“A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” 

~Lao Tzu

 

The best thing about traveling is not arriving at your destination; it is definitely about being on the journey.  The moment I realize I have a trip set, I get super-duper HYPE! Yes, I have every intention of arriving at my final destination with zeal, but it’s going that really excites me.

In life, I have to be the most impatient person I know.  However, when I am going somewhere, although extremely excited, I have a calmness that embodies me and I’m not worried about the details of my arrival. The air that flows around me seems refreshing and my enthusiasm is like glass cutting skin for the first time, piercing. I give no thought to what’s going on around me. I see myself as going. I take on the adventure of travel and even the process of preparing to travel ignites me. I love preparing for the trip. I like shopping for clothes, packing, and being at the airport waiting for takeoff. The whole experience moves me to pieces.

However, it’s funny that in life when a problem arises, I can’t wait to get to the solution. I have no patience for the process of figuring out a resolution, none whatsoever. I do not enjoy the journey when it comes to methodically moving through life processing an issue. I want results. I want to know what the issues are and have the ability to fix it, no matter what. However, that is not how life works. Life is about being able to accept that you may or may not have the answers. In addition, you have to be willing to take the necessary steps to find a suitable solution for the problem. Sometimes that takes patients; maybe a little time, reevaluation, and acceptance that you may need to make some modifications.    

Life, just like travel, requires you to prepare, and even when you assume that you are prepared for an outcome, here comes a delay. In life, you get delays and detours that change your whole destination. What you desire might not be what you end up with in many cases. What makes that interesting is most real travelers call that appreciating the unknown. The appreciation of the unknown is what makes the adventure adventurous. However, it is difficult for most people to look at their problems and accept them as an adventure on a journey moving towards their final destination.  Most people, like myself, want to enjoy the happy moments and get through the unpleasant upsets so they can get back to happy sooner than later.

The best trips are about having freedom and learning to be in the moment of whatever is happening.

There is something called allowing that as a traveler you learn to value. Sure, many people purchase a ticket and leave from point A with an intention to arrive at point B with everything going as planned. The departure is great and you arrive on time without any mishaps or delays. This is the perfect trip for a businessperson. However, if you are a real traveler, then you learn to allow things to happen. The best trips are about having the freedom and learning to be in the moment of whatever is happening. You realize that a delayed flight gives you extra time to meet a new friend at the airport. You never know who you are sitting next to until you strike up a conversation, you will be surprised, some of the greatest business connections happen in the airport or on an airplane.  However, you have to be open to a new connection.

Those moments when you have no idea what is going to happen next and you walk vigorously into the window of opportunity accepting the surprise, those are the moments when you no longer exist, but rather live.

When you travel for the sheer enjoyment of being on a journey despite what happens you are able to experience so much more than completing details on a list of priorities. That is so manufactured to me, and the last thing I need while traveling is something that reminds me of work. I travel because I want to enjoy what I am doing, and the best way to enjoy traveling is to be in the moment. The same can be said about life. Some of the best experiences in life are when you stop trying to control the outcome and live.  When you wake up without an agenda and wing it, or when you see your problems as necessary components of living.  Those moments when you have no idea what is going to happen next and you walk vigorously into the window of opportunity accepting the surprise. Those are the moments when you no longer exist, but rather live.

You might be the person who plans a trip with every detail of what needs to happen for it to become the best vacation ever, but how boring. How exciting would it be to go on vacation and have all your dreams come true and never make one plan because you lived in the moment? Well, honestly in life when you release the rings of control on the outcome and stop anticipating what needs to happen next, that is when life gets interesting. When the things you never thought would happen, just happen. Yes, plans are great and in many cases needed, but your whole life does not need to be strategically planned. A great life is just like most great trips when you walk off the beaten path, you realize that there are so many hidden treasures. Your problems are those treasures and they teach you how to appreciate the journey. So, enjoy each moment and you will find the adventure, even though your most difficult problems.

@chajones, the nomadic chick

A Life of Travel Can Be Easier Than You Think.

