1
Treasure Experiences over Possessions
We chose to divest ourselves of almost everything we owned, including our house, so that we could become Senior Nomads. It wasn't easy to adjust to living out of our suitcases, but we soon realized just how little we needed to get by. We often said, "If you can't eat it, drink it, experience it, or get somewhere on it, don't buy it."
2
Curiosity is the ticket!
If Michael hadn’t been curious about the 15 former Soviet Republics, we might not have visited some fascinating countries, including Moldova and Turkmenistan. And I’ve led us to some amazing settings from my favorite novels. Follow your instincts, and you will be rewarded. And always allow for serendipity!
3
We are the Foreigners
Everywhere we’ve traveled, people want to be safe, to love freely, to be happy, and feel seen. And yet, the way they seek those things is gloriously diverse. While that may be very different from our way of life, we've observed firsthand that contentment can exist in conditions we might consider unacceptable. Recognizing the sameness, while celebrating the differences, is the heart of travel and humanity.
4
Learn the language of Courtesy
Even when words fail, kindness translates. A smile, a respectful gesture, and even the most awkward attempt at a few phrases can open doors — literal and metaphorical. It’s not about fluency in French or Japanese, it’s about fluency in respect and courtesy. And, who knows? That person who insisted they didn’t speak your language… just might after all!
5
We are Braver than We Thought
After twelve years of travel, we have much self-confidence than we had at the beginning. We learned to meet unexpected challenges with grace through trial and error… and humor. Now, we doubt there is a country we wouldn't visit (unless it was dangerous), a food we wouldn't at least try, a bus we wouldn't take, a metro system we couldn't decipher, or, most of all, a building we wouldn't enter. That comes from finding some excellent Airbnbs hidden behind some pretty unwelcoming exteriors.
6
It’s not what happens to you, it’s how you respond.
Cancelled flights, disappointing Airbnbs, boarding the wrong train, lost phones, tummy trouble, and even being pick-pocketed are just a few of the curveballs we’ve been thrown. But drama is optional. We’ve learned to pause, breathe, and look for the silver lining. It’s almost always there. Somewhere!
7
Forgive and Forget!
Living in close quarters, in unfamiliar places, with jet lag and lost luggage? Forgiveness is key. Laugh often, let the little things go, and remember you’re on the same team—even if you swear the other person had the train tickets!
8
We Are Closer than Ever
I am a Doodling Daydreamer, and Michael is a Rows-and-Columns Guy. After some initial adjustments and nearly 50 years of marriage, we acknowledge our strengths and respect each others unique contributions to our adventures. Or, as Michael likes to say, "we are rowing our boat in the same direction."
9
Numbers Are Your Friends
It is essential to create a budget and stick to it. Because we tracked our spending meticulously, we knew when we could occasionally splurge by saving somewhere else. We could not have sustained twelve years of full-time travel without financial discipline. And it's more fun than you think!
10
We Need the Grid!
Since we weren't on vacation, we didn't have the desire to drop off the grid. In fact, we couldn't do what we did without the World Wide Web — and now AI! We needed the Internet to communicate with family and friends, plan our travels, write our blogs, do our banking, and navigate each new city. We prioritize fast wi-fi in our Airbnbs, use Google for everything, and rely on a few favorite travel apps. WhatsApp, FaceTime, and T-Mobile keep us connected wherever we are.
11
Keep a Journal
Not every day is spectacular, but every day is worth remembering. It has been very satisfying to write notes on where we were, what we experienced, and even what we spent at the end of each day. We have filled 27 journals with musings,
12
Home is Where We Put our Pillows
We travel with our bed pillows. We may have decided to do that on a whim the day we left Seattle in 2013, but we are so glad we did. Now, wherever we lay our pillows, we are home.