On our previous visit we fell in love with Mexico, the natural beauty, the friendly people, the cultural charm… Mexico is incredible.
Over 141 days we explored far and wide, staying a few days in some places and up to 2 months in others, and yet experienced only a fraction of what is possible. Half the size of the Continental US, it is impossible to see it all, although we did our best. From the capital city to the deserts of the central highlands, from one food center of Mexico to the other, from the Pacific Coast to the eastern jungle, we explored a diverse and exciting sample
“Wow, you guys are just traveling full time?! That is so great! How do you do that?”
Often when people hear about our nomadic lifestyle, they get excited about the possibilities. Many assume that you have to work 40 or more years to retire, or that long term international travel is only for college drop-outs and dirty hippies living on rice and beans. So when they meet us, two (somewhat) normal looking, articulate, and fun people, traveling the world in the lap of luxury, sometimes they start to wonder… “Could I do that?”
The answer we’ve shared with inquisitive fellow travel lovers over and over, is Yes.
There is an abundance of (seemingly) free crap in the world. Free latte! (just fill out this survey!) Free phone! (with two year contract.) Free whatchamacallit junk (just pay shipping and handling.) Free puppies! (take two!)
But sometimes, there are some real gems to be had. In our old apartment, most of our high end furniture was free. We’ve had several free nights in hotels and numerous free meals. And most recently, we will fly to Mexico for free
Alexander Ruled the World. What Would He Have Paid for Modern Medical Care?
What do King Tutankhamen, Alexander the Great, Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, Queen Elizabeth I, Napoleon Bonaparte, Thomas Jefferson, and J.P. Morgan all have in common? Despite living the richest and most luxurious lifestyles for their time and era, their lives sucked compared to yours
Furniture fills every room. The shelves are full of books and photos. Each drawer holds clothing for every occasion and every season. The closets are loaded with more clothes, cleaning supplies, and things we might need someday. The garage is packed with sports equipment, storage boxes, and tools. There are even things stored under the furniture, behind the drawers, beneath other things, and in some incredible situations, in a storage locker. Is this an Ikea ad? Or is it every home and apartment in the Western world?
Why is this phenomenon so pervasive? Is this an irrefutable force of nature, like gravity? Does empty space in our homes act like a black hole, pulling and sucking anything and everything in neighboring stores and thrift shops, ensuring that every available place has a thing and every thing has a place.
From small college dorm room up to ridiculously large McMansions, the gravity of things must be obeyed. No space must remain clear. How many empty shelves or drawers or closets are there in your home?
My wife Winnie has 3 loves: food, photography, and me. I’m fairly certain that is a prioritized list. If we are ever headed towards the lifeboat of a future Titanic, there either better be extra room for her camera and cookbooks or I better be a great swimmer. I’ve been swimming daily for the past month, just in case
