom are connection and culture. I want to learn new languages, meet people around the world, eat delicious food, look for beauty, follow the music, appreciate nature, and see what kind of memories my kids and I will make together.

I don’t want a vacation; I want a completely different way of living. I want to challenge my beliefs, assumptions, and prejudices. I want to keep growing a more open and compassionate mind and heart. I want to build badass strength, resilience, patience, and better decision-making skills. I’m excited to live the second half of my life!

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2) What is the hardest part of your current life to let go of?

The hardest part may be letting go of the comfort and safety of my curated life. At the beginning of this journey, I thought I had zero attachment to my things. I thought getting rid of them would be the easiest part.

But now everywhere I look, I see dollar signs and the hard work it took to accumulate everything we have. I’ve spent my entire life working toward the “American Dream,” and now I’m turning that upside down and sideways.

On the surface, it’s about the things. But on a deeper level, it’s about identities and dreams.

All this stuff represents the person I thought I wanted to be (or should be) and the life I thought I wanted to live (or should live): the home, the neighborhood, the garden, the piano, the home gym, the hobby supplies, the clothes and shoes and toys for every season, the kitchen full of gadgets and spices.

It’s a good life. It’s comfortable, safe, secure. I have everything I need and more. But it’s not everything I want. And that realization came later in life. The American Dream is not for me. I want to design and live a life I love and don’t need a vacation from—a life aligned with my vision and my values.

The price of that freedom is letting go of what I’ve built and being willing to feel uncomfortable. And if I really think about it, that’s worth more to me than the sum of all my material things.

My plans aren’t changing. I’m still getting rid of everything that doesn’t fit into a backpack. These feelings of guilt and regret and grief and uncertainty are all part of the process.

I’m letting go of a comfortable life so I can take hold of freedom and adventure. I can always buy more things. I can always curate a new life.

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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 140 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 ⬇️

This past week has been all about Bansko Nomad Fest, the largest global meetup of nomads. Nearly 800 of us have descended on the small mountain town in Bulgaria. It’s 10 days of full-on learning and fun.

The main reason I keep coming back? The opportunity to make real-life connections with like-minded folks from around the world. I’m fully enjoying the coffee chats, deep conversations, and group hugs.

This is the same vibe we’re creating here with our Nomad Life community: A warm, open space to learn about the world and from one another.

I hope you join us for an online event this month. Or pop into the community chat. We want to get to know you!

Coming up July 2026

RSVP for July 8 Meetup

💻 Online Meetup: Americas & Europe, Middle East, Africa

• July 8 @ 1:00 pm New York

• Guest Co-Host: Stina of Far From Here

• Topic: 🏛️ Can travel help address historical inequalities, like colonialism, or does it reinforce them?

• RSVP here for call-in information and replay

RSVP for July 15 Meetup

💻 Online Meetup: Asia-Pacific & Europe, Middle East, Africa

• Jul 15 @ 4:00 pm Bangkok

• Guest Co-Host Marola of The Rola Coaster

• Topic: ✍️ How to monetize our writing

• RSVP here for call-in information and replay

💬 Community Chat

Your chance to ask questions, find a connection, share a photo, and post a hot travel tip. Weekly prompts:

💠 Share a glimpse of your nomad life! Drop an image that speaks to your travels — or wanderlust.

Check out a few of these amazing images from , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and .

💕 Feel Good Friday – Did you give or receive kindness this week? This is the place to share the goodness that we see!

Thank you to , , , , , , , , , and for spreading the good in our world!

⁉️ Anytime Advice – Heading somewhere new and searching for a place to stay, a favorite restaurant or activity, or the best way to get around? Feel free to start a new thread and ask all of us travel experts. We’ve got the hot tips!

😀 IRL Connections

So many of us are talking about the importance of making connections as we roam. If you’re landing in a new place and looking for introductions to local folks or other nomads, feel free to reach out here to make a connection.

Note: IRL meetups can be great, but be sure to meet in a public place and use caution and common sense. Your safety is important.

🌎 Global Nomad Events:

Online calendar and links to nomad events around the world, including festivals, workations, and cruises. Looking to expand your nomad community IRL? This is one place to start.

View a listing of global nomad events

👋 My Door is Open, Come on In

As always, I’m open to ideas and feedback on how to make our community more engaging. Feel free to DM me on ways to improve.

Thank you for being a part of our Nomad Life community. We are more diverse, more connected, and more knowledgeable because you are here!

