The Nomad Network

Naturally we've met a lot of people on this journey...fascinating people with incredibly interesting travel tales. 

When we met a fun family from Melbourne, while travelling through Laos and Cambodia, I was instantly drawn to their dynamic. With three children, I couldn't help but think of my family, and found myself overwhelmed by a rush of nostalgia from childhood trips. I really would love for all of us to go on another one together. It would be an understatement to say I'm excited to be meeting up with my sisters in sunny San Fran in less than a week!

Oddly enough we didn't meet many Canadians but the three Canucks did run into as we crossed the border into Laos made up for it. I could just tell they were Canadian…friendly faces, you know? While we waited in the crowded line to fill out our entry forms,

we made small talk, sharing the typical traveller profile: Where are you from? Where are you going? Where have you been? How long have you been on the road? You use the answers and attitude of the personal as an indication of whether you feel you can connect. So I wasn't surprised that we caught up with Dan, Emma and Matt again in Vang Vieng for some drinks and bowling!
It's amazing how many people are out there exploring the world on their own. I have a strong admiration for these individuals. Traveling alone helps you develop independence and a seriously tough exterior. And you have the opportunity to really understand a new side of yourself. I was most impressed with solo women. Like Becky, who we met in our first days in Africa while staying at the same camp in Nairobi. This young, bold, brave Amercian girl was our tour guide into the scary city, speaking Swahili to negotiate us avocados, and navigating us through the chaotic streets. 

And while I know it wouldn't be easy, there is definitely an appeal to being on your own. You go where you want, when you want, you decide where to eat and all your own moves. There would definitely be peaceful times of growth and solitude, which is particularly appealing to my introvert personality. In fact, I like that I would be forced to seek out other people, pushing the comfort zone to tap into the Nomad Network.  
In a camper park in Picton, New Zealand, we met Dave from California, when he knocked on our window to offer us a basil plant! He had been touring the South Island and was returning his wheels the next morning. Not only did he share his plant with us, he gave us a whole bunch of food, and together we drank his leftover booze. In return we offered our two cents for his onward journey to where we had come from. I won't lie, I was a tad jealous to learn he was headed toward Thailand and India.  A few days later we caught up again for a tour of Wellington's best drinking spots with Dave and his friends. We had such a fun night we topped it off with brunch the next morning!
Over a couple of beers at our camp in Chipata, Zambia, we got chatting with Gary from the Netherlands. We had such a great time that we met up with Gary about a week later in Livingstone for some fried caterpillars and of course, a Mosi. 
Another friendly Dutchman was Jean-Louise, who we met in Kratie, Cambodia. We stayed at the same hostel together and shared the tuk tuk trip out to see the dolphins. A week later we caught up in Phnom Penh, where we spent the day touring Cambodia's dark history.
These guys sure seemed to enjoy solitary travel, but there would definitely be down sides to going it alone. You don't have someone to bounce ideas off of, someone to share the numerous frustrations you will no doubt experience, someone to flip out in front of after a challenging day in Delhi. You become less of a target for scams and always have a buddy for those dark walks home. Plus you get to share the cost of rooms and transport. And during those times when your both experiencing something incredible you don't have to talk. They will be the one person you don't have to explain how it felt to be in that moment. Sure, there'll be others willing to listen to your stories or read your blog, but the feelings and emotions can only pass between you and your travel partner.

When I consider what Aran and I have been through together, I can only imagine the secret magic moments shared between all the other couples we met.
Like John and Linda, for example. the rolodex of memories these retired Kiwis have packed away having been on the road for nine years must be huge. They even wrote a book about their adventures. (if you're interested here's the link http://www.lulu.com/shop/john-hutton/off-our-rockers/paperback/product-2617776.html)

They were cool to say the least and had an easy-goingness about them that was palpable. We chatted over breakfast in Blantyre, Malawi while I recovered from a bacterial infection. I've got to mention that Linda is originally from Canada. And in addition to the travel advice they shared with us, they also taught us a fantastic game that was essential in the art of time-killing throughout our trip.

Another incredible couple we met were Steven and Taresa from the US. Coincidentally, we met them when we met Gary in Chipata. It was pretty much just the 5 of us crashing at this lodge. Anyway, these two packed up and hit the roads in Africa on bikes. Seriously! Can you say hard core? Yet they were so nonchalant and down to earth. They inspired a real sense of adventure and we had a blast spending the day zip-lining, gorge swinging and abseiling into the Batoka Gorge in Zambia with them. Since then, they've hooked us up with places to stay among friends and family for our 5 day drive from LA to San Fran. 
Then there was Lee and James. Not even a week into our trip, we all ended up on the same safari in the Masai Mara. We'd huddle up on the benches in the camp kitchen to eat dinner and swap animal encounters of the day. Plus we'd got to know each other and what brought us to Africa. They were at the end of 8 weeks in Kenya, where James was working for AMREF, the African Medical and Research Foundation, while Lee filled her days volunteering at a local orphanage. Ten months later we're crashing with them in Bondi Beach where they've spoiled us with home-cooked meals, tours of their neighbourhood and a trip to the Blue Mountains. It's been so nice catching up and finding that we had found two new friends in this world. 
We've become part of the Nomad Network. Travellers seeking each other out for understanding, story-swapping, travel tips, encouragement and friendship. 

It's funny. As I think back to all the folks we've met along the way, those who we connected with the most were in Africa. And I'm starting to believe that the strength of the Nomad Network is directly correlated to the "difficulty" level of the country. I think people seek each other out in Africa just to hear someone else say that they understand what you're feeling. It's much the same with India. That's why it was so nice to sit down with people like Stephanie and Glenys, our new friends from New Zealand, to share a laugh at the discoveries and bamboozlement we'd encountered. I think that's also why you instantly feel connected to these people because you can share feelings that only fellow nomads can appreciate. Maybe that's why travellers are so willing to extend hospitality to each other. They know that there's nothing better than to be welcomed by locals when visiting a country. 
It's easy to feel a connection with other travelers because you share a common love for exploration. I love meeting new people because we get to hear where they've been, and what they've done and that is inspiring! I sit listening, continually adding to my mental list of places to visit.  
Places to visit with Aran, of course.

A good friend and co-worker made a comment before I left that has stuck with me to this day. "How lucky you are", she said, "to have a partner who will embark on this trip with you!". Then she gave me a big hug and wished me good luck.

Later I thought, no kidding. Aran and I were both lucky not just to be doing this trip but that we both wanted this. Equally. So when I worried about finances or he freaked about logistics like where all of our stuff was going to go, we had each other for support.

And so it was with each couple we met. They had found someone who was on the same page and shared the same sense of adventure and passion for travel, oh, and a willingess to put up with each other for a long time. 

Someone who will go out to get you apple juice and crackers when you're in bed for 4 days with that bacterial infection. Someone who will wash the blood out of your hair and snip out your stitches. Someone who will listen to your nightmares at 3am after the malaria pills kick it into high gear. Someone who will bike all the way back to your guesthouse in Zomba because you feel like crap, and you forgot your camera. Someone who'll review your blog. Someone who will grab the Indian guy crawling over your shoulder while you try to order train tickets, by the throat, telling him to wait his freekin' turn! Someone who puts out his arm to save you being run over in Mumbai's crazy streets, or to prevent your foot from landing in a pile of cow poo! Someone to share the last sip of your banana coffee shake in Laos and who quickly orders you another basket of sticky rice when you accidentally eat an entire chilli. Someone who makes you laugh so hard the tears stream down your face, and smile so big it hurts. 
It's hard to find that someone. I'm sure glad I did.