So…I just unpacked and got my own place again after 4 years of living out of a bag and traveling around the world.
In some ways I am the typical American Gen-Xer. I went to college. I got a degree in broadcast Journalism. I went on to build my career in television. I was a director, a promotions producer/editor and a specials producer. My persistence led me from intern at Late Night with David Letterman to NBC to FOX to ABC.
I moved to Chicago in my mid-20s all excited and ready to take on the world Mary Tyler Moore-style, I bought my first condo and found myself in a committed relationship. I was going to all the cool media parties and events. Life was on a roll.
Also in my early 20s…I came down with something. An illness. I caught the travel bug. A college friend invited me to the EU to backpack with her for 3 weeks…and I was like ‘yeah, right.’
At this time, the internet was a wee lass, but I dialed up the ol’ AOL online and looked at prices for tickets (not even sure what Travel search site I used back then?) and realized…wait, I could do this. I do have the means to go. I had been working and saving for a few years. WHY NOT?
I went and fell in love…with Paris, the history, the old buildings, the character…yes, the joie de vivre (how fun is it to just so subtly touch that final ‘re’ in vivre? Okay, maybe it’s just me) and Rome and Florence and Venice and Switzerland…you get the idea.
When I returned, I vowed to try and go somewhere ‘far’ every year when I had my typical U.S. vacation of two weeks or so. And I did it…each year…going away to places like: Germany, Italy, Austria, Prague, Greece, Croatia, Ireland, and Japan.
I devoured travelogues and books. I had a small, far-off dream of living abroad someday. Before there were all these travel websites and blogs, I started subscribing to email newsletters like “Transitions Abroad”, “Student Traveler” and even received some email newsletter from a company giving tips on overseas real estate investing. I hadn’t even purchased property in the US yet!
Sometime in my early 30s, some friends of mine, who were in a serious relationship, told me they were going to work for a few more years, save up their cash and then quit their jobs to travel around the world. I think I got goose bumps. Wow. I was envious of such a plan. They were cool. They were going to be able to do that. They were so lucky. They had each other and I wished I could do that with my boyfriend. But it never even occurred to me…that I could do it. The irony of the matter is: they never did it…but I did.
In early 2005, my 11-yr old cat became ill and a year of tough treatment and care took its toll on me and him. The day came when I knew his quality of life was simply not what it should be and I had to make the tough decision to have him euthanized. Also during that same year, my boyfriend and I were growing apart and I knew it was time to call it quits. I was also growing bored with my job. Don’t get me wrong. I had a great job as a TV producer at ABC7, but nearly 10 years of doing the same thing was enough for me. I was in love with the Globetrekker series and wished to work on that show or for a Travel Channel show. At least that would still be “smart” and “secure” – to find a ‘job’ with travel. That was the responsible thing to do. I had been reading more travel memoirs and read one that year called One Year Off about a family who quit their jobs, sold their house and things and traveled around the world with their two kids for one year. I was floored. How cool was that?
That, coupled with the fact that I was more ‘detached’ than I’d been in long time…came together like a slow rising tide. Enough of envying these ‘others’– I could DO IT!
As soon as it hit me… the wheels started turning. I could sell my condo (this was before the market crash) and have the security blanket I needed for such a trip.
Then I just sped forward with the plan:
- I sold my condo in April 2006 for double what I paid for it 7 years earlier.
- My ex-boyfriend moved out by May 1.
- I started this very blog in July 2006.
- I quit my job by August 1.
- I bought a backpack at REI.
- I got vaccinations.
- I bought the first 2-3 months worth of airline tickets at STA Travel.
- I found a tenant to live in my current condo.
- I sold my car through Craigslist.
And on Oct 5, 2006, I flew out of Chicago O’Hare International to San Jose, Costa Rica and proceeded to travel around the world by myself for 15 months until January 2008 when I returned from London to New York City. And then I left again in September 2008 for Europe and the Middle East and finally returned to the States in the Spring of 2009.
For the details of the rest of that story…Click on the archives of this blog and start in the summer of 2006.
Jeremy
This is both a cautionary tale and a story of wonder; I don't think I ever knew the complete and utterly true story of Lisa Lubin . . . just the necessary tidbits.
We all have that weird ability to just pick up and go, but sometimes there are those impervious and incredibly annoying cement blocks in our path.
Thanks for sharing this story, Lisa. See you again soon, in yet another place.
Andi
What an awesome and inspiring story!!! Glad you followed your hearts desire.
Jenny
What an inspiring story. Your revelations are very similar to my own. I always dreamed of travel and once I went and realized what the world had to offer me, I couldn't help myself. I got caught up in a bad car accident that left me injured, but once I got that figured out I hit the road. Several times I fell back into my life in the states with relationships, apartments, ect. but I always knew where I belonged, on the road. I dumped my boyfriend, am in the process of selling all my possessions, and will be traveling indefinitely starting in January 2011. I was inspired by other travel blogs that showed me it could be done… we're making a statement, a movement that we don't have to live life how everyone else tells us it should be done. We'll live a more enriched happy life than those stuck in a cubicle.
Vala
I hope you know that YOU are part of the "cool" crowd. 🙂 No matter how many times I read about this adventure, I still get shivers down my spine and dream of the day when I will do this and become part of the 'in' well traveled crowd.
Christine
You inspire me! Although travel is not what I long to do, I love reading that you are following your dreams. Gives me hope!
Kevin Fitzpatrick
I've read above from your admirers who wish they knew you then. I actually did. The only thing missing from this article is the true measurement of your determination as you prepared for this "ongoing" journey. The preparation was vitally important and you did everything just about right- including buying and selling at the right times. There's more genius in this than meets the eye. All this boyfriend dumping going on is a little bit disconcerting though- Should we prepare for a world where every chick becomes a nomad and just travels through with no long term commitment? If so, I'm not sure a significant portion of the male population wouldn't embrace that(lol). It's more about choosing how to live than choosing to travel. It's pretty incredible.
llworldtour
Thank you so much everyone. Really wonderful to get your feedback. Kevin – I love your last line…and I keep striving to do that, not always easy, but I keep trying.
Jaime D.
WOW, JUST WOW!!! I am planning my 1st RTW trip and its stories like this that keep me so excited and inspired to go for it!!! Ive made the choices and now am just saving the money I need! Thanks for a great story~
ABHI
This is amazing!
Everytime I do not have anything to do I end up reading through your website :).
Wish I could do something similar….
Someday…Someplace 🙂