17 Comments
User's avatar
Mitch Teplitsky's avatar

Man do I relate to this. I am about to leave Peru, which I consider a second home, I lived here mainly from 2001-2007 (while making documentaries and met my wife), Feel more at home here than anywhere in the USA. Moved 8 years ago from NYC, which will always feel most like home. Live iN bloomington, IN for 8 years. All great communities, all different, and I don't expect I'll ever really resolve this tension. In fact, i was talking about this very topic today with my Peruvian friends.

Expand full comment
Ryan Cobain's avatar

Really beautiful. Thanks for sharing this while it's an unresolved tension. I've recently come to Girona in Spain and feel some similar pulls.

Expand full comment
Brian's avatar

Some of my most difficult moments while traveling was saying goodbye over and over again to all the amazing people I had met along the way. The cycle would then repeat. New country, new city, new hostel. When I got to the point of social burnout and just keeping to myself, that's when I knew I had to let the pendulum swing in the other direction and slow down for a while. Thanks for sharing your story!

Expand full comment
Yvette van den Brand's avatar

Exactly the position I’m in right now. I’m over nomading but I have no clue where to go next. La Ventana is a seasonal place for me and I just left, once again on the move in search of community and another place to call home…hoping to find it in a place not so seasonal so I can stay year-round. The privilege to be so free is also the greatest struggle sometimes 🥺

Expand full comment
Dr. Julie Kellogg's avatar

I’ve been considering a move. I’ve lived in the same place most of my life, although I traveled quite a bit. But my community is changing and moving on without me, and my health doesn’t let me travel as vigorously. So I’m considering a move and one of my biggest questions is “can I find community?” So interesting…

Expand full comment
Asia Dawn's avatar

I relate to all of this. Wow. Thank you for putting into words what I haven’t quite been able to articulate. (And it sounds like I should visit Barcelona & consider as a home base!?)

Expand full comment
Russell Max Simon's avatar

You should consider it! Come for a visit.

Expand full comment
Asia Dawn's avatar

I’ll let you know! Putting together a Spain trip as we speak. :)

Expand full comment
Nikolai Berega's avatar

I've found a community here in Russia, and it's fantastic. But I still want to travel internationally. I'm trying to get my income back to where it needs to be so I can do that. Do you have any suggestions on how to fix that? I'm an IT systems admin with over 20 years of experience. I'm a US citizen and, if all goes well, will also have Russian citizenship in 3-5 years.

Expand full comment
Blake Boles's avatar

You are my spirit animal.

Expand full comment
Russell Max Simon's avatar

Haha thanks for reading buddy 🙏

Expand full comment
Lindsey Fears's avatar

This hit home.

“You go toward community.”

Absolutely. That’s it! We had been in a state of transition for the past 7 months, and finally found “home.” We want to settle down for a little bit. But, as a side note, my husband and I have nomad spirits. So, moving abroad to Europe always calls to my heart. But what you said about community… that’s what makes any place on the map worth living at … If you have that community. Loved reading this!

Expand full comment
Leanne Lobe's avatar

I can totally relate and feel this often. My husband and I call ourselves "semi-nomadic". We split our time between Canada, Italy and Australia with small jaunts everywhere in between.

I feel grateful we can do this yet and have strong connections in each place and yet, as you've so articulating expressed, it also means you are always missing places and people.

I'm really enjoying your writing, rejections and your adventures. Thank you for taking the time to share them. 😊🌟

Expand full comment
Stephanie Pearce's avatar

I was hoping this could be a pleasant distraction from the chaos in the US, but it is sadly reading as the most privileged and out of touch indulgences of a spoilt man. No one should have time for this.

Expand full comment
Russell Max Simon's avatar

Feel free to unsubscribe Stephanie 🙏💚

Expand full comment
Nicole's avatar

Very well written - I love this quote especially “But I suppose this is the great puzzle of how to spend one’s limited time on earth.” 😊 I am also a post-nomad, but finding it hard to balance building my community at home and my desire to keep exploring new places.

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment deleted
Feb 19
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
Russell Max Simon's avatar

You are remembered fondly as well. 🩺 ☕

Feel free to write.

Expand full comment