TRAVEL INTERVIEW WITH TALON OF '1 DAD-1 KID-1 CRAZY ADVENTURE'

Talon and Tigger on scooter in Cozumel, Mexico

Nearly one year ago, American Talon Windwalker and his adopted son, Tigger, set out on an indefinite nomadic travel life. Talon had decided he’d been spending his life working way too much and spending way too little time with his son. He was determined to change all that.

And so they set out, beginning in Cozumel, Mexico, and working their way slowly southward into Central America. They’ve taken up temporary residence in Utila, Honduras, scuba diving like mad. But they’re about to set out on the road again. Before they head off, I’ve caught up with them to find out about their travel life thus far and what they’ve learned.

Tigger Outside Isla Holbox- Mexico- looking for whale sharks

Q1. Talon, I only discovered the travel blog world one year ago and came upon your blog just as you were about to depart on your big world adventure. So I don’t know much about your background leading up to your decision to undertake a nomadic life or your preparations for the big departure. But since you’ve left, I’ve seen a huge transformation in your outlook, attitudes, and emotional state. In particular, nowadays you’re obviously immensely more happy, alive, and optimistic.

I’m rather assuming you’re aware of that transformation? What factors or experiences do you feel most account for your rather remarkable changes in outlook?

I’m most definitely aware of that transformation. It’s been pretty powerful. While I was involved in hospice work before we left, which is a work of constant transformation, I think living in so many places, getting to spend so much more time with my son, having a minimalist approach to living (fewer things) have all combined to let me simply enjoy life with greater quality. I still have some stressors, naturally, but nothing like working 40+ hours a week and trying to parent as a single parent at the same time.

Tikal- Guatemala

Q2. When you first started out on your travels, for the first month or so, you appeared to be quite nervous and worried. To me, it seemed like you got angry and frustrated quite easily at many situations you encountered on the road. I’ve always wanted to ask you why you were so nervous and easily upset?

Hmm. That’s an interesting observation. I think I was still trying to find my “travel legs” as a long-term traveler. The nervousness was related to a bit of fear that I wouldn’t be able to continue the nomad lifestyle while working as little as I hoped to be working. After that 1^st month I relaxed quite a bit more, Tigger was calmer, I was feeling more accustomed to simply being rather than feeling like I constantly needed to be doing something (a leftover from our previous lifestyle). It was quite a bit of adjustment for me. And one thing I’ve seen time and time again over the last year is things always end up working out.

Q3. I was delighted to watch you gradually unwind, stop being nervous and frustrated, and transform into an incredibly happy, alive person out on the road. What are the most important things you’ve learned about life and/or yourself during your first year living abroad?

First thing I’d say is things always work out for the best, especially when we just ride the waves rather than try to micromanage our situations. I’ve learned I’m a lot more patient than I thought, and I can adapt even better than I had anticipated. Even though I suspected that being nomads would be something I enjoyed, there was always a “what if” hanging in the back of my mind. It’s been extremely satisfying to see that almost a year into our journey the only thing I wish I had done differently is do this a long time ago.

Tigger enjoying the sea at Cozumel- Mexico

Q4. You’ve also written about Tigger’s great transformation in health, outlook, attitude, and abilities. That’s awesome! Why has this year of travels outside the US transformed him so positively? And, while we’re at it, why do you think his previous life in the US had made him into a nervous wreck in the first place?

Tigger suffered pretty severe emotional and physical neglect with his biologic family. As well, he and his brothers were exposed to some pretty frightening domestic violence. All of this left him with some anxiety issues, compounded with his sensory processing disorder and learning issues. They all fed each other. The public school environment is a very “one size fits all” approach, which definitely doesn’t work with the combination of needs he has. On top of that, a classroom full of children can often get quite noisy which sets his sensory issues off, which feeds his anxiety, which leads to issues that draw attention to him, which feeds his anxiety. . . you get the picture.

So being able to spend all his time with me gives him greater stability. I can easily alter our activities when I can tell he’s getting overstimulated, which has helped him develop a better level of resilience so that he is now much more capable of handling this himself. We have a strong level of communication, and I have worked hard to create an atmosphere where we can talk about what we’re feeling, what’s going on with each other, etc., so he can tell me he needs a break, it’s too loud, he needs more quiet, etc. With this his development is catching up faster and so the other things are falling into line. Our bond is also stronger which helps him. Being exposed to so many new things has helped develop more, and he’s had some continued healing.

Tigger with local at Lake Peten- Flores- Guatemala

Q5. What does Tigger like best about your new lifestyle?

Tigger says: That I get to stay up longer. I get to make some new friends. Lots of the people speak English.

Q6. Is there anything you or Tigger miss about your previous life and/or the US? If so, what?

Tigger says he misses friends. I miss some of the people and I miss being able to have a pet. Other than that I really can’t say I miss anything else. My current life has SO MUCH more quality to it, I really wouldn’t change it for anything.

Talon and Tigger in drug plane wreck on Utila- Honduras

Q7. Talon, you’ve traveled on your own quite a bit before Tigger came along. So what are the best things about traveling with Tigger as opposed to solo?