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About Erin: Founder of Nomad Life, Erin was christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic. She has traveled to 140 countries & all 7 continents. As a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series, she offers travel safety tips, ethical adventures, and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

I came across Milo’s Substack Stories of Milo when reading her article Is It Okay for Travelers to Wear Traditional Clothing?, about the thin line between cultural celebration and appropriation. As someone who also loves to wear traditional dress when experiencing (new-to-me) cultures, I appreciate her thoughtful approach to the issue and have been a fan ever since.

You can follow along with Milo and her slow travel journey on both Instagram and YouTube. She also supports the nonprofit organization Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, specifically the Lebanon Urgent Relief program, which provides essential services to children and families facing deepening uncertainty amid the country’s deteriorating security conditions.

9 Fun Facts

• First Name: Milene (or Milo, when I’m online!)

• Age Range: 30s

• Nationality: born and raised in France, but my parents are Portuguese immigrants

• Nomadic Stance: Full-time

• Last Corporate Job: Head of Business Development and Marketing

• Current Job: Revenue Operations Consultant

• Favorite Country: Taiwan

• Next Stop: Brazil

• What do you like best about the nomadic life? Building a routine in new places and discovering how my day-to-day life changes from one location to another - whether that’s Athens, Seoul, or Rio de Janeiro.

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2 Questions

1) You left your home country at the age of 19. What lured you abroad at such an early age?

I had a complicated home life growing up, and I spent most of my student years studying and working to be away from home as much as possible.

In high school, I learned about Erasmus, a European student exchange program that offered scholarships to study abroad. It became my goal. I saved money from every student job I could find and focused on getting the grades I needed to earn a spot in the program.

In September 2013, I boarded a plane for the first time in my life. It was a one-way ticket to Athens, Greece, where I would spend a year as an exchange student.

That year changed everything. I learned English, met people from all over the world, and discovered a version of life that felt much bigger than the one I had known. By the end of the year, I knew I wanted to build a life that would allow me to keep exploring new places and meeting new people. Writing this now is giving me ideas for a post about the decisions that shaped the life I’m living today… Stay tuned!

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2) Last year, you juggled traveling and writing a science fiction novel. How did your nomadic travels help you shape the worlds, characters, or ideas in your book?

My novel is set in a solarpunk world, and my travels played a huge role in imagining it.

For example, early last year, during my first-ever trip to China, I had just landed in Shenzhen (often called China’s Silicon Valley) and was waiting for my Didi taxi. I could see dozens of cars moving down the road, yet I couldn’t hear a single one of them… They were all electric!

It was my first impression of China, and more than arriving in a new country, it felt like I had traveled to the future.

I experienced something similar in Singapore, walking among skyscrapers wrapped in greenery and seeing how nature could be integrated into urban design.

I’ve also visited communities in Brazil and South Korea that built rainwater collection systems, community gardens, and local energy projects to improve daily life. Seeing what people can build all around the world showed me that there’s no single path to building a more sustainable future.

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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 140 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 ⬇️

During my travels, the person who experienced the most fear wasn’t me, but my mother. Only now am I realizing the strain I put my family under as I went off gallivanting around the world. While I was out having adventures, my loved ones were at home, not having nearly as much fun.

I tried my best to keep close friends and family informed. For instance, I sent Mom a detailed spreadsheet every few days with updates on where I was going to stay and how long it would take me to get there.

Unfortunately, many of the columns were filled with generic descriptions, like “public bus from Cartagena to Santa Maria.” Not only did my mother not know where these places were (she did generally, but not specifically), but she was also left with the knowledge that I was taking public transportation around Colombia, which was, at the time, under U.S. government travel warnings. So, partial information was perhaps causing more worry than no information at all.

Ignoring the Warnings

During this particular 6-month stint traveling around South America, I was actually paying closer attention to government travel warnings than usual. My radar was up mainly because I was beginning to feel some disbelief that I had made it through this big 2-year adventure relatively unscathed. I had the inkling that my number was somehow up; that my luck was running out. Not a good feeling to have.

As I mentioned, the system I had for keeping my loved ones informed was imperfect. This became painfully clear when one of my updates didn’t get through. Unfortunately, this occurred in Colombia, which was known at the time for hostage taking.

The U.S. government had deemed the corridor between Bogota and Cartagena safe for Americans to travel—if you took normal precautions, of course. And I stuck to these parameters when touring the country. Almost.

