Inspiring.
- Jen Kraakevik
- Apr 18, 2015
- 3 min read
I see them from afar, sitting at the Starbucks, coffee in hand. He has a plaid shirt with a black undershirt and she looks simply stunning in her blue sweater and jeans. Her face has a grace to it that I can't really put into words and his, well, his face lights up in a huge smile when I walk towards them.
There's a pleasant silence to their interaction when they meet me for the first time. Their eyes tell each other what is going on, not needing to necessarily say it aloud. Bubbly and ready to share my wealth of knowledge, I extend my right hand forward, smile brightly and introduce myself.
"Hi, I'm Jenny."
Something so simple opens up a conversation about their lives as I begin to take them to my favorite spot in Chicago. As I'm walking and talking, I ask them about themselves. The husband responds.
"We are traveling and have been staying with Couch surfers ever since we made it to the United States. We spent about a year in Thailand, then went to the Phillippines and finally made it to New York, Philadelphia and now here, Chicago."
I couldn't help but itch from the travel bug. One thing I've been telling myself is that I should just do what I've always wanted to do. Move out and go head first into the universe and see what happens. I've always wanted to write and live abroad. Staring at the MatadorU classes and wondering if travel writing is the best for me, I could always find a reason not to just do it. But the dream was still there, with writing or not. I could make it through South America then weasel my way through Europe and finally make it to the continent I've yearned to go for over 10 years, Africa. After that, maybe Asia would be next because I hear it's cheap to live there. With these thoughts rushing through my head, I start to ask my first question.
"So how do you make sure that you can continue to do this?"
I kept looking at the young married girl and hoping for a reply. She was shy, spoke little English (from what he told me), but her sincerity gleamed through her bright blue eyes. Her pale face brightened when her salmon-colored lips turned into a smile. As we walked, her smile showed no teeth, yet a simplicity and nod of understanding gave her husband the opportunity to speak.
"It only takes about a $1000 a month to be able to live anywhere."
I stared at him intrigued. Only $1,000? I couldn't believe it. He continued.
"The problem a lot of people have is that they don't have have a source of income. The money's always going to run out if you don't have a way to sustain your travels."
Questions flooded my brain as I couldn't believe how this is how they lived. This is exactly what I wanted to do. This is exactly what I had been dreaming about and didn't know where to begin. I asked a few more questions and watched their interaction over the next few days at my apartment.
They truly lived simply. Nothing in excess. They had only a small brown backpack and an over the shoulder bag with a black strap that they carried. This was their life. With only a small tablet and their phones, they were able to connect with their home country and all of the friends they made along the way. They spent most of their time using my home as a resting place, getting setttled and finding their next move, going on long walks together as their cash flow barely allowed them food for the day.
Although I know that my travels would be different, I yearn to meet new people, try new things and be in different places. I'd do it in a heartbeat, but right now, something's holding me back. Even if nothing should stop me, I might not be ready for that leap of faith.
At least not yet.
Each day I'm getting closer and closer to that dream. With all of the dreams I have, I'm inspired to move each day towards a lifestyle I can be proud of.
My newest inspirations awake with groggy eyes and a clear vision. As they shuffle their way to the kitchen in the late morning, they make pancakes, ready to take the first step to the next day of their lives.
They're truly living.
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