Noon Mul

My vision for a tortoise life was inspired by a diplomat and a shoe string bike traveler. Despite being itinerant, they have fulfilling lives. The latter takes odd jobs when needed, maximizing their free time. For myself, it always felt as if there was no escape from modern pressures. In reality, I just needed to tune out the quacking by leaving my social network and family.

I’m grateful for the advances in medicine and technology that give us a high quality of life. I’m fortunate to have been born in a wealthy nation. So, instead of crying about the career/house/family expectations, I decided to choose the parts of modernity that benefited me.

Moving to Asia supported my new vision. In the city, there are diverse low cost options, high connectivity, and convenience. A park, river, stream, forest, mountain, is just a 10 minute walk or subway/bus ride away. Infrastructure makes quality of life much better.

I wonder if I can convert to bike/van life one day?

“So how much do tortoises carry? A study on Hermann’s tortoises found the shell mass relative to body mass to be between 33.5% and 52.3%.” (source)

This could be an interesting project; while I love the idea of human powered vehicles like bikes to promote slow life and the environment, I’m certain it would wear on me. I dislike driving, but if I’m carrying my entire home, it would be more like storage on wheels I’d park in place. I would still use public transportation to get around day to day. E-cars? Eggctricty cars?