The Art of Location Independence
The Homepage of Cyrus Kirkpatrick
There’s long been an idea that North Korea’s erratic behaviors are part of a mad genius-strategy that involves gaining political leverage and controlling the population. Every faux nuclear threat and publicity stunt is designed to maintain a system of control. Given recent circumstances, however, we must now consider that these strategies are more about madness than genius.
Throughout my travels, the most miserable people I’ve ever known have been the successful and wannabe-successful. Some of whom I’ve met since coming to Los Angeles in early 2014. By contrast, the happiest people I’ve met have lived modest lives in Southeast Asian countries or even poorer parts of Europe.
I don’t normally invade my personal travel and culture-related website with topics related to metaphysics, the paranormal, etc. However, I felt it necessary to copy and paste a response I made to “skeptic” blogger Hayley Stevens, due to the ridiculous nature of some of her arguments, and because I posted this as a comment on her blog–which means she may not approve it, she may take it down, etc (and I like what I wrote, and I’d rather keep it available).
This is her original article: http://hayleyisaghost.co.uk/the-problem-with-militant-debunkers/
It’s a response to Michael Prescott, who often blogs about the unreasonable nature of internet skeptics, as well as legitimate evidence for certain supernatural topics. Hayley argues in support of the extreme skeptical community.
And below is my response. Enjoy:
This was one of the best meals I had in the Balkans, at Kravice waterfalls, and so I figured I’d make it the featured image. Vegetarians beware, food choices are limited for you in this part of the world.
Being limited to the Schengen visa-zone means an American like me has to depart for a “less traditional” European country after three months are up. Generally, this means the Balkans or East Europe. A blessing in disguise. After I left Prague this year, I was forced to have a three month interlude into the former Yugoslavia.
So lately people have been asking me, “How are you able to travel the world? You must have inherited a bunch of money” which I translate as “You’re just some privileged dude doing what other people can’t.”
This is, of course, laughable. I currently travel to countless interesting places at $800 a month. This means that when I make more than this per month, I am traveling and saving money. Who would have thought?
Under the steps of Prague Castle.
I’d heard great things about the Prague spring time. After I left Croatia in March, I migrated to the Czech Republic, formerly known as the Kingdom of Bohemia, and once also the jewel of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
As a preface, understand that America has some of the best scenery and nicest smaller towns in the world. It also provides maybe the most amount of geographic options within a single country. Finally, it’s the greatest place I can think of to do business. All that being said, as a world traveler I find there are many reasons to leave America and become an expat due to cultural issues. I will list them here.
I heard a fair share of uncertainty before I left to Croatia for my next month-long destination, namely that there is no where to go in Croatia in winter; as the whole country will be frozen over like a year-old popsicle. So, was this true?
You last heard from me in Switzerland, at the Lifestyle Design conference. On a whim, I had decided to make my next stop Istanbul, the largest city in the region (and in Turkey). There are plenty of things to do in Istanbul for eccentric, nomadic backpackers like myself.
Timothy Marc presents at the Lifestyle Design Convention
After leaving London, I caught a flight out of the distant Luton airport to get to Zurich. From the window of my plane, I saw a cascade of snow-covered mountains open the gates into Switzerland. Landing in Zurich, I realized the city was filled with old-world architecture and a lot of fancy clock-towers. As I always do in a new city in a new country, I proceeded to get hopelessly lost.
Part of the idea of being a digital nomad is to “not be a tourist”. As such, it’s often best to find the most authentic experiences that you can. This is rarely accomplished by hanging out in a hotel, nor even a hostel (which tends to be a more international versus local experience).
On this day, I was fortunate enough to meet up with my friend Sarah Feeney from Notting Hill (a friend from Arizona). I hiked from my little room at the Greyhound pub (The Monkeys in the Trees Hostel) to her home a couple of miles away. From there, we were looking for something in the immediate area to do. Across the street is Kensington Palace.
Cyrus is an avid traveler, author and publisher. He enjoys going places other people don't. He works as an independent writer and marketer.