Reposted from Newsletter

Cha Jones

QIt’s too expensive

People can afford to do the things they want to do. If your excuse for not traveling and seeing the things you say you want to see because “It’s too expensive,” then maybe you are not as ready as you proclaim to be. Many black women purchase some costly luxury items just to keep up daily appearances. So, is your hair, clothes, shoes, purses, and makeup more important than your memories and experiences? One travel experience can change your life forever in an intangible way. Remember, those material items that you cling onto for dear life are only as valuable as the season and we all know seasons are constantly changing.

QIt’s not the right time

Time waits for no one. When exactly is the right time anyways? If today were your very last day to live on this earth, can you say that you did all the things that you truly wanted to do? If you long to see the Eiffel Tower, then what are you waiting for? All we have is the present moment and in a blink of an eye, the present moment soon becomes the past. Traveling allows you to live in the present and cherish the present moment now. You are not promised tomorrow, so take advantage of all you have today.

QI have other priorities

If you died who would take over those priorities? In most cases if what you need has to get done someone will pick up the slack and make things happen. Sure, there are things that you need to attend to, but when you plan and prepare you can make anything happen. Living your best life should be your priority, because when this life ends you will not be given the option to prioritize your bucket list. If it is not done, it just is not done. Planning and preparing can assist you with making your travel more manageable and achievable.

QI Don’t Know Anyone Who Has Done It

Just because you do not know anyone traveling the world living out a suitcase does not mean there isn’t anyone doing it. The internet is full of stories of people who quit their jobs, packed their bags, and went on an excursion. However, it does not have to be that abrupt at all. There are several people living, working, study and traveling and you can do the same thing. Do not let what you do not know prevent you from finding what lies beyond the boundaries of your dreams.  Research and find link-minded people who have the same interest, and in an instant you can say you now know someone who has done exactly what you want to do. You can also join groups like Expat Women of Color (www.expatwomenofcolor.com) and meet other women traveling the world and making a difference.

QMy Family Doesn’t Approve

Family is important, but your family cannot live your life for you. So many times people allow others to prevent them from experiencing greatness. Have you ever wanted to experience something, but your parents, spouse or friends did not agree or comprehend your desire? Well, sometimes you want to travel and experience different cultures and people, but you fear that others will not understand. How bad do you want it? You cannot allow the limitations of other people to prevent you from finding your own bliss. You can get hurt anywhere. You are never exempt from tragedy and the likelihood of something extraordinary happening to you is slim to none. Whatever is going to happen to you is most likely going to happen no matter where you are. Therefore, why not live your life to the fullest and enjoy every moment that you can! If your friends and family do not understand, send them a wonderful video, photo or postcard from your amazing adventures. Sure, they will be happy with envy!

You’re Moving Where?

April 16, 2014

GetImages by Photdisc

The Rise of the Urban International Migrant

The conversation around globalization is like pollen in spring; it’s floating everywhere. Turn on any news channel and you'll find pundits, politicians, and professionals talking about how global the world has become. And they’re right. What once belonged to specific cities, states, or countries has now expanded to a broader, interconnected stage.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how many people of color I encountered while living in South Korea. Most were young Black Americans, fresh out of college, but there were also a few in their thirties and forties—folks who had chosen to experience life abroad on their own terms. I remember meeting one young woman who applied for a job in Korea and didn’t tell a soul, not even her parents, until she was being dropped off at the airport. Extreme? Maybe. But I understood it. Sometimes, you have to protect your vision from the voices that might shrink it.

When I first landed in Seoul, I didn’t expect to see so many brown faces. But their presence helped make my home away from home manageable and meaningful. In many ways, my life in Korea mirrored my life in the U.S.—same social vibes, same fly Black community. But honestly, it was more diverse. The people, the experiences, the daily rhythm—it all expanded me. And connecting with other Black people abroad? That was an unexpected gift.

There’s a growing wave of young Black folks moving abroad—not just for jobs or school, but for freedom. Freedom to live life on their own terms. I call this movement the Urban International Migration, and experience the world with their own eyes.

