I really dislike the concept that traveling is equated to running. Like there’s this after-school teen drama moment in the lives of all us “travelers” when the atmosphere gets moody and someone turns to you and says:
“So, what are you running from?”
Suddenly it makes the whole concept of traveling seem so dramatic. Happy people stay put, people travel when they have a reason to run.
It’s just not true. For me, at least.
And on the other hand, neither is the over-caffeinated-motivational-speaker response about “running toward PASSIONFREEDOMADVENTURE.”
Also not true, for me.
Well, why am I doing all of this? Why did I run away from DC and run toward Kyrgyzstan?
I consider myself a pretty laidback traveler, so the idea to move to Kyrgyzstan wasn’t so much, “Kyrgyzstan is my PASSION! I’m following my dreams by moving to Kyrgyzstan!” but more, “Why not?”
I’m not going to lie, I loved living in DC. I had an adorable apartment in a hip, subdued neighborhood. Sure, it lacked natural light and cost a lot (thinking about my monthly electricity bill still makes me shudder), but I was totally smitten with my five minute walk to Whole Foods, Starbucks, and a delicious Ethiopian restaurant.
It’s not like I didn’t have opportunities in DC, either. I read somewhere that DC was one of the best cities in America for 20-somethings to move to (the main downside was high rent). I’m young, bright, and motivated. I went to a good school, worked in Baghdad, and have no student loans. Not to drone on about my endless positive qualities, but I could have stuck around in DC and landed, at worst, an acceptable entry-level position in the international affairs/media analysis field. Health insurance, weekly Netflix subscription, organic kale, and the occasional pair of new shoes (let’s be real, probably from Target). It’s not a bad way to live.
So, again, why pack up all those dresses, the DVD collection, the stand mixer and pizzelle press, the Sunday morning Farmer’s Market, the vegan cafe (with the free wi-fi), scooter dates, cupcakes, rock clubs, and dreams of the perfect townhouse on H Street? Why go to “uhh-you’re-moving-where?!-yzstan”, with it’s new language, new writing system, the great, spiraling nightmare of bureaucracy and stamps and horse milk?
It’s simple, really. Why not? No kids, no mortgage, no debt. There’s no better time in my life to try starting a business in the former Soviet Union because I have the least amount of responsibilities and things going on that would otherwise stop me. I miss Netflix, but I know it’ll be there if/when I get back. It was just an idea to shake things up, to try something to set us apart from… everybody who hasn’t lived in Kyrgyzstan. If it doesn’t work out, we’ll move back and pick up where we left off. Even the business takes off (*fingers crossed*), we’ll probably move back to the states eventually.
Not running from. Not running toward. Just hanging out, experiencing something new and trying to get something accomplished before (if) we decide to go back.
So why do you decide to travel or make a big move abroad?
It is likely that we will eventually be relocating, but that’s what happens when you end up with a military man. I’m of two minds about it, I think it would be a great adventure, but it is hard to leave your family too. I’m happy you’re having so much fun in Kyrgyzstan.
It is likely that we will eventually be relocating, but that’s what happens when you end up with a military man. I’m of two minds about it, I think it would be a great adventure, but it is hard to leave your family too. I’m happy you’re having so much fun in Kyrgyzstan.
When I lived abroad from 2005-2008, it was essentially for the same reason: I was in my 20s, had no debt, no kids, and I wanted to… so why not? I had a wonderful time living, working, and travelling through Russia, South Korea, and Kyrgyzstan during that time.
My mother had been bugging me for years to return home. I don’t blame her – she lives alone, is in her upper 60s, and has a lot of obligations to manage. I tried it for a year and a half (2009 and half of 2010) and had the misfortune of getting caught up in a perfect storm of bad people and terrifying events. This culminated in a temporary restraining order issued in early 2010. I remember being in a panic over what would happen on the day the TRO expired. I mentioned this in an email to my friend who owns the business where I currently work in South Korea. Her response – move back to SK! I jumped on it, and I was definitely running.