Trekking into the Danger Zone

That is, I stuck to them until I decided to venture just a tad south of this safe zone in order to head into the Colombian jungle. I felt I had good reason to ignore the government travel warnings.

I wanted to trek to the famous Ciudad Perdida, Colombia’s Lost City. I had heard much about this iconic trek, and exploring this significant archaeological site was actually one of the reasons I had come to Colombia. I mean, how could I not see them?

The 5-day hike covers about 27 miles and is considered moderately difficult, with lots of steep ascents, some bouldering, and only a small jungle path to follow. I relied on a sturdy bamboo walking stick that was given to me by my guide on the first day to help me stay upright on the muddy, slippery slopes.

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Ancient Site in the Sierra Nevada

Hidden in the country’s southern Sierra Nevada mountain range, Ciudad Perdida is a pre-Colombian city that was founded nearly 650 years earlier than Machu Picchu. The city was thought to have been abandoned during the Spanish Conquest in the 1500s, and was only rediscovered again in 1972 by local treasure hunters who began finding gold and ceramics in the surrounding area.

When the government became aware of the selling of these historic artifacts, they sent a team of archeologists, geologists, and biologists to unearth the site. In 1976, the Colombian government declared Ciudad Perdida to be a national treasure.

Since then, anthropologists have discovered a tiled network of roads and three central circular plazas, accessed by an entrance atop 1,200 stone stairs. They’ve also found evidence of how the city functioned, with markets, an administrative center, and altars for religious ceremonies. I particularly love the tangibility of Ciudad Perdida. You can truly see that people lived here long ago.

This paradise is anchored by three central terraces that stand out in discs of vibrant green against the surrounding hills of tangled vegetation. Guarded by men in camouflaged fatigues, banana trees, bamboo, and coca plants grow both wild and cultivated throughout the lush jungle landscape.

Guarding Paradise

I greeted the guards with a nod as I walked by, wondering on which side of the conflict they stood. The armed men could have been Colombian government forces, or guerrillas representing the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), or the National Liberation Army (ELN). They could also have been a private guard of a coca lord.

I decided not to dwell on the particulars since the situation was entirely out of my hands. I mean, I was already there. If we were to be kidnapped, the men with machine guns would do it. We were at their mercy. I kept my trademark nonchalance towards danger firmly intact.

Jungle Games

The trek included quite a number of river crossings. Some were just small streams where we took off our shoes and scampered across. Others were fairly deep, so we took off our pants (bathing suits underneath) and waded through the thigh-high water.

On the return trip home, we were getting lazy and either hitched a ride on the backs of our guides or simply splashed across without bothering to remove our boots. I was actually hiking in sneakers since I’d given my boots away after my Himalayan trek (which didn’t help with all the mud).

One of the highlights of the trek was at the end of the second day, when we visited a waterfall with several of the local children. The water was spectacularly cool and refreshing after a long walk in the jungle heat. We ripped off our clothes and spent hours jumping off the rocks and swimming around in the crystal-clear water, laughing and playing games.

Encountering the Kogi

Our path also took us through several small indigenous villages. Indigenous Colombians call this area Teyuna, and it’s populated by tribes who believe Ciudad Perdida to be the center of an intricate network of villages. Unlike some, our trekking company was on good terms with the local tribe, the Kogis.

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It was fascinating to visit a Kogi village and see their way of life up close. During the day, all Kogi adults are off working in the fields, leaving the smallest children to be looked after by a few older ones. Both Kogi girls and boys have long hair and wear long tunics, so the only way to tell them apart is by the side-slung bag worn by boys and the long beaded necklaces of the girls.

These Kogi kids were full of mischief: playing hide and seek, spying on us, and shyly accepting the small gifts that several of the trekkers brought to share. At night, some of the women would visit our camp to eat with us and sell hand-woven bags.

Earning The View

While I’ve seen my share of ancient lost cities, including Peru’s Machu Picchu, Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, and the Mayan ruins at Tikal in Guatemala, the stark fact that you can only get to Colombia’s Ciudad Perdida via an arduous 5-day hike makes the trip all the more compelling.

Though the trek was immensely satisfying to me, it was not so enjoyable for my mother. See, upon arriving in Taganga, the small seaside town that is the jumping-off point for the hike, I learned that the trek was being closed down for the indigenous full moon ceremonies. Since it would be closed for 2 weeks, if I wanted to go, I had to leave the next day.

