FIVE MONTHS after selling my house in Maryland, and before my grand homecoming to the Philippines (much delayed by the worsening COVID-19 situation), I have lived with nine families all over North America.
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Right now, I’m in Vancouver enjoying the hospitality of two families. So far!
I am set to visit at least four other families before my month-long Canadian tour is over.
And then, it will be Alaska.
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I am loving my life as a nomad.
It is fruitful, satisfying, and a strong witness to a life well lived.
Almost always, the families I visit, and the people I meet, tell me that I have an enviable lifestyle.
And in a way, I feel that it is true.
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On my first year as a Registered Nurse in the US, I have adopted the motto: have money, will travel.
Which, of course, was built on: have passport, will travel.
But in this time of the pandemic, such motto has also evolved to: have vaccine, will travel.
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I am a supporter of the no vaccine, no travel idea.
Because I support the science of vaccination and immunization; and not some conspiracy theory that some people would want to destroy humanity via the vaccines.
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So, anyway, I am enjoying the privileged life of one who is vaccinated, and immunized.
There is no full immunization. I get that.
Having a flu shot does not guarantee that you wouldn’t get the flu.
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But, at least, you will less likely die from the flu if and when you get it.
It’s the same with the COVID-19 vaccines.
I still fear that one of my tests (because you are often tested when you travel) would come back positive.
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However, I do not dwell on pessimism.
I am a happy person, and I am trying to make the best of every moment.
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I got my COVID-19 vaccines in the hope that, somehow, I will be protected from the serious threats of the infection, if it gets to that.
And so far, I’ve been lucky with the basic precautions of vaccines, face masks, physical distancing, hand washing, and Vitamin C.
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My nomadic lifestyle is amazing.
The families that welcome me know the “safe things” to do to entertain me.
They know the “safe people” for me to meet.
And so, I get to do things and meet people without being paranoid.
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Since my hosts have done the prescreening for me, I am able to relax and enjoy rather than worry if the person next to me is a safe companion or not.
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But it is being with my homestay hosts that really inspire me.
I feel like I am a visiting wise man, a welcome bright light to their homes.
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You see, I get to observe their family dynamics.
And because they respect my opinion and expertise, they let me comment, or they discuss things with me.
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They all know that I come from a place of Love.
And if I seem to meddle in their affairs, it is only because I want them to succeed even more in life.
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Sometimes, all their stories blur into one.
Or resemble like an adaptation of one another.
Because much of it is pretty much the same. Like a familiar refrain.
And I am quick to provide solutions or alternatives because I feel that I have seen or solved the situations before.
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This is the secret of helping the psycho-spiritual integration of people: the more you help, the easier it becomes to help people.
Good counsel and wise ideas become natural if you dispense them often.
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My nomadic life is an inspiration.
Because I am an awesome person taking time to visit family and friends.
I feel like Jesus in the gospels.
You know — no permanent address.
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And though I am living on the kindness of others, I still feel that I am rich. If not richer.
That’s because I can actually decide to leave my homestay hosts if they don’t behave. Haha!
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The nomadic lifestyle is not for everyone.
Also, not everyone is ready to welcome you to their homes.
And not everybody is awesome like me for people to want to invite just anybody into their homes!/PN