I’ve been gone long enough, that I’m no longer running, I’m back to travelling for pleasure. I’m going to Ukraine in August for a vacation, and will either be remaining in Ukraine for work or coming back to SK (that’s still up in the air at the moment) in September. It’s good to be travelling and not running 🙂
When I lived abroad from 2005-2008, it was essentially for the same reason: I was in my 20s, had no debt, no kids, and I wanted to… so why not? I had a wonderful time living, working, and travelling through Russia, South Korea, and Kyrgyzstan during that time.
My mother had been bugging me for years to return home. I don’t blame her – she lives alone, is in her upper 60s, and has a lot of obligations to manage. I tried it for a year and a half (2009 and half of 2010) and had the misfortune of getting caught up in a perfect storm of bad people and terrifying events. This culminated in a temporary restraining order issued in early 2010. I remember being in a panic over what would happen on the day the TRO expired. I mentioned this in an email to my friend who owns the business where I currently work in South Korea. Her response – move back to SK! I jumped on it, and I was definitely running.
I’ve been gone long enough, that I’m no longer running, I’m back to travelling for pleasure. I’m going to Ukraine in August for a vacation, and will either be remaining in Ukraine for work or coming back to SK (that’s still up in the air at the moment) in September. It’s good to be travelling and not running 🙂
Dana – I agree, it’s definitely tough sometimes to be away from home, but all the stuff and all the people I miss will be there if/when I decide to move back, so I figure I should enjoy my time away while I can. Do you know where you’d relocate to? That’s so exciting!
Anonymity – Almost slipped up and wrote your name, but I just saw your new blog! Sounds great that you’re not running anymore and just enjoying yourself and I can’t wait to read about Ukraine (or wherever you end up?)!
It’s all a game of chance. One day we’ll get a phone call and start packing…
Dana – I agree, it’s definitely tough sometimes to be away from home, but all the stuff and all the people I miss will be there if/when I decide to move back, so I figure I should enjoy my time away while I can. Do you know where you’d relocate to? That’s so exciting!
Anonymity – Almost slipped up and wrote your name, but I just saw your new blog! Sounds great that you’re not running anymore and just enjoying yourself and I can’t wait to read about Ukraine (or wherever you end up?)!
It’s all a game of chance. One day we’ll get a phone call and start packing…
Great post.
I think that those who have resigned themselves to living the 9-to-5, cubicle prison lifestyle are defensive of their choice because deep down they know they don’t have the courage to leave it behind.
To admit that you’re not running and in fact pursuing a lifestyle would be to admit that they’ve made a grievous error.
Thanks for the comment, Nick. I don’t think the cubicle lifestyle is for everybody, but I was surprised when I worked at one particularly unsatisfying job that some people really enjoyed the structure of it. And the point of my post isn’t that I was breaking free of something, I even mentioned how much I loved living in DC and how I could probably get a pretty good job if I were back there now. In my opinion, there’s more behind everybody’s reasons for traveling or moving abroad than being unhappy with their current lifestyles, and I think it’s a bit unfair to assume that by not pursuing a life abroad or any sort of different lifestyle that someone is making a “grievous error” with their lives. Different strokes for different folks, but I hope you are at least enjoying your rockstar travel lifestyle! That’s the only thing that matters in the end.
Great post.
I think that those who have resigned themselves to living the 9-to-5, cubicle prison lifestyle are defensive of their choice because deep down they know they don’t have the courage to leave it behind.
To admit that you’re not running and in fact pursuing a lifestyle would be to admit that they’ve made a grievous error.
Thanks for the comment, Nick. I don’t think the cubicle lifestyle is for everybody, but I was surprised when I worked at one particularly unsatisfying job that some people really enjoyed the structure of it. And the point of my post isn’t that I was breaking free of something, I even mentioned how much I loved living in DC and how I could probably get a pretty good job if I were back there now. In my opinion, there’s more behind everybody’s reasons for traveling or moving abroad than being unhappy with their current lifestyles, and I think it’s a bit unfair to assume that by not pursuing a life abroad or any sort of different lifestyle that someone is making a “grievous error” with their lives. Different strokes for different folks, but I hope you are at least enjoying your rockstar travel lifestyle! That’s the only thing that matters in the end.