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Out Of Boxes And Backpacks

Is how we intend to live from this day on. Until when? We have not thought about it yet. Our destinations? Unknown. What I can tell you though is that we have just stepped on the land down under this morning. Australia is where this epic family vagabonding begins.

Why a nomadic lifestyle?

We’ve been called silly, crazy, immature and irresponsible. And people positively assume (probably betting on it) that we will not have a good life, however they define such term. But nothing and no one could ever hold us down.

When we tied the knot, I knew that I have found the right partner to “settle around” with. Both of us were craving for a nomadic lifestyle because we cannot simply stay put knowing that there’s a kaleidoscope world out there waiting for us!

Our whole life narrowed down to 60 kilos check in luggage + 14 kilos hand carry. And memory cards. Heaps of them.

Before we met, we were pretty much a couple of wandering souls already. We crossed paths in U.A.E. (we left our respective home countries to work and travel overseas), quit our jobs after 6 months of dating and backpacked around South East Asia together. We got hitched the same year, and got a baby on the way just after the honeymoon.

I don’t wanna bore you with the details, but as you can see, these snippets of our history prove that traveling is not only a part of our life… It is our life. And I couldn’t imagine living any other way.

And no, we’re not a couple of high rollers globetrotting first class. We may even be in the same salary bracket (that can’t make anyone rich) as you. Thing is we don’t spend our money on dining out (except street food!), shopping, mortgage and other commodities that aren’t described as basic. We’d rather buy flights on sale. That’s just how we roll.

You might be wondering why we chose pricey Australia as our first stop (and why in the middle of winter!). Actually, we will be attending my hubby’s graduation in July. To maximize the trip (we only paid $170 each for the flight because of a seat sale, Clark-KL-Gold Coast), we scheduled visits to a few of its famous destinations in Queensland and New South Wales. Nothing too adventurous however for the baby.

Where to next? We only booked one-way tickets, so we’re free to fly to whatever country we like after our shindig here, as long as we could afford it (and as long as it ain’t complicated for me to apply for a visa). Or maybe, we’ll just head back to the Philippines forthwith to live in different provinces. So our baby Luna will be introduced to all the local cuisines/delicacies, grow to be multi-dialectal and have buddies nationwide.

The world offers so much possibilities and we are out to “explore, dream and discover”. I gotta buckle up, this is going to be one wild ride!

PS Do you collect postcards? If you do, send us your address! We will be sending a postcard to one reader each month.

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Gay Mitra
When not backpacking, she teaches her daughter sight words and belly dancing (even if she's not good at it). She's currently eating her way around some hippie town in Australia. She loves talking about herself in the third person.

77 thoughts on “Out Of Boxes And Backpacks

  1. Cute naman ng traveling buddy nyo. The beauty of growing up in these times is that she will have your blog to go back to when she’s older! (Which reminds me I have yet to send her a note! Waah!)

  2. Congrats on taking the leap, Gay! Not everyone is as brave as you and Sherv to follow your passion. I hope I’ll bump into you guys on the road someday 😀

  3. wishing you and your fam all the best in your travels gay, mukhang madami akong aabangang malulupit na istorya mo ah. you have been an inspiration! tnx tnx! 🙂

  4. Hi Gay. You lead a very exciting life. The more you can do without, the more rewarding. I remember following the blog of another blogger I know, who met another blogger, got married, had a baby, continued to travel like you, and now a bit more “settled down” taking up their post grad studies. Saw the babies (2!) growing up through their blogs. So be sure to post Luna’s pics!

  5. from being the pinay travel junkie to a nomadic mom and wife… just awesome transformation gay 🙂 enjoy life… 🙂 regards to luna and sherv

  6. “people positively assume that we will not have a good life” – it’s weird how other people define a good life for others. Have fun Gaye and family. You have the life most people wanted. 🙂

  7. wow! i’m envious! way to go… luna is so fortunate to have you as parents! good luck to all three of you! funny, i send postcards to friends too whenever i’m abroad. nobody does them anymore. i just don’t want to lose the tradition. there’s high school guy in india who looked at me as if im from outer space explaining to him how fun it is to send potcards. he said, “why not scan the postcard and send it thru email? that’s faster.” hahaha! again, good luck to all of you! have fun exploring the world, luna!