Getty Image by Adam Hester

Beyond Passports: A New Kind of Migration

Now, let’s be clear: migration is not new. People have been moving across borders for generations. But this particular wave is about lifestyle. Scholars call it Lifestyle Migration—a trend where individuals, often from privileged backgrounds, relocate not for survival but for self-actualization. As Benson and O’Reilly describe in their book Lifestyle Migration: Expectations, Aspirations and Experiences, it’s “about escape, escape from somewhere and something, while simultaneously an escape to self-fulfillment and a new life... a rediscovery of oneself, of personal potential, or of one’s true desires.”

But Urban International Migration is different. It’s rooted in the desire of young urbanites—often Black, often from major U.S. cities- to redefine success and freedom. These individuals aren’t just escaping systems; they’re reimagining life. They want to see the world with their own eyes, not through TV screens or secondhand stories. They’re not just seeking a lifestyle, they’re seeking liberation.

Living Without the Lens of Conformity

Urban International Migrants are free spirits who view the world through an unrestricted lens. They’re not overly concerned with checking off societal boxes—mortgage, 9-to-5, car note, rinse, repeat. They’re carving their own path. They’re trendsetters redefining what it means to "make it," choosing movement, meaning, and mindfulness over monotony.

They are global citizens, truth-seekers, and spiritual disruptors. They aren’t choosing between red or blue pills—they’re choosing to opt out of the system entirely and create their own matrix. One built on joy, exploration, healing, and alignment.

During my time in Korea, I met people who left behind the “land of milk and honey” to create their own version of paradise. They weren’t waiting for permission to live, they just did it. Many had never taught before but became English teachers. Why? Because it offered freedom, flexibility, and the chance to explore. Ironically, many of them felt more liberated teaching abroad (even at lower salaries) than they ever had working high-paying jobs back home.

They weren’t working to live. They were living.

I Am Not Settling—I Am Soaring

Now, years later, I look back on my three-year experience in South Korea with deep appreciation. I thought it would be temporary—a year, max. But one year turned into three. And when people ask if I’m “over” the international life, my answer is simple: Not at all.

Like many Urban International Migrants, I’m not interested in settling for a life that doesn’t reflect who I truly am. I’m committed to living a life without borders—physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Urban International Migrant:

An urbanite who migrates abroad to define life on their own terms; one who integrates travel, intercultural engagement, spiritual growth, and personal development into their lifestyle; someone who chooses to live rather than merely exist.

#urbaninternationalmigration

               

April 14, 2014

   

http://www.goodreads.com/genres/travel-memoir

Empty tanks only go as far as the fumes lingering behind, but when they dissipate, one is stalled awaiting another means of transportation. My fuel has always been the ability to create my own means of transportation through my creative thoughts. However, it is my belief that anyone who desires to travel can do so from anywhere without leaving at all. If you want to go on one the best adventures in your pajamas all you need it is a book, books are the gateway to the world.

I happen to love traveling and when I meet people who are amazed by the number of places I have gone I’m always shocked when they say why they can’t travel. Although I have been traveling all my life, when I am not able to go away, I travel through books. Books, unlike movies, which only last for a couple of hours, gives me depth and the ability to experience the characters in my mind. I have the capability to give voice to the characters while visualizing them beyond the depictions illustrated through the pages. I can actually hear them as I read.

Books exemplify life beyond where one is and draws a picture of the places one hopes to go. I love travel

memoirs because they paint pictures of faraway places that I have dreamt about, but might not have had the opportunity to visit yet. Matter of fact, reading books has inspired me to go places and see for myself what the author was vividly describing. The air is fresher when you breathe it for yourself.

Yet, I know that we all have different desires and abilities, but if one wants to know what it is like to fall in love in Paris or redefine themselves in Italy they don’t need a passport at all. All they need is a book and a vivid imagination. One can travel anywhere and never leave the comforts of their home. I prefer being able to go and see for myself, but the next best thing is a book. Books open doors to people, places, and adventures that you might never have known about. Authors are like keys, they tell stories that open the doors to a reality that many might not ever experience without a book.  I saw Italy through reading Eat, Pray, Love and I have never touched the soil of Italy, but Elizabeth Gilbert gave me the opportunity to experience the food and the culture in a way that opened my curiosity of what it’s like to eat Pizza in Naples. I could literally taste the Margarita pizza as I read each line.   

