WHO ARE WE & WHAT ARE WE DONG?
By theprofessionalhobo ~ March 11th, 2007. Filed under: Introduction.
When people ask what we do for a living, we say we’re retired. Because throughout our lives when we envisioned retirement, it looked like what we’re doing: Traveling, Exploring, Learning, Inspiring & being inspired, and Understanding all the world has to offer.
Many of you know the “Freedom 55″ financial commercials that enticed everybody to plan to retire early – at age 55. We’re not quite 55 years old (we’re 30), so we say that Nora’s smart financial planning has given us “Freedom 30″ – it’s the New Freedom 55!
We’re not independantly wealthy either. We have money set aside for the future, but we need to find ways to make ends meet while we’re abroad. We have lots of ideas as to how that will happen, but you’ll have to read more to find out what we’re doing!
We don’t know if this journey will last 2 years or 20. We have a loose plan of where in the world we will go and what we will do, leaving flexibility to go where we are needed and change plans when we desire. But we certainly have an agenda:
1) Tap into humanitarian projects globally.
2) Broaden our horizons beyond the restrictions and confines of the average North American mentality.
3) Inspire others to take charge of their lives & happiness by being an example.
We’re not independantly wealthy either. We have money set aside for the future, but we need to find ways to make ends meet while we’re abroad. We have lots of ideas as to how that will happen, but you’ll have to read more to find out what we’re doing!
We don’t know if this journey will last 2 years or 20. We have a loose plan of where in the world we will go and what we will do, leaving flexibility to go where we are needed and change plans when we desire. But we certainly have an agenda:
1) Tap into humanitarian projects globally.
2) Broaden our horizons beyond the restrictions and confines of the average North American mentality.
3) Inspire others to take charge of their lives & happiness by being an example.
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January 19th, 2008 at 6:58 am
Question… How?
How do you “tap into humanitarian efforts around the globe” ?
I have been trying to figure this out for a while. I have one year left till I graduate and I wanna GET OUT of the industrialized world as soon as I am done.
However I am not interesting in wandering in search of the perfect sunset… But rather getting into something constructive, on a long term basis.
Any suggestions?
January 19th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Hi Moshin,
Thanks for the comment! The reality is that if you want to tap into humanitarian projects, and you are truly open to the possibilities that are around, then the opportunities will come to you.
However, if you want some places to start, I have found Rotary to be a great launching pad. As a member, I can go to a Rotary meeting anywhere in the world and tap into their local and global humanitarian projects. For example, I am volunteering at a huge fundraising golf tournament this weekend, which goes towards about a dozen worthy causes. Sure – I’m not exactly digging wells in Africa, but it’s something!
Nunomad is a great website for both the aspiring and the actual nomads, and they actually did a feature profile on me! Check it out here:
http://bluesuitnomads.typepad.com/blue_suit_nomads/meet_the_nomads/index.html
Thanks for your comment!
January 19th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Ill check these out. Thank you.
January 25th, 2008 at 5:51 am
Hey Nora!
I’ve really enjoyed reading through your well-written blog. You’ve awoken the travel bug in me!
Maybe after I finish up film school.
Anyway, it’d be great if you’d expand a bit on the “cast of characters” and tell us a bit more about who you are, who you were before you embarked on your adventure, etc. A little of the backstory stuff — are you guys married, how long you’ve known each other, whose idea was this, what brought it about, etc.
Happy adventures, Nora!
Robert
January 25th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Hi Robert!
Geez….that’s a lot of background info to put into a comment!
But you’ve intrigued me…film school, huh? Did you know I used to be a professional actor/singer/dancer among my repertoire of careers? (And not a long time ago – recently! My last claim to fame was an appearance in the Dreamworks film Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio with Julianne Moore and Woody Harrelson).
Need any stars for your your first feature film??? (smiles)
June 21st, 2008 at 3:32 am
Hi, I really love your blog because it is incredibly inspiring to me. I am currently going into my junior year of college as a communication design major, and while I find it somewhat interesting I can’t picture myself settling down and having a corporate job for the rest of my life. In fact, the thought of it makes me feel sick. I have always felt very distant from typical society and really can’ wait to get out of it.
I am currently with the love of my life and we both have wanted to do nothing but travel and experience life to it’s fullest since we were young. I was just wondering if you have any tips on how we could start our nomadic lifestyle together once we graduate from college in two years? My family is very unsupportive of it which is a downer but I know that it is the only thing that will make myself and my partner truly happy and until we can achieve that goal our lives will feel incomplete. Any advice at all will help at this point since we really have nobody to turn to for support. Thank you for your amazing blog and stories, it makes me feel so much better to see somebody that is actually living my dream! -Ashley
June 21st, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Hi Ashley,
Thank you – I’m glad you find our lives as Professional Hobos inspiring! We are lucky enough to have the support of our families, but we don’t always get understanding looks from others. Although more often than not, once you announce your travel plans, many people will in face admit that they wished they could/would have done something similar!
I am currently publishing a six part series with step by step instructions on how to become a Vagabond!
You can see the first part in the series here:
http://www.vagabondish.com/practical-guide-long-term-travel-part-1/
…and stay tuned for the rest!
Cheers…Nora
December 17th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
i always enjoy reading the first post of any blogs. i find it interesting. it seems that there’s honesty, anxiety, excitement and all sorts of emotion in most of the first post ive read inc yours.
wishing you goodluck in your travels
-flip
December 19th, 2009 at 9:28 am
Hi Flip! Geez – What a flashback this first post is! Thanks for checking in. We’ve been on the road for 3 years, and thankfully, I am pleased to report that our three goals remain not only continually fulfilled, but ever-evolving!