Day 1 of the A to Z Blogging Challenge – Thoughts on Being a Nomad
Today is April 1st, or April Fools’ Day. More importantly, it is the first day of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge, a month-long blogging endeavor, where every day of April (except Sundays), participants write about a topic related to a letter in the alphabet. Some people decided to write about a theme instead of general thoughts and ramblings. I chose “Thoughts on being a nomad” as a subject to tie all the letters of the alphabet and therefore my post topics together. I aim to keep the blogs short and post one of our photos each time. Here we go!
Nomads tend to be adventurous people, always curious about what lays behind the horizon, about what can be discovered next. Some travelers take more risks than others and adventure can mean many different things. Although I have tried a few extreme sports in my twenties while backpacking through New Zealand, like bungee jumping, white water rafting, flying a plane and sky diving, I don’t see adventure and pushing your limits as the same thing. Doing scary things and overcoming fears is adventurous, don’t get me wrong, but for me, adventure means trying out new things and exploring different places, by foot, horseback, bike, car, hitchhiking or other means of transportation. I would like to try a lot of experiences in life at least once, whether it is going on a cruise, swimming with whales, visiting the Arctic, photographing the Egyptian pyramids or attending an opera, none of which I have achieved. Yet!
Adventure – being curious about what lays ahead
According to Louis L’Amour (“Education of a Wandering Man”), the armchair adventurer has all the advantages. “Adventure is nothing more but a romantic name for trouble,” he claimed, “What people speak of as adventure, is something nobody in his right mind would seek out, and it becomes romantic only when one is safely at home.” While I partly agree with Mr. L’Amour, who was a hard-core adventurer in the 1920s and 1930s – yes, everything is easier when comfortably sitting at home – I do believe that adventure these days – the kind I like anyway – has a softer connotation. And, if everyone would be an armchair adventurer, too scared to set foot outside their comfort zone, who would be living the adventures and writing about them? I guess I am one of those “crazy” people who would rather see the world and go on adventures than read about them… Who is with me? Or, why not?
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April 1, 2016 at 11:21
I love your take on what it means to be adventurous! I’ve always thought that it’s different for everyone – pushing beyond your personal comfort zone, taking risks (risky to you, maybe not to other), doing something new. I love exploring new places, but I also love reading about other people’s adventure and living vicariously through them in my head. Which is helpful right now as I’m kind of “stuck” in one place for a while.
Great start – can’t wait for tomorrow!
April 1, 2016 at 11:59
Thanks Ellen! Looking forward to the unfolding plot of Nancy Drew (and thoughts on your A-Z topics) as well. Great literature and food for thought! So sorry that you are stuck right now, but the income, organization and planning will pay off in the future!!
April 1, 2016 at 12:08
Totally agree that adventure looks different for all. No matter what the age or ability trying new things is possible it just means scaling them to one’s ability and comfort zone. As you know I love adventure,adrenaline and far more prefer to be out doing it than hearing about it. 🙂
April 2, 2016 at 10:44
Way to go, Sue! Your life is a string of adventures and I love it! Described in your words, I even love reading about them from my armchair. 🙂
April 1, 2016 at 18:18
The Egyptian pyramids and Santorini in Greece, are on my list.
I can’t swim or ride a bike, so those activities would be part of my adventure too…as well as a hot air balloon ride!
Enjoy the A to Z!
Writer In Transit
April 2, 2016 at 10:58
Those are some great goals, Michelle! Some of them are still on my list as well. Learning how to swim or ride a bike are massive goals themselves, creating opportunities for even more adventures! I love your topic for the A-Z Challenge and can’t wait to learn more about the authors and their books you showcase.
April 1, 2016 at 19:28
I’ve seen so little of the world. I have only been out of the United Sates three times, twice to Cancun and once to a tiny little town in British Columbia. It’s embarrassing. I need to do more, I want to do more. I will do more. Time to get started.
April 2, 2016 at 11:08
It is never too late to start exploring the world, Ryan. I”m glad you accepted that, and the challenge to join and complete the A-Z blogging marathon! just like you, I do this for selfish reasons, and it will be the most writing and posting I ever do in one month!
April 1, 2016 at 19:35
I find adventure no matter where I am. I believe it’s a state of mind.
April 2, 2016 at 11:14
Agreed, Mil! Adventure can be found wherever you are and go, even when you are not looking for it! 🙂
April 1, 2016 at 23:29
I do love reading about the adventures I know I would not go on 🙂 Travel writing is one of my top favorite genres (especially 19th and early 20th century). But I also agree with going on adventures that call to you 🙂 I am a storyteller, after all. That’s how we get the good stories. 🙂
Happy A to Z!
@TarkabarkaHolgy from
The Multicolored Diary
MopDog
April 2, 2016 at 11:23
I love travel writing as well, Zalka. Reading it is definitely easier than writing it. I am envious of your story telling abilities! Great topics for your A-Z challenge by the way. Very informative and a wealth of interesting information!
April 2, 2016 at 04:34
I’m more of an armchair girl myself but I am more than happy to follow other people’s adventures and will be checking in over April 🙂
Leanne @ cresting the hill
April 2, 2016 at 11:25
Thanks, Leanne. Traveling full time does get tiring sometimes. At this moment, my husband and I are happily “resting” for a little while, enjoying reading books in a comfortable chair.
April 2, 2016 at 14:35
Volgens mij past “zwemmen met haaien” ook in het lijstje van avontuurlijke dingen die je al gedaan hebt!
April 2, 2016 at 15:47
Zeker weten, Griet! En zoveel andere dingen ook, zoals een drie weken oceaanoversteek :-), maar zo weinig plaats om dat allemaal te vermelden, he! 🙂
April 2, 2016 at 22:44
What a perfect kick off to a perfect theme. Adventure does indeed come in all shapes and sizes. I think that the important thing is to live life like an adventurer at all times. No matter whether I am taking the subway to the office or sailing on the open ocean on a multi-day passage, I can find adventure. Its a mindset.
April 3, 2016 at 11:19
You are so right. It is a mindset. Adventure is what connects you and me, Lisa! And, many other things as well, of course, but it is because of our attraction to adventure, that we meet like-minded people. And, you are so right, adventure lures around every corner, whether it is on a walk through the neighborhood, exploring the grocery store, sailing, or house sitting! 🙂
April 3, 2016 at 05:53
I totally agree! I love seeing the world and going on adventures. Some of my best memories are from my travels.
April 3, 2016 at 11:23
I believe it, Tiffany! Adventure keeps us on our toes and make us experience certain highs (and sometimes lows as well) and see many things we will never forget! Welcome to the A-Z challenge. I’m looking forward to reading about your list of kids’ activities! 🙂
April 3, 2016 at 18:40
I am TOTALLY with you. Exploring the world and having new adventures makes life worth living.
April 6, 2016 at 13:49
I definitely agree with you. Armchair adventuring just isn’t the same. There were probably many more unknowns 100 years ago. We know so much more about the world before we step out the front door, so in that sense maybe L’Amour was right.
April 6, 2016 at 13:57
Yes! And, because of that knowledge now, travel seems – and is – so much easier. A lot of the adventure in the real sense of the word is taken out of it, but I am OK with that! 🙂