I’m nursing a serious headache tonight. Everyday a new thread is woven into my travel tapestry. My brain is exploding with constant ideas as each one arrives. While some of this is old news to a few of you, much of it are newfound discoveries to me. I decided to pull a few bits and bytes of the week into one post, in an effort to keep it straight in my head, if not yours.
Bits and Bytes
- First off, I’m famous! Ted Beattie, a writer for Rolf Potts’ site Vagabonding, zoned in on the concept of post-millennium travel in the article A Parrot in Your Pocket Who Twitters in Your Ear. Ted wrote about Twitter, a platform that melds community and technology into one. So true. I’m an eighties child, so technology included fat, clunky keyboards with a green screen and Atari video games. Remember those? Ted’s article reminded me how I live in both worlds. I enjoy writing in a journal just as much as participating in our hashtag team #RTWsoon. Naturally, my little photo appeared along with Travels of Adam, The Adventures of D, and Twenty-Something Travel. Didn’t someone on Twitter say that travel bloggers aren’t humble? Possibly.
- Oh, and monetization. If you’re new to the site creation biz like me, it’s time to get excited about two roll-outs. Dave Lee of Go Backpacking fame is starting a new resource for travel bloggers – Travel Blog Success. The official opening is February 1. The other is A Little Adrift’s launch of a great book about SEO. Shannon O’Donnell shockingly confesses her “authenticity” as a backpacker in tandem with the release. How amazing is that? Kudos to Dave and Shannon for tying up what they’ve learned over the years into a neat package. I am forever grateful, and will be your proxies for free.
- After reading Catia’s post about why she decided to go round-the-world, it brought me back to my moment of clarity. It’s akin to a switch in your head turning on. I took a stark look at my desk one morning at work – it hit me bloody hard – this is not where I want to be in the next five years. Maybe some of you experienced the same.
- Speaking of leaving, The Aussie Nomad just gave notice at work. I’m looking forward to that post, since my turn will come in June.
Nomadic Chick News
- The theme of my site is likely going to change. I know! And you just met me. My desire is to bring you information in a quicker, more orderly manner. If you adore my site as is, express vitrol over my decision in the comments. Kindly be patient as I coordinate design changes. The great content and laughs (there’s that humble again) won’t alter, just the look.
- Cross your fingers, I also hope to add a regular contributor, a sassy writer who’ll give you tips like it is – straight up, no frills. Let’s pray scones and Italian coffee are enough to secure her.
- To please the crowd aching to bolt from the starting line, I’m planning a series about unplugging from the cubicle. As I go through the process, why not share with you?
- Finally, next Tuesday, yours truly is having her first tweet-up. Took me 15 minutes to figure out what that was, but it’s all good now. My first victim will be rerunaround. You know, the guy who might pick a perfect taco over a perfect woman. We plan to shoot the breeze and Canadian geese over perogies. If only you could be that lone fly on the wall.
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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
@Catia – Unbelievable! How does it feel to be there? A mixture of emotions, I bet. So bloody on the edge of my seat to read your adventures. Thanks for linking back to my site. :)
Thank you so much for the mention of my new little blog! I’ve started my journey (in Guadalajara) and feel like it was the right decision despite the moments of panic before leaving, and the many I’m sure to encounter on the road.
I’ve linked to your blog, it very quickly became one of my favourites. I’ll check in often!
@Sonya – Very glad you found me. Can’t wait to see what you’re doing and hopefully my site is here to entertain, educate and you know – inspire. I’m so sentimental. :)
Thanks for these interesting gypsy bits and bytes! Today, I discovered your blog on another blog and I’m digging what you’re doing.
Oh, I know it’s cold back home. My mom tells me it’s well below freezing in Ontario.
I only put a shirt on when I got to a restaurant. I spent most of my day barefoot and wearing only shorts.
I’ll tell my gf to keep an eye out for you. Don’t be surprised if someone is eyeballing you in East West next time you’re there!
@Mark – I should say “hello” to your gf. Man, I am so jealous after reading your comment. I could have tried surfing in Brazil (should have), but next time. You’re crazy, the heat is ahhmazing. I was shivering at the Terminal/Main Street bus stop last night. Vancouver is supposed to be the warmest place in Canada, but lately it feels icy and uninviting. I’ve had it, screw national pride, I want sun, surf and coconut juice 24/7.