This was a no-brainer. That night, I loaded up on a few supplies, including a local black soap that was supposed to keep the mosquitoes at bay, and dashed off an email to my mother letting her know that I was leaving for the trek a few days earlier than expected and I’d be radio silent in the interim. Unfortunately, she didn’t get the email.

This meant that the last message she’d had from me was that I was taking a public bus along the Colombian coast outside the American safe zone, and that I would contact her when I arrived safely. Since she didn’t get my email update, she didn’t hear from me for several days, and she started to worry.

Gradients of Violence

She had good reason to be fearful, since my route took me into the heart of Colombian drug war territory. Two groups of rebels, the FARC and the ELN, have been waging a guerrilla war for more than 40 years. Both groups operated freely in the region, which is widely considered unsafe, and both groups routinely take hostages. During the height of Colombia’s civil war in the 1990s, the FARC alone kidnapped thousands of civilians.

Not all the insurgents were the same. Typically, guerrilla organizations only demand a ransom, while paramilitary groups generally use the practice of hostage-taking as a means of terror or coercion. The most notorious kidnapping of tourists occurred during this same trek to Ciudad Perdida several years earlier, when 8 trekkers were kidnapped by the ELN and held for 101 days.

Following this incident, the trail was shut down for several years but has since reopened, and a few intrepid travelers (like me) have started to trickle back. When I was there in the fall of 2012, the area was experiencing another surge in kidnappings.

So, suffice it to say, Mom had reason to be concerned. And adding to her worry was a new story in the news about 2 foreign women who had been recently kidnapped in that ungovernable corner in Colombia.

Tracking Me Down

So, she turned to the travel spreadsheet and looked up my lodging to try to track me down. Luckily, I’d updated it right before the bus trip. She enlisted the help of her neighbor, a former Spanish teacher, calling the hostel where I was supposedly staying and learned that I had indeed arrived and had set out a day earlier than expected. Mom was relieved, but angry.

The moment I walked back into the hostel, exhausted, muddy, and hungry, I received a message to call my mother. Boy, did I get an earful! I also got an ultimatum that I had heard at least 20 times before―It’s time for you to come home.

But for me, it wasn’t. I was fresh off a fascinating trek to see pre-Colombian sites in the heart of the jungle! I got to meet an indigenous tribe of people I didn’t even know existed! It was exactly the type of adventure I was looking for.

No fear on my end. And, callously, not much sympathy for those back home.

My typical M.O. to disregard fear was ill-informed. Fear helps sharpen our defenses. Fear helps keep us from venturing too deep. Fear helps save us from our own stupidity.

In retrospect, if I could’ve benefitted from one thing during my 2-year trek, it would have been a healthy dose of fear.

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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 140 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 ⬇️

Get the Inside Scoop on Staying Connected!

💗 Thank you to our Nomad Life folks for joining the community meetup today, including , , Nicola of , , and me, Erin, Nomad Life. With a special shoutout to of Inside the Outside for guest co-hosting with me and suggesting the topic: “How do we connect when traveling?”

Here’s a call re-cap:

On arriving in a new place:

• Nicola recommended priming yourself before arrival — curating films, novels, or music relevant to the destination, especially for shorter stays, so you hit the ground already partly connected. He does this for his travel clients too, asking about their interests and tailoring pre-trip content accordingly.

• Erin said she prefers the opposite — arriving with zero prep and letting everything surprise her. Once on the ground, she reads a famous piece of local fiction to understand the culture from the inside.

• Nomad Jim and Teodora both lean more organically, letting connections emerge naturally.

On meeting people:

• Nomad Jim (The Slower Explorer) finds connection through shared activities — hiking, attending local churches, and simply talking to neighbors in apartment buildings. He noted that as an introvert, it doesn’t always happen, and that’s okay.

• JJ (Inside the Outside) connects by walking extensively for the first few days — no destination, just observing people living their lives and trying to imaginatively inhabit their perspective.

• Erin meets local women through women’s groups and stays in regular contact with women she’s met across Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Oman, and elsewhere. She also brings small gifts from previous destinations to give to people she meets, and intentionally lives in non-tourist, local neighborhoods (gyms, markets, dance studios) rather than co-working spaces.

• Nicola (Globe Foxing) recommended following ’s “Walks the World” on Substack as an example of deep local connection — Arnade plants himself in a local McDonald’s every morning for a week and builds genuine relationships from there.

On giving back / volunteering:

• Erin has an established NGO network from her years as a professional fundraiser and consultant. She consults with local nonprofit founders, sometimes staying with them.

