So often I get questions on how I manage to travel full time and how do I afford it. This is a two-part question. I can travel full-time because I do not keep any type of residency in the US. I do not have rent or an apartment. So that really frees up your money. With that being said I do have a family address I keep for mail and anything else important. I know many of you have thought about dropping everything and just leaving the US. My own personal reasons maybe validated some and others not. I am completely ok with that. To each there is own is my response.
I have had it all. The nice house, nice cars, boat and so many other things, but these things did not make me happy. I felt stagnant many times. They are just items. You cannot take any of these things to the grave with you. Let’s talk about relationships. I feel like I have just been a failure in one way or another but mostly because I had a hard time staying in one place. My entire life I have known but to move around and so when I retired trying to be in one place for long periods of time is not me. That’s why I loved the military I was always doing something crazy, and it became a craving to me.
So, I asked myself what made me happy? This question will be different for everyone and answer as well, but for me experiences. The excitement of new smells sounds and adventures. Of course, when I started this journey, I had no idea what I was doing. I made mistakes in pretty much everything at first.
I am about to tell you about my first long trip outside of the US alone. I was in a very dark place. I had gotten wounded in Iraq, and I was dealing with issues and surgeries around it. I was in a terrible relationship, and I honestly was looking for an escape. I had been to Mexico many times before, so I found a one-way ticket packed my bag and left. My first mistake was going to Mexico. I had just had back surgery and a hysterectomy. I was still on strong pain killers. At this point in my life, I was all about numbing emotional and physical pain.
Fly into Cancun and take bus south to playa del carmen. It is a place where a lot tourists go and also long-term travelers. So, I get to my hotel, and they don’t have a room for me. So, I am on Airbnb franticly looking for a place and I scored one. Thank goodness because I did not want to me homeless in Mexico. Nowadays this wouldn’t bother me because someone is always willing to help. I did not know this back then. I got this hacienda and it’s cute. The house divides down the middle with two separate staircases. I had use of a small kitchen, my own room and bathroom. The owners were interior designers and so much with energy. But I need to back up a bit. I had to take a cab from the hotel to Airbnb and I left my phone in the cab. This was my first mistake. It was a very stupid thing to do. I did not have enough money to buy a new one until I got paid again. My second mistake was when I decided to leave the house and adventure out I forgot to write down the address and without a phone this became a nightmare. I walked for hours I think I found every strip club in playa del carmen and this was in the middle of the night. I didn’t get mugged or harassed at all. I felt safe. I stopped and had tacos and beer. Then I remember I passed an AutoZone when I left. I stopped and asked where AutoZone was, and I was back to my spot. My advice is to always remember the little details and do not panic, because things do work out. Mexico was not a healthy choice for me. I could walk into any pharmacy and get whatever I wanted. I was mixing Ambien with pain medicine, and this was not good. I did think the beach was alright, but it did not wow me. Maybe it was the drugs talking. I knew I needed to leave Mexico. I went back home and lasted only ten days. There was no salvaging the relationship and I was on a search of flight to leave.
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