Couples that travel together, stay together? Sounds right to me! Jess – one half of North and South Nomads – and her hubby Shawn can be found out and about enjoying a nomadic life outdoors. They call three different countries home (I love that) and enjoy the company of friends and family spread all across the globe!
Let’s meet Jessica!
[1] When and how did you become a traveler?
My parents would regularly pack us up as small children and go on roadtrips 2-9 hours away from our place in Australia to mountains and beaches. As a teen I protested over the Olympics in Sydney (seriously, what teen does that?!) and asked them to take us away. We went on a roadtrip all over Australia for a few weeks instead of watching the Olympics in our town.
[2] What is travel to you in 10 words or less?
Can I say freedom ten times?
[3] What is your favorite mode of transportation and why?
I know it’s politically incorrect to say driving these days, but I love nothing more than getting in a car with good handling, putting on some Amy Winehouse, and driving through the mountains for a few hours. I have an aversion to almost all forms of public transport, because crazy people corner me!!!
[4] What do you typically do while traveling by plane?
I have these grand ideas of doing work, but it almost never happens. Vegan meals on planes are almost always really tasty, so I tend to enjoy my food, have a drink or two, watch a movie I wouldn’t normally watch (I rarely stray from sci-fi, horror, and fantasy, but on planes I’ll try anything), and then sleep. I’m that person who sleeps 8 hours on a long haul flight without any meds to help, even in cattle class.
[5] What is your favorite travel memory involving food?
It’s not a tasty one, but it makes me laugh. We were on an extended roadtrip through semi-rural America. For some reason the area we’d decided to stay in for a few weeks had no tofu anywhere. We drove hours looking for tofu for me, and finally came upon a health food store. I was certain we’d have luck there. I asked the lady at the cash register for tofu, and she looked at me like I’d spontaneously sprouted a second head in front of her, shook her head and said, “there’s no tofu in Turlock!” as if I was crazy for the suggestion. I recently had deep-fried Thai flowers for lunch and it was delicious, so there’s something to balance that out. 🙂
[6] What is one blogging tip or lesson that you have learned along the way that you can share with my readers?
It’s important to have other blogger friends; a tribe you can chat freely with. Because your friends and family who don’t blog probably won’t understand much when you need to bounce ideas around or vent about something!
[7] Where to next?
We’re based in Thailand for the next 6 months. Our triple entry visas mean we have to leave every 60 days, so the rough schedule is: Thailand, Australia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, North America.
Thanks Jessica!
You can keep up with Jessica on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and also her blog. Wherever you catch her, I am sure you will enjoy her adventures!
How about you? What would you like to know about Jessica?
March 24, 2015
I love these interviews. The food question is always my favorite 🙂
Have a great week.
March 26, 2015
@Vanessa, the food question if my favorite too!
March 24, 2015
Such an interesting interview! I always enjoy reading them 😀
March 24, 2015
I bet there is never a dull moment living in her shoes! I think being a traveler is an awesome lifestyle. Thanks for introducing us to Jessica.
March 24, 2015
This is so interesting! I would love to be able to travel like this!
March 24, 2015
What a great interview. I interview bloggers on my blog too. It’s such a nice way to get to know other blogs.
March 26, 2015
@Karissa, I couldn’t agree more, I love meeting people this way!
March 25, 2015
That is indeed an interesting dish!
March 25, 2015
i love to travel and experience different cultures. great interview
March 25, 2015
I didn’t realize it was politically incorrect to travel by car 😛 What the heck is up with that?
March 28, 2015
These days, it’s not seen as a very “green” way to travel, given the carbon output and the oil industry’s effect on the environment and climate change. I figure though, being vegan, I’m doing an okay job at balancing out my “bad” carbon actions with my good ones!
March 25, 2015
“There is no tofu in Turlock” is brilliant!! 😉 What a catchphrase!! Jessica is going to have a busy 6 months with that visa, but sounds like she can handle it!
March 26, 2015
@Christina, I see how difficult it is for vegans in San Francisco I can’t imagine what it is like in rural areas!
March 28, 2015
It was one of the more benign, but bizarre experiences I had in rural California. We learnt that a fake chicken product was prolific. I was a bit bemused, if I don’t eat *real* chicken… why would I want to eat fake chicken? But sheer desperation led me to eat it on numerous occasions over two months. I’ve not had it since…. 😉
March 26, 2015
I agree, travel can be freedom. I like to spend at least one day doing nothing, then other days experiencing the atmosphere
March 26, 2015
@Ronda, me too! I like to have no plans for part of my trip so that I can just absorb what’s around me.
