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Digital Nomad

Why I Sometimes Feel Ashamed to Be German

Digital Nomads, what is that?!? Don’t take me wrong, please! I do appreciate many things about Germany and being German. I think we have a great standard of living and many awesome values that help us succeed on an international level. But no one is perfect, not even the Germans! And sorry, no offence, I couldn’t help but feel a bit angry and ashamed of being German the other day…

Intolerance makes me a bit angry
Can there really be just one ‘correct’ way of living?

The reason for my anger was an article that I found in the online version of the German magazine ‘Der Spiegel’. In fact, it was the comments below that article that made me stop and wonder. The young journalist described an event for Digital Nomads on a cruise ship and explained in general what a DN looks like. The article wasn’t any better or worse than most average lifestyle magazines would publish. But readers from ‘Der Spiegel’ are not average and not amused by out of the box thinking or new-wave trends. After reading 51 comments out of which 47 were all against this ‘new’, ‘hollow’ and ‘bohemian’ concept, I asked myself:

Why does alternative Thinking mostly cause Fear and Anger?

It can be uncomfortable to see someone else doing things differently. Some people can literally feel irritated when something isn’t the way they are used to. And perhaps before thinking about it with an open mind, most people tend to criticise that other person (at first). At least, that came clearly through in most of ‘Der Spiegel’-readers’ comments.

All readers expressed their discomforts about Digital Nomads and their way of living: ‘The new form of street beggars; lazy; arrogant; no sense for community, selfish’, was one chain of argument. Others commented that Digital Nomads were dreamers and would all come crawling back to Germany eventually once they’d be old, broke or affected by cancer. Others said that the Digital Nomads’ lifestyle would create the next ‘bubble’ because their type of work was only supported by other hollow online businesses.

Beach in Mahahual, Mexico
Afterwork drink-setting for Digital Nomads…

I have read a lot about alternative ways of living, especially after I decided to not go back to my ‘old life’ and try to make life as a full-term traveller happen. And I am not the only one! In fact, there are so many people who work their way around the world and live a completely different lifestyle than most people would consider ‘normal’.  It seems to be a new style of travelling and for some it turns into a lifestyle. Slow-travel and working while you are travelling has revolutionised the tourism industry and it looks like there is more to it than just a ‘phase’.

The moment I left Germany to travel the world four years ago I noticed some sort of transformation happening in my way of thinking too. I met other people, heard their stories and saw examples that inspired me. I would go as far to say that travelling de-brainwashed my brain. So, when I read the comments of my fellow German citizens the other day, it almost shocked me how conservative and intolerant the main way of thinking was. And I realised how much I’ve changed. What I am criticising here is perhaps not unique to Germany or Germans. It is probably true for many other nations too that whenever there is something unconventional it causes fear and anger in people.

Hitch-hiking on Oahu
God forbid, she is hitch-hiking!!! :-O Perhaps another ‘no-go’ that would cause critique from many people… on Oahu, we got around just fine that way! 🙂

 

Dear reader of ‘Der Spiegel’,

Please keep eating your dinner at 7pm, then watch ‘Tatort’ on TV before going to bed. Routine is great! It will lead you well-organised to the only thing that you cannot control: the end. Fair enough, everyone makes their choices in life. How about you try and live your life for once though? Or at least, let other people live their lives and let them decide for themselves how they want to do so.

You know, I get it! You probably think that you will have to ‘clean up’ after those who don’t ‘fit in’ because everyone out of the norm brings nothing else but trouble. Isn’t that right? They seem to not get what you already figured out back in high-school. But let me ask you one question: Do you sometimes wonder, if you’re only goal in life should be to fit in and follow the way that everyone goes?

Please forgive me, but I have to say that for an intellectual person your comment appears a bit narrow-minded. If you ever try to change your way, I recommend you to travel for a while: Putting yourself into new scenarios and amongst other people can sometimes help to widen your horizon – at least that’s what they….

All the best!