So, are you one of those people who dreams of traveling to exotic places or experiencing foods and cultures in a specific country but you don’t have the finances? Fear not because if you have access to a book you have the vehicle to go any place you desire. You can even create the ambiance by allowing yourself to get lost in the pages painting your own reality with colorful pictures in your mind. You don’t have to be stalled by lack of finances, burdens or fear of the unknown, because picking up a book makes traveling accessible. Reading is just another means of transportation taking you anywhere you desire to go, even on an empty tank in the middle of the desert with nothing but time to kill.

Love. Travel. Purpose

Love. Travel. Purpose

Waking up living out your dreams gives you a new sense and understanding of what it really means to be on purpose.

Traveling allows me the opportunity to be fully alive. Without travel, I feel like I’m dying and losing a portion of who I am. I love being able to do something different and meet new people, and I have learned that my normal is not being confined to “stability” and what that means for many people. I use to think that it was unstable to be adventurous and constantly on the go, but I have come to understand for myself, that stability has a different connotation for everyone. Some people don’t conform well to permanency and rituals.  As a self-proclaimed Nomadic Chick, I know that my truth is not in being nailed down to a 30-year mortgage or inspiring to have a corn office career. I need the freedom to transform without notice.

Although, I tend to like having a nice place to lay my head and I desire to know some of the details about what happens next, I lean towards living in the now and allowing some things to be a little more abstract. I will admit I’m not a nine to five girl and I want the ability to dance to whatever beat my heart begins to sing. Yet, that is still very unorthodox to many people. Most people want and need structure and a plan for what is happing next. I use to be one of those people. However, I found that the more I planned the more things began falling apart. I realized that the more open I was to change and being able to go with the flow, even when that meant challenging my own beliefs, I was then able to live at my best.

Realizing this was transformational, but indeed scary. I once had a passion to be a corporate trailblazer with dreams of a corner office climbing the ladder of success.  In some respects, I still have those dreams, but they look different. Instead of a corner office, I would rather have a transit space that fluctuations with where I am and what I am doing. The ladder no longer exists; my platform is horizontal and looks more like an exchange of ideas amongst people who believe in transformation versus competition. I still have a desire to be a trailblazer, but my mission is to follow my passion and live on purpose by being a woman who is making a global impact for all women. In my opinion, that’s what living is — following what makes your heart beat.

Can you hear the song that your hear is playing?

So, today if you are still sleeping through life awaiting the day that you can finally dance to the song your heart is playing entitled Purpose, then I urge you to wake up. The funny thing about life is that time waits for no one, and tomorrow isn’t promised to you. Living your dreams needs to be done actively and not passively through thinking about future implementation. Today is the perfect day to dance. Can you hear the song your heart is playing?

~I have pumps, will travel.

Beware of the Gangster Monkey

March 8, 2014 reprint from Jan, 2011
Cha Jones

When I think of monkeys, words like cute, adorable, and curious usually come to mind. But after visiting Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I now associate them with a very different word: gangster. Yes, Sis—gangster. The monkeys that roam freely near the Batu Caves aren’t your average primates. They’ve got street smarts, attitude, and absolutely zero fear. Let me explain.

First, let’s agree on a definition. When I say gangster, I mean: tough, rugged, a little bit shady, and not above stealing what they want. These monkeys? Check, check, check, and check.

The Batu Caves: Beauty and the Beast (Monkeys)

The Batu Caves are a must-see when visiting KL. Just outside the entrance stands a massive gold statue of Lord Murugan, the Hindu God of War—the tallest of its kind in the world. To the left of the statue are 272 steps leading to the cave’s entrance, where tourists and worshippers climb side-by-side. And somewhere along the way, so do the monkeys.

