Tribe

I have been very fortunate in my life.

I am especially grateful for the wonderful friends I am blessed with– friends who are nomadic and loyal and who share my Hobopoet lifestyle.

We now have, in fact, quite a little nomadic tribe– which grows every year.

My first travel-buddy was my best friend Kristin.  We have shared a lot of adventures… and have wandered all over the world together.   We met in Georgia (USA), moved to South Carolina (USA) together, lived in Korea & taught English together, travelled in Thailand & India…..

Later, Todd/Sky joined us in our wanderings.  As longtime readers know, the three of us (the “3 Amigos” pictured above) moved to Thailand together and lived there for 2 years.

In Thailand, our good friend Wat joined us.  The four of us moved to San Francisco a few years ago.   We joined another friend (from South Carolina)– Todd’s best friend Lewis.  All five of us live in SF now.

Recently, Todd, Wat, Lewis,… and two other friends (Zach and Rinny)  bought land on an island in Thailand (Koh Payam… near Ranong).   They are building a little Hobopoet Sanctuary there– a tropical island retreat for the Winter.

Why am I writing about this?   To show that a Hobopoet life does not have to be a solo or lonely affair.  Mainstream people used to criticize this free life by claiming it was lonely.  But my life is full of incredible friends… who have not only traveled with me… they have joined me living abroad in Korea, Thailand, Japan, and San Francisco (SF is a little like “living abroad” 

To paraphrase Thoreau,: When you advance confidently towards your dreams… the world/universe/tao/god opens up to you.   You are blessed with incredible abundance.  You meet like-minded people who are on a similar path to their dreams.

That has been, for me, the most rewarding part of this journey– the incredible friends I’ve made along the way.

Making The Empire Portable

Just how portable will my “empire” (business) be?

Well, I plan to fit everything into a small carry-on bag.  By everything, I mean not only what’s necessary to run the business, but also all clothes, toiletries, and random stuff I’ll be using to live for 4 months in Thailand/Asia.

I dont know why, but I really love the challenge of simplifying.  I think of it as a game.   In fact, I heartily recommend this mindset.  When faced with scary economic news and warnings of doom–  why not see simplifying as a fun challenge rather than something horrible that will be forced upon you.

My first simplification challenge happened prior to living in my car the first time.  I’ve always been nomadic, and I REALLY hated moving all my stuff from one apartment to another.  I’d rent a truck, haul a bunch of heavy furniture and junk, and feel exhausted.

So one day I decided to reduce my possessions to the point that everything would fit in my Nissan Sentra.  I sold or gave away almost everything.  I decided to use only free or near free furniture- so I could just leave it behind whenever I moved.   And happily, I accomplished my goal after only a few months.  I felt light and free.

Of course, the car and van living experiments created even greater challenges for simplifying.

Now, I’ve given myself the task of not only living out of a small carryon bag for 4 months.. but of also running my company from it.   Ill be doing demonstrations and seminars in Thailand, launching new lessons, launching a new website, creating & editing videos, and continuing my usual writing and podcast recording.

Here’s the basic packlist so far:

*  A Macbook Air laptop with wifi…. and a webcam for making videos

*  A Blue Snowflake microphone for podcasting and other recording

*  Final Cut Express video editing software.  Garageband software for podcast editing.

*  Cheap Thai cell phone for most local and international calls.

*  iPhone with international plan for a few select business calls.

*  Small headset for Skype (free international calls to friends & family.. and to my singing teacher)

*  Hiking/Backpacking Clothes made from quick-drying synthetic materials…  easy to wash and dry,.. and they pack up very small & tight.

* Dark, very lightweight running/hiking shoes.  Also a pair of Teva sandals.

* Toothbrush, contacts, glasses.

And that’s about it.

Most of you probably can or do travel with a similarly light load.  But here’s a powerful idea– if you can and do happily live from a small suitcase or backpack when on “vacation” or “camping”…   why can’t you continue to happily live from that same small suitcase or backpack once back home?

Why is it we are perfectly happy to live so simply when traveling, but at home this is considered a terrible hardship?  The shift is merely mental and attitudinal.

This is a powerful antidote to fear.   Realize that you could lose or sell 90% of your “stuff” and yet continue to be warm, healthy, and happy.