A Digital Nomad

San Marcos La Laguna, Guatemala
Digital Nomad-style: Working in a café in Guatemala…

Let there be travel!

Perhaps the readers of ‘Der Spiegel’ will be right in the end and all (Digital) Nomads eventually settle down somewhere and watch TV before they go to bed – who knows! But for now, let there be travel! It is already clear that there are more and more people around the globe researching about how to travel long-term. Teaching jobs or working in hostels are no longer the only options that makes it possible to go abroad.

For me it’s clear: The way of travelling has changed. And there are many people who are actually creating their lifestyles around their passion for exploring the globe. Why not be at least open towards this new way of living and welcome the positive aspects of being able to get to know all those places that this planet has to offer? Even if it means that one would have to turn into a Digital Nomad!

What is your opinion about digital nomads? Do you agree with the critics who think that this is a hollow lifestyle? Please leave a comment below, I would like to hear your thoughts!

 

Categories
Digital Nomad

Liebster Award Nomination

A couple of weeks ago, sorry it took me so long, Portia from Migrant Muse nominated me for the Liebster Award. It’s an award for bloggers to recognize other bloggers and to show which ones they think do a great job. Therefore I take it as a compliment and appreciate this recognition from fellow travel blogger Portia at Migrant Muse for the nomination!

I have to be honest, before the nomination I have never heard of the Liebster Award, but I don’t mind to be amongst “favourite” bloggers (which would be a rough translation of the word “Liebster” from German). In the end it is great for new bloggers like me to be discovered and connect with other bloggers. And I feel proud and honored that my blog was already noticed after just a few weeks in the bloggin’ biz 😀

Ok so there are a few rules that are required with the Liebster award and they are as follows:

  • Write a blog post thanking the blogger who nominated you for the Liebster Award, and link back to his or her blog. In this case to myself aka Jey Jetter at www.jeyjetter.com
  • Answer the 11 questions that I ask you below
  • Nominate 10 bloggers of your own, with under 600 followers, who you think are awesome and deserve of this honour
  • Create 11 questions for your nominees
  • Display the Liebster Award logo on your page
  • List these rules in your post
  • Notify your nominees and provide a link to your post so that they know what to do
  • Once you’re done, return to this post and comment with the link to your post so I can check out your answers too

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So here are my answers to the 11 questions from Portia:

  1. Why did you decide to start a travel blog?

After having travelled around the world for 4 years, I accumulated so many pictures and stories that it’s almost a waste not to share them 😉 Well, seriously speaking I only started recently with my blog because before that I thought no one would care about “just ANOTHER” travel blog. So, I never documented or wrote about my travels until recently. What changed my mind in the end, was the constant messages from friends and family back home that showed a big interest in my newly found lifestyle. Everyone seemed to be impressed that I “just do it” and wanted to know how and why and where…so I figured, perhaps it is finally time to start a blog and write about everything that has happened ever since I left home. I like the idea that some people might get inspired by my stories and lose their fear of taking the first step.

  1. What do you currently do for a living?

Well, a combination of three things: I am a traveller, which keeps my soul alive. I am a wwoofer, which lets me live and eat for free. And I am a freelance PR Consultant and Translator, which help me finance my trips.

  1. What do you love and hate most about blogging?

Honestly, I love sharing what I am experiencing because it is wonderful to write about what you just did. It’s a great way to document your life but also to make it even livelier: you live the moments twice and when I look through my pictures in order to select them for my blog posts, it makes me happy and it shows me over and over again why I am travelling. I hate really nothing about blogging so far – but I have literally started blogging 6 posts ago…so perhaps you ask me next year again 🙂

  1. Have you received any negative reactions from your blog?

Nope! So far I haven’t had enough readers, I guess 🙂

  1. Where do you plan to travel to next and why?

HAWAII: I am really excited about this! In actually exactly one week, I will be going to Hawaii. Why? Because it’s one of the paradise destinations that I have always wanted to visit. And at the moment I am on Vancouver Island, so I figured, I am very close to Hawaii…and flights are cheap: CAD 300 return! I couldn’t resist!

