Hey! I did a thing!
The lovely Heather Markel of Heather Begins fame interviewed me as part of her Inspired Nomads video series. We talked about living outside of the box, the pandemic, and of course all things travel. But mostly we talked about living outside of the box, because I’ve never been able to do anything else.
Have a listen: Inspired Nomads or on Youtube
All words and images by Alison Louise Armstrong unless otherwise noted © Alison Louise Armstrong and Adventures in Wonderland – a pilgrimage of the heart, 2010-2020.
Adventures in Wonderland 
How cool, like a star! Your living the dream and others are learning too, perfect!
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Thank you so much. Like a star, chuckle. That brought a smile to my face.
Alison
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I very much enjoyed this interview. Well done!
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Thanks so much Kate.
Alison
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Hey Alison, lovely interview – and how wonderful to hear your voice. You sound exactly how I thought you would xxxxx
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Thanks so much Beverley. Thank you for listening.
Alison xoxox
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Alison, great interview. Well done!
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Thank you so much Ron. And thanks for watching.
Alison
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ps I tried to find you on Facebook but couldn’t. If you want to look for me I’m Beverley Dalton (McDonald) with a picture of a Quokka
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I found you, but can’t friend or follow you. You’ll find me here: https://www.facebook.com/alison.armstrong.923
Send me a friend request.
Alison
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This was a great interview, Alison!Heather was a good interviewer and it was very interesting. I too hope we can get back to travelling, I have itchy feet! Next trip South Africa or Greece. Anywhere really would be a nice change of pace, tho Vancouver Island is pretty special anytime of year. Lots of snowbirds wintering on the Island!
Hope you and Don stay safe and healthy! Happy trails, 🚶♀️ 🚶🍁
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Thank you so much Pat. I thought Heather was great. She had really good questions which always helps.
I agree – anywhere would be a nice change of pace lol. We even missed our annual trip to Vancouver Island this year 😦
Our next trip will probably be Taiwan and Korea – if we can ever travel again.
You too – stay safe and healthy.
Alison
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Very fun to see and hear you, Alison! Hope you and Don are having a happy fall so far!
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Thanks so much Lexie. It was a fun interview to do.
Fall is treating us very well so far. Hope it is for you too.
Alison
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I really enjoyed listening to your story, Alison. Love that you almost got stranded in one of my favourite places, the Kinabatangan river. Your wonder at the ingenuity of people doing life is infectious. Glad to hear that you’re getting out in these challenging times and you’re staying grounded, safe and sane. We will travel again! David
P.S. I loved Taiwan! 🙂
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Thank you so much David. Being in Sepilok for the orangs, and doing that day trip on the Kinabatangan River were such a highlight. So glad we made the decision to go there.
I’m endlessly fascinated by the creativity and ingenuity of people – we are such an inventive and clever species, and at the same time so myopic it’s breathtaking.
Yes, we will travel again! I support your optimism.
Alison
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Alison – In real life! It was so much fun to hear your voice speak the words you usually write. Cheers – Susan
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Thanks so much Susan. This was so much fun to do. Honestly I find it way easier to talk than write. I was told in high school that I was a writer, but not really. I know I can write reasonably well, but I’m much more of a visual artist, and I can talk your head off given half a chance lol.
Alison
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What a great interview. You sound exactly as I’d imagined, Alison.
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Thanks so much Julie. I’m glad you enjoyed it. It was fun to do.
Alison
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PS I’m glad you said I sounded as you imagined I would. I always strive for realness when I write, but this confirms for me that my blogging voice is the same as my real-life voice. I appreciate that.
A.
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Fun learning more about your life, Alison. And to hear your voice. Over 100 different jobs, wow! 🙂 –Curt
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Thanks Curt. Last time I counted it was over 100 different types of jobs but even more jobs than that because I did some of them more than once – eg hotel receptionist (3 times), barmaid (whatever they’re called these days) (4 times), house cleaning (3 times) etc. Whatever would pay the bills as I lived my very peripatetic life. It was only when I got together with Don that there started to be any stability, but then we threw it all in and went nomadic for years. We’ve been stationary again for 3.5 years now and it feels good/calm/peaceful. And I also have itchy feet and imagine myself being nomadic again lol.
Alison
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And I used to think my dozen or so jobs were a lot! 🙂
Wandering is in my blood too, Alison. I get that! Peggy is more stable so we tend to compromise. She’s worth it. (Grin) Fortunately, she loves wandering almost as much as I do. –Curt
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I loved this interview. Your advice, to step outside the box and do things even if it scares you, was right on. It was great to hear your lovely voice and learn more about your fabulous life!
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Thanks so much Darlene. I understand if this kind of life is not for everyone, but at the same time fear holds us back from so many wonderful experiences. I’m so glad you enjoyed the interview. It was fun to do.
Alison
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First of all, that’s a beautiful photo of you and Don. I enjoyed hearing your voice and learning more about your life and inspirations. More than a hundred different types of jobs…that’s amazing! I love your message at the end and immediately relayed it to Mike.
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Thanks so much Caroline. That photo of me and Don was taken in the Laburnum Walk in VanDusen Garden. Oh and the garbage! It’s a pet peeve of mine. Often there isn’t the infrastructure for really taking care of it but at least tourists could be a bit considerate and carry their garbage back to the trash cans in their hotel or hostel. It’s at least a step better than throwing it on the ground.
One of these days I’ll sift back through my memory (while I still can lol) and make a record of all the different jobs I’ve had. It was a pretty wild ride.
Thanks for listening.
Alison
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I’m with you on the garbage. Just today, Mike and I did a little hike above Horseshoe Bay and I was dismayed to find several paper coffee cups dropped by the side of the trail. What are these people thinking! I carried them out (must remember to bring a bag with me).
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Lovely interview! Well done.
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Thank you so much Chirasree. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Alison
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I love this. So good to hear more about you & your interesting life. So many things to learn from the way you speak about your travels & I couldn’t agree more with everything you’ve shared here. Although I’ve read many of your blog posts, there’s something that you get from actually seeing you talk “live”. Thanks for sharing – fab interview 🙂
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Thanks so much Sue. What encouraging things you have said. Made my day! I’m so glad you’re enjoying my stories. Maybe we’ll get to meet in person one day!
Alison
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Congratulations, that was fun! Yes, you did a thing alright. It’s nice to hear a little more background. Heather did a good job interviewing you. (And yes, less trash, more awareness!) 🙂
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Thanks so much Lynn. Glad you enjoyed it. It was fun to do, and I agree Heather did a great job.
Alison
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This is so awesome Alison ~ very cool, and looking forward to hearing the interview! Enjoy the weekend.
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Thanks Randall. It was a fun interview to do. Heather asks good questions.
Alison
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Still limited on quality time ‘on line,’ I continue to appreciate all of your posts. I’ve opened the links and will download the youtube and enjoy it at home. Yay!
Sending love in your direction, dear and powerful and lovely woman!
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Thank you so much Lisa. I hope you enjoyed the interview. It was fun to do.
Sending love right back with all the same endorsements! ❤
Alison xox
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LOVED the interview, and I chuckled when you repeated your advice about not buying/using plastic! I have a really strong ‘resist’ about having to buy water and told someone this past week, ‘It’s like our natural right to breathing air – it seems wrong to have to pay for water…’ I use a portable filter/bag, given to me by a geologist – and I treasure it!
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Oh I’m so glad you enjoyed it. This dear world seems to have many problems these days, and for me the whole issue with plastic is one of the important ones. I wish people would get it.
Thank you for listening.
Alison xo
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