Mhoro, Reader!

Greetings in the Shona language, one of the official languages of Zimbabwe, where I began writing this newsletter.

I wanted you to know it has traveled well to get to you!

Mosi-oa-Tunya (Victoria Falls): One of the most breathtaking sights in Africa

I escaped the unbearable heat of the North American summer and ventured south of the Equator where it's winter. This was the furthest south I'd been on the African continent.

Winter there didn't include snow, but it was a little chilly when the sun was down. The daytime was mostly sunny and in the 70s. It's what I call perfect weather.

Walking across an international border brings me joy

I had to slow down the last half of the trip, which meant I didn't get to see as much as I'd like. I also know that will never be possible!

I still managed to have deep experiences in Zambia and Malawi, each place piquing my curiosity in different facets. Closing out the trip with three days on Lake Malawi was the best decision.

Tranquility abounds at Cape Maclear, Malawi

Here's your monthly dose of curiosity and inspiration!

"And as my mind begins to spread its wings
There's no stopping curiosity"

~Jack Johnson, "Upside Down"

Turning Things Upside Down

The lyrics quoted above are from what just might be the John The Traveler theme song.

I wouldn't have seen Malawi if I didn't do some upside-down thinking

It's all about taking limited beliefs, naysayers' comments, imposter syndrome, and all the other societal norm-y ideas and turning them on their heads.

Being in the Southern Hemisphere, where the seasons are the reverse of home, had me thinking on this theme.

Camp Indie's "Permission to Say Yes" theme was also rooted in the notion of taking your dreams, passions, and "crazy" ideas to the next level instead of delaying action.

Jason Robinson at Camp Indie delivered a powerful keynote on treating life as an experiment and using the data to evolve your path

So many people continue to live in fear of pursuing their purpose, overthinking the difficulties and challenges instead of the possibilities and rewards.

Unconventional thinking and curiosity are ways to move forward. Add a community of like-minded individuals who want to make the world a better place and you've got the universe on your side.

Wade Holland relayed his principles of "stoke" at Camp Indie

A great example of upside-down thinking was my excursion to Matobo National Park. I didn't even have confirmation of a driver until the morning of the trip, but it was one of the best adventures I had.

Mind you, this is typically the kind of thing that people plan 8 months in advance and pay thousands of dollars for. I paid just over $100 and got an epic adventure that couldn't have been planned ahead of time.

We saw cave paintings dating back thousands of years, hiked majestic hills to see 360-degree views of balancing rocks, got VERY close to two white rhinos, and I had a fun day with three African guys I had just met.

This meticulous giraffe painted by San cave dwellers is thousands of years old

Out of Curiosity...

In Botswana, I wanted to visit Chobe National Park, which is known for having one of Africa's largest elephant populations. My wish was that I would get to see a herd of elephants in the wild. That's it!

Once again, the trip was cobbled together at the last minute using a fourth-party contact and messaging on WhatsApp. Not only did I see dozens of elephants, there were probably 15 different zoo animals that were literally feet in front of me.

This guy was waiting for me during a game drive at Chobe National Park

I'm not sure I'd ever been that pleasantly surprised in my life!

The day ended with a sunset river cruise straddling the border between Botswana and Namibia while we watched crocodiles bask in the sun, elephants feed on grasses, and hippos peek out of the water as the sky turned an orange glow.

And I quote Mr. Johnson one last time:

"I'll find the things they say just can't be found
I'll share this love I find with everyone
We'll sing and dance to Mother Nature's songs
I don't want this feeling to go away."

So, out of curiosity...

When was the last time you turned things upside down and had an unforgettable adventure or results that propelled you forward in unexpected ways?

The Teal Spotlight

The ultimate unconventional thinker has to be Chris Guillebeau. He is a prolific author, podcaster, and non-conformist who is constantly challenging the status quo, including his own.

When I first became aware of him in 2009, he was winding down his quest to visit every country in the world. He had just launched his first book called the Art of Non-Conformity.

He started a genuine movement with the launch of the World Domination Summit (WDS), which ran for 10 years. Earlier this year, he hosted NeuroDiversion, a conference for neurodivergent people across the spectrum.

This was my first time attending, but I was there in spirit from the beginning

His daily podcast, Side Hustle School, is a 10-minute dose of creativity for people looking to turn a passion project into an income-generating business.

I've met Chris a few times. He is a self-proclaimed introvert, but genuinely enjoys book signing tours. His latest, Time Anxiety, is on my must-read list because I know it will be worth taking the time—pun intended—to read.

Head over to his website and get ready for a life change!

Chris came to DC in 2023 to promote his then-new book *Gonzo Capitalism*

Tools 4 Travel

My flights to southern Africa only cost me a little over $100 roundtrip. How? Points and miles, of course! Look, you are going to spend money anyway, so why not reap the benefits? Sign up with my affiliate link to get started with a Chase Freedom card, which allows you to collect points or cash back if you wish. And I thank you!

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Attention Location Indie or Camp Indie alumni or anyone interested in a freedom lifestyle! The beloved community I've been a part of is evolving into the Indie Life Collective, and currently is FREE for all to join. Sign up here and meet like-minded individuals looking to create or build upon unconventional, purpose-filled life goals.

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