Living in the car… and later in a van… taught me just how fun and free a very simple life could be.  It taught me that most of our ideas of “poor” and “poverty” are just that– ideas.   Poverty is mostly mental, emotional, and spiritual,…  not economic.

When I moved to San Francisco, I learned a similar lesson.  I was very nearly homeless- having come with a small amount of money and no job lined up.  At the last minute, I found a part-time job and a tiny little apartment (one room and super cheap).

Was I “poor”?   I didn’t think so.  I had an apartment near the center of town.. within walking distance of everything I needed (quite a novelty in the US).   I only worked 16 hours a week… and I loved teaching at the school.  I had enough money for food… and I had a lot of free time.

So everyday I went on long walks through the city.   I relaxed in coffee shops and read books and wrote.  I met friends.  I started and built my business.   I was “poor” in money-terms… but rich in time and rich in freedom.

Ironically, that freedom and time gave me the energy and opportunity to develop my tiny business– which has since grown and given me financial security too.

So, the point is–  don’t believe the fear-mongering bastards on TV.  Don’t succumb to fear or panic or worry.   Simplify your life voluntarily as a GIFT to yourself– a gift of freedom, a gift of time, a gift of energy.

This is an opportunity, not a problem!

My Portable Empire

“Your Portable Empire” is the title of a book by Pat O’Bryan.  The book is an excellent primer on the nomadic entrepreneurial lifestyle…  And the title is cool too.

In fact, that title has inspired my next travel adventure.   I’ve decided to spend 4 months in Asia while continuing to run my little “portable empire” as I travel.

I’m always fond of experimenting with my life, so I’ve decided to push the limits and see just how much I can accomplish while living on the opposite side of the world.

Specifically, I want to see if I can achieve a number of important things while traveling, including:

• Continue Singing Lessons.  I love my voice teacher and missing 4 months of lessons with her was really depressing me.   So I talked to her and we are going to continue my voice lessons using Skype!  I’ll be annoying my hotel neighbors with scales and songs

• Continue Improving and Growing My Business.   I’ll continue to work with designers, contractors, mentors, coaches, and team members and will continue the projects we have started.  My ultimate goal– the business improves and thrives while I travel and enjoy my “vacation” abroad.

• Continue Coaching & Mentoring.  Again, using Skype I’ll continue talking to the mentors and coaches who are helping me with finances, marketing, and teaching.

• Continue Getting Healthier.  I’ll be training for a marathon and then an ultra marathon (a 50 miler) during my time in Asia.  I’ll continue eating a “Green Vegan” diet (the alkalizing vegan diet that has given me an absolutely incredible boost in energy).

When I first began planning a trip, I was thinking of just backpacking around as usual.  But something about that wasn’t inspiring me.   Just hopping from guesthouse to guesthouse didnt feel like a challenge– felt like a repeat of what I’ve already done for many years.

Also, I realized that I really love my life right now.  I love what I’m doing.  I don’t need to “work” for money and I don’t.   I “work” (actually, play) doing things I love doing and I thoroughly enjoy them.

When I was miserable at various McJobs, I desperately craved “vacations”.  I absolutely needed to just escape.

But when you’re life is fun and interesting and inspired, you don’t want a vacation from it!

So, I realized that while I was craving a change of location (that nomadic Hobopoet instinct)– I was craving it for different reasons.  I’m not craving escape– I’m craving inspiration, energy, and new input.

Also, I simply miss SE Asia (mainly Thailand)– my second home.

So that was the inspiration– to combine the best of both my worlds:  what I love about my life at home…  and what I love about Asia.   Take my “empire” with me.

As a final note, its amazing how easy this really is.   Technically, to run my entire company I need only: a laptop with wifi & webcam, a cell phone, and a good microphone.  Using these tools, I’ll record lessons, record podcasts, create videos, communicate with team members/teacher/mentors, and run my entire business.

Of course, I’ll also be posting the results of the “Portable Empire” experiment here.

Hobopoet “Portable Empire” updates coming soon…..