It’s blazing hot here. Tonight will officially be two weeks and I’m still not used to the heat. I’ve surfed 12 of 14 days, sometimes twice a day depending on the tides, and have been swimming on those days I only surf once. During the heat of the day I find a cafe con leche and some time with my netbook to chat with my girlfriend (who lives steps away from Splitzburger) is just the thing.
I’m very thankful for the technology that allows me to keep in touch with friends and family back home. Since I’m more living in Tamarindo for 2.5 months than travelling around, I find it’s just part of my day to sit with the computer for an hour or two. I’ve read 6 books since getting down here (halfway through 7th) and am enjoying the rest of my days of relaxation and detoxification from the office life.
Plus I can listen to decent music, watch surf videos on one screen, and futbol on the other. Not a bad alternative to the afternoon siesta.
Did I mention that the water temp is 29 °C? Pura vida indeed!
Finally the ladies (and Dave, Keith) lay down comments :-D
@GRRRL – Christine! I could spend 8 hours a day on my site, working on ideas and plotting articles. :) My full-time job interferes and life itself. Maybe my oompf might fire you up!
@Keith – Thanks for the encouragement, as always.
@Dave – So glad you stopped in. What you’re doing is symbolic of what I’ve seen of the community thus far, a willingness to share your success and knowledge. I’m excited about this launch!
@Aly – How fantastic, a new trip! I’ll have to stalk your site to see what your plans are. Twitter did take some time to navigate, but you’ll find it chock full of great people and information. Welcome to #RTWsoon.
@Shannon – Haha! Fascinating what vocabulary every person is exposed to. I grew up knowing that word. I love your geeky side. My dear, you are a mensch in my book (Yiddish or German, meaning, “person of integrity and honor”.) ;-)
Candice – Oh, it sucks I won’t be at TBEX to reveal my haha self in person. :(
Oh how I wish I could shoot some Canadian geese with ya’all! You’re one funny chica.
Thanks for the shout-out and loving that you used the word proxy – that’s just not a word I slip into my everyday vocab but just might be my word of the day tomorrow.
Anyhow, my geek is showing again ;-) I really like the site colors as they are (gray and pink, too cute) but can’t wait to see what else you come up with – and the new guest blogger sounds great. Excited for the new developments!!
Just officially introduced ourselves on #rtwsoon :) We just got back from a 8mth trip and planning another in a few months, while we’ve been blogging while traveling it wasn’t easy to get alot of internet time so I feel like I’m finally catching up with all the others. Just figured out twitter about a month ago…
Keep up the great job and see you on twitter ;)
Thanks for the shout out about Travel Blog Success – I’m super excited to unveil it February 1.
I’m glad we’ve had the chance to connect on Twitter recently, and I’m sure you’ll have a great time meeting Shawnosaurus at your first tweetup.
Looking forward to the updated blog design!
You’ve got some great momentum going here, keep it up!
A lot on your plate- I can feel your creative juices bursting with ideas and resources. I wish I had some of that oomph! Tweetup- new word to me too. Thanks for the Travel Blog Success idea. I just figured out how to migrate my site to its actual domain but am trying to transition seamlessly. Was a hard one to figure out so am looking for additional tips about monetization!
Where all the ladies on this comments page??
@Chris – Shizer! Can’t believe I misspelled our hashtag. I have fixed it. Wrote that in a drunk and sloppy state. :)
@Shawn – What makes you think I wouldn’t show up for a twatdown? Isn’t that a new word for catfight?
@Mark – How’s the sun in Costa Rica? You shouldn’t be commenting on my site, but soaking in rays.. unplugging is so ebb and flow. Love your comment, I picture it now. By the way, ate at Hawkers last night and thought of you. Did Mark sit in this very seat??
Unplugging from the cubicle was so much more difficult than I thought it’d be. I swear it took me longer to clear out my six square feet than it did to pack up my apartment.
Oh and Shawn… twatdown… horrible!
Haha Tweet-up! It’s a horrendous word, but had we called it a twatdown you likely wouldn’t show up.
Theme changes are a good time. I’m curious to see which way you go with it.
Keep on truckin!
I know just what you mean when you wake to think that this is not where you want to be in 5 years time. Mind you I’m flat out working on where I should be next week…
Thanks heaps for the shout out too. Giving notice to the one job I’ve only ever known as a full time working adult was a little sad but I know there is better things for me to see.
Looking forward to your design changes. I couldn’t design anything to save myself.