  1. What has been your most memorable or inspirational trip and why?

My around the world trip four years ago. When I started my trip I had no idea that travelling would turn into my lifestyle…that’s why I chose the following subtitle for my blog: “The road of no return…or how I started travelling on serious terms”. It really changed my life, my way of thinking and I guess me as a person too. I learned a lot about myself and about life in general. It was as if I opened the door to a completely new world with new options and suddenly there appeared new perspectives and ways in front of me – I felt my horizon had widened after that solo trip.

  1. Are you involved in any travel blogger networks or groups? If so, which ones?

Yes, I joined a bunch of groups on Facebook: Girls Who Travel, Nomads, Travel Bloggers Network, We Travel We Blog, Awesome Bloggers, Girls vs Globe, The Aspiring Travel Writer, Matadornetwork

  1. Have you gone on any press trips or written any sponsored posts or products?

Not yet, not yet!! Perhaps after this award…anyone? 🙂

  1. How would you describe the way you travel?

I travel with an open mind, always happy to fit in spontaneous changes and I never have too many (if any!) reservations made in advance. I like it that way, because then I can react more freely to upcoming ideas when meeting other people. Mostly I travel to connect with people from the places I travel to. I love learning about their cultures and hearing about their stories and their opinions. That’s why I try to stay out of hostels and prefer to do woofing or couchsurfing. In hostels you meet travellers and tend to hang out with them instead of getting in touch with local people.

  1. What do you think sets you apart from other bloggers?

I haven’t really defined my whole blogging concept yet, but I know I want to inspire people, so every time I post it’s almost as if I am writing for other people. I want to encourage them and hopefully get them out on the road too. Why? Because I know from experience that the only valuable things in life are actually experiences and travelling creates a whole lot of them. Life is too short to not live every day as if it was your last.

  1. What are your goals for your blog and what are you hoping to achieve from blogging?

All I want is make travelling more approachable for other people. Before I started travelling I didn’t know that it would actually be possible the way I am doing it. So, I am hoping to give those who read my blog and are hesitant to change their lives into a nomadic lifestyle a push and motivation so that they can start to create their own awesome journey.

And now it’s your turn! I’d like to nominate the following bloggers for the Liebster Award:

And these are my questions for the Liebster Award nominees:

  1. What is your biggest challenge while travelling?
  2. How did you find blogging in the beginning and now?
  3. How did you create your website/blog?
  4. What’s the concept of your blog?
  5. Have you thought about or are you already blogging for a living?
  6. What is your favourite country/place you have been to?
  7. What is a must have in your carry on/suitcase?
  8. What was your longest trip that you have taken?
  9. Which places are your top 3 on your bucket list?
  10. Which nationality do you find is the most traveller type?
  11. Where would you never go back to and why?

I am looking forward to reading all of your answers! The Liebster Award is a wonderful way to give and take: you will get a bit of extra attention on your site and can help some fellow blogger to gain the same. Also, it’s a nice way to give your readers some extra information about yourself and your blog. So join the Liebster Award circle!

liebster-award

Thanks again to Portia at Migrant Muse for including me in the Liebster Award nomination and happy blogging everyone!

Categories
Digital Nomad

So you think travelling is fun, huh!?

Isla del Sol, Bolivia
Travelling to see all those beautiful sunsets….I love love love sunsets! This one was magical on Isla del Sol, Bolivia 2012.
Qhapiya, Bolivia
near Titikaka Lake, Bolivia

To give it away right from the start, yes, it is! Travelling can be a lot of fun. BUT and yes, there is always a ‘but’, you have to do it right and better start thinking of how you like to do it before you even leave your home. From experience I can tell you that if you leave everything open and up to your spontaneity, then it CAN turn into a stressful experience…if you are not the person who can handle it. So make up your mind first and then chose your way. Who wants to come home after a trip with nothing but the need for more vacation…?

