Posts Tagged ‘Getting Away’

The Plan

Author: Kyle

See no evil, speek no evil, hear no evil.

At the turn of the millennium I went on a 3 month trip across Western Europe, touching the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, France, Andorra, Spain, Ireland and the U.K. Since then I have been pinning to get out on the road again. So here I am, nine long years later and it is more an emotional necessity then a mere wish or dream. My bags are packed and the date has been set. Since I returned one of the concepts that has always circled around my head was the idea of crossing the equator, as if it was a line that needed crossing.   Likewise I have had the desire to build a location independent business – a business that can be run from anywhere.

Two authors that have fueled this desire are Tim Ferriss of The Four Hour Work Week fame and Tynan from his awesome blog. Both have given me the tools needed and the knowledge that it can be done.

“For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something… almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.” Steve Jobs’ Commencement address (2005)

I first came across this quote in The Four Hour Work Week, but have since played the entire speech to myself and friends over and over because of how profound it is regarding how I want to live my life. So I have given notice, given away most of my belongings and put the rest in storage and before too long, October 15th, I’ll hit the road to South America. Ideally I’ll be able to find a place in various countries, settle down, learn about the people, culture and language while also finding time to work and earn Canadian dollars before moving on to the next place.

Keep an eye here if you want to be kept up to date on my travels, information about work and travel and any other little tidbits that I find relevant to this lifestyle.  Thanks for reading!

Arg.  First lost post.  I’ll have to write it again.

5PM Friday: I’ve had it, I need to get away.  I’m done with the week and I’m grateful for a chance to be free for a glimpse at liberty.  The day isn’t quite over yet, but still I make a few calls to make sure my cat is taken care of and that nobody will expect me for dinner.

You know you can only work in front of a computer in the same office doing the same things for so long.  It isn’t natural.  Natural. Yes, get away, go to nature.

5:30PM: I hit the road heading east.  No real plan yet, I get the vague idea that I’ll just stop wherever I land around 9.  I didn’t pack, I didn’t plan.  What was the urgency?  Exhaustion I think, and the vague feeling that it will never end.

Driving though the mountains of British Columbia is somewhat cathartic.  The majesty  of the land and the beauty of the lakes and rivers calms the nerves and reminds you of what you want to be and do.

9:10PM: Check in to the Kelowna International Hostel and talk with a few of the regulars.  I decide I’m hungry and take their suggestion of going to the Doc Willoughby’s Downtown Grill.  The food is good, but the people were great.  I got invited to join a large and eclectic group for a birthday party.  How fun!  It’s a great idea too.  Next time I’m out and I see someone alone, I’m totally going to invite them to join us.

As I was talking with the group I asked them were I should head next, to get away from the city and get a little R&R.  Suggestions included Beaver Lake and Big White.  Now Beaver Lake sounded good, but Big White was having an end-of-season sale.  Cheap stay and out of the way.  Perfect.

At the crack of dawn I am off to Big White.  They can’t check me in for an hour so I have breakfast of a coffee and a bagel.  While I am waiting I start brainstorming ideas for a new blog.  I really like mind-mapping with a normal pen and paper.  Besides eating at places with great views and lounging in the hot tub, that is mostly what I did.  Lots of thinking and brain vomiting.

After a particularly nice chat with some Americans in the hot tub at night I went out to watch the end-of-season fireworks and then headed to the local nightclub/lounge and had a blast.

Because it was the last day they were kicking everybody out early and so rather then stick around much longer I headed home.  A short 5 hour drive later I did some blog reading and made my first post.