If you’ve been following me on social media lately, or interacting with me in real life, then you probably already know that I’m about to go on a six-month travel adventure.
If not… hey, guess what! I’m going on a 6-month travel adventure!
I get a lot of frequently asked questions about this, so I figured I’d record them all in one place.
Why are you traveling?
The short answer: I finally had enough in my bank account to afford it. I’ve been wanting to do something like this for years.
The long answer: A lot of my heroes did something like this in their twenties, although their adventures were usually far more impressive than what I’m planning. I’m really attracted to the idea of doing a long-term adventure that is uniquely mine. I want something that doesn’t follow a pre-made itinerary, that isn’t overly touristy or trendy, and that feels real, authentic, and perfectly suited to me.
While this has been on my mind for a while, I realized sometime around December that now was the best time – and probably the last time – I can actually do it.
Why?
Firstly, my brothers and I have a production company called Avolation Media that’s been sleeping for a while, and we’re planning to revive it – as a serious, full-time pursuit – in January 2019. That’s when my brother Addison graduates from business school. So, time is running out for me to do a big solo trip.
Secondly, I’d like to have pets sooner than later. And you never know when I might meet Someone Special and start getting all adulty and settling-down-y.
That’s why I need to do the extended travel now, before I’m heads-down on the production company, before I have pets, before I date seriously, etc. Besides, I feel like I must get this restlessness out of my system before I even can get into the mindset to do those things.
This is a rite of passage for me – an experience I must have before I can begin the next stage of my adulthood. (Or at least, that’s what I tell myself, to make it sound more epic and life-important.)
Where are you going?
The details are subject to change, but here’s the big-picture itinerary:
- June 23 – July 31: Oslo, Norway
- August 2-5: Combat Con (Las Vegas)
- August 6-10: Grand Canyon + Sequoia National Park
- August 11 – October 12: Boulder, Colorado
- October 12 – December 15: Medellín, Colombia
Colombia! But… GASP, is that safe?
[Deadpan] Yes. Colombia is safe; or at least, it isn’t dangerous in the way you’re thinking. Their drug lord issues are largely a thing of the past.
It is unfortunate that the first thing most people in the U.S. think about when they hear “Colombia” is drug lords, because it’s not an accurate association to have anymore. We can (partially) thank the T.V. show Narcos for that.
Why those places in particular?
Oslo, Norway
I have some Scandinavian blood, so I’m partially there to connect with my roots. Even more importantly, though, I’m there for writing research! I’ve wanted to write a novel set in medieval Norway (A.K.A. “Viking times”) for more than a decade. I’ll be gathering sights, sounds, sensations, and other useful information.
Also, Norway is just freaking awesome. I asked myself, “If I died in a year, and this was my last experience traveling abroad, what are the places I’d be saddest to know I never visited?” Norway ranked high on the list.
Combat Con
Do you really have to ask?! Do you not know me?!?!
Grand Canyon + Sequoia National Park
Well, these things are close to Combat Con. I’ve visited the Grand Canyon, but never did the glass bridge thing, so I’m returning to right that wrong.
The sequoia trees are another big bucket-list item, so, that’s all I need to say there.
Boulder, Colorado
I might move here! 😉 I figure, if I spend two months in Boulder and come to hate it, then I’ll change my mind about making it my next home.
Medellín, Colombia
Medellín currently ranks as one of the top cities in South America for digital nomads. Also, it’s an excellent place for Spanish immersion! I’ve been wanting to spend at least a month in a Spanish-speaking country ever since I graduated high school, but haven’t had the opportunity. Now, I’m hoping, I’ll finally be able to push my conversational Spanish to the level I want.
So, you’re seriously traveling alone?
Yes, that’s kind of the whole point. I’m doing this for me. It’s a rite of passage for me. It would kind of spoil the whole thing if I brought someone else along.
What if the other person wasn’t interested in the same countries as me? What if they didn’t have the same preferences in indoor/outdoor activities, or the same traveling style?
Gah! That sounds terrible.
I’ve never been able to travel alone before. It is gloriously liberating to be able to make every micro-decision about the experience all by myself.
Wait… you’ve never done this before? You’ve never traveled alone? 😱
Why are you so worried about me, Martha? I’m a grown-ass woman and I can take care of myself. 😘
Aren’t you scared?
… No? Why do people keep asking this? What exactly am I supposed to be afraid of?
Honestly, this isn’t very far outside my comfort zone. While I’ve never had the specific experience of traveling alone for six months on three separate continents, everything I’m doing is a combination of smaller things I’ve done before, on some level.
The only thing I’m a little nervous about is money. And that brings us beautifully to the next question.
Will you be working while you’re abroad?
100%, absolutely. I said I had enough in my bank account, but let’s be clear: I do not have enough to just wander around sightseeing for six months. Hell no. If I don’t work while I’m abroad, I won’t be able to eat. HA. HA.
I will be doing a combination of freelance graphic design and entrepreneurship (I have several digital product ideas I’m experimenting with).
The benefit of these jobs is that they can be done from anywhere in the world, so they are perfect for digital nomads – even temporary nomads like me.
Speaking of which! If you’re a writer who needs the inside of your book designed, formatted, prepped for print, and/or converted to ebook, or if you need a fantasy map created, I am open for booking.
You’ll take pictures, right?
Of course, of course. You can keep up with my travels on Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #FollowTheFedora. (The hashtag is kind of an inside joke. I explained it in my original travel announcement video.)
And I will write about my experiences here on this blog, too!
If you want to make sure you don’t miss anything from me, I also have a bimonthly newsletter that I send out with all my major shenanigans.
The photo of my feet was taken by the fabulous Christina Sorensen.