• Nicola incorporates volunteer activities into client itineraries — cooking in homeless shelters, fostering dogs — and noted these often become the most memorable parts of people’s trips.

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On religious spaces as connection points:

• Nomad Jim finds attending local churches (including non-Christian ones out of curiosity) a reliable way to meet people who invite you to lunch and conversation.

• Erin attends Catholic churches for festivals and choir; she also visited the women’s section of mosques in Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan, finding people genuinely welcoming of respectful curiosity.

On staying connected with people back home:

• Nomad Jim uses WhatsApp primarily (and is perennially surprised Americans don’t know what it is).

• Teodora texts and sends audio messages, describes herself as the proactively chatty one in her friend group.

• Erin has shifted toward spontaneous phone calls — 2-3 times a week to Substack friends and contacts — rather than scheduled Zooms, which feel too much like meetings.

📅 Save the Date for our July Calls:

• July 8, 1:00 pm New York | Americas & EMEA | hosted by of Far From Here.

• July 15, 4:00 pm Bangkok | Asia-Pacific & EMEA | hosted by of The Rola Coaster.

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📌 AI Alert: I used Claude to summarize our Zoom call. I then edited the transcript.

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About Erin: Founder of Nomad Life, Erin was christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic. She has traveled to 140 countries & all 7 continents. As a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series, she offers travel safety tips, ethical adventures, and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

Bulgaria is a beautiful country, one that I’ve been coming back to for the last 3 years. I love the mountains, the cultural pride, and the cities steeped in history. It is a joy to be able (in a small way) to help support the next generation of Bulgarians through increased literacy.

Program: The Homework Club provides after-school supervision, reliable and safe childcare, and tutoring for 25 children at risk of dropping out of school.

During the year, as many as 750 supervised classes will help children complete homework assignments, read books and novels, engage in creative writing activities, work on math problems, and study for tests.

Challenge: In Bulgaria, children of families struggling within lower socioeconomic circumstances are at risk of leaving school early. The Homework Club is an after-school tutoring program that aims to keep children in school and raise their academic performance. The goals are to provide a safe space for the children to study and to spark a lifelong interest in learning.

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Organization: ReachOut.BG is a nongovernmental organization that provides a mobile learning and care center for children and teenagers who are deprived of family and parental care. The organization is a member of the National Network for Children and is licensed by the State agency for child protection.

Donation: On behalf of our Nomad Life community, I gave a donation of $44: $40 to cover a tutor’s fee for 2 classes, plus $4 to cover administrative fees.

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As I travel, I make micro donations (under $100) to community organizations tackling specific local needs. Think spaying and neutering programs for stray animals, beach clean-ups, and school supplies for kids.

Have a favorite nonprofit organization? Send them my way.

🫶 Nominate Your Favorite Nonprofit

Nomad Life global philanthropy is my way to give back to the communities that generously host me as I travel the world. From small local donations addressing immediate needs to year-long Ambassadorships with global nonprofits, every dollar is personally funded, and every gift is made in the name of our Nomad Life community.

For more information, check out our Global Philanthropy page.

Matt is a sailor, storyteller, and cybersecurity tinkerer. He left the corporate grind to circumnavigate the globe by hitchhiking around the world on sailboats—sailing 30,000 miles across oceans without ever owning a boat.

He writes about sailing, technology, and the absurd intersections of adventure and everyday life. He is the author of Global Hitchhiking (I just bought it!), and the voice behind the podcast Latitude Longings. You can follow Matt’s writings at Living Large By Living Little on Substack and the web.

9 Fun Facts

• First Name: Matt

• Age Range: 60s

• Nationality: US

• Nomadic Stance: For 3 years, from 2016-19, was Full-time (called it my mini retirement). Currently working towards buying a boat and becoming full time again.

• Last Corporate Job: Technology company

• Current Job: Part-time technology, Day Trader

• Favorite Country: St Helena

• Next Stop: Wherever I find my boat to start

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

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2 Questions

1) If people want to sail and see the world (”global hitchhiking”), what is the best tip you can give them?

The best tip I can give is to learn a little bit about sailing before you go. You don’t need to be an expert, but understanding basic sailing terminology and concepts will help convince a captain that you’re serious. Learn things like points of sail, the difference between port and starboard, and where the bow and stern are located. If a captain asks you to go forward to the bow or trim a line, you’ll at least have a basic understanding of what they’re talking about.

