The Nomag Pulse #2 – Beyond the Gloss
The destinations are different. The experiences, more textured. A little grittier. And all the more real for it.
👋 Hello again, Nomads
Welcome back to The Nomag Pulse, where each week we bring you true tales from the road — not polished travel guides, but the messy, moving, and magical bits of living untethered.
Last week we launched this newsletter with your stories — and wow, did you show up. This week, we go deeper. The destinations are different. The experiences, more textured. A little grittier. And all the more real for it.
Let’s dive into 5 fresh stories — plus a raw dispatch straight from Asia.
🟡 1. “Why Mexico City Broke Me, and Medellín Put Me Back Together”
Samir D. – Product Manager | City-Hopper | Recovering Overachiever 📍 Now in: Medellín, Colombia
“Sometimes remote work just means running from yourself.”
After a tech burnout and a messy breakup, Samir landed in Mexico City hoping tacos + coworking = healing. It didn’t. Overstimulated, isolated, and rapidly burning cash, he almost gave up.
But Medellín slowed him down. Coffee walks. Salsa nights. People who say “buenos días” and mean it.
“I stopped optimizing. And started living.”
🟡 2. “From Warsaw to Windhoek: Trading Screens for Skies”
Kasia L. – Ex-Data Analyst | Nature Addict | Vanlife Rookie 📍 Now in: Namibia
“I was tired of pixel sunsets. I wanted dust, heat, and stars.”
Kasia quit her data job, bought a van, and shipped it to Africa. Yes, Africa.
Now she’s mapping remote internet points for an NGO, and camping under endless skies.
“The internet sucks. But the connection? Unmatched.”
🟡 3. “What Nepal Taught Me About Surrender”
Julien M. – Photographer | Burnout Survivor | French Minimalist 📍 Now in: Pokhara, Nepal
“I came to hike. I stayed to heal.”
Julien traded Paris fashion gigs for quiet mornings in the Himalayas. After a breakdown, he found peace teaching photography to local youth and meditating near the lakes.
“Here, I shoot less. But what I capture? Means more.”
🟡 4. “The Side of Lisbon You Don’t See on Instagram”
Alina V. – Virtual Assistant | Budget Nomad | Honest AF 📍 Now in: Lisbon, Portugal
“Cute tiles don’t pay the rent.”
Alina followed the IG dream to Lisbon. But found herself in the middle of rising rents, local frustration, and a nomad culture often out of touch.
“Pastéis de nata are great. But are we helping, or hurting?”
She’s staying — but doing it more mindfully.
“Freedom is cool. Accountability is cooler.”
🟡 5. “Dispatch from Asia: Earthquakes, Zen & Nomadic Truths”
Nic – Contributor | Long-Term Nomad | Buddha-Curious Techie 📍 Now in: Japan
“No, I wasn’t near the Myanmar quake. But yeah — it made me think.”
Nic’s been drifting: Vietnam (cheap + lovely), Hong Kong (💯 best-run city), now Japan (culturally fascinating but... maybe not home?).
“Vietnam wins for cost. Japan for culture. Thailand wins for your soul.”
His nomad pick? 🇹🇭
“Thailand. All the way. Chiang Mai temples. Phuket beaches. Bangkok... elite metropolis energy.”
And Myanmar?
“Let’s be real — it already sucked. This doesn’t change much.” 😅
Spicy? Sure. But honest nomad truths? That’s why we’re here.
📬 Your Turn
Each of these stories started with a question. A feeling. A restlessness.
If you’ve felt it — you’re already one of us.
Want to be featured in the next issue? Just write us!
Until next Sunday — keep wandering, stay grounded, and write your own map.
With heart, The Nomag Team