On The Road In Good Hands

I just found out that a movie version of On The Road is scheduled for production, and Walter Salles will direct it.  He directed the excellent adaptation of “The Motorcycle Diaries”, so I think Kerouac is in good hands!

On The Road, of course, has inspired countless Hobopoets to declare their freedom, hit the road, and explore the world.

If you haven’t read it- definitely get it.  And read Kerouac’s “Dharma Bums” too!

Read more about the upcoming movie at: CNN Article

Dublin Ireland

Just got back from a week in Dublin with Tomoe, Kristin, and Todd.

First impressions were not good- our first day was filled with pouring rain, howling wind, and a damp chill we could never shake.   Truly miserable weather was followed by equally miserable food– our first “meal” consisted of lukewarm baked beans from a can and barely toasted white bread.

Luckily, we got the worst out of the way and the trip improved steadily from there.

One big challenge, however, was money.  I must admit that I’ve grown spoiled from frequent travels in Asia.  You get so much bang for the buck in Asia… whereas Europe is extra pricey now thanks to the weak dollar.  All four of us shared a small room in a hostel- and this created a bit of tension for a few days until we adjusted to communal living.  In the end I think the experience brought us all closer.

The second day in Dublin was considerably nicer than the first.  We took it easy and strolled around the city… then met several members of the Effortless English Club (my business) at a restaurant at night.  This was definitely the highlight of the trip.  I’ve been blessed with absolutely fantastic members–  positive, enthusiastic, friendly.

We talked a long time while eating then went to a pub and talked some more.

This is one of the great joys of travel–  making friendships.  When I first started traveling, I did it solo and rarely made friends during the journey.  At that time, I was more interested in personally challening myself and with using travel as a means to stimulate deep introspection.

Recently, however, my focus has turned towards community.  I find that I learn much more when I have a personal connection to a country and culture–  and I also value the longterm relationships that I’ve made.  As a hobopoet, its only appropriate to have an international community of friends.

The most stunning part of the trip was a day excursion into County Wicklow– countryside marked by tall, steep bare hills that plunge into lake filled valleys.  Its the Ireland of movies, and indeed, many movies have been filmed in Wicklow.

Of course, no trip to Dublin can finish without an obligatory visit to the Guinness Storehouse.  We dutifully walked across town and toured the Guinness facility. And of course, we sampled Guinness stout during the course of the tour.

I’m not much of a beer drinker (to put it mildly)- but Guinness is one of the few beers I actually like..  so it was a pleasant tour even for me.  My beer drinking buddies, Kristin & Todd, thoroughly enjoyed the tour…  and also love Dublin’s pub scene in general.

So that’s it.

Though this was only a short trip, and was mostly for “business”… it still provided an amazing mental break from “normal” life in San Francisco.  That’s one of the things I like most about independent travel– its the ultimate pattern break.

Independent travel, without fail, scrambles your routines.  Mental and physical routines are totally trashed– which has the very positive effect of opening the mind to new ideas.

This pattern breaking process is one of the things that makes independent travel such a powerful learning catalyst.

Independent Travel

Independent travel is a way of life with a rich tradition– a tradition that includes sufi wanderers, zen monks, pilgrims, explorers, and nomads.

We travel not just for vacation (though we do that too   but for knowledge, wisdom, and growth.  Independent travel is a process of never-ending learning.  It is almost impossible not to learn when you are immersed in a new culture– awash in new customs, new beliefs, new sights, new smells.

One of the greatest benefits of foreign travel is that it breaks patterns.   Suddenly, your whole routine is destroyed.   This creates tremendous freedom–  an open space for new ways of living.

Another power of travel– it frees your identity.  At home, people expect you to thinking a certain way, talk a certain way, and do certain things.  On the road, there are fewer expectations.   No one knows you.  You are free to choose, or to experiment with, completely new ways of talking, thinking, and doing.

I have always come back from my trips transformed– a new person.  My political beliefs, my spiritual practices, my understanding of the world– have all been completely transformed by travel.

In fact, if you are unhappy with your life…    if you feel depressed and powerless…  if you feel stuck..  there is not better medicine than a long trip in a completely foreign land.

Several months abroad will cure much of what ails you…  and will open you to profound insights.

This is why Independent Travel is a core practice here at Hobopoet.

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