As you walk up the steep staircase, you’ll pass locals, tourists, and devout Hindus making their way toward the temple. You’ll also most likely be joined by a few monkeys who freely roam up and down the stairs like they own the place. And while they may appear playful or friendly, don’t be fooled. They’re still wild animals—with sharp instincts, faster reflexes, and a knack for sizing people up. So proceed with caution. I’m not saying don’t enjoy the view—just… maybe don’t pull out a snack.

Gatorade and Grit

After taking in the incense-laced air and spiritual beauty of the caves, my friend and I began descending the steps when we met him. A monkey. Not just any monkey—a male monkey with presence. My friend had just purchased a cold bottle of Gatorade and was enjoying it when he stepped between us like he paid rent there.

Without a sound, he reached for the drink like, “Excuse me, Sis, but that belongs to me.”

Naturally, she wasn’t about to give it up. We had just climbed 272 stairs, she was tired, hot, and not in the mood to share. But he wasn’t playing. He reached again—more aggressively this time. Teeth were shown. And just like that, I knew this was my cue to mind my business and keep it moving.

I wasn’t about to be monkey-mauled for a Gatorade I didn’t even buy.

My friend, clearly not wanting to be bit either, attempted to pour some of the drink onto the steps in a peaceful offering. The monkey looked at her like, “Ma’am, do I look like I’m here for puddles?” That’s when divine intervention—or maybe Lord Murugan himself—stepped in. An empty Gatorade bottle just happened to be lying nearby. She picked it up and poured the monkey a generous serving.

He snatched it up, climbed the railing, and took it straight to the head—no thank you, no nod, no nothing. And just like a true gangster, he bounced without another glance.

Final Warning

So, if you plan to visit the Batu Caves, here’s my advice: Beware the monkeys.
They look innocent enough and will mostly leave you alone—unless you have something they want. And they always want what you’ve got.

Avoid shiny objects, food, and don’t let them see their reflection in your phone camera—they’re not fans of selfies. And please, don’t try to feed them on purpose. Just because you see one monkey doesn’t mean he’s alone. Trust me—they roll in squads.

So yes, the Batu Cave monkeys may be cute… but don’t get it twisted.
They’re Gangster.
And now—you’ve been warned.

As a little girl, I would stare out the window while sitting in my elementary classroom. I use to dream of places I wanted to go and things that were happening beyond the horizon. The clouds would dance with pictures of unknown places, and for just a moment, my heart would sing travel songs. However, the reality was I sat in a classroom in Omaha, Nebraska and just outside the city limits were cornfields and rolling flat lands of nothingness. Yet my imagination was constantly taking me on voyages where life was about living in the moment. I wanted to fearlessly live the life of a nomad, but no ones grows up to become a nomad. Or do they?

I have been traveling my entire life, but I never thought the day would actually come when I would venture beyond the United States. The experience that made me really want to travel was when I was eighteen, I had the pleasure of going to the island of Maui in Hawaii, and I knew that everything I once dreamt about was real. From the moment on, I have wanted to see more and do more. 

However, if you had told me that I would one day move to South Korea and teach English to Korean students I would have thought you were absolutely insane. Never in a million years would I have thought that at the ripe age of thirty-three I would answer a call that my heart was whispering to me to go dance with my dreams and fall in love with the world.

"I have pumps, will travel"

My name is Cha Jones and I ‘m a black girl who grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. I have traveled to over 43 states here in America, been to Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and lived in South Korea. I absolutely love to travel! I collect passport stamps like little boys collect baseball cards. I love meeting new people and learning about culture. However, I’m no backpack chick. I will sport a pair of Pumas and get dirty feeding elephants, but I love sitting by a salt-water infinity pool sipping cocktail drinks and planning my next adventure. In-style is my preference when traveling. So, my tag-line is “I have pumps, will travel.

I am The Nomadic Chick and this my blog. Please join me as I divulge more about myself, my travels, and tips on the best places to go and things to do all around the world with pumps in hand and still comfortable, sexy, and sassy. Again, tennis shoes are often warranted, but who said that adventures had to be grungy. I do not do grunge, but I climb mountains, hang with monkeys and adventure into caves, but still manage to be cute and relaxed. 

Sincerely,

Cha Jones, The Nomadic Chick 

Love. Travel. Purpose