Retire and Travel Spontaneously

by Stephanie Seyk (United States of America)

A leap into the unknown Spain

I am the type of traveler who plans every little detail and evaluates every possible change. I spent years researching requirements to live in France full-time. When I finally decided I would retire, the details were easy to implement. Unfortunately, in spite of my organization, the entire plan and trip fell apart. I decided there would be no more detailed plans, no more expectations, live each day, one day at a time. Yikes! Was I really going to do this? I moved out of my apartment, sold my car, put everything in storage, and bought a one-way ticket to Barcelona, Spain. My internal critic was terrifying me. Oddly, this only increased my determination and delight. I kept telling myself, "You will be fine, don't worry." At 67, I was about to embark on a trip with nothing more than a 30 liter back pack and day pack. It felt comforting yet strange leaving the US with no plans to return. I'm sure there have been thousands of people younger than myself who travel like this all the time. While many people challenged my sanity, I mentally quizzed myself. What was I thinking! During my flight, serenity overcame me. It occurred to me; I no longer had to think about rent or grocery shopping. It felt freeing, no balances on my credit cards, no rent bill, no electric bill, no car payment, and no insurance payments. I couldn't remember felling so liberated, as though tomorrow won't exist. I had compared the cost of hostels with economical hotels. A modest room in a hostel, with in-suite bath was comparable to a cost-effective hotel. My plan for the rest of my trip was to stay at inexpensive, clean, safe, and convenient hotels. Each day, I woke relaxed, enjoyed a casual breakfast, and roughly planned my day, except for certain sites that necessitated tickets in advance, such as the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Without a time line to worry about, I casually wandered and enjoyed the city, stopping to chat with locals or a snack and curiously investigated little side streets, observing and taking in all the unique sites and sounds around me. While enjoying free entertainment on the streets and little-know sites, I stumbled upon a restaurant serving the only real United States burger in Barcelona. I spoke to the owner who told me he had spent several years in Florida while going to school and decided to open up a restaurant in Barcelona featuring American burgers. His delicious food paid tribute to some of the greatest burgers I've enjoyed in the United States and best of all he even had a gluten-free bun! While in France, I accepted an invitation, from a widow, to return and stay at her home in Munich. This was something I never expected to happen and to a city I hadn't considered. The visit was incredibly memorable and I received a local's view of Munich. If I had made plans in advance, I would not have been able to accept such a gracious invitation. At each location visited and check out day approached, I contemplated my next destination, viewing maps and train and bus schedules. If I couldn't work out the details, I stayed a few more days. I had no plans and I could do whatever I desired. Before leaving on this trip, it would have been impossible for me imagine how relaxing it was to travel in this manner. Many of the locals I spoke to throughout my trip, were surprised that someone my age was traveling this way. One French gentleman even questioned, "You are doing what the young do?" I responded, "I guess I'm going through a second childhood and we both laughed. The most delightful conversations were casual and satisfying and the locals took pleasure in sharing relatively unknown places to visit. Even today at home, I don't worry about what to do or where to go. I've never before lived so stress free. I highly recommend you step out of your pattern of travel and try traveling spontaneously. You won't regret it and it will idelibly change how you perceive life. It changed me for all time.