Since July, I’ve been to nine countries on five continents, and I don’t think I’ve spent more than five nights in any one location, with the exception of a 7-day cruise with my family where my movement was essentially limited to the Lido Deck.
During these past two months, I’ve had immovable work deadlines and perilously-late paychecks, last-minute press trips and schmooze-soaked travel conferences, a sobering near-breakup and a sobering death in the family. I’ve juggled professional, personal, and social spheres, seeing friends and family whenever I could and taking on writing assignments as frequently as possible. I have pressures to maintain a positive cash flow, maintain a long-distance relationship, maintain personal relationships, maintain professional growth, maintain a blog and a social media presence, maintain my physical health, maintain my sanity. My fingernails are bitten down to the bloody cuticle. ‘Taint no vacation we’re talking about here.
Life on the road is still life—uncut and unadulterated life, with bills, headaches, disappointments, and unrealized goals. At the end of the day, uncompleted items remain on each to-do list, and at the end of the month, a few days on the bank statement inevitably glow red (for now). But it’s the hope for a fulfilling life that keeps me advancing through air and uncertainty instead of coasting on autopilot through a manufactured existence in service to someone who isn’t me but who profits from my talents and resources. It’s the hope that I’ll eventually get as close to “figuring it all out” as I can, that the effort and striving and leaps of faith will turn into something materially-tangible, yes, but more than that—something soul-calming. Something fulfilling. With as few regrets as possible.
Because there’s nowhere any of us can go to escape uncut and unadulterated life, no country or continent where real life won’t intrude suddenly and without warning. The key to hope—and fulfillment—is to embrace, then face the challenges, tackling each one like a wave on the ocean of adventure.
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Great post! It’s good to see that you experience life as well and that being an expat is all glorious & glitzy. Keep it up Ernest. You inspire!
Thanks a lot for the compliment, Jeff!
I meant that being an expat isn’t all glorious & glitzy….lol
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I really appreciate your honesty in this post! So often as travelers we are pressured to always be “living the dream” as if we are no longer humans with emotions and bad days. When I lived and worked in India everyone thought I was on a Eat Pray Love journey and if I said anything other than I was loving the experience I was deemed ungrateful. Thank you for reminding everyone that we are still human and have rough times like everyone else! Keep your head up….as you know it will all work itself out!
You’re absolutely right, Martice. I’ve always had people thinking I’m swinging on a hammock, sipping a Cuba Libre every day when that’s never been the case. Thank you for your understanding and kind words!