Questions they often ask us

We often get asked some questions repeatedly in every conversation we have with friends, family and fellow travelers. If you have one of your own, write it in the comments and we will answer it. No, you are right. We are not celebrities but this is our space and we take full ownership of it :P.

How do we manage the funds?

We have both been working for five years since we graduated. But we saved most money while we were working in London. 10 months after our marriage and settling into a new life we decided to quit our jobs. It has sustained us for a year now and can do so for another year. No, we were not making millions. We had simply decided to not buy anything on mortgage and chose to spend wisely before and after our quitting jobs.

What does our family think of it?

Our family is biting nails and lips, waiting with bated breath for us to get done and return. β€œWhat do you want to do next?” is a question we are perpetually thwarting or answering with the details of weather or pictures of sunset from where we are. Our family is nervous about our decision but loves us enough to support us.

How long do we intend to travel?

No idea! We may end our travel sooner than later, hmmm, maybe never, maybe we will continue travelling like this like gypsies forever. This will be our reply on a good day. But someday when diarrhoea or sore throat or some silly infection somewhere gets us we are ready to go home immediately. On those days, I also hide my face in the pillow crying and missing my mother and home food. When the next morning I feel better, being on the road feels awesome again. The point is whether the going is good or bad, tough or easy, what keeps us going is the realisation that we are living our dream and that we want to keep it going.

Why did we quit our job?

Time was running out. I was 26 and Vikram was 28. Before the expectation to start a family could get us, we decided to flee and do that which is best done now.

What do we love most about traveling?

The thrill of doing something new all the time is the best part of travel. And also while traveling puts us out of control when we find ourselves helplessly stuck on a night bus that doesn’t move, a meal that is less than appetizing or a room full of roaches, it also puts us in control to the extent that we can move out of any experience, hotel, restaurant, city or even country without much thought and practically on a whim. How many of us can do that in our everyday lives? In settled life you are stuck with same job, same house, same city and same country forever.

What do we hate about traveling?

Nothing. Oh wait! Let me think. There is a long list actually. But the most I hate is long bus journeys especially the night ones and visa and immigration. And when immigration and night buses come together, it just makes us want to take the first flight back home.

14 comments

  1. Your guys write with your spirit πŸ™‚ Nice that you point out the indecisiveness, good/bad days of living life on the road..it’s not easy..but our kind will live it for good & bad days both..more power to you both πŸ™‚

    • Thanks Mansi. We love traveling more than everything else.

      Living on the road is a lot of fun, we may sulk at times when we are out there, but 2-3 days at home and we r ready to hit the road again.

      -Empty Rucksack

  2. Hey Vicky and Ish,

    We can relate to your pain about Visas and Immigration πŸ™‚ I am sure you can guess why our blog is called what it is called πŸ™‚ It’s great that you have been able to sustain long term travel for a year and are looking to do that for the next year too. Nice one ! πŸ™‚

    Great job and continue travelling, for you don’t know when you might have to be on that flight back home πŸ˜‰

    Cheers
    Vid recently posted…About the time we attended a Chinese WeddingMy Profile

    • Hey Vid,
      The dream is to never get on that flight.

      We keep checking your blog regularly,and enjoy reading it.

      We are trying out a few things that we always wanted to, travelling is something we want to do forever

      -Empty Rucksack

  3. This is the first Indian couple blog I have come across who are pursuing long term travel seriously. Kudos to you guys…. it is interesting to read your travel adventures. I came across your interview on Nomadicmatt and have started following your blog now.

    • Hey Supreeth,

      Yes its still nt very common for Indian couples to travel long term but the change is coming. We met few solo Indian travelers.

      Thanks for following us,will check out your blog later today.

      -Empty Rucksack

  4. Hi Vicky and Ish,

    kasa kay, mast na ?
    I read about you on Nomadic Matt site , Matt is an inspiration for me and now you people .
    you are doing really awesome job , I can understand the pain with visas.
    you really got rid the middle cast mentality specially people have after marriage . I too saved the money for my travel and this May I would be traveling to South Korea.
    I would really love to follow your blog and get some tips too πŸ™‚

    • Hey Amey,

      Ek dum mast aahe. Apan kashe aahat?

      Visas are a pain, but we have learnt to live with that pain now.

      We used to take it to heart, but the fact that we Indians can travel to Bhutan while most of the world can’t is a big consolation.

      South Korea seems to be gettin popular, when do you plan on going?

      Empty Rucksack

  5. Since you guys quit your jobs, how were you able to get a “letter from employer” with proof of employment upon return and that sort of thing? I am a freelance writer and although I have the necessary bank balances I cannot provide a letter from an employer and I just wanted to know what you did to get around this. I have a Sri Lankan passport (there’s expired US visa on it from when I was in college there). Thank you for your help and inspiration.

  6. It seems like you deleted my previous comment/inquiry. Thank you anyway.

  7. Hi Guys,

    I just come across your site. And I’m super excited!! you guys have lived my dream.
    I have been saving money since last year for my back pack travel around Asia, I’m planning to travel for 6 months or till my finance lasts.
    I’m just not sure how much is enough to last me for 6 months at the least. Any sort of advice is much appreciated.

    Thanks
    Prats

  8. Hi Guys!

    I love your website and the way you guys have just taken off! I am a huge fan of Nomadic Matt and came across your article on his website. I needed your help and advice please. I and my friend (both Indians – young ladies in their mid 30s), we are planning to quit our jobs next year and travel for 6 months to European countries (Schengen) as well as UK and return back to India after 6 months. However, we need to apply for our visa before we can quit our jobs. So what we thought is that we apply for a 6 months UK visa, as well as 1 year multiple entry Schengen visa, but I heard that Its not easily to get a 6 months validity visa easily. We want to send atleast 3 months in Schengen countries and the rest we can stay in UK. The idea that we thought of using was that this year in Ocotober 2017, we would be traveling to Austria. So we thought of this year itself applying for a 1 year multiple entry visa..showing travel in October 2017 as well as again travel to Austria in July 2018. Do you think it will work? Please give your thoughts or ideas on how to score a 1 year multiple entry visa. We both have traveled earlier to UK and Schengen areas. We had 2 UK visas and 1 Schengen visa in the past! Please help. I am a part time travel blogger as well: http://www.travelbliss.org and my friend is learning to be a professional photographer, so that we both can manage something when we are so called joblsess!

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