Lots of moves

Being a military “brat” (child of someone in the service),

I moved a lot.  Marrying a corporate executive added to the multiple moves.  I recently figured out that, in my brief 64 years, that I have moved 32 times, been in 39 states and 8 countries.  I tend to call wherever I’m sleeping “home.” 

However, no matter how much I traveled, I always felt I had a “home base.”  Sometimes, when we were in transition, that “home base” was my grandparent’s house in Vermont.  Once my dad retired and my parents settled in one location, it became their house in Vermont.  Now that Jim is no longer working in the corporate environment, we don’t have any plans to move anymore. That means MY house is now “home base.”

Recently, I met someone who truly had no home. 

This was not the typical homeless person.  This was a gentleman who carried everything he had in his suitcase and traveled wherever he wanted, whenever he wanted, and made changes to his plan as necessary, with ease.

He seemed to want to talk, but certainly nothing in depth.  This gentleman was a tad difficult to have a discussion with.    Yes/no, very short answers, but he did want to engage in conversation.  It was rather interesting.  He claimed to love his nomadic lifestyle. I have known people who lived in an RV and moved all of their earthly possessions with them wherever they went.  But still, that was “home.” 

Personally, I can’t imagine not having a “home base.”   

Where would I put all my photo scrapbooks?!  Although, I suppose if you don’t have any family and keep all your travel memories in your head, you wouldn’t have much need for lots of pictures.

This guy talked about hotels and cruises,

so he wasn’t “roughing it.”  He was a minimalist with a great retirement plan.  He could go where he wanted, when he wanted and he didn’t have to cook or clean.  That doesn’t sound so bad.  When I asked about doctor’s visits he said because he traveled so much he didn’t have a “primary care physician.”  If he needed to visit a doctor, he just called his insurance company, told them where he was and they told him who to see.

Now that I think about it, it does sound like a pretty care-free lifestyle.  If I had no ties to anywhere, or anyone, and a great retirement package, I might consider it.  How about you?