Experience helps too. One of the best ways to get it is through a local sailing club. Even if you live far from the ocean, many lakes have active sailing communities. Racing events often need extra crew, and sometimes they’re happy to take on beginners. You’ll learn a tremendous amount simply by spending time on boats and being around sailors. Look for local sailing courses as well. You might be surprised how many opportunities exist, even in places nowhere near the coast.

Most importantly, don’t wait until you know everything. Nobody starts as an experienced sailor. A little knowledge, a willingness to learn, and a positive attitude will take you much farther than you might think.

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2) You talk about visiting a country twice. What does this mean to you, and why is it important?

For me, visiting a country twice means experiencing it once in person and then revisiting it later through its history, culture, and stories.

When I travel, I’m often focused on the immediate experience—meeting people, finding transportation, exploring new places, and simply living in the moment. Years later, I find myself reading about the places I’ve visited and discovering things I completely missed at the time. That’s when I get to visit them a second time.

A good example is Malaysia. While sailing around the world, I ended up living there for eight months while waiting to find another boat heading west. During that time, I traveled extensively throughout Southeast Asia. More recently, I took a deep dive into the history of Malaysia and the Strait of Malacca and learned how important that region was to global trade for centuries. I discovered how trade routes helped spread Islam throughout the area and learned more about the impact of colonialism and Japanese occupation during World War II.

When I sailed through the Strait of Malacca, I knew it was busy. What I didn’t realize was that I was traveling through one of the most important maritime crossroads in history. Learning those stories years later gave me a deeper appreciation for a place I had already experienced firsthand. That’s what I mean by visiting a country twice. The second visit often adds meaning to the first.

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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 ⬇️

I had always thought that Bali was Buddhist, but the islanders practice a unique form of Hinduism which incorporates Buddhist teachings, animist traditions, and ancestral worship. Balinese Hinduism, with its focus on gratitude, beauty, and serenity, permeates every aspect of island life. It is truly marvelous to behold.

Ganesha Greeting

As I arrived at my homestay in Bali, I was greeted by Ganesha, the Hindu god of new beginnings, wisdom, intelligence, and the remover of obstacles. Many homes and businesses have Ganesha and other gods of the Hindu pantheon at their entrance. I took Ganesha as a promise of what I could look forward to this summer.

Canang Sari

Canang Sari are daily offerings of devotion, gestures of thanks, and requests for protection. As symbols of balance and harmony in the world, they are placed in household shrines, shop entrances, sidewalks, vehicles, really almost anywhere.

Each hand-crafted, palm-sized bamboo or palm leaf dedication is rich in symbolism.

• The woven basket represents the creation of the universe.

• Flowers are arranged in specific colors facing the cardinal directions.

• Snacks serve as a token of sustenance and gratitude.

• The smoke of incense carries prayers up to the divine.

• Small money symbolizes selflessness and sincerity.

The custom is not to step on or over a Canang Sari while the incense is still burning, but to walk carefully around it. Once the incense has burned out, the devotion has served its purpose, and the talisman is left to disintegrate or be swept away.

Kebaya & Kamen

Traditional Balinese dress is distinctive and beautiful. For special occasions, a woman will wear a kebaya, a figure-hugging long gown of lace or cotton representing femininity and grace.

Both men and women wear a kamen, a piece of fabric wrapped around their waists and hangs to the ankle. Each kamen has a different pattern and style. A sash is also tied around the waist symbolizing self-discipline.

Nasi Campur

The gorgeous colors and attention to detail are also evident in Balinese food. Nasi campur is Bali’s version of a typical Indonesian and Malay dish comprising small portions of rice, meat, egg, vegetables, and peanuts. It’s as good to eat as to look at.

I admired the dedication and gentleness of Bali’s customs throughout my stay. How wonderful to live each day pursuing harmony, creating beauty, and expressing gratitude.

Thinking back, Ganesha, the Hindu god who met me at the gate, was the perfect introduction to this warm island wisdom.

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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 140 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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Experience in the House!

🫶 Thank you to our Nomad Life folks for joining the community meetup today, including , , , , , , June from , Jennifer P., and me, . With a special shoutout to for guest co-hosting with me and suggesting the topic: “New to Nomad Life.”

Here’s a call re-cap:

Advice for Aspiring Nomads (Pre-Launch)

• Just pick a date and commit. Chris K. emphasized avoiding “paralysis by analysis” — buy the plane ticket, then work backwards. Chris Engler similarly said to “circle a date on the calendar, any date.”

