Nomad for one year
It's been a year since I left France so let's do a quick review, because a new chapter is starting soon...
After comparing quality and cost of living over a decade spent in Paris, it didn't make sense anymore. Exorbitant rent in a problematic district; transportation that is expensive, or late, or in poor condition; free school access for everyone, but incivility everywhere. I was born and raised in France, it's my language, my culture, my education, my gastronomy, but since I also speak English and I can work anywhere, I might as well take advantage of it. And since I have no house, no car, no wife, no kid and no pet, I'm free to go explore the world.
I got rid of everything I owned, keeping only two backpacks, and, on August 18, 2022, I left France.
I visited Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand, a month or two each time to test the "real life". Some countries disappointed me, and others seduced me. I discovered a variety of delicious food; polite, welcoming, relaxed people; constant warm weather, which simplified my fashion choices. All that for less money and less stress than in Paris.
Of course, every country has its pros and cons. Japan is magnificent (I was finally able to visit the mythical Mount Fuji !), the food is exceptional, but it's also a very expensive country, and I don't speak the language.
I also fell in love with Thailand, where I spent 6 months here and there. Life in Bangkok is so cheap and pleasant that I wanted to stay long-term, but the visa is complicated, and the language is an issue.
Finally, in this top 3, there are the Philippines. The capital, Manila, is modern, affordable, connected, and offers all the cuisines of the world. People speak English and they welcome you with a kindness and generosity that is incomprehensible to me, who lived on Line 13 in Paris!
Plus, it's easy to stay. Visa extension was done in less than 2 hours and with a smile... big difference with the French administration ;-) I visited apartments for two days and quickly found a small studio in the city center. Again, big difference with my experience as a tenant in France: nobody had to vouch for me, paperwork and delay is minimal, rent is half what I would pay in Paris, and this new building offers swimming pool, chill area, game area, work area, library, gym, sauna, shops, cafes and restaurants. I signed for a year, so Manila is my new home now.
I also found a passionate magical community here. Speaking of which, I'll do my mentalism lecture at their national convention in September, I can't wait to show them my classics and my new ideas.
Because Manila is hyper-connected, I can still be reached on my socials, and of course I will continue to share my future creations on my website. Speaking of which, Rainman and Haiku are finally available again, with free worldwide shipping.
Let me reassure you, I don't ship your order from the other side of the world. Since 2017, it's directly printed and shipped by my printers in several countries. UK orders are handled in the UK, American orders are handled in America, Canadian orders are handled... in America, and so on, and so on. This system allows me to offer you the shipping costs even though I now live overseas.
