5 May 2024
Nomad: a member of a people who have no fixed residence but move from place to place usually seasonally and within a well-defined territory. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
Just over a month into our trip, I thought it would be a good time to reflect on the nomadic existence we’re living.
When I lived in Hong Kong in 1994/95, I went through stages of awareness of how I was living. The first stage, “This is a holiday”, lasted around 3 months. Stage 1 was a lot of fun without really comprehending what I was in for.
The second stage, “So, I’m actually living here”, kicked in after 3 months and continued for about another 6 months. This is when the realisation kicked in that this was not a temporary thing, and I was actually living a different life now — temporarily as it may be.
The third stage started roughly 9 months in and can best be described as, “I’ve had enough of this place and want to go home ASAP”. Stage 3 lasted 9 months, noting that meeting Nicole during this third stage certainly helped the situation.
I knew I would go through Stages 1 and 2 on this trip (and hopefully not Stage 3!) as we undertook this nomadic existence, but I wasn’t sure how long each would take and what the transition would feel like.
When we got to Mataranka, I was pretty cooked from driving so far so quickly. I didn’t feel rushed, as we had had a number of days relaxing along the way, but it did feel like things had been a push. The 4 nights we spent in Mataranka really helped me to start slowing down.
After realising how much time we had to soak up until things started opening (e.g. the Three George Tour at Katherine Gorge not opening until 1 May), the 5 nights we spent in Katherine, I think, has become the turning point for me from Stage 1 into Stage 2. We literally only left the caravan park once in that time, and that was in a courtesy bus to head to the Katherine Club for dinner with six others (see post in the Map section).
The days are now starting to develop a lazy rhythm, but I don’t feel like the need to rush around and do things. There are a lot of amazing things we’ll be seeing, but I’m feeling more like they will move towards us in time, rather than us having to move towards them. This sounds a bit deep and philosophical I know, but I thought I’d try to share the transition with you. And Nicole and I need to remind ourselves every day how fortunate we are to be able to make this transition to a nomadic existence.
Briefly, here is Chat GPT’s view on nomadism:
Nomadic existence has a long and varied history, dating back to the prehistoric times when humans were hunter-gatherers. These early humans moved from place to place, following the migration patterns of animals and searching for food, water, and shelter. As societies developed, some groups became sedentary due to the advent of agriculture, while others continued their nomadic lifestyle, often depending on domesticated livestock and migrating within established territories to find pasturage for their animals2.
Nomadism is characterized by moving cyclically or periodically, rather than wandering aimlessly. It’s based on temporary centers whose stability depends on the availability of food supply and the technology for exploiting it2. There are three general types of nomads: nomadic hunters and gatherers, pastoral nomads, and tinker or trader nomads2.
Today, it’s estimated that there are 30 to 40 million nomads worldwide, continuing to live a lifestyle that allows them to move seasonally rather than settling in one permanent location3. Nomadic cultures have shaped centuries of civilization and continue to be a significant part of the global cultural heritage4.
It’s certainly disorienting at first to become nomadic, something western civilisation hasn’t done for a very long time but is still being practised by 30 to 40 million people worldwide. The feeling of being able to move through days more fluidly is appealing and relaxing. And I think I’m getting used to it.
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