On the Highway in 2024

Hey there! It’s been some time since I’ve written an actual weblog. Positive, there have been numerous how-to posts, itineraries, where-to-stay options, and old-post updates to maintain serving to you journey on a price range. But it surely’s been over a 12 months since I wrote something private — and it’s been even longer since I shared a narrative from the street.

To start with of 2022, I wrote that I felt I didn’t actually have a lot to say anymore. Positive, there are all the time new locations to write down about, however when it comes to ideas and recommendation, after over 14 years writing about journey, I used to be tapped out. There are solely so many posts you may write about “how you can discover a low-cost flight” or on how you can make mates or how you can overcome your fears.

Which is why, up to now 2.5 years, I’ve solely posted three articles that weren’t “the perfect hostels in London” or one thing like that.

However I all the time left the door open to coming again if the will hit me.

And the will has lastly hit me.

So much has occurred within the final 12 months. Enterprise-wise, I closed our group and tour firm, scaled again my different tasks, and spent quite a lot of time engaged on some new books. On the finish of Could, I completed the subsequent replace to my guide, Tips on how to Journey the World on $50 per Day. The brand new, inflation-adjusted, post-COVID version comes out in March 2025.

This final 12 months has seen quite a lot of private adjustments too. I moved again to New York Metropolis and completely adore it right here. I’m a metropolis man, and I actually get pleasure from being in a spot the place I don’t want a automobile. Plus, there’s tons of issues to see and do, extra individuals round, and no form of meals I can’t get. I’ve an excellent group of mates right here, I’ve discovered a bunch of hobbies I get pleasure from, and I’ve struck work/life stability. That is actually house.

But it surely hasn’t all been rainbows and unicorns.

Final summer time, I received tuberculosis, which, whereas caught early and curable with antibiotics, nonetheless compelled me to be quarantined and on meds for a very long time. Then I’ve had some muscle points associated to simply getting previous and a few intestine points I’m engaged on now.

However, with the guide and most of my heath stuff behind me, I really feel like I’m coming into a brand new chapter in my life.

I’m in Europe now for the remainder of the summer time. Although I’ve been to the continent numerous instances, my purpose right here is to go to areas I’ve by no means been to earlier than. I’m at present in Barcelona earlier than heading to Provence after which Germany. After that, who is aware of! I don’t get my guide edits again till the tip of the month, so I’m simply having fun with the street!

All of which is my long-winded manner of claiming I’ve determined to get again into running a blog and will likely be posting once more. I’ve some tales to share and new ideas on the character of journey, the creator economic system, and AI.

I nonetheless really feel like my schedule is far and wide, and I undoubtedly wish to work on that once I get again house to NYC. I all the time chew off greater than I can chew — however these are fall issues! Proper now, the street beckons, and I’m answering its name.

Count on this weblog to come back again to life shortly!