I'm a former librarian turned world wanderer, sharing tips, advice, and personal stories for solo female travelers and digital nomads. Sign up for my newsletter to discover everything from budgeting hacks to off-the-beaten-path destinations across Asia and Europe!
Just Gone Wandering's Nomad Notes
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Hey there, Wanderers! So I've been traveling full-time for about 2.5 years now. There's lots of great things about traveling (which is why I keep doing it) but there's also some downsides. Like, eventually I end up missing certain things about home! It's not being homesick, necessarily, it's more missing the familiar. Just a little. One of the things that I miss most about the US (my home country) is the food. I'm not even talking about fast food or certain restaurants: I mean stuff like sharp cheddar cheese and taco seasoning. I'm one of those people who crave their familiar homey recipes and can't just eat local food all the time-- which means I often spend more on Western restaurants and imported groceries to satisfy my need for cheese and potatoes. Luckily most cities have at least SOME things I can use to make familiar favorite foods, even though I might have to substitute something. It does mean I've gotten very good at making recipes that are "close enough"! That's honestly why I spring for a proper apartment when I travel. I need a decent kitchen! I need to be able to cook my own stuff and have a stash of imported cream of mushroom soup. Happily enough, it's very easy to get a nice apartment for under $1,000 USD in most of Southeast Asia, and the rest of my budget goes to finding my favorite foods. I'm currently in Vietnam trying to figure out a substitute for Mrs Dash, as I ran out of mine two months ago. (Any ideas?) I still have quite a bit of Old Bay seasoning left! Otherwise I might be in real trouble. See what other things I miss about the US here. It's not all food! Do you miss stuff about your home country when you travel? Hit reply and let me know! New Adventures on the BlogHere’s what’s new and updated on Just Gone Wandering this week!
Wanderlust Finds from Around the WebLooking for more nomadic lifestyle inspiration? Check out these awesome reads from fellow travelers:
Podcast of the WeekI've really been enjoying Too Many Tabs, a podcast where a husband-wife duo basically info-dump at each other about interesting topics. They recently did an episode about Charles Ponzi, the guy who gave his name to the Ponzi Scheme scam--who I didn't even realize was a real person! They've also done episodes about Joel Osteen, Bette Davis, Dr. Bronners and lots more! It's funny and informative, my two favorite things. Check out the podcast here or go directly to the Ponzi episode on Youtube here. Quote of the Week“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” – Gustave Flaubert (Sidenote: there's a Flaubert museum in Rouen that I nearly visited, but didn't. Did I miss out? Should I go back??) Travel Resources for the RoadHere are some of my favorite travel tools for life as a nomad:
Happy Wandering, Anastasia Finch P.S. I put together this Digital Nomad Toolkit with a bunch of resources on saving money, planning your travels and getting free accommodation. It's free! If you download it, let me know what you think? I want to start working on the 2025 edition and need feedback on this one! This newsletter may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and buy something, I get a small percentage at no extra cost to you. Your support helps me keep traveling and writing— thank you! |
Just Gone Wandering's Nomad Notes
I'm a former librarian turned world wanderer, sharing tips, advice, and personal stories for solo female travelers and digital nomads. Sign up for my newsletter to discover everything from budgeting hacks to off-the-beaten-path destinations across Asia and Europe!
Hey, Wanderers! I got some new glasses here in Da Nang the other day! It's been a shocking five years since my last pair, and it was definitely time to get some new ones because they were getting so worn out I was worried they'd fall apart at any moment. I got a recommendation for a local place here and, after messaging them on Facebook to confirm that they had an English-speaking optometrist available, I went in for my exam. It was a very nice experience, actually! The staff were super...
Welcome to the Japan edition of JGW's Nomad Notes newsletter! This is a once-a-month special edition focused on travel in Japan. It comes out the first Monday of every month. This month's topic is: the Mozu Tombs of Sakai! Hi Reader, If you’re into ancient history, or just curious about Japan’s history specifically, I’ve got a great recommendation for you. During my last trip to Japan, I visited the Mozu Tombs in Sakai, an UNESCO World Heritage Site just outside of the urban sprawl of Osaka....
Hello, Wanderer! A staple of both locals and tourists alike, onigiri are rice balls with a small amount of savory filling. If you're coming to Japan and want to try local food, starting with an onigiri is a safe bet. There's all sorts of flavors available, from basic ingredients to, well, somewhat unusual. Fillings with fish are popular, but you can also get ones with eggs, beef, different vegetables, and more. I like the spicy salmon ones best, myself! The nice thing about onigiri is they're...