• Nomad life is not a vacation. It’s a lifestyle and a marathon, not a sprint. Many people conflate long holidays with nomad life — they’re very different.

• Don’t be afraid to seek comfort. Bailey pushed back on the idea that you must rough it. Private rooms, familiar foods, and personal comforts are fine — sustainability matters more than the “experience.”

• There’s no one right way. Some have home bases, some roam full-time. Do whatever works for you, and feel free to change it over time.

• Don’t over-plan. Erin recommended keeping spontaneity built into your schedule. Pick a region, not a fixed itinerary, and be ready to pivot.

• Stay in compatible time zones first. Chris K. advised those with US-based clients to start in South America or Latin America, rather than jumping straight to Asia, to ease the time zone adjustment.

• Consider your cultural roots. Visiting countries where you have family or heritage can be a gentler entry point to international living. Same thinking applies to choosing a first country that speaks your native language.

On Managing Expectations & Setbacks

• Roll with the punches. Plans rarely survive contact with reality. Resilience matters more than preparation.

• If you don’t like a place, leave. There’s no obligation to stay. Erin noted she keeps a fund for any unexpected occurrences, also known as the “silly goose tax” or “nomad tax.”

• No expectations are better than fixed expectations. The fun is often in the pivots and unexpected moments.

Destination Recommendations

• Georgia (the country) was enthusiastically recommended as a top starter destination — affordable, English-friendly, European feel without European prices or attitude. Note: transportation within the country (minivans/marshrutkas) can be rough.

• Seek underrated destinations, not TikTok-famous ones — look for “best country you probably haven’t heard of” lists.

Making a Living on the Road

• Remote job + side hustles was the most common model. Chris K. secured a fully remote job and simply started traveling.

• Being a nomad is often cheaper than living in the US. Fixed costs like rent and mortgage disappear.

• Side hustles like content creation, writing, coaching, and travel agenting can offset expenses and are often tax-deductible as business costs.

• Flag Theory was recommended as a strategic framework — looking at where you live, work, incorporate, get healthcare, and invest to optimize taxes and lifestyle. Here’s an article Erin wrote on “Optimizing Travel with Flag Theory.”

• Choose FI / FIRE community (chooseFI.com) was recommended by Kat as an excellent resource for financial independence planning that pairs well with nomad life.

• Remote Rebellions was metioned as paid community for people seeking remote jobs.

• Nomad tax accountants exist — Erin offered to share a contact (Grace) who specializes in non-resident tax consulting and compliance advisory services: GracefullyExpat. You can also read Grace’s Nomad Profile.

Saving on Accommodation

Chris E. shared that she and her husband saved ~$30,000 in one year using six housing strategies (detailed in her YouTube video).

Additional methods discussed:

• House/pet sitting via Trusted Housesitters (Fiona had been pet-sitting for ~4 months straight, saving significantly on rent)

• WWOOFing (working on organic farms in exchange for room and board)

• Workaway / volunteer exchanges — bartering skills for accommodation

• Pueblo Ingles / Vaughantown — volunteer programs in Spain where English speakers stay in 4-star hotels in exchange for conversational English practice with Spanish speakers

Building Community on the Road

• Easier than you’d think. Bailey said she’d made more friends traveling than she ever expected, even without trying.

• Hobbies are the best way to find community. Chris E. recommended joining local meetups for activities you already enjoy (sketching, hiking, dancing) — even with a language barrier, these break you into authentic local community.

• Volunteering locally (e.g., staffing a community 5K) is the “secret sauce” for getting past the service-worker English bubble and meeting real locals.

• Plan overlap with nomad friends. Erin and Chris E. coordinate with other nomads to align travel schedules and meet up in different cities throughout the year.

• Solo vs. partnered travel creates different social dynamics — solo travelers tend to connect more readily with strangers.

📅 Save the Date: Thursday, June 18 @ 3:00 pm Bangkok – Asia-Pacific & EMEA

● Co-hosted by of Inside the Outside, who chose the topic: “What are the different ways we can connect when travelling?”

RSVP for Call-in Details

👫 More Nomad Life Community

📌 AI Alert: I used Claude to summarize our Zoom call. I then edited the transcript.

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About Erin: Founder of Nomad Life, Erin was christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic. She has traveled to 140 countries & all 7 continents. As a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series, she offers travel safety tips, ethical adventures, and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

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

💌 Join me, and our guest co-host JJ Rose of Inside the Outside for our next community meet-up on Thursday June 18 @ 3:00 pm Bangkok.