  8. Ohh we’re so jealous! That is zeelife! Wish we could up and leave too, living out of boxes wandering around is THE good life. Inggit lang yon Gay as they don’t have the courage and strength to do what you guys do. Safe and fun travels!

    Ohh wait, one way ticket lang? Buti napayagan ka sa immigration natin?

  9. Thanks Audrey! I always send postcards to Luna, to our address in Manila when we travel. So she could start early with her collection (granting she’d be interested).

    Ang high tech talaga ni Mr. Indian! Email na lang lahat… Haha.

  10. hi gay! that is what you called life! 🙂 .. seeing all aspect .. expounding and discovering more of the best parts of life which can only be found outside the box 😉 .. have a great trip!

  11. So you’re in Australia right now. WOW. Mark Twain’s quote is my life mantra, in everything -travels, decisions, love, everything. You’re so inspiring PTJ, we’ll be following you in your journey!

    ps. gusto din namin ng postcards. 🙂

  12. Very inspiring experience you’ve got there! I’m hoping to meet my other wandering soul in one of my travels too.

    As early as now, Luna will get a taste of what it’s like to be a nomad, wandering around the world.

    Hope to meet you soon.

    From:
    Wandering Dylan (a wannabe nomad)

  13. By the way, how can I avail of your postcards? Would love to receive one from you guys.

    Where can I send my address privately? hehehe

  14. it’s love on the road!! Enjoy! And i know you, you’ll be fine and happy with your travel – nomadic style. 🙂 send me one too, gusto ko may autograph ni luna hehe.

  15. Your story is such an inspiration to travel and discover the world. i wish to do that someday. rock on gay! m/ send me some postcards! ill keep it in my cam bag everytime i travel. 🙂

  16. sarap gawing pelikula nitong post mo…. or maybe a series =)…. touched me… this is how i want to live too =) ingat po lagi!

  17. Ako na si late reaction! Hehehe I’m happy for you guys. Inspiring post gurl. Makes me want to travel more! You’re living the life most people only dream of! Safe travels to you, Luna & Sherv. Hope our paths will cross again. Australia is definitely on our list next year for sure salisi na naman tayo but who knows! =)

  18. Whoa! I wish my partner and I had the same chutzpa. And we don’t even have a kid! Hats off to you and hubby and baby Luna. Envy much!

  19. Do you still send postcards? I don’t collect them but it would be awesome to get one from wherever-your-feet-leads-you. Hats off to you and the hubby!

  20. This sounds awesome! Kudos to you, your hubby and little bundle of joy. I hope I get to find a partner who has the same amount of wanderlust as I do. 🙂 P.S. your little girl looks absolutely adorable! :3

    -littlegirlgoesplaces.wordpress 🙂

  21. ahhh, you are living THE life! This my fantasy—to just leave everything behind and travel. But as of now, that’s just it, a fantasy. So i’m wondering, how do you finance this lifestyle since you’re not tied down with work/a job? That’s really the million dollar question for me! 🙂

  22. Damn. You guys are awesome! 😀 This takes courage and dedication to a whole new level. Pretty little Luna is a very lucky girl. She’ll have more stories to tell by the time she’s 18 than some people will ever have in their entire lifetime.

  23. Travelling is really great but with a baby???
    I would do it when I am single and young or after the kids have grown up.
    When the kids are teeners even if u want them to go with u theyd rather stay home. So why now?

    At your age,u should be building a nest egg. When u have saved a bit then go to where your feet brings u.

    You still have a long time to pursue your dreams of travelling, your age is just the right age to toil ,after your 30s it would be hard for u to secure a good job.

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