Comments on: Traveling Abroad When Cancer is At Home

By: Ming Suttin

Ming Suttin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:25:49 +0000

This is a great post, im glad I stubled onto it. Ill be back later to check out other posts that you have on your blog.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:39:49 +0000

This is one of those topics which hasn’t really been mentioned anywhere else, but has to be such an important part of the preparation process.
As something that’s been on my mind and close to my heart recently, it’s really helpful to read about someone else feeling the same way.

By: Justin

Justin — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:57:43 +0000

Hey thanks! Coming back to the place you started often feels like dejavu especially under less than desirable circumstances.

By: Helene

Helene — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:00:10 +0000

Hi, I just discovered your blog and like it!

I want to add that I agree: once you’ve tasted the road/the expat life, you might not want/be able to “come home”. My partner and I are just realizing that: after living in Shanghai for three years, we came back to Canada two years ago… But we realize now that we never *really* came back! We’ve been thinking of the road ever since, and are planning it right now…

Enjoy your travels, and best of luck for your dad’s health!

By: Justin

Justin — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:37:53 +0000

Thanks Kera. I have spent a lot of time thinking about what returning home or “re-entry” will be like. Keep in mind that my advice here is theoretical as I have not yet experienced re-entry.

The only thing more worrisome than leaving everything and going out to travel the world is figuring out how to return to a “normal” life. The most troublesome questions revolve around the following questions. “Where will I live?” “Where will I work?” “How will I get started?”. How you answer these questions will be determined by your own personal expectations. Problematically, long term travel tends to change how you think and interact with the world as a whole. Thus, don’t worry too much about where you will live, where you will work, or how you will make that occur. Instead, figure out how much money you will need to start your life when you get back. Pretend that finding a job will not be easy and that you will need to live off of savings for several months. How much will you need? After you know how much you need to pack away into your “I need to start a real life fund” save that and don’t spend it while you travel. Thus, no matter how long you travel, you will have some money to help you get started again when you get home.

Perhaps a more profound question for you will be “do you want to return to a normal or regular existence”. After you experience what it takes to lead a fulfilling life without working 40-60 hours a week, will you want to go back to your regular life? Only you will be able to answer this question.

Natalie and I will be in Vietnam in a few months as well. Perhaps we can meet up for a bit.

By: Mom & Dad

Mom & Dad — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:18:56 +0000

Justin no matter what happens you will always be our most favorite youngest son. We deeply appreciate your expression of love and concern. Your physical presence and support would have been terrific but God had other plans for you. We felt your love even though you were many miles away. I understand your guilty and torn feelings, but at every situation you wanted to come home and tho I would have really loved your presence and support I felt and still feel your support thru your phone calls and prayers.
By the time you get home I (dad) will be ready to play 9 holes, going to movies and sharing a bottle of wine with you. Love mom & dad

By: Victoria

Victoria — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:50:26 +0000

This is a really interesting post, and something that we have been talking about endlessly as we plan for our rtw trip with our children. It’s a really hard situation to judge until you are in it and ultimately you can only do what you think is best – there is no right answer on this one. Thank you for giving me more to think about!
Best wishes on your travels and for your father’s health

By: Tinkerbell

Tinkerbell — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 04:23:32 +0000

Your dad’s recovery as well as your well being will be in our prayers!

By: debbers

debbers — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 01:30:46 +0000

Justin,
God has blessed all of your parents (me, too!) with wonderful lives and we are grateful that He has given us you and Natalie to love and miss. We could not be more encouraged by your adventurous spirits and love of God’s people and world. Fortunately, our world is a lot smaller than it was when we were young. Technology allows us to be along with you for the journey. I will continue to pray for your Dad’s full recovery, your mom’s health as she cares for him and your continued safe journeys with your best friend.
Love, Mom (Debbers)

By: Kera

Kera — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:03:00 +0000

Thank you so much for this post. I have your blog bookmarked (on my Mac!) and I read it regularly. I’m waiting to finish school to begin my own long-term travels, and I have often wondered about these “what-ifs”.

Another question for you: Have you thought about what it will be like when you return home? The adjustment to “regular” life?

I’ll be heading to Vietnam myself in a few months, so I can’t wait to hear about your Southeast Asia experience!