My Life As A Nomad
Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to leave your job, busy life,
boring responsibilities and dark winters behind in order to enjoy life,
roam around the world like a young horse who gets out of the stable in spring?
The nomadic lifestyle charts direction for future
that is deeply rooted in history, in the everyday life
and ideals of explorers, philosophers and vagrants.
"My Life As A Nomad" tells about people who wander the world
having made great changes in their life. Nomad Jeremy in Melbourne, Australia on 2012-1-8
They have given up work and possessions to be able to enjoy
adventures and idleness.
Nomads give a new meaning to simple living.
For them, meaningfulness and excitement in life are
more important than consuming and owning.
Do they enjoy their lives? What is the meaning of life for them? Nomad Michel in Penang, Malaysia on 2012-2-7
Are they happy?
Nomad Ciro in Kolkata, India on 2012-3-27
Päivi Kannisto (b. 1970) is an author.
Her new book is titled "My Life As A Nomad".
Päivi, what is a nomad?
Nomad is a someone who travels full-time and doesn't have a permanent home,
work or social connections that are tied to one place only.
In other words, the world is their home. The nomads I interviewed
for this book had travelled at least 4 years.
So you wanted to exclude people who are on a sabbatical
for a year or two?
Yes. Their travels are different. Those on a sabbatical usually return home
to familiar surroundings whereas nomads feel at home wherever
they happen to be whether in a boat or on a bicycle saddle.
You're a nomad yourself. When did you start your trip and leave Finland?
In 2004.
Why did you leave?
At the time I was working as a Management Consultant. I earned well,
my life was secure and well planned but I felt that something was missing --
spontaneity and adventures. That was the reason I left.
Where did you get the idea for the book on other nomads?
We had travelled for a couple of years when we stumbled upon
an interesting Canadian guy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
He repaired Ferrari cars for a couple of weeks a year and the rest of the time
he travelled the world. He had been travelling for 28 years.
I was captivated by his story and I started to wonder how many nomads there are
in the world, how do they travel, and what motivates them.
The book is written for those interested in travelling whether they are planning
a short or a long trip.
It tells about nomads' practices and the philosophy of the nomadic lifestyle.
The book is also interesting for those who are in search
for something new in their lives.
It can be moving to the countryside, quitting your job or changing career.
What kind of material do you use in the book?
I interviewed 30 nomads and tell about their life philosophies,
how they earn their living and how they travel, where and why.
I also tell about the history of the nomadic lifestyle. It is ambiguous:
full-time travellers have either been admired as adventurers or despised as vagrants.
The book arose from a personal passion, but I soon discovered that
it was also interesting to a wider audience.
Mobile lifestyles are nowadays trendy.
Which one are you -- a vagrant or an adventurer?
I guess both, but particularly vagrant in the eyes of many sedentary people.
Thank you for the interview, my dear.
You're welcome.
"My Life As A Nomad" examines big mysteries of life and
searches for alternatives, freedom, and happiness.
"My Life As A Nomad", written by Päivi Kannisto
The book will be published in August 2012.
Further information available at www.nomadtravelbooks.com
Music: The ReChords, Melbourne, Australia.
www. myspace.com/therechordsmusic
Credits
Equipment: Iina Eloranta, TV Nelonen Maailma (Finland).
Historical photos: User Phgcom/Wikipedia. Zenodot Verlagsgesellschaft GmbH
and Library of Congress (US).
Production: Päivi & Santeri Kannisto, 2012.
read@nomadtravelbooks.com www.nomadtravelbooks.com