TRAVEL INTERVIEW WITH MIRO OF RAISING MIRO

TRAVEL INTERVIEW WITH MIRO OF RAISING MIRO

The mother–son duo of Raising Miro have been traveling nomadically for over 2 years so far and still going strong.The adventurous duo feature bi-monthly ‘travelpods’ unveiling their current insights, adventures and travel locations. Last month I interviewed Lainie,the mom, about their travel lives. Today I’m proud to present articulate and amusing Miro with his take on giving up ‘normal’ life in favor of life on the road. Our timing couldn’t be better- today, April 6th, is MIRO’S 12th  BIRTHDAY!! Happy Birthday Miro! (Here or here on Facebook is where you can all go send him a bday message, hint, hint) Then on with the interview:

Miro on the road

Q1. When you and your mom left your home in California ‘for good’ and set out to travel around the world ‘permanently’, how did you feel? Were you sad, excited, nervous, scared, happy? What did you think about going off to travel forever? Did you think it was wonderful or dumb or what?

– I was actually pretty excited- a little scared of the change, but excited nonetheless. I don’t have the word ‘dumb’ in my vocabulary. I use redundant or idiotic instead. At first I thought my mom was bluffing, but when we started selling things, I knew it was actually happening. It was a tad overwhelming to say the least.

Packed and ready to go!

Q2. Now you’ve been traveling for more than two years! Cool. How do you feel now about continuing your travels? Are you still really excited? Are you glad to keep traveling or would you rather return to ‘normal life’ ?

– ‘Normal Life’ as in the life we came from? Our ‘Normal Life’ was everything but normal. Anyways, no, I don’t wish to return. We made a commitment to travel for at least 8 years, and I wish to see that through.

Q3. Do you miss having a  permanent house, neighborhood, school and friends? Or do you prefer being a nomad?

-I really don’t miss (and never will) our house, neighborhood, or school. As for friends, I didn’t really have any aside from two other children. I had many adult friends but no children friends, if that’s what your asking.

Miro going somewhere…

Q4. What do you like best about your nomadic traveling life?

-I like not knowing what’s next. There’s no ‘Agenda’ as in wake up, get ready, go to school, sit in classroom, get out of school and go to sleep. Now there is no school slot taking up the whole day and we can explore our surroundings.

Q5. Is there anything that’s hard or you don’t like about your lifestyle?

-There really is nothing I dislike about traveling, and I can see no possible downsides. (Then again I am not the one paying for the two of us)

Q6. Do you have to study any ‘formal’ school subjects like math or English grammar and spelling? If so, which ones? Who teaches you?

-I don’t *have* to study. How unschooling works is I teach myself when I want to. I pursue whatever I find interesting. Lately I have been interested in folklore. I guess the only ‘teacher’ is the internet.

Q7 Are there any other subjects you study regularly?

-I ‘study’ mythology and folklore. Eventually I will move on to a different ‘subject’ when I lose interest in my current one.

Q8. How many hours per day and per week do you study school stuff?

-Well, it’s not really school stuff. It’s just whatever I find interesting. It can be anything. I spend maybe 1 hour a day ‘studying’ things.

Miro and Lainie hanging out

Q9. Besides your mom, who do you usually meet and hang out with? What do you do together?

-There really is nobody other than my mom. There is no third person that is always traveling with us. The only constant person IS my mom. Travelers are always going different directions, and whenever we meet other travelers they go different ways. So no, there is no third person (unless you count my imaginary friend bob).

Q10. What are your 3 favorites things to do for fun and entertainment?

-What I usually do to pass the time is play games, read, and go out and explore.

celebrating!

Q11. Hey Miro, Happy Birthday! You’re 12 and you’re celebrating your big day in a different country! How exciting! Is this your first birthday overseas? What do you want to do on your birthday?

– I am pretty excited. Its not that exciting though, since it feels like I have done it before at least 11 times. I had my 11th birthday in Guatemala, so it isn’t my first time out of the country. Well, for my birthday, I just want to go out to a nice sushi restaurant , and stuff my face full. Since sushi is expensive, we only do it on occasion. I believe my birthday is an occasion.

Q12. What are 3 useful or important ‘lessons’ you’ve learned from your travels?

-I’ve learned to be patient, to always have an open mind, and more importantly, EAT EVERYTHING. That is all.

Lainie and Miro traveling the world…

Q13. Are there any places you’re ‘dying’ to visit? If so, where and why?

-I really would love to go to Japan. I love the food, the culture, the technology, just everything. We are going there on my 18th birthday.

Thank you for interviewing me!
——————————————–
Hey Miro, thanks for the interview. I enjoyed your often amusing answers. You’re a funny guy and very articulate for a 12 year old too! Sounds like you’re just the right kid to lead a nomadic traveling life. Happy trails mate!

Follow Miro and his mom, Lainie, as they continue traveling the world: