Have you ever wondered what it would be like to pack up, leave everything behind and start your life fresh in a foreign country. Would you like to say goodbye rat race, while at the same time living life on your own terms?
People chose to leave their homeland for a variety of reasons; economic, political, social and religious reasons are a few of the most common. There’s a great big world out there – a world most people only hear about on CNN or see on National Geographic – and it’s a shame not to check out as much of it as possible. Nowadays, with the advent of the internet and globalization, you can make a living from just about anywhere, while at the same time traveling and living how you choose.
If you enjoy traveling, meeting new people, seeing new places and most importantly, if you have the balls, it’s definitely possible. Save your money, do your research and hit the road. The rest will fall into place. Buy the ticket and the rest will come.
Growing up, I was taught that there was a general plan in life; study, go to college, find a job, get married, settle down, take a one-week vacation each year, have kids, grow old, retire and croak. Ah, it’s a wonderful life!
If this is what you want, it’s perfectly acceptable. After all, there is something to say for stability.
Nearly a dozen years ago, I decided to take the high road instead of the low road. I made up my mind to take off into the great unknown. Life has never been the same - and never will be.
When I was in my early twenties, I traveled throughout North America and Europe. My first trip outside of North America was to the U.K. My roommate was constantly bragging about how he had been to this country or that country and how he was getting ready for his next trip.
Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. “Big deal,” I told him. “Anybody can travel if you’ve got the money,” I continued.
”I’ll come,” I said. “You’ll see, I’ll definitely be there with you.”
”When you’re on the plane, then I’ll believe it,” he said.
For some reason, he was under the impression I would never leave the U.S. Little did I know, years later I would come to understand why he thought this way. There are those who think about seeing the world and those who think about it. The majority fall in the later category. It took years to learn this.
Out of fifty or so friends who have promised to come to Thailand, only three have come.
When the plane took off, I was on it. This was a defining moment in my life; it was the first moment I was bitten by the travel bug.
Halfway into my trip though, I made the mistake of calling work to make sure all was well.
Although the owner of the company had agreed to allow my long overdue, three-week vacation, he demanded I return immediately, “You need to come back now. This place is falling apart and we don’t know what’s what.”
It had been two years since I had a vacation. I hung up and informed my friend of my dilemma.
”I knew it,” he said. “I knew you wouldn’t make it the whole trip. I knew you’d puss out and run home,” he continued.
”What am I supposed to do,” I asked? “I need the job.”
”Quit,” he responded. “There are other jobs.”
Now this was a novel idea. After all, I deserved my vacation regardless of whether or not they were too lame to handle matters on their own.
A few minutes later, I telephoned my boss and quit. Just like that, I was out of a job and worrying about how I was going to pay the bills when I got back. I crunched the numbers, curbed my spending and ended up staying in London another month.
It took a while, but I found work managing a print shop. I gradually settled in and before I knew it, four years had passed. I was comfortable but always looking forward to my next trip. The Netherlands had fast become my favorite destination and I constantly contemplating what life would be like if I were living there. For sixteen days each year, four years running, I flew to the Netherlands and smoked pot, ate space cakes and drank Oranjeboom beer until I could no longer stomach the sight of it.
Of course, I always came back. I had yet to figure out the mystery of earning money while traveling and having fun.
One day, my boss informed our five-man crew of an 8 AM meeting the following morning. “Don’t be late,” he said. Normally, I’d come strolling in 15-20 minutes late but he seemed more serious than usual so I came in a few minutes early.
”Guys, I’m old and I’m tired and I can’t do this any longer. I’m tired of working and have had enough. As of Monday, we’re closed – for good.”
Our jaws dropped. This was completely unexpected and none of us were prepared for it.
It was Friday morning. All I could think about was that by Monday I’d be out of a job. I spent the weekend concentrating on finding a job. I poured over the newspaper and made up a list of potential employers.
Finally, it hit me. If he was closing, where were the customers going to go? I knew the printing business; I knew how to broker jobs. I’d done it before, the only difference was I had zero equipment and no office.
There was office space available behind our shop. I spoke to my boss on Monday, bought his customer list for $500, a computer for $200 and some office equipment for another $200. By Tuesday, I had an office of my own and was in business. The next day, I called all the customers on the list and informed them of the unexpected closure.
“Could I be their printer?”
The majority agreed to give me a shot and within matter of weeks, I was making more money than I ever had in my life. I hired an office girl and a delivery boy to ease my workload. I did this for three years before hitting the wall. I had more work than I could handle and each month, profits continued to increase. I had more toys than I needed but there were deadlines to meet, bills to pay, the taxman to satisfy and a payroll to make.
I had less and less time to enjoy myself though and was always stressed. I worked long hours and ate breakfast and lunch when I had time. If I was lucky, once a week I would have time to squeeze in a nice dinner.
I desperately needed a break.
I started taking long weekends and vacations as often as I could. I tried anything I could to relax. I went to the mountains and the beach; I got drunk in Mexico, I got drunk in bars I don’t remember and occasionally, I got into just enough trouble to temporarily relieve my boredom. I even took a couple of short trips to Thailand. That helped but again, only temporarily.
Each time I returned home, so did the same-ole sinking feeling that I wanted more out of life. Day after day, I found myself wondering, “Is this all there is?”
To Be Continued…
Part 2, Ways To Make a Go of It.
Nick Gatsby has lived in Bangkok for nearly ten years. He has done everything from teaching English to exporting Thai goods to his current love, photographing and writing about Southeast Asia.
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