Travelling really can be a very fulfilling activity from which you get lots of new insights and that can even change your life. You make new friends all over the world, you might come home with an even longer list of places to visit next, you might have  a totally different attitude or have changed your thoughts about life in general. Travelling is not only about bringing home tons of megabytes in form of a trillion more pictures. If you do it right, it could bring you a long lasting positive effect.

So, before you start travelling, put on your gear and get ready for your adventure!

Death Road, Bolivia
Racing down the Bolivia’s famous “Death Road” in 2012…

You might want to ask yourself some questions, yes, philosophical ones like: how do I like my life? Organised or spontaneously created? Would I be miserable if I didn’t have the same standards or comforts that I have at home? Do I need to be surrounded by friends or do I enjoy being alone? What is important to me when visiting a new place? Would I rather relax at the beach all the time or fill my schedule with sightseeing or sports?

All these questions before you go on a trip will help you to avoid disappointments and stressful situations later on the road. Ask yourself, what makes you happy and try to consider that in your organisation. Take with you all that you really can’t miss on your trip…..

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…but be critical with yourself and try to decide to take only REALLY important things… 

Once you have decided how your trip should look like, be honest with yourself. Look, I did my first year of travelling with the conviction that my preferred way of travelling would have to follow the motto ‘go with the flow’. And I actually enjoyed it that way and never minded much those long, mostly very hot and chaotic arrivals to a new place without having a plan. It was a great experience from which I learned that I am absolutely open to changes and love considering all those options that are out there….

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During that first year I mostly never knew where I would sleep the following night. Sometimes I did not even know where I would go next. All I knew was that I had a rough route to follow and that I had to go into one direction around the world. I purchased my ticket back in 2011 from a German travel agency called “Reiss aus” http://www.aroundtheworldticket.de who gave me the option to change my dates for free any time I wanted.

I called the airline to postpone each and every single one of my 10 flights!

That was great! I loved it….but it was also really tiring! Oh boy did I change my mind a lot! Staying in one place longer than planned obviously affected all the following flight dates and meant that I had less time for those other scheduled places… well, technically that could have been the consequence of my changes. But since I had no rush to go home or keep my initial schedule it just meant that in the end my intended 6 months trip turned into one complete year of travelling.

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To Australia I even came back a couple of years later and stayed there for a whole year. But that’s a different story…..

So if you are flexible in time then better go get yourself an open return ticket! You never know before how much you might like the places you go to!!! And leaving everything open is a great way if you have the time to do so. I remember there were many situations when I even got a much better deal than fellow backpackers who booked their rooms in advance. Just because sometimes (not every time of course!) you are lucky enough to get some real insider advice from a local or you get to a place where you can actually negotiate before you check in….

San Pedro de Atacama
We arrived in Chile’s Atacama dessert (hot!) after a long trip through the Salt-flats of Bolivia (cold!!) = gosh, it was hot and I longed for my shorts!

To be fair though, running around with your luggage can be really exhausting. Plus all that time that you are spending on your search for an accommodation reduces your free time that you might use for exploring the place or lay on the beach. Unless of course you do it like I did it that first year and simply adjust your return flight…

Always keep in mind that it all depends on your taste and if you prefer to have things fully planned ahead. So there are two options for you to consider:

  • book accommodation in advance if you want a hassle free arrival and have more time to stand and stare at the beauty of the places you go to…
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  • OR don’t book anything ahead if you are on a mission to simply go with the flow! In that case, just sit back, relax and be open for spontaneous changes…
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After four years on the road, I am still have an open-minded spirit, I guess. And I don’t book everything in advance. But I do appreciate a certain amount of organisation and preparation…now I do more research about the places I go to in order to have a better idea where I want to go and what I want to see. Just because I have come to prefer those luggage-less moments a lot more than the ones where you are you are fully geared up and feel like a donkey.

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But perhaps everyone has to grow into travelling and find out their own ideal way of doing it. For whatever style you decide, you have to make sure you and the person who travels with you can enjoy it and you both keep on smiling! 😀

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