I get to share experiences with someone. Right now he’s at an age where things are interesting, so he’s willing to explore with me. I also learn a lot by hearing how he sees the world and experiences the things we’ve shared. He often reminds me just to enjoy the simple things. He can entertain himself for hours with an empty pizza box. There’s a powerful lesson there.

Talon and Tigger at Tulum ruins- Mexico

Q8. Is there anything difficult about traveling with a child in tow?

Difficult? No. Are there more challenges? Sure. A few times we’ve had challenges finding lodging because they wouldn’t accept children. Most countries so far tend to charge per person rather than per room, so I’m paying for 2 people rather than just myself. While traveling solo I could stay at places that were perhaps a little more risky, but with a young child I have to be a bit more careful about that. On super long bus rides/travel days, I’d be fine reading on my Kindle, taking a nap, etc., but I have a little person who wants to talk to me, show me things, share, complain and so on. Pretty minor challenges really, especially when compared to the benefits.

Talon and Tigger scuba diving at Utila, Honduras

Talon and Tigger during shark dive at Roatan- Honduras

Q9. You’ve been intensely immersed in the wonderful world of scuba diving, like me too. How did you get interested in diving? Is it something you’ve been wanting to do for ages? Or is it a new interest?

When I was a little kid I used to watch Flipper. The older brother used to put on scuba gear and go diving, and I thought that was so darn cool. I have always loved water. So it was a lifelong dream. As an adult there were several times when I was in a financial place where I could afford the lessons, which can be quite expensive in the States, but then I ended up having health issues, moving to another state, or something. So when we were preparing for our long-term travel, I knew we would be going places with phenomenal diving. Tigger had expressed interest, and so we did a Bubblemaker program (where kids who are at least 8 years old can experience scuba in a controlled environment like a pool) together. Both of us were hooked. I came back later that week and signed up for my courses. The 1^st day I showed up for lessons I told the instructor I was strongly considering becoming an instructor. She encouraged me quite a bit, and so I left that open water course with my sights on becoming an instructor.

monument at Havana- Cuba

Q10. You recently announced that after living and scuba diving in Utila for nearly 8 months, you’re going to leave for more travels, specifically to Colombia. Why Colombia? Why not, for instance, continue traveling down through Central America?

I had wanted to go back to Guatemala for a while and then continue on south. We’re a team, and so we discussed it. Since we had been to Guatemala twice already, Tigger took the “anywhere but there” stance. As we’ve been in Central America for more than 90 days, we would not be able to get into El Salvador or Nicaragua without first going to a non-CA-4 country like Belize or Costa Rica. For Costa Rica we’d have to fly. Going to Belize first and then heading to El Salvador was not something I was looking forward to, so I began checking out airfares. Tigger had been saying he really was ready for South America, and I was feeling like I’d like to take him to Machu Picchu on the winter solstice like I did 2 years ago, where this idea of traveling with him began. After doing some research I discovered it would be cheaper to fly to Colombia from Honduras than to Panama or Costa Rica, and I got really excited. So we said why not!

Q11. Any idea how much longer you want to continue living/traveling overseas?

Permanently. I just love exploring so much, I love what this is doing for my relationship with my son, and the wonderful and amazing changes it is making in his life. I like the simpler life that so many countries embrace, the true feeling of community you find so often in other countries. I just don’t see myself enjoying life as much in the US.

Tigger with monkey at Petencito Zoo- Flores- Guatemala

Q12. Do you think you ever want to return to living in the USA ? Why or why not?

As of right now I have absolutely no plans for returning to the US, except for layovers as we’re heading to another country. I have never really felt like I was part of the “typical” American culture, and I have always so much more at ease in other countries. Also it seems the US is going backwards when so many other nations are pursuing progress. I would not be able to afford to work part time and homeschool Tigger and still have a relatively comfortable life in the States. In addition I want Tigger to grow up as a global citizen feeling a connection and affinity for multiple countries, not just one. I’d like him to be able to take the best out the various cultures and viewpoints he finds and embrace those rather than being forced into a narrow focus which can happen when you spend all or most of your life in only one place. And I just think there are way too many adventures and exciting experiences waiting for us as nomads. Who knows, maybe it’s my Romani blood expressing itself.

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Thanks so much, Talon, for speaking frankly about your experiences, personal transformations, and world travels. Enjoy Colombia and your continued nomadic life. Hope to meet you out on the road soon! cheers, Lash

The Visa Book for UIS Citizens - Talon Windwalker

The Visa Book for UIS Citizens -by Talon Windwalker

The VISA Book for US Citizens by Talon Windwalker

Talon has written this excellent, thorough and very practical guide to visa regulations and procedures for countries all over the world.

If you’re American and you’re planning to visit several different countries around the world, then this book can save you a lot of time and hassle researching visa regulations. At only $5 US, it’s well worth adding to your travel book collection.

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Follow Talon and Tigger, the Windwalker Duo:

Website: http://1dad1kid.com