Now that I live nowhere everywhere, my favorite travel game has been happening more than ever!
“Imagine If I Lived Here” involves sound and thorough research, in the form of the following questions: is it cute, would I feel scared, is there a lot of good food nearby, do I like this country’s food so far, how close is the ocean, is there a language barrier, how do I feel when I’m here, would I actually be able to survive here, and so on. It usually involves me putting myself in the shoes of a local, and wondering what their everyday life might be like. I try to pick a variety of locals, from the girl at the market to the fisherman on the bay, to try to give myself a glimpse into what it could be like. Of course, I have no idea what life is really like. It’s not my reality. It’s theirs. I’m sure I also make it much more romantic than it actually is. Such is my nature. However, I think it’s the best way to travel–to imagine the different nuances and daily events that happen in these beautiful places we visit.
While I am happy with our choice to be nomads for a while, it’s tempting (and fun!) to imagine what will happen next in our life. Will we ever truly live anywhere again…or will we decide to try living somewhere new? Perhaps in one of these places…
I’ve wondered what it will be like to move back to the Pacific Northwest, perhaps to the beautiful city of Seattle, where we’d be close to family and close to the water and close to the mountains.
I’ve imagined living on the small island off the coast of Croatia, Hvar, most specifically in this tiny house in the tiny town of Brusje, where I’d buy olive oil and limoncello from my neighbor, learn to make wine, drive around all the time on a scooter, and gaze at the ocean every day.
I’ve pictured myself living in Paris, learning about the areas outside of the tourist zone, living in a teeny yet dreamy flat, haunting the sidewalk cafes and learning French.
I’ve imagined moving to the island of Cozumel in Mexico, where my life would be all about scuba diving. I would improve my skills, perhaps even start teaching scuba, experience the island when no one is visiting during the rainy season, and remind myself that once I could speak Spanish (and maybe still can).
Imagine If I Lived Here, Part One; Imagine If I Lived Here, Part Two; Imagine If I Lived Here, Part Three.
Do you play a similar game when you travel? Where have you imagined living?
Linking up with Travel Tuesday.