10 Things I Miss About America After Being Nomadic

I’ve been nomadic for quite a while already and it’s safe to say that my friends and family miss me more than I miss America. The nomadic life has been very good to me and I am not planning on coming back anytime soon (sorry mom). But with being gone for such a long time I get asked the million dollar question quite often “What do you miss most from home”. So here is my list of the top 10 things I miss the most about America.

Friends and family

This one is a given, and definitely, comes on top of my list. I miss my friends and family the most. I can forego whatever else is on this list if I have my friends and family. But with technology these days, it is so easy to stay in touch. Even though we are thousands of miles away I am still able to talk to my friends every day whenever I want. It's a great time to be alive!

Eyebrow threading

Yep, eyebrow threading. Shout out to my lady Sharda in Bloomingdale that allowed me to have perfect brows for YEARS. Next to my friends and family, I miss having perfect brows the most.

Amazon Prime

Living the minimalistic lifestyle definitely has its perks, especially when traveling. But sometimes I am just too lazy to go to the store (if there even is that particular store I’m looking for anywhere nearby) and want to order something online. Not having a real home base and Amazon not delivering everywhere is sometimes a pain.

The Hustle of a Routine

So this one comes and goes as I travel. If I’m living in a country I try to have a routine, I still wake up at a decent time, go workout, get some work done, do whatever, but it is still routine. But when I'm actually traveling for a long period of time, not having a routine and stability messed me up. Routine is important, even when you’re living on the beach and it's sunny till 10pm.

Fresh fruits and vegetables

I miss eating damn salads every day!!!!! Now, this doesn’t apply to every single country I've lived in. For example, there was no shortage of fruit in Thailand but veggies were a different story. As a general consensus, I found fresh fruits and veggies really hard to come by when traveling, especially when going out to eat. I thought America ate a lot of meat, the rest of world eats even more. As a pescatarian, there have been a few countries I’ve had troubles eating at. I especially had a hard time eating in Vietnam. I miss going to a Trader Joes and getting my fresh organic fruits and veggies for the week. I don't know how Asians stay so thin eating rice and noodles every day, sadly I've put on a few pounds since becoming nomadic.

My clothes

Sure living out of a carry-on is possible and fine when you’re living a minimal lifestyle. I sometimes wish I had more clothing options, and I sure don't want to buy more clothes since I only have a carry-on. And even though most of my wardrobe consists of black and neutral colors, after that 30^th time I have a photo in that same black top I get a bit tired of it. I miss the variety of my clothes. And the jewelry!!!!!

Any food I want at my fingertips

This one is pretty big for me. I’m a huge foodie and being from Chicago I can literally have any food I want within a block, phone call or grub hub away from me. Living abroad is amazing and I get to experience different foods here, but the variety of foods just isn't there. If you do happen to find an Indian restaurant in Spain, the quality just isn't there. I'm spoiled.

Wildfire/Gibsons

Speaking of food... My two favorite restaurants in Chicago. I especially miss the white fish and jumbo shrimp! Mmmmm now I’m hungry!

Well crafted cocktails

A Moscow Mule anywhere else in the world is not a Moscow mule in America (though I haven’t tried them in Moscow yet haha). I've had all sorts of variations of a Moscow Mules, made with lemon, ginger ale, mint, simple syrup, even cinnamon once. Is this a mojito or a mule? I remember once getting something that tasted like a sour apple, WTF was that? I learned to stay away from those as well as other crafted cocktails. 9/10 times it won’t be good

5-hour Energy and Pre Workout

I completely understand both are terribly bad for you and before you go on thinking that I’m doing my body good without them, sometimes a girl just needs a pick me up before she workouts for 2 hours straight. Spain specifically, I can’t find any pre workouts anywhere. I should just go on Amazon to purchase some, oh wait...

There really isn't much that I miss about America since I became nomadic. Sure certain things here and there but honestly, the experience of living abroad is ten times better than having perfect brows or eating at my favorite restaurant.

Xoxo Ania Travels 💜