Since starting this site, my own career has evolved. The origin of this site was a manuscript I was working on. That particular manuscript, which explores opportunities women have to live and work abroad, has been completed for what feels like eons. I’ve had several publishing opportunities fall through and I’ve committed to publishing that particular manuscript as an ebook. It’s not, however, the focus of my interest in travel and work at this point.
I’ve become more interested in the opportunities available to the digital nomad and how individuals can travel and work long-term. I’m interested in the tools, the coworking spaces, the mechanics of the process. To a certain extent, I’m also interested in what opportunities are the most practical for such a lifestyle.
Personally, my recent travels have been short term: I’m working on my MA in Baltimore, which makes it much harder to get out of town for even a month. I have big plans for the future, but for the present, I’m not going to far.
In light of all of this, one of my goals is to bring someone in to work with me on producing the sort of content for this site that will truly be useful. I want to find someone who is out there, on the road, at this point. Testing out some of the tools I use on a week long trip just doesn’t give me the confidence I need to say that one option is better than another for someone who is on the road all year long.
It’s going to be a slow process, I know, but I do believe in the value of this blog and will continue to build it.
I have a certain fascination with micronations — places that are in many ways their own countries, but may or may not actually be recognized as actual countries. There are quite a few, ranging from abandoned gun platforms in the middle of the ocean to cities that have declared their independence. Some are easier to visit than others, but I’d love to make the attempt.
If you’re a writer or another type of professional creative, you can find residency opportunities all over the world. Most have requirements that you must meet, but as long as you do, you can get inexpensive or free room and board. Residencies are meant to provide artistic types with the opportunity to work away from the bustle of the every day and, typically, you’re expected to have a specific project that you’re working on.
When we talk about travel in my family, we have great memories as well as a few cautionary tales. When it comes to souvenirs, there’s one story in particular that we tell. It’s been floating around the family for decades now (the events in question actually took place before I was even born), but it’s become a part of family legend.
When you’re planning out your journeys, you have to have an idea of how you’re going to pay for a place to stay, the occasional transportation and the food it takes to keep you moving. But there are a lot of options: you can find a job that allows you to telecommute, freelance for various clients and even sell your own products. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks.
When you’re getting ready to travel, especially if you’re planning to be gone a long time, it’s tough to focus on details like coming home. If you’re planning to travel around the world, perhaps staying on the road for months at a time, home can seem like a strange concept. But having a home base can make all the difference in the world to your abilities to travel.
Nomadesk is running a contest for the best digital nomad story with a ‘Digital Nomad Survival Kit.’ The kit contains a netbook and other gear, as well as a three year subscription to Nomadesk, valued at more than $2,000. There also seems to be an alternative prize of airfare for two to any destination (although there is some fine print).
I came across a way to send a letter from anywhere: Snailmailr. For 99 cents, this website will send two pages anywhere in the world. Extra pages do cost more, but if you need to include an image or a PDF, Snailmailr can print it just as easily as text. The service will even print images in color for no extra charge.
If you visit travel.state.gov, the website the U.S. State Department operates for travelers, you can see a link in the side bar that reads ‘Internet Pal in Trouble?’ When I noticed it, I was excited at first — the number of stories about an American citizen Twittering as he’s being arrested overseas or otherwise getting in trouble where only online connections really have an idea of what’s going on seem to keep growing.
It’s easy to become focused on the digital nomad phenomenon: there are amazing resources available for anyone who wants to create a business they can run wherever they can find an internet connection. Even jobs can be location independent — it’s just a matter of convincing your boss that you can telecommute and still stay focused. But those aren’t the only options when it comes to earning an income and traveling at the same time.
I learn about the places I want to go, more often than not, by reading. The latest culprit who has added a whole list of new places to my planned destinations is Kevin Dolgin, with his book, The Third Tower Up from the Road
