…tales of an American expat in southeast Asia…

The Expat Life

A while back Alex and I were hunting through the web for the perfect quote to laser engrave on my new iPod Nano. Which, I might add, was quite a hassle because for some reason I can not think of my own favorite quote. I must have one, but I seem to be unable to recall what it is on my own (even now, weeks later, this continues to be somewhat of a problem). And, thus, Alex was forced to spend day and night scouring every lame quotes website available to find something that:

a) represents me (oddly, somehow easier for him than for me – what does that mean?)

b) is short enough to fit on back of the iPod

c) is not too serious

d) is easy to understand should anyone happen to pick up the iPod and glance at the back

In the end we settled on a Tolkien quote (well, the one line of the poem that would fit on the back of an iPod) that Alex’s dad read at our wedding (which can still work me up into tears if I think about it): “Not all those who wander are lost.”

“The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one’s own country as a foreign land.” — Gilbert K. Chesterton

Although I wasn’t aware of it before we started the search, both of these quotes are absolutely perfect for me. After reading Preya’s post yesterday, I can decidedly say that they really sum up my philosophy of travel and expatriation: Purposeful travel to learn about other cultures as well as yourself. Learning how to live everywhere and nowhere. Being at home in the world by seeing beyond your local horizons.

I remember coming back to the States after my study abroad in Italy (during my sophomore year in college) and thinking to myself, as I drove around town, “this used to be my universe.” It was honestly shocking to think that my boundaries truly went no farther than the tri-state area (if that). Now when I come back to the US, I realize that most people go through their entire life with those kind of horizons. For me, that’s just not enough.

After seven years abroad, I’m starting to feel more comfortable outside than inside of the US. To be honest, for me there’s a level of slight un-comfort about being in the US, where everyone is just so complacent about living in their own tiny universe. For the most part, I don’t understand them and they don’t understand me. “Why would I want to live anywhere but here?” they think. While I’m thinking “how could you live in the same place your entire life?” There must be some other quote about travel broadening your horizons that would fit well here (I’ll have to add it to my favorites list once Alex hunts it down for me).

There is something about living in an entirely different culture that excites and engages me. I find myself constantly learning and experiencing new things and I love it. I guess you could say I’m hooked on travel. The world is full of such interesting places – why settle for just one?

I think I came upon your site through My Marrakesh. Your topic is one I’m close to. I lived away from home for a good 6-7 year stint. Here’s some thoughts on your topic, why I left.

I needed pushes in all sorts of ways, the sorts of ways an unfamiliar place can give you. I needed to stand alone, away from my identity for awhile, so as not to rely upon it. I needed to find out what did feed me, because I was good at things, I had friends and family near, but what mattered? I needed to find out.

I travel for the same reason I teach language: a desire for human connection, and to learn about the things which we share as people as well as the things which make us unique by virtue of our respective cultures.

I am not sure, however, at this point in my life, that I would choose the expat life. I would miss my parents and dear brother terribly.

A friend of mine sent me the link to your site after I was telling her about http://www.podcastGO.com at the Go Travel Channel. I think the best part of travel blogs are when people include videos (podcasts) of their trip. That way those back home can get a more of feel of what you discovered. That was just a thought. I love what you guys have done.

Hi Kimbo,
Love your blog and thought I’d reply to the post about finding a good quote. Although it won’t fit on your nano, my favorite quote is from Mark Twain:
Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the tradewinds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

Given your expat adventures, I think this quote fits you quite well. Maybe you’ll love it as much as I (also an expat…but in a much colder place).

About

superkimbo has been living overseas since 2000 - the first five years in Munich, Germany, then two years in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and currently in Bangkok, Thailand. superkimbo enjoys the married life with the wonderful albtraum. Nosy? Read more about superkimbo here.