March 26, 2015
i love traveling to different places!! it’s sooo fun to see the world!!
xo,
Sandy
Sandy a la Mode
March 26, 2015
@Sandy, where is your favorite place to travel to?
March 26, 2015
This is the LIFE. I would love to travel like this and see new things and new cultures…. and maybe new foods! HA! Very fortunate to be able to travel like this.
March 26, 2015
It’s nice that she started traveling at an early age. She has found freedom through travels.
March 26, 2015
Wow, what an amazing experience to be able to live in 3 different countries. I was never bold enough to move outside my hometown, but appreciate these stories so I can live vicariously through them!
March 26, 2015
I wish I had travelled when I was younger. With little ones it’s not so easy – not impossible, but not easy.
March 26, 2015
I love reading your interviews & seeing all the places that these travelers go!
March 26, 2015
YES!! I completely agree with Jessica! Traveling does equal freedom! I love getting to roam around and discover everything this beautiful planet has to offer! Traveling is truly my favorite thing in the world <3
March 26, 2015
I can’t believe she likes traveling by car! I mean it’s not that bad. I just get so bored!
March 26, 2015
@Liz, depends on where you are driving through. Somehow I always seem to figure out a way to entertain my hubby and I!
March 28, 2015
I don’t know what it’s like to BE bored, honestly! Shawn gets bored easily, and it’s hard for me to understand what this is like for him.
March 26, 2015
This is my favourite feature you have on your blog 🙂 Love reading about everyone’s adventures.
March 26, 2015
@Nancy,so glad you like it. There is one more next week, then the series is going on a brief hiatus. But it will be back!
March 26, 2015
Great post! sounds like you have more exciting adventures coming your way.
March 26, 2015
I love reading your interview on travels. This one was no exception. Very interesting.
March 26, 2015
i love travelinjg opens my eyes seeing so many cultures and gives me diffrent views
March 26, 2015
I can’t believe she likes traveling by car! I mean it’s not that bad. I just get so bored!
March 26, 2015
We travel as a couple too! I love the interview and tofu story, we have found America to be where our funny story’s come from too!
March 27, 2015
@Poppy, where are you originally from? Where have your U.S. travels been?
March 28, 2015
The U.S. has some oddbods in it that I’m yet to come across in the rest of the world – and I say this from Asia, which is very quirky! hehe 😉
March 26, 2015
Fun interview! I think it’s so cool all the travel she has gotten to do. It’s amazing the to have all these memories.
March 27, 2015
@Penny, thanks, Jessica definitely is an inspiration to those with wandering souls!
March 26, 2015
I love being able to travel and see so much of the world! It sounds like you have had amazing adventures over the years!
March 27, 2015
@Tammilee, I definitely have been very fortunate. I grew up a military brat and then had jobs in international companies and then married a French guy – all that led to lots of traveling!
March 27, 2015
Great interview! I love learning about other bloggers and their experiences. I wish I could travel more.
March 27, 2015
@Shaney, it is the best way to get to know other bloggers, love them! Travel doesn’t necessarily meaning going across the country or the globe, there is plenty to explore in our own backyards!
March 28, 2015
So true. Being in Chiang Mai on tourist visas means we have to stay in Thailand for 2-3 month stints. What keeps me going during these times is reading my blogger friends travel stories!
March 27, 2015
It sounds like she has a great attitude about travel. I can’t believe her parents left town during the Olympics though – OMG! I’m sure all that traveling around and road trips as a kid really inspired her love of travel.
March 28, 2015
haha! I crapped on enough about how the money spent on the Olympics could basically solve world poverty, that I think they just gave in so that they didn’t have to hear more of my ethical righteousness as a teen 😉 Some times I look back and don’t know how they dealt with me! 😉
March 27, 2015
Wish I could pack up and travel like a gypsy!
March 28, 2015
I was happy to see that I
Was already following those two. Love these interviews. You said they were from three countries but I only counted Australia. What are the other two?
March 30, 2015
Aside from Australia, our other home is Canada (Shawn is Canadian), and currently we live in Chiang Mai in Thailand 🙂
March 28, 2015
Wow! You always go to the most amazing places! I love the gorgeous photos 🙂
March 29, 2015
I’m so excited for you on your adventures. Have a great time, it’s awesome learning about different cultures.
March 30, 2015
I really enjoyed reading this interview and wish the couple well in their travels!
March 31, 2015
I love the interview! I’m so jealous, I definitely would love to travel more so reading about other people’s adventures makes me want to travel even more!
September 13, 2015
I completely agree. Travel is Freedom! I love to travel, especially when i don’t have an itinerary. It is so much fun to just do what I want, when I want. I also like to travel via car. My own space. My own speed. Far better than the lines, delays and sick kids kicking my seat in a plane.