Time chosen specifically for our Asia-Pacific, Europe, Africa, Middle East nomads.

RSVP to Join the Conversation

Call Details

• 📅 Thursday, June 18

• 🕕 6:00 pm Brisbane

• 🕒 3:00 pm Bangkok

• 🕛 12:00 noon Dubai

• 🕙 10:00 am Paris

• 📍 RSVP for Call Details

Topic 🤝 What are the different ways we can connect when travelling?

Let’s compare notes on how we remain connected as we travel the globe.

• What’s your favorite mode of communication?

• How often do you feel the need to connect?

• What do you do when you can’t find a connection?

• Any particularly good (or particularly bad!) connections you’ve made on the road?

RSVP ➡️ Call-in Info & Replay

⭐ As always, come with your stories, recommendations, and ideas to share with the community.

👫 More Nomad Life Community

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About Erin: Founder of Nomad Life, Erin was christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic. She has traveled to 140 countries & all 7 continents. As a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series, she offers travel safety tips, ethical adventures, and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.

About JJ: Author of Inside the Outside, JJ writes about his personal search for humanity, kindness, and context as an author, journo, and current affairs nerd. As a travel writer, JJ’s big on making connections, finding ways to join ideas, and bouncing trends and concepts off each other.

I met Bailey in the beautiful island of Koh Phangan, Thailand, where we were hanging out with other nomad women. We met up for dinner, spent time at the beach sipping coconuts, and danced at sunset parties. She is bright and energetic, an all-around breath of fresh air. Be sure and give her Instagram a follow: b_adventuras.

9 Fun Facts

• First Name: Bailey

• Age Range: 30s

• Nationality: USA

• Nomadic Stance: Full-time

• Last Corporate Job: corporate-ish -- Starbucks HQ Reserve Store opening team

• Current Job: travel logistics coordinator / travel coach / travel agent (a travel trifecta) See: @adventuras_sabbaticals

• Favorite Country: The Republic of Georgia

• Next Stop: Malaysia

• What do you like best about the nomadic life? organized-chaos

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2 Questions

1) How do you juggle remote work, writing, traveling, and training?

The word “juggle” is fitting, because that’s exactly what it looks like. My life isn’t a balanced stack of plates. It’s more messy as I toss random objects in the air: a ball, a bowling pin, a shoe.

One or two things get the bulk of my time and attention, then I throw them up and catch something else for a while. It shifts day to day, though I try my best to stick to a weekly schedule. A week is the longest commitment I can wrangle myself into, so I take it one at a time. Some weeks are great. Some aren’t.

I give myself a lot of freedom to have fun rather than stressing over getting “ahead” or meeting external expectations about where I should be in my career or life. But when I catch myself slacking (you do need money to have fun), I remind myself why I chose this work, and I get back to juggling as best I can.

The biggest mindset shift I’ve found: swap “I have to” for “I get to.” It completely changes how you relate to work and responsibility. There’s no rule that says you can’t enjoy what you do — and honestly, it goes a lot better when you do. You have the freedom to build whatever life you want. If you’re enjoying it, you’ll get it done.

And if your nervous system starts pushing back because it feels like your autonomy is under threat, remind it: this life is a privilege. That tends to do the trick.

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2) After only 3 months of training, you recently entered the ring as a Muay Thai fighter. What led you to this decision?

So much of why I travel comes down to an obsession with humanity. I want to experience as much of it as I possibly can. That mindset has been pushing me out of my comfort zone in extreme ways for over six years.

In that sense, fighting was “just another” experiment to teach me more about being human. But before I got there, I was just a traveler who had been invited into a world I’d previously written off and unexpectedly fell in love with it.

Muay Thai people have a lot of fun, but they don’t mess around. They came to train, and it showed. That dedication was magnetic. The humility of it all seeped out of every corner of the gym. I felt like I belonged.

After three months, I was still showing up to train two to three hours a day, most days of the week just because I loved it. I began to push off future travel plans to stay put and keep going. When the fighters at the gym started teasing me about when I was going to fight, it got in my head.

One day I asked my trainer to find me an opponent. He did. I used the whole experience to get in shape and, frankly, to prove something to myself about dedication and discipline.

I showed up fit, mentally prepared, and at peace. And I won.

🧑 Read More Nomad Profiles

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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 ⬇️