Families on the Move
We have been blessed to connect with many amazing families online, all of whom have adapted a travel lifestyle in one form or another. We wanted to take the opportunity to introduce you to them here and highlight the positive aspects travel has had on their families. Welcome our interview series called Families on the Move. Miro & I are honored to a part of this global community we consider our extended family.
Meet the Family Behind PortableProfessionals.com
Jacob-31- entrepreneurial athletic larrikin
Kalli-27- calm adventurous hippie
Ryder-1-curious happy goofball
Where are you now, where have you been and how long have you been traveling?
We are in Sydney, Australia.
We have been to about 30 countries across all continents except Antarctica.
We have been traveling since November 2008, the year we got married. Ryder was born on the road, in Mexico City.
Why do you travel as a family?
Traveling is breathing. There was no question when I got pregnant that I knew I would want to continue our nomadic wanderings. Ryder just happens to have been born into a gypsy family and so that is his fate. So far it seems to agree with him.
What are some of the benefits your family has experienced as a result your travels?
Increased zest for life. More open-mindedness. Language skills. Global friendships. Understanding the world and our role in it better. Prioritizing keeping in contact with family back home.
What inspired you and your family to incorporate travel into your lifestyle?
It happened in a way by accident. We were meant to be expats in Germany but the job didn’t work out. We began visiting one place at a time and it grew into full-time status. For a while I wondered if we would really be able to live this way even with kids. Your website among others was an inspiration. I decided that I would like to share our story in the hope that we could provide that encouragement as well—that not only does travel not have to end when you have kids, but that kids make travel even more fulfilling and fun!
How do you address education while you are traveling?
At age one, I hope that simply all of the life experiences Ryder is having so far is a good enough education. Learning how to get along with people is just about the most important education I can think of, so we try to pass him off to everyone we can so he can make friends.
How do you and your family experience being global citizens?
I believe it is a good idea to honor your nationality, just as it is important to honor your family, religious, and cultural heritage. Therefore we identify as American; however, I do not believe we have been representative of stereotypical Americans for a long time now. Borders are invisible lines; patriotism, though a lovely sentiment, can be detrimental if taken too far.
Can you share one of your family’s most memorable experiences?
Visiting Tanna, a remote island of the country of Vanuatu, standing at the rim of the most accessible volcano on Earth, and literally receiving offers of adoption for Ryder who was adored by everyone in that friendly isolated little place.
Can you share one story from your travel experiences when you and your family had an “aha moment”.
One aha moment has come in reference to the HDI, or human development index. This index measures supposedly how ‘developed’ a nation is using indicators of education, health, and wealth. However, it doesn’t measure a nation’s spirituality, hospitality, or kindness, which are more important indicators of our development as humans in our opinion. Countries with lower measures on the HDI have been for the most part more fun to take our baby to. Perhaps because they want to help raise and love other people’s babies, rather than condemn or ignore them, which in our experience sometimes happens in more “politically correct” countries.
What’s next?
Every country in the world is the current goal—over a period of 25 years. In the mean time, trying to decide whether to do Russia and the –stans next year, or Southeast Asia. Kinda leaning toward the -stans.
Name: Kalli Hiller
Facebook Page: portableprofessionals
web site: PortableProfessionals.com
