my advice, given from experience, is just go! part of the jouney of being a nomad is a sense of groundlessness-not knowing if you'll meet people, not knowing if you'll eat. i would suggest you read up on this to see if it's really for you. it sounds like you need stability and predictability, and if that's true, this lifestyle may not be for you. here is a website that may help you. best of luck!

www.carliving.com/intro_ready.html

Danielle,

I know what you mean, exactly ... rivers of nomadic tendencies also run within me, though they've ebbed a bit lately, as i'm fairly content in the general area i'm in.

However -- and I don't mean to sound harsh, just realistic -- the romance of being a nomad is matched, if not exceeded, by the reality. Yes, it _is_ wonderful to go with the wind, to not be bound by the ties (some pleasant, some not) that hold us to a particular place. It's not quite as wonderful to be starving, or in the middle of a vast plain with no shelter during a snowstorm, or not having showered or cleaned yourself for days. It's great to see new places, explore new cultures and relish in the diversity of humanity and this world. It's not so great to be trapped -- yes, trapped -- somewhere you've landed because you don't have the resources to leave.

Like all endeavors, being a nomad has it's positives and negatives. I'm not saying it's not for you -- i'm just saying that there are a lot of moments that you may love, and a lot that you may not. If you're travelling with others, that will help in some ways (more resources -- because the ability to think rationally is as much, if not more, of a resource than money) but it will also come with a downside -- being a nomad will bring out facets of people's personalities that you may not be comfy with. A lot of this stuff you can't plan for, but you need to be ready when it hits, if you're going to do this.

Regards,

John

Falling You - exploring the beauty of voice and sound
www.fallingyou.com

You're getting this advice here already but: just go. It won't be all shits and giggles. Terrible things might happen, wonderful things definitely will, but it's all theory until you know. I'm not exactly sure how old you are, and I'm not exactly a nomad, but when it comes to making changes in my life and moving about I always ask: is it possible to come back here and regain THIS? The answer usually seems to be yes. But meanwhile the clock is ticking. Go if have to know!
Bluesmen were often travellers, and you can hear those rhythms in the music. Part of the hardtimes were the hardtimes everywhere, part of it was exageration to make themselves feel better by making others feel worse, and part of those authentic blues were hard times of the road. But with the sorrow you can sense the freedom, can't you? That constant rhythm of one foot in front othe other.
In practical terms: a good first trip is going to see some friend of adequate distance from you. Pick the friend, pick the route, go. But be flexible, and don't overstay your welcome when you get there. I should say IF you get there, but you'll definitnely get somewhere. You learn a lot about yourself and a lot about human nature while your travelling. Some lessons have to be re-learned over and again. Some things other travellers won't share with you because they are too horrible to relate, other things are too wonderful to really describe, capture in words. But if the wind is calling you, how can you refuse? How can you silence/ignore the wind? Sure it will pass in time, and no one ever knows exactly where the wind goes, but those who don't even try and follow have no clue at all-

One sure way NOT to go is to wait around on your friends. There will always be excuses why they can't leave just yet.

I would *strongly* recommend that you travel with some resources, just in case. And yes, this is primarily because you are female. The average time a homeless woman spends on the streets before being raped is... three months. So having the resources to at least grab a room at the closest hostel, or a tent you can set up at a state campground (and the $5-10 they might charge) would just be prudent. Calling ahead and being willing to do work-trade is another possibility. Or you could just show up, pay for your first night or two, and try to arrange work-trade to extend your stay. Be daring, be adventurous, but be smart!

Happy Trails!

tribes.tribe.net/66e7dbcf-...52eeece379

Another great way to travel cheap, meet beautiful people, and stay relatively safe is WWOOF - Willing Workers on Organic Farms.

www.wwoof.org/home.asp

and for here in the U.S., Organic Volunteers:
www.organicvolunteers.com/

I, too, share your longing and fantasy of the nomadic ancient ways. Try www.wwoof.org/ and http;//www.globalfreeloaders.com . Best of luck.! I, myself, am headed towards New Zealand soon.

I just went - four years ago - with 300$ in my pocket - and I am still going... it is the wind that carries you - you can't force the wind - you need to trust it and relax and you will be amazed... be beyond hope and fear and experience the beauty of each situation - - - I even lived in a tend for three months, squatting a abandoned garden - or in a caravan - without electricity and running water... this might sound not appealing for some ... but I learned a great deal... as I discovered that it is our own attitude which makes a situation rich or poor... and it is our presence and awareness in the very moment rather than careful planning which makes things happen....