The challenging art of slow travel

It is hard to work remotely while being in Rome

The advantage of working and living anywhere is not feeling rushed during short trips. Before adopting a nomadic lifestyle, I spent 21 out of my 30 vacation days traveling a week in each place. I could get to know only three cities at once.

Nomadism, therefore, is a perpetual state of slow travel. Spending a month in each place allows one to gradually explore the city and understand its soul. This implies, in some cases, leaving without visiting a famous spot.

You, who were born and still live in the same city, do you know all the tourist spots, museums, parks, and restaurants? It's common to hear things like "I've lived in São Paulo for 30 years and never been to (fill in the blank)" or "I moved to Rio de Janeiro 7 years ago and never visited (fill in the blank)."

It's challenging to separate travel from living in the case of nomadism, but I genuinely feel like I'm living where I am. If people who have lived in the same place for decades don't know all the possible places, a nomad doesn't need to either.

There are “must-visit” places. It doesn't make sense to go to Paris and not at least get close to the Eiffel Tower or to London and not walk along the Thames to see the London Eye and Big Ben.

These don't need to be done in the first few days—there's a month ahead. The hard part is convincing your inner self and, even worse, the people around you. On my second day in Rome, my mother was already asking about the Colosseum, my father inquired if I had been to the Vatican, and friends recommended "the pizza you must try" or "the best art museum in Rome". 

And then you start to question yourself: "Should I be more eager to visit these places? Should I be a bit more of a traditional tourist?"

The truth is the everyday life of the neighborhood interests me much more. In Buenos Aires, in Recoleta, and in Rome, in Pigneto, I do everything close to home during the week: grocery shopping, walks in parks, the gym, breakfast, lunch, dinner, laundry.

I save the more traditional tourist itinerary for the weekend, without many plans or commitments. I am always trying to wander aimlessly to discover the city by surprise.

Note: On the third day, I visited the Colosseum. My mother was happy.

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I've been dealing with mixed feelings about remote work in Rome. I have the geographical freedom of nomadism, but not the freedom of schedules. I have to start working at 10 am (Brasília time) every day.

As I'm ahead in the time zone, I have about 4 hours before starting work. It's amazing: I can have a leisurely breakfast, take a walk in a park, go to the gym, read and study a bit, take a shower, have lunch.

Then that terrible feeling hits when starting work while in Rome. I'm in Italy, where I've always wanted to be, and instead of exploring (in the slow travel pace), I dive into the daily tasks of work. Ok, it's the life I chose. Another option would be to have a fixed job in São Paulo, which definitely doesn't appeal to me.

The price one pays, therefore, is missing out on enjoying Rome for many hours or days. Looking at the bright side, leaving work, even if late (10 pm local time), and being in Rome is fascinating. 

I hope you've enjoyed this edition. Remember: feedback is essential for me to improve No Direction Home. It will be a pleasure to hear from you.